UAlbany Alum Met in Major League Lacrosse MLL Action Saturday

With 3 goals and 1 assist, University of Albany Alum Merrick Thomson of the New Jersey Pride is tied for 3rd on the goals scored league leaders list.

With heavy rain pounding Yurcak Field on Saturday afternoon, the New Jersey Pride entered their game against the Long Island Lizards hoping that the soggy surface would prove to be a neutralizer. However, the Lizards came out firing on all cylinders and jumped out to a 10-1 lead en route to a 16-9 victory over the Pride on Saturday night.

Stephen Berger was named as the Bud Light MVP for the second straight game after leading the Lizards with four goals and an assist.

Led by three Berger markers, the Lizards jumped out to a commanding 10-1 advantage in the first half. They held New Jersey scoreless for the final 16:33 of the first half and scored six straight goals following a 4-0 start.

After Chris Unterstein opened the scoring for New Jersey in the third quarter, Berger and Tim Goettelmann scored back-to-back goals less than a minute apart. But, the Pride held tough and ignited a six-goal run, including a pair of goals from Scott Urick and Conor Ford, to close within 12-8 less than two minutes into the fourth quarter.

The teams traded goals after the Pride’s run before Long Island ended the game with three straight goals to secure their fifth straight win.

While Berger led the Lizards with five points, University of Albany Alum Frank Resetarits added a four-goal effort. Midfielder Peter Vlahakis won 20 of 29 face-offs and had eight ground balls.

Unterstein added two goals with two assists for the Pride.

The Lizards outshot New Jersey by a 40-37 margin.

Courtesy: Inside Lacrosse

Eugene 2008 Track and Field Olympic Trials: UAlbany's Joe Greene

Friday, June 27, 2008

1:00 p.m. 100m Hurdles women heptathlon
1:55 High Jump women heptathlon
4:20 Shot Put women heptathlon
5:00 Opening Ceremony
5:30 100m women qualifying
5:40 Triple Jump women qualifying
5:50 Pole Vault men qualifying
6:00 200m women heptathlon
6:30 400m Hurdles women quarterfinal
7:05 400m Hurdles men quarterfinal

Saturday, June 28, 2008

12:45 p.m. Javelin Throw women qualifying
2:00 Long Jump women heptathlon
2:30 100m men qualifying
3:05 Wheelchair 1500m men exhibition
3:20 Javelin Throw women heptathlon
3:25 100m women semifinal
3:45 Paralympics Ambulatory 100m men exhibition
3:55 400m Hurdles men semifinal

Sunday, June 29, 2008

10:00 a.m. 100m men decathlon
10:50 Long Jump men decathlon
12:00 p.m. Shot Put men decathlon
1:15 High Jump men decathlon
2:25 Triple Jump women final
2:30 100m men semifinal
2:40 Pole Vault men final
3:00 400m women quarterfinal
3:15 Discus Throw women final
3:15 Long Jump men final
3:35 400m men decathlon
4:02 400m Hurdles women final
4:17 400m Hurdles men final

University of Albany expecting big crowds For Superbowl Champion NY Giants Training Camp

When the Super Bowl champion New York Giants set up training camp for the 13th consecutive year at University at Albany next month, more fans than ever are expected to get up close and personal with the the likes of Eli Manning, Plaxico Burress and Osi Umenyiora.

The Giants, who defeated the New England Patriots, 17-14, in Super Bowl XLII, open summer training camp on Friday, July 25. The camp concludes Sunday, Aug. 17. The Giants will practice 19 days on the UAlbany campus, including 10 double sessions. The first night practice will be July 28 at 6:10 p.m.

In 12 previous seasons at UAlbany, preseason camp has averaged 31,032 fans. The all-time mark of 45,040 was set in 2004, but UAlbany officials are expecting that

record to be shattered this summer.

“Giants camp has become a real family affair,” said UAlbany sports information director and assistant athletic director Brian DePasquale. “What a lot of people have done in recent seasons is to come for both sessions on a double practice session day. They set up their parking at Dutch Quad, go to the early practice session, go back to the parking lot to tailgate and grill out, and then go out at night to see the 6:10 p.m. session. Since the track [Saratoga Race Course] is going on at the same time, some people go to a morning practice and then go to the track in the afternoon. There are lots of ways to enjoy both

Giants camp and the rest of the things that are going on in the Cap­ital Region this summer.

“There are some special things planned this year, but we’re not exactly sure just what is going on yet. One thing that may happen is that the Super Bowl trophy could be brought to training camp for everyone to see.”

Admission is free, but there is a daily parking fee of $5 at Dutch Quad. An all-session parking pass is available for $15 and can be purchased beginning July 7 in the

SEFCU Arena lobby.

According to Kevin Galuski, who is both the UAlbany athletic equipment manager as well as the director of operations for Giants training camp, large crowds are anticipated.

“I would think that in the first five to seven days of the first week, there will definitely be a dramatic increase in attendance,” said Gal­uski. “We’re expecting maybe a 100 percent increase to what we usually have on a daily basis. Our university police department did some research with other teams that have won the

Super Bowl, and they found out that there was usually a 200 to 300 percent increase in attendance at the Super Bowl winner’s training camp that next summer. I’m not saying we will get that many people, but it’s a possibility.”

Galuski said that there are concerns about the crowds becoming too large.

“It’s a unique situation the way we have the practice fields set up,” he said. “It’s such a wide-open area. Our No. 1 priority is security. We want the players to get on and off the field without any issues. We want to make sure that everything flows like a normal training camp day, regardless of whether the team won the Super Bowl or not.”

But Galuski admitted that hosting the Super Bowl champs changes the way his staff will treat this year’s camp.

