University of Albany's Pole Vaulter Luke Schoen Ties for Second at NCAA East Regional Track and Field Championships

Courtesy: UAlbany Sports Information

Tallahassee, Fla. – University at Albany’s Luke Schoen matched his own school record in tying for second place in the men’s pole vault at the NCAA East Regional Outdoor Track & Field Championships on Saturday, May 31 at Florida State University’s Mike Long Track. Schoen advanced to the NCAA Division I Championships on June 11-14 in Des Moines, Iowa. The top-five finishers in each event automatically qualify for nationals.

Schoen, a sophomore from Bohemia, N.Y., cleared the bar at 17-feet, 5-inches on his second attempt to equal a program mark he established at the UAlbany Spring Classic three weeks ago. Schoen, who finished15th in NCAA regional competition as freshman, won the America East Conference title and placed second at the IC4A meet earlier this month.

Clemson’s Mitch Greeley won the pole vault by clearing 17-feet, 9-inches, a height the senior made on his first approach. Schoen and Virginia Tech’s Yavgeniy Olhovsky tied for the runner-up position after each vaulter missed three times at Greeley’s winning mark.

“It’s a sweet feeling to make nationals” said Schoen, whose father, Ken, played on UAlbany’s first three varsity football teams from 1973-75. “Technically, it was one of my best days. I just got a new pole, and it gave me some extra height. I just missed at 17-9, so I feel there’s more to come.”

Mike McCadney, a junior who was coming off victories at the America East and IC4A championships, was not as fortunate in the men’s triple jump. McCadney went 50-feet, 3.25-inches on his first try, but then fouled on his next two attempts. McCadney, who narrowly missed a trip to NCAA nationals last year, ended up in 12th position.

In the women’s triple jump, Jenn Gurrant placed 17th after posting a distance of 40-feet, 8.75-inches on her second attempt. Gurrant, who was making her second consecutive regional appearance, took third at the ECAC meet on May 19. Arina Gerasimova was 22nd in the same event with a leap of 39-6.50. Laura Cummings, the America East champion in the women’s 3,000-meter steeplechase, finished in 21st place with a time of 11:00.17.

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NCAA East Regional Outdoor Track & Field Championships (Tallahassee, Fla.)

Men’s Pole Vault Final

1. Mitch Greeley (Clemson), 17-9, t2. Luke Schoen (UAlbany), 17-5, t2. Yavgeniy Olhovsky (Virginia Tech), 17-5, t4. Gonzalo Barriolhet (Florida State), 16-7.25, t4. Sean Young (South Florida), 16-7.25, t7. Jordan Jodon (Virginia Tech), 16-7.25, t7. Justin Semeyn (Florida), 16-7.25.

Valete Graham Places 13th in Men's Long Jump at NCAA East Regional Track and Field Meet

Courtesy: UAlbany Sports Information

Tallahassee, Fla. – University at Albany’s Valete Graham finished 13th in the men’s long jump at the NCAA East Regional Outdoor Track & Field Championships on Friday, May 30 at Florida State University’s Mike Long Track. Graham, a sophomore, is one of 12 UAlbany athletes competing in the two-day regional competition.

Graham went 23-feet, 8.75-inches on his first attempt. The reigning America East Conference champion qualified for the regional by topping the 24-foot mark at last month’s Penn Relays. Florida State’s Ngonidzashe Makusha went 26-0.25 to capture the NCAA East Regional crown. The top-five finishers in each event automatically advance to the NCAA Championships on June 11-14 in Des Moines, Iowa. UAlbany’s Kyle Nadler was 24th in the long jump with a leap of 22-7.

Daniel Avery and Jean Juste did not reach the men’s 110-meter hurdles final after placing third and fourth, respectively in their heat. Avery, a freshman who already holds the program’s top Division I time, was clocked in 14.04 seconds. Juste, who won the America East title in a conference-record performance, sprinted 14.26, just one-hundredth of a second off his personal best. Kamilah McShine, the America East champion in the women’s 100-meter hurdles, was sixth in her heat with a time of 14.21 seconds and failed to advance. Jeffery Barnes, the America East 200-meter winner, took sixth in his preliminary heat in 21.76.

Pole vaulter Luke Schoen, the school record holder, leads a group of six athletes who will compete during Saturday’s schedule. Schoen vaulted 17-feet, 5-inches earlier this month. Michael McCadney, who is coming off victories at the America East and IC4A championships, posted a school-record effort in the triple jump two weeks ago. Laura Cummings established the program’s standard in the 3,000-meter steeplechase when she won the conference crown.

University of Albany Men's Basketball Signs Three Student-Athletes to Complete Class for 2008-09 Academic Year

Courtesy: UAlbany Sports Information

Albany, N.Y. -- University at Albany men's basketball coach Will Brown announced on Friday, May 30 that three student-athletes have signed national letters of intent to play for the Great Danes in the 2008-09 academic year. Louis Barraza, a 6-foot-5, 200-pound swingman from Phoeniz, Ariz. (Trevor Browne H.S.), Michael Johnson, a 6-foot-1, 195-pound guard from Brooklyn, N.Y. (Sheepshead Bay H.S.), and Edmund "Scotty" McRae, a 6-foot-8, 210-pound forward from Rosedale, N.Y. (Benjamin Cardozo H.S.), each made his commitment.

"I am very excited about the talent level and versatility of this class," Brown said. "We feel that we addressed our biggest need which was scoring. All of the student-athletes that we signed can score the ball. This class also brings balance to the make-up of our roster (three seniors, three juniors, three sophomores and four freshmen)."

Barraza, who attended Yavapai Community College in 2007-08, was named the Arizona Community College Freshman of the Year. He was named to the NJCAA All-Region I second team after averaging 20.1 points and nearly 5.0 rebounds and 3.0 assists. Barraza, who shot 50.3 percent from three-point range, was also chosen second-team all-conference. As a high school senior, he accounted for 19.0 points, 7.6 rebounds and 3.1 assists, and played in the Arizona 4A-5A North-South All-Star Game.

Johnson, one of six players from Blinn (Texas) College to sign with a Division I program, earned second-team All-Region XIV recognition last season. He averaged 15.7 points and 5.7 assists, plus ranked 13th nationally in steals at 3.4 per game. He shot 54.6 percent from the field and 78.7 percent from the line in leading the Buccaneers to an 18-13 record. Johnson, who was a 20-game starter the previous year at Howard College, was a second-team All-Brooklyn selection as a senior at Sheepshead Bay High.

McRae led Eastern Wyoming College (23-13) to the Region IX championship and a NJCAA national tournament appearance. McRae was among the top-15 in the region in scoring (15.8 ppg) and rebounding (6.9), plus averaged 2.1 blocked shots. He was voted first-team All-Region IX and to the Central Sub-Region squad. McRae, who had 29 points in an overtime win against Western Nebraska, attended Benjamin Cardozo High as a high school senior.

Logan Aronhalt, a 6-foot-4, 215-pound swingman from Zanesville, Ohio (Zanesville H.S.), Jake Lindfors, a 6-foot-9, 220-pound forward from Addison, Ill. (Driscoll Catholic H.S.), and Anthony Raffa, a 6-foot-1, 180-pound guard from Strathmere, N.J. (Wildwood Catholic H.S.), each made his commitment during the November signing period.

Aronhalft, who averaged 23.2 points in his final scholastic season, was named the Ohio Division I Player of the Year by the OHSBCA. Lindfors was chosen second-team all-state in Illinois by the IBS and IBCA after averaging 25.9 points and 11.9 rebounds. Raffa, a second-team Associated Press all-state selection in New Jersey as a high school senior, led Winchendon (Mass.) School to the New England Prep School Athletic Conference Class A championship final.

2008-09 University at Albany Men's Basketball Signings
Name, Pos., Cl., Ht., Wt., Hometown (High School / Junior College)
Logan Aronhalt, G/F, Fr., 6-4, 215, Zanesville, Ohio (Zanesville)
Louis Barraza,G/F, So., 6-5, 200, Phoenix, Ariz. (Trevor Browne / Yavapai (Ariz.) Community College)
Michael Johnson, G, Jr., 6-1, 195, Brooklyn, N.Y. (Sheepshead Bay / Blinn (Texas) College)
Jake Lindfors, F, Fr., 6-9, 220, Addison, Ill. (Driscoll Catholic)
Edmund "Scotty" McRae, F, Jr., 6-8, 210, Rosedale, N.Y. (Benjamin Cardozo / Eastern Wyoming College)
Anthony Raffa, G, Fr., 6-1, 180, Strathmere, N.J. (Wildwood Catholic / Winchendon School)

University of Albany's Jordan Levine & Brett Queener Chosen in Major League Lacrosse Collegiate Draft

Courtesy: UAlbany Sports Information

Hoboken, N.J. -- University at Albany’s Jordan Levine was chosen in the first round of the Major League Lacrosse Collegiate Draft by the New Jersey Pride on Wednesday, May 28. Levine, the 10th overall selection, becomes the second player in the UAlbany program’s history to be taken in the MLL Draft. Frank Resetarits was chosen in the third round last year.

“It’s a great feeling to be drafted,” said Levine, a midfielder who was named to the USILA All-America squad for the second consecutive year last weekend. “I will be close to home where my family and friends can see me play. After the season general managers and coaches started calling, and that’s when I knew this really could happen.”

A native of Bethpage, N.Y., Levine was voted to the All-America East Conference first team in three consecutive seasons. In 2008, he was third on the UAlbany squad in scoring with 13 goals and 20 assists in leading Great Danes to their seventh straight appearance in the conference tournament championship game. Levine, who led the program to pair of NCAA Tournament berths, finished his career with 57 goals and 56 assists for 113 points and accounted for 321 ground balls.

