David Parker Wins Heptathlon at Army's Crowell Open

Courtesy: UAlbany Sports Information

West Point, N.Y. – UAlbany’s David Parker (Niskayuna) won two of the final three events in winning the heptathlon to highlight the Great Danes’ performance at Army’s Crowell Open on Saturday afternoon at the Gillis Field House.

Parker, who tallied 2,749 points in the first four events on Friday, finished the competition with a total of 4,888 points. Parker won the 60-meter high hurdles in 8.91 seconds and the pole vault with a height of 14-feet, 3.25-inches to finish just 26 points short of his program record in the heptathlon. Freshman Kevin O’Riley finished third with 3,844 points, while Nick Jones (Shenendehowa) placed eighth with 2,966 points.

Freshman Anthony Collica tied for fourth in the high jump by clearing the bar at 6-feet, 0.5 inches. In the weight throw, Kevin Lee (Shaker) finished fourth with a throw of 46-3.50. Frank Fazzino came in seventh in the shot put with a toss of 44-7.50.

In the women’s competition, Sineaid Corley had a toss of 45-0.50 in the weight throw. Candice Mann had throws of 38-feet, 7-inches in the shot put and 42-feet, 11.75-inches in the weight throw. Freshman Denise Parker cleared a height of 4-feet, 7-inches in the high jump, while senior Valerie Maignan finished the 60-meter hurdles in 9.72 seconds.

UAlbany returns to the track at the Gotham Cup in New York City on Friday, January 18.

UAlbany Men’s Results

Heptathlon: 1. David Parker 4,888 points, 3. Kevin O’Riley 3,844 points, 8. Nick Jones 2,966 points. High Jump: T4. Anthony Collica 6-0.5. Shot Put: 7. Frank Fazzino 44-7.50. Weight Throw: 4. Kevin Lee 46-3.50.

UAlbany Women’s Results

60 Meter Hurdles: 11. Valerie Maignan 9.72. High Jump: 10. Denise Parker 4-7. Shot Put: 11. Candice Mann 38-7. Weight Throw: 9. Sineaid Corley 45-0.5, 11. Candice Mann 42-11.75.

University of Albany Professor Johnston's Choice Words Rated #1 by Scholastic

Choice Words: How Our Language Affects Children's Learning by Peter Johnston, a professor in the Reading Department of UAlbany's School of Education, was recently listed as #1 by Scholastic on its list of the best books on education over the past decade. Choice Words was chosen based on the recommendations of a team of top teachers, editors, and experts.

Choice Words suggests that how teachers talk to children is critical to their development as learners. In addition, a study by accomplished literacy teachers notes how what is said in the classroom and what is not said in the classroom impacts children with surprising consequences.

Johnston has worked as an elementary classroom teacher and a reading teacher. In addition, he has published eight books and numerous articles have appeared in journals such as Reading Research Quarterly, Journal of Literacy Research, Elementary School Journal, Reading Teacher, Harvard Educational Review, Teachers College Record, Journal of Educational Psychology, Contemporary Educational Psychology, Educational Psychologist, and Theory into Practice.

About Professor Johnston:

Peter Johnston (Ph.D. University of Illinois at Champaign-Urbana) is a professor in the Reading Department. He has worked as an elementary classroom teacher and as a reading teacher, and he currently serves on the editorial boards of: Reading Research Quarterly, Journal of Literacy Research, Elementary School Journal, and Literacy, Teaching and Learning. He has published eight books and numerous articles in journals such as Reading Research Quarterly, Journal Of Literacy Research, Elementary School Journal, Reading Teacher, Harvard Educational Review, Teachers College Record, Journal Of Educational Psychology, Contemporary Educational Psychology, Educational Psychologist, and Theory Into Practice. His most recent books are Choice Words: How Our Language Affects Children’s Learning (2004, Stenhouse), Critical literacy/critical teaching: Tools for preparing responsive teachers (in press, Teachers College Press, with Cheryl Dozier & Rebecca Rogers), Reading to Learn: Lessons from exemplary fourth grade classrooms (2002, Guilford, with Richard Allington), and Running records: a self-tutoring guide (2000, Stenhouse), Knowing literacy (1997, Stenhouse). He chaired the International Reading Association and National Council of Teachers of English Joint Task Force on Assessment that produced the position monograph Standards for the assessment of reading and writing. The International Reading Association awarded him the Outstanding Dissertation award in 1981, and in 1987 the Albert J. Harris Award for his contribution to the understanding of reading disability. In 1996, the Educational Press Association recognized one of his articles as the Outstanding Learned Article. His current work investigates literacy assessment, the consequences of teaching practices for the kind of literacy children acquire, how teachers and students build productive learning communities, and the process of building critical inquiry into literacy teacher education.

Dr. Johnston has regularly taught the Capstone Practicum for Literacy Specialists B-6 (ERDG620) and Introduction to Literacy Teaching B-6 (ERDG500). He also teaches the doctoral courses Research Seminar in Literacy Difficulties (ERDG 773) and Current Research in Literacy (ERDG762).

Gordon's 32 Points Leads Binghamton Past Men's Basketball

Courtesy: UAlbany Sports Information

Albany, N.Y. – Mike Gordon scored a career-high 32 points and made eight three-point field goals in leading Binghamton to a 71-57 America East Conference victory over UAlbany on Saturday, Jan. 12 at SEFCU Arena.

Binghamton (6-10, AE 2-2) snapped a 46-46 deadlock with eight consecutive points. Gordon, who made 11-of-17 from the field, including 8-of-11 from beyond the arc, drilled a 3-pointer to put his team ahead for good. Lazar Trifunovic, who had 13 points and seven rebounds, followed with a left-handed jump hook on the baseline. Gordon ended the decisive run with a 30-footer that beat the shot clock with 6:45 remaining.

Trifunovic, a 6-foot-8 sophomore, hit a driving bank shot three minutes later for a 60-50 lead. UAlbany (7-9, AE 2-2) closed within five points when Jon Iati delivered a three-pointer from right of the key. The Great Danes’ Jerel Hastings then came up with a steal off the inbounds pass. But Brian Connelly missed in the lane in an effort to make it a one possession game. Binghamton’s Reggie Fuller converted in transition and his team was on the way to its first road win of the season.

“We had great ball movement,” said Gordon, a senior guard who added five rebounds, two assists and two steals. “We worked the ball inside and out, especially when they were trying to double Lazar (Trifunovic). I just knocked down shots.”

In the first half, the Bearcats made their opening six field goal attempts en route to a 16-9 lead, as Gordon canned a 23-footer from the right wing. Milos Klimovic added another long-range jumper to increase his team’s advantage to double figures with 6:02 left in the period.

The Great Danes, who trailed by five at the intermission, rallied from a 44-36 deficit behind the play of Brian Lillis, a 6’5” senior who had 25 points and 11 rebounds. Brian Connelly and Iati each sank three-pointers to help their draw even. Lillis canned a 12-foot bank from the right side to tie the contest at 46 apiece with 9:21 to play.

“(Mike) Gordon dominated the game,” offered UAlbany coach Will Brown, whose team had won 21 of its previous 24 home contests. “He surprised me how well he shot the ball. He is like any good player who gets into a rhythm and gains confidence. We missed a ton of easy shots and were on our heels throughout most of the game.”

Dwayne Jackson added 10 points off the bench for the Bearcats, who shot 55.6 percent from the field on 25-of-45 attempts. Hastings and Connelly netted nine points each, as UAlbany lost for the just second time at home this season.

“There was definitely something missing from top to bottom (today),” said Lillis, who recorded his third career double-double. “We have an inexperienced team with not enough leadership. I am not really concerned with I did, because I hate losing."

University of Albany Men's Lacrosse Faces America East Showdown @ UMBC Tonight @ 7:30pm

The ninth-ranked UMBC men’s lacrosse team will host America East rival Albany at UMBC Stadium in a key conference contest this Sat., April 12 at 7:30 p.m.

