UAlbany's Amanda Hall & Amber Maisonet Nominated for America East Woman of the Year

Courtesy: UAlbany Sports Information

Cambridge, Mass. -- University at Albany’s Amanda Hall and Amber Maisonet are among ten student-athletes who are institutional nominees for 2008 America East Woman of the Year, as announced on Tuesday, May 20 by the conference office.

Binghamton’s Jacqueline Kane (volleyball), Boston University’s Sarah Hudak (field hockey), Hartford’s Alexandra Morley (softball), Maine’s Laura Harper (soccer), UMBC’s Dana Shepherd (softball), New Hampshire’s Catherine Parker (cross country/track & field), Stony Brook’s Dana Hastie (cross country/track & field) and Vermont’s Carmen Lagala (cross country/track & field) have also been chosen as the senior female student-athletes on their respective campuses that best exemplified a commitment to service, leadership, athletics and academics during their collegiate careers.

To be nominated, student-athletes must have earned a varsity letter in an NCAA-sponsored sport and competed during the 2007-08 academic year, completed intercollegiate eligibility in her primary sport by the end of the 2008 spring season or received her undergraduate degree prior to the conclusion of the spring 2008 term and have a minimum cumulative grade-point average of 2.500 (4.000 scale).

Maisonet, a senior outfielder on the UAlbany softball team, received an ECAC Merit Medal as the school’s top senior female student-athlete during the current academic year. A four-time first-team all-conference performer, Maisonet was second in the league with a .379 batting average and first in stolen bases (27). She has a 3.85 cumulative grade point average in psychology.

Hall, a member of the women’s tennis squad, posted an 18-8 singles record and a 17-11 mark in doubles play this spring. The Great Danes posted an 18-7 dual-match record, their best season as a Division I program. Hall, who has a 3.88 GPA in business administration, received UAlbany’s Presidential Scholar-Athlete Award.

In conjunction with the changes in the nomination process for the NCAA Woman of the Year award, the America East Woman of the Year award was established for the 2005-06 athletic season. Beginning in 2006, the NCAA Committee on Women’s Athletics (CWA) started receiving conference-designated nominees in lieu of the previous institution- and state-based nomination format.

The nominees will be narrowed down to three finalists on Wednesday, June 11 with the America East Woman of the Year being announced via release on the conference website on Wednesday, June 18.

The America East Woman of the Year will then be forwarded to the NCAA Woman of the Year selection committee. The selection committee will select the top 10 winners in each NCAA division (I, II and III). From among those 30 honorees, the selection committee will determine the top three in each division. Finally, the members of the CWA will vote from among the top nine to determine the 2008 NCAA Woman of the Year.

University of Albany Pole Vaulter Luke Schoen: The Sky's the Limit

University of Albany Pole Vaulter Luke Schoen will be participating in the NCAA's in the coming weeks.

One day in his sophomore year at West Islip High School, Luke Schoen amused himself during gym class by running up a wall and doing backflips.

He was noticed by his teacher, Jim Dooley, who also happened to be a coach on the track team.

"'Hey, you should try pole vaulting,"' Schoen recalled Dooley saying. "'All the crazy people do that."'

If so, there's a method to the madness for Schoen, a University at Albany sophomore who could become one of the nation's top pole vaulters.

He set a school record last weekend by clearing 17 feet, 5 inches at the UAlbany Spring Class, tying the 11th-best national collegiate mark this spring.

"It was really good because my parents were here so it made it extra special," Schoen said.

He's the favorite to win Saturday afternoon at the IC4A Championship in Princeton, N.J., and he's already qualified for the NCAA East Region meet at Florida State in two weeks.

Schoen figures a performance of 17 feet or better should put him in the top five and earn a ticket to the NCAA Championships in Des Moines, Iowa on June 11-14.

The top pole vaulters in the country jump consistently over 18 feet, so it's unlikely Schoen could challenge for a national title this year. But that could change within the next two years, according to UAlbany associate coach Craig McVey, who works with Schoen.

"I really think so," McVey said. "It won't be this year, but he's jumped a lot from his freshman year to his sophomore year, and sometimes that's the hardest year for improvement. Next year's going to be interesting."

Schoen, who is 6-foot-1, has the classic build of a pole vaulter with a strong upper body and enough speed to motor down the runway.

And he's also got the proper genetics. His father, Ken, was a UAlbany football player from 1973 to 1975. His mother, Cathy, was a gymnast.

But Cathy Schoen gives much of the credit to Dooley, the West Islip coach who first discovered her son.

"He saw something in Luke that a lot of other coaches didn't see and stuck by him," she said. "He had Luke work and it really paid off."

Schoen, who had done the high jump, didn't immediately warm up to the new event. He wanted to quit more than once, only to be nagged back into it by his coach.

"(Dooley) was like, 'What are you going to do if you don't do this,' " Schoen recalled. "That was true because I got kicked off my basketball team because I went on a skiing trip when there was a game."

The persistence paid off when Schoen won the Federation championship as a West Islip senior.

He chose to attend UAlbany over Connecticut, but not because his father is a graduate.

"I really didn't know much about the program here," he said. "I just liked the school. Everyone on the team was really nice. I thought UConn's team was a lot better, but this team's a lot better than UConn."

If that's the case, one reason is because Schoen is on the team.

Courtesy: Mark Singelais

World-Class Lineup of Executives Highlights CIRCA ’08 Presented by AeA and University of Albany's NanoCollege

‘Open Innovation of Nanotechnology in the Adjacent Markets of Transportation, Energy and Security' is theme for Convergence of International Research and Commercialization

The eyes of the nanoelectronics industry were focused on Albany, New York as a host of top executives representing the world's leading nanotechnology companies and organizations spoke on the topic of Open Innovation during CIRCA '08, presented by AeA, the nation's largest high-tech trade association, and the College of Nanoscale Science and Engineering ("CNSE") of the University at Albany, ranked by Small Times magazine as the world's number one college for nanotechnology.

Dr. Santokh Badesha, Xerox Fellow and Manager of Open Innovation in Xerox Corporation's Innovation Group - the most prolific inventor in the company's history with 158 U.S. patents -delivered the keynote address at the second annual Convergence of International Research and Commercialization in Albany, or CIRCA '08, held May 19-21 at the Gideon Putnam Hotel in Saratoga Springs, NY and at CNSE's Albany NanoTech Complex in Albany, NY.

Other featured speakers included Harvey Frye, President, Tokyo Electron America and Conference Chair; Dr. Michael R. Polcari, President & CEO, International SEMATECH; Dr. James O'Neill, Senior Manager, Silicon Technology, IBM; Larry Sumney, President, Semiconductor Research Corporation; Dr. Alain E. Kaloyeros, Vice President and Chief Administrative Officer, CNSE; Ralf Graber, Executive Vice President, M+W Zander; and, Tom Birdsey, President & CEO, EYP Architecture & Engineering.

"Open Innovation of Nanotechnology in the Adjacent Markets of Transportation, Energy and Security" was the theme of CIRCA '08, designed to present unique strategies for development of nanofabrication technology platforms and to identify related teaming opportunities around industry-compliant manufacturing solutions. CIRCA '08 is the only conference addressing the challenge of nanotechnology convergence with concrete strategies and practical solutions enabled by CNSE and its partner companies, including leading device, equipment and material suppliers providing manufacturable solutions that are supported by a nanotechnology-driven supply chain.

Justin Wright, Executive Director of AeA's New York Council, said, "CIRCA '08 provided a tremendous opportunity for our member companies representing all segments of the high-tech industry. AeA recognizes that manufacturability and commercialization of nanotechnology are among the greatest challenges facing widespread implementation and commercial viability. AeA's strategic relationship with CNSE is providing unique capabilities and solutions to address these challenges, as CIRCA '08 demonstrated."

Dr. Alain E. Kaloyeros, Vice President and Chief Administrative Officer of CNSE, said, "The presence and participation at CIRCA '08 of the world's leading executives at the forefront of a new paradigm of Open Innovation is testament to the exceptional partnership between the UAlbany NanoCollege and AeA, the preeminent global high-tech trade organization. We look forward to the development of unique strategies for cross-sector, university-driven technology platforms, and the creation of new business teaming opportunities among public and private sector leaders in nanoscale research, development and manufacturing."

