Professor Emeritus of Physical Education Albert M. Fereshetian Jr., affectionately known as “Coach Fresh” by hundreds of Bates student-athletes and alumni through the years, died on June 22, 2024, at the age of 66.
Celebrating Al Fereshetian’s Life
A celebration of Al Fereshetian’s life will be held at 11 a.m. on July 6, 2024, at East Auburn Baptist Church, 560 Park Ave., Auburn, Maine. The celebration will be available via livestream.
Fereshetian joined Bates in 1995 as the head coach of men’s cross country and track and field, holding the position for 26 years, retiring in 2021 after an illustrious coaching career that spanned 41 years. During his tenure at Bates, he coached more than 500 athletes, with 48 earning a total of 101 All-America honors, including nine individual NCAA titles.
On top of all that, he was a rock-steady supporter and mentor to his athletes, and his enthusiasm and sincerity — always evident at the annual Alumni Cross Country Race — helped keep alumni engaged with Bates long after graduation. “Coach Fresh is a friend, a dad, a brother, and a mentor,” three-time All-American thrower Adedire Fakorede ’18 once said. “He just does it all.”
Born and raised in Arlington, Mass., by first-generation Armenian Americans, he graduated from the University of New Hampshire in 1983, where he began his coaching career.
Before his time at Bates, he led the cross country and track and field teams at Appalachian State University from 1989 to 1995. His tenure there was marked by success, including three Southern Conference championships for men’s cross country and seven conference coach of the year honors. He was a 2010 inductee into the Appalachian State Athletics Hall of Fame.
Oct. 15, 2016: With his trademark mix of ebullience and intensity, Fereshetian exhorts his cross country runners at the end of the Maine State Championship at Pineland Farms in New Gloucester. (Phyllis Graber Jensen/Bates College)
April 22, 2017: Fereshetian at the Maine State Outdoor Track and Field Championship at Russell Street Field. (Phyllis Graber Jensen/Bates College)
Nov. 28, 2017: A skilled teacher of technique in various disciplines, Fereshetian reviews video with members of the men’s and women’s varsity track and field teams in Merrill Gym. (Phyllis Graber Jensen/Bates College)
April 10, 2018: Fereshetian works with Zack Campbell ’19 of Brooklyn, N.Y., during the Maine State Outdoor Track and Field Championship. (Phyllis Graber Jensen/Bates College)
Oct. 28, 2007: Fereshetian watches his runners during a rainy NESCAC Championship meet. (Tom Leonard ’78)
April 2006: Fereshetian with one of the all-time great Bates throwers, Keelin Godsey ’06. (Joe Gromelski ’74)
Feb. 3, 2018: Fereshetian gathers his athletes during the 50th Maine State Indoor Championships in Merrill Gymnasium. (Phyllis Graber Jensen/Bates College)
Sept. 14, 2019: Posing with Curtis Johnson (left), who succeeded Fereshetian as head coach, and coaching colleaugue Jay Hartshorn, former longtime coach of women’s cross country and track. (Phyllis Graber Jensen/Bates College)
March 12, 2011: Fereshetian poses three of his greatest throwers, Chris Murtagh ’11, Ethan Waldman ’11, and David Pless ’13 after their All-American performances at the 2011 NCAA Division III Indoor Track and Field Championships. (Tom Leonard ’78)
April 2007: Fereshetian raking a jumping pit, doing what coaches do, almost anything and everything. (Joe Gromelski ’74)
Sept. 4, 2010: Giving directions and greetings before the annual Cross Country Alumni Race. (Joe Gromelski ’74)
Feb. 7, 2009: Fereshetian congratulates throwing coach Joe Woodhead at the dedication of the throwing areas in Merrill Gym in honor of the longtime coach. (Louisa Demmitt ’09 for Bates College)
March 8, 2016: Fereshetian works with Nick Margitza ’16 and Adedire Fakorede ’18 in their final tuneup before departing for the NCAA Division III Indoor Track and Field Championships. (Josh Kuckens/Bates College)
March 8, 2016: Fereshetian being picked up by thrower Adedire Fakorede ’18 during final preparations for that year’s NCAA Division III Indoor Track and Field Championships. (Phyllis Graber Jensen/Bates College)
Feb. 3, 2018: Fereshetian, displaying his trademark mix of ebullience, intensity, and creativity, at the Maine State Track meeting with now retired equipment manager Jim Taylor (center) and former Bates coaching colleague Jay Hartshorn. In background is Al Harvie ’65, meet announcer. (Phyllis Graber Jensen/Bates College)
At Bates, he succeeded Walter Slovenski as only the second coach to lead the men’s cross country and track and field programs since 1952.
He continued the tradition of excellence, guiding the men’s cross country team to seven NCAA Championship appearances and leading the track and field team to two NESCAC titles, the 2012 New England Division III Men’s Indoor Track and Field title, and the 2013 New England Division III Men’s Outdoor Track and Field title.
With a coaching style marked by a potent mix of ebullience, intensity, and creativity, Fereshetian had a particular knack for teaching proper technique, allowing him to expertly coach different track and field disciplines.
More About Al Fereshetian
This 2018 profile of Al Fereshetian captures his dedication to coaching and mentoring Bates athletes, his ability to build strong, close-knit teams, and how he shaped the lives of those he coached athletically and personally.
“There’s technique to everything,” Fereshetian once said. “There’s technique to driving, there’s technique to opening a door. And there’s technique to throwing.”
While in college, he began coaching as at a local high school and worked nights as a security guard at the Seabrook Station Nuclear Power Plant while it was under construction. To while away the overnight hours, he practiced throwing technique.
“They had the most amazing polished concrete floors,” he said. “I did a lot of turns throughout the night. It allowed me to get a great feel for the throws. I had to get that feel so I could convey it to the athletes.”
“He puts everything he has into making these athletes perform to the best of their ability.”
Ira Waldman ’73
In 2011, Fereshetian had the honor of presenting the All-American shot put awards at the NCAA Division III Indoor Track and Field Meet because one of his athletes, David Pless ’13, won the event.
Ira Waldman ’73 was there too; his son, Ethan Waldman ’11, also earned All-American honors. In a 2018 interview, Waldman said he would never forget looking at Fereshetian as he handed out the awards.
“He puts everything he has into making these athletes perform to the best of their ability,” Waldman said. “You could see the pride on his face. You could see the tears welling up in his eyes.”