The game will feature a pair of fierce rivals who have won the last two America East Conference titles and both advanced to the NCAA Quarterfinals last season. UMBC, (7-3, 2-0 America East) which won the league’s automatic bid in 2006, (7-3) has won six straight games entering the evening contest. Albany (5-5, 2-0), which nipped the Retrievers, 15-14 in last season’s league titlegame to claim the conference tournament crown, is on a five-game winning streak after a 15-4 victory over Yale on Tuesday.

UMBC leads the all-time series, 4-3 with five of the seven games being decided by a single goal.

The game audio and live will be available for the matchup... please see Sports Media Coverage: Upcoming Games - Live Coverage to the right for links.

UAlbany Lacrosse vs. National Champion Johns Hopkins to be televised on ESPNU

Day: Saturday
Date: Feb. 23, 2008
Location: Homewood Field
Time: 12:00 p.m. ET

John Hopkins Lacrosse TV schedule

Parker and O’Riley Atop Heptathlon After First Day at Army's Crowell Open

Courtesy: UAlbany Sports Information

West Point, N.Y. – UAlbany’s David Parker and Kevin O’Riley rank first and second in the men’s heptathlon after the first day of competition at the Crowell Open hosted by Army at the Gillis Field House.

Parker, who has 2,749 points after four events, won the high jump with a height of 6-feet, 5-inches. He also came in second in the shot put with a toss of 36-9.75 and second in long jump (22-0.75). O’Riley was first in the long jump with a leap of 22-feet, 5.75-inches and has 2,529 total points) after day one. In addition, he tied for third in the high jump (5-6.50).

Nick Jones is in ninth place with 1,700 points. Jones’ best showing came in the high jump. The heptathlon finishes on Saturday with the 60-meter high hurdles, pole vault, and 1,000-meter run.

In Women's Indoor Track, UAlbany’s Valerie Maignan finished in sixth place in the pentathlon at Army’s Crowell Open on Friday afternoon at the Gillis Field House.

Maignan, a senior, posted a pair of third-place efforts in the high jump and long jump in accumulating 2,854 points. She cleared the bar at 4-feet, 11-inches and posted a leap of 16-11.25. Maignan came in fourth in the 60-meter hurdles with a time of 9.75 seconds. Sacred Heart’s Sarana Hyatt won the competition with 3,163 points.

University of Albany Men's Lacrosse: Inside Lacrosse's Division I 2008 Final Four picks

Inside Lacroose's Terry Foy's Final Four Picks for 2008:

"What is the formula for getting to the final four? Experienced goaltending, gritty face-off men, and sound ball control. At this point, it is easier to come up with reasons why teams won’t make the final four, but it is more important to come up with reasons why they will. At the end of the season, the following will be the best four teams.


Albany, Duke, Virginia, and John Hopkins

University of Albany Faculty Research and Lecture Abroad on Fulbright Grants

Three University of Albany faculty have been named Fulbright Scholars, joining an accomplished group of higher-education faculty and professionals traveling abroad for the 2007-08 academic year.

Edward Schwarzschild, an associate professor of English, will teach on contemporary literature, American writers and visual arts at the University of Zaragoza in Zaragoza, Spain from February 2008 to July 2008.

Louise-Anne McNutt, an associate professor in the Department of Epidemiology and Biostatistics in the School of Public Health, will lecture on the development of the School of Public Health and bloodborne pathogen transmission prevention at Tbilisi State Medical University in Tbilisi, Georgia from February 2008 to July 2008.

Robert C. Howell, a professor of philosophy, is teaching on Kantian objects and the metaphysics of art at Moscow State University in Moscow, Russia. He left in September 2007 and will return in July 2008.

Schwarzschild, who holds a joint appointment in the New York State Writers Institute, is the author of the novel, Responsible Men, which was chosen as one of the "Best Books of 2005" by the San Francisco Chronicle and was named "Best Literary Debut of 2005" by the Albany Times Union. His second book, a collection of stories entitled The Family Diamond, was published in September. He has been a finalist for the Samuel Goldberg and Sons Foundation Award for Jewish Fiction as well as the Rome Prize from the American Academy of Arts and Letters.

McNutt conducts studies on transmission of infectious diseases in developing countries with a focus on developing prevention programs to stop the progression of HIV and hepatitis. In the U.S., she conducts detailed studies of intimate partner violence (IPV) and its ramifications in other aspects of women's lives. McNutt, who spent time in Central Asia researching infectious diseases, has also conducted multiple outbreak investigations, an evaluation of a comprehensive AIDS curriculum, and continuously works on improving epidemiologic methods utilized in these studies.

Howell's research and teaching focus on the history of modern philosophy, analytical metaphysics, and aesthetics. He is particularly interested in questions about our representation of and reference to objects, as these questions emerge in the Critique of Pure Reason and related works and in the philosophy of art. Howell teaches graduate level courses at UAlbany on Kant, 19th century philosophy, aesthetics, and metaphysics.

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.

Courtesy: Catherine Herman

University of Albany Men's Basketball Posts a 80-64 Win at Stony Brook in America East Play

Courtesy: UAlbany Sports Information

Stony Brook, N.Y. - Brian Lillis had 19 points and Brent Wilson added 18 to pace five players in double figures in leading UAlbany to an 80-64 victory over Stony Brook in America East Conference play on Wednesday evening at Stony Brook Arena. The Great Danes snapped a six-game road losing streak and posted consecutive wins for the first time since November.

UAlbany (7-8, AE 2-1) had its 21-point halftime lead sliced to 46-34 when Emanuel Neto made a baseline jumper. But the Great Danes regrouped with 11 of the game's next 13 points. Jon Iati, who had 11 points off the bench, sank a long-range jumper to ignite that stretch. Wilson, who equaled a career-high with six 3-pointers, went long distance for a 57-36 lead midway through the stanza.

Stony Brook (4-11, AE 1-2) made one more run at the lead behind the play of Ricky Lucas, who had 15 points. Chris Martin's three-pointer closed the gap to 65-55 with 2:58 remaining. UAlbany used the free throw line to hold off the comeback attempt. Martin and Demetrius Young tallied 12 and 10 points, respectively. The Great Danes' Jerel Hastings had a career game with 11 points and nine rebounds. Brian Connelly was the fifth player in twin figures with 11.

"We played unselfish basketball with great effort in the first half,” said UAlbany head coach Will Brown, whose team last won an away game on November 14. “In the second half, we probably played too much zone and kind of put it in cruise control. Brent Wilson shot the ball well and we got to the line. It's nice to get a road win."

The first half began with seven lead changes over the opening five minutes. Young, who scored 10 in the period, gave Stony Brook a 10-7 advantage. But the Great Danes came back with 13 unanswered fueled by Wilson's long-range shooting. Wilson, a 6'8" forward, put his team ahead with a 3-pointer from the right wing, and later dialed up another one from beyond the arc.

"Jon (Iati) and I love it when other teams play zone,” said Wilson, who last made six three-pointers against Sacred Heart on Nov. 21, 2006. “It's just good to get a win on the road and good to go home 2-1 (in the league)."

UAlbany later led 26-16, but stretched out that margin with nine consecutive points. Hastings began that spurt with a baseline jumper. Tim Ambrose canned a 3-pointer from the left wing to end the run. Iati pushed the lead to 38-18 when he beat the shot clock with a 23-footer from left of the key.

"That's the way we need to play,” said Iati, who scored in double figures for the first time in one month. “We need to have a sense of urgency all the time. Our zone (defense) kept them off balance. We did a good job of finding the gaps and throwing skip passes against their zone."

University of Albany's Brian Lillis Receives Honor From Mid-Majority.com

Courtesy: America East Communications

UAlbany's Brian Lillis (Urbandale, Iowa/West Des Moines Dowling) was honored as the Mid-Majority.com Baller of the Week on Monday, Jan. 7. Click here for the article.