Other speakers participating at CIRCA '08 included Dr. John M. Pellegrino, Director, Sensors and Electron Devices Directorate, Army Research Laboratory; Paul Brubaker, Administrator, Research and Innovative Technology Administration, U.S. Department of Transportation; J.R. Reagan, Vice President, Global Risk Compliance & Security, BearingPoint; Dr. Ken Young, Consortium Manager, ARL Collaborative Technology Alliance, Telcordia Technologies; Jon Weston, Deputy Director of Capital Programs, Port Authority of New York & New Jersey; Mary Ann Crotty, President, Macro Enterprises; and, Michael O'Halloran, Director of Technology, CH2MHill Electronics & Advanced Technology Group.

About AeA. AeA, the nation's largest technology trade association representing all segments of the high-tech industry, is dedicated solely to helping our members' top line and bottom line. We do this in partnership with our small, medium, and large member companies by lobbying governments at the state, federal, and international levels, providing access to capital and business opportunities, and offering select business services and networking programs. For more information, please visit www.aeanet.org.

About CNSE. The UAlbany CNSE is the first college in the world dedicated to research, development, education, and deployment in the emerging disciplines of nanoscience, nanoengineering, nanobioscience, and nanoeconomics. In May 2007, it was ranked as the world's number one college for nanotechnology and microtechnology in the Annual College Ranking by Small Times magazine. CNSE's Albany NanoTech complex is the most advanced research enterprise of its kind at any university in the world: a $4.2 billion, 450,000-square-foot complex that attracts corporate partners from around the world and offers students a one-of-a-kind academic experience. The UAlbany NanoCollege houses the only fully-integrated, 300mm wafer, computer chip pilot prototyping and demonstration line within 65,000 square feet of Class 1 capable cleanrooms. More than 2,000 scientists, researchers, engineers, students, and faculty work on site at CNSE's Albany NanoTech complex, from companies including IBM, AMD, SEMATECH, Toshiba, ASML, Applied Materials, Tokyo Electron, Vistec Lithography and Freescale. An expansion currently underway will increase the size of CNSE's Albany NanoTech complex to over 800,000 square feet, including over 80,000 square feet of Class 1 capable cleanroom space, to house over 2,500 scientists, researchers, engineers, students, and faculty by mid-2009. For more information, visit http://www.cnse.albany.edu/.

Mike McCadney Wins IC4A Triple Jump to Lead the University of Albany Men's Track to a Fifth-Place Finish

Courtesy: UAlbany Sports Information

Princeton, N.J. – University at Albany’s Mike McCadney was victorious in the triple jump to lead his team’s performance at the 132nd Annual IC4A Outdoor Track & Field Championship at Princeton University’s Weaver Stadium on Sunday, May 18. The Great Danes finished fifth in the team standings with 39 points. The UAlbany women, led by a third-place finish by Jenn Gurrant in the triple jump, finished in a tie for 24th place at the ECAC Championship with 11 points.

McCadney, a junior from Rochester, N.Y., set a school record with his championship effort of 51-feet, 1.75-inches to claim UAlbany’s first triple jump crown in IC4A competition. McCadney became the fifth UAlbany athlete to win an IC4A outdoor title at the Division I level, joining Joe Greene, who captured the 400-meter hurdles in 2006 and 2007, Marc Pallozzi (2007, javelin) and Gered Burns (2005, 800-meters). McCadney, who won the America East title two weeks ago, recorded the ninth-best mark in the region this spring and will compete at the NCAA East Regional in Tallahassee, Fla. on May 30-31.

The men’s 4x100-meter relay team of Jean Juste, Dieuseul Joseph, Torshiro Jenkins and Jeffery Barnes placed third in a time of 41.35 seconds. Joseph, a defensive back on the UAlbany football team, finished sixth in the 100-meter dash finals, as he crossed the line in 10.94 seconds.

At the ECAC meet, Gurrant posted a jump of 41-feet, 7.75-inches to record the second-best performance in school history. Senior Arina Gerasimova finished seventh in the same event with a leap of 40-feet, 7.5-inches, while freshman Tiffany Sprenkels ended up in 17th place with a jump of 38-feet, 7-inches.

UAlbany head coach Roberto Vives was honored by the IC4A Track Coaches’ Association, an organization founded in 1918, for 25 years of collegiate service to the sport. Vives, who has been leading the Great Danes’ track and field program since 1985, was also the women’s head coach at Lehman College and spent a year as an assistant at the City College of New York.

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UAlbany Men’s Results
Team Standings: 1. Liberty 62; 2. Virginia 55; 3. Georgetown 44; 4. Syracuse 42; 5. UAlbany 39; 6. UNC Wilmington 32; 7. Coppin State 31; 8. Princeton 28; 9. Iona 25; 10. Lehigh 24; 11. Monmouth 23; t12. Cornell, George Mason, Yale 22; t15. Manhattan, Rutgers 21; 17. Delaware State 20; t18. William & Mary, Duke, Connecticut, Maryland 19; t22. Seton Hall, VMI, Robert Morris, Morgan State 18; 26. Pennsylvania 15; t27. Duquesne, Dartmouth 13; 29. Mount St. Mary’s 12; t30. Boston U., New Hampshire 9; t32. Villanova, Rhode Island 8; t34. Vermont, Binghamton, St. Francis (PA), Mansfield 6; 38. Bucknell 5; t39. Fairleigh Dickinson, Arm, 4; t41. Columbia, Southern Connecticut 3; t43. Fordham, UMBC 2; t45. Massachusetts, Harvard, LaSalle, Brown, Navy 1.

Individual

100-Meter Dash: 6. Dieuseul Joseph 10.94. 4x100 Meter Relay: 3. UAlbany (Jean Juste, Dieuseul Joseph, Torshiro Jenkins, Jeffery Barnes), 41.35. Triple Jump: 1. Mike McCadney 51-1.75.




UAlbany Women’s Results
Team Standings: 1. Connecticut 83; 2. Virginia 53; 3. Cornell 43; 4. William & Mary 41; 5. Georgetown 40; 6. Maryland 39; t7. Syracuse, Pittsburgh 38; t9. Seton Hall, Boston College 31; 11. Morgan State 30; 12. George Mason 29; 13. Boston U. 28; t14. Providence, West Virginia 26; 16. Duke 24.5; 17. Rhode Island 24. t18. St. Francis (PA), Princeton 21; 20. Harvard 19.5; t21. Brown, Liberty 16; 23. Pennsylvania 13; t24. UAlbany, Lafayette, Rutgers, Villanova 11; t28. Northeastern, Temple 10; 30. James Madison 9; t31. Navy, Towson 8; 33. Bucknell 7; t34. Stony Brook, New Hampshire 6; t36. Quinnipiac, Lehigh, Delaware 5; t39. Monmouth, Dartmouth, Rider, UNC Wilmington, Binghamton 4; t44. Massachusetts, Yale 3; t46. Iona, St. John’s 2.

Individual

Triple Jump: 3. Jenn Gurrant 41-7.75; 7. Arina Gerisimova 40-7.5; 17. Tiffany Sprenkels 38-7.0.

University of Albany Releases 2008 Women's Soccer Schedule

Courtesy: UAlbany Sports Information

Albany, N.Y. - University at Albany Vice President and Director of Athletics Lee McElroy announced on Monday, May 19 the school's women's soccer schedule for 2008. The Great Danes will play a 20-match schedule, including a pair of tournaments.

UAlbany begins its 10th season at the NCAA Division I level on Friday, Aug. 22 at Syracuse. The Great Danes will end the month of August at Lehigh on the 31st. UAlbany will entertain Youngstown State in its home opener on Friday, Sept. 5, before playing four consecutive road matches. The Great Danes finish the stretch with a pair of games at the Niagara Tournament in Niagara Falls, N.Y. UAlbany will play the host Purple Eagles on Sept. 12 and square off with Drexel on Sept. 14.

The Great Danes return to action at home on Wednesday, Sept. 17 against Massachusetts, before hosting the four-team Governor’s Cup on Friday, Sept. 19 and Sunday, Sept. 21 at Varsity Field. On the first day, UAlbany will play Army, while Siena faces Sacred Heart. UAlbany meets Sacred Heart in the final game of the weekend, with Siena and Army squaring off in Sunday’s first game. UAlbany and Siena will continue its crosstown-series in Loudonville on Sept. 9.

UAlbany, which concluded its most successful season in the program’s Division I history by finishing with a 5-10-3 record last year, opens America East Conference play at defending conference champion Boston University on Sunday, Sept. 28. The Great Danes will play regular-season champion New Hampshire in their conference home debut on Oct. 5. Conference opponents Stony Brook, Vermont and UMBC will also visit Varsity Field. UAlbany takes on Maine, Hartford and Binghamton on the road.