“The Super Bowl is past us, but we have hurdles to climb with the everyday stuff because we have the Super Bowl champions coming here,” Galuski said. “We’re just hoping that everything settles down after the first week or so.

“There is definitely excitement all over campus in preparation for this event. We are trying to be proactive in making sure that

everyone is on board with how we are handling security. We’ve even hired extra security that we’ve outsourced just for training camp. We did the same thing last year, but this year we’re going to put the extra guys on for longer hours the first couple of days.”

UAlbany’s athletic staff has been planning for Giants training camp for several months.

“We’ve had a group that’s been meeting every month since Feb­ruary, and as the camp gets closer, they’ve been meeting every two weeks. A lot of the preparation work has already been done,” said DePasquale.

“We’ve been trying to treat this as business as usual, but we have had a lot of meetings on campus with the housing, food and security departments to make sure everyone is on the same page,” said Galuski. “I have a staff of 25 kids that I’ve hired to help out.”

Galuski’s focus on training camp started several months ago.

“For me, Giants training camp really started in April,” he said. “I started meeting with the people on campus, and I got on the phone with the Giants director of oper­ations. [Giants media director] Pat Hanlon came up here and did a walk-through with me and my staff. We just tried to finalize a few things.”

When the Giants come to town, they literally take over all of UAlb­any’s athletic offices.

“On July 10, basically everyone in SEFCU Arena and the Physical Education building gets moved out to other offices,” said Galuski. “We come in and move the computers and the telephones. We set up some partitions, and then we set up new desks and work stations. When the Giants come in, head coach Tom Coughlin gets [head basketball coach] Will Brown’s office, and the offensive and defensive coaches move into the other basketball offices. The men’s soccer coaches get moved to the crew office, as do the women’s basketball coaches.

“It usually takes six or seven hours to complete the move. This is my seventh year doing this, and luckily, we have enough staff around to help out. Everyone understands why we have to do this. The Giants take over the whole campus. It does disturb our coaching staff, because our football team starts practice Aug. 2, and then field hockey starts their season right

after that.

“Everybody’s practice sessions get moved to accommodate the Giants, but it’s worth it. They bring a lot of attention to campus when they come here, and this year will be very special.”

Galuski said fans who come to Giants camp will receive the service they expect.

“Parking should be no problem, because there is plenty of space in Dutch Quad, and it’s never been an issue before,” he said.

“Boscov’s has an agreement with us, and they set up a merchandising tent with Giants T-shirts, jerseys and hats. The players are great about giving autographs, and our food service provides hot dogs, lemonade and other snacks. There are even special things, like a field-goal kicking area and an obstacle course for the kids. It’s very fan- friendly.”


By Bob Weiner
Gazette Reporter

PRACTICE SCHEDULE

July 25 — 8:40 to 10:40 a.m.; 3:20 to 5:20 p.m.;
July 26 — 8:40 to 10:40 a.m.; 3:20 to 5:20 p.m.;
July 27 — no practice;
July 28 — 8:40 to 10:40 a.m.; 6:10 to 8:10 p.m.;
July 29 — 2:40 to 4:50 p.m.;
July 30 — 8:40 to 10:40 a.m.; 6:10 to 8:10 p.m.;
July 31 — 2:40 to 4:50 p.m.;
Aug. 1 — 8:40 to 10:40 a.m.; 6:10 to 8:10 p.m.;
Aug. 2 — no practice;
Aug. 3 — 8:40 to 10:40 a.m.; 6:10 to 8:10 p.m.;
Aug. 4 — 2:40 to 4:50 p.m.;
Aug. 5 — 8:40 to 10:40 a.m.; 6:10 to 8:10 p.m.;
Aug. 6 — 10:30 to 11:30 a.m. (jog-thru);
Aug. 7 — NFL preseason game at Detroit, 7;
Aug. 8 — no practice;
Aug. 9 — 2:40 to 4:50 p.m.;
Aug. 10 — 8:40 to 10:40 a.m.; 6:10 to 8:10 p.m.;
Aug. 11 — 2:40 to 4:50 p.m.;
Aug. 12 — 8:40 to 10:40 a.m.; 6:10 to 8:10 p.m.;
Aug. 13 — no practice;
Aug. 14 — 2:40 to 4:50 p.m.;
Aug. 15 — 8:40 to 10:40 a.m.; 6:10 to 8:10 p.m.;
Aug. 16 — 2:40 to 4:50 p.m.;
Aug. 17 — 8:30 to 10 a.m. (jog-thru); camp ends;
Aug. 18 — NFL preseason game vs. Cleveland, 8.

UAlbany to Olympics - A Real Possibility

Joe Greene, a UAlbany junior, will compete Friday in the quarterfinals of the 400-meter hurdles at the U.S. Olympic team trials at the University of Oregon.

Greene, a two-time All-American, becomes the first track athlete to compete in the U.S. trials while enrolled at UAlbany.

"Oh, man, it feels awesome," he said. "This is a Division I program on the rise, and I knew from day one my freshman year that I was going to do something great with this program."

It's a satisfying conclusion to a frustrating season for Greene, who was slowed by a hamstring injury that kept him from reaching the NCAA championships for the third consecutive year.

He only qualified for the U.S. trials because of the school record time of 49.92 seconds he ran in last year's NCAA championships. He finished fourth.

"For me to still have the chance to go to the Olympics is awesome," he said.

But it's unlikely this year. Greene's best time is ranked 30th among those who are entered in the 400 hurdles this weekend.

Only the top three finishers, who also meet the Olympic qualifying standard, will make the U.S. team and travel to the Summer Games in Beijing.

The top seed, two-time Olympian James Carter, has a trials qualifying time of 47.72, more than two seconds faster than Greene.

Even Greene said he's just focused on being one of the 16 finishers to advance to the semifinals on Saturday. The final is on Sunday.