Lillis, a senior guard, did everything in the Great Danes'80-79 overtime victory over Vermont on Sunday. Lillis scored 19 of his career-high 29 points in the second half or overtime and shot 13-of-21 from the floor. He also added seven rebounds, seven assists, three rebounds and three steals while committing just one turnover. Lillis sent the game to overtime by hitting a game-tying 12-foot jumper with 27 seconds left in regulation. He then hit the eventual game-winning basket with 27.3 second remaining in overtime and blocked the Catamounts' game-winning attempt down the other end as time expired.

MidMajority.com, a blog about mid-major college basketball is run by Kyle Whelliston, who regularly sees over 100 games a season and also works as a columnist for ESPN.com.

University of Albany Women's Basketball Announces Three Recruits for 2008-09 Season

Courtesy: UAlbany Sports Information

Albany, N.Y. – University of Albany head women’s basketball coach Trina Patterson announced today the signing of three recruits that will join the Great Danes in the 2008-09 season. Adrienne Jones, Kate Cronin and Tabitha Makopondo have all signed National Letters of Intent to play for the UAlbany program.

Jones is a 5-7 point guard, hailing from Waldorf, Md. Jones, who was named one of the top-five players in the Southern Maryland Athletic Conference by the Washington Post to start her senior season, averaged 16 points per game as a junior. She is a two-time all-conference second-team honoree and helped lead Westlake to the 2005-06 regional championship. A member of the National Honor Society, Jones also earned the Minds in Motion Award for the state of Maryland after posting a 3.2 grade point average.

Cronin, a 5-10 forward from Amityville, N.Y., led St. John the Baptist to the 2007 Catholic League State Championship after averaging 8.0 points and 10.0 rebounds per game. Cronin was a member of three straight NSCHSGAA League championship teams and was an all-league honoree as a junior. Cronin, who also plays for the Long Island Liberty AAU squad, is a member of the National Honor Society.

Makopondo is a 6-1 forward from Buchholz High School in Gainesville, Fla. Makopondo, who averaged 11.0 points and 10.0 rebounds per game as a junior, led the Bobcats to a 26-3 record and the 2007 conference championship. She was named to the all-area second team as a junior and was an all-conference team member as a sophomore. She is a member of the National French Honor Society, the French Club and the National Honor Society.

“We have another stellar recruiting class,” said UAlbany head coach Trina Patterson, now in her sixth season at the helm of the Great Dane program. “We upgraded our caliber of student-athlete. We expect great things from this group on the basketball court, in the classroom and in the community.”

Brian Lillis Leads University of Albany to an 80-79 Overtime Win Against Vermont in America East Play

Courtesy: UAlbany Sports Information

Albany, N.Y. – Brian Lillis scored 19 of his career-high 29 points in the second half in leading UAlbany to an 80-79 overtime victory over Vermont in an America East Conference contest on Sunday, Jan. 6 at SEFCU Arena.

In a battle that featured 18 lead changes and 10 ties, Lillis helped decide the game on the final two possessions. After Vermont’s Chad Powlovich hit a back-door layup off Marqus Blakely’s feed from the post for a 79-78 lead, Lillis converted off a spin to his right from the left block with 10.3 seconds remaining. Blakely, who had 23 points and eight rebounds, attempted a short jumper in the lane in the closing moments, but Lillis deflected the shot and the clock ran out.

“(Brian) Lillis was aggressive and not passive like he was in his last game,” said UAlbany coach Will Brown, whose team has won five of six home games this season. “He got into the flow and kept it simple. We are not good enough as a team to not play with passion and intensity. We were aggressive even when we made mistakes.”

Vermont (6-8, AE 1-1) trailed 42-33 early in the second half, but nearly wiped out that deficit with 10 of the game’s next 12 points. Freshman guard Joey Accaoui buried one of his three 3-pointers to start that outburst. Blakely, a 6-foot-5 sophomore, later hit a spinning shot in the lane and made a conventional three-point as he was fouled scoring off a lob pass in closing the gap to 44-43 with 12:11 to play.

The contest went back and forth throughout the rest of regulation. The Catamounts, who had their three-game win streak halted, took a 70-68 lead when Nick Vier drilled a three-point field goal from the top of the arc with 43.2 seconds to play. Lillis, a 6’5” senior who made 13-of-21 from the field, tied the contest on his team’s next possession with a 12-footer in the lane. UVM’s Mike Trimboli, who had 17 points, misfired on a 14-foot fadeaway with four seconds left.

In the extra period, Vermont’s Keith Cieplicki, who had 11 points, made a 19-foot jumper from the left wing off an in-bounds pass to break a 75-75 deadlock. UAlbany (6-8, AE 1-1) would eventually go back in front. Lillis, who added seven assists, seven rebounds, three blocks and three steals, stole Powlovich’s errant pass and later made another shot in the lane off the dribble for a 78-77 advantage with 50 seconds to play.

“This is an unbelievable win,” offered Lillis, who has scored in double figures in 13 of 14 games this year. “We showed we wanted to win from the beginning and that got the crowd behind us. I took my last performance to heart.”

The Great Danes, who ended a four-game slide, trailed by as much as eight points in the opening half. But UAlbany rallied to grab a 28-26 lead late in the period on a pair of free throws by Brian Connelly, who finished with 15 points. Brent Wilson, a 6’8” senior, added a double-double with 12 points and 10 rebounds in a matchup between two programs who have combined to win the last five America East titles.

“It was all the little things in this game,” explained Vermont coach Mike Lonergan, whose club was coming off a 71-60 win over Binghamton in its conference opener. “We had unforced turnovers, missed free throws, and didn’t get to some rebounds. But we need to play better defense in order to win. (Brian) Lillis got into us no matter who we put on him. He is my favorite player in the league outside of my own players.”

UAlbany Women's Basketball Begins America East Conference Play with 62-52 Win at New Hampshire

Courtesy: UAlbany Sports Information

Durham, N.H. – Kristin Higy scored 11 of her 16 points in the final period as UAlbany rallied for a 62-52 victory over New Hampshire, as both teams began America East Conference play on Saturday, Jan. 5. The Great Danes won for the first time in seven trips to Lundholm Gymnasium.

New Hampshire (3-9, AE 0-1) led 45-40 with 8:20 remaining after Denise Beliveau stole an errant pass and hit a layup. Beliveau, a 5-foot-11 freshman, was the lone Wildcat in double figures with 10 points. But the Great Danes responded with eight unanswered to take the lead for good. Freshman guard Janea Aiken tallied all six of her points in that run, including a bank shot and a basket in transition. Sherri Mikus sank a pair of foul shots for a 48-45 advantage.

After UNH’s Ashley Cerniglia connected on a baseline jumper, UAlbany (3-11, AE 1-0) ran off nine consecutive points to take control. Sophomore guard Britney McGee, who had 11 of her 15 points in the opening half to reach twin figures for the sixth straight game, converted a fastbreak layup to begin the decisive run. Higy, a 6-foot-1 senior who accounted for eight rebounds, four steals and two blocks, followed with a three-point field goal and two free throws. McGee’s turnaround in the low post completed the sequence and handed her club a 57-47 margin with 2:32 left.

"This is a new year and a new start for us,” explained UAlbany coach Trina Patterson, whose team won its conference opener for the second straight season by ending a 14-game road losing streak. “We feel confident, especially in our defense. I think our defense, with the full-court press and different looks will give teams problems."

In the first half, the Wildcats erased a 19-15 deficit with nine straight points, all from the three-point arc. Cerniglia, a senior, nailed back-to-back long-range jumpers to put her team ahead. Racheal Fowler, a 6’2” center who totaled eight points and seven rebounds, later scored in the lane for a 26-21 lead. UAlbany tied the contest at 26 apiece by halftime as McGee buried a three-pointer and Gia Sanders scored off an in-bounds pass.

Sanders finished with nine points and nine rebounds, while Mikus scored nine off the bench. The Great Danes, who ended a nine-game skid in their previous outing on Dec. 28, held UNH to 29.5-percent shooting and forced 27 turnovers with its sticky pressure defense. The Wildcats, who led the conference in three-point shooting entering the contest, made 6-of-18 from the arc, including 0-of-7 in the second half.