“I am thrilled for Jordan and our lacrosse program,” UAlbany coach Scott Marr offered. “To be selected in the first round shows how much respect he has earned in the lacrosse world. It’s a proud day for UAlbany lacrosse.”

In addition, UAlbany goalkeeper Brett Queener was drafted in the fifth round (48th selection overall) by the Rochester Rattlers. Queener, a three-time all-conference standout from Penn Yan, N.Y., ranked 14th among the NCAA Division I leaders in goals against average (7.85) and 16th in save percentage (.579) as a senior. He is fifth on the school’s all-time saves chart with 467 and stopped double-figure shots against 27 opponents. Queener, who scored his third career goal with a goalie stick in the regular-season finale against Stony Brook on April 26, was also used as an attacker in man-advantage situations.

“I am excited for and proud of Brett,” Marr said. “He is made for the MLL; his style of play is a perfect fit. With his ability to play two positions, he is an asset.”

University of Albany's Amber Maisonet Named University Division National Softball All-American

Courtesy: UAlbany Sports Information

Albany, N.Y. – University at Albany’s Amber Maisonet has been named to the ESPN The Magazine Academic All-America University Division Softball Team, as announced on Wednesday by CoSIDA (College Sports Information Directors of America. Maisonet, a senior left fielder, is just the fifth UAlbany student-athlete to earn national first-team honors, and is the first female athlete chosen to a national first team at the Division I level.

Maisonet, a native of Newburgh, N.Y., earned All-America East Conference first-team recognition for the fourth straight season after finishing second in the league with a .379 batting average and first in stolen bases (27). Maisonet, who is nominee for the America East Woman of the Year award, also received an ECAC Merit Medal as the school’s top senior female student-athlete during the current academic year. She was named to the NFCA All-Region second team and finished as the UAlbany career leader with 233 hits and 151 runs. Maisonet is also ranked second in career stolen bases with 96 and is fourth with a .360 batting average.

Maisonet posted a 3.85 grade point average while majoring in psychology. To be eligible, a student-athlete must maintain a cumulative GPA of 3.20 while performing as a varsity starter or key reserve. Since the program’s inception in 1952, CoSIDA has bestowed more that 14,000 Academic All-America honors.

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2008 Academic All-America Softball University Division First Team

Angela Tincher, Sr., P, Virginia Tech

Stacey Nelson, Jr., P, Florida

Chelsea Bramlett, So., C, Mississippi State

Jessica Chrabaszcz, Sr., IF, Delaware State

Jessica Toocheck, Sr., IF, Kent State

Colleen McGlaughlin, Jr., IF, Iowa

Sara Dyer, Sr., IF, Tulsa

Lisa Kinsmore, Jr., OF, Winthrop

Lillian Hammond, Jr., OF, Tennessee

Amber Maisonet, Sr., OF, UAlbany

Mary Beth Puccio, Jr., DP, Fordham



UAlbany’s Division I First Team Academic All-Americans

J.T. Herfurth (2000, Football)

Victor Camacho (2003, Football)

Emil Bove (2003, Men’s At-Large/Lacrosse)

Stephan Hall (2005 & 2006, Men’s Soccer)

Amber Maisonet (2008, Softball)

University of Albany Sends 12 Track & Field Athletes to NCAA East Regional at Florida State: UAlbany Athletics

Courtesy: UAlbany Sports Information

Tallahassee, Fla. – Twelve athletes will represent the University at Albany at the NCAA East Regional Outdoor Track & Field Championships on May 30-31. The regional competition will be held at Florida State University’s Mike Long Track.

The list of UAlbany qualifiers include Daniel Avery, Jeffery Barnes, Valete Graham, Jean Juste, Mike McCadney, Kyle Nadler (Colonie Central), Luke Schoen, Laura Cummings, Arina Gerasimova, Jenn Gurrant, Kamilah McShine and Brenna Militello. The top-five finishers in each individual event will automatically qualify for the NCAA Championships on June 11-14 in Des Moines, Iowa.

Avery and Juste will each compete in the 38-member field of the 110-meter high hurdles. Avery, a freshman from Cooper City, Fla., turned in a UAlbany Division I record time of 13.96 seconds at the Florida Relays on April 4. Juste, a junior from Hempstead, N.Y., won the event in a conference-record time of 14.25 seconds at the America East Championship on May 4 in Orono, Maine. Barnes earned entrance into the regional meet by winning the 200-meter dash in 21.62 seconds at the America East Championship.

Schoen, a sophomore from Bohemia, N.Y., will compete in the pole vault after a first-place finish at the America East Championship and a second-place finish at the IC4A Championship. At the America East meet on May 3, Schoen topped the field by crossing the bar at a conference-record and then-school record height of 17-feet, 3-inches. A week later at the UAlbany Spring Classic, Schoen vaulted a program-best 17-feet, 5-inches.

McCadney, coming off victories at the America East and IC4A championships, is a regional competitor in the triple jump for the second straight year. McCadney, a junior from Rochester, N.Y., recorded a program-record leap of 51-feet, 1.75-inches to earn UAlbany’s first IC4A triple jump title. He topped his own school record of 50-feet, 11.50-inches, set at last year’s NCAA East Regional. Graham and Nadler, a pair of sophomores, will represent UAlbany in the long jump. Graham, the America East champion, qualified for regional competition with a distance of 24-feet, 1.50-inches at the Penn Relays on April 25. Nadler registered a regional-qualifying leap of 24-feet, 1.50-inches, the second-best jump in program history, to place third at the IC4A meet.

Cummings, a junior from Bay Shore, N.Y., will compete in her first NCAA regional in the 3,000-meter steeplechase. Cummings turned in her fastest time of the season at the America East Championship with a first-place finish in a school-record time of 10:33.60.

Gerasimova and Gurrant will each compete in the 34-member field of the triple jump. Gerasimova, a senior from Zaporizhzhya, Ukraine, recorded a program-best leap of 41-feet, 10.75-inches to capture first place at the New York Relays on April 20. Gurrant, a junior from Batavia, N.Y., is making her second appearance in regional action after competing in the long jump last season. Gurrant finished third in the triple jump at the ECAC Championship with a distance of 41-feet, 7.75-inches, the second-best mark in school history.

McShine and Militello won America East titles in the 100-meter hurdles and high jump, respectively, to qualify for regional competition. McShine won the 100-hurdles in a conference-record time of 13.98 seconds, while Militello cleared the bar at 5-feet, 4.25-inches.

University of Albany's Julita Patrosz receives 2008 Barry M. Goldwater Scholarship

Julita Patrosz is fascinated with molecules: their unique shapes, their complexities and their interactions with other molecules in the human body. An aspiring bioinformatics researcher, Patrosz satiated her fascination through research opportunities at the University at Albany-SUNY, leading her on a path toward academic achievement and recognition.

Patrosz, who will be a junior in the fall, was one of 321 college sophomores and juniors nationwide to receive the 2008 Barry M. Goldwater Scholarship. The award is designed to encourage outstanding students to pursue careers in math, the natural sciences and engineering. Patrosz is the 15th UAlbany undergraduate to be chosen for the scholarship since the highly competitive program began in 1986.

"I am interested in pursuing a deeper understanding of the chemistry of life and trying to discover something new," said Patrosz, a biochemistry and molecular biology major and Honors College student. "Then other people can use it to find better medical treatments."

Patrosz has been studying with faculty member Jayanti Pande, associate professor of chemistry, how mutations in the proteins of the eye lens lead to cataracts. Patrosz was paired with Pande through the University's Undergraduate Research Program.

"I am interested in pursuing a deeper understanding of the chemistry of life and trying to discover something new."

Julita Patrosz "The selection of Julita Patrosz for the prestigious Barry M. Goldwater Scholarship is both a glowing testimony to the scholarly excellence of UAlbany's undergraduate student body and emblematic of the University's reputation as a global leader in preparing students to be pioneers in the next-generation fields of scientific research and discovery," said Alain Kaloyeros, faculty representative to the Goldwater Scholarship Program and Vice President and Chief Administrative Officer of the College of Nanoscale Science and Engineering.

Goldwater Scholars have very impressive academic qualifications that have garnered the attention of prestigious post-graduate fellowship programs. With the scholarship, Patrosz will receive $15,000 toward undergraduate study over the next two years.

Eventually, Patrosz, of Yonkers, N.Y., would like to earn a Ph.D. and continue the adventure of scientific discovery and exploration that she began at UAlbany.

Courtesy: UAlbany News

University of Albany's Yvette Nsiah Competes for Miss Universe in July

Yvette Nsiah, a student at the University at Albany, has been crowned Miss Universe Ghana, and will compete for the title of Miss Universe in Nha Trang, Vietnam, on July 14.

Nsiah, an Africana studies major and education minor who just completed her junior year, was born on Long Island. At the age of nine, she and her family moved to Kumasi, Ghana; they eventually relocated to the capital city of Accra. When she graduated high school, she decided to return to the U.S. for college. “My brother went to Albany, so I knew a lot about the school,” she said. She decided to follow in his footsteps.

Her enrollment was fortuitous: during her sophomore year, she entered UAlbany’s annual African Queen pageant, and won. This was her first foray into the world of pageants, and began to change her perception of these competitions. “It’s not all about beauty,” she said.

After the African Queen win, Nsiah was contacted about competing for the Miss Universe Ghana title. She returned to Accra, attended preliminary castings, and was chosen as one of five women to compete in the final event, eventually claiming the crown in late April. “I still feel like it’s not me,” she said. Remarking on her one year’s worth of experience – considered very little in the pageant world – she added, “I guess I have luck.”