Head coach Mary-Francis Monroe enters her third season in charge of the Great Dane program. Monroe led UAlbany to its second consecutive season with an improving record, after going 5-13-1 in her first campaign. UAlbany returns forward Teresa Boring, who earned America East rookie of the year honors after recording 20 points on nine goals and two assists. Goalkeeper Maria Liguori played every minute between the pipes for the Great Danes and registered 109 saves and a 1.90 goals against average.

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2008 University at Albany Women’s Soccer Schedule

August – 22 (Fri.), at Syracuse, 7:00; 31 (Sun.), at Lehigh, 12:00;

September – 5 (Fri.), Youngstown State, 4:00; 7 (Sun.), at Brown, 1:00; 9 (Tue.), at Siena, 4:00; 12 (Fri.), at Niagara^, TBA; 14 (Sun.), vs. Drexel^, TBA; 17 (Wed.), Massachusetts, 3:00; 19 (Fri.), Governor's Cup (Siena vs. Sacred Heart, 1:00/UAlbany vs. Army, 3:00)+; 21 (Sun.), Governor's Cup (Siena vs. Army, 11:00 a.m./ UAlbany vs. Sacred Heart, 1:00)+; 23 (Tue.), at Colgate, 7:00; 28 (Sun.), at Boston U.*, 1:00;

October – 2 (Thu.), at Maine*, 12:00; 5 (Sun.), New Hampshire*, 1:00; 7 (Tue.), at Dartmouth, 6:00; 12 (Sun.), at Hartford*, 12:00; 16 (Thu.), Stony Brook*, 3:00; 19 (Sun.), at Binghamton*, 6:00; 23 (Thu.), Vermont*, 3:00; 26 (Sun.), UMBC*, 1:00;

*America East Conference Opponent
^Niagara Tournament (Niagara Falls, N.Y.)
+Governor’s Cup (Albany, N.Y.)

University of Albany Baseball Finishes Season With America East Series Win Over Stony Brook: UAlbany Athletics

Courtesy: UAlbany Sports Information

Albany, N.Y. – Pete Eichner went 3-for-3, including a double, and scored the game-tying run to lead UAlbany to a 9-6 come-from-behind victory over Stony Brook in the season finale on Saturday, May 17 at Varsity Field. The Great Danes won three of four games in the America East Conference series.

Stony Brook (31-24, AE 14-10) jumped out to a 3-0 lead in the first inning. Brian Witkowski and Chad Marshall drew walks and Michael Stephan was hit by a pitch to open the frame. After a strikeout, Steven Mazzurco laced a double down the left-field line to plate Witkowski and Marshall. Three batters later, Stephan raced home on a wild pitch.

UAlbany (17-37-1, AE 10-14) took a 4-3 lead with four runs in the bottom of the frame. Sean Donovan doubled down the right-field line and Gary Pitcheralle walked to start the frame. Brendan Rowland followed with a single through the right side to knock in Donovan. Pitcheralle then scored as Rowland safely reached second as the second baseman dropped a throw on an attempted double-play ball. After a successful sacrifice bunt moved Rowland to third and Mike Konstanty to second, Rowland and Konstanty scored on consecutive wild pitches.

The Seawolves regained the lead with a pair of runs in the second. Justin Echevarria walked and Witkowski was hit by a pitch to open the inning. Following a UAlbany pitching change and a groundout, Rob Dyer singled up the middle to drive in Echevarria and Witkowski.

The Great Danes, still trailing 5-4 in the seventh, plated three runs on three hits to regain the lead. Eichner doubled and Tom Zink reached on an error to start the rally. Freshman Kyle Crean then pulled a 3-2 pitch down the right-field line to knock in Eichner from second and move Zink to third. Donovan walked to load the bases. After Stony Brook reliever Devin Will recorded a strikeout, Rowland plated Zink with a single up the third-base line. Konstanty then drove in Crean with a sacrifice fly to center for his team-high 47th RBI of the season.

The Seawolves got one run back in the top of the eighth, but UAlbany reliever Sean Gregory stranded three runners on base. Echevarria singled through the middle to start the inning. Witkowski then singled to move pinch runner Robert Inzerillo over to third base. Inzerillo scored on Marshall’s groundout before Stephan was hit by a pitch for the third time in the contest and Dyer walked to load the bases. Gregory entered the game and induced a pop up to second base and a fly out to right field.

The Great Danes delivered the final score with a pair of runs in the bottom of the eighth. Junior Dave West singled and Eichner reached on an error by the pitcher during a sacrifice bunt. Following a fielder’s choice by Zink in which West was forced at third, Eichner and Zink executed a double-steal with the catcher’s throw sailing into left field, allowing Eichner to score. Zink then came across on a wild pitch.

Senior right-hander Casey Walsh pitched six scoreless innings of relief, striking out seven, to record his first win of the season. Gregory pitched 1.2 innings for his fourth save. Jeremy Nowak suffered the loss for the Seawolves, yielding seven runs, including four earned, on seven hits over six innings.

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Stony Brook (31-24, AE 14-10) 320 000 010 - 6 6 4
UAlbany (17-37-1, AE 10-14) 400 000 32X - 9 9 1

Stony Brook: Jeremy Nowak (L, 6-2), Devin Will (7) and Justin Echevarria, Nick Thode (8).
UAlbany: Nate Novak, Casey Walsh (2, W, 1-8), Chris Ott (8), Dave Noble (8), Sean Gregory (8, S, 4) and Ryan Gugel.

University of Albany's Luke Schoen Places Second in Pole Vault at IC4A Championship

Courtesy: UAlbany Sports Information

Princeton, N.J. – Sophomore Luke Schoen finished second in the pole vault to lead UAlbany performances at the 132nd Annual IC4A Outdoor Track & Field Championship at Princeton University’s Weaver Stadium on Saturday, May 17. The Great Danes are in fourth place with 20 points through eight events. The UAlbany women have three points through nine events.

Schoen, who was third at last season’s IC4A championship, placed second by clearing the bar at 16-feet, 10.75-inches. Freshman Michael Dempsey was ninth in the event with a height of 16-2.75. A pair of Great Danes finished in the top-five in the long jump. Sophomore Kyle Nadler finished second with an NCAA East Regional-qualifying leap of 24-feet, 4.25-inches, the second-best jump in program history. Classmate Valete Graham was fifth at 23-feet, 11.75-inches.

In the 100-meter dash trials, senior Dieuseul Joseph sprinted to a third-place finish in 10.63 seconds, just three one-hundredths of a second behind Junior Burnett’s school record of 10.60. The performance marked the third-fastest time in the school annals behind Burnett’s 10.60 and 10.61 at the 2007 Albany Spring Classic. In the 4x100-meter relay, Joseph led at quartet that included Jean Juste, Torshiro Jenkins and Jeffery Barnes to a second-place effort in the preliminaries. The relay sprinted a season-best time of 41.00 seconds, just 22 one-hundredths of a second off the school standard.

Freshman Wilfredo de Jesus Elias finished 12th in the hammer throw with a toss of 184-feet, 0-inches. Juste finished ninth in the prelims of the 110-meter hurdles in 14.26 seconds, only one-hundredths of a second shy of qualifying for the finals. Junior Joe Greene finished 11th in the 400-meter hurdles in 52.62, missing the finals by just .27 seconds.

On the women’s side, junior Kamilah McShine finished 10th in the preliminaries of the 100-meter hurdles in 14.11 seconds. McShine improved her time to 14.03 in the semifinals, but finished 11th overall and missed a spot in the championship field.

The Great Danes wrap up competition at the ECAC and IC4A championships on Sunday, May 18, beginning at 10:30 a.m.

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UAlbany Men’s Results
100 Meter Dash: 3. Dieuseul Joseph 10.63. 110 Meter Hurdles: 9. Jean Juste 14.26, 19. Garrett Askew 14.60, 30. Nick Assini 15.17. 200 Meter Dash: 13. Jeffery Barnes 21.65. 400 Meter Hurdles: 11. Joe Greene 52.62. 4x100 Meter Relay: 2. Jean Juste, Dieuseul Joseph, T Jenkins, J Barnes 41.00. 4x400m Relay: 16. Andrew Overbaugh, Jeffery Barnes, Joe Belokopitsky, Joe Greene 3:14.92. Long Jump: 2. Kyle Nadler 24-4.25, 5. Valete Graham 23-11.75, 15. Fred Casimo 22-11.75. Pole Vault: 2. Luke Schoen 16-10.75, 9. Michael Dempsey 16-2.75. Hammer Throw: 12. Wilfredo de Jesus Elias 184-0.