"It’s good to go into conference play and get a win,” said Higy, who made 5-of-9 from the field to score in double figures for the ninth time this season. “We have a long break before our next game (Jan.13), so we're just going to keep working hard and improving."

University of Albany Football Places Three Players on 2007 Sports Network FCS All-America Team

Courtesy: UAlbany Sports Information

Philadelphia, Pa. – University at Albany’s Michael Dungey, Sam Pagano and David McCarty were named on Saturday, Jan. 5 to the 2007 Sports Network FCS All-America squad. Each player was selected in the honorable mention category. There are 116 programs that compete at the NCAA Football Championship Subdivision (formerly I-AA) level.

Dungey, who was previously chosen to the College Sporting News All-America Team, led a defensive unit that was ranked nationally in scoring defense (19.4 ppg), rushing defense (118.3 ypg) and total defense (334.0 ypg). Dungey, a 6-foot-2, 275-pound senior from Rochester, N.Y. who made 12 starts at both the tackle and end positions on the defensive line, received UAlbany’s most valuable player award. He was voted All-Northeast Conference for the third year in a row. Dungey made 44 tackles, led the team in hits for a loss (11.5) and was second in quarterback sacks (5.5).

Pagano, a 6-foot-3, 290-pound left guard from Schenectady, N.Y., paved the way for an offense that averaged 28.4 points, the top mark in the conference, and 362.5 total yards. The Great Danes were 20th nationally in rushing at 208.3 yards per game. Pagano, a senior who was chosen the team’s top offensive lineman, made his third straight appearance on the all-conference unit as a first-team selection.

McCarty, a sophomore tailback from Gansevoort, N.Y., rushed for the third-highest single-season total in team history with 1,503 yards and 13 touchdowns. He ran for 100 or more yards in eight games, including six consecutive times to end the season. McCarty ranked 10th in rushing (125.3 pg) and 37th in all-purpose yards (136.2 ypg) among the FCS national leaders. He piled up 247 rushing yards, the highest total in the program’s FCS history, against Central Connecticut State in leading UAlbany to the Northeast Conference championship.

America East Record Four Teams Selected to O’Reilly ESPNU BracketBusters Pool

Courtesy: America East Conference

CAMBRIDGE, Mass. — The University at Albany, Binghamton University, Boston University and University of Vermont men’s basketball teams have been selected to the pool of teams to participate in the sixth-annual O’Reilly ESPNU BracketBusters series, which will be televised on ESPN2, ESPNU and ESPN Classic on Friday-Satuday, February 22-23.

The four teams represents the largest number of America East teams selected to the pool in the series’ six-year history. America East is one of only seven conferences to have had at least one team selected for the BracketBusters event in each of the last three years. Albany played Boise State in 2007 and Virginia Commonwealth in 2006, while Vermont played Nevada in 2005.

In all, a total of 100 teams will compete in the 50-game, two-day event. A minimum of 12 of the 50 match-ups pitting potential NCAA Tournament hopefuls against each other will be televised nationally, highlighted by a total of six games on ESPN2. An additional five games will be aired on ESPNU -- ESPN’s 24-hour collegiate sports network which launched on March 4, 2005 -- and one on ESPN Classic.

“We are excited to have a record four teams chosen to this year’s BracketBusters pool. I think these four programs being selected is a sign of our growth and improvement as a conference,” said America East Commissioner Patrick Nero. “America East and our membership relishes the opportunity to gain national exposure through ESPN and its family of networks during the BracketBusters series.”

Albany has appeared on ESPNU in each of the last two BracketBusters, suffering an 83-82 loss at Boise State last season after falling 70-67 at Virginia Commonwealth in 2006. Vermont traveled to Nevada for the event’s marquee game on ESPN2 in 2005. The Catamounts dropped a 74-64 decision to the Wolfpack, but advanced to the NCAA Tournament two weeks later where they upset Syracuse, 60-57, in the first round.

The match-ups for the BracketBusters series will be determined by ESPN in conjunction with the conferences approximately three weeks prior to the event. As part of the agreement, home teams will play a “return” game at the home facility of their BracketBusters series opponent in November or December of the following season. All four America East teams have been tabbed “road” teams for the 2008 event, which will result in a home game versus their selected opponent during the 2008-09 season.

This year’s BracketBusters pool features teams with 74 appearances in the last five NCAA Tournaments, including a team in the Final Four - George Mason (2006); and seven Sweet Sixteen squads – Butler (2007), Southern Illinois (2007), Bradley (2006), Wichita State (2006), UW-Milwaukee (2005), Nevada (2004) and Butler (2003).

In an effort to provide a greater opportunity for NCAA Tournament-caliber teams, the event has expanded its pool of teams (18 in 2003, 46 in 2004, 64 in 2005, 100 in 2006) each year to produce a better cross section of squads for the basketball bonanza.

Iowa State Holds Off UAlbany Basketball, 76-64, in Wilson-Lillis Homecoming Game

Courtesy: UAlbany Sports Information

Ames, Iowa - Jiri Hubalek had 22 points and Wesley Johnson added 20 as Iowa State pulled away in the second half for a 76-64 victory over UAlbany on Sunday, Dec. 30 before 13,330 fans at Hilton Coliseum.

The Cyclones, who have won five of their last six outings, led 37-33 early in the final period, but then took control with 15 straight points. Johnson, a 6'7" sophomore, did all of the damage in that stretch. He buried three consecutive 3-pointers from the left corner, right wing and left wing. He then converted a conventional three-point play and drilled another long-range shot for a 52-33 advantage with 14:15 remaining.

"The first four minutes of the second half we turned the ball over on three consecutive possessions,” said UAlbany head coach Will Brown, whose squad has dropped six of seven road games this season. “The lead went to double figures immediately. (Wesley) Johnson got into a shooting rhythm and played with confidence. They are huge upfront. But I thought our freshmen played with confidence, especially in the second half."

UAlbany (5-7) closed the margin to eight on three separate occasions after that point. Brent Wilson, one of two Iowans returning to his home state, fueled the last run. Wilson, who had 12 points, including the 1,000th of his career, drained a three-pointer from the top of the arc, before Jon Iati's two free throws sliced the deficit to 62-54 with 5:03 to play. However, Iowa State (8-5) pushed the lead back to double figures when Hubalek split a pair of free throws and made a turnaround in the lane. He added 10 rebounds and three blocks.

"This was a great experience," explained Wilson, a native of Cedar Rapids who became the 28th player in team history to reach the 1,000-point mark. “To have that many friends and family turn out was overwhelming. I know both Brian (Lillis) and I appreciate it. It seems that we continually dig ourselves a hole. We need to limit our opponents' runs; they can't be 10 or 11 points."

Lillis, who hails from the Des Moines area, led UAlbany with 13 points and grabbed six rebounds. He has reached twin figures in 11 of 12 games this season. Redshirt freshman Tim Ambrose came off the bench to add 10 for the Great Danes, who begin America East Conference play on Jan. 3. Rahshon Clark was the third ISU player in double digits with 12 points.

Iowa State leaped to an 11-5 start when Hubalek scored in the lane off a lob pass. The 6-foot-10 center had 13 first-half points. UAlbany came back with nine unanswered to take its first lead, as Iati made a three-point field goal from the left corner. The game seesawed the rest of the period. The Great Danes broke a 20-20 deadlock when Wilson hit a jumper after grabbing an offensive rebound and Josh Martin sank two free throws. But the Cyclones tallied 12 of the half's final 16 points. Hubalek and Diante Garrett each made a pair of foul shots to put their team ahead at the break.

"Turnovers against a Big 12 team lead to big baskets,” said Lillis, whose team was meeting an opponent from that conference for the first time in the program's history. “They just kept dropping in shots over-and-over again. Playing these kinds of teams on the road is great for us, as long as we keep getting better."

Gia Sanders Leads UAlbany to a 70-63 Win Over St. Francis (NY)

Courtesy: UAlbany Sports Information

Albany, N.Y. – Senior forward Gia Sanders recorded her third double-double of the season, with a career-high 18 points and a game-high 11 rebounds in leading UAlbany to a 70-63 win over St. Francis, N.Y. in women’s basketball action on Friday evening at SEFCU Arena.

