Michigan State University Athletics
Rick Albro Named Women's Basketball Assistant Coach
7/1/2007 12:00:00 AM | Women's Basketball
July 1, 2007
EAST LANSING, Mich. - Michigan State head women's basketball coach Suzy Merchant has announced that Rick Albro will be joining her staff as an assistant coach. Albro brings more than 30 years of coaching experience to the Spartan program, including collegiate positions at Cleveland State University and Aquinas College. After spending three years as the top men's assistant at Cleveland State from 2003-06, Albro's most recent position was the head boys' varsity basketball coach at Grandville High School for the 2006-07 season.
"Rick and I have similar backgrounds in how we came up the coaching ranks," said Merchant. "He's been coaching more than 30 years and most of the experience has been as a head coach. I really wanted someone who has had that head coaching experience and just loves the game. He's very knowledgeable and has a wonderful presence when he walks into the room.
"I certainly respect him as a teacher of the game," Merchant added. "He's phenomenal at player-skill development, particularly in the post area. He's also a great defensive mind, which I was looking for to round out the staff. I'm excited about Rick joining our staff and to get a chance to work with him."
"I've been extremely fortunate to work with such quality young people throughout my career," said Albro, "and I'm looking forward to continuing that while keeping the Michigan State program at a very high level on the national scene. I'm excited about the opportunity to join Coach Merchant as she begins on maintaining the Spartan women's basketball program a national yearly competitor."
While at Cleveland State, Albro served under longtime MSU assistant men's basketball coach Mike Garland, who recently returned to Coach Tom Izzo's staff this summer.
Prior to Cleveland State, Albro served as the head men's basketball coach at Aquinas College in Grand Rapids, Mich., from 1990-2003. While at Aquinas, Albro was also the school's sports information director, handling all the publicity for the Saints' athletic program.
Before heading across town to coach at Aquinas College, Albro coached at East Grand Rapids High School for 12 years, leading the boys' varsity basketball team from 1978-90 while also coaching the girls' varsity team three seasons (1983, 1987, 1988).
In addition to his coaching duties at Aquinas College and Cleveland State, Albro worked for 15 years (1988-2003) for the Michigan Camp of Champions. He was the founder of the residential basketball camps for high school boys and girls, attended by more than 4,000 athletes.
Albro has also worked and been hired as a basketball clinician at several prestigious camps throughout his career, including the Michigan State Basketball Camp and the Five Star Camp in Pittsburgh, Pa.
Albro's coaching career began at St. Charles (Mich.) High School, where he served as the head golf coach and JV basketball coach for three years and the athletic director for two years. He then moved on to Marlette (Mich.) High School, coaching the boys' varsity basketball team from 1974-78 in addition to being the athletic director for three years.
Albro graduated from Western Michigan in 1971 with a bachelor's degree in business administration. He earned his master's degree in education administration from Central Michigan in 1985.
Albro replaces Mike Geary, who submitted his resignation, effective July 6, for personal reasons. Albro joins first-year head coach Suzy Merchant and assistant coaches Shane Clipfell and Evelyn Thompson on the Spartan women's basketball staff.
