ALEX YUNEVICH
Alex Yunevich is one the most outstanding coaching figures in American College Football. He served as the football head coach at Alfred University from 1937-41 before answering the call of duty at the age of 32 and was commissioned as a lieutenant commander in the United States Navy in World War II. Yunevich returned to coach at Alfred University again from 1946-76, wrapping up his career as the winningest coach in program history with a 177-85-12 overall record. Yunevich was inducted into the Alfred University Athletics Hall of Fame in 1975. Outside of football, Yunevich additionally coached basketball, golf and wrestling at Alfred University. In total, Yunevich is joined by 41 former players/staff members in the Alfred University Athletics Hall of Fame.
Across his AU coaching career, Yunevich led AU to six undefeated seasons, while tallying five seasons with just one loss. His 1971 team was undefeated and were Lambert Bowl Division III Champions. From 1970-73, his Saxons won 29 out of 33 games played. In his earlier years, the Saxons had a scoring streak that lasted through 56 consecutive games. Yunevich and Alfred University gained national attention when Yunevich was interviewed by Heywood Hal Broun on the Dan Rather CBS-TV national news show.
Under Yunevich, Alfred University won eight Independent College Athletic Conference Championships in 1964, 1965 (co-champions), 1966, 1967, 1970, 1971, 1972 and 1976. He was twice recognized as the Small College Coach of the Year, first in 1956 by the Washington Touchdown Club and again in 1971 by the New York State Football Writers Association.
Following his time with Alfred University, Yunevich coached three years as the head coach at Central Michigan, going 10-13-1, making his combined head coaching record 187-93-13. Prior to joining Alfred University, Yunevich played his high school athletics at Bicknell, IN where he won 16 letters across four sports. Yunevich enjoyed a success playing career at Purdue University, where he was an All-Big 10 fullback on an undefeated football team and additionally captained the Boilermakers track & field team. In 2022, Yunevich was inducted into the
Indiana Football Hall of Fame.
The stadium at Merrill Field on Alfred University's campus was named after Coach Yunevich in 2014.
“Games are won with the head and heart.” –Alex Yunevich