UAlbany (2-11) jumped out to a seven-point lead, 15-8, on a Charity Iromuanya layup with 15:35 on the clock in the first half. St. Francis (3-9) embarked on a 15-2 stretch to take a 23-17 advantage with two free throws by Kristen Miah with 8:36 to play. After two made free throws by Janea Aiken gave the Great Danes a 34-33 lead with 29 seconds on the clock, Iromuanya stole the ball from Miah to hold onto the halftime advantage for UAlbany.

The Great Danes, who broke a nine-game skid with the win, used a 15-2 run in the second half to build up a 61-46 lead with 5:22 left to play. St. Francis cut the lead back to single digits, pulling within 62-53 on two foul shots by Katja Bavendam, who finished with 20 points and 11 boards for the Terriers. UAlbany used strong foul shooting down the stretch, as Sanders, Britney McGee and Iromuanya hit six straight from the line as time wound down.

“This was one of our must-wins,” said UAlbany head coach Trina Patterson. “Confidence is key, along with getting on a roll heading into conference play. If we continue to play the way we have played the last two games, we are going to get some wins against our conference opponents.”

Sanders, who recorded her 500th career rebound in the game, also finished with four steals, three blocks and two assists en route to being named the America East Player of the Game. McGee shot 5-of-9 from beyond the 3-point line to finish with 18 points to stretch her double-digit scoring streak to five straight games. Iromuanya also reached double figures for the Great Danes, adding 11 points, four steals and two assists.

Tiffany Hill led all players with 24 points and seven rebounds, playing all 40 minutes for St. Francis. Miah, who went 4-for-4 from the charity stripe, added nine points, four boards and a game-high five assists.

UAlbany will have an eight-day layoff before starting conference play in the New Year, visiting New Hampshire on Saturday, Jan. 5 at 1 p.m.

University of Albany Athletics - Varsity Club

Stay Connected to UAlbany Athletics - Donate at the Varsity Club Level.


Your commitment to the Varsity Club will help further UAlbany athletics by building our fan base and showing support for our UAlbany teams at home and on the road.

Become a donor to the Great Danes Fund at the Varsity Club level and stay connected through special pregame athletic events, UAlbany trips to away games and much more.

The Great Danes Fund adds monies to the base of athletic scholarships, continues to allow for facility upgrades and enhances recruiting budgets.

Your donation of $100 or more gives you access to pregame activities, a media guide of your choice and a Varsity Club T-shirt!


To make your donation to the Varsity Club, please contact the Alumni Association at: 1-800-836-ALUM (2586), alumniassociation@uamail.albany.edu
or visit www.albany.edu/giving and make your $100 donation to the Great Danes Athletics

University of Albany Campus Life

University at Albany students gather at Danes After Dark, an on-campus, late-night weekend gathering spot that offers everything from karaoke to magicians and hypnotists. (Photo by Donna Yee) As the night begins, a spirited vibe takes hold of Danes After Dark. Students huddle around the TV with the latest version of Play Station, or challenge each other to air hockey or Jenga tournaments. At any given time, the victorious laughter from a group engrossed in "Halo" on the Xbox might meet the staccato bark of the poetry slam in the lower lounge.

UAlbany's Danes After Dark is an on-campus, late-night weekend gathering spot that lines up a bevy of lively activities from karaoke competitions to magicians and hypnotists.

"It's an alternative method of meeting students with the same interests that you have," said Michael Stephenson, a senior from the Bronx, N.Y. "It's students who want to have a good time, just like you do."

Since beginning in 2005, the program has flourished, even catching the attention of UAlbany faculty members, who can be seen among those participating in the program's ever-expanding -- and entertaining -- activity list, which includes concerts, magic shows, food and movies.

"It's just a nice way to meet new people if you're on campus that evening and looking for something to do"
-Jacqui Lee Still, Danes After Dark can also provide a more laid back atmosphere for students with the availability of study rooms, knitting workshops and therapeutic chair massages. There are even manicures and pedicures.

"Danes After Dark creates a vibrant social scene on campus. It also helps students get involved. Students who are involved and feel connected to their campus are more successful academically," said D. Ekow King, director of the University's Office of Multicultural Student Success, who recently garnered an award from the State University of New York for the program.

"It's just a nice way to meet new people if you're on campus that evening and looking for something to do," says freshman Jacqui Lee, of Vernon, N.Y.

By Donna Yee

University of Albany's Ingrid Fisher Develops Pioneering Software

Ingrid Fisher's software acts like a time machine. It's a time machine for the complex world of accounting standards, and enormously successful in that world. Had it been available, for example, during the Enron trials, it could have precisely determined the standards that applied at the time and potentially saved the court system -- and taxpayers -- many hours of ambiguous testimony and, well, wasted time.

"It's the first and only piece of software that can support the codification of Financial Accounting Standards on demand," said Fisher, an assistant professor of accounting in the School of Business. "It actually supports the reconstruction of a specific standard, with applicable amendments, at any user-determined point in time. So it can be used in legal determinations or cases where the issue is litigated many years after the transactions in question."

The software has the ability to quietly revolutionize a corner of the fastidious world of corporate accounting, and Fisher is quickly becoming a leading light in that world.

Fisher's UAlbany education gave her: "the skills to succeed in the workplace and the confidence to effectively use...these throughout my life and career."

Ingrid Fisher Fisher, who calls herself a "true UAlbany product," earned her undergraduate degree in psychology, a master's in accounting, and doctorate in information science, all from the University. She credits her own teachers with her success and drive.

In graduate school Fisher was influenced by Professor Enrico Petri, who, clearly bucking the business school image, gave cha-cha lessons between classes. Then it was the "incessant, relentless prodding" of Professor Jagdish Gangolly encouraging her to enroll in the doctoral program in information studies. The combination of accounting and IT engaged her, and Gangolly became her dissertation adviser.

It was in writing her dissertation that she developed the stand-alone software for amending Financial Accounting Standards.

Another stream of Fisher's research is focused on the analysis of comment letters that are sent by stakeholders to the Financial Accounting Standards Board prior to a new standard being promulgated. Jake Roy, a freshman, did some of the analysis and coding, reading individual comment letters and recording relevant characteristics, as did Samantha Williams, a graduate student who completed her degree in December 2007.

Fisher attributes her education at UAlbany to giving her "the ability to be thoughtful and considered in my endeavors, the appreciation of diverse points of view, the skills to succeed in the workplace and the confidence to effectively use all of these throughout my life and career."

By Greta Petry

University of Albany Professors Study State of Writing Instruction In Schools Across Nation

Judith Langer, distinguished professor, founder and director of the Albany Institute for Research in Education (AIRE) and co-director, Center on English Learning & Achievement (CELA), and Arthur Applebee, distinguished professor and chairman of the Department of Educational Theory and Practice, and co-director, Center on English Learning & Achievement (CELA), will study writing instruction in 20 middle and high schools in five states with a nearly $500,000 grant from the Spencer Foundation. The study is the next phase of the National Study of Writing Instruction, led by Langer and Applebee, which is a three-year project examining the general state of writing instruction in grades six through 12.

The study will contextualize students of individual schools as part of a national portrait of writing instruction. A national sample of public school teachers in grades six through 12 will examine the extent to which influential factors in the 20 schools apply across grades and subjects at a national level, the impact of specific state level policies, and the relationships between teachers' practice, their previous experiences, and their perceptions of the students they teach.

"Writing is the primary foundation for learning and working in college, in the workplace, and in the community," said Interim President George Philip, "and we are proud that two of our most renowned professors are leading this significant and pivotal study."

"This research will provide the necessary foundation for a comprehensive research agenda contributing to meaningful reform of writing instruction across the nation," said School of Education Dean Susan D. Phillips.

