Al Pastore Charity Soccer Game

In the early 90’s, Wilmington Hammerheads founder, Al Pastore, was diagnosed with Parkinson’s disease.  Since then Al has continued to coach, mentor, inspire, and fight.  On May 24th a group of former Wilmington Hammerheads will take on the US Marine's National Team at Legion Stadium to honor the most influential individual in the Wilmington soccer scene and his fight against Parkinson's. All proceeds from this game will be donated, per Al's request, to the Parkinson and Lewy Body Dementia Support Group of Wilmington, run by Jill Davenport. 


About Al

After an illustrious youth coaching career in New York State, that included the creation of FC Westchester and a NSCAA (National Soccer Coaches Association) National Coach of the Year award in 1992, Al moved to North Carolina and joined the coaching staff at UNCC before landing in Wilmington in 1995 when he founded the Hammerheads. 

After three years as the head coach of the Wilmington Hammerheads, Al took a coaching position at Duke University before returning to Wilmington in 2005 to take the head coaching role at New Hanover High School.  In 2012 Al decided it was time to step away from the game that he loves so dearly, retiring from coaching.

During the last years of the Wilmington Hammerhead’s existence, Al served as a mentor for players and coaches alike.

Pastore's Soccer Love Affair Burns Bright