UAlbany track coach Roberto Vives, accompanying Greene to Oregon, said the experience can serve as a building block to win an NCAA title as a senior next year.

"He's been training consistently for the past seven weeks," Vives said. "He's capable of doing some good things."

Greene said he feels his balky hamstring is "close to 100 percent."

"I feel pretty good right now," he said. "I feel I can go out there and do something special."

Greene does have international experience, having run at the junior world championships in China two years ago. Still, his best chance of an Olympic bid could come at the 2012 Games in London. He said he wants to go professional after college.

"He's competing (this week) with some very experienced guys in their 30s and late 20s who have been out of college," Vives said. "The next (Olympics) is really his best shot."

Courtesy: MARK SINGELAIS

UAlbany Finishes Second in America East Conference Commissioner's Cup Standings

Courtesy: UAlbany Sports Information

Orlando, Fla. -- For the third straight year, the University at Albany placed second in the America East Stuart P. Haskell, Jr. Commissioner’s Cup, the league announced on Tuesday, June 24 at Wolfgang Puck Cafe in Downtown Disney as part of the conference’s annual meeting. The Commissioner’s Cup annually recognizes the strongest athletic program in America East as determined by a scoring system which rewards a school for success both during the regular season and championship competition in the conference’s 21 sports.

Boston U., which won six league titles, three regular-season crowns and had four runner-up finishes, tallied 378 points, the most in three years under the current nine-member configuration, won win the Commissioner’s Cup. UAlbany totaled 318 points just ahead of UMBC (314) and Binghamton University (291). University of New Hampshire and Stony Brook University tied for fifth with 278 points, followed by University of Vermont (250), University of Hartford (206) and University of Maine (147).

The Terriers won regular-season and tournament championships in field hockey, women’s soccer and women’s lacrosse, while also capturing titles in women’s indoor track & field, women’s outdoor track & field and women’s tennis. Boston U. was also the runner-up in women’s cross country, women’s basketball and men’s and women’s swimming and diving.

The Great Danes, who won the Commissioner’s Cup in 2004-05, took home four titles, including their second straight in volleyball, third in a row in men’s indoor track & field and fourth consecutive in men’s outdoor track & field. Albany also won the women’s golf championship, its first since 2004, captured the regular-season crown in softball and was runners-up in field hockey, men’s lacrosse and softball.

The Retrievers, whose third-place finish is their best since joining the league prior to the 2003-04 season, won regular-season and tournament titles in men’s basketball and men’s lacrosse. In addition, UMBC swept the 2008 America East Swimming and Diving Championship and was runners-up in men’s tennis.

The Bearcats captured the men’s tennis championship and earned regular-season titles in men’s soccer and baseball. Binghamton also was runners-up in four sports (men’s soccer, men’s indoor track & field, women’s tennis and baseball).

The Wildcats, who improved two spots from a year ago, won the men’s cross country title and were co-regular-season champions in women’s soccer. UNH also finished second in five other sports (women’s soccer, women’s indoor track & field, women’s lacrosse, and men’s and women’s outdoor track & field), the most runner-up finishes of any conference member.

Vermont won its first men’s soccer championship since 2000 and also received significant points in women’s basketball by earning the No. 2 seed for the America East Championship.

Hartford won regular-season and tournament titles in women’s baskeball and was runners-up in men’s basketball and golf.

Maine earned significant points in women’s soccer, earning a spot in the league tournament for the fifth straight season.

The Stuart P. Haskell, Jr. Commissioner’s Cup is named in honor of the first commissioner of America East. Haskell served as commissioner of the conference from 1987 until his retirement in 1997.

The scoring system for the Stuart P. Haskell, Jr. Commissioner’s Cup is as follows: In sports where regular-season round robin competition is conducted, the first-place institution in the final standings receives four points times the total number of teams involved in conference play. The second-place institution receives four less points; third place receives eight less points, and so on. Additionally, the America East (tournament) champion receives two points times the total number of teams participating in the championship. The second-place institution receives two less points; third place receives four less points and so on down to the last-place institution which receives two points.

In sports where regular-season round robin competition is not conducted (cross country, golf, tennis, track and field, swimming and diving), the first-place institution at the America East championship receives two points times the total number of teams participating in the championship. The second-place institution receives two less points; third place gets four less points and so on down to the last place team which receives two points.

University of Albany Announces 2007-08 Male and Female Athletes of the Year

Courtesy: UAlbany Sports Information

Albany, N.Y. -- Brian Lillis, an all-conference performer in basketball, and Amber Maisonet, an all-region outfielder in softball, have been chosen as the University at Albany's 2007-08 Male and Female Athletes of the Year, as announced on Monday, June 23. The athletes were selected in voting by the head coaches of the school's Division I 19-sport intercollegiate athletic program.



Lillis, a senior guard from Urbandale, Iowa, earned first-team All-America East Conference honors and made his second consecutive appearance on the conference's all-defensive team. He was voted the 2008 America East Fans' Choice Player of the Year. Lillis, who was one of 10 players at the NCAA Division I level to lead his team in points, rebounds and assists, ranked among the league leaders in several categories. He averaged 16.1 points, 6.0 rebounds, 3.5 assists and 1.6 steals.



Lillis, who helped the Great Danes tie for second in the America East regular-season standings, scored 20-plus points on five occasions, including a career-high 29 against Vermont in early January. His reverse slam dunk made ESPN SportsCenter's Top 10 Plays of the Day on Feb. 11. He posted a 26-game, double-figure scoring streak and became the first UAlbany player in the program's Division I history to register back-to-back double-doubles in points and rebounds. He finished his career ranked among UAlbany's all-time leaders in assists (269), steals (169) and blocked shots (59).



