Logan Aronhalt Named To The 2012 CoSIDA Academic All-America Men's Basketball Division I Second Team - UAlbany Sports 2012

Towson, Md.- University at Albany's Logan Aronhalt has been chosen to the Capital One 2012 Academic All-America Men's Basketball Team Division I Second Team, as selected and announced on Thursday, Feb. 23 by CoSIDA (College Sports Information Directors of America). This is Aronhalt's first time being honored for All-America Division I second team. He has also graduated a semester early and is currently enrolled in the educational administration and policy studies graduate program at UAlbany.

Aronhalt, a junior guard from Zanesville, Ohio, has a 3.78 cumulative grade point average in human biology. He is fifth among the America East Conference scoring leaders at 14.6 points per game, plus is sixth in three-point field goals (2.1 per game) and second in free-throw percentage and 17th in the nation (.889). He is also averaging 4.5 rebounds.

Aronhalt, who is having a great junior season, eclipsed the 1,000-point mark as a Great Dane against Vermont earlier this season. He became the 32nd UAlbany basketball player to reach the plateau and is currently 25th all-time at UAlbany with 1,087 points.

SECOND TEAM

Name School Yr. Hometown GPA Major

Logan Aronhalt Albany Jr. Zanesville, Ohio 3.78 Human biology
Brian Conklin Saint Louis Gr. Eugune, Ore. 3.54 MBA (G); Busin. Admin (UG)
Drew Crawford Northwestern Jr. Naperville, Ill. 3.40 Economics
Ronald Nored Butler Sr. Homewood, Ala. 3.64 Early, Middle Childhood Ed.
Scott Saunders (2) Belmont Sr. New Orleans, La. 3.84 Finance & Marketing

Courtesy: UAlbany Sports

Women's Basketball Win 20 Games For the First Time in Division I History With 69-37 Win Over Binghamton - UAlbany Sports 2012

Albany, N.Y. - Megan Craig scored a game-high 19 points on 9-of-11 shooting from the floor to lead UAlbany to a 69-37 victory over Binghamton in America East Conference women's basketball action on Wednesday evening at SEFCU Arena. With the win, the Great Danes improve their record to 20-9 overall, and 14-2 in league play. It is the first time in Division I history, and the first time since the 1991-92 season, that UAlbany has won 20 or more games.

After Binghamton's Orla O'Reilly hit a 3-pointer 43 seconds into play, neither team scored until the 13:49 mark of the first half when Julie Forster hit a jumper in the paint for the Great Danes. The teams went back-and-forth, tying the game at 9-9 on a trey by Binghamton's Andrea Holmes. After another long-range shot put the Bearcats up, 12-9, UAlbany kicked into high gear, and scored the game's next 18 points. Craig scored seven of those points for the Great Danes, while two free throws by Forster with 36 seconds on the clock gave UAlbany a 26-12 lead. O'Reilly ended the run with a jumper for Binghamton with 20 seconds left, but Lindsey Lowrie sank a bucket with just nine ticks on the clock to send the Great Danes to the locker room with a 28-14 lead.

UAlbany continued to roll coming out of the halftime break, and build up a 21-point lead, 42-21, on a 3-pointer by Lowrie at 14:41. O'Reilly responded with a trey of her own at the Binghamton end of the floor, but the Bearcat defense could not contain the Great Danes, as they extended their advantage to 25 on back-to-back treys off Binghamton turnovers by Ebone Henry and Cassandra Callaway. Viive Rebane made two free throws to try to spur the Bearcats into action, but another long-range shot by Callaway at 7:35 put the Great Danes up, 60-30. Binghamton was cable to cut the lead back to 27 on a jumper by Jasbriell Swain, but UAlbany continued to roll, as a free throw by Sarah Royals set the score at 67-33 with under two minutes to play. Cyndra Couch laid the ball in with under a minute to play, while two made free throws by Binghamton's Kyra Aloizos set the final score.

O'Reilly and Holmes led the Bearcats with eight points each, while Swain totaled seven points and six rebounds for Binghamton (12-16, AE 6-9).

Craig scored her 19 points in 19 minutes of action off the bench, leading three players in double-digit scoring totals. Henry netted 12 points and recorded seven rebounds, five assists and two steals, while Callaway totaled 10 points, three helpers and two steals. Forster controlled the game off the boards, pulling down a game-high 11 caroms, as UAlbany out-rebounded Binghamton, 43-26. The Great Danes shot 44.1 percent (26-59) from the floor, while holding Binghamton to 27.3 percent (12-44) shooting.

UAlbany (20-9, AE 14-2) will wait to see how the conference standings wrap up over the weekend, determining the Great Danes' seeding and first America East tournament opponent.

