Iowa State Holds Off UAlbany Basketball, 76-64, in Wilson-Lillis Homecoming Game

Courtesy: UAlbany Sports Information

Ames, Iowa - Jiri Hubalek had 22 points and Wesley Johnson added 20 as Iowa State pulled away in the second half for a 76-64 victory over UAlbany on Sunday, Dec. 30 before 13,330 fans at Hilton Coliseum.

The Cyclones, who have won five of their last six outings, led 37-33 early in the final period, but then took control with 15 straight points. Johnson, a 6'7" sophomore, did all of the damage in that stretch. He buried three consecutive 3-pointers from the left corner, right wing and left wing. He then converted a conventional three-point play and drilled another long-range shot for a 52-33 advantage with 14:15 remaining.

"The first four minutes of the second half we turned the ball over on three consecutive possessions,” said UAlbany head coach Will Brown, whose squad has dropped six of seven road games this season. “The lead went to double figures immediately. (Wesley) Johnson got into a shooting rhythm and played with confidence. They are huge upfront. But I thought our freshmen played with confidence, especially in the second half."

UAlbany (5-7) closed the margin to eight on three separate occasions after that point. Brent Wilson, one of two Iowans returning to his home state, fueled the last run. Wilson, who had 12 points, including the 1,000th of his career, drained a three-pointer from the top of the arc, before Jon Iati's two free throws sliced the deficit to 62-54 with 5:03 to play. However, Iowa State (8-5) pushed the lead back to double figures when Hubalek split a pair of free throws and made a turnaround in the lane. He added 10 rebounds and three blocks.

"This was a great experience," explained Wilson, a native of Cedar Rapids who became the 28th player in team history to reach the 1,000-point mark. “To have that many friends and family turn out was overwhelming. I know both Brian (Lillis) and I appreciate it. It seems that we continually dig ourselves a hole. We need to limit our opponents' runs; they can't be 10 or 11 points."

Lillis, who hails from the Des Moines area, led UAlbany with 13 points and grabbed six rebounds. He has reached twin figures in 11 of 12 games this season. Redshirt freshman Tim Ambrose came off the bench to add 10 for the Great Danes, who begin America East Conference play on Jan. 3. Rahshon Clark was the third ISU player in double digits with 12 points.

Iowa State leaped to an 11-5 start when Hubalek scored in the lane off a lob pass. The 6-foot-10 center had 13 first-half points. UAlbany came back with nine unanswered to take its first lead, as Iati made a three-point field goal from the left corner. The game seesawed the rest of the period. The Great Danes broke a 20-20 deadlock when Wilson hit a jumper after grabbing an offensive rebound and Josh Martin sank two free throws. But the Cyclones tallied 12 of the half's final 16 points. Hubalek and Diante Garrett each made a pair of foul shots to put their team ahead at the break.

"Turnovers against a Big 12 team lead to big baskets,” said Lillis, whose team was meeting an opponent from that conference for the first time in the program's history. “They just kept dropping in shots over-and-over again. Playing these kinds of teams on the road is great for us, as long as we keep getting better."

Gia Sanders Leads UAlbany to a 70-63 Win Over St. Francis (NY)

Courtesy: UAlbany Sports Information

Albany, N.Y. – Senior forward Gia Sanders recorded her third double-double of the season, with a career-high 18 points and a game-high 11 rebounds in leading UAlbany to a 70-63 win over St. Francis, N.Y. in women’s basketball action on Friday evening at SEFCU Arena.

UAlbany (2-11) jumped out to a seven-point lead, 15-8, on a Charity Iromuanya layup with 15:35 on the clock in the first half. St. Francis (3-9) embarked on a 15-2 stretch to take a 23-17 advantage with two free throws by Kristen Miah with 8:36 to play. After two made free throws by Janea Aiken gave the Great Danes a 34-33 lead with 29 seconds on the clock, Iromuanya stole the ball from Miah to hold onto the halftime advantage for UAlbany.

The Great Danes, who broke a nine-game skid with the win, used a 15-2 run in the second half to build up a 61-46 lead with 5:22 left to play. St. Francis cut the lead back to single digits, pulling within 62-53 on two foul shots by Katja Bavendam, who finished with 20 points and 11 boards for the Terriers. UAlbany used strong foul shooting down the stretch, as Sanders, Britney McGee and Iromuanya hit six straight from the line as time wound down.

“This was one of our must-wins,” said UAlbany head coach Trina Patterson. “Confidence is key, along with getting on a roll heading into conference play. If we continue to play the way we have played the last two games, we are going to get some wins against our conference opponents.”

Sanders, who recorded her 500th career rebound in the game, also finished with four steals, three blocks and two assists en route to being named the America East Player of the Game. McGee shot 5-of-9 from beyond the 3-point line to finish with 18 points to stretch her double-digit scoring streak to five straight games. Iromuanya also reached double figures for the Great Danes, adding 11 points, four steals and two assists.

Tiffany Hill led all players with 24 points and seven rebounds, playing all 40 minutes for St. Francis. Miah, who went 4-for-4 from the charity stripe, added nine points, four boards and a game-high five assists.

UAlbany will have an eight-day layoff before starting conference play in the New Year, visiting New Hampshire on Saturday, Jan. 5 at 1 p.m.

University of Albany Athletics - Varsity Club

Stay Connected to UAlbany Athletics - Donate at the Varsity Club Level.


Your commitment to the Varsity Club will help further UAlbany athletics by building our fan base and showing support for our UAlbany teams at home and on the road.

Become a donor to the Great Danes Fund at the Varsity Club level and stay connected through special pregame athletic events, UAlbany trips to away games and much more.

The Great Danes Fund adds monies to the base of athletic scholarships, continues to allow for facility upgrades and enhances recruiting budgets.

Your donation of $100 or more gives you access to pregame activities, a media guide of your choice and a Varsity Club T-shirt!


To make your donation to the Varsity Club, please contact the Alumni Association at: 1-800-836-ALUM (2586), alumniassociation@uamail.albany.edu
or visit www.albany.edu/giving and make your $100 donation to the Great Danes Athletics

University of Albany Campus Life

University at Albany students gather at Danes After Dark, an on-campus, late-night weekend gathering spot that offers everything from karaoke to magicians and hypnotists. (Photo by Donna Yee) As the night begins, a spirited vibe takes hold of Danes After Dark. Students huddle around the TV with the latest version of Play Station, or challenge each other to air hockey or Jenga tournaments. At any given time, the victorious laughter from a group engrossed in "Halo" on the Xbox might meet the staccato bark of the poetry slam in the lower lounge.

UAlbany's Danes After Dark is an on-campus, late-night weekend gathering spot that lines up a bevy of lively activities from karaoke competitions to magicians and hypnotists.

"It's an alternative method of meeting students with the same interests that you have," said Michael Stephenson, a senior from the Bronx, N.Y. "It's students who want to have a good time, just like you do."

Since beginning in 2005, the program has flourished, even catching the attention of UAlbany faculty members, who can be seen among those participating in the program's ever-expanding -- and entertaining -- activity list, which includes concerts, magic shows, food and movies.

"It's just a nice way to meet new people if you're on campus that evening and looking for something to do"
-Jacqui Lee Still, Danes After Dark can also provide a more laid back atmosphere for students with the availability of study rooms, knitting workshops and therapeutic chair massages. There are even manicures and pedicures.

"Danes After Dark creates a vibrant social scene on campus. It also helps students get involved. Students who are involved and feel connected to their campus are more successful academically," said D. Ekow King, director of the University's Office of Multicultural Student Success, who recently garnered an award from the State University of New York for the program.

"It's just a nice way to meet new people if you're on campus that evening and looking for something to do," says freshman Jacqui Lee, of Vernon, N.Y.

By Donna Yee

University of Albany's Ingrid Fisher Develops Pioneering Software

Ingrid Fisher's software acts like a time machine. It's a time machine for the complex world of accounting standards, and enormously successful in that world. Had it been available, for example, during the Enron trials, it could have precisely determined the standards that applied at the time and potentially saved the court system -- and taxpayers -- many hours of ambiguous testimony and, well, wasted time.

"It's the first and only piece of software that can support the codification of Financial Accounting Standards on demand," said Fisher, an assistant professor of accounting in the School of Business. "It actually supports the reconstruction of a specific standard, with applicable amendments, at any user-determined point in time. So it can be used in legal determinations or cases where the issue is litigated many years after the transactions in question."

The software has the ability to quietly revolutionize a corner of the fastidious world of corporate accounting, and Fisher is quickly becoming a leading light in that world.

Fisher's UAlbany education gave her: "the skills to succeed in the workplace and the confidence to effectively use...these throughout my life and career."

Ingrid Fisher Fisher, who calls herself a "true UAlbany product," earned her undergraduate degree in psychology, a master's in accounting, and doctorate in information science, all from the University. She credits her own teachers with her success and drive.

