Defending National Champion Kansas Overpowers Men's Basketball, 79-43, at Allen Fieldhouse

Courtesy: UAlbany Sports Information

Lawrence, Kan. – Cole Aldrich scored 20 points and Tyrel Reed added12 off the bench in leading Kansas to a 79-43 victory over UAlbany on Tuesday, Dec. 30 before a capacity crowd of 16,300 at historic Allen Fieldhouse. The Jayhawks extended their winning streak to 31 in a row in a home facility that was sold out for the 119th consecutive time.

The Jayhawks, who were coming off a 17-point road loss to Arizona one week ago, started with some hot shooting. Kansas (9-3) grabbed a 12-6 lead by making 4-of-5 from the floor. Freshman Tyshawn Taylor drilled a three-point field goal from the left wing after the ball was saved from a backcourt violation.

Reed, a 6'3" sophomore, pushed the lead to double figures with back-to-back 3-pointers, including one from the left corner. Travis Releford later hit a slam dunk after collecting a full-court outlet pass from Sherron Collins for a 24-8 lead. Collins finished with seven points and four assists.

UAlbany (8-5) closed within 28-15 when Scotty McRae scored off a tip-in. But Marcus Morris made a turnaround from the foul line and Quintrell Thomas sank two foul shots. The Jayhawks shot 65 percent in the period en route to a 40-19 halftime lead.

“It was a great crowd,” said Kansas coach Bill Self, who guided the program to the national championship one year ago. “I was really pleased with the crowd and I was pretty pleased with how we played for the most part. We did some good things and we guarded.”

Reed, who had a career-high scoring total, used a conventional three-point play to give his team a 55-27 advantage with 11:27 remaining. He was fouled while connecting on a fastbreak layup. The Jayhawks, who have made 37 NCAA appearances and reached the Final Four on 13 occasions in their storied history, cruised the rest of the way by shooting a season-best 56.3 percent.

“I thought our effort was okay,” offered UAlbany coach Will Brown, whose team will begin America East Conference play on Saturday at Hartford. “I think the right terminology was lack of focus and consistent energy. We had a couple of shots at that rim that (Cole) Aldrich blocked or altered. We got hesitant and tentative. Their defense pressured the ball and took away the driving angles.”

Aldrich, a 6-foot-11, 245-pound sophomore, made 8 of 10 from the floor to go with six rebounds and three blocks. He scored his team’s opening 10 points of the second half. Anthony Raffa, a freshman guard, was the lone UAlbany player in double figures with 11, while senior forward Brian Connelly added eight points, four assists and three rebounds.

“Right now our team isn’t good enough to just show up,” explained Connelly, whose club shot just 30 percent on 18-of-60 attempts and committed 17 turnovers. “We have to get to the gym and work our butts off. That’s the only way we can win.”

NFL's New York Giants Move Former UAlbany Cornerback Rashad Barksdale to Active Roster

Courtesy: UAlbany Sports Information

East Rutherford, N.J. - The Giants announced on Tuesday, Dec. 30 the addition of two players to their roster in advance of tomorrow’s first practice of the postseason. They signed cornerback Rashad Barksdale, a former University at Albany standout, off their practice squad and signed linebacker Rich Scanlon.

To make room on the roster, the Giants put cornerback Sam Madison on injured reserve and waived linebacker Edmond Miles. Madison broke his right ankle in the third quarter at Minnesota.

Barskdale, 6-0 and 208 pounds, was signed to the practice squad on Sept. 1. He was released on Oct. 21 but re-signed the next day.

In 2007, Barksdale spent the entire season with the Kansas City Chiefs. He played in six games and was inactive for the other 10 games. Barksdale finished with nine special teams tackle. He made his NFL debut against Jacksonville on Oct. 7 with one special teams tackle. Barksdale had three tackles vs. Tennessee on Dec. 16 and at the Jets on Dec. 30.

Barksdale joined the NFL as a sixth-round draft choice of the Philadelphia Eagles in 2007, the 201st overall selection. He was waived on Sept. 1, 2007 and signed by Kansas City the following day. He is the first player on the Giants’ active roster from the University at Albany, where they have held training camp since 1996.

Barksdale played baseball for two seasons at Albany before joining the football team as a walk-on as a senior in 2006. He started 10 games at cornerback and was credited with 37 tackles (26 solo) and intercepted three passes, including two in the fourth quarter in an upset victory over Delaware. Barksdale was an All-State running back and defensive back at Hudson (N.Y.) High School. He was born on May 11, 1984.

Scanlon, 6-2 and 249 pounds, has played in 40 games – 31 with Kansas City from 2004-06 and nine with Tennessee in 2007. He also played in a postseason game with the Titans last season. Scanlon has never started a game, as most of his playing time has been on special teams, where he has 51 tackles.

Scanlon joined the Chiefs as an undrafted free agent in 2004. As a rookie he played in six games and had five special teams tackles. He started 11 games for the Berlin Thunder of NFL Europa in 2005, when he led the league with 94 tackles (68 solo). That year, he played all 16 games for the Chiefs, including 13 in which he played on defense. He led the team with 29 special teams tackles and had three tackles on defense. In 2006, Scanlon played in nine games, including seven on defense. He had 10 special teams tackles. He was placed on injured reserve with a neck injury on Dec. 31, 2006.

Scanlon was waived by the Chiefs at the end of training camp in 2007. He signed with the Titans on Oct. 31, 2007 and contributed seven special teams tackles and two fumble recoveries in nine regular season games and two special teams tackles in the Titans’ AFC Wild Card loss at San Dieg0.

ESPN's Mark May's College Football All-May Day Team - UAlbany's Eddie Delaney

Thanks to our devoted UAlbany Great Dane alum and fan, DANEFAN, we have learned that UAlbany's Eddie Delaney was selected to Mark May's All-May Day Team. Eddie was the only FCS player on the list.

All May Day Team Link











Sports Illustrated Story On Eddie

Albany's Eddie Delaney over comes disability to become a star Story Highlights
Eddie Delaney was born without a left hand, but that has never stopped him
The redhirt freshman was named a second-team all-conference defensive end
"I never looked at it as a disability," said Delaney, who also his diabetes

Eddie Delaney looks like your typical second-year college student, with his shaggy hair almost covering his eyes and traces of stubble dotting his chin. The only thing that makes him unique, at first glance, is his 6-foot-6, 235-pound frame. The fact that he was second-team all-conference in the Division I-AA Northeast Conference as a redshirt freshman defensive end for the Albany Great Danes is impressive in its own right. A second look at Delaney, however, makes his accomplishment unfathomable.

He has only one hand.

Delaney was born without a left hand. His ability to participate in youth sports brought him a sense of normalcy. His ability to excel at the Division I level at a position that essentially involves hand-to-hand combat goes way beyond normalcy. Just don't use the "D" word around Delaney.

"I never looked at it as a disability," Delaney said. "Not once. "It might even be an advantage, because people might take me lightly."

Despite being a stellar football and lacrosse player at Sachem East High in Holtsville, N.Y., Delaney was lightly recruited and received interest from mainly Division II and III schools. Even Albany, the school that landed Delaney, had its doubts.

"We were concerned about his hand," said Albany coach Bob Ford, the architect of an Albany program that started as a club team in 1970. "How would he be able to play that position without being able to grab a jersey or a lineman? We just weren't sure it was possible at this level."

If Ford and his staff needed any convincing, they were sold during Delaney's redshirt season as he worked on the scout team at barely over 200 pounds against a veteran starting offensive line for a team that would go undefeated in the NEC.

Delaney's road to success started in the weight room, where he bulked up to his current playing weight by bench-pressing more than 300 pounds, balancing one part of the barbell with the end of his left arm.

"He is really quick off the ball and he uses his one good hand to stab the offensive lineman in the chest," said Great Danes defensive line coach Bill Banagan. "Using only one hand and turning his hips gives him a reach advantage,"

"The O-line calls it the Iron Claw," said Delaney, demonstrating on a writer how he is able to keep the blocker away from his body with only one hand.

What about the other arm?

"The nub?" replies Delaney. "I don't know, but the guys tell me it really hurts bad if you get hit by it."

The greatest indication that Delaney is one of the guys comes from the amount of good-natured ribbing he takes from his teammates, a sure sign that he has earned their respect and is in the club. His peers along the defensive line mess with him all the time. Other teammates call him Hollywood, referring to the significant amount of media attention he has received in overcoming his handicap.

While Delaney was giving a recent interview, starting quarterback Vinny Esposito made a point to call out "Hollywood" across the room and point to his own chest. When asked what that was all about Delaney just laughed and shrugged it off, like everything else he has had to go through in his young life and said, "He wants me to give him a shout-out, but I'm not going to."

The Eddie Delaney story would be remarkable enough if it ended there. But it doesn't. When he was six, Delaney was diagnosed with Type I diabetes. The news was especially devastating to his parents, who understood that their son would have yet another hurdle to overcome.

Delaney had to give himself two or three insulin shots a day until several years ago when he got hooked up with an insulin pump that includes a tube that was inserted into his leg and is protected on the field by only his thigh pad. That's right, Delaney plays Division I football with only one hand while carrying an insulin pump on his left leg.

"We didn't know whether or not we could count on him," recalls Ford. "What if he was our starter and he had to leave the field for 15 to 20 minutes to handle his diabetic issues?"