Courtesy: UAlbany Sports

University of Albany Men's Indoor Takes Seventh Straight AEast Title; Women Finish Second

Boston, Mass. - Winning six of 20 events, the University at Albany men's indoor track and field team won its seventh straight America East Conference title Saturday afternoon at Boston University's Track and Tennis Center. The women's team, finishing just four and a half points behind first place Boston U., fell short of their third straight conference title. Four event titles were given to the women's squad.

The men's squad has won nine of the previous ten conference titles. Alfonso Scannapieco was honored as the Most Outstanding Field Performer, while the UAlbany received the Indoor Coaching Staff of the Year honor.

Scannapieco ended the weekend with two event titles; capturing the heptathlon and pole vault. In the pole vault, he completed a season-best 17 foot and one inch soar. Completing the last three events of the heptathlon today Scannapieco finished with 5, 202 points for the crown.

In addition to Kadeem Howell's 23' 11.50" title winning long jump yesterday, Alexander Bowen picked up another field event title in the high jump. Bowen leaped a 6' 9.75" distance for the top mark on the day.

On the track, the men captured titles in the 1,000 and 5,000 meter events. Chris Burke finished the 1,000 in 2:25.57, while Alex Leuchanka grabbed the 5,000 title yesterday crossing the tape at 14:24.60 to set a new school record.

Both distance medley teams garnered second place finishes with a 9:58.93 time for the men's side and 11:55.03 time for the women's squad. Tyler Fogarty, Alex Petit-Frere, Andrew Pirnie and Chris Buchanan split up the legs for the men's distance medley. On the women's side, Brianne Bellon, Brittany Eveleth, Jonelle White and Miranda McConnell ran in sync for the second place finish.

Pat McNish also finished the weekend with two titles. After a school record setting long jump yesterday, she finished Saturday with a 40 foot and four inch triple jump for the conference title.

On the track, Sherez Mohamed both a school and meet record in the 500 meter as she clocked in at 1:12.29 for the first place finish. The legs of Elia Francis, Kamilah Williams, Tenica Roberts and Alli Rogers finished in 3:46.26 setting a conference meet and school record in the 4x400 meter relay event. The 4x800 and distance medley teams for the Great Danes both placed second.

Rogers set a school record in the 400 meter trials and finished second in the final event in a time of 55.19.

The indoor season continues next weekend for the Armory Collegiate Challenge in New York City.

Courtesy: UAlbany Sports

First Regular Season Polls Are In; Women's Lacrosse At No. 16 - UAlbany Sports 2012

Albany, N.Y. - After the season opening 19-9 victory over Niagara, the University at Albany women's lacrosse program ranks in at No. 16 in the deBeer Women's Media Poll and first-ever ILWomen.com Power Rankings Poll.

The 2012 campaign began at home for the Great Danes this past Saturday with the victory over Niagara. Producing 19 total goals, UAlbany had many different players find the back of the net, including six goals from Tewaaraton Watch List player, Ariana Parker. Three freshmen made a lasting first impression by producing six goals and four assists that afternoon. Those first-year scorers included Maureen Keggins who banked in two goals and four assists, while Nichole Eamer tallied three goals and Rachel Bowles converted once.

The Great Danes will spend the next five games on the road, including a visit to Chapel Hill, N.C. Friday, February 24 with a contest featuring No. 3 North Carolina drawing off at 5:00 p.m

Courtesy: UAlbany Sports

University at Albany Announces Site of New Athletic Field Complex;

ALBANY, N.Y. (February 15, 2012) – University at Albany President George Philip today announced the official site of the University’s new $24 million athletic and recreational complex and kicked off a $6 million fundraising campaign to support the project. George Hearst, president of the University at Albany Foundation, announced a $1 million challenge pledge by an anonymous donor to match any contribution up to $1 million between now and Dec. 31, 2012.

“We are very excited to move forward on these long overdue and essential upgrades to our University’s athletic and recreational facilities,” said President Philip, speaking at an afternoon press conference held in the University’s SEFCU Arena. “The University is very appreciative of the tremendous support this project received from our Capital Region Legislative Delegation, led by Senators Neil Breslin, Hugh T. Farley, and Roy McDonald. We are also grateful for the tremendous support we have received from the community. All have made a crucial difference in making this day a reality.”

According to Philip, the project, which has been years in the making, would not have happened without the bi-partisan support of the Capital Region’s three New York State Senators, who each worked diligently to bring this project to fruition.

The renovation of the UAlbany athletic facilities will be accomplished in three phases over the next two years, and is budgeted at $24 million: $18 million from allocated state appropriations targeted for capital improvements and scheduled maintenance projects, and $6 million from private funding.