In graduate school Fisher was influenced by Professor Enrico Petri, who, clearly bucking the business school image, gave cha-cha lessons between classes. Then it was the "incessant, relentless prodding" of Professor Jagdish Gangolly encouraging her to enroll in the doctoral program in information studies. The combination of accounting and IT engaged her, and Gangolly became her dissertation adviser.

It was in writing her dissertation that she developed the stand-alone software for amending Financial Accounting Standards.

Another stream of Fisher's research is focused on the analysis of comment letters that are sent by stakeholders to the Financial Accounting Standards Board prior to a new standard being promulgated. Jake Roy, a freshman, did some of the analysis and coding, reading individual comment letters and recording relevant characteristics, as did Samantha Williams, a graduate student who completed her degree in December 2007.

Fisher attributes her education at UAlbany to giving her "the ability to be thoughtful and considered in my endeavors, the appreciation of diverse points of view, the skills to succeed in the workplace and the confidence to effectively use all of these throughout my life and career."

By Greta Petry

University of Albany Professors Study State of Writing Instruction In Schools Across Nation

Judith Langer, distinguished professor, founder and director of the Albany Institute for Research in Education (AIRE) and co-director, Center on English Learning & Achievement (CELA), and Arthur Applebee, distinguished professor and chairman of the Department of Educational Theory and Practice, and co-director, Center on English Learning & Achievement (CELA), will study writing instruction in 20 middle and high schools in five states with a nearly $500,000 grant from the Spencer Foundation. The study is the next phase of the National Study of Writing Instruction, led by Langer and Applebee, which is a three-year project examining the general state of writing instruction in grades six through 12.

The study will contextualize students of individual schools as part of a national portrait of writing instruction. A national sample of public school teachers in grades six through 12 will examine the extent to which influential factors in the 20 schools apply across grades and subjects at a national level, the impact of specific state level policies, and the relationships between teachers' practice, their previous experiences, and their perceptions of the students they teach.

"Writing is the primary foundation for learning and working in college, in the workplace, and in the community," said Interim President George Philip, "and we are proud that two of our most renowned professors are leading this significant and pivotal study."

"This research will provide the necessary foundation for a comprehensive research agenda contributing to meaningful reform of writing instruction across the nation," said School of Education Dean Susan D. Phillips.

The National Study of Writing Instruction -- which has received nearly $850,000 in grant funding to date -- is a collaboration with the National Writing Project, the Education Trust, the College Board, and CELA. The project's goal is to lay the groundwork for rethinking middle and high school writing instruction in order to prepare students to meet the demands of higher education and the workplace.

The study's first report, based on a reanalysis of existing data bases from the National Assessment of Educational Progress (NAEP), shows that writing achievement has held steady across the years and, despite more emphasis on writing across the curriculum, middle and high school students still spend little time each week on writing, especially extended writing.

The UAlbany School of Education is one of the leaders of literacy research and instruction in the nation and houses several large-scale nationally funded research projects on literacy, including the Center on English Learning & Achievement, the Child Research Study Center, and the Capital District Chapter of the National Writing Project. The School is also a leader in mathematics and science education, including the National Science Foundation studies of equity in mathematics education, and leadership on the Trends in International Mathematics and Science Study (TIMSS) international panels and the New York State Math Education panel. It recently joined IBM's Transition to Teaching initiative to help fill the nationwide need for qualified math and science teachers.

The Spencer Foundation, established in 1962 by Lyle M. Spencer, has provided grants totaling about $250 million. The Foundation has been dedicated to the belief that research is necessary to the improvement in education. The Foundation is committed to supporting high-quality investigation of education through its research programs and to strengthening and renewing the educational research community through its fellowship and training programs and related activities.

America East, US Lacrosse Agree to Partnership

Courtesy: America East Communications

CAMBRIDGE, Mass.-- America East has reached an agreement with US Lacrosse, the national governing body of lacrosse, for the organization to promote the conference’s 2008 men’s and women’s lacrosse championships. In addition, US Lacrosse’s 200,000 members will receive discounted admission to both events.

“We are looking forward to working with the America East Conference to promote its men’s and women’s championships,” said Glen Schorr, US Lacrosse’s Managing Director of Marketing and Branding. “In addition, we appreciate the value that the conference and its member institutions are providing to US Lacrosse members.”

America East was one of only two conferences to have multiple teams reach the quarterfinals of the NCAA Men’s Lacrosse Championship last season. Albany, which was ranked as high as No. 2 in the country, defeated Loyola in the first round and then took Cornell to overtime in the quarterfinal round. UMBC upset Maryland in the first round before being eliminated by Delaware in the quarterfinals.

On the women’s side, Boston University captured its third straight conference title. The Terriers fell to Penn in the first round of the NCAA Tournament. The conference had two teams finish in the top 30 of the RPI, with Stony Brook (20) and Boston U. (27).

“We are excited to be associated with US Lacrosse and have the opportunity to reach out to its members,” said America East Conference Commissioner Patrick Nero, “Our 2007 season was very successful with two teams reaching the NCAA men’s quarterfinal. I expect the 2008 season to be just as exciting.”

The 2008 America East Women’s Lacrosse Championship will take place April 25-27 at the site of the top seed. The Men’s Championship will also be at the site of the top seed and takes place May 1-3.

University of Albany Student-Athletes Adopt-A-Family for the Holidays

Courtesy: UAlbany Sports Information

Albany, N.Y. – University at Albany student-athletes participated in the Albany County Department for Children, Youth and Families Adopt-A-Family program for the holiday season. Members of all the UAlbany athletic teams raised money and bought gifts for sponsored families as a part of the project, sponsored by UAlbany’s Student-Athlete Advisory Committee (SAAC).

“Seeing the mom's face when we came to her house to drop off all the gifts is what Christmas is all about,” said Kristin Higy, a senior member of the UAlbany women’s basketball team. “She was so thankful for everything, just smiling from ear to ear and didn't stop smiling the whole time we were there. It feels good to know that we could make one family's Christmas special. We get so much for being athletes and sometimes we forget how good we all have it. Giving back to the community is what it's all about.

Members of UAlbany’s athletic teams have been participating in the Adopt-A-Family project for several years. Through the project, all money is raised and donated by the athletic teams. Representatives from each team then go out, purchase the items and wrap them. A few representatives from each team then go to the family’s homes to deliver the gifts before Christmas. SAAC also raised a total of $420 through 50/50 raffles at a home football and basketball game and donated the money to the Regional Food Bank of Northeastern New York. Twenty-three pounds of food was also donated through a canned food drive at a home basketball game.

SAAC, which is made up of at least two representatives of each athletic team, helps to coordinate several community service activities each semester.

Boise State Rallies in the Second Half to Defeat UAlbany in Basketball BracketBusters' Rematch

Courtesy: UAlbany Sports Information

Albany, N.Y. – Anthony Thomas scored 11 of his 15 points in the final four minutes of play as Boise State rallied for a 74-68 victory over UAlbany in a non-conference matchup on Saturday, Dec. 22 at SEFCU Arena.

UAlbany (5-6) built a 51-37 advantage with 16:32 remaining when Brian Lillis hit a slum dunk off a steal by Jerel Hastings. Boise State (8-3) responded with an 11-3 run to get back into the contest. Tyler Tiedeman, who had 14 points, buried a three-point field goal from the left corner and scored off a duck-under move in the lane to begin the run. Reggie Larry, a 6-foot-6 senior who had 22 points and 12 rebounds, slammed home a pair of baskets to close the gap to 54-48.

The Great Danes, who had won 20 of their last 22 home games, were still ahead 62-57 when Hastings drilled a baseline jumper. But Thomas, who made 5-of-7 from the floor, went to work down the stretch. He gave the Broncos the lead for good at with a 16-foot jumper in the circle and then converted a drive for a 68-65 lead.

Lillis, a 6’5” senior who led the Great Danes with 16 points, sliced the margin to one with a 12-footer on the left baseline off the dribble. Thomas, the Western Athletic Conference’s top freshman last year, answered with a layup off a back-door cut and Paul Noonan sank a pair of free throws for a 72-67 cushion with 28.2 seconds to play.

“We knew it was going to hard-fought and we were going to have to play 40 minutes,” said Thomas, who hit the game winning shot in last year’s 83-82 BracketBusters victory over UAlbany. “They bumped us and were physical. I knew the lanes would open up later in the game when they were expected the ball to go inside.”

In the first half, each team was hot from the field at better than 50 percent. Boise State led 21-20 on a slam dunk in transition by Larry, who scored 12 in the period. UAlbany went back ahead on Brian Connelly's foul-line jumper. The Great Danes still led 36-34, but then tallied eight of the game's next 10 points. Lillis had a pair of baskets, while Jon Iati canned a three-pointer from right of the key in that sequence.

Freshman guard Josh Martin had all 15 of his points in the opening half and added six assists for the Great Danes, who shot just 30.8 percent from the field in the final stanza. The Broncos, who had not played since Dec. 13, have now won five of six road games this season.

“We lost to a very good team,” said UAlbany coach Will Brown, whose team was coming off a loss to Duke, the nation’s sixth-ranked squad. “We had them on the ropes and we let them get out of here with a win. I am disappointed that our team lacked both communication and execution over the last five minutes."