The National Study of Writing Instruction -- which has received nearly $850,000 in grant funding to date -- is a collaboration with the National Writing Project, the Education Trust, the College Board, and CELA. The project's goal is to lay the groundwork for rethinking middle and high school writing instruction in order to prepare students to meet the demands of higher education and the workplace.

The study's first report, based on a reanalysis of existing data bases from the National Assessment of Educational Progress (NAEP), shows that writing achievement has held steady across the years and, despite more emphasis on writing across the curriculum, middle and high school students still spend little time each week on writing, especially extended writing.

The UAlbany School of Education is one of the leaders of literacy research and instruction in the nation and houses several large-scale nationally funded research projects on literacy, including the Center on English Learning & Achievement, the Child Research Study Center, and the Capital District Chapter of the National Writing Project. The School is also a leader in mathematics and science education, including the National Science Foundation studies of equity in mathematics education, and leadership on the Trends in International Mathematics and Science Study (TIMSS) international panels and the New York State Math Education panel. It recently joined IBM's Transition to Teaching initiative to help fill the nationwide need for qualified math and science teachers.

The Spencer Foundation, established in 1962 by Lyle M. Spencer, has provided grants totaling about $250 million. The Foundation has been dedicated to the belief that research is necessary to the improvement in education. The Foundation is committed to supporting high-quality investigation of education through its research programs and to strengthening and renewing the educational research community through its fellowship and training programs and related activities.

America East, US Lacrosse Agree to Partnership

Courtesy: America East Communications

CAMBRIDGE, Mass.-- America East has reached an agreement with US Lacrosse, the national governing body of lacrosse, for the organization to promote the conference’s 2008 men’s and women’s lacrosse championships. In addition, US Lacrosse’s 200,000 members will receive discounted admission to both events.

“We are looking forward to working with the America East Conference to promote its men’s and women’s championships,” said Glen Schorr, US Lacrosse’s Managing Director of Marketing and Branding. “In addition, we appreciate the value that the conference and its member institutions are providing to US Lacrosse members.”

America East was one of only two conferences to have multiple teams reach the quarterfinals of the NCAA Men’s Lacrosse Championship last season. Albany, which was ranked as high as No. 2 in the country, defeated Loyola in the first round and then took Cornell to overtime in the quarterfinal round. UMBC upset Maryland in the first round before being eliminated by Delaware in the quarterfinals.

On the women’s side, Boston University captured its third straight conference title. The Terriers fell to Penn in the first round of the NCAA Tournament. The conference had two teams finish in the top 30 of the RPI, with Stony Brook (20) and Boston U. (27).

“We are excited to be associated with US Lacrosse and have the opportunity to reach out to its members,” said America East Conference Commissioner Patrick Nero, “Our 2007 season was very successful with two teams reaching the NCAA men’s quarterfinal. I expect the 2008 season to be just as exciting.”

The 2008 America East Women’s Lacrosse Championship will take place April 25-27 at the site of the top seed. The Men’s Championship will also be at the site of the top seed and takes place May 1-3.

University of Albany Student-Athletes Adopt-A-Family for the Holidays

Courtesy: UAlbany Sports Information

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

“Seeing the mom's face when we came to her house to drop off all the gifts is what Christmas is all about,” said Kristin Higy, a senior member of the UAlbany women’s basketball team. “She was so thankful for everything, just smiling from ear to ear and didn't stop smiling the whole time we were there. It feels good to know that we could make one family's Christmas special. We get so much for being athletes and sometimes we forget how good we all have it. Giving back to the community is what it's all about.

Members of UAlbany’s athletic teams have been participating in 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 also raised a total of $420 through 50/50 raffles at a home football and basketball game and donated the money to the Regional Food Bank of Northeastern New York. Twenty-three pounds of food was also donated through a canned food drive at a home basketball game.

SAAC, which is made up of at least two representatives of each athletic team, helps to coordinate several community service activities each semester.

Boise State Rallies in the Second Half to Defeat UAlbany in Basketball BracketBusters' Rematch

Courtesy: UAlbany Sports Information

Albany, N.Y. – Anthony Thomas scored 11 of his 15 points in the final four minutes of play as Boise State rallied for a 74-68 victory over UAlbany in a non-conference matchup on Saturday, Dec. 22 at SEFCU Arena.

UAlbany (5-6) built a 51-37 advantage with 16:32 remaining when Brian Lillis hit a slum dunk off a steal by Jerel Hastings. Boise State (8-3) responded with an 11-3 run to get back into the contest. Tyler Tiedeman, who had 14 points, buried a three-point field goal from the left corner and scored off a duck-under move in the lane to begin the run. Reggie Larry, a 6-foot-6 senior who had 22 points and 12 rebounds, slammed home a pair of baskets to close the gap to 54-48.

The Great Danes, who had won 20 of their last 22 home games, were still ahead 62-57 when Hastings drilled a baseline jumper. But Thomas, who made 5-of-7 from the floor, went to work down the stretch. He gave the Broncos the lead for good at with a 16-foot jumper in the circle and then converted a drive for a 68-65 lead.

Lillis, a 6’5” senior who led the Great Danes with 16 points, sliced the margin to one with a 12-footer on the left baseline off the dribble. Thomas, the Western Athletic Conference’s top freshman last year, answered with a layup off a back-door cut and Paul Noonan sank a pair of free throws for a 72-67 cushion with 28.2 seconds to play.

“We knew it was going to hard-fought and we were going to have to play 40 minutes,” said Thomas, who hit the game winning shot in last year’s 83-82 BracketBusters victory over UAlbany. “They bumped us and were physical. I knew the lanes would open up later in the game when they were expected the ball to go inside.”

In the first half, each team was hot from the field at better than 50 percent. Boise State led 21-20 on a slam dunk in transition by Larry, who scored 12 in the period. UAlbany went back ahead on Brian Connelly's foul-line jumper. The Great Danes still led 36-34, but then tallied eight of the game's next 10 points. Lillis had a pair of baskets, while Jon Iati canned a three-pointer from right of the key in that sequence.

Freshman guard Josh Martin had all 15 of his points in the opening half and added six assists for the Great Danes, who shot just 30.8 percent from the field in the final stanza. The Broncos, who had not played since Dec. 13, have now won five of six road games this season.

“We lost to a very good team,” said UAlbany coach Will Brown, whose team was coming off a loss to Duke, the nation’s sixth-ranked squad. “We had them on the ropes and we let them get out of here with a win. I am disappointed that our team lacked both communication and execution over the last five minutes."

Marist Holds Off UAlbany, 75-71, in Women's Basketball Action at SEFCU Arena

Courtesy: UAlbany Sports Information

Albany, N.Y. -- Rachele Fitz matched a career-high with 28 points and grabbed 11 rebounds as Marist held off UAlbany, 75-71, on Saturday, Dec. 22 at SEFCU Arena. The Red Foxes, who were coming off a 10-day layoff, have won 11 of their last 12 games.

Marist (11-2) led 45-43 early in the second half, but then ran off 13 of the game’s next 16 points. Fitz, who made 9-of-15 from the field and 10-of-10 from the line, connected on a three-point play when she was fouled on a reverse layup to begin that outburst. She added a pair of baskets in that span after collecting offensive rebounds. Sarah Smrdel was later fouled as she drilled a three-point field goal from the top of the arc. Her four-point play handed the Red Foxes a 58-46 lead with 11:07 remaining.

UAlbany (1-11) responded with an 11-2 run to get back into the contest. Gia Sanders, who had 10 points and four rebounds, scored on a left-baseline cut, before Britney McGee canned a 3-pointer following a steal that sliced the deficit to 60-57 with 9:14 left. McGee, a sophomore guard, finished with 17 points, six rebounds and three steals.

The Great Danes, who have dropped nine straight, including three of their last four outings by four points or less, trimmed the lead to 68-67 with 1:11 to play when McGee split a pair of free throws. Marist’s Nikki Flores sank a 16-foot jumper in the circle to beat the shot clock on her team’s next possession. After Meg Dahlman’s tipped a Sanders’ pass, Flores recovered the loose ball and made two foul shots that sealed the outcome. Flores was one of three Marist players in double figures with 16 points.

