Brooklyn, NY----Earlier in the week,  Brooklyn College Athletics was deeply saddened to announce the unexpected passing of Head Men's Soccer Coach, Joseph Réal André, at his home. He was 57 years-old.  Mr. André lived the life of a coach, a proud New Yorker, and an old-school gentleman.  

Following stints in finance, sales, and security earlier in his professional career, Coach André found his calling in 2008.  He would return to his alma mater, Lehman College, as Head Coach of the Men's Soccer team, which had been on a decade-long hiatus prior to his appointment.  In only two seasons as a varsity program again, Coach André helped transform the Lightning into one of the best teams in the CUNYAC, willing his guys to a runner-up finish in the 2010 CUNYAC tournament as the No. 5 seed.  Just a year later, the Lightning would go on to win the CUNYAC title and earn an automatic bid to the NCAA Tournament.  Deservingly, Coach  André would be named CUNYAC Coach of the Year.  

In 2014, Coach André would join the Brooklyn College Men's Soccer program as an assistant coach.  He helped guide the Bulldogs to a CUNYAC Championship match appearance in 2014 and the 2015 squad advanced to the semifinals.  

Prior to the 2016 season, Coach André would be promoted to Head Coach of the BC Men's Soccer program with the departure of Rawle Hensford.  Since taking the reigns, the Bulldogs have qualified for the CUNYAC Championship tournament every year.  In 2017, he guided the Bulldogs to the conference tournament semifinals and came a late goal short of the title match.  That same team would earn a bid to the Eastern College Athletic Conference (ECAC) postseason tournament.  Having a knack for preparing his teams for conference play, Coach  André compiled a 39-29-5 CUNYAC record between Lehman and Brooklyn.  

Extremely active on the New York City soccer scene, Coach  André was a very successful recruiter.  Between Brooklyn and Lehman, Coach  André mentored a pair of student-athletes named CUNYAC Player of the Year, an ECAC and CUNYAC Rookie of the Year, a CUNYAC Sportsmanship Award winner, and 21 CUNYAC All-Stars.  Coach André  was also a lifelong learner, who was working on a second master's degree at John Jay, and took the most pride in academic and professional accomplishments of his former players.  

A soccer purist, he would slightly cringe at the word 'soccer' and not 'football', to Coach André, football was life.  An avid La Liga (the professional Spanish soccer league) fan, Coach André could be seen regularly walking through the West Quad Center with his Barcelona FC scarf draped around his shoulders.  Over the years, Coach André has volunteered his time to coach at a number of clinics and camps, solely for the love of the sport.  

Another one of Coach André's passions was learning about others' cultures, hence why he was so proud to be a New Yorker because he got so much of it.  Proficient in French and Spanish, Coach André wanted to learn as much as he could, so that he didn't offend anyone ever because he was so proud of his own background.  Coach André appreciated and even adopted other cultures' traditions, sayings, and of course - food.  Very often, Coach André would pop into an office and announce, "Hey, a lot going on, today, stepping out for a minute, nothing the roti spot can't cure!"

Many have had the pleasure of having regular conversations with Coach André or just "Joe" because he made you feel that comfortable.  Joe was the definition of a 'people-person' on campus because of how well he listened to others, the lack of judgement you felt when talking to him, and the sound advice he would offer.  As the Student-Athlete Advisory Committee adviser, coach, and College Assistant in the athletics department, a very diverse and wide-range of people were able to experience Joe's gifts.  

Over the past couple of days, BC Athletics has received an abundance of support from the Brooklyn College community, the CUNY community, and beyond.  Coach André will be sorely missed, but he left an imprint on so many people's lives that he will never be forgotten.  Below is some of the overwhelming support received:

Paying Tribute to Joseph Réal André

Joe was someone who I had the opportunity to get to know very well during his five years working in our program. He was a very personable and loyal guy who loved what he did and enjoyed being around students and colleagues.  I will always remember him fondly as a member of our staff, but also as a friend. - Bruce Filosa, Brooklyn College Director of Athletics 