The groundbreaking for the project is expected to take place in mid-April. The three components include:

A new multi-use synthetic turf field for student recreational and intramural use. This component of the project is scheduled for completion in fall 2012.

An enhanced football and soccer facility able to accommodate NCAA Division I competitions with capacity for 4,000 permanent seats, 2,000 berm seats and nearly 2,000 temporary bleacher-style seats. This is slated for completion for fall 2013.


A rendering of the new football field, scheduled to be ready for fall 2013.


Repairs and upgrades meeting NCAA Division I standards to the University’s track & field venue. Completion of the track is scheduled for early winter 2013.

University at Albany Foundation President George Hearst remarked, “This momentous occasion demonstrates the importance of public-private partnerships as the means to advance our region’s economy and quality of life. This anonymous gift of $1 million places the University at Albany well on its way to achieving a state-of-the-art multi-sports complex for students, alumni, and the community-at-large.”

New Site for Football, New Turf for Track & Field
The enhanced facilities will be adjacent to the existing athletic football fields and the SEFCU arena on the Uptown Campus. Varsity football will be relocated to a new multi-purpose facility to be located south of the Bubble, east of the SEFCU Arena. A synthetic turf field with new field lighting and fencing (for extended season use) will be constructed east of the tennis courts and south of the Dutch Quad residence hall. The track will be located in its current location. When not in use for competitions, it will be available for community recreational use by high schools and community organizations.

UAlbany’s athletic facilities were constructed in the mid 1960s and have not been materially upgraded since that time. Today, these facilities do not meet current codes and access requirements. The football program is a perennial leader in NCAA Division I-AA football despite playing on the same field it used in 1970 as a club sport. Its track and field team, which has dominated competition in the Division I America East Conference, cannot host an NCAA competition as a result of the University’s track not being NCAA compliant.

UAlbany Vice President and Director of Athletics Lee McElroy said, “This is a tremendous acknowledgment of all that our coaching staffs and athletes have accomplished over the last decade. UAlbany athletes on the Division I level have achieved remarkable results, both on the field and in the classroom. All our students, coaches, alumni and community supporters will now receive the Division I-level playing facilities their dedication merits.”

“This is truly a great day for the University at Albany and the entire Albany area,” said Senator Breslin. “The University’s high performing student-athletes – both on the playing field and in the classroom – have provided local residents with great sporting opportunities over the years, and these new facilities will ensure even broader community support across the region for years to come.”

In addition, Senator Hugh T. Farley, a UAlbany alumnus and emeritus faculty member, worked tirelessly to support the University’s pursuit of the project. “UAlbany athletics are sources of pride both for our region and the school’s many alumni, of which I am one,” he said. “The development of a multi-sports complex will attract even more outstanding student-athletes to our excellent institution.”

Senator McDonald added, “I am always proud to lend my support to this great university. The additional attention these improvements to UAlbany’s recreational and intercollegiate sports facilities will bring to the campus will allow a brighter light to shine on the tremendous academic quality and research excellence that takes place here.”

Representatives from the New York State Public High School Athletic Association and the Sports Foundation of the Capital Region also praised the contribution the new UAlbany facilities will make as venues for major area sporting events.

Courtesy: UAlbany Sports

UAlbany To Play In The 2012 Basketball Hall of Fame Tip-off Tournament

Springfield, Mass.- UAlbany Men's Basketball has been invited to be a part of the 2012 Basketball Hall of Fame Tip-off Tournament, sponsored by the Metro Atlantic Athletic Conference. The annual NCAA men's exempt tournament will take place the weekend of November 16th-18th at Mohegan Sun Arena in Uncasville, Connecticut featuring eight schools in two four-team brackets. All teams will also compete in two campus round games.

The other seven teams scheduled to participate in this year's Tip-Off tournament are Loyola University Maryland (MAAC), Norfolk State University (MEAC), Ohio State University (Big Ten), Seton Hall University (Big East), University of Missouri-Kansas City (Summit League), University of Rhode Island (Atlantic 10) and University of Washington (Pac-12). Of the seven teams, UAlbany has only faced Seton Hall which was back on Jan. 7, 1925 with Seton Hall winning that contest.

The 2012 Tip-Off Tournament game schedule will be separated into two brackets. The Springfield bracket will include Albany, Loyola, UMKC and Norfolk State. The Naismith bracket will consist of Ohio State, Washington, Seton Hall, and Rhode Island. Game times and sessions for both rounds will be announced at a later date.