"We played well against another talented team,” said UAlbany coach Trina Patterson, whose squad shot a season-high 49.2 percent from the floor. “It's tough when you look at our overall record, but we need to erase the past and stay positive. We just have to put it all together and we will be fine in the second semester."

The Red Foxes jumped out to a 20-13 lead over the opening seven-plus minutes. Fitz, a 6-foot sophomore, converted a three-point play when she was fouled on a baseline turnaround and then made two free throws to give her team its biggest lead of the period. UAlbany took its first lead at 24-22 when Joy Sterling scored in the lane.

Freshman Janea Aiken extended the Great Danes’ advantage to 34-29 when she made a bank shot in transition. But the Red Foxes, who reached the NCAA Sweet Sixteen last year, rallied with seven unanswered. Julianne Viani, who netted a season-best 21 points, made one of her three 3-pointers, before Fitz hit two free throws to put her team ahead.

"I was happy that we came out aggressive, especially on offense,” explained Mikus, who had a season-high 10 points and seven rebounds off the bench against the team favored to win the Metro Atlantic Athletic Conference title. “We shot ourselves in the foot with the way we rebounded. We played the whole game and never gave up."

University of Albany's Michael Dungey on College Sporting News 2007 Fabulous 50 FCS All-America Team

Courtesy: UAlbany Sports Information

Chicago, Ill. -- University of Albany’s Michael Dungey has been named to the College Sporting News 2007 Fabulous 50 FCS (Football Championship Subdivision) All-America Team, as announced on Friday, Dec. 21. In all, 37 teams and 13 conferences are represented on the squad.

Dungey, a 6-foot-2, 275-pound defensive lineman, was the lone player from the Northeast Conference chosen. He earned all-conference recognition for the third consecutive year, including his second first-team selection. Dungey, who received the team’s most valuable player award earlier this month, made 44 tackles, broke up two passes and recovered one fumble. He led the team in tackles for a loss (11.5) and was second in sacks (5.5).

A native of Rochester, N.Y., Dungey played both tackle and end on UAlbany’s defensive line this season. In 45 career games, he totaled 125 tackles, including 31.0 for a loss and 11.5 sacks. The senior tri-captain led a defensive unit that ranked 17th in scoring (19.4 ppg), 19th in rushing defense (118.3 ypg) and 27th in total defense (334.0 ypg) among the Division I FCS national leaders.

UAlbany captured the Northeast Conference championship, its third league title since 2002, and made a Gridiron Classic appearance this season. The Great Danes matched their best record at the Division I FCS level with an 8-4 mark.

UAlbany Men's Basketball: Al Turley

Al Turley dunked the ball powerfully with both hands. The mammoth University of Albany freshman center made the basket shake. He soon realized he'd made a big mistake.

It was 10 minutes before the season opener against Bucknell, the first game of Turley's college career. Dunking in warm-ups warrants a technical foul, if the officials see it. Which they did.

"I didn't know the rule," Turley recalled with regret on Thursday. "Someone was like, 'Why did you do that?' I said, 'Oh, crap.' I messed up." Bucknell made both foul shots and led 2-0 before the opening tip.

"Coach (Will Brown) was laughing at me and said, 'Welcome to college basketball,' " Turley said. "Coach Brown didn't really get too mad at me. Everybody was making fun of me and just telling me not to do it anymore."

Just consider it the ongoing education of Turley, a 6-foot-7, 267-pounder from Houston who's learning about everything from a new reduced-fat diet to the harsh Northeast weather. He's starting to come around.

Brown said he's planning to increase Turley's playing time starting with Saturday's home game against Boise State, a team with a strong inside game.

"I think he can have a real positive impact on us because he brings us a low-post presence," Brown said. "And he's a ball-getter. He'll go find the ball off the glass." In UAlbany's past two games, Turley provided energetic play in 14 minutes against Duke and 13 against St. Francis, after he barely played in the previous four games.

Turley's in better shape now, losing 40 pounds since his arrival on campus this summer. He's also finally playing with the aggressiveness Brown wants. "He's a big teddy bear, and that's his biggest weakness right now," Brown said. 'But he's made really good progress."

Enough progress to possibly move to the forefront of UAlbany's center-by-committee approach, which hasn't yielded many results so far.

UAlbany has started either junior Jimmie Covington or sophomore Brett Gifford in the pivot in every game this season, and they're averaging a combined 3.7 points and 4.3 rebounds in 24.4 minutes per game.

The more athletic Turley is getting 8.7 minutes per contest, a figure Brown wants to push to more than 20 once America East Conference play arrives. "I'm happy about that," Turley said. "I've been working. I've been trying to learn everything I need to learn to get on the court. I'm just starting to figure it out."

He's also adjusting to life without burgers and cookies, part of his new diet.
"If (the UAlbany coaches) see me with that, they might kill me," Turley said. "I love food, and they're giving me a menu that's healthy, but something I might want to eat."

Turley grew up in Louisiana and moved to Houston at 14 years old because his family felt the schools were better there. As a result, he'd been in the snow only once before getting to Albany.

"It was fun because I was helping my teammates clean off their cars," Turley said.

If all goes according to plan, he'll be helping them more on the court very soon.

Courtesy: M Singelais

University of Albany Women's Lacrosse Schedule: North Carolina, Syracuse and Vanderbilt Among Opponents in 2008

Courtesy: UAlbany Sports Information

Albany, N.Y. -- University at Albany Vice President and Director of Athletics Lee McElroy announced on Wednesday, Dec. 19 the school's women's lacrosse schedule for the 2008 season. The Great Danes, who reached the America East Conference tournament championship for the first time in the program's history last season, will play six games against conference opponents. The non-league schedule features three teams who made last year's NCAA Tournament field in North Carolina, Syracuse and Vanderbilt.

UAlbany begins its ninth season at the NCAA Division I level on Saturday, Feb. 23 against North Carolina. The Tar Heels, who posted a 16-5 record, reached the NCAA quarterfinals and finished fourth in the national polls. Syracuse and Vanderbilt will both travel to UAlbany's John Fallon Field in April. The Orange also reached the NCAA quarterfinal round, but are now coached by former SU men's standout Gary Gait. Katie Rowan, a first-team All-American, leads a program that was ranked seventh nationally last year. Vanderbilt placed No. 10 in the final IWLCA national poll. The Commodores, who went 11-6 overall, feature two All-America players in Margie Curran and Sasha Cielak.

In addition to Syracuse (April 2) and Vanderbilt (April 13), the Great Danes will play non-conference home games with Colgate, Le Moyne, Siena and Longwood. UAlbany has non-league road dates with Harvard, Marist and St. Bonaventure. Three America East opponents in Boston University, Binghamton and Stony Brook will invade the Capital Region. The Terriers, who play here on March 22, captured last year's conference title for the third year in a row to earn an automatic NCAA berth and were ranked No. 20 by Inside Lacrosse. The America East Conference postseason tournament, slated for April 25-27, will be held at the highest seed's home facility.

Lindsey Hart, who has led the program to eight wins in each of her first two seasons as head coach, has 11 letterwinners returning from last year's squad. The Great Danes lost the program's all-time scorer, but return four players who totaled 20 or more points. Kayla Best, a sophomore midfielder, earned second-team All-America East recognition with 32 goals and 10 assists. Sophomore attacker Christine Grueniger added 28 goals and three assists and was a member of the conference's all-rookie team. Senior Brittany Scott (16 goals, 5 assists) and junior Rory Redmond (17 goals, 3 assists) are proven midfielders. UAlbany's incoming class features three first-team U.S. Lacrosse high school All-Americans in Tee Ladouceur, Nikki Branchini and Jodi Battaglia, plus five other newcomers who were selected in the honorable mention category.

2008 University at Albany Women's Lacrosse Schedule

February - 23 (Sat.), at North Carolina, 1:00.

