ALBEMARLE—Veteran teacher and coach Al Andrew has retired, according to a report in the Stanly News and Press.

         Andrew taught at Albemarle for 31 years and had a distinguished coaching career, leading men’s basketball teams to a school record 402 victories during his tenure.

         His career coaching mark was 402-170 and his teams won 20 or more games four of the last five seasons.

         Andrew was hired just after graduation from the University of North Carolina and first coached the junior varsity program for a couple of years before becoming a varsity assistant with head coach Dave Holcomb.

         He also coached golf at Albemarle and led the team to a North Carolina High School Athletic Association state championship in 1998. Andrew also had stints as an assistant football coach and head baseball coach.

        “I hope the players had fun and play sports for the love of the game,” Andrew said according to the story in the newspaper. “Maybe they learned some basketball, maybe learned something bigger than the game. I am the lucky one because of the relationships with these fine young men. I play golf with some of them now, see them graduate from high school, college, become successful and come back to the community. When they make something of themselves, that’s the neat thing.”