What the head coaches said about the tournament:

Thad Matta, Ohio State University
"Opening the 2012-13 season in the Hall of Fame Tip-Off Tournament will give our team the opportunity to gauge itself against quality competition in an NCAA tournament setting. Our program appreciates the opportunity to be a part of this outstanding event."

Lorenzo Romar, University of Washington
"Coach Jim Shaw has done a great job of trying to get us in one of the premier tournaments every year and this certainly falls into that category. We are privileged and honored to be selected as a participant in the Hall of Fame Tournament. The New York experience was great, we got to do a lot of things away from basketball. When we went to the CBE Classic (Kansas City) a few years ago, we got to see the NCAA Hall of Fame. Now, to be able to see and experience the Naismith Hall of Fame is something that may be our players only opportunity to ever see it. I'm already excited!"

Anthony Evans, Norfolk State University
"We are excited to be first-time participants in the Hall of Fame Tournament. It's an honor for us to be involved with an event that is connected to the history of the game. This is a great opportunity for our program and players."

Kevin Willard, Seton Hall University
"This is a great opportunity for our program to participate in one of the marquee early season events on the national calendar. We're proud to be a part of a tournament that celebrates the tradition and history of our sport. We're excited to be a part of this impressive field and look forward to the competition next November."

Jimmy Patsos, Loyola University Maryland
"We are looking forward to participating in the Tip-Off Tournament. The Metro Atlantic Athletic Conference has formed a strong partnership with the Naismith Basketball Hall of Fame, and we are honored to be selected to participate in the event next year."

Matt Brown, University of Missouri-Kansas City
"We are appreciative of the opportunity to play in the Tip-Off Tournament. We are not only looking forward to playing some great teams, but also be able to expose our student-athletes to the history of the sport of Basketball at the Hall of Fame."

Will Brown, University at Albany
"We are excited to be a part of the Hall of Fame Tip-Off Tournament. We will open the season with a very challenging schedule as our first 2 games in the event will be against Ohio State and Washington. The event will also give us the opportunity to visit the Hall of Fame and play 2 more games at Mohegan Sun. This will be a great experience for our program, athletic department, university, alumni, and fans."

Jim Baron, University of Rhode Island
"We are proud to be among the field for the 2012 Hall of Fame Tip-Off Tournament. It is a
tremendous tournament with outstanding teams, coaches, and student-athletes. We are looking forward to the challenge and the opportunity to play in such a prestigious event."

For more information:
Visit on the web: www.hoophall.com
... on Facebook: www.facebook.com/BBHOF
... on Twitter: @hoophall
... or call 1-877-4-HOOPLA

Courtesy: UAlbany Sports

UAlbany Celebrates Bob Ford Day

The University at Albany coach is the active Division I leader in coaching victories with 255 and is heading into his 40th season coaching the Great Danes. Just last season, he led UAlbany to its first Football Championship Subdivision playoff appearance.

On Thursday, Mayor Jerry Jennings proclaimed Feb. 2, 2012 as Bob Ford Day, in the city of Albany.

“I’m humbled by the whole process,” Ford said.

Even Jennings, a UAlbany grad himself, admitted that this was a honor long overdue. After Ford spoke, he was met with a standing ovation from a huge crowd in the Hall of Fame room, on campus.

“Bob Ford is as good a coach as there has ever been in the college game — any sport — because of the way that his young people respond to him and the way that he conducts himself with his colleagues and the way he conducts himself in high education,” said UAlbany Director of Athletics Lee McElroy.

Ford was asked what he would do on his day and anyone who knows him wouldn’t be surprised by his answer.

“We’ll probably go up and wrap up the recruiting,” Ford said.

Ford’s address teetered on sounding like a retirement speech, but he was quick to dismiss that thought.

“I just think you have to start reflecting as you get older, what will you miss, what are the things that you’ll miss tremendously,” he said. “I’ll miss the kids and having my batteries recharged on a daily basis.”

Ford mentioned a few special moments, including a victory over current Baltimore Ravens quarterback Joe Flacco, at Delaware. He also mentioned how special the players have been, speaking about one the team’s current players, Eddie Delaney, who has overcome diabetes and being born with one hand, to become an all-conference defensive end.

“For him to say that I’ve impacted his life means more than anything,” Delaney said.

Ford, who is having a hip replacement in two weeks, says he just wants to stay healthy and keep winning. Coaching has been a big enough reward for Ford, so things like Thursday’s event are just gravy.

“I’m fortunate that I get to work with young kids at a very critical time in their lives and you have a chance to mold them,” he said. “I know part of my life was molded by good high school and college coaches.”

A recent study by the University showed that more than 100 former assistants of Ford are working at the high school, college or professional ranks.