Marist Holds Off UAlbany, 75-71, in Women's Basketball Action at SEFCU Arena

Courtesy: UAlbany Sports Information

Albany, N.Y. -- Rachele Fitz matched a career-high with 28 points and grabbed 11 rebounds as Marist held off UAlbany, 75-71, on Saturday, Dec. 22 at SEFCU Arena. The Red Foxes, who were coming off a 10-day layoff, have won 11 of their last 12 games.

Marist (11-2) led 45-43 early in the second half, but then ran off 13 of the game’s next 16 points. Fitz, who made 9-of-15 from the field and 10-of-10 from the line, connected on a three-point play when she was fouled on a reverse layup to begin that outburst. She added a pair of baskets in that span after collecting offensive rebounds. Sarah Smrdel was later fouled as she drilled a three-point field goal from the top of the arc. Her four-point play handed the Red Foxes a 58-46 lead with 11:07 remaining.

UAlbany (1-11) responded with an 11-2 run to get back into the contest. Gia Sanders, who had 10 points and four rebounds, scored on a left-baseline cut, before Britney McGee canned a 3-pointer following a steal that sliced the deficit to 60-57 with 9:14 left. McGee, a sophomore guard, finished with 17 points, six rebounds and three steals.

The Great Danes, who have dropped nine straight, including three of their last four outings by four points or less, trimmed the lead to 68-67 with 1:11 to play when McGee split a pair of free throws. Marist’s Nikki Flores sank a 16-foot jumper in the circle to beat the shot clock on her team’s next possession. After Meg Dahlman’s tipped a Sanders’ pass, Flores recovered the loose ball and made two foul shots that sealed the outcome. Flores was one of three Marist players in double figures with 16 points.

"We played well against another talented team,” said UAlbany coach Trina Patterson, whose squad shot a season-high 49.2 percent from the floor. “It's tough when you look at our overall record, but we need to erase the past and stay positive. We just have to put it all together and we will be fine in the second semester."

The Red Foxes jumped out to a 20-13 lead over the opening seven-plus minutes. Fitz, a 6-foot sophomore, converted a three-point play when she was fouled on a baseline turnaround and then made two free throws to give her team its biggest lead of the period. UAlbany took its first lead at 24-22 when Joy Sterling scored in the lane.

Freshman Janea Aiken extended the Great Danes’ advantage to 34-29 when she made a bank shot in transition. But the Red Foxes, who reached the NCAA Sweet Sixteen last year, rallied with seven unanswered. Julianne Viani, who netted a season-best 21 points, made one of her three 3-pointers, before Fitz hit two free throws to put her team ahead.

"I was happy that we came out aggressive, especially on offense,” explained Mikus, who had a season-high 10 points and seven rebounds off the bench against the team favored to win the Metro Atlantic Athletic Conference title. “We shot ourselves in the foot with the way we rebounded. We played the whole game and never gave up."

University of Albany's Michael Dungey on College Sporting News 2007 Fabulous 50 FCS All-America Team

Courtesy: UAlbany Sports Information

Chicago, Ill. -- University of Albany’s Michael Dungey has been named to the College Sporting News 2007 Fabulous 50 FCS (Football Championship Subdivision) All-America Team, as announced on Friday, Dec. 21. In all, 37 teams and 13 conferences are represented on the squad.

Dungey, a 6-foot-2, 275-pound defensive lineman, was the lone player from the Northeast Conference chosen. He earned all-conference recognition for the third consecutive year, including his second first-team selection. Dungey, who received the team’s most valuable player award earlier this month, made 44 tackles, broke up two passes and recovered one fumble. He led the team in tackles for a loss (11.5) and was second in sacks (5.5).

A native of Rochester, N.Y., Dungey played both tackle and end on UAlbany’s defensive line this season. In 45 career games, he totaled 125 tackles, including 31.0 for a loss and 11.5 sacks. The senior tri-captain led a defensive unit that ranked 17th in scoring (19.4 ppg), 19th in rushing defense (118.3 ypg) and 27th in total defense (334.0 ypg) among the Division I FCS national leaders.

UAlbany captured the Northeast Conference championship, its third league title since 2002, and made a Gridiron Classic appearance this season. The Great Danes matched their best record at the Division I FCS level with an 8-4 mark.

UAlbany Men's Basketball: Al Turley

Al Turley dunked the ball powerfully with both hands. The mammoth University of Albany freshman center made the basket shake. He soon realized he'd made a big mistake.

It was 10 minutes before the season opener against Bucknell, the first game of Turley's college career. Dunking in warm-ups warrants a technical foul, if the officials see it. Which they did.

"I didn't know the rule," Turley recalled with regret on Thursday. "Someone was like, 'Why did you do that?' I said, 'Oh, crap.' I messed up." Bucknell made both foul shots and led 2-0 before the opening tip.

"Coach (Will Brown) was laughing at me and said, 'Welcome to college basketball,' " Turley said. "Coach Brown didn't really get too mad at me. Everybody was making fun of me and just telling me not to do it anymore."

Just consider it the ongoing education of Turley, a 6-foot-7, 267-pounder from Houston who's learning about everything from a new reduced-fat diet to the harsh Northeast weather. He's starting to come around.

Brown said he's planning to increase Turley's playing time starting with Saturday's home game against Boise State, a team with a strong inside game.

"I think he can have a real positive impact on us because he brings us a low-post presence," Brown said. "And he's a ball-getter. He'll go find the ball off the glass." In UAlbany's past two games, Turley provided energetic play in 14 minutes against Duke and 13 against St. Francis, after he barely played in the previous four games.

Turley's in better shape now, losing 40 pounds since his arrival on campus this summer. He's also finally playing with the aggressiveness Brown wants. "He's a big teddy bear, and that's his biggest weakness right now," Brown said. 'But he's made really good progress."

Enough progress to possibly move to the forefront of UAlbany's center-by-committee approach, which hasn't yielded many results so far.

UAlbany has started either junior Jimmie Covington or sophomore Brett Gifford in the pivot in every game this season, and they're averaging a combined 3.7 points and 4.3 rebounds in 24.4 minutes per game.

The more athletic Turley is getting 8.7 minutes per contest, a figure Brown wants to push to more than 20 once America East Conference play arrives. "I'm happy about that," Turley said. "I've been working. I've been trying to learn everything I need to learn to get on the court. I'm just starting to figure it out."

He's also adjusting to life without burgers and cookies, part of his new diet.
"If (the UAlbany coaches) see me with that, they might kill me," Turley said. "I love food, and they're giving me a menu that's healthy, but something I might want to eat."

Turley grew up in Louisiana and moved to Houston at 14 years old because his family felt the schools were better there. As a result, he'd been in the snow only once before getting to Albany.

"It was fun because I was helping my teammates clean off their cars," Turley said.

If all goes according to plan, he'll be helping them more on the court very soon.

Courtesy: M Singelais

University of Albany Women's Lacrosse Schedule: North Carolina, Syracuse and Vanderbilt Among Opponents in 2008

Courtesy: UAlbany Sports Information

Albany, N.Y. -- University at Albany Vice President and Director of Athletics Lee McElroy announced on Wednesday, Dec. 19 the school's women's lacrosse schedule for the 2008 season. The Great Danes, who reached the America East Conference tournament championship for the first time in the program's history last season, will play six games against conference opponents. The non-league schedule features three teams who made last year's NCAA Tournament field in North Carolina, Syracuse and Vanderbilt.

UAlbany begins its ninth season at the NCAA Division I level on Saturday, Feb. 23 against North Carolina. The Tar Heels, who posted a 16-5 record, reached the NCAA quarterfinals and finished fourth in the national polls. Syracuse and Vanderbilt will both travel to UAlbany's John Fallon Field in April. The Orange also reached the NCAA quarterfinal round, but are now coached by former SU men's standout Gary Gait. Katie Rowan, a first-team All-American, leads a program that was ranked seventh nationally last year. Vanderbilt placed No. 10 in the final IWLCA national poll. The Commodores, who went 11-6 overall, feature two All-America players in Margie Curran and Sasha Cielak.

In addition to Syracuse (April 2) and Vanderbilt (April 13), the Great Danes will play non-conference home games with Colgate, Le Moyne, Siena and Longwood. UAlbany has non-league road dates with Harvard, Marist and St. Bonaventure. Three America East opponents in Boston University, Binghamton and Stony Brook will invade the Capital Region. The Terriers, who play here on March 22, captured last year's conference title for the third year in a row to earn an automatic NCAA berth and were ranked No. 20 by Inside Lacrosse. The America East Conference postseason tournament, slated for April 25-27, will be held at the highest seed's home facility.

