Albert Soar
Providence Steamrollers Head Coach | BAA Coach | Rhode Island Sports Figure
Albert “Hank” Soar was born on August 17, 1914, in Alton, Rhode Island. He became a well-known multi-sport figure in Rhode Island and later entered professional basketball as head coach of the Providence Steamrollers.
Soar coached the Steamrollers during the 1947-1948 Basketball Association of America season. He coached 19 games and finished with a 2-17 record before Nat Hickey took over the team.
The Providence coaching job became Soar’s only head coaching position in the BAA or NBA.
Coach Soar passed away on October 24, 2001, at the age of 87.
- Overall Coaching Record: 2-17
Coaching Career
Albert Soar started the 1947-1948 season as head coach of the Providence Steamrollers.
The Steamrollers struggled during the opening part of the season and went 2-17 under Soar.
Soar was replaced by Nat Hickey, who went 4-25 for the remainder of the season. Providence finished with a 6-42 record, placed fourth in the Eastern Division, and missed the playoffs.
The 19-game stint became Soar’s only head coaching experience in the BAA or NBA.
Notable Players Coached
- Ernie Calverley
- 1947 All-BAA Second Team
- 1947 BAA Assists Leader
- Kenny Sailors
- National Collegiate Basketball Hall of Fame
- Known as one of the early pioneers of the modern jump shot