Maisonet, a senior from Newburgh, N.Y., was voted first-team All-America East Conference for the fourth straight season. She made her first appearance on the All-ECAC squad and was picked second-team All-Northeast Region by the National Fastpitch Coaches Association. Maisonet was named to the America East all-championship team after leading her squad to the tournament final for the fourth year in a row. The Great Danes won the conference's regular-season title with a 34-17 record.



A left fielder who ranked 21st nationally in triples and 24th in stolen bases, Maisonet batted. 379 from her lead-off spot in the order with 61 total hits, 33 runs and 16 RBI. She added 27 stolen bases, six doubles, five triples and three home runs. Maisonet completed her career as UAlbany's all-time leader in hits (233) and runs (151), plus finished second in stolen bases (96) and fourth in hitting (.360 BA).



Maisonet and Lillis were also accomplished in the classroom. Maisonet became the first UAlbany female in the Division I era to receive national first-team Academic All-America recognition. She was chosen to the ESPN The Magazine University Division Softball Academic All-America Team. Lillis, an ECAC Merit Medal recipient, was named the America East Scholar-Athlete of the Year in basketball.

**********

University at Albany Athletes of the Year (Division I)

2007-08: Male: Brian Lillis (Basketball), Female: Amber Maisonet (Softball)

2006-07: Male: Frank Resetarits (Lacrosse) & Jamar Wilson (Basketball), Female: Casey Halloran (Softball)

2005-06: Male: Jamar Wilson (Basketball), Female: Blair Buchanan (Volleyball) & Casey Halloran (Softball)

2004-05: Male: Luke Daquino (Lacrosse), Female: Blair Buchanan (Volleyball)

2003-04: Male: Gary Jones (Football), Female: Andee Lindgren (Softball)

2002-03: Male: Gary Jones (Football), Female: Teresa Covert (Track & Field)

2001-02: Male: Chris Phillis (Football), Female: Amy Di Micco (Field Hockey)

2000-01: Male: Michael Oliva (Baseball), Female: Dawn Di Micco (Basketball/Lacrosse)

1999-00: Male: Todd Cetnar (Basketball), Female: Megan Buchanan (Basketball)

Thomson and Levine both score 2 goals, as the New Jersey Pride beat San Francisco in MLL action

SCORING SUMMARY
1st Quarter
San Francisco - Jake Byrne (Tim Booth) 1:06
New Jersey - Merrick Thomson (Matt Rewkowski) 3:56
San Francisco - Ryan Cranston (Jake Byrne) 5:10
New Jersey - Merrick Thomson (Chris Unterstein) 10:44

2nd Quarter
San Francisco - Greg Gurenlian (unassisted) 0:08
San Francisco - Brendan Loftus (unassisted) 5:49
San Francisco - Tim Booth (unassisted) 14:42

3rd Quarter
New Jersey - Matt Rewkowski (Greg Peyser) 1:50
New Jersey - Jordan Levine (unassisted) 2:27
San Francisco - Brendan Loftus (unassisted) 3:17
New Jersey - Jordan Levine (unassisted) 3:37
New Jersey - Joe Cinosky (unassisted) 4:28
New Jersey - Greg Peyser (unassisted) 7:54
New Jersey - Conor Ford (Matt Rewkowski) 8:35
New Jersey - Matt Rewkowski (Jordan Levine) 11:33

4th Quarter
New Jersey - Matt Rewkowski (Stephen Peyser) 4:02
San Francisco - Matt Lalli (Eric Martin) 12:43

UAlbany's Tyler Fogarty Fourth in 800-Meters at USA Junior Track & Field Championships

Courtesy: UAlbany Sports Information

Columbus, Ohio – University at Albany’s Tyler Fogarty placed fourth in the 800-meter run final at the 2008 USA Junior Outdoor Track & Field Championships on Saturday, June 21 at Jesse Owens Memorial Stadium, on the Ohio State University campus. The junior national competition, with athletes ranging from 14 to 19 years-old, is the qualifying meet for the World Junior Championships in Poland on July 8-13.

Fogarty, a 19-year-old who just completed his freshman year as a collegian, came off the pace with 200 meters left to finish behind champion Elijah Greer, a junior from Lake Oswego High School in Oregon. Fogarty, who earned junior All-America status, recorded a personal-best time for the second straight day by crossing the tape in 1:48.83 after the race was delayed nearly two hours due to a thunderstorm. Gered Burns is the lone Great Dane to have a better time at 800-meters when he went 1:48.20 in 2007.

Greer, who won the Oregon state scholastic championship three weeks ago with a record performance, posted a winning time of 1:47.68 and was 14-hundredths of a second off the USA Junior meet standard. Zachary Mellon, the Minnesota state high school winner, was second in 1:48.64, and will join Greer on the U.S. squad at the World Junior Championships. Donte Holmes, the Mid-Eastern Athletic Conference champion from Delaware State, took third in 1:48.83.
“I was sitting back in sixth at 600 meters and started to make my move,” said Fogarty, who ran the second-fastest time in Friday’s preliminary round when he was clocked in 1:50.72. “I tried to go with (Elijah) Greer and got caught up in traffic when they went four-wide in the turn. I am still satisfied with my performance and happy that I was able to shave nearly three seconds off my personal-best.”

A native of Clifton Park, N.Y., Fogarty anchored Shenendehowa High to last year’s state championship in the 4x400-meter relay when that group registered the third-best mark (3:18.50) in Section II history. In his first year with the UAlbany program, Fogarty was second in the 800-meter run at both the America East Conference indoor and outdoor championships.

Fogarty becomes the seventh UAlbany athlete to earn junior All-America recognition over the past five years. Joe Greene (400-meter hurdles) and John Moore (800m) placed second in their events at USA Juniors in 2006 and 2007, respectively.