Nsiah describes herself as “very low-key,” which is why she was wary of becoming involved with pageants. “I did think it was all about beauty,” she admitted. “But it’s all about questions.” She added with a laugh, “You have to think on your feet with people staring at you.”

One other component that the Miss Universe competition stresses is passion, which Nsiah has in spades, especially concerning her chosen charity cause: foster care and children’s education. “There are lots of kids suffering and that’s not fair. They don’t have access to a lot of things and that’s not their fault,” she said.

If she wins the Miss Universe title, Nsiah will work for Donald Trump for a year, promote her charity, and receive a $40,000 prize, all while maintaining her status as a student at UAlbany. Trump is the executive producer of the July event, which will be televised on NBC.

No matter the outcome of the contest, she is hoping it will propel her on to bigger and better things, both on a personal and professional level. A musician who sings, plays keyboard, and composes her own songs, she sees this exposure as something to benefit a future career in music. “It’s a great coincidence all this happened,” she said. But she stresses that education, her own as well as that which she hopes to bring to less-fortunate children, comes first, and that any musical aspirations she has will wait until she is done with school.

For now, Nsiah will enjoy the month she will be spending in Vietnam. Starting in mid-June, she will be sightseeing, meeting prominent local leaders, “And then we get to work,” she said with a laugh.

University of Albany Midfielder Jordan Levine Named to USILA Division I All-America Lacrosse Team

Courtesy: UAlbany Sports Information

Baltimore, Md. -- University at Albany’s Jordan Levine has been chosen to the 2008 USILA All-America Team as announced on Sunday, May 25 by the United States Intercollegiate Lacrosse Association. Levine, who was selected in the honorable mention category, becomes the first UAlbany player at the Division I level to be named to the All-America squad twice after earning second-team honors last year.

Levine, a senior midfielder from Bethpage, N.Y., had 13 goals and 20 assists this spring, and ranked 22nd nationally in ground balls at 4.5 per game. He was voted first-team All-America East Conference for the third consecutive season, the third Great Dane player to earn that distinction. Levine was also named to the America East all-championship team for the second year in a row after leading the program to its seventh consecutive conference tournament final.

Levine finished his career with 57 goals, 56 assists and 321 ground balls. His assist total ranks eighth on the school’s all-time list. He accounted for four or more points on 12 occasions as a collegian, and equaled a career-best with five points in the regular-season finale with Stony Brook on April 26. Levine is one of five UAlbany players to receive USILA Division I All-America recognition.

UAlbany’s USILA Division I Lacrosse All-Americans

Luke Daquino (2005, honorable mention)

Jordan Levine (2008, honorable mention; 2007, second team)

Brett Queener (2007, honorable mention)

Frank Resetarits (2007, first team)

Merrick Thomson (2007, third team)

University of Albany's Steve Ammann Voted to ESPN The Magazine All-District I Academic All-America At-Large Team

Courtesy: UAlbany Sports Information

Washington, D.C. -- University at Albany’s Steve Ammann has been voted to the ESPN The Magazine All-District I Academic All-America Men’s At-Large Team, as selected by the College Sports Information Directors of American (CoSIDA) on Thursday, May 22. Ammann, a senior midfielder on the lacrosse team, was named to the first team and will advance to the national ballot. Mike Ammann, also a lacrosse midfielder, earned second-team all-district recognition.

Steve Ammann, a native of Putnam Valley, N.Y., was chosen to All-America East Conference second team for the second year in a row. He has a 3.86 cumulative grade point average in business administration with a concentration in finance and marketing. He accounted for 15 goals and 12 assists this season in leading the Great Danes to their seventh consecutive appearance in the conference tournament championship final. Ammann received the 2008 Presidential Scholar-Athlete Award and UAlbany President’s Award for Leadership.

Mike Ammann posted a 3.87 GPA in accounting with a dual minor in business administration and mathematics. He had seven goals and nine assists from his second midfield line. Ammann, who along with his twin brother, led the Great Danes to a pair of NCAA berths and two conference championships during his career. He also received the Presidential-Scholar Athlete Award and President’s Award for Leadership and has worked on community service projects with Juvenile Diabetes and Habitat for Humanity.

University of Albany Projects: Photo Updates

John Fallon Field Stadium Construction















Purple Path South Entrance Completion

















Photos Courtesy of {http://bigpurplefans.ipbhost.com}'s UAalum72

The University of Albany and Argentina's Universidad del Salvador Establish Exchange Program

Rector Juan Alejandro Tobias of Argentina's Universidad del Salvador and Interim President George M. Philip sign an agreement establishing a student exchange program.

University of Albany's Brendan Rowland Named to America East Conference Baseball First Team

Courtesy: UAlbany Sports Information

Albany, N.Y. -- University at Albany’s Brendan Rowland and Ryan Gugel have been named to the 2008 America East All-Conference Baseball Team, as announced at the annual conference banquet on Wednesday, May 21. David Kubiak was voted to the conference all-rookie squad.

Rowland, a sophomore from Albany, N.Y., landed a spot on the all-conference first team. Rowland, the second consecutive UAlbany outfielder to earn first-team honors, had a team-best .332 batting average and led the conference with 74 hits, tying the second-best total in UAlbany history. He tied the single-season program record by scoring 50 runs and drove in 46 more, the fourth-best total in the conference and on the UAlbany single-season chart. Rowland recorded at least two hits in 17 games, including a season-high five against Hartford on April 5, and had multiple RBI on 14 occasions. In conference action, he ranked third with 35 hits, seventh with a .368 batting average and fifth in slugging percentage at .642. Rowland hit six home runs and scored 29 times in 24 league games, good for second in each category.

Gugel, a junior catcher from Batavia, N.Y., received All-America East honors with a spot on the all-conference second team. A junior college transfer from Genesee Community College, Gugel recorded a .297 average, 39 RBI and 13 stolen bases in his first season with the Great Danes. Behind the plate, he threw out 12 would-be base stealers, second-best among conference leaders. In league action, he had 30 hits for a .353 average and stole six bases, tied for second in the conference.

Kubiak, a freshman, was honored with all-rookie team recognition. Kubiak, a right-handed pitcher from Southold, N.Y., finished his freshman campaign with a 5-0 record, a team-best 3.92 ERA and 33 strikeouts in 59.2 innings pitched. After moving into the starting rotation on March 29, Kubiak picked up all five wins and registered a 2.50 ERA and 29 strikeouts in 50.1 innings. His 2.75 ERA in conference play was tops in the league and his four victories placed him second on the wins list.

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2008 America East All-Conference Baseball Team

First Team: Zach Groh, Binghamton; Joe Serafin, Vermont; Greg Lane, Binghamton; Myckie Lugbauer, Maine; Curt Smith, Maine; Ryan James, Binghamton; Kyle Klee, Binghamton; Bill Perry, Hartford; Joe Fowler, UMBC; Brian Witkowski, Stony Brook; Brendan Rowland, UAlbany; Will Delawter, UMBC.

Second Team: Tom Koehler, Stony Brook; Eric Thompson, Vermont; Jordan Purington, Stony Brook; Ryan Gugel, UAlbany; Ryan Holley, Binghamton; Chad Marshall, Stony Brook; Ben Sobocinski, Hartford; Kyle Massie, Vermont; Scott Peddicord, UMBC; Wink Nolan, UMBC; Justin Milo, Vermont; Mike Stephan, Stony Brook.

All-Rookie: David Kubiak, UAlbany; Peter Bregartner, Binghamton; Simon Kudernatsch, Hartford; Jarrett Lukas, Maine; Kevin Scanlon, Maine; Chad Marshall, Stony Brook; Stephen Marino, Stony Brook; Matt Duffy, Vermont; Mark Micowski, Vermont.

University of Albany Release's 2008 Women's Volleyball Schedule

Courtesy: UAlbany Sports Information

Albany, N.Y. – University at Albany Vice President and Director of Athletics Lee McElroy announced the school’s 2008 volleyball schedule on Wednesday, May 21. The Great Danes, who are the reigning America East Conference champions, will play a 28-match schedule, including two home tournaments.

UAlbany begins its 10th year at the Division I level on August 29 and 30 at the San Diego State Tournament, where the Great Danes will face the host Aztecs along with the University of San Diego and UC Irvine. UAlbany will host the first of two home tournaments on September 5 and 6, welcoming Buffalo, Wright State and Connecticut to University Gym.

The Great Danes will also make an appearance in the Kentucky Tournament, facing Eastern Kentucky, Indiana and the host Wildcats, an NCAA Tournament team one year ago. UAlbany will also compete at the Michigan Tournament, taking on Arizona State, Western Kentucky and the Wolverines. In the second home tournament of the season, UAlbany will host Dayton, a program coached by former Great Danes mentor Kelly Sheffield, along with Yale and Long Island, an NCAA participant last season.

UAlbany will kick off America East Conference play hosting Maine and New Hampshire on October 3 and 5, respectively. The Great Danes will travel to Stony Brook and Hartford for conference matches before hosting crosstown-rival Siena on October 15. UAlbany will host rival Binghamton on October 17, and will visit UMBC on October 24 before hosting the Retrievers on October 27.

The Great Danes will then embark on a three-match road trip to end October and start November, visiting New Hampshire (Oct. 31), Maine (Nov. 2) and Binghamton (Nov. 9) before closing out the conference regular season with home matches against Hartford (Nov. 14) and Stony Brook (Nov. 16).

UAlbany will look to make an appearance in its seventh consecutive America East Tournament, hosted at the highest seed on November 21-23. The Great Danes will play a final regular-season match at Temple on Nov. 29.