One person having to overcome two huge road blocks while he strives to achieve his dream seems at a minimum to be unfair, but only once during a lengthly conversation did Delaney prove to be human. And even then it was for just an instant. When asked whether he thought about the fact that he has to deal with two significant handicaps while most people have none, Delaney paused ever so slightly.

"Nah," said Delaney as he flashed his characteristic smile, "So many people have it so much worse than I do. I am the luckiest guy in the world. I am playing D-I football."

Delaney's ability to overcome obstacles has helped transform him into a new position on and off the Albany campus: role model.

Delaney's eyes light up when he talks about the Sugar Free Gang, a group of diabetics ages 6-12 who live in the Albany area. Delaney has spoken to them on a couple of occasions and the group has attended a Great Danes game. The kid who once got former Major League pitcher Jim Abbott's autograph as a youngster now gives out his signature to his own set of adoring fans.

But it is not only the youngsters who look up to Delaney and everything he has accomplished. It is his peers as well. "Some of my teammates have told me how cool they think it is that I am able to do what I have done," he says. "They can't imagine going through it with everything else they have going on in their lives."

If Delaney is to be believed, there is at least one benefit to attending college with one hand and an insulin pump. When asked about the social ramifications of his situation, Delaney grins from ear to ear.

"I think it helps, to be honest," he says. "If people are talking about a blond guy they met on campus, that could be anyone. If they mention that the guy was tall that narrows it down, but there are still a lot of people who match that description. If they say it was the kid with one hand, they pretty much know who they are talking about."

Delaney gets as much joy as anything, however, by fooling with some of the students who come across him for the first time. Last summer, when Albany's 2008 squad began training camp, Banagan alerted the incoming freshmen to Delaney's situation and told a heroic tale that involved sharks, drawing amazement on the looks of the newbies as Delaney feigned boredom for a story told too many times.

"I don't understand," said one confused teenager, "How did he get Diabetes then?"

Delaney didn't miss a beat.

"It was a diabetic shark," he said.

By Ross Tucker

University of Albany Education Professor David Yun Dai Travels to China as Fulbright Scholar - UAlbany Academics

Courtesy: University of Albany News

University at Albany Education Professor David Yun Dai is conducting teacher surveys on inquiry-based learning in China as part of the country's educational reform efforts.

ALBANY, N.Y. (December 23, 2008) -- University at Albany Education Professor David Yun Dai was named a Fulbright Scholar, joining an accomplished group of higher-education faculty and professionals traveling abroad for the 2008-09 academic year. Dai is conducting teacher surveys on inquiry-based learning in China as part of the country's educational reform efforts.

"It's an honor for Professor Dai to receive this important acclaim," said Interim Provost Susan D. Phillips, vice president of academic affairs. "He is a committed researcher and teacher, and this recognition will enhance his work and the School of Education's international reach and reputation."

Dai, an associate professor in the Department of Educational and Counseling Psychology, will meet with more than 50 senior high school principals who are pioneering a new round of curriculum reform in China. Dai will share his experiences and perspectives on U.S. education reform, as well as discuss implementation, obstacles and other potential issues.

"I think countries have much to learn from each other, on education or otherwise, and I am very privileged and honored to serve as a medium and facilitator in this mission," said Yun, who joined UAlbany's faculty in 2001.

At UAlbany, Yun teaches courses related to instruction, learning, motivation, and cognition. He has conducted classroom-based research on incorporating teaching cases and case methods in teacher education courses to facilitate teacher reflection and learning.

Dai will remain in China through March 2009.

Two visiting Fulbright Scholars, Vadim Kozlov, professor of mechanics and mathematics at Moscow State University in Russia and Chanyoung Park, associate professor of economics at Andong National University in Korea, will lecture and research at the University at Albany as part of the Fulbright Visiting Grantees program.

Both will remain at UAlbany through summer 2009.

Established in 1946 under legislation introduced by the late Senator J. William Fulbright of Arkansas, the Fulbright Scholar program's purpose is to build mutual understanding between the people of the United States and other countries. This year, about 800 U.S. faculty and professionals received Fulbright Scholar awards to lecture and conduct research abroad, joining nearly 100,000 scholars who have received a Fulbright award since the program's inception.

The Fulbright Scholar program, America's flagship international educational exchange activity, is sponsored by the U.S. Department of State and administered by the Council for International Exchange of Scholars. Award recipients are chosen on the basis of academic or professional achievement and because they have demonstrated extraordinary leadership potential in their fields.

UAlbany MBA Program Garners Top-10 National Ranking from Princeton Review

Courtesy: University of Albany News

The University of Albany Master's in Business Administration degree ranks ninth in offering the "Greatest Opportunity for Women," according to the Princeton Review's 2009 Best 296 Business Schools.

Georgia Tech & South Florida Tournaments Highlight UAlbany's 2009 Softball Schedule

Courtesy: UAlbany Sports Information

Albany, N.Y. – Vice President and Director of Athletics Lee McElroy announced today the University at Albany’s 2009 softball schedule. The Great Danes, who have won three America East Conference tournament championships and captured last year’s regular-season crown, will most notably compete in the University of South Florida Wilson Tournament before opening up their 22-game slate against league opponents.

UAlbany kicks off the season at the Stetson Leadoff Classic on Feb. 13-15 in a tournament which will also feature Bethune-Cookman and the host school. The Hatters, who won the 2007 Atlantic Sun championship and advanced to the title game last year, won 43 games in 2008. The Florida trip concludes on Feb. 18 when the Great Danes will play a doubleheader against the Ospreys of North Florida, winners of 39 games last season.

The Great Danes will arguably face its most challenging set of games at the University of South Florida Wilson Tournament on Feb. 20-22. After opening up against Eastern Michigan and Rhode Island, UAlbany will face 2008 NCAA Tournament participants Louisville, South Florida and Jacksonville State consecutively. UAlbany will play in two more tournaments at Georgia Tech (March 6-8) and Winthrop (March 13-14).

After playing a single game at George Mason on March 15, the Great Danes will make their first appearance at Albany Field on March 25 against crosstown-rival Siena to start a home-and-home series which will conclude on the Loudonville campus on Apr. 28. UAlbany has won five straight and six of the last games against the Saints.

The Great Danes will host America East opponents Hartford (Apr. 4-5), UMBC (Apr. 10-11), Vermont (Apr. 22) and face Stony Brook in a rematch of last year’s championship to close out the regular season on May 2-3. UAlbany will travel to conference foes Boston University (March 28-29), Vermont (Apr. 8), Binghamton (Apr. 18-19) and Maine (Apr. 25-26).

Head coach Chris Cannata’s squad will host non-conference doubleheaders against Manhattan (Apr. 14) and Bryant (Apr. 15). In addition, the team will tee off against Marist (March 31) and Iona (Apr. 1) on the road in non-conference action.

UAlbany is led by senior third baseman Meagan Butsch and junior pitcher Leah McIntosh, who were each named to the All-America East first team last season. Butsch started all 51 games and led the Great Danes in batting average, runs batted in, slugging percentage and on-base percentage. She also knocked seven home runs and added seven doubles and four triples. McIntosh accumulated 217 strikeouts in 155.2 innings of work and posted a 1.57 ERA. In 22 appearances, the NFCA All-Northeast Region hurler had a 17-6 record with 21 complete games, including nine shutouts and two no-hitters. Junior second baseman Michelle Connors and junior utility player Bailey Van Deest are returning All-America East second-team selections, while shortstop Andrianna Walraven and designated player Gina Mason earned spots on the all-rookie squad.

-agate-

2009 UAlbany Softball Schedule

February: 13 (Fri.) vs. Bethune-Cookman!, 1:30 p.m.; 13 (Fri.) at Stetson!, 4 p.m.; 14 (Sat.) vs. Bethune-Cookman!, 1:30 p.m.; 14 (Sat.) at Stetson!, 4 p.m.; 15 (Sun.) at Stetson!, 10 a.m.; 18 (Wed.) at North Florida (DH), 4 p.m.; 20 (Fri.) vs. Eastern Michigan#, 9:30 a.m.; vs. Rhode Island#, 11:30 a.m.; 21 (Sat.) vs. Louisville#, 9:30 a.m. 21 (Sat.) at South Florida#, 2 p.m.; 22 (Sun.) vs. Jacksonville State#, 11 a.m.

March: 6 (Fri.) vs. Centenary$, 11 a.m.; 6 (Fri.) vs. Jacksonville State$, 4 p.m.; 7 (Sat.) vs. Bowling Green$, 1 p.m.; 7 (Sat.) vs. Kennesaw State$, 6 p.m.; 8 (Sun.) vs. Akron$, 10 a.m.; 13 (Fri.) vs. Brown%, 1 p.m.; 13 (Fri.) vs. USC Upstate%, 5 p.m., 14 (Sat.) vs. Ohio%, 1 p.m.; 14 (Sat.) vs. Fairfield%, 5 p.m.; 15 (Sun.) at George Mason, 3 p.m.; 25 (Wed.) Siena (DH), 3 p.m.; 28 (Sat.) at Boston U.* (DH), 1 p.m.; 29 (Sun.) at Boston U.*, 12 p.m.; 31 (Tues.) at Marist (DH), 2:30 p.m.