UAlbany Women’s Results
100 Meter Hurdles Trials: 10. Kamilah McShine 14.11. 100 Meter Hurdles Semis: 11. Kamilah McShine 14.03. 4x100 Meter Relay: 19. Kamilah McShine, Christen Griffin, Jenn Gurrant, Ashley Vives 47.79. 4x400 Meter Relay: 29. Gurrant, Clarkson, Vives, Lee, Kelly, C P-S, Bolognino 3:55.41. 4x800 Meter Relay: 16. Esperanza Blanco, Zuliana Fontanez, Danielle Trimpop, Laura Cummings 9:16.20.

Former University of Albany Lacrosse Star Merrick Thomson Selected To MLL All Rookie Team

The Philadelphia Wings' forwards Merrick Thomson and Jamie Rooney were selected as members of the 2008 National Lacrosse League All Rookie Team. They are joined by Forward Craig Point (Minnesota); Transition players Jordan Hall (New York), Tyler Codron (Portland), and Bobby McBride (Chicago).

Thomson, the Wings' top draft choice (2nd overall) in this year's NLL Entry Draft, had a standout first season with the Wings, recording 55 points (26G, 29A), which was second only to Minnesota's Craig Point who recorded 61 points (27G, 34A). In his first year out of the University at Albany, Thomson was named Rookie of the Week in week 4 this season, and was also named Rookie of the Month for January.

Rooney, the Wings selected Rooney in the second round (22nd overall) in the 2008 NLL Dispersal Draft from Arizona, finished the 2008 season with 43 points (20G, 23A) and 59 loose balls. Rooney's season was highlighted by his five point performance (2G, 3A) in the Wings 19-11 victory over Chicago in the team's first game. He also scored the goal that forced overtime in the Wings 15-14 overtime win against the Buffalo Bandits on January 26.

The Philadelphia Wings finished the 2008 regular season with a 10-6 record, 7-1 at home, and qualified for the National Lacrosse League playoffs for the first time since the 2002 season. 2008 was also a historic season for the Wings as forward Athan Iannucci shattered the single season goal scoring record with 71 goals, transition player Geoff Snider broke the single season loose ball record with 244, and on April 19, the team had its highest attended game since 2002 when 17,340 fans packed the Wachovia Center.

Reserve your 2009 season tickets today! A $50 deposit guarantees a great seat for eight great games of Wings lacrosse. Call 215-389-WING or visit wingslax.com for more information.

The Philadelphia Wings are owned and operated by Philadelphia Wings L.P., whose principal owners are Russ Cline, Chris Fritz and Michael French. Comcast-Spectacor serves as the marketing, sponsorship and publicity arm of the Wings.

Latest Gifts Bring Private Philanthropy Support for UAlbany's Cancer Research to $1.07 Million

Interim President George M. Philip was joined by E. Stewart Jones and several other donors to announce $166,000 in gifts to support cancer research at the University at Albany-SUNY, bringing total support to $1.07 million on the strength of more than 1,000 individual donors. The gifts include $150,000 from Jones to support the Cancer Research Endowment, $10,000 from The Community Foundation for the Capital Region's Bender Scientific Fund, as well as $1,000 gifts from the Rensselaer County Chamber of Commerce and researchers Scott Tenenbaum and Thomas Begley.

The support is the latest measure of success for the University's Cancer Research Center, the signature building of UAlbany's East Campus and home to the Gen*NY*Sis Center for Excellence in Cancer Genomics (GCECG) and the Center for Functional Genomics (CFG). Recent developments include the hiring of senior researchers Martin Tenniswood and JoEllen Welsh from The University of Notre Dame through the Empire Innovation Program. The program aims to boost economic development and research competitiveness across New York State by enabling SUNY's university centers and doctoral campuses to hire investigators in areas in which the University is already demonstrating national and international strength.

Other investments include $2.2 million from the National Institutes of Health for Begley to continue research on molecular pathways. Begley, an assistant professor of biomedical sciences at the School of Public Health (SPH) and researcher at GCECG, was also awarded $200,000 through the James D. Watson Investigator program to research cellular responses to chemotherapeutic drugs used to treat cancer. Assistant professor and researcher Douglas S. Conklin received a $450,000 award from the Department of Defense Breast Cancer Research Program. Tenenbaum, an assistant professor biomedical sciences and GCECG scientists, received $2.6 million grant from the National Human Genome Research Institute (NHGRI) to study the organization and function of human genes. GCECG scientists have also partnered with other regional medical facilities, including St. Peter's Hospital, Samaritan Hospital and Glens Falls Hospital to secure grants helping to advance cancer research.

"I want to thank E. Stewart Jones and all those in the community who have given to support cancer research here at the University at Albany," said Philip. "Their generosity and commitment to assist us in our efforts to discover the root causes of cancer is inspirational. It's also another measure of how the Cancer Research Center is a successful investment for the Capital Region."

"I appreciate the support of E. Stewart Jones, the Rensselaer County Chamber of Commerce and others in the Capital Region for building upon our investment in cancer research at the University at Albany," said Senate Majority Leader Joseph L. Bruno. "I also commend the scientists at UAlbany who continue to inspire support through their commitment to cutting-edge research aimed at finding the cure for cancer."

"It's an honor to be a part of this effort at the University at Albany to find a cure for cancer," said Jones. "I look forward to following the progress of the cancer researchers in this building as they continue their groundbreaking study in cancer genomics."

"These gifts are a recognition of the maturation of the Cancer Research Center and the Gen*NY*Sis Center for Excellence in Cancer Genomics," said Paulette McCormick, director of the Gen*NY*Sis center. "With this investment, we will be better equipped to unlock the fundamental causes of cancer and work toward developing a cure."

"We're happy to make the investment to support cancer research at the University at Albany's Cancer Research Center," said Jake Dumesnil, director of programs and communications for the Rensselaer County Chamber of Commerce. "We take it as part of our mission at the chamber to assist in the progress of this Center and its scientists."

"The support of E. Stewart Jones, the Chamber of Commerce and all those who have given to this facility is essential to our educational mission at the university and the School of Public Health," said Dean Philip C. Nasca. "Our researchers in the Cancer Research Center are also indispensable as educators for the biological sciences program at the School and these investments will help them better serve the students of UAlbany."

"As a scientist and professor, I'm happy to be able to give back to the University by donating to support cancer research here at UAlbany," said Tenenbaum. "The community has been instrumental in supporting our work, and I feel it is only fitting that we recognize these investments by contributing as well."

The goal of the Cancer Research Endowment is to accelerate finding effective treatments for cancer through investment and research, including:

Recruiting renowned senior-level scientists with the ability to propel and inspire scientific accomplishment, as well as junior-level faculty to complement existing research strengths
Establishing competitive fellowship stipends to attract top doctoral and post-doctoral students
Provide capital for pilot and innovative new projects and approaches
Maintain cutting-edge equipment critical to a researcher’s success
Sponsoring symposia, visiting scientists and publication of research findings in national and international journals
The Cancer Research Center combines UAlbany research expertise in genomics and biomedical sciences with state-of-the-art technology in an 113,000 square-foot facility. The Center hosts scientists committed to discovering the genetic origins of cancer and who conduct research into finding a cure for the disease. It is part of New York State's Generating Employment Through New York Science (Gen*NY*Sis) program, a $500 million initiative in government and private investment, spearheaded by Senate Majority Leader Joseph L. Bruno. Its goal is to lure new life science industries to the state and make New York a leader in creating science and technology jobs.

UAlbany Junior Chosen for National Leadership Council

Nina Konar, a junior at the University of Albany SUNY, was awarded a position on the National Leadership Council of the National Society of Collegiate Scholars (NSCS) for the 2008-2009 academic year. The NSCS is an honor society inviting freshmen and sophomores based on grade point average and class standing.

Konar, a sociology major from Rochester, N.Y., was inducted into NSCS in the fall of her sophomore year and immediately made the vice president of community service. She currently serves as the organization’s president.

“Members of the NSCS National Leadership Council must exhibit the three pillars of NSCS – scholarship, leadership, and service,” said Bailey Kasten, manager of operations. “Nina has shown these qualities consistently as a member of NSCS at Albany.”

