University of Albany 's Roberto Vives Named Northeast Region Men's Coach of the Year; Jones Earns Top Assistant - UAlbany Sports 2010

New Orleans, La. - University at Albany's Roberto Vives has been chosen as the Division I Indoor Track & Field Northeast Region Men's Head Coach of Year, as announced by the U.S. Track & Field and Cross Country Coaches Association (USTFCCCA). In addition, Matt Jones was named the Division I Northeast Region Men's Assistant Coach of the Year. Both coaches were members of the America East Conference Staff of the Year.

Vives, who oversees the sprinters, hurdlers and sprint relays, led the Great Dane men's program to its conference-record fifth straight America East Conference championship and second consecutive IC4A title. UAlbany finished with 205 points at the America East meet, which was 67 ahead of the second-place squad. Vives' athletes scored 68 points at the America East meet and an additional nine at IC4As. He coached Alie Beauvais, who broke school and meet records in the 500-meter dash (1:02.32) at the America East championship, and Jonathan Santana, who was named the America East Championship's Most Outstanding Rookie Performer after posting top-four finishes in the 200- and 400-meter dashes. In addition, the 4x200-meter relay broke the school record (1:28.74) and ran the fastest time in the region at the New Balance Collegiate Invitational, while the 4x400-relay also registered the region's best time (3:11.31) at the IC4A meet.

Jones, who has been involved in track and field and cross country development for three decades in the Capital Region, oversees the middle-distance program in addition to the distance medley and 4x800-meter relays. His athletes amassed 55 points at the America East meet and scored an additional 26 at IC4As in leading UAlbany to the team titles. Jones mentored Tyler Fogarty, who won the mile at the IC4A meet, and John Moore, the America East 1,000-meter champion who also set the school record of 2:22.36. Moore's time ranks first in the region and fourth nationally. The distance medley relay was victorious at the America East championship, while the 4x800 helped seal the IC4A title by rallying to win on Moore's final leg and recording the third-fastest time in the country (7:28.18) behind Virginia and Duke. In addition, Sean Halpin qualified for USA Junior Nationals in the 1,500-meters.

UAlbany's men's indoor track and field program has won seven of the last eight America East championships and two straight IC4A titles. The Great Danes are the first to win back-to-back IC4A crowns since Georgetown in 2000.


Courtesy: UAlbany Sports Information