Albert (Al) Schlazer, Ph.D., or Dr. Al as he was called, 82 years old, passed away March 10, 2021. He was born July 11, 1938, to David and Charlotte Schlazer in Brooklyn, NY. He left Brooklyn after the Dodgers left for Los Angeles, moved to Miami and attended the University of Miami.

He met his wife, Basha, on the softball field at Grapeland Park in Miami; for the next 55 ½ years sports was a large part of their lives.
Besides his wife, Basha, he leaves behind 2 children, Michelle (Bert) Plotegher, and Scott, and 2 adult grandchildren, Michelle’s son and daughter, Radley and Chiara, who live in England, and a granddaughter from his late son, George and his partner J.D. Bryant-Schlazer, 12 year old, Tepper Ann.

Al graduated from the University of Miami with a BS degree in Education and continued his education with his Masters and Ph.D in Sports Psychology. He finished his 40 years in Education as Dean and Athletic Director a Miami-Dade State College. During that time, he coached 6 college National Tennis Championship teams and was inducted into several Halls of Fame.

In 1997, Al and his wife moved to Clermont and were the pioneers, as they were some of the first people to move into Kings Ridge. The day after Al got here, he started his new career with Disney’s ESPN Wide World of Sports as Senior Sports Manager for Baseball. He was with Disney for almost 20 years before he retired.

Al stayed active playing golf, tennis, and pickle ball as well as being an Ambassador with the South Lake Chamber of Commerce, a volunteer at South Lake Hospital, President of Kings Ridge Tennis Club, Honorary Chairperson for the Lake Sumter State College Sports Leadership Luncheon Series and a member of a number of local boards and committees including the South Lake Sports and Tourism Board. In his spare time, he also taught tennis for the city of Clermont.

A Celebration of Al’s life will be held on his birthday, Sunday, July 11, 2021. For more information email – bssportzfan@aol.com, on the subject line please write Celebration.

The family suggests in lieu of flowers memorials in Al’s name to the Lake-Sumter State College Athletic Department.

Becker Funeral Home, 806 W. Minneola Ave., Clermont, FL is serving the family. An online guestbook for Dr. Al is available at www.beckerfamilyfuneral.com.