Lindsey Hart, who has led the program to eight wins in each of her first two seasons as head coach, has 11 letterwinners returning from last year's squad. The Great Danes lost the program's all-time scorer, but return four players who totaled 20 or more points. Kayla Best, a sophomore midfielder, earned second-team All-America East recognition with 32 goals and 10 assists. Sophomore attacker Christine Grueniger added 28 goals and three assists and was a member of the conference's all-rookie team. Senior Brittany Scott (16 goals, 5 assists) and junior Rory Redmond (17 goals, 3 assists) are proven midfielders. UAlbany's incoming class features three first-team U.S. Lacrosse high school All-Americans in Tee Ladouceur, Nikki Branchini and Jodi Battaglia, plus five other newcomers who were selected in the honorable mention category.

2008 University at Albany Women's Lacrosse Schedule

February - 23 (Sat.), at North Carolina, 1:00.

March - 1 (Sat.), at Marist, 3:00; 3 (Mon.), at Siena, 3:30; 5 (Wed.), at Harvard, 4:00; 9 (Sun.), Le Moyne, 1:00; 11 (Tue.), Colgate, 7:00; 16 (Sun.), at St. Bonaventure, 1:00; 22 (Sat.), Boston U.*, 6:00; 26 (Wed.), at UMBC*, 7:30; 30 (Sun.), Longwood, 11:00 a.m.

April - 2 (Wed.), Syracuse, 4:00; 5 (Sat.), at Vermont*, 1:00; 9 (Wed.), Binghamton*, 7:00; 13 (Sun.), Vanderbilt, 12:00; 16 (Wed.), at New Hampshire*, 3:00; 19 (Sat.), Stony Brook*, 1:00; 25 (Fri.), at America East Conference Tournament+; 27 (Sun.), at America East Conference Tournament+.

*America East Conference Opponent +Played at No. 1 Seed's Home Facility All Times Eastern

Women's Basketball Falls To Richmond, 73-62, In Non-Conference Action

Courtesy: UAlbany Sports Information

Richmond, Va. – Johanna McKnight scored 23 points, including four shots from 3-point range to lead Richmond to a 73-62 win over UAlbany in non-conference women’s basketball action at the Robins Center on Wednesday afternoon.

UAlbany jumped out to an early 4-0 lead to start the game, but Richmond scored eight straight points behind two 3-pointers by McKnight and Brittani Shells to take an 8-4 lead at 16:06. Britney McGee dropped a trey of her own at 15:40 to pull the Great Danes back within one, but McKnight hit her second shot from behind the arc at 15:18 to give the Spiders an 11-7 advantage at 14:15.

The Great Danes battled back, pulling within one, 15-14, at 11:37 as Gia Sanders, who hit a jumper on the previous possession, blocked a Richmond shot and gathered the rebound, dishing the ball off to McGee on the fast break. McGee, who would finish 5-7 from behind the arc, drained a trey at 10:52 to give the Great Danes a 17-15 lead.

Richmond took a 20-17 lead on a 3-pointer by Shells at 9:29, but UAlbany would score on back-to-back possessions to take a 23-22 advantage with 7:00 left to play. The teams would exchange baskets for the remainder of the period, as both teams would shoot 48 percent from the floor in the half. Richmond’s Kara Powell converted a conventional 3-point play with 1.4 seconds left to give the Spiders a 35-34 lead heading into the halftime break.

Richmond scored the first points of the second half courtesy of a jumper and free throw from forward Christina Campion, taking a 38-34 lead with 19:27 on the clock. After the Spiders took a 41-38 advantage with 17:38 remaining, UAlbany would score four unanswered points to take a 42-41 lead, but Crystal Goring would respond for Richmond, putting the Spiders back in front by one with 15:00 to play.

McKnight and Danielle Bell dropped back-to-back 3-pointers to extend Richmond’s lead to 49-42 with 12:55 left. The Spiders would continue to build upon that lead, taking a 55-42 advantage before McGee would break UAlbany’s scoring drought with a three of her own at 10:33. The Great Danes would get baskets from TaNika Thrower and Sanders to pull within 55-49 with 9:08 remaining.

Richmond would then embark on an 11-0 run, holding the Great Danes scoreless for almost five minutes before Sherri Mikus hit a jumper in the lane to cut the Spiders’ lead to 66-51 at 4:14. UAlbany would outscore the Spiders 8-3 over the next two minutes to pull within 10, 69-59, before Shells hit two free throws to put Richmond back up 12 with under 30 seconds left to play. McGee and Janea Aiken dropped 3-pointers on consecutive possessions to cut the lead to nine with 28 ticks on the clock. However, the Spiders, who went 6-for-6 from the charity stripe in the final minute of play, got two more points from McKnight from the line at 14.4 to set the final deficit.

“We played 20 minutes of excellent basketball,” said Great Danes head coach Trina Patterson. “We executed well, shot well, and we had excellent post play. This was a very good Richmond team. The effort was there on our part, we just didn't play for 40 minutes. Our long term goal is still conference play.”

McGee tied her career-high in points, scoring 19. Sanders and Kristin Higy each posted double-doubles in the defeat for UAlbany. Sanders tallied 13 points and added 12 rebounds, while Higy scored 10 points to accompany a game-high 15 boards.

McKnight scored a game-high 23 points for the Spiders to go along with six steals. Campion finished with 10 points and Shells had 14 to round out the double-digit scorers.

The Great Danes will return to the court on Saturday, Dec. 22 when they host Marist at 2 p.m. at SEFCU Arena.

Defending America East Champion University of Albany Softball Announces Softball Schedule

Courtesy: UAlbany Sports Information

Albany, N.Y. -- University at Albany Vice President and Director of Athletics Lee McElroy announced on Tuesday, Dec. 18 the school's softball schedule for the 2008 season. The Great Danes, who reached the NCAA Tournament after capturing their third consecutive America East Conference tournament championship last year, will play a three-game series against seven conference opponents. The non-league schedule features tournaments at Stetson, Winthrop and Georgia.

UAlbany begins its ninth season at the NCAA Division I level on Friday, Feb. 29 in DeLand, Fla. against Western Michigan, Maine and host Stetson, which reached the NCAAs in 2007 for the first time after winning the Atlantic Sun Conference Tournament. The Great Danes travel to Rock Hill, S.C. the weekend of March 14-16 for the Winthrop/adidas Invitational. UAlbany’s pool will include Fairfield, UNC-Wilmington, Ohio and North Carolina A&T. The following weekend, UAlbany travels to Athens, Ga. for the Georgia Spring Fling against Kent State and the host Bulldogs. The Great Danes also visit Kennesaw State of the Atlantic Sun Conference. The Owls were the Atlantic Sun regular-season champions last season.

The Great Danes open up America East play at home with Binghamton on March 29-30. Conference opponents UMBC, Vermont, Maine and Boston University will also visit Albany Field. UAlbany hit the road to face Hartford and Stony Brook. The Great Danes will also host non-conference foes Siena and Marist, while also playing at Manhattan and Siena.

UAlbany posted a 35-17 record last season en route to winning a third straight America East Conference Tournament Championship and playing in the NCAA Hempstead Regional at Hofstra University. The Great Danes recorded the program’s first-ever wins in NCAA Division I play by defeating both Harvard and Hofstra. UAlbany then lost to Baylor in the NCAA Regional Championship.


2008 University at Albany Softball Schedule
February - 29 (Fri.), at Stetson Tournament+;

March – 1 (Sat.), at Stetson Tournament+; 2 (Sun.) at Stetson Tournament+; 14 (Fri.), at Winthrop Tournament&; 15 (Sat.), at Winthrop Tournament&; 16 (Sun.), at Winthrop Tournament&; 21 (Fri.), at Georgia Tournament#; 22 (Sat.), at Georgia Tournament#; 23 (Sun.), at Georgia Tournament#; 25 (Tues.), at Kennesaw State (DH), 4:00; 27 (Thurs.), Siena (DH), 2:30; 29 (Sat.), Binghamton* (DH), 1:00; 30 (Sun.), Binghamton*, 12:00;

April – 1 (Tue.), Marist (DH), 2:30; 5 (Sat.), UMBC* (DH), 1:00; 6 (Sun.), UMBC*, 12:00; 9 (Wed.), Vermont* (DH), 2:00; 12 (Sat.), Maine* (DH), 1:00; 13 (Sun.), Maine*, 12:00; 15 (Tue.), at Manhattan (DH), 3:00; 19 (Sat.), at Hartford* (DH), 1:00; 20 (Sun.), at Hartford*, 12:00; 23 (Wed.), Vermont* (DH), 2:00; 26 (Sat.), at Stony Brook* (DH), 1:00; 27 (Sun.), at Stony Brook*, 4:00; 29 (Tue.), at Siena (DH), 2:30;

May – 3 (Sat.), Boston U.* (DH), 1:00; 4 (Sun.), Boston U.*, 12:00;

*America East Conference Opponent
+DeLand, Fla. &Rock Hill, S.C. #Athens, Ga.
All Times Eastern

#6 Duke Downs UAlbany Before Capacity Crowd

Courtesy: UAlbany Sports Information

Durham, N.C. -- DeMarcus Nelson scored 23 points to pace five players in double figures in leading Duke, the nation's sixth-ranked team, to a 111-70 victory over UAlbany on Monday evening at Cameron Indoor Stadium. The game was played before a capacity crowd of 9,314, the 264th consecutive home sellout since 1990.