UAlbany, led by interim head coach MJ Engstrom, return all-conference honoree Kamisha Kellam and Amanda Cowdrey, the 2007 league rookie of the year. Kellam, a first-team member last season, averaged 3.24 kills and ranked in the conference’s top ten in hitting percentage (.327). Cowdrey paced the Great Danes a year ago, averaging a team-best 3.47 kills per game and finishing second with 3.32 digs per game. Also returning to the court is all-rookie team setter Brooke Stanley, who averaged 10.66 assists and recorded a team-high 58 service aces as a freshman.

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2008 UAlbany Volleyball Schedule

August: 29 (Fri.) vs. San Diego+ 4:00 p.m.; 30 (Sat.) at San Diego State+ 1:00 p.m.; vs. UC Irvine+ 4:00 p.m.

September: 5 (Fri.) Buffalo^ 7:00 p.m.; 6 (Sat.) Wright State^ 12:00 p.m.; Connecticut^ 7:00 p.m.; 12 (Fri.) vs. Eastern Kentucky< 5:00 p.m.; 13 (Sat.) vs. Indiana< 10:00 a.m.; at Kentucky< 7:00 p.m.; 19 (Fri.) vs. Arizona State$ 5:00 p.m.; 20 (Sat.) at Michigan$ 11:00 a.m.; vs. Western Kentucky$ 5:00 p.m.; 26 (Fri.) Yale^^ 7:00 p.m.; 27 (Sat.) Long Island^^ 10:00 a.m.; Dayton^^ 7:00 p.m.

October: 3 (Fri.) Maine* 7:00 p.m.; 5 (Sun.) New Hampshire* 2:00 p.m.; 10 (Fri.) at Stony Brook* 7:00 p.m.; 12 (Sat.) at Hartford* 6:00 p.m.; 15 (Wed.) Siena 7:00 p.m.; 17 (Fri.) Binghamton* 7:00 p.m.; 24 (Fri.) at UMBC* 7:00 p.m.; 26 (Sun.) UMBC* 2:00 p.m.; 31 (Fri.) at New Hampshire* 7:00 p.m.

November: 2 (Sun.) at Maine* 2:00 p.m.; 9 (Sun.) at Binghamton* 1:00 p.m.; 14 (Sat.) Hartford* 7:00 p.m.; 16 (Sun.) Stony Brook* 1:00 p.m.; 21-23 (Fri-Sun.) America East Conference Tournament; 29 (Sat.) at Temple 5:00 p.m.

* America East Conference opponent

+ San Diego State Tournament

^ UAlbany Tournament

< Kentucky Tournament

$ Michigan Tournament

^^ UAlbany Tournament

The Expertise of University of Albany Cancer Researcher JoEllen Welsh Sought

Fighting Breast Cancer? Take Your Vitamin D
New Research Suggests the 'Sunshine Vitamin' Can Slow Progression of Breast Cancer

RSS Researchers have found that breast cancer patients who don't have enough vitamin D in their bodies are much more likely to have their cancer spread and to die from the disease.

For millions of women, the finding in a new study raises the possibility that a basic nutrient like vitamin D, a vitamin pill that costs just pennies a day, might have a profound impact on their breast cancer.

Prefer to get your vitamin D the natural way? Click here for other ways to get your daily dose of vitamin D.

Dr. Anne McTiernan at the Fred Hutchinson Cancer Research Center said, "This study is significant because it tells us this may be one thing women can do to improve their prognosis."

Researchers, following more than 500 women with breast cancer, found that women deficient in vitamin D were 94 percent more likely to have their cancer spread and 73percent more likely to die from their cancer.

JoEllen Welsh, a professor at the State University of New York at Albany, said, "Vitamin D is pretty unique in its action in that it does enter the cancer cells and induces them to undergo a cell death process."

Welsh should know. She studies vitamin D in her laboratory. Under a microscope, she showed ABC News a cluster of human breast cancer cells that shriveled up and died when she added vitamin D.

"The effects of vitamin D on breast cancer cells are very similar to the established drug Tamoxifen that many women take for breast cancer."

Vitamin D, essential for strong bones, has also been linked in several studies with cancer prevention. And not only breast cancer but colon and prostate cancers as well.

The problem, said cancer researchers, is that many women and men are not getting enough vitamin D. In this latest study, 76 percent of the breast cancer patients had low levels of the nutrient.

By JOHN McKENZIE

UAlbany's Amanda Hall & Amber Maisonet Nominated for America East Woman of the Year

Courtesy: UAlbany Sports Information

Cambridge, Mass. -- University at Albany’s Amanda Hall and Amber Maisonet are among ten student-athletes who are institutional nominees for 2008 America East Woman of the Year, as announced on Tuesday, May 20 by the conference office.

Binghamton’s Jacqueline Kane (volleyball), Boston University’s Sarah Hudak (field hockey), Hartford’s Alexandra Morley (softball), Maine’s Laura Harper (soccer), UMBC’s Dana Shepherd (softball), New Hampshire’s Catherine Parker (cross country/track & field), Stony Brook’s Dana Hastie (cross country/track & field) and Vermont’s Carmen Lagala (cross country/track & field) have also been chosen as the senior female student-athletes on their respective campuses that best exemplified a commitment to service, leadership, athletics and academics during their collegiate careers.

To be nominated, student-athletes must have earned a varsity letter in an NCAA-sponsored sport and competed during the 2007-08 academic year, completed intercollegiate eligibility in her primary sport by the end of the 2008 spring season or received her undergraduate degree prior to the conclusion of the spring 2008 term and have a minimum cumulative grade-point average of 2.500 (4.000 scale).

Maisonet, a senior outfielder on the UAlbany softball team, received an ECAC Merit Medal as the school’s top senior female student-athlete during the current academic year. A four-time first-team all-conference performer, Maisonet was second in the league with a .379 batting average and first in stolen bases (27). She has a 3.85 cumulative grade point average in psychology.

Hall, a member of the women’s tennis squad, posted an 18-8 singles record and a 17-11 mark in doubles play this spring. The Great Danes posted an 18-7 dual-match record, their best season as a Division I program. Hall, who has a 3.88 GPA in business administration, received UAlbany’s Presidential Scholar-Athlete Award.

In conjunction with the changes in the nomination process for the NCAA Woman of the Year award, the America East Woman of the Year award was established for the 2005-06 athletic season. Beginning in 2006, the NCAA Committee on Women’s Athletics (CWA) started receiving conference-designated nominees in lieu of the previous institution- and state-based nomination format.

The nominees will be narrowed down to three finalists on Wednesday, June 11 with the America East Woman of the Year being announced via release on the conference website on Wednesday, June 18.

The America East Woman of the Year will then be forwarded to the NCAA Woman of the Year selection committee. The selection committee will select the top 10 winners in each NCAA division (I, II and III). From among those 30 honorees, the selection committee will determine the top three in each division. Finally, the members of the CWA will vote from among the top nine to determine the 2008 NCAA Woman of the Year.

University of Albany Pole Vaulter Luke Schoen: The Sky's the Limit

University of Albany Pole Vaulter Luke Schoen will be participating in the NCAA's in the coming weeks.

One day in his sophomore year at West Islip High School, Luke Schoen amused himself during gym class by running up a wall and doing backflips.

He was noticed by his teacher, Jim Dooley, who also happened to be a coach on the track team.

"'Hey, you should try pole vaulting,"' Schoen recalled Dooley saying. "'All the crazy people do that."'

If so, there's a method to the madness for Schoen, a University at Albany sophomore who could become one of the nation's top pole vaulters.

He set a school record last weekend by clearing 17 feet, 5 inches at the UAlbany Spring Class, tying the 11th-best national collegiate mark this spring.

"It was really good because my parents were here so it made it extra special," Schoen said.

He's the favorite to win Saturday afternoon at the IC4A Championship in Princeton, N.J., and he's already qualified for the NCAA East Region meet at Florida State in two weeks.

Schoen figures a performance of 17 feet or better should put him in the top five and earn a ticket to the NCAA Championships in Des Moines, Iowa on June 11-14.

The top pole vaulters in the country jump consistently over 18 feet, so it's unlikely Schoen could challenge for a national title this year. But that could change within the next two years, according to UAlbany associate coach Craig McVey, who works with Schoen.

"I really think so," McVey said. "It won't be this year, but he's jumped a lot from his freshman year to his sophomore year, and sometimes that's the hardest year for improvement. Next year's going to be interesting."

Schoen, who is 6-foot-1, has the classic build of a pole vaulter with a strong upper body and enough speed to motor down the runway.

And he's also got the proper genetics. His father, Ken, was a UAlbany football player from 1973 to 1975. His mother, Cathy, was a gymnast.

But Cathy Schoen gives much of the credit to Dooley, the West Islip coach who first discovered her son.

"He saw something in Luke that a lot of other coaches didn't see and stuck by him," she said. "He had Luke work and it really paid off."

Schoen, who had done the high jump, didn't immediately warm up to the new event. He wanted to quit more than once, only to be nagged back into it by his coach.

"(Dooley) was like, 'What are you going to do if you don't do this,' " Schoen recalled. "That was true because I got kicked off my basketball team because I went on a skiing trip when there was a game."

The persistence paid off when Schoen won the Federation championship as a West Islip senior.

He chose to attend UAlbany over Connecticut, but not because his father is a graduate.

"I really didn't know much about the program here," he said. "I just liked the school. Everyone on the team was really nice. I thought UConn's team was a lot better, but this team's a lot better than UConn."

If that's the case, one reason is because Schoen is on the team.

Courtesy: Mark Singelais

World-Class Lineup of Executives Highlights CIRCA ’08 Presented by AeA and University of Albany's NanoCollege

‘Open Innovation of Nanotechnology in the Adjacent Markets of Transportation, Energy and Security' is theme for Convergence of International Research and Commercialization

The eyes of the nanoelectronics industry were focused on Albany, New York as a host of top executives representing the world's leading nanotechnology companies and organizations spoke on the topic of Open Innovation during CIRCA '08, presented by AeA, the nation's largest high-tech trade association, and the College of Nanoscale Science and Engineering ("CNSE") of the University at Albany, ranked by Small Times magazine as the world's number one college for nanotechnology.