NSCS awards 20 council positions every year to students who display leadership qualities both at their NSCS chapter and in their on-campus activities. Recent events organized by the Albany chapter include the Relay For Life Penny Wars and the annual March to College Day, which brings a local middle school class to campus.

Laura Cummings Places Sixth in Steeplechase at ECAC Championship

Courtesy: UAlbany Sports Information

Princeton, N.J. – UAlbany’s Laura Cummings placed sixth in the 3,000-meter steeplechase on the opening day of the ECAC Championships at Princeton University’s Weaver Stadium on Friday, May 16. The Great Danes are in sixth place with three points through one event.

Cummings, a junior from Bay Shore, N.Y., turned in an NCAA East Regional-qualifying time of 10:46.75 to earn All-East honors. The performance marked the fourth-fastest time in the program’s history. Virginia sophomore Stephanie Garcia won the event in a time of 10:19.74.

The Great Danes continue action at the ECAC and IC4A Championships on Saturday, May 16, beginning at 10:30 a.m.
-agate-
3,000 Meter Steeplechase
1. Stephanie Garcia (Virginia) 10:19.74, 2. Patricia Loughlin (Duke) 10:31.54, 3. Elizabeth Graney (William & Mary) 10:41.68, 4. Sarah Morrison (Villanova) 10:44.81, 5. Liz Deir (Princeton) 10:45.19, 6. Laura Cummings (UAlbany) 10:46.75.

Maisonet and McIntosh Named to NFCA Divsion I All-Northeast Region Team

Courtesy: UAlbany Sports Information

Albany, N.Y. – Senior left fielder Amber Maisonet and sophomore pitcher Leah McIntosh were both named to the Louisville Slugger/National Fastpitch Coaches Association Division I All-Northeast Region Second Team, as announced by the NFCA on Thursday afternoon.

Maisonet earned her first all-regional selection after a stellar senior season in which she was named to the All-America East Conference First Team for the fourth straight year. Maisonet batted .379 in her final season with the Great Danes, recording a team-high 61 hits and 33 runs scored. She also stole a league-leading 27 stolen bases and was first in the conference with five triples. Maisonet finished as the UAlbany career leader with 233 hits and 151 runs. She is also ranked second in career stolen bases with 96 and is fourth with a .360 batting average.

Maisonet was named to the 2008 ESPN The Magazine Academic All-District I First Team by the College Sports Information Directors of America (CoSIDA). After posting a 3.85 cumulative grade point average in psychology, Maisonet earned her first CoSIDA accolade. She moves onto the national ballot, with the Academic All-America team being announced on Wednesday, May 28. Maisonet, who also earned the ECAC Merit Medal this season, was named an NFCA Academic All-American as a junior and is a member of the UAlbany Athletic Director’s Honor Roll.

McIntosh was named to the all-conference first team after leading the America East with a 1.57 ERA and finishing second with 217 strikeouts. McIntosh, who finished the season ranked 16th nationally with 9.8 strikeouts per seven innings, tossed two no-hitters as a sophomore and set a UAlbany Division I program record with 18 strikeouts in a seven-inning win over Manhattan. In just two seasons with the Great Danes, she stands third in career strikeouts with 375 and is eighth all-time with an ERA of 2.22. McIntosh was named the conference’s pitcher of the week on four occasions during the season.

UAlbany's Brian Lillis Named America East Conference Basketball Scholar-Athlete of the Year

Courtesy: UAlbany Sports Information

Cambridge, Mass. – University at Albany’s Brian Lillis has been selected America East Conference Scholar-Athlete of the Year in men’s basketball for the 2007-08 academic year, as announced on Wednesday, May 14 by the conference office. He has a 3.23 cumulative grade point average in business administration.
Lillis, a 6-foot-5 guard/forward from Urbandale, Iowa, recently received an ECAC Merit Medal as UAlbany’s top senior male student-athlete who combined excellence in athletics and in the classroom. He was voted first-team all-conference and made his second consecutive appearance on the America East all-defensive unit. Lillis was chosen the 2008 America East Fans’ Choice Player of the Year.

One of 10 players at the NCAA Division I level to lead his team in points, rebounds and assists, Lillis ranked among the conference leaders in several statistical categories. He averaged 15.8 points, 6.0 rebounds, 3.5 assists and 1.6 steals. His reverse dunk against Vermont on Feb. 11 made ESPN SportsCenter’s Top 10 Plays of the Day.

Lillis, who led the Great Danes to pair of conference titles and two NCAA berths during his career, was selected to this year’s ESPN The Magazine District I All-Academic Team and was twice a member of the conference’s all-academic squad. He received UAlbany’s 2008 President’s Award for Leadership

Former University of Albany Standout Jacob Hobbs Signs with Super Bowl Champion New York Giants

Courtesy: UAlbany Sports Information

East Rutherford, N.J. – The Super Bowl champion New York Giants announced on Monday, May 12 the signing of seven players who attended last week’s rookie mini-camp on a tryout basis, including former University at Albany standout offensive lineman Jacob Hobbs.

Hobbs, at 6-foot-3, and 303 pounds, is the first player signed by the Giants from UAlbany, where they have held training camp since 1996. He was originally signed by the Philadelphia Eagles on May 14, 2007. Hobbs played in four preseason games before he was waived on Sept. 1. In 2006, Hobbs started all 10 UAlbany games at left tackle and was named to the 2006 Football Gazette Mid-Major All-America second team and the All-Northeast Conference first team. Hobbs was a Class AA second-team all-state defensive end at Schenectady High School. He was born on Feb. 17, 1983.

“This feels great and provides me with more motivation,” said Hobbs, who earned three varsity letters and was voted the UAlbany’s top offensive lineman as a senior. “There a lot of people who have supported me and are behind me. They want to see good things come out of this.”

Hobbs joins a list of UAlbany players who have signed as NFL free agents. Andre Coleman (San Diego), Kurt Campbell (Oakland) and Hobbs (Philadelphia) were in training camps last summer. Previously, Geir Gudmundsen (Buffalo), Dan Gmelin (San Diego), Seth Thomas (Carolina) and Matt Caliandro (Carolina) have inked free-agents deals.

The newest Giants, including Hobbs, are defensive tackles Brian Soi of Utah and Nate Robinson of Akron, defensive end Alex Morrow of USC, defensive backs Miguel Scott of North Carolina State and Terrance Stringer of Tuskegee, and long snapper Nick Leeson of Virginia Tech.

University of Albany's Mike Konstanty Sets Single-Season Home Run Record as Baseball Sweeps New York Tech: UAlbany Athletics

Courtesy: UAlbany Sports Information

Albany, N.Y. – Mike Konstanty blasted a two-run homer in the seventh inning to break the program’s single-season home run record to lead UAlbany to a doubleheader sweep of New York Tech in non-conference baseball action on Saturday, May 10 at Varsity Field. The Great Danes took game one, 7-3, and won the nightcap, 8-3.

UAlbany (14-35-1) opened a 5-0 lead in the bottom of the third inning of the first game. Following lead-off walks to Kyle Crean and Zac Halloran and a pop out, junior Gary Pitcheralle recorded an infield single and advanced to second on a throwing error, allowing Crean to score. After a groundout, sophomore Brendan Rowland blasted a three-run shot to right field for his ninth homer of the season. Konstanty followed with a single, stole second and was forced in after three consecutive walks.

Following three scoreless innings, Donovan singled with one out in the seventh. Two batters later, Konstanty blasted his 13th homer of the season to left center to give the Great Danes a 7-0 lead. The previous record of 12 was established by Steve Checksfield in 2000. New York Tech (16-27-2) brought the tying run to the plate in the bottom of the ninth inning, but junior Sean Gregory induced a fly out to end the frame. Joe Lucente opened the inning with an infield single. Following consecutive walks to load the bases, pinch-runner Eric Cos scored on a wild pitch. After a UAlbany pitching change, Brian Smith drove in Greg Gilroy from third with a double down the right field line. Bob Garland added NYIT’s third run as he scored on a groundout. A hit batsman and walk loaded the bases before Gregory retired Christian Dienna.

In game two, Rowland gave the Great Danes a 2-0 lead in the bottom of the first with a two-run single down the left field line, driving in Pitcheralle and Donovan, who singled and walked, respectively. The Bears answered back with three runs in the top of the second. Effrey Valdez led off the frame with a single up the middle. Following a pair of outs, Gilroy doubled to the gap in left center to plate Valdez. Dienna then tripled to left center to knock in Gilroy. An ensuing passed ball allowed Dienna to score.