Duke (10-0) shot 60.3 percent from the field and made 15 of 26 from three-point range in recording the highest point total by an opponent in the UAlbany program's history. The Blue Devils, who have won three national titles since 1991, used pressure defense to force 21 turnovers.

"Their pressure got to us and we turned the ball over too many times early in the game,” UAlbany coach Will Brown explained. “They made us pay for every mistake and got into a rhythm. They have so many weapons and there is no drop off when they substitute. They are unselfish and communicate on both ends of the floor."

The Blue Devils, who have won 57 consecutive non-league games at home, opened up a 25-11 lead over the opening nine minutes by hitting 10-of-14 from the field. Nelson, a 6-foot-4 senior, made a pair of three-point field goals in that outburst.

UAlbany (5-5) cut into the deficit on an over-the-head layup by Tim Ambrose, who had 12 first-half points. Duke came back with nine of the next 11 points to push out to a 34-17 advantage. Greg Paulus buried one of his team's nine 3-pointers in the stanza to begin that stretch. Taylor King canned another long-range jumper to end the run. The Blue Devils shot 60.6 percent overall in the half.

Ambrose finished with a career-high 24 points, on 10-of-16 shooting. Brian Connelly had 12 points and eight rebounds, while Brian Lillis added 10. Duke's Jon Scheyer and King scored 18 and 17, respectively, off the bench. Brian Zoubek, a 7'2" center, had all 13 of his points in the final period.

"The shots they made were not always contested,” said Brent Wilson, who had eight points and six rebounds. “When you give teams open looks like that they are going to make you pay. Playing here is a memory that we will cherish forever, but we need to use this game to help us move forward with our season."

University of Albany's Tim Ambrose earns Rookie of the Week honor

Cambridge, Mass. - Tim Ambrose was named the America East Conference’s men’s basketball rookie of the week after leading UAlbany to a 66-53 victory over St. Francis, N.Y. on Saturday, Dec. 15 at SEFCU Arena.

Ambrose, a 6-foot-0 freshman guard, scored all of his career-high 17 points in the second half, including six in a run of 15 that put the Great Danes in front for good. He posted career numbers in free throws (8) and steals (3) in just 16 minutes of action off the bench.

Ambrose, who reached double-figure scoring totals for the second time this season, becomes the second player to earn the conference’s rookie of the week honor, after classmate Josh Martin earned the honor on Nov. 26. Ambrose is averaging 8.4 points per game for the Great Danes on the season.

UAlbany / Duke Basketball Game Viewing Parties Announced

Courtesy: UAlbany Sports Information

Albany, N.Y. – The University at Albany Alumni Association has viewing parties planned nationwide for the UAlbany-Duke basketball game on Monday, Dec. 17. The contest will be televised to more than 90 million homes on ESPN2. Mike Patrick and Len Elmore will be the announcers for the broadcast. Tip-off is 7:02 p.m. ET.

ESPN2 viewing parties are scheduled for Boston, Mass., Walnut Creek, Calif., Plainview, N.Y. on Long Island, Los Angeles, Calif., Nashville, Tenn., New York City, Durham, N.C., Philadelphia, Pa. and Washington, D.C. The Across the Street Pub will host an event for Capital Region fans. For more information contact Carmelina Morrison at csmorrison@uamail.albany.edu or 518-442-3084.

The Great Danes are traveling to one of the jewels of the sports world when they meet Duke at Cameron Indoor Stadium. The facility seats 9,314 fans and has recorded 263 consecutive sellouts since 1990.

The Blue Devils, who are No. 6 nationally in the Associated Press poll and No. 7 in the ESPN/USA Today coaches’ rankings, are off to a perfect 9-0 start. Mike Krzyzewski, one of the winningest coaches in the history of the sport with 784 career victories, has led the program to three national titles (1991, 1992, 2001) and 10 Final Four appearances.

University of Albany Men's Basketball defeats St.Francis, heads down to Duke

Albany, N.Y. - Tim Ambrose came off the bench to score all 17 of his career-high total in the second half to lead UAlbany to a 66-53 victory over St. Francis, N.Y. on Saturday afternoon at SEFCU Arena. The Great Danes snapped a three-game losing streak.

St. Francis (3-8) pushed out to a 31-24 lead with 15:47 remaining when Kayode Ayeni, who had 17 points, scored off a loose ball in the lane. UAlbany (5-4) responded with 15 unanswered over the next six-plus minutes. Ambrose, who fueled the run, followed up a missed jumper and hit two free throws. Brian Connelly, who totaled 15 points and nine rebounds, put his team ahead with a driving bank shot on the left baseline. Brian Lillis later made a one-hander on the right baseline, before Ambrose sank a pair of foul shots for a 39-31 cushion.

The Great Danes, who have won 20 of their last 22 home games, still led 39-36, but then pulled away with an 11-2 outburst. Ambrose made two free throws and a baseline jumper in that span. Jon Iati's three-pointer from left of the key provided his club with a 50-38 lead with 5:29 remaining.

"When you are coming off final exams you never know what you're going to get,” said UAlbany head coach Will Brown, whose team meets No. 6 Duke in its next game on Monday. “We practiced better than we played this week. Tim Ambrose brought a lot of energy off the bench. He has the talent and the ability, I just have to be patient with him."

The Terriers, who have dropped five straight, had two other players in double figures. Ricky Cadell finished with 14, while Marcus Williams had 10. Robert Hines, the team's top scorer, did not play due to a suspension. Lillis, a 6'5" senior, had 14 points and eight rebounds. Brent Wilson was the fourth UAlbany player in twin figures with 10.

In a first half where both teams struggled offensively, St. Francis reversed a 20-18 deficit with six straight points. Marcus Williams converted a back-door layup to put his team in front and then scored off a steal. The Terriers took a 24-22 lead to the locker room.

The Great Danes, who shot 34.8 percent and committed 12 turnovers in the period, led 14-9 midway through the half. But Ayeni, a 6-foot-5 sophomore, wiped out that margin by tallying seven points in a row, including a three-point field goal from the left corner.

"We just didn't have any energy from the beginning, and that's the older guys fault,” said Wilson. “(Tim) Ambrose and (Al) Turley stepped up and showed they are capable. They definitely have the talent and you saw a glimpse of that today. This (the win) was important because you don't want to go on this next stretch with a losing streak."

University of Albany School of Public Health Earns Full Seven-Year Accreditation from Council on Education for Public Health

Courtesy: University news ALBANY, N.Y. (December 6, 2007) -- The University at Albany's School of Public Health has received a full seven-year re-accreditation from the Council on Education for Public Health (CEPH), the accrediting body for Schools of Public Health. Seven is the maximum number of years granted by CEPH.

The University at Albany School of Public Health is one of only 40 fully-accredited Schools of Public Health in the nation, and the only School that is based upon a unique partnership between a research university and a state health department. The School is located at the University at Albany's East Campus in Rensselaer and also has academic departments in the Wadsworth Center at the New York State Department of Health.

"The University applauds the fine work of the faculty and staff of the School of Public Health in educating future generations of public health researchers and practitioners while concurrently assisting in the professional development of our local, regional and state public health workforce," said Interim President George M. Philip. "This achievement is a result of dedicated faculty and the unique opportunities offered through the University's partnership with the New York State Department of Health."

A team of public health representatives of CEPH that included public health academicians and practitioners conducted a three-day site visit was conducted at the School in April 2007. At the October 2007 meeting of the CEPH Board of Councilors, approval of the School of Public Health's request for re-accreditation was granted with a full seven-year re-accreditation.

"The unique and successful partnership between the University at Albany School of Public Health and the New York State Department of Health is demonstrated in the School's achievement of seven-year accreditation," said Richard Daines, MD, Commissioner of Health, New York State Department of Health. "The State Department of Health is proud to be part of this success in training the public health workforce and leaders."

"I congratulate the School of Public Health for this significant achievement," said Senate Majority Leader Joseph L. Bruno. "The school is the key academic component to what is becoming a thriving partnership of State government, higher education and private industry on the University's East Campus. It is through the fine work of its faculty and researchers that we will find the solution to today's health issues."

"Receiving a full seven-year re-accreditation speaks to the quality of our academic programs, faculty and research, and the efforts of many within our school," said Philip Nasca, dean of the School of Public Health. "I want to thank Edward L. Hannan and Edward Fitzgerald, co-chairs of the School's Accreditation Committee, for their work. The committee, comprising school leadership, faculty, staff, students, alumni and community members, prepared an in-depth self-study document, articulating how the school has achieved and, in some instances, exceeded the rigorous academic criteria defined by CEPH."