Dr. Santokh Badesha, Xerox Fellow and Manager of Open Innovation in Xerox Corporation's Innovation Group - the most prolific inventor in the company's history with 158 U.S. patents -delivered the keynote address at the second annual Convergence of International Research and Commercialization in Albany, or CIRCA '08, held May 19-21 at the Gideon Putnam Hotel in Saratoga Springs, NY and at CNSE's Albany NanoTech Complex in Albany, NY.

Other featured speakers included Harvey Frye, President, Tokyo Electron America and Conference Chair; Dr. Michael R. Polcari, President & CEO, International SEMATECH; Dr. James O'Neill, Senior Manager, Silicon Technology, IBM; Larry Sumney, President, Semiconductor Research Corporation; Dr. Alain E. Kaloyeros, Vice President and Chief Administrative Officer, CNSE; Ralf Graber, Executive Vice President, M+W Zander; and, Tom Birdsey, President & CEO, EYP Architecture & Engineering.

"Open Innovation of Nanotechnology in the Adjacent Markets of Transportation, Energy and Security" was the theme of CIRCA '08, designed to present unique strategies for development of nanofabrication technology platforms and to identify related teaming opportunities around industry-compliant manufacturing solutions. CIRCA '08 is the only conference addressing the challenge of nanotechnology convergence with concrete strategies and practical solutions enabled by CNSE and its partner companies, including leading device, equipment and material suppliers providing manufacturable solutions that are supported by a nanotechnology-driven supply chain.

Justin Wright, Executive Director of AeA's New York Council, said, "CIRCA '08 provided a tremendous opportunity for our member companies representing all segments of the high-tech industry. AeA recognizes that manufacturability and commercialization of nanotechnology are among the greatest challenges facing widespread implementation and commercial viability. AeA's strategic relationship with CNSE is providing unique capabilities and solutions to address these challenges, as CIRCA '08 demonstrated."

Dr. Alain E. Kaloyeros, Vice President and Chief Administrative Officer of CNSE, said, "The presence and participation at CIRCA '08 of the world's leading executives at the forefront of a new paradigm of Open Innovation is testament to the exceptional partnership between the UAlbany NanoCollege and AeA, the preeminent global high-tech trade organization. We look forward to the development of unique strategies for cross-sector, university-driven technology platforms, and the creation of new business teaming opportunities among public and private sector leaders in nanoscale research, development and manufacturing."

Other speakers participating at CIRCA '08 included Dr. John M. Pellegrino, Director, Sensors and Electron Devices Directorate, Army Research Laboratory; Paul Brubaker, Administrator, Research and Innovative Technology Administration, U.S. Department of Transportation; J.R. Reagan, Vice President, Global Risk Compliance & Security, BearingPoint; Dr. Ken Young, Consortium Manager, ARL Collaborative Technology Alliance, Telcordia Technologies; Jon Weston, Deputy Director of Capital Programs, Port Authority of New York & New Jersey; Mary Ann Crotty, President, Macro Enterprises; and, Michael O'Halloran, Director of Technology, CH2MHill Electronics & Advanced Technology Group.

About AeA. AeA, the nation's largest technology trade association representing all segments of the high-tech industry, is dedicated solely to helping our members' top line and bottom line. We do this in partnership with our small, medium, and large member companies by lobbying governments at the state, federal, and international levels, providing access to capital and business opportunities, and offering select business services and networking programs. For more information, please visit www.aeanet.org.

About CNSE. The UAlbany CNSE is the first college in the world dedicated to research, development, education, and deployment in the emerging disciplines of nanoscience, nanoengineering, nanobioscience, and nanoeconomics. In May 2007, it was ranked as the world's number one college for nanotechnology and microtechnology in the Annual College Ranking by Small Times magazine. CNSE's Albany NanoTech complex is the most advanced research enterprise of its kind at any university in the world: a $4.2 billion, 450,000-square-foot complex that attracts corporate partners from around the world and offers students a one-of-a-kind academic experience. The UAlbany NanoCollege houses the only fully-integrated, 300mm wafer, computer chip pilot prototyping and demonstration line within 65,000 square feet of Class 1 capable cleanrooms. More than 2,000 scientists, researchers, engineers, students, and faculty work on site at CNSE's Albany NanoTech complex, from companies including IBM, AMD, SEMATECH, Toshiba, ASML, Applied Materials, Tokyo Electron, Vistec Lithography and Freescale. An expansion currently underway will increase the size of CNSE's Albany NanoTech complex to over 800,000 square feet, including over 80,000 square feet of Class 1 capable cleanroom space, to house over 2,500 scientists, researchers, engineers, students, and faculty by mid-2009. For more information, visit http://www.cnse.albany.edu/.

Mike McCadney Wins IC4A Triple Jump to Lead the University of Albany Men's Track to a Fifth-Place Finish

Courtesy: UAlbany Sports Information

Princeton, N.J. – University at Albany’s Mike McCadney was victorious in the triple jump to lead his team’s performance at the 132nd Annual IC4A Outdoor Track & Field Championship at Princeton University’s Weaver Stadium on Sunday, May 18. The Great Danes finished fifth in the team standings with 39 points. The UAlbany women, led by a third-place finish by Jenn Gurrant in the triple jump, finished in a tie for 24th place at the ECAC Championship with 11 points.

McCadney, a junior from Rochester, N.Y., set a school record with his championship effort of 51-feet, 1.75-inches to claim UAlbany’s first triple jump crown in IC4A competition. McCadney became the fifth UAlbany athlete to win an IC4A outdoor title at the Division I level, joining Joe Greene, who captured the 400-meter hurdles in 2006 and 2007, Marc Pallozzi (2007, javelin) and Gered Burns (2005, 800-meters). McCadney, who won the America East title two weeks ago, recorded the ninth-best mark in the region this spring and will compete at the NCAA East Regional in Tallahassee, Fla. on May 30-31.

The men’s 4x100-meter relay team of Jean Juste, Dieuseul Joseph, Torshiro Jenkins and Jeffery Barnes placed third in a time of 41.35 seconds. Joseph, a defensive back on the UAlbany football team, finished sixth in the 100-meter dash finals, as he crossed the line in 10.94 seconds.

At the ECAC meet, Gurrant posted a jump of 41-feet, 7.75-inches to record the second-best performance in school history. Senior Arina Gerasimova finished seventh in the same event with a leap of 40-feet, 7.5-inches, while freshman Tiffany Sprenkels ended up in 17th place with a jump of 38-feet, 7-inches.

UAlbany head coach Roberto Vives was honored by the IC4A Track Coaches’ Association, an organization founded in 1918, for 25 years of collegiate service to the sport. Vives, who has been leading the Great Danes’ track and field program since 1985, was also the women’s head coach at Lehman College and spent a year as an assistant at the City College of New York.

**********

UAlbany Men’s Results
Team Standings: 1. Liberty 62; 2. Virginia 55; 3. Georgetown 44; 4. Syracuse 42; 5. UAlbany 39; 6. UNC Wilmington 32; 7. Coppin State 31; 8. Princeton 28; 9. Iona 25; 10. Lehigh 24; 11. Monmouth 23; t12. Cornell, George Mason, Yale 22; t15. Manhattan, Rutgers 21; 17. Delaware State 20; t18. William & Mary, Duke, Connecticut, Maryland 19; t22. Seton Hall, VMI, Robert Morris, Morgan State 18; 26. Pennsylvania 15; t27. Duquesne, Dartmouth 13; 29. Mount St. Mary’s 12; t30. Boston U., New Hampshire 9; t32. Villanova, Rhode Island 8; t34. Vermont, Binghamton, St. Francis (PA), Mansfield 6; 38. Bucknell 5; t39. Fairleigh Dickinson, Arm, 4; t41. Columbia, Southern Connecticut 3; t43. Fordham, UMBC 2; t45. Massachusetts, Harvard, LaSalle, Brown, Navy 1.

Individual

100-Meter Dash: 6. Dieuseul Joseph 10.94. 4x100 Meter Relay: 3. UAlbany (Jean Juste, Dieuseul Joseph, Torshiro Jenkins, Jeffery Barnes), 41.35. Triple Jump: 1. Mike McCadney 51-1.75.




UAlbany Women’s Results
Team Standings: 1. Connecticut 83; 2. Virginia 53; 3. Cornell 43; 4. William & Mary 41; 5. Georgetown 40; 6. Maryland 39; t7. Syracuse, Pittsburgh 38; t9. Seton Hall, Boston College 31; 11. Morgan State 30; 12. George Mason 29; 13. Boston U. 28; t14. Providence, West Virginia 26; 16. Duke 24.5; 17. Rhode Island 24. t18. St. Francis (PA), Princeton 21; 20. Harvard 19.5; t21. Brown, Liberty 16; 23. Pennsylvania 13; t24. UAlbany, Lafayette, Rutgers, Villanova 11; t28. Northeastern, Temple 10; 30. James Madison 9; t31. Navy, Towson 8; 33. Bucknell 7; t34. Stony Brook, New Hampshire 6; t36. Quinnipiac, Lehigh, Delaware 5; t39. Monmouth, Dartmouth, Rider, UNC Wilmington, Binghamton 4; t44. Massachusetts, Yale 3; t46. Iona, St. John’s 2.

Individual

Triple Jump: 3. Jenn Gurrant 41-7.75; 7. Arina Gerisimova 40-7.5; 17. Tiffany Sprenkels 38-7.0.