April: 1 (Wed.) at Iona (DH), 2:30 p.m.; 4 (Sat.) Hartford* (DH), 1 p.m.; 5 (Sun.) Hartford*, 12 p.m.; 8 (Wed.) at Vermont* (DH), 2 p.m.; 10 (Fri.) UMBC* (DH), 2 p.m.; 11 (Sat.), UMBC*, 12 p.m.; 14 (Tues.), Manhattan (DH), 3 p.m. 15 (Wed.) Bryant (DH), 2 p.m.; 18 (Sat.) at Binghamton* (DH), 12 p.m.; 19 (Sun.) at Binghamton*, 12 p.m.; 22 (Wed.) Vermont* (DH), 2 p.m.; 25 (Sat.) at Maine* (DH), 12 p.m.; 26 (Sun.) at Maine*, 12 p.m.; 28 (Tues.) at Siena (DH) 3 p.m.

May: 2 (Sat.) Stony Brook* (DH), 1 p.m.; 3 (Sun.) Stony Brook*, 12 p.m.

*America East Conference Opponent !Stetson Leadoff Classic #South Florida Wilson Tournament

$Georgia Tech’s Buzz Classic %Winthrop/adidas Invitational

Texas-Pan American Rallies Late to Defeat Women's Basketball

Courtesy: UAlbany Sports Information

Edinburg, Texas – Rose Esther Jean poured in 13 points and Aleeya Grigsby netted 12 points to lead Texas-Pan American past the University at Albany women’s basketball team by a score of 54-49 in the first round of the Battle at the Border Tournament on Sunday evening. UTPA, which trailed by eight points at halftime, shot 62.5 percent from the field in the second frame and remained undefeated at home with the win.

UAlbany (1-10) scored on its first two possessions and nailed four three-point field goals to take a 14-2 advantage. Janea Aiken canned two shots from downtown while Tiffanie Johnson and Britney McGee also drilled trifectas during the stretch.

UTPA (8-5), which improved to a perfect 5-0 on its home court with the victory, cut the Great Dane lead to six points when Jean hit a jumper and a layup. Charity Iromuanya built the UAlbany advantage back up to double figures when she nailed a three as the shot clock was expiring, but Danielle Kostacky converted a jumper from the right block with 2:40 on the clock to close out the scoring in the first half. Despite shooting just 30.4 percent from the field, the Great Danes still made five of their nine three-point attempts and held a 22-14 lead at the recess.

After shooting 28.6 percent from the field in the opening 20 minutes, the Broncs hit four of their first five shots to go on a 9-4 run to start the second half. After a UAlbany timeout, Britney McGee responded by canning a three-point field goal from over 30 feet out and converting a conventional three-point play to put the Great Danes ahead 32-25.

UTPA would not go away and tied the game at 39-39 with 7:05 on the clock. Rachel Hester hit a short jumper in transition to make it a two-point game and Brittany Demery put back her own rebound to knot the score. After McGee canned her third shot from downtown to put UAlbany up 42-39, UTPA went ahead for the first time by scoring seven straight points to make it 46-42.

Tabitha Makopondo scored her first field goal to cut the deficit to two points with just under four minutes left, but Winfrey nailed a three-point field goal from the perimeter as the shot clock expired to put the Broncs ahead by five with 3:23 on the clock.

UAlbany, which suffered its second straight defeat and fourth overall this season when leading at halftime, had a chance to tie the game when Johnson went to the free throw line for a 1-and-1 opportunity at the 1:48 mark. Her shot hit the back end of the rim, but Makopondo got the ensuing rebound. After Johnson missed a 12-foot jumper, Grigsby nailed a field goal on the other end to put the Broncs ahead by four with 1:24 to play.

A driving layup by Aiken trimmed the deficit to two at 51-49 with 58 seconds left, but Epiphany Smith was able to drive in for a layup as the shot clock expired to give the Broncs a 53-49 lead on their next possession with 27 seconds left to play.

McGee missed a three-pointer from the left baseline with 12 seconds on the clock on the Great Danes’ next possession and the Broncs got one more point on a free throw by Smith to seal the outcome.

In addition to combining for 25 points, Jean and Grigsby each grabbed a team-best six rebounds for the Broncs. Grigsby also had four steals and three blocks. Smith finished with seven points and a game-high eight assists.

Aiken had a game-high 19 points on 6-for-13 shooting and was a perfect 5-for-5 from the charity stripe. McGee added 14 points, while Amira Ford set a career mark for dishing out five assists. Kim Clements pulled down a team-best five rebounds and recorded one block.

“Playing for 40 minutes is something we really have to improve on,” said head coach Trina Patterson. “We are able to do it for 20, but that is not good enough. Our team has to learn to keep the intensity level up. I thought Janea played a phenomenal game and Britney has really been able to score since we moved her up from the point guard position. We are right there, but we just need to get over the hump.”

UAlbany will face Montana State, which suffered an 82-78 overtime loss to Troy in the second game of the evening, tomorrow night at 6 p.m. Eastern.

UAlbany Men's Basketball Rolls Past St.Francis Heading Into Christmas Break

Courtesy: UA Sports

Brooklyn, N.Y. – Anthony Raffa had 14 points and Brian Connelly added 13 as UAlbany recorded its second consecutive road win in a 68-56 triumph over St. Francis, N.Y. in a non-league contest on Monday, Dec. 22 at Peter Aquilone Court.

UAlbany (8-4) went on a 15-2 run to begin the second half to pull away. The Great Danes, who are off to their best start after 12 games as a Division I program, ripped off eight unanswered to begin the stanza. Brett Gifford converted on the left baseline and Billy Allen scored off a tip-in of a Connelly miss to ignite that stretch. Connelly, who tied a season-high scoring total, buried a 15-footer from the right elbow for a 40-25 advantage.

Will Harris, a transfer from Virginia who was not in the starting lineup for the first time this year, helped push the lead to 47-27 with 14:34 left. Harris, who scored all 13 of his points after the intermission, converted a cut in the lane and then made a rare four-point play. The 6-foot-6 junior banked in a three-point field goal as he was fouled by St. Francis’ Ricky Cadell.

St. Francis, N.Y. (3-7) made a run at the lead in the late stages of the contest. Stefan Perunicic, a 6’6” freshman from Serbia, nailed one of his four 3-pointers from the right corner, before Justin Newton delivered another long-range jumper. Cadell, a sophomore guard, split a pair of free throw to close the gap to 59-49 with 4:11 to play. However, the Great Danes held off their opponent at the charity stripe. Jerel Hastings made two foul shots and Harris added another for a 68-53 cushion two minutes later.

“Our pressure bothered them and we came out with good energy in the second half,” said UAlbany coach Will Brown, whose team has four road wins before the month of January for the second time at the Division I level. “We were soft around the basket in the first half, but we attacked the rim better after that point. They caused some problems by going small with four guards. We just have to maintain our composure better down the stretch.”

In a first half that featured three lead changes and three ties, UAlbany broke a 12-12 deadlock when Tim Ambrose connected on a three-point play when he was fouled after scoring with an offensive rebound. Connelly then hit a left-hander in the lane off a high-low entry pass from Allen.

The Terriers would close the gap when Perunicic and Cadell sank consecutive three-point field goals from the top of the arc. Jamaal Womack was later fouled on a 3-point attempt. He made two of three foul shots to get his club within 25-24 with 2:15 remaining. However, the Great Danes ended the half with seven of the period’s final eight points. Hastings, a 6’5” senior, canned a 6-foot jumper and followed up a missed layup, while Allen drilled a three-pointer from the right wing for a seven-point cushion at the break.

Nigel Byman, a junior college transfer, had a career-high 14 points and grabbed six rebounds for the Terriers, who lost for the first time at home this season. Perunicic finished with 12 points. Kayode Ayeni, the team’s top scorer and rebounder, went down with an apparent right knee injury with just two minutes gone in opener period and did not return. UAlbany’s Raffa, who collected six rebounds and made 8-of 10 from the line, reached double figures for the sixth time in his last seven games. The Great Danes shot 46.8 percent and were over the 40-mark for the first time since Nov. 29.

"We needed to keep focusing on defense and rebounding because we know in the end, that's what wins games, and our shots started to fall,” explained Connelly, whose team held St. Francis to 37.7-percent shooting. “Our defense helped our offense get started. I think it was so close in the first half because we forced a lot of turnovers, but we didn't capitalize."

UAlbany's Chris Simpson Named FCS AD Academic All-American

UAlbany's Chris Simpson Named FCS AD Academic All-American, With 3.96 GPA.

"Football players from all Football Championship Subdivision institutions are eligible for these prestigious awards. Each of the nominees were required to have a minimum grade point average of 3.20 (on a 4.00 scale) in undergraduate study and have been a starter or key player with legitimate athletics credentials. He must have reached his second year of athletics and academic standing at the nominated institution and have completed a minimum of one full academic year at the nominated institution. He must also have participated in 50 percent of the games played at his designated position." - FCS ADA

UAlbany Men's Basketball Pulls Out Victory Against Sacred Heart

Courtesy: UAlbany Sports Information

Fairfield, Conn. – Mike Johnson made a free throw with 9.5 seconds remaining as UAlbany rallied in the stretch for a 60-59 victory over Sacred Heart on Saturday, Dec. 20 at William H. Pitt Center. The non-league game was delayed one day due to a snowstorm in the Northeast Region.