UAlbany evened the scored in the bottom of the second and scored five times in the third and fourth innings for the win. Pete Eichner knotted the score at three with a solo blast to lead off the second. In the third, Konstanty doubled to right center to open the frame and came around to score on a wild pitch and a throwing error on the catcher. The Great Danes put the game away with four runs in the fourth. A single by Jamie Liebowitz, a double by Eichner and a walk to Pitcheralle loaded the bases with no outs. Donovan walked to force in Liebowitz before Rowland reached on a fielder’s choice and advanced to second on a throwing error, allowing Eichner and Pitcheralle to score. Two batters later, Ryan Gugel singled to right field to drive in Rowland from third.

Junior Josh Willimott tossed seven scoreless innings, while striking out seven, in game one to pick up his team-high fifth win of the season. Gregory picked up his third save of the season by recording one out in the ninth. Andrew Guarrasi suffered the loss for the Bears, yielding five runs on four hits over five innings. In game two, freshman David Kubiak struck out four over six innings to register his fourth victory of the year. Preston Wasmund took the loss in relief in the nightcap, allowing six runs (four earned) in 3.1 innings. Rowland registered six runs batted in on the afternoon, while Konstanty had three hits and three runs scored.

The Great Danes and the Bears will wrap up their three-game non-conference series on Sunday at 1:00 p.m. UAlbany will honor its five members of the class of 2008 prior to the first pitch.

-agate-
Game One
NYIT (16-26-2) 000 000 003 - 3 10 2
UAlbany (13-35-1) 005 000 20X - 7 6 0

NYIT: Andrew Guarrasi (L), Louie Bernardi (6) and George Carroll.
UAlbany: Josh Willimott (w, 5-3), Chris Ott (8), Hunter Moffatt (9), Sean Gregory (9, S, 3) and Ryan Gugel.



Game Two
NYIT (16-27-2) 030 000 0 - 3 9 2
UAlbany (14-35-1) 211 400 X - 8 7 1

NYIT: Eric Johnson, Preston Wasmund (1, L), Bobby Tesseyman (5), Chris Colleran (6) and Greg Gilroy.
UAlbany: David Kubiak (W, 4-0), Matthew Herrick (7) and Ryan Gugel.

University of Albany's Luke Schoen Sets Two Records in Winning Pole Vault at 14th Annual UAlbany Spring Classic

Courtesy: UAlbany Sports Information

Albany, N.Y. – Luke Schoen set a school and facility record in the men’s pole vault to highlight the list of performances at the 14th annual UAlbany Spring Classic on Saturday, May 10 at University Field. Schoen cleared the bar at 17-feet, 5-inches, tying the 11th-best national collegiate mark this season.

Schoen, a sophomore, broke his own UAlbany standard and shattered a 13-year-old facility record on his first attempt at that height. Ryan Dall established the previous record of 17-0.75 in 1995. Schoen had the bar raised to 17-7, but missed all three attempts.

“It couldn’t have gone better,” said Schoen, who will compete at the IC4A championship in Princeton, N.J. next weekend. “I am set up pretty well to make the NCAAs. It was nice to get a personal best at home and my parents were here to see it.”

All-America hurdler Joe Greene continued his way back from a leg injury suffered this past winter to run a season-best 53.88 seconds in the 400-meter intermediate hurdles. Jeffrey Barnes and Fred Casimo posted IC4A-qualifying marks in the 100-meter dash and long jump, respectively. Barnes, the current America East Conference 200-dash champion, sprinted 10.90 seconds. Casimo won the long jump in 23-feet, 4.50-inches.

In the women’s competition, freshman Rebecca Kelly qualified for the USAT&F Junior National Championships in the 400-meter hurdles with a time 1:03.12. Kelly’s performance will take her to Columbus, Ohio on June 20-22 where she will compete at Ohio State University’s Jesse Owens Memorial Stadium.

“I never would have guessed that I would qualify for nationals,” explained Kelly, who began competing in the hurdles as a high school senior and made the junior standard by two-hundredths of a second. “Kamilah (McShine) got me off to a good start. I was so into it today. I hit most of my steps.”

In addition, Wilfredo de Jesus Elias won the hammer throw with an IC4A distance of 183-06. The men’s 4x100 relay also improved its IC4A standing with a season-best 41.46 seconds. Raphael Jean-Baptiste, Torshiro Jenkins, Drew Harrison and Barnes are relay members. Brenna Militello advanced to the ECAC championship in the high jump. Her height of 5-7 is just three-quarters of an inch off her school record.

*********

14th Annual UAlbany Spring Classic

Women’s Results

100 Meter Dash: 1. Diana Cruz (Club Santurce), 12.93; 200 Meter Dash: 1. Christen Griffin (UAlbany), 25.50; 400 Meter Dash: 1. Octavia Clarkson (UAlbany), 59.43; 800 Meter Run: 1. Zuliana Fontanez (UAlbany), 2:15.26; 1500 Meter Run: 1. Laine Sefick (UAlbany), 5:02.54; 100 Meter Hurdles: Valerie Maignan (UAlbany), 15.77; 400 Meter Hurdles: 1. Rebecca Kelly (UAlbany), 1:03.12; 3000 Meter Steeplechase: 1. Danielle Trimpop (UAlbany), 10:59.32; 4x100 Meter Relay: 1. UAlbany (Kamilah McShine, Christen Griffin, Jennifer Gurrant, Ashley Vives), 48.18; 4x400 Meter Relay: 1. UAlbany (Octavia Clarkson, Laura Bolognino, Rebecca Kelly, Zuliana Fontanez), 4:04.21; High Jump: 1. Brenna Militello (UAlbany), 5-07.00; Pole Vault: 1. Krystal Myers (UAlbany), 9-00.25; Long Jump: 1. Jennifer Gurrant (UAlbany), 18-09.25; Triple Jump: 1. Sandy Antenor (UAlbany), 38-04.00; Shot Put: 1. Kadine Johnson (UAlbany), 42-06.00; Discus: 1. Kadine Johnson (UAlbany), 137-11; Hammer Throw: 1. Louise Duffus (Unattached), 154-03; Javelin: 1. Ashley Lewis (UAlbany), 118-09.

Men’s Results

100 Meter Dash: 1. Jeffery Barnes (UAlbany), 10.90; 200 Meter Dash: 1. Jeffrey Barnes (UAlbany), 21.89; 400 Meter Dash: 1. Nicholas Lemp (UAlbany), 50.97; 800 Meter Run: 1. Joe Belokopitsky (UAlbany), 1:52.59; 1500 Meter Run: Onar Ayala (Club Santurce), 4:12.52; 5000 Meter Run: 1. Brian Yurkewecz (UAlbany), 15:27.57; 110 Meter Hurdles: 1. Jean Juste (UAlbany), 14.52; 400 Meter Hurdles: 1. Joe Greene (UAlbany), 53.88; 3000 Meter Steeplechase: 1. Chris Frank (RPI), 10:00.60; 4x100 Meter Relay: 1. UAlbany (Raphael Jean-Baptiste, Drew Harrison, Torshiro Jenkins, Jeffery Barnes), 41.46; 4x400 Meter Relay: 1. UAlbany (Nicholas Lemp, Alan Nimblette, Andrew Overbaugh, Joe Greene), 3:30.88; High Jump: 1. Dan Jimenez (RPI), 6-04.75; Pole Vault: 1. Luke Schoen (UAlbany), 17-05.00 (school & facility record); Long Jump: 1. Frederick Casimo (UAlbany), 23-04.50; Triple Jump: 1. Don Ning Hu (UAlbany), 46-01.50; Shot Put: 1. Renauld Buck (UAlbany), 48-10.00; Discus: 1. Michael Lynch (Unattached), 147-01; Hammer Throw: 1. Wilfredo de Jusus Elias (UAlbany), 183-06; Javelin: 1. Marc Pallozzi (Unattached), 223-03.

University of Albany Ranks Third in State in Most Recycled Materials: UAlbany

UAlbany increased recyclables per person by 30 percent over last year. (Photo by Mark Schmidt)

Students and faculty helped boost UAlbany’s rank in the national Recyclemania competition this year, with a 30 percent increase in recyclables per person over last year.
The school recycled 13.34 pounds of waste per person this year, contrasted with 9.81 pounds per person last year.