***********

2008 USA Junior OutdoorTrack & Field Championships

Men’s 800-Meter Run Final

1. Elijah Greer (Lake Oswego H.S., Ore.), 1:47.68, 2. Zachary Mellon (Buffalo H.S., Minn.), 1:48.64, 3. Donte Holmes (Delaware State), 1:48.66, 4. Tyler Fogarty (UAlbany), 1:48.83, 5. Dylan Ferris (East Forsyth H.S., N.C.), 1:49.49, 6. Blake Shaw (Cypress Falls H.S., Texas), 1:50.32, 7. Chris Bilbrew (Arkansas), 1:51.19, 8. Jeff Moriarty (Columbia), 1:52.22, 9. Russell Dinkins (Wilbraham & Monson Academy, Mass.), 2:01.39.

University of Albany's College of Nanoscience and Engineering: $1 million earmarked by Senate Appropriations Committee, Sen. Charles Schumer

The University of Albany's College of Nanoscience and Engineering is in line for a $1 million grant under legislation pending with the U.S. Senate.

The money is part of a larger funding package approved today by the Senate Appropriations Committee, Sen. Charles Schumer (D-NY) said.

The legislation must pass the Senate and then move to the House of Representatives before it is considered by President George Bush.

In April, Schumer helped broker an agreement between Albany NanoTech, the research site where UAlbany's NanoCollege is located, and the National Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST) that would develop universal measurements for computer chips and other nano-sized products.

At the time, Schumer said the agreement could lead to government funding. The $1 million grant will go toward the NIST project.

UAlbany and NIST will work together at Albany NanoTech to develop the universal standards. The parties will share research, staff and equipment.

"These federal dollars will not only underscore the university's position at the forefront of nanotechnology across the globe, but also show the federal government's commitment to ensuring it stays there," Schumer said.

University of Albany's Amber Maisonet Named ECAC Division I Softball All-Star

Courtesy: UAlbany Sports Information

Centerville, Mass. - University at Albany’s Amber Maisonet earned ECAC Division I Softball All-Star Honors, as announced by the conference office on Wednesday afternoon.

Maisonet, a senior outfielder on the UAlbany softball team, was named to the ESPN The Magazine Academic All-America University Division Softball Team, becoming 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 was 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.

2008 New York Giants Training Camp Schedule at the University of Albany

The Super Bowl XLII champion New York Giants will practice 19 days on the UAlbany campus, including 10 double sessions. As has been the routine in previous camps, the Giants will not practice on the days following preseason games. On the day before a preseason game, the team will hold a one-hour jog-thru session.

Giants training camp all-session parking passes will be available at UAlbany's Athletic Merchandise Store, located in the SEFCU Arena Lobby, beginning Monday, July 7. An all-session parking pass is $15.00. The daily parking fee is $5.00. Dutch Quad Lot is the primary public parking facility. The Merchandise Store is open Monday through Thursday, from 9:00 a.m.-4:00 p.m. For more information, call 518-442-4522. The training camp schedule can be accessed through www.giants.com or www.ualbanysports.com.

2008 New York Giants Training Camp Schedule

July 25 (Fri.)
Practice #1: 8:40-10:40 a.m.
Practice #2: 3:20-5:20 p.m.

July 26 (Sat.)
Practice #1: 8:40-10:40 a.m.
Practice #2: 3:20-5:20 p.m.

July 27 (Sun.)
No Practice

July 28 (Mon.)
Practice #1: 8:40-10:40 a.m.
Practice #2: 6:10-8:10 p.m.

July 29 (Tues.)
Practice: 2:40-4:50 p.m..

July 30 (Wed.)
Practice #1: 8:40-10:40 a.m.
Practice #2: 6:10-8:10 p.m.

July 31 (Thurs.)
Practice: 2:40-4:50 p.m.

August 1 (Fri.)
Practice #1: 8:40-10:40 a.m.
Practice #2: 6:10-8:10 p.m.

August 2 (Sat.)
No Practice

August 3 (Sun.)
Practice #1: 8:40-10:40 a.m.
Practice #2: 6:10-8:10 p.m.

August 4 (Mon.)
Practice: 2:40-4:50 p.m.

August 5 (Tues.)
Practice #1: 8:40-10:40 a.m.
Practice #2: 6:10-8:10 p.m.

August 6 (Wed.)
Practice: 10:30-11:30 a.m. (Jog-Thru)

August 7 (Thurs.)
NFL Preseason Game @ Detroit, 7:00 p.m.

August 8 (Fri.)
No Practice

August 9 (Sat.)
Practice: 2:40-4:50 p.m.

August 10 (Sun.)
Practice #1: 8:40-10:40 a.m.
Practice #2: 6:10-8:10 p.m.

August 11 (Mon.)
Practice: 2:40-4:50 p.m.

August 12 (Tues.)
Practice #1: 8:40-10:40 a.m.
Practice #2: 6:10-8:10 p.m.

August 13 (Wed.)
No Practice

August 14 (Thurs.)
Practice: 2:40-4:50 p.m.

August 15 (Fri.)
Practice #1: 8:40-10:40 a.m.
Practice #2: 6:10-8:10 p.m.

August 16 (Sat.)
Practice: 2:40-4:50 p.m.

August 17 (Sun.)
Practice: 8:30-10:00 a.m. (Jog-Thru)

Camp Ends

August 18 (Mon.)
NFL Preseason Game vs. Cleveland, 8:00 p.m.

Ashlee Reed and Kimi Freeburg Named UAlbany Assistant Volleyball Coaches

Courtesy: UAlbany Sports Information

University at Albany interim head coach MJ Engstrom announced today the hiring of Ashlee Reed and Kimi Freeburg as assistant volleyball coaches.