Sacred Heart (3-5) built a 52-43 lead with 6:45 left when Ryon Howard connected on a slam dunk in transition. UAlbany (7-4) still trailed 57-51, but then closed the gap when Anthony Raffa nailed a three-point field goal from the left wing. Raffa finished with 15 points and a career-best eight rebounds.

The Pioneers, who were picked to finish second in the Northeast Conference preseason poll, still led 59-54 with 1:35 to play after freshman Shane Gibson made a pair of foul shots. Gibson led his team with 15 points on 6-of-11 shooting. Brian Connelly, who had 10 points and six rebounds, cut into the lead with two foul shots moments later, before Billy Allen drilled a three-pointer from the top of the key to draw the Great Danes even.

After SHU’s Chauncey Hardy missed a runner from right of the lane, Allen found Johnson underneath the basket. Johnson was fouled in the lane and made the first of two free throws. The Pioneers tried to push the ball up the floor, but Raffa stripped Ryan Litke in the open floor. Connelly came up with the loose ball and UAlbany had its third road win of the season.

“It was a bad effort, but our five subs played hard and fought throughout,” said UAlbany coach Will Brown, whose team shot 35.5 percent and committed 19 turnovers. “Billy Allen made some big shots for us and we won a game we wouldn’t have a year ago. We have been playing 10-11 guys consistent minutes and that paid off us.”

In a sluggish first half, Sacred Heart reversed a 16-15 deficit with six straight points. Freshman guard Shane Gibson had two baskets, including a layup after his steal in the defensive end. The Pioneers still led 25-20 after Howard scored in the lane. But UAlbany closed the gap when Mike Johnson made a baseline jumper and hit a drive after his steal.

UAlbany made just 31.6 percent from the field, including several misses on short-range shots and follow-up attempts. However, the Pioneers, who led 27-26 at the break, countered the visitors poor shooting by making 15 of their 23 turnovers in the period.

Joey Henley, a 6-foot-5 senior who was granted a sixth year by the NCAA due to injuries, had 10 of his 12 points in the second half. Henley had a basket and Litke buried a 3-pointer from right of the key when their team ripped off a 9-2 run that gave the Pioneers their biggest lead.

“We hung in there the whole game,” offered Allen, who had eight points off the bench. “We pressed and it helped us. The play that tied the game was run for me and Brian Connelly set a great screen. I knew I had to make it and get the game tied.”

Mike Johnson, a junior college transfer, finished with nine points, four assists and two steals. Tim Ambrose and Will Harris, two of the team’s top three scorers, were held to a combined three points.

UAlbany Men's Ice Hockey Current Results: 15-3 On Season

10/10/2008 Albany v Monmouth W 2-3
10/11/2008 Albany v Southern Ct. L 4-2
10/12/2008 Albany v Farmingdale W 7-2
10/18/2008 Albany v Fairfield L 5-3
10/21/2008 Albany v Union W 5-4
10/24/2008 Fordham v Albany W 7-0
10/31/2008 Fairfield v Albany W 5-1
11/01/2008 Albany v SUNY Maritime W 16-1
11/07/2008 Albany v Hofstra W 8-0
11/08/2008 Albany v UPJ W 4-1
11/09/2008 Albany v PSU-Brandywine W 9-1
11/14/2008 NJIT v Albany W 8-3
11/15/2008 Albany v Fordham W 6-0
11/22/2008 Albany v Cal U of PA W 6-3
11/23/2008 Albany v SUNY Fredonia L 5-4
12/05/2008 Albany v IUP W 4-3
12/06/2008 Gettysburg v Albany W 9-2
12/07/2008 Albany v Loyola W 5-1

Mens Basketball Vs Sacred Heart

Tonight's basketball game versus Sacred Heart has been postponed until Saturday @ 2:30pm.

UAlbany Student-Athletes Support Captial Region Families During the Holidays

Courtesy: UAlbany Sports Information

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

“It’s great to be able to put the UAlbany name out in the community in such a positive way,” said Kevin Richards, an all-conference center on the football team's offensive line. “It’s great to see how happy it makes the family to have us bring them the gifts. The mom was very appreciative and let us know how much it meant to her.”

UAlbany’s athletic department and its student-athletes have been associated with the Adopt-A-Family project for several years. Through the project, all money is raised and donated by the athletic teams. Representatives from each team then go out, purchase the items and wrap them. A few representatives from each team then go to the family’s homes to deliver the gifts before Christmas. SAAC members also participated in Salvation Army bell ringing at local shopping centers throughout the Capital Region during the holiday season.

“Our student-athletes were given a wonderful opportunity to make a difference for someone else,” said UAlbany women’s lacrosse coach Lindsey Hart, whose team was able to provide their adopted family with clothing, toys and a new bicycle. “It’s great to see them come together and get really excited about supporting others. Every year our team looks forward to being involved with this program.”

SAAC, which is made up of at least two representatives of each UAlbany athletic team, helps to coordinate several community service activities each semester. Vice President and Director of Athletics Lee McElroy has made community service one of the athletic department's top initiatives since he arrived on campus more than eight years ago.

UAlbany Offensive Tackle Raphael Nguti Named to AFCA FCS Coaches' All-America Football Team

Courtesy: UAlbany Sports Information

Albany, N.Y. – University at Albany’s Raphael Nguti has been chosen to the American Football Coaches Association 2008 Football Championship Subdivision (FCS) Coaches’ All-America Football Team as announced on Thursday, Dec. 18 by the AFCA. Nguti is the fourth UAlbany player to be named to the AFCA FCS All-America squad.

Nguti, a 6-foot-7, 330-pound offensive tackle from Rochester, N.Y., was selected to the All-Northeast Conference first team for the second consecutive year. He moved from right tackle to left tackle this season and led an offense that ranked 16th nationally in rushing (200.6 ypg) and first in the conference in total offense (363.2 ypg). The Great Danes ran for 250 or more yards against five opponents this season. Nguti, who blocked for the nation’s second-leading rusher this year, has made 24 consecutive starts over the last two seasons. He played in 45 games as a collegian and earned four varsity letters.

“It’s a great tribute to him as an offensive lineman,” said UAlbany’s Bob Ford, who leads all active FCS head coaches with 234 career victories. “He came here close to 400 pounds and transformed himself into a dominating run-down blocker with great physical presence at the point of attack. Every professional team has been through here to look at him so we will see what happens in the future.”

Nguti led UAlbany (9-3) to its second consecutive NEC championship and a 28-0 victory over Pioneer Football League champion Jacksonville in the Gridiron Classic on Dec. 6. The Great Danes became the second team in conference history to go undefeated against league opponents in back-to-back years.

UAlbany’s previous AFCA All-Americans were inside linebacker Colin Disch (2006), offensive tackle Geir Gudmundsen (2004) and offensive tackle J.T. Herfurth (2000).

Princeton Review Ranks UAlbany Business MBA Program #9 in the United States

UAlbany's Business MBA Program has been ranked #9 in the USA by the Princeton Review for providing the “Greatest Opportunity for Women.” UAlbany is the only SUNY school to appear on any of Princeton Review’s top ten lists. This is a tribute to our outstanding faculty and staff, who offer an excellent program and a strongly supportive environment for female MBA students.

We have outstanding senior female faculty members and department chairs (Professor Ingrid Fisher-Chair of the Department of Accounting, Professor InduShobha Chengalur-Smith-Chair of the Department of Information Technology and Management, Professor Rita Biswas, who just stepped down as Chair of Department of Finance, and Professor Cecilia McHugh Falbe, who has served as Chair of the Department of Management, and senior faculty members (e.g., Professor Lakshmi Mohan, who has sponsored numerous field projects for MBA students, Professor Janet Marler, a leading researcher on strategic human resource management, Professor Wei Zhang, an expert on financial and managerial accounting), and others throughout the years.

Outstanding MBA alumnae include Pat Caldwell, a leading expert on distressed companies and a partner at the Gordian Group LP, Kimberly Welsh, a Managing Director at Morgan Stanley, and Meg Picotte MacClarence, a trustee and Director of the Equinox Foundation.

Kudos to Melissa Palmucci-Director of Campus MBA Programs, Linda Krzykowski-Vice Dean for Administration (an MBA graduate), Zina Lawrence-Director of Graduate Student Services, Sally Mills, and Scott Schwinning for managing our MBA programs effectively.

University of Albany Professor Paul Morgan Jr.Voted #5 in USA

Stories swapped in the halls of the School of Business have always included favorite professors. These days, adjunct professor of Accounting and Law Paul Morgan Jr. is always mentioned. Morgan took the number five spot on the RateMyProfessors.com second annual top ten list of Top-Rated Professors.

The mere mention of the word “law” can put students in a coma but Morgan doesn’t see it as a dry subject. He uses funny stories to teach. He explained, “Some I made up, some happened to me in court and some happened to other people. Some of the stories I used in ’93 (when he started teaching), I’m still using today.” He has so many stories now that he doesn’t have time to tell them all.