“We were No. 3 in New York State in total amount of recycled material with 232,925 pounds,” said Mary Ellen Mallia, director of the Office of Environmental Sustainability.

Indian Quad successfully defended its title in producing the largest amount of recycled material.

Despite the progress, UAlbany still can improve in recyclables per capita. The University was 95th out of 180 schools competing in the per capita contest.

For the first time this year, UAlbany measured its trash, throwing out 66.54 pounds of garbage per person over the 10-week cycle. In the waste minimization category, the University was 53rd out of 95 schools and fourth out of eight schools in New York State.

UAlbany continues to add more recycling bins around the campus. The first bins were added around the podium and near the lecture centers; the second ones will be placed around the libraries, academic buildings, and apartment complexes. A third phase will follow in the next academic year.

“University Auxiliary Services (UAS) has donated two new recycling bins for the interior of the Campus Center,” said Mallia. “This is hoped to be the start of a program to purchase a total of 10 new bins for the Campus Center food court, dining area, and commuter lounge.”

University of Albany Softball Advances to America East Tournament Final Round on Saturday

Albany, N.Y. – Leah McIntosh tossed her ninth shutout of the season, a one-hitter, as UAlbany advanced to the championship round of the America East Conference Tournament with a 4-0 victory over UMBC in an elimination game on Friday, May 9 at Albany Field. Stony Brook defeated the Great Danes, 7-2, in the winner’s bracket earlier in the day to make the final for the first time in the program’s history. The two teams will play for an automatic NCAA berth.
UAlbany (34-16) broke up a scoreless tie in the fifth inning with a two-out rally. Nicole Kothe singled to right field, before Amber Maisonet bunted to reach base safely. After Andrianna Walraven fouled out to the third baseman, Michelle Connors worked a 1-2 count into a walk to load the bases. Meagan Butsch then ripped the first pitch she saw up the middle to drive in a pair of runs. Freshman Gina Mason followed with a two-run single, as she sent a 2-2 pitch to the left of the second-base bag and into centerfield.

McIntosh, who improved to 17-6 on the year, struck out seven and walked three in registering her 20th complete game. She worked out of a mild trouble in the third. Lynn Pronobis started the inning with an infield single and moved to third base after two sacrifices, but the sophomore hurler fanned Julia Culotta on an inside pitch with the count full. McIntosh, who struck out the side in the fourth and threw 90 pitches overall, had two runners aboard in the seventh, but ended the uprising when Pronobis popped out to end the game.

“I felt more pressure in the first game (against Stony Brook),” said McIntosh, whose team is the tournament’s top seed after winning the regular-season title. “I stepped it up (in the second game), but the catcher does all the work. She makes all the calls. The first five innings were hectic, but then we scored some runs. It is easier to pitch when you have more than a one- or two-run lead.”

In the first game of the day, Molly Kestranek had three hits, including her third home run of the season, in leading Stony Brook (32-21) to a 7-2 triumph. The Seawolves jumped on McIntosh with three runs over the first two innings. Marissa Fleury’s soft-liner over the shortstop’s right shoulder plated Vicki Kavitsky, who had reached on a fielder’s choice and stole second base. Kestranek drove a 1-2 pitch over the left-field fence to begin the second. Casey Jacobs, who followed in the order, would walk on five pitches and later score on Kavitsky’s sacrifice fly to right field.

The Seawolves, who upended second-seed Boston University, 3-0, in Thursday’s opening round, built a 6-0 lead after fourth innings against reliever Marissa Powell. In the third, Kestranek singled up the middle with two outs. She later came across on Kelly Oberto’s line drive over the second baseman’s head. Crista Cerrone knocked in another run by slapping an 0-2 pitch the other way over the shortstop’s glove. Kelsi Fanelli led off the fourth with her eighth homer of the year over the 210-sign in centerfield.

UAlbany broke through against Stony Brook’s Alyssa Struzenberg, the conference’s pitcher of the year, in the fifth. Maisonet, who went 3-for-4 at the plate in the first contest, singled and scored on Michelle Connors’ base hit to left field. Maisonet added a RBI double in the sixth.

Struzenberg, who improved to 23-8 overall and has beaten UAlbany twice this spring, scattered seven hits and struck out five in recording her 20th complete game. The sophomore right-hander has already established the school’s single-season record for pitching wins.

“We had a little better attitude going into the second game,” offered UAlbany coach Chris Cannata, whose squad is in the championship final for the fourth consecutive year. “Leah had more speed and movement and she had neither in the first game. It’s going to be tough to win twice tomorrow.”





Saturday, May 10

Game Six: UAlbany vs. stony brook 12 p.m.
Game Seven: (if necessary): UAlbany vs. stony brook 2:30 p.m.

More to Come...

Softball's Leah McIntosh Fires Shutout to Begin America East Conference's Tournament Play

Courtesy: UAlbany Sports Information

Albany, N.Y. – Leah McIntosh fired a two-hit shutout and struck out 12 batters in leading UAlbany to a 4-0 victory over UMBC in the opening round of the America East Conference Softball Championship on Thursday, May 8 at Albany Field. The Great Danes, who are the double-elimination tournament’s top seed, advanced to Friday’s winner’s bracket contest at 11:00 a.m.

McIntosh, a sophomore right-hander, was in complete control in upping her record to 16-5 in the circle. She gave up Amanda Fefel’s lead-off single in the second and her one-out double down the left-field line in the seventh. McIntosh, who recorded her eighth shutout of the season, has allowed two hits or less in six starting assignments this season.

UAlbany (33-15) broke up a scoreless deadlock in the fourth with a two-out uprising. Meagan Butsch walked in between a pair of fly outs, before right fielder Jessica Bergin lined a single into the left-field gap. UMBC center fielder Lynn Pronobis was unable to come up the ball, allowing it to roll all the way to fence, and Butsch came around to score. Leanne Tillman followed with an RBI single up the middle to provide her team with a two-run advantage.

The Great Danes, who won the conference’s regular-season title with a three-game sweep last weekend, tacked on two runs in the fifth. Amber Maisonet laid a bunt down the third-base line for a base hit, before shortstop Andrianna Walraven walked on a 3-2 pitch. Butsch was hit by a pitch to load the bases with two outs. Freshman Gina Mason then went the opposite way with a single near the right-field line, aided by a northwest wind, that scored a pair of base runners.

“The first game (of a tournament) is the most important,” said UAlbany coach Chris Cannata, whose program has produced 30 or more wins in seven consecutive seasons. “You don’t want to play all day tomorrow. It was good to get the nerves out.”

McIntosh, who struck out the side in the first and second innings and threw 84 pitches in recording her 20th complete-game effort of the season, finished off UMBC (24-28) with two strikeouts to end the game following Fefel’s double. She sent down third baseman Emily Thompson on a 1-2 pitch and then got left fielder Lauren Brummell swinging.

“Everything was working and this is the time that it needs to work,” commented McIntosh, a first-team all-conference selection who has registered 12 or more strikeouts against six opponents this spring. “I just went out and hoped for the best. When you get four runs and your hitters are hitting, it makes you feel comfortable.”

***********

America East Conference Softball Championship (First Round)

UMBC (24-28) 000 000 0 - 0 2 1

UAlbany (33-15) 000 220 x - 4 5 0

UMBC: Ashley Gray (7-10) and Kali Shirk.

UAlbany: Leah McIntosh (16-5) and Kat Smith.

Distinguished Cancer Researchers Arrive at the University of Albany

Prostate cancer specialist Martin Tenniswood and breast cancer researcher JoEllen Welsh join faculty at School of Public Health, Gen*NY*Sis Center for Excellence in Cancer Genomics

Cancer researchers Martin Tenniswood and JoEllen Welsh have joined the Department of Biomedical Sciences at the University at Albany-SUNY's School of Public Health from the University of Notre Dame as the Empire Innovations Professors of Biomedical Sciences. Tenniswood and Welsh will join the Gen*NY*Sis Center for Excellence in Cancer Genomics as researchers.

The Empire Innovation program aims to boost economic development and research competitiveness across New York State by enabling SUNY's university centers and doctoral campuses to hire investigators in areas in which the University is already demonstrating national and international strength. The program was instrumental in recruiting both professors from Notre Dame.

Tenniswood and Welsh have focused their research on improving current hormone therapies for prostate, breast and endometrial cancers. Their goal is to obtain a better understanding of the development of hormone-resistant disease, which ultimately leads to the death of the patient. Their approach has been to clone, and characterize the expression of a number of apoptosis-related genes that are involved in prostate and mammary gland regression.