The Brooklyn College Community all mourns his passing especially those of us in the Athletics Dept. who were involved as colleagues, coworkers and student athletes.  We all shared many emotional and exciting moments with Coach Joseph in our endeavors as colleagues and players.  We honor his work, achievements and commitment to the Brooklyn College Community and share in grief with his family. - Luis Flores, Brooklyn College Assistant Men's Soccer Coach 

Not too long ago we were talking on the phone about soccer season and everything :(. RIP, Coach Andre. A great man, great friend, and amazing mentor.
- Arturo Zaraza, Brooklyn College Men's Soccer Team Captain

Though I have not been at Brooklyn College long, Joe was the first person that I saw in the office everyday. One of my fondest memories of Joe was helping him to pick out a waffle maker! He sent me a few to look through and tasked me with selecting the best one that I thought would be good for him. Once he received it, he was so happy, that he called me at 7am just to tell me how the waffles came out! Any day that he made waffles, he would come into the office and let me know that he had made best waffles on his new waffle maker. Our early morning conversations in the office centered around recruiting, his team's expectations and teaching me the rules of soccer. Joe was a great guy and will truly be missed. Rest in peace Coach! - Sharia Marcus-Carter, Brooklyn College Senior Woman Administrator/Compliance and Student-Athlete Program Coordinator


I first met Joe back in the 90's at Lehman College, and we've always shared a common passion in college athletics.  When he came onto our coaching staff, I got to know him a lot better, having many conversations, telling stories of CUNYAC lore and sharing jokes about every day BC life.  In life, there are people who you try to avoid, and there are others who you love running into because they love to laugh, joke and make it easy to start a relaxed conversation, and that was Joe Andre.  I grew up in the Bronx, not too far from where Joe lived, and we shared a common bond because of it.  Joe played basketball, and was a lifelong college basketball fan who attended many of my team's games.  He loved talking basketball, whether it was asking me what the scout was for an upcoming opponent, or asking for a recap of the previous night's game. He was a colleague and friend, and will be greatly missed by all. 
- Alex Lang, Brooklyn College Associate Director of Athletics / Head Women's Basketball Coach.
 
We thank you for being such an intricate part of Brooklyn College Athletics. From motivating the guys on pitch, to inspiring and mentoring various athletes in SAAC. You will be deeply missed and never forgotten. - Anna Curran, Student-Athlete Advisory Committee President
 
York College's men's soccer team is saddened at the passing of Coach Andre. He was a great competitor and coach and will be greatly missed.  We send our condolences to his family and to his Brooklyn College team and colleagues during this difficult time.  Our prayers and thoughts are with you. - Al Meneses, York College Head Men's Soccer Coach 
 
When I was hired by BC Athletics, I was trained in my role by Joe Andre. When I would trail him to different offices and departments to learn the ropes, he always introduced (the many) members of other staffs by their names. On our many trips back to our office, he would always try to reemphasize the importance of our relationship with other departments, and being courteous and kind. I think he firmly believed that people are inherently good and that it was on us to let that be the side they continued to show us. He liked to bring up that everything we did reflected on Bruce and the entire department, and he always made his best effort to do everything the right way. – Alexandra Loff, BC Colleague 

A fond memory I have of Coach Andre is the trust he put in me even though my playing level wasn't that high when I started playing soccer in Lehman College. That trust really helped me to push myself to become a better player and it's something I appreciate until this day. I hope he is in total peace now. - Junior Galeas, Former Lehman College Student-Athlete 
 
Joe was just a super nice person. He was always a supportive colleague and friend.  If things were going good or bad for me and my team at Lehman Joe was the first guy to come to the office and give me positive feedback .  When he was a student in the EXS 304 class I teach, he would stay after class and we would just talk coaching and the world of sports. Gonna miss you Joe, rest in peace.  – Steve Schulman, Lehman College Head Men's Basketball Coach

I knew Coach Andre for so long and competed versus his teams from his tenures at Lehman and Brooklyn.  He was a dignified and a good man and it's my pleasure to call him a colleague for so many years.  I know Andre cared about CUNYAC soccer and was always competitive with his teams.  He will be missed on the pitch and I will miss our care free and friendly banter before and after the games.  On behalf of myself and the Baruch Soccer Family we want to send our sincere condolences to Andre's family, friends and colleagues. ​ - Dmitriy Kamenshchik, Baruch College Head Men's Soccer Coach