Morgan, who also teaches at Albany Law School, keeps them laughing and learning with stories about his cat Boo-Boo and its replacement Boo-Boo2, and quasi-legal terms like, "lock and load,” “rock and roll," "balderdash,” “top shelf” and "shi-shi-foo-foo,” a term he picked up from a friend in Manhattan. Morgan said that he teaches the students lots of legal terms as well. “I love words. ‘Uncontroverted’ is a great word. It means ‘no controversy.’ I teach them to use legal terms in their daily lives so that they remember them. Bifurcate means ‘divide in two.’ I tell them to go to Burger King and ask to bifurcate their burger. Humor is the best way to teach but I can’t make every legal term funny.”

Morgan started teaching at UAlbany when he was still in law school. One afternoon in 1993, his dad, Paul Morgan Sr., now retired, got stuck at work at his New York City office and asked Paul Morgan Jr. to teach a class in negotiable instruments. After Morgan graduated from law school, he was soon teaching at the School of Business on a regular basis.

According to comments made by students on ratemyprofessors.com, Paul Morgan Jr. is one of the funniest men on earth. He’s been called “awesome, “caring” and “best teacher.” Lisa Picco ’08, Risk Advisory Consultant at Ernst & Young, said, “I am not surprised at all that Paul Morgan Jr. made the top five professors in the country. I never grew tired of listening to his stories. His class was the one I never wanted to miss. It was not a piece of cake; however, if you went to class you were sure to pass with flying colors.”

Morgan said he is surprised, appreciative and humbled by his “top shelf” ranking. “Several colleagues congratulated me. It meant the world to me.”

One word of caution. Students who don’t want to share their food should avoid sitting in the front row of Morgan’s classes. Skittles are a favorite, but the favored professor has also helped himself to other types of candy, cookies and an occasional Chicken McNugget. Picco noted, “I think that people would bring in food and sit in front on purpose. I occasionally benefitted from it because I sat in front and he would share his Skittles.” Morgan admits that he goes to class hungry, but asserts that he warns the students on the first day of class. He noted that students are miffed when he ignores their food and reaches for a neighbor’s snack.

Other professors rated highly by RateMyProfessors are Joe Sheehan (accounting and law), Rita Biswas (finance), Cecilia Falbe and Ray Van Ness (management), and Don Purdy (marketing). RateMyProfessors.com calls itself “Internet's largest listing of collegiate professor ratings” and is owned by mtvU. For the Top-Rated Professor ranking, they considered professors with at least ten rankings. Two and one half years of scores were used, weighting the most recent year more heavily.

Morgan teaches Business Law, Trust and Estate Law, and Law for Managers. In addition to his teaching duties, Morgan has a day job: he serves as Chief Clerk of the Rensselaer County Surrogate’s Court. He previously worked for the New York State Senate. In 2005, he received the University at Albany Excellence in Teaching Award. He is frequent lecturer for the New York State Bar Association, the Office of Court Administration and other organizations. Numerous awards Morgan has received include the Honorary Member of the Golden Key National Honor Society from University at Albany, Harold L. Cannon Memorial Award for Outstanding Undergraduate Teaching from the School of Business, School of Business Dean’s Award for outstanding teaching, University at Albany President’s Award for Excellence in Teaching, Positive Difference Award of the University at Albany in recognition of making a positive difference in a student’s experience at the University and the Outstanding Faculty and Outstanding Faculty Achievement Awards in recognition of contributions to disabled student community.

UAlbany NanoCollege Receives $300K Grant from Department of Energy for Clean Technology Research and Education

Albany, NY - The College of Nanoscale Science and Engineering ("CNSE") of the University at Albany has been selected to receive a prestigious grant from the U.S. Department of Energy ("DOE") for pioneering research and education that will support the development of nanotechnology-enabled sensors and controls designed to sharply reduce emissions from fossil fuel-based power plants.

The $300,000 grant is awarded through the highly competitive University Coal Research Program - DOE's longest-running student-teacher research grant initiative - which is designed to advance new ideas to support near-zero emission power plants and train a new generation of scientists and engineers in the investigation of long-term solutions for clean and efficient use of the nation's abundant coal resources.

Assistant Professor of Nanoengineering Dr. Michael Carpenter will lead the program at the UAlbany NanoCollege, which is aimed at addressing the critical need to develop innovative controls and sensors that are compatible with the harsh environmental conditions found in leading-edge power plants. Dr. Carpenter and his team of graduate students will conduct research on the use of a plasmonics-based, all-optical sensing technique that utilizes tailored nanomaterials as a sensing layer, offering a novel approach to reducing emissions to near-zero levels amid extreme temperature and humidity - and one that is both simpler and less expensive than current sensor designs.

Dr. Alain E. Kaloyeros, Senior Vice President and Chief Executive Officer of CNSE, said, "I congratulate Professor Carpenter on the receipt of this prestigious grant from the U.S. Department of Energy, which will enable innovative nanoscale research that further enhances the UAlbany NanoCollege's growing portfolio in the area of clean energy. Just as importantly, this project will provide pioneering educational opportunities for our students, who will comprise the future workforce that is vital to ensuring the presence of a safe and efficient energy supply to meet our nation's growing needs."

Dr. Carpenter said, "I am delighted to receive this grant from the U.S. Department of Energy, particularly as it provides unique opportunities for both CNSE and our graduate students. I look forward to working closely with students to engage in cutting-edge research and education that will ultimately improve the efficiency of advanced fossil energy systems, which is a great demonstration of the important and practical applications of engineering at the nanoscale."

Dr. Pradeep Haldar, Professor and Head of CNSE's Nanoengineering Constellation, said, "This grant provides further support and recognition for the world-class research capabilities at CNSE that are enabled by nanoengineering, including a growing concentration in the area of clean and alternative energy technologies. I congratulate Professor Carpenter on being chosen to receive this esteemed grant, and look forward to seeing the impact of this work in the areas of research and education."

CNSE was one of just six universities selected nationwide to receive grants under DOE's University Coal Research Program, which has funded more than 700 projects involving nearly 1,800 students since its inception in 1979.

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 $4.5 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/.

CNSE Contact:
Steve Janack, CNSE Vice President for Marketing and Communications
(phone) 518-956-7322 (cell) 518-312-5009

UAlbany Volleyball Signs Two Incoming Student-Athletes for 2009 Season

Courtesy: UAlbany Sports Information

Albany, N.Y. – The University at Albany volleyball team has signed two student-athletes for the 2009 season, as announced by interim head coach MJ Engstrom on Tuesday afternoon. Gabby Whitworth and Traci Vandegrift both signed national letters of intent to play for the Great Danes starting next fall.

Whitworth is a 6-foot middle blocker/right side hitter from Kailua, Hawaii. A team captain at Kalaheo High School, she has played for the Jammers Volleyball Club for the past three seasons, helping lead the under-17 team to a second-place finish at the 2008 Junior Olympics. The U-18 Jammers also finished in third place in the Aloha Region in 2007. Whitworth, who is a four-year honor roll member, was invited to be on the High Performance Junior National A2 team in 2008, and intends to major in business administration.

“Gabby has grown up in Hawaii where its common place to see little kids playing volleyball out on the playgrounds,” Engstrom said. “She has been a member of one of the nation’s premier clubs and her experience will help to increase our collective volleyball IQ.”

Vandegrift is a 6-foot middle hitter from Mogadore, Ohio. A four-year letterwinner at Field High School, Vandegrift was the Portage Trail Conference Metro Division Player of the Year. An all-district selection, Vandegrift was named to the Division II all-state second team. She helped lead Field High to the Portage Trail Conference championship in 2007 and 2008 and also earned the bronze medal as a member of the U-17 team at the Junior Olympics. She finished her four-year career at Field with 820 kills, 421 digs, 373 total blocks and 111 service aces.

“Traci is an explosive, competitive athlete who is still learning the game,” Engstrom said. “As her experience grows with higher level competition, she will be a very exciting player to watch.”

Whitworth and Vandegrift join a UAlbany program that is losing just one senior to graduation. The Great Danes won their third straight America East Conference Championship this season after going undefeated in league play and earned an NCAA Tournament berth.

“Gabby and Traci are great fits for our program,” said Engstrom, who served as interim head coach this year after three seasons as the program’s top assistant. “Both are outstanding athletes, students, and leaders and I am very excited to have them be part of the UAlbany family.”

Three Student-Athletes Make Commitments to UAlbany Softball During Early Signing Period

Courtesy: UAlbany Sports Information

Albany, N.Y. – University at Albany head softball coach Chris Cannata announced on Tuesday afternoon that three student-athletes have signed national letters of intent to join the Great Danes in the 2009-10 academic year. Catcher Kylie Apostolina of Smyrna, Del. (Smyrna H.S.), catcher Lindsey Stout of Vestal, N.Y. (Vestal Central H.S.) and pitcher Allison Weiser of Wildwood Crest, N.J. (Wildwood Catholic H.S.) each made a commitment.

Apostolina, who also plays first base, was a first-team all-conference selection in the spring of 2008. A three-sport athlete, she garnered second-team all-conference honors in basketball as a freshman and most recently was named to the all-conference second team in field hockey as a midfielder. An honor roll student, Apostolina serves as her class treasurer and plays softball for the Newtown Rock over the summer.

Stout, a catcher who can also play in the outfield, was a fourth-team all-state selection. This past spring, she boasted a .443 batting average and a .671 slugging percentage. Stout, a New York State Scholar-Athlete in softball and field hockey, led the Vestal Central High softball team to a Section IV title. She also competes on the under-18 Conklin Raiders summer team which won a state championship and competes in Amateur Softball Association tournaments across the country. Off the field, Stout is a member of the National Honor Society and the National Society for High School Scholars.