University of Albany Releases 2008 Women's Soccer Schedule

Courtesy: UAlbany Sports Information

Albany, N.Y. - University at Albany Vice President and Director of Athletics Lee McElroy announced on Monday, May 19 the school's women's soccer schedule for 2008. The Great Danes will play a 20-match schedule, including a pair of tournaments.

UAlbany begins its 10th season at the NCAA Division I level on Friday, Aug. 22 at Syracuse. The Great Danes will end the month of August at Lehigh on the 31st. UAlbany will entertain Youngstown State in its home opener on Friday, Sept. 5, before playing four consecutive road matches. The Great Danes finish the stretch with a pair of games at the Niagara Tournament in Niagara Falls, N.Y. UAlbany will play the host Purple Eagles on Sept. 12 and square off with Drexel on Sept. 14.

The Great Danes return to action at home on Wednesday, Sept. 17 against Massachusetts, before hosting the four-team Governor’s Cup on Friday, Sept. 19 and Sunday, Sept. 21 at Varsity Field. On the first day, UAlbany will play Army, while Siena faces Sacred Heart. UAlbany meets Sacred Heart in the final game of the weekend, with Siena and Army squaring off in Sunday’s first game. UAlbany and Siena will continue its crosstown-series in Loudonville on Sept. 9.

UAlbany, which concluded its most successful season in the program’s Division I history by finishing with a 5-10-3 record last year, opens America East Conference play at defending conference champion Boston University on Sunday, Sept. 28. The Great Danes will play regular-season champion New Hampshire in their conference home debut on Oct. 5. Conference opponents Stony Brook, Vermont and UMBC will also visit Varsity Field. UAlbany takes on Maine, Hartford and Binghamton on the road.

Head coach Mary-Francis Monroe enters her third season in charge of the Great Dane program. Monroe led UAlbany to its second consecutive season with an improving record, after going 5-13-1 in her first campaign. UAlbany returns forward Teresa Boring, who earned America East rookie of the year honors after recording 20 points on nine goals and two assists. Goalkeeper Maria Liguori played every minute between the pipes for the Great Danes and registered 109 saves and a 1.90 goals against average.

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2008 University at Albany Women’s Soccer Schedule

August – 22 (Fri.), at Syracuse, 7:00; 31 (Sun.), at Lehigh, 12:00;

September – 5 (Fri.), Youngstown State, 4:00; 7 (Sun.), at Brown, 1:00; 9 (Tue.), at Siena, 4:00; 12 (Fri.), at Niagara^, TBA; 14 (Sun.), vs. Drexel^, TBA; 17 (Wed.), Massachusetts, 3:00; 19 (Fri.), Governor's Cup (Siena vs. Sacred Heart, 1:00/UAlbany vs. Army, 3:00)+; 21 (Sun.), Governor's Cup (Siena vs. Army, 11:00 a.m./ UAlbany vs. Sacred Heart, 1:00)+; 23 (Tue.), at Colgate, 7:00; 28 (Sun.), at Boston U.*, 1:00;

October – 2 (Thu.), at Maine*, 12:00; 5 (Sun.), New Hampshire*, 1:00; 7 (Tue.), at Dartmouth, 6:00; 12 (Sun.), at Hartford*, 12:00; 16 (Thu.), Stony Brook*, 3:00; 19 (Sun.), at Binghamton*, 6:00; 23 (Thu.), Vermont*, 3:00; 26 (Sun.), UMBC*, 1:00;

*America East Conference Opponent
^Niagara Tournament (Niagara Falls, N.Y.)
+Governor’s Cup (Albany, N.Y.)

University of Albany Baseball Finishes Season With America East Series Win Over Stony Brook: UAlbany Athletics

Courtesy: UAlbany Sports Information

Albany, N.Y. – Pete Eichner went 3-for-3, including a double, and scored the game-tying run to lead UAlbany to a 9-6 come-from-behind victory over Stony Brook in the season finale on Saturday, May 17 at Varsity Field. The Great Danes won three of four games in the America East Conference series.

Stony Brook (31-24, AE 14-10) jumped out to a 3-0 lead in the first inning. Brian Witkowski and Chad Marshall drew walks and Michael Stephan was hit by a pitch to open the frame. After a strikeout, Steven Mazzurco laced a double down the left-field line to plate Witkowski and Marshall. Three batters later, Stephan raced home on a wild pitch.

UAlbany (17-37-1, AE 10-14) took a 4-3 lead with four runs in the bottom of the frame. Sean Donovan doubled down the right-field line and Gary Pitcheralle walked to start the frame. Brendan Rowland followed with a single through the right side to knock in Donovan. Pitcheralle then scored as Rowland safely reached second as the second baseman dropped a throw on an attempted double-play ball. After a successful sacrifice bunt moved Rowland to third and Mike Konstanty to second, Rowland and Konstanty scored on consecutive wild pitches.

The Seawolves regained the lead with a pair of runs in the second. Justin Echevarria walked and Witkowski was hit by a pitch to open the inning. Following a UAlbany pitching change and a groundout, Rob Dyer singled up the middle to drive in Echevarria and Witkowski.

The Great Danes, still trailing 5-4 in the seventh, plated three runs on three hits to regain the lead. Eichner doubled and Tom Zink reached on an error to start the rally. Freshman Kyle Crean then pulled a 3-2 pitch down the right-field line to knock in Eichner from second and move Zink to third. Donovan walked to load the bases. After Stony Brook reliever Devin Will recorded a strikeout, Rowland plated Zink with a single up the third-base line. Konstanty then drove in Crean with a sacrifice fly to center for his team-high 47th RBI of the season.

The Seawolves got one run back in the top of the eighth, but UAlbany reliever Sean Gregory stranded three runners on base. Echevarria singled through the middle to start the inning. Witkowski then singled to move pinch runner Robert Inzerillo over to third base. Inzerillo scored on Marshall’s groundout before Stephan was hit by a pitch for the third time in the contest and Dyer walked to load the bases. Gregory entered the game and induced a pop up to second base and a fly out to right field.

The Great Danes delivered the final score with a pair of runs in the bottom of the eighth. Junior Dave West singled and Eichner reached on an error by the pitcher during a sacrifice bunt. Following a fielder’s choice by Zink in which West was forced at third, Eichner and Zink executed a double-steal with the catcher’s throw sailing into left field, allowing Eichner to score. Zink then came across on a wild pitch.

Senior right-hander Casey Walsh pitched six scoreless innings of relief, striking out seven, to record his first win of the season. Gregory pitched 1.2 innings for his fourth save. Jeremy Nowak suffered the loss for the Seawolves, yielding seven runs, including four earned, on seven hits over six innings.

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Stony Brook (31-24, AE 14-10) 320 000 010 - 6 6 4
UAlbany (17-37-1, AE 10-14) 400 000 32X - 9 9 1

Stony Brook: Jeremy Nowak (L, 6-2), Devin Will (7) and Justin Echevarria, Nick Thode (8).
UAlbany: Nate Novak, Casey Walsh (2, W, 1-8), Chris Ott (8), Dave Noble (8), Sean Gregory (8, S, 4) and Ryan Gugel.

University of Albany's Luke Schoen Places Second in Pole Vault at IC4A Championship

Courtesy: UAlbany Sports Information

Princeton, N.J. – Sophomore Luke Schoen finished second in the pole vault to lead UAlbany performances at the 132nd Annual IC4A Outdoor Track & Field Championship at Princeton University’s Weaver Stadium on Saturday, May 17. The Great Danes are in fourth place with 20 points through eight events. The UAlbany women have three points through nine events.

Schoen, who was third at last season’s IC4A championship, placed second by clearing the bar at 16-feet, 10.75-inches. Freshman Michael Dempsey was ninth in the event with a height of 16-2.75. A pair of Great Danes finished in the top-five in the long jump. Sophomore Kyle Nadler finished second with an NCAA East Regional-qualifying leap of 24-feet, 4.25-inches, the second-best jump in program history. Classmate Valete Graham was fifth at 23-feet, 11.75-inches.

In the 100-meter dash trials, senior Dieuseul Joseph sprinted to a third-place finish in 10.63 seconds, just three one-hundredths of a second behind Junior Burnett’s school record of 10.60. The performance marked the third-fastest time in the school annals behind Burnett’s 10.60 and 10.61 at the 2007 Albany Spring Classic. In the 4x100-meter relay, Joseph led at quartet that included Jean Juste, Torshiro Jenkins and Jeffery Barnes to a second-place effort in the preliminaries. The relay sprinted a season-best time of 41.00 seconds, just 22 one-hundredths of a second off the school standard.

Freshman Wilfredo de Jesus Elias finished 12th in the hammer throw with a toss of 184-feet, 0-inches. Juste finished ninth in the prelims of the 110-meter hurdles in 14.26 seconds, only one-hundredths of a second shy of qualifying for the finals. Junior Joe Greene finished 11th in the 400-meter hurdles in 52.62, missing the finals by just .27 seconds.

On the women’s side, junior Kamilah McShine finished 10th in the preliminaries of the 100-meter hurdles in 14.11 seconds. McShine improved her time to 14.03 in the semifinals, but finished 11th overall and missed a spot in the championship field.

The Great Danes wrap up competition at the ECAC and IC4A championships on Sunday, May 18, beginning at 10:30 a.m.