Reed joins the Great Danes’ coaching staff after a four-year career with the UAlbany program. Reed, a three-time all-conference first team member, graduated with B.S. in human biology and psychology from UAlbany in 2006. She earned the ECAC Merit Award as the top senior female student-athlete and was the America East Conference Woman of the Year as a senior. Reed, a two-year team captain, was a four-time academic honor roll member and helped lead the Great Danes to two consecutive America East Conference championship titles. Reed, a native of Round Rock, Texas, ranks in the top ten on several of UAlbany’s career records charts, including kills (5th, 1,173), digs (6th, 1,101) and total blocks (tied for 2nd, 282).

Following graduation, Reed worked as an assistant athletic trainer at UAlbany and also served as a medical assistant at Captial Region Orthopaedic Group. Reed also assisted in coaching at several UAlbany volleyball camps and participated in numerous community service activities during her collegiate career. She was a member of the Student-Athlete Advisory Committee and earned the President’s Award for Leadership in 2005-06.

Freeburg comes to UAlbany after a four-year career at the University of Southern California, where she was a two-time co-captain. Freeburg, a native of New Castle, Ind., was a Pac-10 Conference All-Freshman Team Honorable Mention in 2003, the same season the Trojans claimed the NCAA Division I National Championship Title. She also helped USC reach the NCAA Final Four in 2004.

Freeburg, a three-time Indiana All-State honoree, graduated in May with a B.S. in kinesiology from USC. She participated in a two-week summer tour of Turkey in 2006 with Athletes-in-Action and has worked at numerous volleyball camps, including the Purdue University summer camp and the Steve Pickering All-American Volleyball Camp.

2008 University of Albany Summer Camps: UAlbany Sports

2008 University of Albany Summer Camps

Men's Basketball
Session I - July 7-11
Session II - July 14-18 (Day Camp, 8:00 a.m.-5:00 p.m.)

Field Hockey
High School Camp - July 21-24 (Day Camp, 9:00 a.m.-2:00 p.m.)
Middle School Camp - June 30-July 3 (Day Camp, 9:00 a.m.-2:00 p.m.)
One-Day Clinic - June 29 (10:00 a.m.-1:00 p.m.)
6 Aside Summer Tournament - June 28 (8:00 a.m.-6:00 p.m.)
open Play - June 10-July 3 (Tuesdays & Thursdays, 4:30-6:00 p.m.)
East West Field Hockey - July 17 (2:30 p.m.-4:30 p.m. and 6:30 p.m.-8:30 p.m.)
July 18-19 (9:00 a.m.-11:30 a.m., 2:15 p.m.-4:30 p.m., 6:30 p.m.- 8:30 p.m.)
July 20 (9:30 a.m.-11:00 a.m.)
Contact Bill Davidson - bill@eastwestfhc.com

Football
Air Assault - July 12-13 (Day Camp, 9:00 a.m.-4:30 p.m.)
Lineman Challenge - June 8 (8:00 a.m.-4:00 p.m.)
Dog Pound Lineman Challenge - July 14-17 (6:00 p.m.-9:00 p.m.)
Team Camp - July 21-25 (6:00 p.m.-9:00 p.m.)
July 28-August 1 (6:00 p.m.-9:00 p.m.)

Men's Soccer
Residential/Commuter Soccer Camp, July 13-18, 2008
Youth Preseason Camp, August 4-7

Women's Soccer
Prospect Camp, April 20, 2008
July 7-9 (Evening Camp, 5:30-8:00 p.m.)

Softball
Pitching & Hitting Clinic - June 16-19 (Evening Camp, 6:00-8:00 p.m.)
July 14-16 (Day Camp, 9:00 a.m.-2:00 p.m.)

Tennis
July 7-11 (9:00 a.m.-3:30 p.m.)
Contact Darcie & Joe Trapasso (518-438-0870)

Volleyball
Lil' Danes/Volley Tots Camp - July 24-26 (9:00 a.m.-12:00 p.m.)
Hitter/Libero/Setter Camp - July 26-29 (9:00 a.m.-4:00 p.m.)
Elite Camp - July 30-August 2 (7:00 a.m.-10:00 p.m.)

University of Albany Releases 2008 Field Hockey Schedule

Courtesy: UAlbany Sports Information

Albany, N.Y. – University at Albany Vice President and Director of Athletics Lee McElroy announced the school’s 2008 field hockey schedule on Monday, June 16. The Great Danes, who finished the season ranked 19th nationally in 2007, will play a 19-game schedule, including contests against five opponents who finished last season ranked in the top 20.

UAlbany begins its 10th year at the Division I level on August 30 and 31 taking on Radford and American in Washington, D.C. American was the nation’s 14th-ranked team at the conclusion of the 2007 season.

The Great Danes will open up play at home on September 6, hosting Cornell and following with Hofstra on September 7. UAlbany will make a trip to the West Coast on September 13 and 14, taking on California and Stanford, two teams which received votes in the national poll a year ago. The Great Danes will take on Big Ten opponent Michigan on September 19 in Storrs, Conn., before returning to Alumni Turf Field to host Kent State and Colgate on September 21 and 24, respectively. UAlbany will close out the month of September visiting Massachusetts on the 27th and hosting Princeton on the 28th.

The Great Danes play host to Syracuse on October 1 before kicking off America East Conference play on October 4, welcoming Maine to Alumni Turf Field. UAlbany takes on crosstown-rival Siena in the annual meeting between the teams on October 7. The Great Danes visit conference opponent Vermont on October 11 and host Connecticut on October 12. The Huskies finished last season as the nation’s fourth-ranked team.

UAlbany will wrap up the season with three straight conference match-ups, visiting Fairfield (Oct. 18) and New Hampshire (Nov. 2) while hosting reigning America East Conference Champion Boston University on October 25.