Weiser, another versatile athlete who also competes on her high school’s soccer and basketball teams, has fanned 403 batters in 231 innings pitched in her two seasons on the varsity squad. She posted a 1.36 earned run average and recorded 219 strikeouts and 23 walks in 118 innings on the mound as a sophomore. Offensively, she batted .578 and had a .614 on-base percentage. Like Apostolina, Weiser plays softball during the summer for the Newtown Rock. The two-time All-Cape Atlantic League second-team selection is also a member of the National Honor Society.

“We are excited to add Kylie, Allison and Lindsey to our roster for the 2010 season,” said Cannata, who is a four-time America East Conference Coach of the Year. “On and off the field, all three student-athletes are great additions to our program. We are fortunate to sign such an athletic and versatile class.”

UAlbany Men's Basketball Rolls in 74-46 Win Over Canisius at SEFCU Arena

Courtesy: UAlbany Sports Information

Albany, N.Y. – Tim Ambrose scored 15 points to pace four players in double figures in leading UAlbany to a 74-46 non-league victory over Canisius on Saturday, Dec. 13 at SEFCU Arena.

UAlbany (6-4) snapped a 17-17 deadlock with 19 unanswered points to take control. The Great Danes, who were coming off a pair of road losses, got back on the winning track by holding the visitors scoreless for nearly seven minutes. Scotty McRae, a 6-foot-8 junior, made two free throws and converted a layup in transition to jump-start that run. McRae had a career-high 13 points and three blocks off the bench. The opening 12 minutes featured four lead changes and four ties.

Brett Gifford, a 6’11” center who grabbed a career-best 11 rebounds, later pushed the lead to double digits when he made consecutive baskets, including a bank shot from left of the lane following an offensive rebound. Jimmie Covington put back a missed field goal attempt and freshman guard Anthony Raffa canned a three-point field goal to end the outburst and give their team a 36-17 advantage. The Great Danes, who employed full-court pressure during the decisive run, made 7 of 11 from the field in that span.

Canisius (3-6) overcame an 18-point deficit to defeat UAlbany on its home floor last February. But the Golden Griffins, who were held to 30.9-percent shooting, including 3-of-21 from beyond the three-point line, could never get back into the contest and trailed 37-20 at halftime. Meanwhile, the Great Danes upped their margin to as much as 67-37 with 4:40 remaining when Will Harris drillied a 3-pointer from the top of the arc. Harris, a transfer from Virginia, netted 10 of his 14 points in the period. Ambrose added 10 of his scoring total after halftime.

“I didn’t know how we would responded after the tough loss at Lehigh (on Monday),” said UAlbany coach Will Brown, whose team limited Canisius to the lowest shooting percentage by an opponent this season and dominated the glass with a season-best 56 rebounds. “We had good energy tonight, but we shot less than 40 percent from the field. That says a lot of good things about our defense and rebounding.”

Frank Turner, a preseason All-Metro Atlantic Athletic Conference guard, had 14 points and five points while playing all 40 minutes for the Golden Griffins, who end their current five-game road swing against nationally-ranked Syracuse on Dec. 17. Julius Coles was also in double figures with 11.

“We were hungry for the victory (after Lehigh),” explained Gifford, who blocked a career-high four shots and added two steals. We pressed more than usual and followed the scouting report. We played together for forty minutes and if continue to do that we can do great things as a team.”

Raffa finished with 14 points and six rebounds for the Great Danes, who will not play at home again until meeting America East Conference opponent Boston University on Jan. 8. Ambrose, a 6-foot sophomore, extended his double-figure scoring streak to eight straight games.

Goalkeeper Steward Ceus Becomes UAlbany's First Men's Soccer Division I All-American

Courtesy: UAlbany Sports Information

Kansas City, Kan. – University at Albany’s Steward Ceus has been named to the 2008 NSCAA/adidas Division I All-America Team, as announced on Saturday, Dec. 13 by the National Soccer Coaches Association of America. Ceus, a senior goalkeeper who was a member of the national third team, is the first Great Dane to earn Division I All-America status in the program’s history.

The announcement came one day after Ceus earned NSCAA All-Northeast Region recognition. He becomes the first UAlbany men’s soccer player to garner All-America honors at any level since Marty Hearney was voted to the Division III All-America squad in 1991. The UAlbany co-captain was also honored as the America East Conference Goalkeeper of the Year and earned a spot on the all-conference first team. He eclipsed Division I program records for career shutouts (19) and saves (329), while his .856 save percentage, 0.96 goals against average and seven shutouts were all career bests.

A native of West Haverstraw, N.Y., Ceus is currently ranked fourth in the nation in saves per game (5.93) and eighth in save percentage. He earned a spot on the College Soccer News National Team of the Week and was also the ECAC Defensive Player of the Week as well as the America East player of the week this fall. In addition, the goalkeeeper was a three-time member of the America East all-academic team for his work in the classroom.

UAlbany posted a 12-4-2 overall record this season, which matched a Division I program record set in 2004. The Great Danes’ seven-game unbeaten streak before suffering a 1-0 double overtime loss to Binghamton in the semifinal round of the conference tournament was a program standard on the NCAA’s highest stage.

Trio of UAlbany Men's Soccer Named to All-Northeast Region Men's Soccer Team

Courtesy: UAlbany Sports Information

Kansas City, Kan. – University at Albany men’s soccer players Steward Ceus (West Haverstraw, N.Y./North Rockland), Claudio Dantas (Orlando, Fla./Crystal Lake/Jefferson) and Erik DiLorenzo (Bolton, Ontario/Robert F. Hall C.S.S.) were all named to the National Soccer Coaches Association of America All-Northeast Region Team. The three honorees matches a program record.

Ceus, a four-year starting goalkeeper, was named to the first team. He was also honored as the America East Conference Goalkeeper of the Year and landed on the all-conference first team. The senior co-captain eclipsed Division I program records for career shutouts (19) and saves (329). His .859 save percentage, 0.97 goals against average and seven shutouts this season were all career bests. He ranks fourth in the country in saves per game (5.93) and eighth in save percentage. Ceus earned a spot on the College Soccer News National Team of the Week and was also the ECAC Defensive Player of the Week and the America East player of the week this fall. In addition, the goalkeeeper was a three-time member of the America East Conference All-Academic Team for his work in the classroom.

Dantas, a forward who was named the program’s first America East Conference Striker of the Year, was named to the second team. The junior transfer from Jefferson College paced the nation’s fifth-ranked offense with nine goals and 10 assists. His 28 points led America East and is a Division I single-season program record, bettering the 22 points Nick Southworth totaled in 2000. Dantas’ nine goals matches the Division I single-season standard set by Southworth, and his 10 assists equals the single-season standard for

all divisions set by Ed Campbell in 1968 and matched by Bryan Grabon in 2000. The two-time junior college All-American ranks eighth in the nation with 0.56 assists per game. Dantas also garnered America East co-player of the week laurels.

DiLorenzo, a four-year starting defender and two-year captain, garnered a spot on the third team. He anchored a defense that averaged 0.56 shutouts per game, a mark that ranks 10th nationally. DiLorenzo also recorded one goal and five assists, and sparked the largest comeback in the program’s Division I era in a 5-4 win over UMBC. In addition, DiLorenzo was voted to the league's all-championship squad for his performance in the conference tournament.

UAlbany posted a 12-4-2 overall record this past fall, which matched a Division I program record set in 2004. The Great Danes’ seven-game unbeaten streak before suffering a 1-0 double overtime loss to Binghamton in the semifinal round of the conference tournament was a new school standard on the NCAA’s highest stage.

UAlbany Volleyball's Hillary White and Valerie Sourbeer Named to America East Conference All-Academic Team

Courtesy: UAlbany Sports Information

Cambridge, Mass. – Hillary White and Valerie Sourbeer were named to the America East Conference All-Academic Team, as announced by the league office on Thursday afternoon. It is the first all-academic honor for both student-athletes.

White, a senior middle blocker, earned a 3.51 cumulative grade point average as a double major in human biology and psychology. She was named to the America East All-Conference Second Team for the second time in her career after averaging 1.95 kills and 0.91 digs per game this season. White finished with 92 total blocks, including 20 solo. She recorded a career-high 14 kills at Stony Brook and finished with a season-best 11 digs at Maine.

Sourbeer, a junior outside hitter, posted a 3.81 GPA as a business administration major. A member of the UAlbany Athletic Director’s Honor Roll, she played in 28 matches as a junior, averaging 2.60 kills per set. She recorded a career-high 18 kills at San Diego State to go along with a .359 hitting percentage, and tallied double-digit kill totals on eight occasions. Sourbeer finished the season with 35 total blocks, including four total blocks at Maine, and had a season-best six digs twice.

The All-Academic squads are a product of the June 2005 Athletics Director meetings, where faculty representatives and athletics directors from each of the conference’s nine member institutions decided to honor the league’s top student-athletes, whom excel equally in the classroom as they do on the playing field. All-Academic squads for team sports are based on the number of athletes that participate in a contest at one time. To be nominated for the distinction, student-athletes must be a starter or important reserve for their team and participate in at least 50 percent of their team’s games or competitions. In the classroom, student-athletes must have a 3.30 GPA and have completed at least one calendar year at their institution.

