CHICAGO (August 15, 2019) – Loyola University Chicago head men's soccer coach Neil Jones announced the addition of Martin Alba to his coaching staff on Thursday. Alba, a 2019 graduate of Marquette University in Milwaukee, Wis. will serve as a Volunteer Assistant Coach with the Maroon & Gold.
 
"We're very excited to have Martin join our staff," Jones said. "He was a very accomplished player at Marquette, which is a great program. He understands how to play the game a similar way that we try to play at Loyola, so I feel that the transition for him from style of play will be a seamless one. He's someone who is very passionate about the game and has a lot of great knowledge to give to our guys."
 
Alba is fresh off a four-year playing career at Marquette where he started in 37 of his 46 appearances for the Golden Eagles. As a senior, Alba appeared in a career-high 16 games and was named a BIG EAST All-Academic Selection in 2017-18. 

A Calumet City, Ill. native, Alba attended George Washington High School and was ranked in the top-100 players in the 2014 recruiting class by both TopDrawerSoccer.com and College Soccer News. He also trained with the Chicago Fire Academy. 

"I am extremely excited and thankful for the opportunity here at Loyola," Alba said. "I am looking forward to working alongside Coach Jones, Bode and Pinto to continue to build off Loyola's success. Being from Chicago, it is great to be able to come home and work for a well-established program."
 
Loyola begins its three-game exhibition slate at Loyola Soccer Park on Saturday against Marquette at 5 p.m. The Ramblers officially open the 2019 regular season on Friday, August 30th when they host Vermont at 5 p.m.