University of Albany's Joe Greene & Michelle Simpson Chosen 2008-09 Male & Female Athletes of the Year - UAlbany Sports 2009

Albany, N.Y. -- Joe Greene, an All-America hurdler in track and field, and Michelle Simpson, an All-America midfielder in field hockey, have been chosen as the University at Albany's 2008-09 Male and Female Athletes of the Year. The athletes were selected in voting by the head coaches of the school's Division I 19-sport intercollegiate athletic program.

Greene, a senior from Rochester, N.Y., placed fourth in the 400-meter intermediate hurdles at the 2009 NCAA Track & Field Championships in a school-record time of 49.67 seconds. He earned All-America recognition for the third time in the last four years. Greene posted victories in the 400-meter hurdles and 400-meter dash and also anchored the winning 4x400 relay in leading his team to its fifth consecutive America East Conference outdoor crown. He was voted the America East Track Performer of the Meet for the third time. At the NCAA East Regional, Greene was third in the 400-hurdles and ran a 45-second, anchor-leg split as the 4x400 relay took fourth. The Great Danes finished 10th in the team standings, the program's highest finish in regional competition at the Division I level. UAlbany also won its first-ever IC4A outdoor championship as Greene was first in the 400-hurdles for the third time in his career.

During the indoor season, Greene's efforts helped the Great Danes win their first IC4A title. He was third in the 400-dash in a school-record 47.10 seconds and was a member of a second-place 4x400 relay. UAlbany became the first program to win both the IC4A indoor and outdoor crowns since Rutgers accomplished the feat in 2005. Greene led the Great Danes to their fourth straight America East indoor championship. He was a member of two winning relays (distance medley, 4x400) and was second in the 400m dash. Greene, who reached the 400-hurdles semifinal round at the 2009 USA Track & Field Championships, competed on the professional track circuit in Europe last summer.

A senior from Middlebrough, England, Simpson led UAlbany to its first-ever NCAA Tournament appearance in field hockey after the Great Danes captured the America East Conference championship. She was voted second-team All-American by the National Field Hockey Coaches Association (NFHCA) for the second year in a row. Simpson, a first-team all-conference selection for the third time in her career, was chosen to the NFHCA All-Northeast Region squad for the third consecutive season.

Simpson was tabbed the 2008 America East Midfielder of the Year after accounting for 10 goals and 12 assists and leading her team to a 12-10 campaign. She was named to the conference's all-championship team after scoring the game-winning goal against New Hampshire. Simpson was one of 38 players chosen nationally to compete in the Division I Senior All-Star Game in Louisville, Ky. She is second on the program's all-time scoring list with 101 points, plus is fourth in career goals (37) and fourth in assists (27).

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University at Albany Athletes of the Year (Division I)
2008-09: Male: Joe Greene (Track & Field), Female: Michelle Simpson (Field Hockey)
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)

Courtesy: UAlbany Sports Information