2008 America East Conference All-Academic Team

Sarah Ball, UMBC
Kirsten Bates, UNH
Gulce Dikecligil, Stony Brook
Dawn Lammert, Binghamton
Michelle McDonough, Binghamton
Valerie Sourbeer, Albany
Hillary White, Albany

UAlbany Football's Eddie Delaney - Class of 2011

A Role Model in Perseverance

Defensive end Eddie Delaney is living his dream playing Division I football at UAlbany. Despite being born without a left hand, the 19-year-old Holtsville, N.Y. native is thriving on the gridiron. He garnered Northeast Conference Rookie of the Week honors in only his second career start and co-led the team in pass breakups this season. He also received second team honors for the Northeast Conference.

Delaney, a sophomore business administration major, notices his opponents peer down at his hand at the line of scrimmage. But it doesn't bother him. He's never seen himself as disabled.

He also doesn't see himself as a role model, either -- but he is. As Delaney leaves the sidelines after a recent game, he spots a group of young children smiling and waving emphatically from the bleachers. He walks over to them, autographs their caps and shirts. It was then Delaney realized he is a role model.

"I've never thought of myself that way. I'm just a kid who plays football and goes to school," said Delaney, who was diagnosed with diabetes at age six and wears an insulin pump. "But they look up to me. They see me and think they can do anything, too. It's a good feeling. It means a lot."

To his teammates, Delaney is known as a bit of a prankster. Over the summer, Delaney told freshmen on the football squad that he lost his hand in a shark attack. Some of them still believe it, he said, laughing. He also jokes about dressing up as a pirate every Halloween.

When he isn't playing practical jokes, Delaney can be found talking with children who have disabilities, emphasizing the same message his parents instilled in him -- you can do anything you set out to do. Delaney and his Great Danes teammates hosted more than 90 children with diabetes, known as "The Sugar-Free Gang." Coordinated through Ellis Hospital, the joint effort allowed these kids to meet an inspirational athlete who can share their stories of growing up with diabetes.

Delaney had a similar experience, meeting former New York Yankees pitcher Jim Abbott, who was also born without a hand. Like Abbott, Delaney is determined not to let it slow him down. It hasn't yet.

Courtesy: University of Albany News

Hillside House of Coeymans Donates $250,000 to Establish Scholarship Honoring UAlbany Alumnus

Hillside Board President Julia Filippone, daughter of Dr. Frank J. Filippone, presents a $250,000 check to UAlbany to establish an endowed scholarship in her father's name (Photo Mark Schmidt).

The University at Albany announced the establishment of The Dr. Frank J. Filippone '41, '48 -- Hillside House Scholarship, designed to support graduate students who have demonstrated academic achievement and financial need. Filippone, who passed away in 2002, founded Hillside House of Coeymans, one of New York's first community-based residence programs for the developmentally disabled. Hillside House of Coeymans has contributed $250,000 toward establishing the endowed scholarship.

Scholarship recipients must demonstrate an interest in helping people with developmental disabilities. They must also be enrolled in UAlbany's School of Education, the Department of Psychology at the College of Arts and Sciences or the School of Social Welfare.

"This scholarship is a testament to Dr. Filippone's legacy within education, his accomplishments and compassion," said Interim President George M. Philip. "It is the University's honor to steward this endowment in his memory."

"Scholarships for our students are critical, especially as they work hard to meet the financial challenges of obtaining a college education," said George Hearst, president of The University at Albany Foundation. "I appreciate the example of the Hillside House's philanthropy in providing this generous support."

"Hillside House is establishing this fund to honor my father's vision, his compassion for those in need, and his community service," said his daughter Julia Filippone, Hillside House board president. "This gift will ensure that his legacy -- leading by service, educating and caring for others -- is carried forward by future generations of educators, social workers and other committed to caring for the developmentally disabled."

Filippone received bachelor's ('41) and master's ('48) degrees in education from UAlbany. He dedicated his life to education, having worked as a teacher, principal and superintendent in New York State prior to establishing Hillside House in 1975. He also founded the Ravena-Coeymans-Selkirk (RCS) Men's Association in 1963 and founded the RCS Rotary Interact Club in 1969. He held positions with many community and civic groups, including the RCS Council of Churches, Ravena-Coeymans Rotary, the RCS School Board and the Grace United Methodist Men's Group.

In 1994, in recognition of his dedication and notable accomplishments, Filippone was named a distinguished alumnus of the University at Albany.

Contact(s): Catherine Herman (518) 956-8150

UAlbany Assistant Athletic Director Wayne Bridgeman Passes Away After Battle With Cancer

Courtesy: UAlbany Sports Information

Albany, N.Y. -- University at Albany Assistant Director of Athletics Wayne Bridgeman passed away on the evening of Dec. 10 after a long battle with cancer. He was 55. Bridgeman is survived by his wife Carol and three children from a previous marriage.

“Our department of athletics and the university is devastated by Wayne Bridgeman’s passing,” McElroy said. “He was a dedicated professional who dealt with the tough issues that face collegiate athletics today. Our thoughts and prayers go out to his wife and family at this time.”

Bridgeman was appointed to the position of assistant athletics director for compliance on Aug. 17, 2006. He spent the previous two years at New Mexico State University where he was director of athletic compliance and eligibility. He was responsible for all compliance issues that ranged from NCAA and conference interpretations to the Academic Progress Rate (APR).

Bridgeman worked at Texas A&M-Corpus Christi as director of compliance from 1999-2004. He managed eligibility, recruiting, financial aid, EADA and Title IX issues, plus oversaw the school's transition as a NCAA provisional Division I member to active Division I status. He developed oversight programs for administering athletic scholarship aid.

From 1994-99, Bridgeman was the compliance coordinator at Sonoma State University. He served as compliance coordinator for three years and created and implemented the first office of athletic compliance in the institution’s history.

Bridgeman began his career as a high school basketball coach on the varsity and junior varsity levels before taking an assistant coaching position at California State University-Hayward in 1993. He played as a collegian at the University of Colorado for two seasons from 1972-73.

A native of Ravenswood, W.Va., Bridgeman earned his B.S. in business administration and marketing from San Diego State University. Bridgeman, who was born on Dec. 27, 1953 received a J.D. from John F. Kennedy School of Law in Berkeley, Calif. and had legal experience in the Alameda County Superior Court and Fremont Municipal Court systems.

UAlbany Men's Indoor Track and Field Tabbed First, Women Third in America East Preseason Poll

Courtesy: UAlbany Sports Information

Cambridge, Mass. – The University at Albany men’s track and field team has been picked to finish first, while the women’s squad was projected to place third, according to the preseason poll conducted by the America East Conference head coaches.

The men’s team, which has won three straight and five of the past six conference championships, was unanimously selected to repeat this winter. The Great Danes received all eight possible first-place votes and accumulated 64 points. New Hampshire was picked second with 55 points and earned the final first-place vote. Binghamton (51 points) was chosen third and UMBC (39 points) narrowly edged out Boston University (38 points) for the fourth-place spot.

The Boston University women, winners of three consecutive titles, were unanimously picked to repeat as champions. Like the UAlbany men, the Terrier women received the maximum 64 points and eight first-place votes. New Hampshire was tabbed second, receiving 56 points and the remaining first-place vote. UAlbany landed in the third position with 50 points.

“This is the year in which we do not have any weak areas,” said head coach Roberto Vives, who is beginning his 24th season at the helm of the UAlbany men’s and women’s programs. “We just need to keep everybody healthy. We think we are going to have the most outstanding year that we have ever had at the University at Albany.”

Overseen by Vives himself, the sprinters and hurdlers should once again be one of the strongest groups on the team. Eleven all-conference selections from a year ago are back. Hurdlers Joe Greene, Jean Juste and Kamilah McShine as well as sprinter Pat Weider were all conference champions.

The middle distance runners could be one of the most improved groups on both squads this year. Vives and his staff have especially focused on bolstering this area as well as the distance group for the upcoming year. Five all-conference selections are back, including Joe Belokopitsky, John Moore, Tyler Fogarty, Ricardo Estremera and Laura Cummings.

The pack of distance competitors has not been as strong in recent years. However, Vives and his staff have significantly upgraded this group in quality and depth for the upcoming season. Estremera and Brian Yurkewecz are the top two returners on the men’s team, while the women should be led by Cummings.

Both jumping teams are stacked with returners and newcomers which should provide the greatest depth in any area of the squad. Five all-conference selections and an All-East honoree are back, and several first-year athletes also have a chance of earning the same honor right away. Triple jumper and tri-captain Michael McCadney and long jumper Valete Graham are returning conference champions. Senior Jenn Gurrant, an all-conference honoree in the triple jump, is the top returner on the women’s team.

The pole vaulters will be led by the school record holder on the men’s team and a high school national champion on the women’s squad. Luke Schoen, who earned All-America status in the event outdoors last season, is primed to break his own school record this winter. Newcomer Celine Cauderlier, a national champion from France, has cleared 12-07.75.

The throwers are one of the fastest-growing groups in size on both the men’s and women’s teams. With three All-America East selections back and a talented crop of newcomers, this area should continue to add more punch to the Great Danes’ point totals at the championship meets. Wilfredo de Jesus Elias was an all-conference selection in the weight throw and holds the school record. On the women’s team, Kadine Johnson and Candice Mann were all-league throwers after placing second and third, respectively, in the shot put.