March - 1 (Sat.), at Marist, 3:00; 3 (Mon.), at Siena, 3:30; 5 (Wed.), at Harvard, 4:00; 9 (Sun.), Le Moyne, 1:00; 11 (Tue.), Colgate, 7:00; 16 (Sun.), at St. Bonaventure, 1:00; 22 (Sat.), Boston U.*, 6:00; 26 (Wed.), at UMBC*, 7:30; 30 (Sun.), Longwood, 11:00 a.m.

April - 2 (Wed.), Syracuse, 4:00; 5 (Sat.), at Vermont*, 1:00; 9 (Wed.), Binghamton*, 7:00; 13 (Sun.), Vanderbilt, 12:00; 16 (Wed.), at New Hampshire*, 3:00; 19 (Sat.), Stony Brook*, 1:00; 25 (Fri.), at America East Conference Tournament+; 27 (Sun.), at America East Conference Tournament+.

*America East Conference Opponent +Played at No. 1 Seed's Home Facility All Times Eastern

Women's Basketball Falls To Richmond, 73-62, In Non-Conference Action

Courtesy: UAlbany Sports Information

Richmond, Va. – Johanna McKnight scored 23 points, including four shots from 3-point range to lead Richmond to a 73-62 win over UAlbany in non-conference women’s basketball action at the Robins Center on Wednesday afternoon.

UAlbany jumped out to an early 4-0 lead to start the game, but Richmond scored eight straight points behind two 3-pointers by McKnight and Brittani Shells to take an 8-4 lead at 16:06. Britney McGee dropped a trey of her own at 15:40 to pull the Great Danes back within one, but McKnight hit her second shot from behind the arc at 15:18 to give the Spiders an 11-7 advantage at 14:15.

The Great Danes battled back, pulling within one, 15-14, at 11:37 as Gia Sanders, who hit a jumper on the previous possession, blocked a Richmond shot and gathered the rebound, dishing the ball off to McGee on the fast break. McGee, who would finish 5-7 from behind the arc, drained a trey at 10:52 to give the Great Danes a 17-15 lead.

Richmond took a 20-17 lead on a 3-pointer by Shells at 9:29, but UAlbany would score on back-to-back possessions to take a 23-22 advantage with 7:00 left to play. The teams would exchange baskets for the remainder of the period, as both teams would shoot 48 percent from the floor in the half. Richmond’s Kara Powell converted a conventional 3-point play with 1.4 seconds left to give the Spiders a 35-34 lead heading into the halftime break.

Richmond scored the first points of the second half courtesy of a jumper and free throw from forward Christina Campion, taking a 38-34 lead with 19:27 on the clock. After the Spiders took a 41-38 advantage with 17:38 remaining, UAlbany would score four unanswered points to take a 42-41 lead, but Crystal Goring would respond for Richmond, putting the Spiders back in front by one with 15:00 to play.

McKnight and Danielle Bell dropped back-to-back 3-pointers to extend Richmond’s lead to 49-42 with 12:55 left. The Spiders would continue to build upon that lead, taking a 55-42 advantage before McGee would break UAlbany’s scoring drought with a three of her own at 10:33. The Great Danes would get baskets from TaNika Thrower and Sanders to pull within 55-49 with 9:08 remaining.

Richmond would then embark on an 11-0 run, holding the Great Danes scoreless for almost five minutes before Sherri Mikus hit a jumper in the lane to cut the Spiders’ lead to 66-51 at 4:14. UAlbany would outscore the Spiders 8-3 over the next two minutes to pull within 10, 69-59, before Shells hit two free throws to put Richmond back up 12 with under 30 seconds left to play. McGee and Janea Aiken dropped 3-pointers on consecutive possessions to cut the lead to nine with 28 ticks on the clock. However, the Spiders, who went 6-for-6 from the charity stripe in the final minute of play, got two more points from McKnight from the line at 14.4 to set the final deficit.

“We played 20 minutes of excellent basketball,” said Great Danes head coach Trina Patterson. “We executed well, shot well, and we had excellent post play. This was a very good Richmond team. The effort was there on our part, we just didn't play for 40 minutes. Our long term goal is still conference play.”

McGee tied her career-high in points, scoring 19. Sanders and Kristin Higy each posted double-doubles in the defeat for UAlbany. Sanders tallied 13 points and added 12 rebounds, while Higy scored 10 points to accompany a game-high 15 boards.

McKnight scored a game-high 23 points for the Spiders to go along with six steals. Campion finished with 10 points and Shells had 14 to round out the double-digit scorers.

The Great Danes will return to the court on Saturday, Dec. 22 when they host Marist at 2 p.m. at SEFCU Arena.

Defending America East Champion University of Albany Softball Announces Softball Schedule

Courtesy: UAlbany Sports Information

Albany, N.Y. -- University at Albany Vice President and Director of Athletics Lee McElroy announced on Tuesday, Dec. 18 the school's softball schedule for the 2008 season. The Great Danes, who reached the NCAA Tournament after capturing their third consecutive America East Conference tournament championship last year, will play a three-game series against seven conference opponents. The non-league schedule features tournaments at Stetson, Winthrop and Georgia.

UAlbany begins its ninth season at the NCAA Division I level on Friday, Feb. 29 in DeLand, Fla. against Western Michigan, Maine and host Stetson, which reached the NCAAs in 2007 for the first time after winning the Atlantic Sun Conference Tournament. The Great Danes travel to Rock Hill, S.C. the weekend of March 14-16 for the Winthrop/adidas Invitational. UAlbany’s pool will include Fairfield, UNC-Wilmington, Ohio and North Carolina A&T. The following weekend, UAlbany travels to Athens, Ga. for the Georgia Spring Fling against Kent State and the host Bulldogs. The Great Danes also visit Kennesaw State of the Atlantic Sun Conference. The Owls were the Atlantic Sun regular-season champions last season.

The Great Danes open up America East play at home with Binghamton on March 29-30. Conference opponents UMBC, Vermont, Maine and Boston University will also visit Albany Field. UAlbany hit the road to face Hartford and Stony Brook. The Great Danes will also host non-conference foes Siena and Marist, while also playing at Manhattan and Siena.

UAlbany posted a 35-17 record last season en route to winning a third straight America East Conference Tournament Championship and playing in the NCAA Hempstead Regional at Hofstra University. The Great Danes recorded the program’s first-ever wins in NCAA Division I play by defeating both Harvard and Hofstra. UAlbany then lost to Baylor in the NCAA Regional Championship.


2008 University at Albany Softball Schedule
February - 29 (Fri.), at Stetson Tournament+;

March – 1 (Sat.), at Stetson Tournament+; 2 (Sun.) at Stetson Tournament+; 14 (Fri.), at Winthrop Tournament&; 15 (Sat.), at Winthrop Tournament&; 16 (Sun.), at Winthrop Tournament&; 21 (Fri.), at Georgia Tournament#; 22 (Sat.), at Georgia Tournament#; 23 (Sun.), at Georgia Tournament#; 25 (Tues.), at Kennesaw State (DH), 4:00; 27 (Thurs.), Siena (DH), 2:30; 29 (Sat.), Binghamton* (DH), 1:00; 30 (Sun.), Binghamton*, 12:00;

April – 1 (Tue.), Marist (DH), 2:30; 5 (Sat.), UMBC* (DH), 1:00; 6 (Sun.), UMBC*, 12:00; 9 (Wed.), Vermont* (DH), 2:00; 12 (Sat.), Maine* (DH), 1:00; 13 (Sun.), Maine*, 12:00; 15 (Tue.), at Manhattan (DH), 3:00; 19 (Sat.), at Hartford* (DH), 1:00; 20 (Sun.), at Hartford*, 12:00; 23 (Wed.), Vermont* (DH), 2:00; 26 (Sat.), at Stony Brook* (DH), 1:00; 27 (Sun.), at Stony Brook*, 4:00; 29 (Tue.), at Siena (DH), 2:30;

May – 3 (Sat.), Boston U.* (DH), 1:00; 4 (Sun.), Boston U.*, 12:00;

*America East Conference Opponent
+DeLand, Fla. &Rock Hill, S.C. #Athens, Ga.
All Times Eastern