UAlbany will look to make an appearance in its seventh consecutive America East Tournament, hosted at the highest seed on November 7-9. The Great Danes made their first-ever appearance in the conference championship game last season, falling to Boston U.

UAlbany, led by head coach Phil Sykes, entering his fifth season at the helm of the program, return all-conference honorees Michelle Simpson and Ashley Ross. Simpson, the 2008 team captain, is a two-time all-conference first-team honoree and was the program’s first-ever All-American last season. Ross, who was elected as a vice-captain along with Michele Polizois and Vanessa Walter, was a first-team and all-academic team member in 2007 and was named to the NFHCA All-Northeast Region squad after finishing the season ranked sixth nationally with a 1.14 goals against average.

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2008 UAlbany Field Hockey Schedule

August: 30 (Sat.) vs. Radford+ 1:00 p.m.; 31 (Sun.) at American 3:00 p.m.

September: 6 (Sat.) Cornell 1:00 p.m.; 7 (Sun.) Hofstra 2:00 p.m.; 13 (Sat.) at California 1:00 p.m.; 14 (Sun.) at Stanford 2:00 p.m.; 19 (Fri.) vs. Michigan^ 3:00 p.m.; 21 (Thurs.) Kent State 1:00 p.m.; 24 (Sun.) Colgate 6:00 p.m.; 27 (Wed.) at Massachusetts 12:00 p.m.; 28 (Sat.) Princeton 2 p.m.

October: 1 (Wed.) Syracuse 3:00 p.m.; 4 (Sat.) Maine* 1:00 p.m.; 7 (Tues.) Siena 3:00 p.m.; 11 (Sat.) at Vermont* 1:00 p.m.; 12 (Sun.) Connecticut 2:00 p.m.; 18 (Sat.) at Fairfield* 1:00 p.m.; 25 (Sat.) Boston U.* 1:00 p.m.

November: 2 (Sun.) at New Hampshire* 12:00 p.m.; 7-9 (Fri.-Sun.) America East Conference Tournament

* America East Conference opponent

+ at American (Washington, D.C.)

^ at Connecticut (Storrs, Conn.)

Plan

Project 2010
1.Stadium: 14,000 Seats, 24,000 seating capacity
2.Track: 3500 seats, for soccer, field events, and practice
3.Synthetic turf fields: 2500 seats, for Lacrosse, field hockey
4.Tennis courts
5.Student Recreational Facility: Multi Purpose
6.Multi Use practice fields
7.Turf field / Stadium: 2500 seats, for soccer
8.Outdoor Practice Field: for football, soccer, and lacrosse
9.Baseball Field: 2500 seats
10.UAlbany Bowl
10.Cross Country Trails
11.Physical Education Bldg
12.SEFCU Arena: for basketball

University of Albany's Luke Schoen Finishes Fifth in Pole Vault at NCAA National Championships

Courtesy: UAlbany Sports Information

Des Moines, Iowa – University at Albany’s Luke Schoen leaped 17-feet, 2.75-inches to finish fifth and earn All-American status in the pole vault finals at the 2008 Division I NCAA Outdoor Track & Field Championships on Friday afternoon at Drake University’s Drake Stadium. Schoen becomes UAlbany’s first-ever All-American in the pole vault.

Schoen, a sophomore from Bohemia, N.Y., cleared the same height on Wednesday to advance to the finals. Schoen, who finished tied for second at the NCAA East Regional Championships on May 31 to advance to the NCAA Championships, won the America East Conference title and finished second at the IC4A meet earlier this season.

“We are very excited to have our first All-American in the pole vault,” said UAlbany head coach Roberto Vives. “The winds were swirling, which affected all of the performances. Luke had two close attempts at 17-6.5, but barely brushed the pole with the winds.”

Maston Wallace of Texas earned the championship title after leaping 17-feet, 6.5-inches. Yavgeniy Olhovsky (Virginia Tech), Nick Frawley (Air Force) and Jared O’Connor (Washington) tied for second with jumps of 17-feet, 2.75-inches, recording fewer misses in the competition than Schoen and sixth-place finisher Robert Caldwell (New Mexico), who also cleared the 17-2.75 height.

“There were many other athletes that had competed at the national meet before, but everyone was affected by the wind,” said UAlbany pole vaulting coach Craig McVey. “Luke stayed very confident and composed, and that consistency helped him stay focused.”

Adverse weather in the Des Moines area, which included severe winds and flooding over the last several days, affected the competition, with competitors finishing at lower-than-normal heights.

“We were all affected by the winds,” said Schoen, who set a school record earlier this season with a leap of 17-feet, 5-inches. “It feels good to compete at this level. I am not intimidated and try not to let anything phase me. I am proud to represent UAlbany at the national level.”

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NCAA Division I Outdoor Track & Field Championships (Des Moines, Iowa)

Men’s Pole Vault Finals

1. Maston Wallace (Texas), 17-6.5, t2. Yavgeniy Olhovsky (Virginia Tech), Nick Frawley (Air Force), Jared O’Connor (Washington), 17-2.75, 5. Luke Schoen (UAlbany), 17-2.75, 6. Robert Caldwell (New Mexico), 17-2.75, 7. Jeff Coover (Indiana), 17-5.25, t8. Johnny Quinn (UCLA), Brian Hancock (Missouri), 16-8.75, t10. Joseph Berry (Tennessee), Daniel Imlach (Sacramento State), Spencer McCorkel (Arkansas), 16-8.75, 13. Dustin DeLeo (UCLA), 16-8.75.

First Albany High School Class Graduates from the University of Albany's Pioneering ‘NanoHigh’ Program

Albany, NY - Certificates were presented today to 20 Albany High School ("AHS") students who have completed the first year of the groundbreaking "NanoHigh" program -developed jointly by the City School District of Albany ("CSDA") and the University at Albany's College of Nanoscale Science and Engineering ("CNSE") - which is believed to be the first initiative of its kind at a public school anywhere in the country.