Among the School's faculty are two members of the prestigious National Academy of Sciences, a Howard Hughes Institute Investigator, fellows of the American Association for the Advancement of Science a fellow of the American College of Cardiology, and a Fellow and former president of the American College of Epidemiology. The School also houses several well-regarded research centers including the Center for Public Health Preparedness, the Center for Health Workforce Studies, the Prevention Research Center, and the Northeast Public Health Leadership Institute. The School's award-winning Continuing Education Program trains public health practitioners from throughout the region and the state, and broadcasts original public health programming to all 50 states.

Through its partnership with the New York State Dept. of Health, UAlbany's School of Public Health offers students immediate access to internships at the Health Department, Albany Medical College, and variety of other public and private health institutions throughout New York. The school serves as the academic anchor of the East Campus, the biotech hub of the university's life sciences research, including the Gen*NY*Sis Center for Excellence in Cancer Genomics. Students have unique access to study the most profound health issues facing us today: the threat of bioterrorism, the spread of HIV/AIDS and other emerging diseases, the lack of affordable and accessible health care for individuals and families, environmental hazards, substance abuse and social violence, maternal mortality in developing countries, the promises and threats of genetic engineering, and protecting food and water supplies.

University of Albany Men's Basketball NCAA Moments

CBS 2006 NCAA 1st Round Albany gives UConn a scare

Photo: Courtesy of BigPurpleFans.com

UAlbany Baseball Announces Defending America East Champion's 2008 Baseball Schedule

Courtesy: UAlbany Sports Information

Albany, N.Y. -- University at Albany Vice President and Director of Athletics Lee McElroy announced on Wednesday, Dec. 12 the school's baseball schedule for the 2008 season. The Great Danes, who reached the NCAA Regionals for the first time in school history and captured their first-ever America East Conference championship last year, will play a four-game series against six conference opponents. The non-league schedule features Notre Dame along with perennial powers Coastal Carolina, Wofford and St. John’s.

UAlbany begins its ninth season at the NCAA Division I level on Friday, Feb. 22 in Clearwater, Fla. against Iowa, Liberty and Notre Dame, which reached the Big East Tournament for the sixth consecutive season in 2007. The Great Danes will end February and begin March with a four-game series at Wofford, the defending Southern Conference Champion. UAlbany will also visit Coastal Carolina of the Big South Conference. The Chanticleers were the Big South regular-season and tournament champions last season.

The Great Danes open up America East play at home with Hartford on April 4-6. Conference opponents Vermont and Stony Brook will also visit Varsity Field. UAlbany will hit the road to face Maine, Binghamton and UMBC this spring. The Great Danes will also host non-conference foes Manhattan, Marist, Le Moyne and New York Tech.

UAlbany posted a 29-29 record last season en route to winning its first-ever America East title. The Great Danes traveled to Fayetteville, Ark. to face the host Razorbacks and Creighton in NCAA play.

University of Albany's Jordan Levine on Inside Lacrosse/Face-Off Yearbook Division I Preseason All-America Team

Courtesy: UAlbany Sports Information

Baltimore, Md. – University at Albany’s Jordan Levine has been voted to the 2008 Inside Lacrosse Magazine’s Face-Off Yearbook Division I Preseason All-America Team. Levine, a first-team selection, heads a list of four Great Danes chosen. Corey Small earned preseason third-team recognition, while Craig McDonald and Brett Queener were picked in the honorable mention category.

Levine, a senior from Bethpage, N.Y., totaled 23 goals and 16 assists as a USILA All-America midfielder last year. He established the program’s Division I record with 91 ground balls. He was previously named by the national publication as a Tewaaraton Trophy candidate. Small, a junior attackman, had 24 goals and seven assists as a member of UAlbany’s high-powered offense. McDonald, a senior defenseman, and Queener, a senior goalkeeper, led a defensive unit that allowed 9.44 goals per game.

In addition, Face-Off Yearbook announced its preseason All-America East Conference squad. Senior attack Derek Dale and junior defenseman Garrett Pedley joined Levine, Small, McDonald and Queener on that list. UAlbany finished with a 15-3 record one year ago and reached the NCAA quarterfinal round. The Great Danes were ranked 10th in the final USILA national poll.

University of Albany's Michelle Simpson Named to ECAC Division I Field Hockey All-Star Squad

Courtesy: UAlbany Sports Information

Centerville, Mass. – University at Albany’s Michelle Simpson has been named to the ECAC Division I Field Hockey All-Star Team for the second consecutive season, as announced by the conference office on Tuesday, Dec. 11.

Simpson, who recently wrapped up her second season with the Great Danes, was named to the 2007 Longstreth/NFHCA Division I All-America and NFHCA All-Northeast Regional squads. She earned America East Conference first-team honors for the second straight year after finishing with 13 goals and eight assists for 34 points.

UAlbany finished the season at 15-5 overall after falling to conference champion Boston University in the America East Championship on Nov. 4. The Great Danes finished No. 19 in the final NFHCA national rankings.

UAlbany Football Announces Postseason Team Awards

Courtesy: UAlbany Sports Information

Albany, N.Y. – University at Albany’s Michael Dungey received the most valuable player award at the football program’s postseason awards banquet, held at the Campus Center Ballroom. He also was voted the team’s top defensive lineman.

Dungey, a 6-foot-2, 275-pound senior, played both defensive tackle and end this season. He had 44 tackles with 11.5 hits for a loss, 5.5 sacks, two pass deflections and one fumble recovery. He led a defensive unit that ranks among the NCAA Division I Football Championship Subdivision leaders in rushing yards allowed (118.3 ypg) and total defense (334.0). Dungey has 125 tackles and 11.5 sacks as a collegian.

Colin Disch earned the top linebacker award for the third consecutive season. He led the Great Danes in tackles with 70 and completed his career as the school’s all-time tackles leader (416). Jason Fralicker was named special teams MVP for the second year in a row. Fralicker, a senior placekicker, broke his own single-season record with 15 field goals and tied the single-game standard with three against both Colgate and Fordham. He was second on the team in scoring with 82 points (15-23 FGs, 37-39 PATs).

Sam Pagano (Colonie Central) picked up the best offensive lineman award. Pagano, a 6-foot-3, 290-pound left guard, blocked for a unit that averaged 208.3 rushing yards, 362.5 total yards and 28.4 points per game. Daniel Bocanegra, a junior flanker, garnered top receiver honors after hauling in 26 passes for 316 yards. He also averaged 7.2 yards per punt return. Dave Nicomini, a junior safety, won the defensive back award with 63 tackles, two pass break-ups and two fumble recoveries.

David McCarty (LaSalle Institute) earned the offensive back award. McCarty rushed for the third-highest single-season total in school history with 1,503 yards and 13 touchdowns. He ran for 100 or more yards in eight games, including six consecutive times to end the season. McCarty, a sophomore tailback, ranks among the nation’s top-10 leaders at 125.2 yards per game. Sophomore Vinny Esposito was named the team’s most improved player. Esposito, who finished the season with the program’s second-highest single-season passing yardage (1,810), started all 12 games under center for the Great Danes. He threw 12 touchdown passes and was named the Northeast Conference’s Offensive Player of the Week on Sept. 10.

UAlbany finished with an 8-4 record, matching its highest win total at the Division I FCS level. The Great Danes captured their third Northeast Conference championship by going undefeated in league play, and made a Gridiron Classic postseason appearance.

Guilderland QB gives oral committment to University of Albany Football

GUILDERLAND -- Andrew Smith wanted to be part of a program on the rise. The Guilderland High senior quarterback believes the University at Albany is such a place.

Sunday night, Smith called UAlbany coach Bob Ford to inform him of his oral commitment to play for the Great Danes in 2008.

Smith, who led the Dutchmen to Guilderland's first appearance in a Section II Class AA Super Bowl in November, selected UAlbany over New Hampshire, Hofstra, Pennsylvania and Delaware, which will be competing Friday in the NCAA Football Championship Subdivision final.

"When I told coach Ford, he was at a banquet. He said he screamed," Smith said.

Smith will receive a full scholarship from UAlbany, something the school could not offer football players until now. The senior rushed for a team-high 850 yards and 16 touchdowns, passed for 491 yards, returned two punts for touchdowns and led the Dutchmen with six interceptions at safety.

Recruited by some schools for offense and others for defense, Smith made his official visit to UAlbany over the weekend.

"Coach Ford likes mobile quarterbacks," he said. "I wanted to play offense."

Smith, who plans to major in business, is currently playing for Guilderland's basketball team.

"I remember when (teammate) Brett Marfurt made his decision to go to Colgate. He said how much of a relief it was. I'm happy to be finished," Smith said. "I think I made the right choice."

Courtesy: James Allen

University of Albany Bestows Medallion of the University on Mayor Gerald D. Jennings for Extraordinary Service and Leadership

Gala honored Jennings on Saturday, Dec. 8 at SEFCU Arena

The University at Albany bestowed the Medallion of the University on Albany Mayor Gerald D. Jennings for extraordinary public service and leadership. The Medallion of the University is UAlbany's highest award for distinguished service. Jennings, who earned his master's degree in educational administration from the University in 1976, received the medallion at the winter commencement ceremony on Sunday, Dec. 9th. There was a black-tie gala on Saturday, Dec. 8th in recognition of the award.