America East Conference Preseason Men’s Indoor Track & Field Poll

1. UAlbany (8), 64; 2. New Hampshire (1), 55; 3. Binghamton, 51; 4. UMBC, 39; 5. Boston U., 38; 6. Stony Brook, 27; 7. Maine, 23; 8. Vermont, 19; 9. Hartford, 8. ( ) – first-place votes



America East Conference Preseason Women’s Indoor Track & Field Poll

1. Boston U. (8), 64; 2. New Hampshire (1), 56; 3. UAlbany, 50; 4. Maine, 34; 5. Binghamton, 33; 6. Stony Brook, 31; 7. UMBC, 30; 8. Vermont, 18; 9. Hartford, 8. ( ) – first-place votes

UAlbany's 2009 Baseball Schedule Released

Courtesy: UAlbany Sports Information

Albany, N.Y. – Vice President and Director of Athletics Lee McElroy announced the 2009 University at Albany baseball schedule on Wednesday afternoon. The Great Danes, who claimed the America East Conference championship in 2007, will compete in a tournament at Coastal Carolina to highlight the non-conference schedule, and play six four-game series with America East opponents.

UAlbany kicks off the season with a four-game series at Western Kentucky on Feb. 27-28 and March 1. The Great Danes will visit Coastal Carolina from March 6-8 to play in four games at the Caravelle Resort Tournament, where they will take on the host Chanticleers along with IPFW and Creighton. UAlbany faced Creighton in the NCAA Fayetteville Regional in 2007.

The Great Danes will play two games against St. John’s (March 13-15) and have a doubleheader against N.Y. Tech on March 14 before heading to North Carolina to play a three-game series with UNC Greensboro on March 20-22. UAlbany will have a four-game series on the road with Fairleigh Dickinson (March 27-29) and play a single game at Manhattan on April 1 before beginning the home slate.

UAlbany kicks off play at Varsity Field on April 3 with the first America East series of the season, hosting UMBC on April 3-5. The Great Danes will also welcome league opponents Binghamton and Maine to their home diamond, and will play conference foes Vermont, Stony Brook and Hartford on the road.

UAlbany will play a home-and-home series with Le Moyne, hosting the Dolphins on April 21 and visiting Syracuse on May 5. The Great Danes will also play at Marist (April 7) before hosting the Red Foxes on May 12. Manhattan (April 29) and New York Tech (May 5-8) will also visit Varsity Field in non-conference action.

UAlbany is led by junior outfielder Brendan Rowland, an All-America East first-team member last season after recording a team-best .332 batting average and leading the conference with 74 hits, tying the second-best total in UAlbany history. Senior Ryan Gugel returns to guide the Great Danes behind the plate, after earning all-conference first team honors a year ago. Sophomore right hander David Kubiak will pace the pitching rotation. Kubiak, an all-rookie team member last season, finished his freshman campaign with a 5-0 record, a team-best 3.92 ERA and 33 strikeouts in 59.2 innings pitched.

-agate-

2009 UAlbany Baseball Schedule

February: 27 (Fri.) at Western Kentucky, 3 p.m.; 28 (Sat.) at Western Kentucky (DH), 1 p.m.

March: 1 (Sun.) at Western Kentucky, 1 p.m.; 4 (Weds.) at Seton Hall, 3:30 p.m.; 6 (Fri.) vs. IPFW+, 10 a.m.; vs. Coastal Carolina+, 5 p.m.; 7 (Sat.) vs. Creighton+, 11 a.m.; 8 (Sun.) vs. IPFW+, 10 a.m.; 13 (Fri.) at St. John’s, 3:30 p.m., 14 (Sat.) vs. N.Y. Tech^ (DH), 12 p.m.; 15 (Sun.) at St. John’s, 1 p.m.; 20 (Fri.) at UNC Greensboro, 7 p.m.; 21 (Sat.) at UNC Greensboro, 2 p.m.; 22 (Sun.) at UNC Greensboro, 1 p.m.; 27 (Fri.) at Fairleigh Dickinson, 3:30 p.m.; 28 (Sat.) at Fairleigh Dickinson (DH), 12 p.m.; 29 (Sun.) at Fairleigh Dickinson, 12 p.m.

April: 1 (Wed.) at Manhattan, 3 p.m.; 3 (Fri.) UMBC*, 3 p.m.; 4 (Sat.) UMBC* (DH), 12 p.m.; 5 (Sun.) UMBC*, 12 p.m.; 7 (Tues.) at Marist, TBA; 10 (Fri.) Binghamton*, 3:30 p.m.; 11 (Sat.) Binghamton* (DH), 12 p.m.; 12 (Sun.) Binghamton*, 12 p.m.; 17 (Fri.) at Vermont*, 3:30 p.m.; 18 (Sat.) at Vermont* (DH), 12 p.m.; 19 (Sun.) at Vermont*; 21 (Tues.) Le Moyne, 3 p.m.; 24 (Fri.) at Stony Brook*, 3:30 p.m.; 25 (Sat.) at Stony Brook*, 12 p.m.; 26 (Sun.) at Stony Brook*, 12 p.m.; 29 (Wed.) Manhattan, 3:30 p.m.

May: 1 (Fri.) Maine*, 3:30 p.m.; 2 (Sat.) Maine* (DH), 12 p.m.; 3 (Sun.) Maine*, 12 p.m.; 5 (Tues.) at Le Moyne, 4 p.m.; 8 (Fri.) N.Y. Tech, 3:30 p.m.; 9 (Sat.) N.Y. Tech, 12 p.m.; 10 (Sun.) N.Y. Tech, 12 p.m.; 12 (Tues.) Marist, TBA; 14 (Thurs.) at Hartford*, 3:30 p.m.; 15 (Fri.) at Hartford* (DH), 12 p.m.; 16 (Sat.) at Hartford*, 12 p.m.

* America East Conference Opponent; +Caravalle Resort Tournament (Conway, S.C.); ^ Queens, N.Y.

Syracuse & Johns Hopkins Among Opponents on 2009 UAlbany Men's Lacrosse Schedule

Courtesy: UAlbany Sports Information

Albany, N.Y. – University at Albany Vice President and Director of Athletics Lee McElroy announced on Tuesday, Dec. 9 the school’s men’s lacrosse schedule for the 2009 season. The Great Danes, who have won the America East Conference championship in four of the last six seasons, will play five games against conference opponents. The non-league schedules features defending national champion Syracuse and perennial powers Johns Hopkins and Princeton.

UAlbany begins its tenth season at the NCAA Division I level on Saturday, Feb. 21 against Denver, one of four NCAA participants from last year on the schedule. The Pioneers will be the first opponent to play at the enhanced John Fallon Field, a facility that now has permanent seating for 2,000 with upgraded press box and media areas.

The Great Danes will meet Syracuse on April 17 in the Carrier Dome. The Orange tied a school record with a 16-2 mark en route to winning the 2008 national championship. UAlbany will play twice on ESPNU against former national champions Johns Hopkins (April 4) and Princeton (March 20). The Blue Jays, who reached last year’s Division I title game, have won nine NCAA crowns in their history. The Tigers have captured six national championships since 1992 under Bill Tierney’s direction.

In addition to the home opener, Massachusetts, Delaware, Hartford and defending America East winner UMBC invade John Fallon Field. The Blue Hens, who advanced to the 2007 Final Four, will come to the Capital Region on Friday, March 6. The 4:00 p.m. start will kick off a home sports weekend that includes the America East Men’s Basketball Championship at UAlbany’s SEFCU Arena.

The Great Danes will also travel to conference opponents Binghamton, Vermont and Stony Brook. The America East postseason tournament, slated for April 30 and May 2, will be held at the highest seed’s home facility.

UAlbany head coach Scott Marr, has 28 letterwinners returning from a squad that reached the America East championship final for the seventh consecutive season. The Great Danes have three all-conference players in the fold. Brian Caufield, who earned first-team all-league honors as a freshman, led the team in scoring with 48 points (27 goals, 21 assists). Corey Small and Chris Schongar were second-team all-conference selections. Small had 34 goals and 11 assists from his attack position. Schongar, an aggressive long-stick midfielder, totaled 46 ground balls. UAlbany brought 14 newcomers in a class that includes four U.S. Lacrosse High School All-Americans and one junior college All-America player.

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2009 University at Albany Men’s Lacrosse Schedule

February
21 (Sat.), Denver, 1:00;
25 (Wed.), at Siena, 3:00.

March
6 (Fri.), Delaware, 4:00;
10 (Tue.), Massachusetts, 4:00;
14 (Sat.), at Drexel, 3:00;
20 (Fri.), at Princeton, 5:00 (ESPNU);
28 (Sat.), at Binghamton*, 7:00.

April
1 (Wed.), Hartford, 7:00;
4 (Sat.), at Johns Hopkins, 12:00 (ESPNU);
11 (Sat.), UMBC*, 1:00;
17 (Fri.), at Syracuse, 7:00;
19 (Sun.), at Vermont*, 1:00;
25 (Sat.), at Stony Brook*, 7:00;
30 (Thu.), America East Semifinals+.

May

2 (Sat.), America East Championship+.

+played at highest seed’s home facility