New York Giants and UAlbany Agree on Deal to Hold 2010 NFL Training Camp on Campus

Albany, N.Y. - The New York Giants and the University at Albany jointly announced on Tuesday, June 8 an agreement to hold training camp at the University at Albany this summer. The arrangement also includes a two-year option to have the Giants train on the UAlbany campus through 2012.

With an agreement in place, the New York Giants are traveling to UAlbany for the fifteenth consecutive summer, the longest period at one site in the team's training camp history. The Giants previously spent thirteen summers at Pace University in Pleasantville, N.Y. from 1975-87. The Giants, who have also trained in the states of Vermont, Connecticut, New Jersey, Wisconsin and Oregon, previously worked out at Fairleigh Dickinson University in Madison, New Jersey prior to their arrival on the UAlbany campus.

"Albany has been an ideal summer home for our football team," said Giants President John Mara. "With the support of President Philip and his predecessors and Mayor Jennings and the rest of the staff at the university, in addition to the great facilities, we have felt for 15 years that starting our season in Albany gives us the best chance to succeed each season."

"I can't say enough about the cooperation we receive from the university and its staff," said Coach Tom Coughlin. "The spirit of a common purpose and objective allows our team to get the work done that is necessary for us to compete at the highest level at the outset of the season. Our coaches and players appreciate the opportunity the University at Albany affords us to be the best we can be."

"We look forward to our continued relationship with the Giants, and to another successful year," said UAlbany President George M. Philip. "Giants summer training camp enriches our campus life and contributes to the vitality of the Capital Region."

"The New York Giants' training camp at UAlbany has become part of the fabric of the Capital Region," said Albany Mayor Gerald D. Jennings. "The countless number of fans that live in Upstate New York have an opportunity to watch and interact with players, and, ultimately, form a greater bond with their team. I congratulate the Giants organization and the administration of UAlbany for their continued commitment to our great All-America Capital City."

The Giants have trained on the UAlbany campus, just 2 1/2 hours north of the New Meadowlands Stadium, since 1996. In the 14 years that the Giants have trained at UAlbany, the preseason camp has averaged more than 33,000 fans per summer. The camp attendance mark of 46,960 was established last year, the fourth time figures have surpassed 40,000-plus. One of the fields used is now known as Mara-Tisch Field, and was dedicated on Aug. 16, 2007 in honor of the team's former owners Wellington Mara and Robert Tisch.

In 2010, the Giants begin workouts on Sunday, August 1 with a single afternoon practice at 3:15 p.m. The three-week camp concludes on August 20. Giants training camp will feature five evening practices. The first night practice is slated for Thursday, Aug. 5, at 6:05 p.m. All five sessions are preceded by a morning workout at 8:35 a.m. The other day-night workouts are scheduled for August 7, 9, 11 and 13. The entire training camp schedule can be accessed through www.giants.com or www.ualbanysports.com.

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. The Giants will practice 16 days on campus, including seven double sessions.

Courtesy: UAlbany Sports Information