"The medallion is the highest award for distinguished service that the University at Albany confers," said UAlbany Interim President George M. Philip. "It expresses our admiration and appreciation for extraordinary public service and leadership. Those qualities are exemplified by Mayor Jennings, a visionary leader and one of our truly outstanding alums."

"It's an honor to be recognized by the University community with such a distinguished award," said Jennings. "I am proud to have graduated from this university, and I have been privileged to partner with UAlbany for the betterment of the city, its people and the entire community."

The Gala, themed "Great Man. Great City. Great University." was held at SEFCU Arena, and included a video tribute to the mayor, as well as musical performances by the Brian Patneaude Quartet and the UAlbany Earth Tones. The Gala wss sponsored by the University at Albany Alumni Association, Center for Economic Growth, DEPFA First Albany Securities LLC, SEFCU, KeyBank and the Times Union.

Jennings, in his fourth term, is the 74th mayor of the City of Albany, New York State's capital. Jennings successfully ran for election to the city's Common Council, serving the 11th Ward for 13 years before he won election as mayor in 1993. Under his leadership, the City of Albany in 1998 received the "City Livability Award" from the U.S. Conference of Mayors. In the same year, Albany and its mayor were awarded for promoting cooperative relations between government and the business community.

Mayor Jennings' commitment to education has led him to initiate and participate in programs for the safety of the many college students who live off campus and regularly visit local businesses. Through Jennings' steadfast leadership and commitment to his alma mater, the University has been able to partner on a wide range of initiatives with the City of Albany, including Operation Safe Corridor, UAlbany's downtown Student Housing and Revitalization Project at Alumni Quad, and the UAlbany Clean-Up Day of downtown neighborhoods. Jennings was also co-host of the New York State Summit on Preventing Student Alcohol Abuse.

Jennings also developed the Midtown Homeownership Program with area banks and universities to encourage college faculty and staff to invest in homes in the city.

In 1996, Jennings played a vital role in helping to bring the New York Giants Summer Training Camp to UAlbany. Next season the Giants will return UAlbany for the 13th consecutive summer, the longest tenure of any training camp location.

Recent winners of the Medallion of the University include philanthropist Michael H. Steinhardt (2004) and acclaimed author Carol Gilligan (2006).

University of Albany Volleyball Signs Three Recruits for 2008-09

Courtesy: UAlbany Sports Information

Albany, N.Y. – The University at Albany volleyball team signed three recruits for the 2008-09 academic year, as announced by head coach Kelly Sheffield on Thursday afternoon. Laurie Gonzalez, Kelly Corkum and Kalyn Mostert will all join the Great Danes next season.

Gonzalez, a native of Carolina, Puerto Rico, will arrive in the spring 2008 semester. A 5-foot-9 libero/outside hitter, Gonzalez was named the 2006-07 St. Francis School Student-Athlete of the Year and earned the top defense and loyalty awards. As a captain of the Borinquen Coqui Under-15 team in 2005, she led her squad to a 3rd place finish at the National Volleyball Festival. She also led St. Francis to a 5th-place finish at the 2006 AAU National Tournament in Orlando, Fla. Gonzalez was a three-time LACC All-District All-Star Selection in her scholastic career.

“Laurie is a stud in the backcourt,” said Sheffield. “She will be one of the great competitors that our program has had. She reads the court very well and her defensive range is very, very good.”

Corkum is a 6-foot-4 right side hitter from Toronto, Ontario. Corkum, who has only been playing competitive volleyball for three years, was the captain of her 2006-07 team and received the Award of Excellence in her first year playing at the under-16 provincials. Corkum, who is a member of the Scarborough Vipers club team, played on the Ontario Volleyball Association’s Region 5 team and was the Queens University Tournament MVP.

“We have tried to get bigger and more powerful players. Kelly certainly fits that mold,” offered Sheffield. “She will be a player that will be able to slow down other team’s outside attack. She is a lefty and that gives us another dynamic to our offense.”

Mostert also joins the Great Danes from Canada, hailing from Nepean, Ontario. Mostert stands 6-foot-2 and will play a combination of middle blocker, right side and outside hitter. She played on the under-16 indoor regional team at the Ontario Summer Games in 2006. As a member of the under-18 squad in 2006-07, she earned the Most Improved Player award. In the summer of 2007, Mostert had the opportunity to play for Team Ontario in the NTCC tournament, which took place in London, Ontario.

“Kalyn is a very versatile volleyball player,” said Sheffield. “She can hit everywhere along the net and all three tempos. She reads the court very well and her defensive range is very, very good.”

UAlbany recently claimed its third America East Conference Championship in the past four years. The Great Danes, who finished with a 24-10 record, also won their first-ever Division I NCAA Tournament match, a 3-0 victory over Cleveland State. UAlbany then dropped a 3-0 decision to No. 1 Penn State in the second round of the tournament.

“All three players have a great passion for the sport of volleyball and are tremendous competitors,” said Sheffield, who now boasts a 142-79 record in his seven seasons at the helm of the UAlbany program. “They are positive, hard-working and fun people to be around and all three are great students with very supportive families. These are players that will be fun to coach and I think our fans will really have fun watching.”

Men’s Basketball Downed by St. Bonaventure 58-54

Courtesy: UAlbany Sports Information

St. Bonaventure, N.Y. – Michael Lee had 20 points, including the go-ahead basket with two minutes and 37 seconds remaining, as St. Bonaventure rallied for a 58-54 victory over UAlbany on Saturday evening at the Reilly Center.

St. Bonaventure (5-5) trailed 51-41 with seven minutes to play, but then ran off 15 unanswered points. Tyler Relph and Zarryon Fereti made back-to-back three-point field goals to begin that decisive stretch. Relph, who had all eight of his points during that span, tied the contest at 51 apiece by hitting a shot in the lane.

Lee, a 6-foot-9 forward who had 17 first-half points, put his team ahead for good when he buried a contested 15-footer in the lane. Relph, a senior guard, then drilled a long-range jumper from the left wing for a 56-51 advantage. The Great Danes, who went scoreless for nearly seven minutes, closed within a basket after Brent Wilson made a 3-pointer. But Fereti sealed the outcome by sinking a pair of free throws with 2.7 seconds to play.

UAlbany (4-4) erased a 37-29 deficit early in the final period with 11 consecutive points. Jon Iati, who had 12 points, hit one his four 3-pointers from the right side to start that uprising. Brian Lillis, who had 10 points and a career-high seven assists, converted a fastbreak layup and scored off his own steal to put his team ahead. Brian Connelly’s right-baseline jumper gave the visitors a 40-37 lead.

The Great Danes, who lost for the third straight time, still led 45-41, but expanded their margin with three consecutive baskets. Freshman guard Josh Martin fed Brett Gifford in the lane before finishing off a left-handed drive. Jimmie Covington made a jump hook to give his team its biggest lead.

"We only had two turnovers in the second half, and we had plenty of shots, we just couldn't hit them when we needed to,” said UAlbany head coach Will Brown, whose team shot just 30.6 percent in the second half. “I have to give St. Bonaventure credit for making big shots when they needed them. With each miss, we start thinking too much and that breaks us down on defense."

Wilson, who had 10 points, drained a three-point shot, as UAlbany took a 29-26 lead in the opening half. But the Bonnies tallied the final nine points of the period. Tyler Benson made a conventional three-point play when he was fouled on a fastbreak layup that provided his team with a 31-29 advantage. Lee, who grabbed eight rebounds and made 8-of-17 from the floor, added two free throws and scored with an offensive board off Fereti’s three-point miss.

Fereti finished with 12 points for the Bonnies, who have won three of four at home this season under first-year coach Mark Schmidt. The Great Danes, who did not attempt a free throw in the contest, shot 40.7 percent from the field and had just two of their 13 turnovers in the second half.

"We didn't communicate on defense,” added Lillis, who scored in double-digits for the seventh time in eight games this season. “We had our 5-man on their point guard, which isn't a good matchup, and he hit a big three."

Women’s Basketball Falls Late to Detroit Mercy 51-49

Courtesy: UAlbany Sports Information

Detroit, Mich. – Joyce Massey scored on a driving layup with four seconds remaining to give Detroit Mercy a 51-49 victory over UAlbany in women’s basketball action at the Calihan Hall on Saturday afternoon.

The Titans took their first lead of the second half, 49-47, with 38 seconds remaining on a layup by India Bruster. Charity Iromuanya tied the score at 49 with 25seconds left on a layup. After calling a time-out following Massey’s basket, TaNika Thrower received a full court pass from Britney McGee, but her game-tying fadeaway shot attempt rolled off the rim.

Detroit Mercy (1-7) opened the second half by cutting the lead to five, 30-25, with 16:59 remaining. UAlbany responded by scoring nine straight points to take a game-high 14 point lead. Kristin Higy ignited the run by hitting a three-pointer with 16:19 to play and McGee capped the streak with a pair of free throws to give the Great Danes a 39-25 advantage.