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UAlbany Men’s Results
100 Meter Dash: 3. Dieuseul Joseph 10.63. 110 Meter Hurdles: 9. Jean Juste 14.26, 19. Garrett Askew 14.60, 30. Nick Assini 15.17. 200 Meter Dash: 13. Jeffery Barnes 21.65. 400 Meter Hurdles: 11. Joe Greene 52.62. 4x100 Meter Relay: 2. Jean Juste, Dieuseul Joseph, T Jenkins, J Barnes 41.00. 4x400m Relay: 16. Andrew Overbaugh, Jeffery Barnes, Joe Belokopitsky, Joe Greene 3:14.92. Long Jump: 2. Kyle Nadler 24-4.25, 5. Valete Graham 23-11.75, 15. Fred Casimo 22-11.75. Pole Vault: 2. Luke Schoen 16-10.75, 9. Michael Dempsey 16-2.75. Hammer Throw: 12. Wilfredo de Jesus Elias 184-0.


UAlbany Women’s Results
100 Meter Hurdles Trials: 10. Kamilah McShine 14.11. 100 Meter Hurdles Semis: 11. Kamilah McShine 14.03. 4x100 Meter Relay: 19. Kamilah McShine, Christen Griffin, Jenn Gurrant, Ashley Vives 47.79. 4x400 Meter Relay: 29. Gurrant, Clarkson, Vives, Lee, Kelly, C P-S, Bolognino 3:55.41. 4x800 Meter Relay: 16. Esperanza Blanco, Zuliana Fontanez, Danielle Trimpop, Laura Cummings 9:16.20.

Former University of Albany Lacrosse Star Merrick Thomson Selected To MLL All Rookie Team

The Philadelphia Wings' forwards Merrick Thomson and Jamie Rooney were selected as members of the 2008 National Lacrosse League All Rookie Team. They are joined by Forward Craig Point (Minnesota); Transition players Jordan Hall (New York), Tyler Codron (Portland), and Bobby McBride (Chicago).

Thomson, the Wings' top draft choice (2nd overall) in this year's NLL Entry Draft, had a standout first season with the Wings, recording 55 points (26G, 29A), which was second only to Minnesota's Craig Point who recorded 61 points (27G, 34A). In his first year out of the University at Albany, Thomson was named Rookie of the Week in week 4 this season, and was also named Rookie of the Month for January.

Rooney, the Wings selected Rooney in the second round (22nd overall) in the 2008 NLL Dispersal Draft from Arizona, finished the 2008 season with 43 points (20G, 23A) and 59 loose balls. Rooney's season was highlighted by his five point performance (2G, 3A) in the Wings 19-11 victory over Chicago in the team's first game. He also scored the goal that forced overtime in the Wings 15-14 overtime win against the Buffalo Bandits on January 26.

The Philadelphia Wings finished the 2008 regular season with a 10-6 record, 7-1 at home, and qualified for the National Lacrosse League playoffs for the first time since the 2002 season. 2008 was also a historic season for the Wings as forward Athan Iannucci shattered the single season goal scoring record with 71 goals, transition player Geoff Snider broke the single season loose ball record with 244, and on April 19, the team had its highest attended game since 2002 when 17,340 fans packed the Wachovia Center.

Reserve your 2009 season tickets today! A $50 deposit guarantees a great seat for eight great games of Wings lacrosse. Call 215-389-WING or visit wingslax.com for more information.

The Philadelphia Wings are owned and operated by Philadelphia Wings L.P., whose principal owners are Russ Cline, Chris Fritz and Michael French. Comcast-Spectacor serves as the marketing, sponsorship and publicity arm of the Wings.

Latest Gifts Bring Private Philanthropy Support for UAlbany's Cancer Research to $1.07 Million

Interim President George M. Philip was joined by E. Stewart Jones and several other donors to announce $166,000 in gifts to support cancer research at the University at Albany-SUNY, bringing total support to $1.07 million on the strength of more than 1,000 individual donors. The gifts include $150,000 from Jones to support the Cancer Research Endowment, $10,000 from The Community Foundation for the Capital Region's Bender Scientific Fund, as well as $1,000 gifts from the Rensselaer County Chamber of Commerce and researchers Scott Tenenbaum and Thomas Begley.

The support is the latest measure of success for the University's Cancer Research Center, the signature building of UAlbany's East Campus and home to the Gen*NY*Sis Center for Excellence in Cancer Genomics (GCECG) and the Center for Functional Genomics (CFG). Recent developments include the hiring of senior researchers Martin Tenniswood and JoEllen Welsh from The University of Notre Dame through the Empire Innovation Program. The program aims to boost economic development and research competitiveness across New York State by enabling SUNY's university centers and doctoral campuses to hire investigators in areas in which the University is already demonstrating national and international strength.

Other investments include $2.2 million from the National Institutes of Health for Begley to continue research on molecular pathways. Begley, an assistant professor of biomedical sciences at the School of Public Health (SPH) and researcher at GCECG, was also awarded $200,000 through the James D. Watson Investigator program to research cellular responses to chemotherapeutic drugs used to treat cancer. Assistant professor and researcher Douglas S. Conklin received a $450,000 award from the Department of Defense Breast Cancer Research Program. Tenenbaum, an assistant professor biomedical sciences and GCECG scientists, received $2.6 million grant from the National Human Genome Research Institute (NHGRI) to study the organization and function of human genes. GCECG scientists have also partnered with other regional medical facilities, including St. Peter's Hospital, Samaritan Hospital and Glens Falls Hospital to secure grants helping to advance cancer research.

"I want to thank E. Stewart Jones and all those in the community who have given to support cancer research here at the University at Albany," said Philip. "Their generosity and commitment to assist us in our efforts to discover the root causes of cancer is inspirational. It's also another measure of how the Cancer Research Center is a successful investment for the Capital Region."

"I appreciate the support of E. Stewart Jones, the Rensselaer County Chamber of Commerce and others in the Capital Region for building upon our investment in cancer research at the University at Albany," said Senate Majority Leader Joseph L. Bruno. "I also commend the scientists at UAlbany who continue to inspire support through their commitment to cutting-edge research aimed at finding the cure for cancer."

"It's an honor to be a part of this effort at the University at Albany to find a cure for cancer," said Jones. "I look forward to following the progress of the cancer researchers in this building as they continue their groundbreaking study in cancer genomics."

"These gifts are a recognition of the maturation of the Cancer Research Center and the Gen*NY*Sis Center for Excellence in Cancer Genomics," said Paulette McCormick, director of the Gen*NY*Sis center. "With this investment, we will be better equipped to unlock the fundamental causes of cancer and work toward developing a cure."

"We're happy to make the investment to support cancer research at the University at Albany's Cancer Research Center," said Jake Dumesnil, director of programs and communications for the Rensselaer County Chamber of Commerce. "We take it as part of our mission at the chamber to assist in the progress of this Center and its scientists."

"The support of E. Stewart Jones, the Chamber of Commerce and all those who have given to this facility is essential to our educational mission at the university and the School of Public Health," said Dean Philip C. Nasca. "Our researchers in the Cancer Research Center are also indispensable as educators for the biological sciences program at the School and these investments will help them better serve the students of UAlbany."

"As a scientist and professor, I'm happy to be able to give back to the University by donating to support cancer research here at UAlbany," said Tenenbaum. "The community has been instrumental in supporting our work, and I feel it is only fitting that we recognize these investments by contributing as well."

The goal of the Cancer Research Endowment is to accelerate finding effective treatments for cancer through investment and research, including:

Recruiting renowned senior-level scientists with the ability to propel and inspire scientific accomplishment, as well as junior-level faculty to complement existing research strengths
Establishing competitive fellowship stipends to attract top doctoral and post-doctoral students
Provide capital for pilot and innovative new projects and approaches
Maintain cutting-edge equipment critical to a researcher’s success
Sponsoring symposia, visiting scientists and publication of research findings in national and international journals
The Cancer Research Center combines UAlbany research expertise in genomics and biomedical sciences with state-of-the-art technology in an 113,000 square-foot facility. The Center hosts scientists committed to discovering the genetic origins of cancer and who conduct research into finding a cure for the disease. It is part of New York State's Generating Employment Through New York Science (Gen*NY*Sis) program, a $500 million initiative in government and private investment, spearheaded by Senate Majority Leader Joseph L. Bruno. Its goal is to lure new life science industries to the state and make New York a leader in creating science and technology jobs.

UAlbany Junior Chosen for National Leadership Council

Nina Konar, a junior at the University of Albany SUNY, was awarded a position on the National Leadership Council of the National Society of Collegiate Scholars (NSCS) for the 2008-2009 academic year. The NSCS is an honor society inviting freshmen and sophomores based on grade point average and class standing.

Konar, a sociology major from Rochester, N.Y., was inducted into NSCS in the fall of her sophomore year and immediately made the vice president of community service. She currently serves as the organization’s president.

“Members of the NSCS National Leadership Council must exhibit the three pillars of NSCS – scholarship, leadership, and service,” said Bailey Kasten, manager of operations. “Nina has shown these qualities consistently as a member of NSCS at Albany.”

NSCS awards 20 council positions every year to students who display leadership qualities both at their NSCS chapter and in their on-campus activities. Recent events organized by the Albany chapter include the Relay For Life Penny Wars and the annual March to College Day, which brings a local middle school class to campus.

Laura Cummings Places Sixth in Steeplechase at ECAC Championship

Courtesy: UAlbany Sports Information

Princeton, N.J. – UAlbany’s Laura Cummings placed sixth in the 3,000-meter steeplechase on the opening day of the ECAC Championships at Princeton University’s Weaver Stadium on Friday, May 16. The Great Danes are in sixth place with three points through one event.

Cummings, a junior from Bay Shore, N.Y., turned in an NCAA East Regional-qualifying time of 10:46.75 to earn All-East honors. The performance marked the fourth-fastest time in the program’s history. Virginia sophomore Stephanie Garcia won the event in a time of 10:19.74.