The pilot program was designed by CSDA and CNSE to enhance students' opportunities to take advantage of new nanotechnology-related careers being created in the Capital Region, across New York State and around the globe. Nanotechnology, which involves the manipulation of matter at the molecular level, holds the key to current advances in electronics, health care, energy, environmental science and a host of critical fields.

The unique NanoHigh program was launched last fall, with introductory nanoscience courses taught at AHS and then brought to life with hands-on, interactive laboratory activities conducted at CNSE that utilized CNSE's world-class Albany NanoTech Complex. Students tackled a variety of cutting-edge facets of nanotechnology, including nanoscale patterning and fabrication, principles of self-assembly, nanobiomedical applications, fuel cell exploration and nanoeconomics, among others.

Based on the success of the initial classes, CSDA plans to add an advanced nanoscience course next year, as well as a middle school class related to nanotechnology.

"This has been an outstanding experience for our students, both through the dedication and excellence of our district teachers and staff, and through our exceptional partnership with the UAlbany NanoCollege," said CSDA Superintendent Eva C. Joseph, Ed.D. "The opportunity for our students to access this one-of-a-kind educational facility and receive hands-on exposure to technology that is transforming our world is an experience that will give them a head start toward starring roles in tomorrow's high-tech workforce."

Dr. Alain E. Kaloyeros, Vice President and Chief Administrative Officer of CNSE, said, "The UAlbany NanoCollege is delighted to have had the opportunity to work with the visionary leaders in the City School District of Albany to turn the concept of NanoHigh into a pioneering program that has broken new ground in preparing the scientists of the 21st century. I especially applaud the Albany High School students who have embraced NanoHigh with passion and enthusiasm, and look forward to expanding this pilot program to reflect the rapid growth of the nanotechnology economy in the Capital Region and across New York State."

The success of NanoHigh also led CSDA and CNSE to host the first-ever Capital Region NanoEducation Summit on April 23, at which more than 100 teachers, administrators and school board members from throughout the region discussed preparing K-12 students for science literacy, with a focus on nanotechnology, which has been described by the National Nanotechnology Initiative as "leading to the next Industrial Revolution."

Nation's Top Health Care Researchers Gathering at the University of Albany

The University at Albany's School of Public Health will host some of the nation's top health care researchers at the 10th Annual Health Organizational Research Association (HORA) Conference on the uptown campus, June 19 and 20. The conference, organized by Timothy Hoff, associate professor of health policy and management in the School of Public Health, is an intense day and a half long scholarly dialogue presenting cutting edge health care research. Health services researchers from around the world will attend the conference, including scholars from Yale, University College London, New York University, Dartmouth, Johns Hopkins, the University of Michigan and the University of North Carolina.

"It is an honor for Dr. Hoff and the School of Public Health to be selected to host this premier research event," said Vice President for Research Lynn Videka. "This speaks to the research achievements within the School and University."

"The conference serves as an important opportunity for discussion of leading edge research with accomplished colleagues," said Philip C. Nasca, Dean of the School of Public Health. "The contributions of Dr. Hoff and his colleagues to health care organizational research are crucial to successful health system reform in this country and the School is pleased to host this dialogue."

"The goal of the conference is to provide a networking and scholarly exchange vehicle for some of our country's leading academic thinkers in organizational theory and behavior as it applies to health care issues," said Hoff. "Many of the major problems and challenges in health care today are organizational in nature. HORA members play an important role in moving forward positive change in our health care system."

This year's conference will present research comparing quality improvement approaches in U.S. and European health care organizations, identifying best practices associated with health system transformation, identifying factors driving improved clinical quality in hospitals, and medical career selection decisions. In addition, special sessions will be held addressing industry needs in quality management research and improving health outcomes research through the application of organization theory and research methods.

Previous conferences have been held at the University of California at Berkeley, University of Michigan, and University of Pennsylvania.

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, which includes the Gen*NY*Sis Center for Excellence in Cancer Genomics.

UAlbany School of Public Health 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's Luke Schoen Advances to Pole Vault Finals at NCAA Championship

Courtesy: UAlbany Sports Information

Des Moines, Iowa – University at Albany’s Luke Schoen leaped 17-feet, 2.75-inches to advance to the finals in the pole vault at the 2008 Division I NCAA Outdoor Track and Field Championships on Wednesday afternoon at Drake University’s Drake Stadium. Schoen will compete in the event finals on Friday afternoon.

Schoen, a sophomore from Bohemia, N.Y., finished tied for second at the NCAA East Regional Championships on May 31, to advance to the NCAA Championships, matching his own school record with a jump of 17-feet, 5-inches. Schoen, won the America East Conference title and finished second at the IC4A meet earlier this season.

Schoen will compete against 14 other student-athletes on Friday, including Virginia Tech’s Yavgeniy Olhovsky, whom he tied for second at the NCAA East Regionals.

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NCAA Division I Outdoor Track and Field Championships (Des Moines, Iowa)

Men’s Pole Vault Preliminaries – advance to Friday’s final – all jumped 17-feet, 2.75-inches

Spencer McCorkel (Arkansas), Yavgeniy Olhovsky (Virginia Tech), Joseph Berry (Tennessee), Dustin DeLeo (UCLA), Mitch Greeley (Clemson), Sean Young (South Florida), Brian Hancock (Missouri), Luke Schoen (UAlbany), Jeff Coover (Indiana), Jared O’Connor (Washington), Daniel Imlach (Sacramento State), Nick Frawley (Air Force), Maston Wallace (Texas), Robert Caldwell (New Mexico), Johnny Quinn (UCLA).

UAlbany Photos