The Titans scored 20 of the game’s next 26 points over a span of 9:14 to tie the score at 45 with 3:09 remaining in the contest. Bruster, who tallied a team-high 11 points and a game-high 18 rebounds in the contest, started the comeback with a layup. Massey contributed four points and Sandi Brown added five points in the run to spark the Titans. Brown’s two foul shots with 3:09 left knotted the score at 45. Freshman Janea Aiken hit two free throws as UAlbany re-took the lead with just over three minutes remaining. Detroit Mercy got a foul shot each from Massey and Bruster to lead to the dramatics of the final minute.

“Our team has to learn how to finish out games on the road,” commented UAlbany head coach Trina Patterson, whose team remains winless in eight games on the road this season. “We need more maturity and team chemistry and five people playing together.”

The Titans jumped out to an early 6-0 lead 3:13 into the first half on a layup by Shawan Stubblefield. UAlbany scored the next nine points, holding the Titans scoreless for over four minutes, capped off by a Higy layup at the 12:46 mark. Britney McGee ignited the run by getting the Great Danes on the board with a foul shot at the 16:35 mark.

After trading baskets in which Detroit Mercy tied the score at 12, UAlbany went on an 11-3 run to jump out to a 23-15 lead with 3:55 remaining in the opening half. Higy bookended the run with a free throw to start the streak and capped it with a jump shot at the 3:55 mark. McGee scored four points in the run and Iromuanya added four of her nine first half points in the stretch. Detroit Mercy scored five of the final eight points of the half to go into the intermission with the Great Danes leading 26-20.

UAlbany (1-9) had three players in double-digits, led by Higy with 12 points. McGee added 11 points and Iromuanya recorded 11 points off the bench. Gia Sanders led UAlbany with eight rebounds, while McGee pulled down seven.

University of Albany's School of Education Garners Three National Top 10 Rankings

Courtesy: University at Albany

ALBANY, N.Y. (November 28, 2007) -- Doctoral programs in reading, curriculum and instruction, and educational psychology at the University at Albany's School of Education are among the top 10 nationally, according to Academic Analytics, a company that conducts data collection and reporting for the field of higher education.

The rankings were based on the Faculty Scholarly Productivity Index -- launched by Academic Analytics in 2005 -- which evaluates more than 7,400 doctoral programs in 172 disciplines in 375 institutions. The index also ranks institutions in broader categories, such as humanities and biological sciences, as well as institutions as a whole.

"These national rankings reflect the outstanding quality of the faculty. I applaud their work and I'm delighted to see their accomplishments recognized in such a significant forum," said Susan D. Phillips, dean of the School of Education.

The index measures the scholarly productivity of faculty using their publications, citations and financial and honorary awards. The FSP analysis creates, by academic field of study, a ranking based on the cumulative scoring of a program's faculty using these measures compared against national standards within the particular discipline. Individual program scores can then be combined to demonstrate the quality of the scholarly work of the entire university.

The UAlbany School of Education is one of the oldest public schools of education in New York State. It is the second largest school at the University and consistently ranks among the best graduate schools of education in the nation. The School comprises four academic departments, where students pursue doctoral, masters, and graduate certificate programs in areas of study such as educational leadership and policy, educational technology, literacy, elementary, secondary, and special education, and counseling, school, and educational psychology.

The School of Education is one of the leaders of literacy research and instruction in the nation and houses several large-scale nationally funded research projects on literacy, including the Center on English Learning & Achievement, the Child Research Study Center, and the Capital District Chapter of the National Writing Project. The School is also a leader in mathematics and science education, including the National Science Foundation studies of equity in mathematics education, and leadership on the Trends in International Mathematics and Science Study (TIMSS) international panels and the New York State Math Education panel. It recently joined IBM's Transition to Teaching initiative to help fill the nationwide need for qualified math and science teachers.

University of Albany Researchers Discover that a Handshake Could Signal High Quality Genes

ALBANY, N.Y. (November 16, 2007) -- Handgrip strength is an important measure of health and reproductive fitness, according to findings of University of Albany researchers Andrew C. Gallup, Daniel D. White and Gordon G. Gallup published in the November 2007 issue of Evolution and Human Behavior.

Although it can be influenced by nutrition and exercise, handgrip strength is highly heritable. In addition, grip strength is a ubiquitous measure of health and vitality in both men and women, and as grip strength increases so does a person's overall health status, speed of postoperative recovery, and longevity. People with higher grip strength scores experienced reduced disability, reduced morbidity, and more rapid recovery from injury, and also have higher bone mineral density and greater fat free body mass.

The authors also report that handgrip strength is an honest signal of genetic quality in males. Male college students with stronger grip strength scores had more masculine physical features, reported being more aggressive in middle and high school and had more reproductive opportunities than their peers.

In a sample of more than 140 college students, the researchers obtained measures of handgrip strength using a hand-held dynamometer. In addition to recording left and right handgrip strengths, they recorded particular body morphological measurements. The college students were also asked to fill out brief surveys about their sexual history and their social experiences in middle and high school.

The study concluded that male handgrip strength scores predicted aggression and social dominance in adolescence, broader shoulders and narrower hips, and an increase in reproductive opportunities. Grip strength accounted for more than 10 percent of the variance in promiscuity among college-age males. Although handgrip strength predicted many of the same health variables in females, it did not predict any of the behavioral or morphological features measured in the study.

Study author and UAlbany evolutionary psychologist Gordon Gallup surmises that the relevance of handgrip strength to health in humans may be embedded in our evolutionary past. "Unique to the evolutionary history of humans and all primates were complex adaptations to life in the trees. As a result, handgrip strength was featured prominently in patterns of brachiating, or moving through the canopy, as well as in minimizing the chances of falling," he said.

The researchers found nearly non-overlapping distributions between male and female grip strengths, stating, "Whereas handgrip strength is a powerful indicator of health and vitality in both men and women, in the present study we found that its relationship to sexual behavior and body morphology was restricted almost exclusively to men."

The authors conclude that the dramatic sex differences between males and females might be the consequence of primitive division of labor that emerged after early humans came down out of the trees and put a premium on the maintenance of grip strength in men. The authors suspect that one of the leading factors in accounting for handgrip strength among males is testosterone levels.

Courtesy: University at Albany

UAlbany Women's Basketball Falls to Buffalo, 70-69, in Overtime

Courtesy: UAlbany Sports Information

Albany, N.Y. – Stephanie Bennett hit a 3-pointer with 2:17 left in overtime to lead Buffalo to a 70-69 win over UAlbany in women’s basketball action at the SEFCU Arena on Wednesday evening.

The Bulls’ Heather Turner sank two free throws with 23 seconds left in regulation to tie the game at 63-63. Britney McGee attempted a 3-pointer and teammate Amira Ford gathered the rebound but was unable to get the ball in the hoop, sending the game to overtime. McGee scored first in the extra period to give the Great Danes’ a two-point lead, but Buffalo tied the game on the next possession on a jumper by Dortae Freeman.

Jamie Schiebner hit two free throws at 3:03, while McGee made one-of-two to keep the Bulls in front. Charity Iromuanya followed with one free throw to tie the game for the sixth time at 67-all before Bennett knocked down her three from the top of the arc. Iromuanya pulled the Great Danes back within one with two more from the charity stripe with 35 seconds left on the clock, and Kristin Higy grabbed a rebound on the defensive end, but UAlbany could not get a final shot off in the last five ticks.

UAlbany (1-8) battled back from a 8-point, 40-32, halftime deficit, outscoring Buffalo 19-9 over a nine-minute span in the second half to tie the game at 59-59 with 3:17 left in the game. The Great Danes, who made a season-high 11 3-point field goals in the game, hit four treys in that span, including one by Higy that tied the score. The teams traded baskets on possessions before Iromuanya made a steal on Freeman and handed the ball off to Higy who scored in the paint to give UAlbany its first lead of the game at 63-61. Higy fouled Turner on the next possession which resulted in the tying free throw shots.

“This is the best loss we’ve had,” said UAlbany head coach Trina Patterson, whose team shot a season-high 39.3 percent from 3-point range. “This is a momentum swing for us. We got in a deep hole, but we had people step up. We’ve had a slow start, but we’re trying to be the best team we can be in January and February and this is a step forward.”

Iromuanya led all players with a game and career-high 20 points to go along with five rebounds, three assists and two steals en route to being named the America East Conference Player of the Game. McGee added a career-best 19 points, six boards, three assists and three steals while Higy chipped in with 12 points and a team-best seven rebounds.

Jessica Fortman led Buffalo with 19 points, seven rebounds, two blocks, one steal and one assist. Turner finished with a double-double, scoring 13 points and pulling down a game-high 11 caroms. Bennett, who went 4-for-6 from 3-point land to lead the Bulls to a 64.3 percent shooting percentage from long range, added 14 points for Buffalo (5-3).

UAlbany will continue non-conference play with a road trip to Detroit Mercy on Saturday, Dec. 8 at 1:30 p.m.