The Great Danes continue action at the ECAC and IC4A Championships on Saturday, May 16, beginning at 10:30 a.m.
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3,000 Meter Steeplechase
1. Stephanie Garcia (Virginia) 10:19.74, 2. Patricia Loughlin (Duke) 10:31.54, 3. Elizabeth Graney (William & Mary) 10:41.68, 4. Sarah Morrison (Villanova) 10:44.81, 5. Liz Deir (Princeton) 10:45.19, 6. Laura Cummings (UAlbany) 10:46.75.

Maisonet and McIntosh Named to NFCA Divsion I All-Northeast Region Team

Courtesy: UAlbany Sports Information

Albany, N.Y. – Senior left fielder Amber Maisonet and sophomore pitcher Leah McIntosh were both named to the Louisville Slugger/National Fastpitch Coaches Association Division I All-Northeast Region Second Team, as announced by the NFCA on Thursday afternoon.

Maisonet earned her first all-regional selection after a stellar senior season in which she was named to the All-America East Conference First Team for the fourth straight year. Maisonet batted .379 in her final season with the Great Danes, recording a team-high 61 hits and 33 runs scored. She also stole a league-leading 27 stolen bases and was first in the conference with five triples. Maisonet finished as the UAlbany career leader with 233 hits and 151 runs. She is also ranked second in career stolen bases with 96 and is fourth with a .360 batting average.

Maisonet was named to the 2008 ESPN The Magazine Academic All-District I First Team by the College Sports Information Directors of America (CoSIDA). After posting a 3.85 cumulative grade point average in psychology, Maisonet earned her first CoSIDA accolade. She moves onto the national ballot, with the Academic All-America team being announced on Wednesday, May 28. Maisonet, who also earned the ECAC Merit Medal this season, was named an NFCA Academic All-American as a junior and is a member of the UAlbany Athletic Director’s Honor Roll.

McIntosh was named to the all-conference first team after leading the America East with a 1.57 ERA and finishing second with 217 strikeouts. McIntosh, who finished the season ranked 16th nationally with 9.8 strikeouts per seven innings, tossed two no-hitters as a sophomore and set a UAlbany Division I program record with 18 strikeouts in a seven-inning win over Manhattan. In just two seasons with the Great Danes, she stands third in career strikeouts with 375 and is eighth all-time with an ERA of 2.22. McIntosh was named the conference’s pitcher of the week on four occasions during the season.

UAlbany's Brian Lillis Named America East Conference Basketball Scholar-Athlete of the Year

Courtesy: UAlbany Sports Information

Cambridge, Mass. – University at Albany’s Brian Lillis has been selected America East Conference Scholar-Athlete of the Year in men’s basketball for the 2007-08 academic year, as announced on Wednesday, May 14 by the conference office. He has a 3.23 cumulative grade point average in business administration.
Lillis, a 6-foot-5 guard/forward from Urbandale, Iowa, recently received an ECAC Merit Medal as UAlbany’s top senior male student-athlete who combined excellence in athletics and in the classroom. He was voted first-team all-conference and made his second consecutive appearance on the America East all-defensive unit. Lillis was chosen the 2008 America East Fans’ Choice Player of the Year.

One of 10 players at the NCAA Division I level to lead his team in points, rebounds and assists, Lillis ranked among the conference leaders in several statistical categories. He averaged 15.8 points, 6.0 rebounds, 3.5 assists and 1.6 steals. His reverse dunk against Vermont on Feb. 11 made ESPN SportsCenter’s Top 10 Plays of the Day.

Lillis, who led the Great Danes to pair of conference titles and two NCAA berths during his career, was selected to this year’s ESPN The Magazine District I All-Academic Team and was twice a member of the conference’s all-academic squad. He received UAlbany’s 2008 President’s Award for Leadership

Former University of Albany Standout Jacob Hobbs Signs with Super Bowl Champion New York Giants

Courtesy: UAlbany Sports Information

East Rutherford, N.J. – The Super Bowl champion New York Giants announced on Monday, May 12 the signing of seven players who attended last week’s rookie mini-camp on a tryout basis, including former University at Albany standout offensive lineman Jacob Hobbs.

Hobbs, at 6-foot-3, and 303 pounds, is the first player signed by the Giants from UAlbany, where they have held training camp since 1996. He was originally signed by the Philadelphia Eagles on May 14, 2007. Hobbs played in four preseason games before he was waived on Sept. 1. In 2006, Hobbs started all 10 UAlbany games at left tackle and was named to the 2006 Football Gazette Mid-Major All-America second team and the All-Northeast Conference first team. Hobbs was a Class AA second-team all-state defensive end at Schenectady High School. He was born on Feb. 17, 1983.

“This feels great and provides me with more motivation,” said Hobbs, who earned three varsity letters and was voted the UAlbany’s top offensive lineman as a senior. “There a lot of people who have supported me and are behind me. They want to see good things come out of this.”

Hobbs joins a list of UAlbany players who have signed as NFL free agents. Andre Coleman (San Diego), Kurt Campbell (Oakland) and Hobbs (Philadelphia) were in training camps last summer. Previously, Geir Gudmundsen (Buffalo), Dan Gmelin (San Diego), Seth Thomas (Carolina) and Matt Caliandro (Carolina) have inked free-agents deals.

The newest Giants, including Hobbs, are defensive tackles Brian Soi of Utah and Nate Robinson of Akron, defensive end Alex Morrow of USC, defensive backs Miguel Scott of North Carolina State and Terrance Stringer of Tuskegee, and long snapper Nick Leeson of Virginia Tech.

University of Albany's Mike Konstanty Sets Single-Season Home Run Record as Baseball Sweeps New York Tech: UAlbany Athletics

Courtesy: UAlbany Sports Information

Albany, N.Y. – Mike Konstanty blasted a two-run homer in the seventh inning to break the program’s single-season home run record to lead UAlbany to a doubleheader sweep of New York Tech in non-conference baseball action on Saturday, May 10 at Varsity Field. The Great Danes took game one, 7-3, and won the nightcap, 8-3.

UAlbany (14-35-1) opened a 5-0 lead in the bottom of the third inning of the first game. Following lead-off walks to Kyle Crean and Zac Halloran and a pop out, junior Gary Pitcheralle recorded an infield single and advanced to second on a throwing error, allowing Crean to score. After a groundout, sophomore Brendan Rowland blasted a three-run shot to right field for his ninth homer of the season. Konstanty followed with a single, stole second and was forced in after three consecutive walks.

Following three scoreless innings, Donovan singled with one out in the seventh. Two batters later, Konstanty blasted his 13th homer of the season to left center to give the Great Danes a 7-0 lead. The previous record of 12 was established by Steve Checksfield in 2000. New York Tech (16-27-2) brought the tying run to the plate in the bottom of the ninth inning, but junior Sean Gregory induced a fly out to end the frame. Joe Lucente opened the inning with an infield single. Following consecutive walks to load the bases, pinch-runner Eric Cos scored on a wild pitch. After a UAlbany pitching change, Brian Smith drove in Greg Gilroy from third with a double down the right field line. Bob Garland added NYIT’s third run as he scored on a groundout. A hit batsman and walk loaded the bases before Gregory retired Christian Dienna.

In game two, Rowland gave the Great Danes a 2-0 lead in the bottom of the first with a two-run single down the left field line, driving in Pitcheralle and Donovan, who singled and walked, respectively. The Bears answered back with three runs in the top of the second. Effrey Valdez led off the frame with a single up the middle. Following a pair of outs, Gilroy doubled to the gap in left center to plate Valdez. Dienna then tripled to left center to knock in Gilroy. An ensuing passed ball allowed Dienna to score.

UAlbany evened the scored in the bottom of the second and scored five times in the third and fourth innings for the win. Pete Eichner knotted the score at three with a solo blast to lead off the second. In the third, Konstanty doubled to right center to open the frame and came around to score on a wild pitch and a throwing error on the catcher. The Great Danes put the game away with four runs in the fourth. A single by Jamie Liebowitz, a double by Eichner and a walk to Pitcheralle loaded the bases with no outs. Donovan walked to force in Liebowitz before Rowland reached on a fielder’s choice and advanced to second on a throwing error, allowing Eichner and Pitcheralle to score. Two batters later, Ryan Gugel singled to right field to drive in Rowland from third.

Junior Josh Willimott tossed seven scoreless innings, while striking out seven, in game one to pick up his team-high fifth win of the season. Gregory picked up his third save of the season by recording one out in the ninth. Andrew Guarrasi suffered the loss for the Bears, yielding five runs on four hits over five innings. In game two, freshman David Kubiak struck out four over six innings to register his fourth victory of the year. Preston Wasmund took the loss in relief in the nightcap, allowing six runs (four earned) in 3.1 innings. Rowland registered six runs batted in on the afternoon, while Konstanty had three hits and three runs scored.

The Great Danes and the Bears will wrap up their three-game non-conference series on Sunday at 1:00 p.m. UAlbany will honor its five members of the class of 2008 prior to the first pitch.

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Game One
NYIT (16-26-2) 000 000 003 - 3 10 2
UAlbany (13-35-1) 005 000 20X - 7 6 0

NYIT: Andrew Guarrasi (L), Louie Bernardi (6) and George Carroll.
UAlbany: Josh Willimott (w, 5-3), Chris Ott (8), Hunter Moffatt (9), Sean Gregory (9, S, 3) and Ryan Gugel.



Game Two
NYIT (16-27-2) 030 000 0 - 3 9 2
UAlbany (14-35-1) 211 400 X - 8 7 1

NYIT: Eric Johnson, Preston Wasmund (1, L), Bobby Tesseyman (5), Chris Colleran (6) and Greg Gilroy.
UAlbany: David Kubiak (W, 4-0), Matthew Herrick (7) and Ryan Gugel.