The laboratories for Tenniswood and Welsh are located in the University's Gen*NY*Sis Center for Excellence in Cancer Genomics at the Cancer Research Center. The Center combines UAlbany research expertise in genomics and biomedical sciences with state-of-the-art technology in a 113,000 square-foot facility. The Center hosts scientists committed to discovering the genetic origins of cancer and who conduct research into finding a cure for the disease. It is part of New York State's Generating Employment Through New York Science (Gen*NY*Sis) program, a $500 million initiative in government and private investment, spearheaded by Senate Majority Leader Joseph L. Bruno. Its goal is to lure new life science industries to the state and make New York a leader in creating science and technology jobs.

"The appointment of Drs. Tenniswood and Welsh to the School of Public Health and Gen*NY*Sis Center for Excellence in Cancer Genomics is just one more sign of the maturation of the Center since its inception in 2005," said Interim President George M. Philip. "I would like to thank Senator Bruno for his vision for the Cancer Center and Dr. Paulette McCormick and Dean Philip Nasca for bringing such distinguished, world-class researchers to our campus."

"The East Campus, along with its School of Public Health and Gen*NY*Sis Cancer Research Center, continues to serve as a magnet to attract the best and brightest researchers from around the world," said Senator Bruno. "I commend the University at Albany, most especially President Philip, Dr. McCormick and Dean Nasca for bringing two of the foremost leaders in cancer research to the Capital Region to further their work in developing innovative technology in the fight against cancer."

"It is a pleasure to welcome such fine scientists as Drs. Tenniswood and Welsh to the University and to the School, joining the ranks of top researchers here in the fields of bioterrorism, emerging diseases, and health policy," said School of Public Health Dean Nasca. "Their arrival strengthens our programs and research for undergraduate and graduate students in the field of biological sciences and cancer studies."

"Martin Tenniswood and JoEllen Welsh are well-established leaders in their fields," said McCormick, director of the Gen*NY*Sis center. "As senior researchers, they will help mentor a strong core group of young scientists and students and help steer the Cancer Research Center so that the discoveries we make here can quickly be translated into information that directly helps patients."

Welsh, an expert in steroid hormones, nuclear receptors and breast cancer, is internationally recognized as the prominent researcher in the role of Vitamin D in breast cancer prevention and treatment. She has been funded for her research on Vitamin D through the National Institutes of Health since 1985, and currently holds two NIH grants, with funding of $1,080,000 per year through 2010. Her research has been published in Endocrinology, the Journal of Biological Chemistry, and the Journal of Nutrition.

An expert in apoptosis in prostate cancer, Tenniswood was previously the Coleman Foundation Chair of Biological Sciences at Notre Dame. Tenniswood has been published in a variety of journals, including the Journal of Biological Chemistry, Molecular Cancer Therapeutics and Oncogene.

Through its partnership with the New York State Dept. of Health, UAlbany's School of Public Health offers students immediate access to internships at the Health Department, Albany Medical College, and variety of other public and private health institutions throughout New York. The school serves as the academic anchor of the East Campus, the biotech hub of the university's life sciences research, which includes the Cancer Research Center, home to the Gen*NY*Sis Center for Excellence in Cancer Genomics and the Center for Functional Genomics.

Students and faculty at UAlbany's globally-oriented School of Public Health study the most profound health issues facing us today: the origins of disease such as cancer, the threat of bioterrorism, the spread of HIV/AIDS and other emerging diseases, the lack of affordable and accessible health care for individuals and families, environmental hazards, substance abuse and social violence, maternal mortality in developing countries, the promises and threats of genetic engineering, and protecting food and water supplies.

University of Albany's Steeplechase Champion Laura Cummings Among Six Earning America East All-Academic Honors

Courtesy: UAlbany Sports Information

Cambridge, Mass. -- Track champion Laura Cummings leads a group of six UAlbany spring athletes to be named to America East Conference all-academic teams, as announced by the conference office on Thursday, May 8. Each all-academic squad has been selected based on the student-athlete’s academic and athletic accomplishments. Academic achievement for consideration requires student-athletes to have a minimum cumulative grade point average of 3.00 entering the season. Athletic standards vary between team sports and individual sports. For track & field, student-athletes are required to be a top-three finisher at the conference championship meet.

Cummings, a junior English major from Bay Shore, N.Y., registered a pair of top-3 finishes at last weekend’s America East championship to appear on her second all-academic team of the year. She won the 3,000-meter steeplechase in a school-record time of 10:33.60 and placed third in the 1,500-meter run in 4:33.09. Senior Arina Gerasimova, a business administration major, recorded a third-place finish in the triple jump with a leap of 39-feet, 10.50-inches.

Three members of the America East champion men’s track and field team were named to the all-academic unit. Sophomore Valete Graham, a psychology major, won last Saturday’s long jump with a distance of 24-feet, 0.25-inches. Senior Renauld Buck, who has a dual major in history and communication, turned in a third-place finish in the shot put with a toss of 49-feet, 7.75-inches. Nick Assini, a junior business administration major, finished third in the 110-meter high hurdles in a season-best time of 14.53 seconds.

Jessica Signorelli earned America East all-academic honors after placing fifth at the America East Women’s Golf Championship last weekend. Signorelli, a sophomore communication major, carded a two-round score of 165 to help lead the Great Danes to their second America East title in the last five year.

University of Albany's Coach Chris Cannata & Amber Maisonet Recognized on All-America East Softball Team: UAlbany Athletics

Courtesy: UAlbany Sports Information

Albany, N.Y. -- University at Albany’s Chris Cannata was named the America East Conference Coach of the Year in softball, as announced at the annual conference banquet held at the Crowne Plaza in downtown Albany on Wednesday, May 7. The Great Danes also placed three team members on the all-conference first team.

Cannata earned the top coaching award for the fourth time since UAlbany joined the America East in 2001. In her 14th season at the helm of the Great Dane program, Cannata guided UAlbany to a 32-15 record overall, and went 16-5 in conference play en route to winning the regular-season title. Cannata won her 400th career game on April 19. She has a 409-203-1 record during her tenure.

Senior left fielder Amber Maisonet leads a group of three Great Danes on the all-conference first team. Maisonet, the first UAlbany player to earn first-team honors four times, is batting .372 and leads the team with 55 hits. She has scored 30 runs and driven in 15 more, while going 25-of-29 on stolen base attempts. Maisonet, who was also named to the all-academic team, became the program’s all-time hits leader this season with 227. She is also tied for first on the career runs chart with 148 and is second with 94 stolen bases.

Junior third baseman Meagan Butsch makes her first appearance on an all-conference team, after being named to the all-rookie squad as a freshman. Butsch, who earned a spot on the conference’s all-academic squad, leads the team with a .381 average and has recorded 53 hits, 27 runs and 28 RBI. She has a team-high .633 slugging percentage after knocking out seven home runs, six doubles and four triples as a junior. Butsch was named the America East and ECAC player of the week on April 13.

Sophomore pitcher Leah McIntosh, an all-rookie choice last year, is also a member of the first team. McIntosh has led the UAlbany staff, accumulating 197 strikeouts in 139.2 innings of work and a 1.65 ERA. In 22 appearances this season, McIntosh has posted a 15-5 record with 19 complete games, including seven shutouts and two no-hitters. McIntosh, who also earned all-academic team honors, was named the conference’s pitcher of the week on four occasions during the season.

Second baseman Michelle Connors earned all-conference second-team recognition after making first-team and all-rookie appearances as a freshman. Connors hit .331 in her second season, recording 41 hits, including a team-high eight doubles and eight home runs. She also led the team with 31 runs scored and 29 RBI.

Sophomore utility player Bailey Van Deest earned All-America East recognition for the first time with a spot on the all-conference second team. Van Deest recorded a .290 average, seeing time in right field and as the designated player. Van Deest had 27 hits on the season, including seven doubles, and drove in 14 runs.

Freshmen Andrianna Walraven and Gina Mason were honored with all-rookie team accolades. Walraven, who started 46 games at shortstop, hit .205 with 26 hits and 15 runs scored. Mason batted .230 with 28 hits, including seven doubles and five home runs. She scored 17 runs and drove in 25 more. Mason earned the conference’s final rookie of the week honor on May 4.

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2008 America East All_Conference Softball Team

First Team: Leah McIntosh, UAlbany; Alyssa Struzenberg, Stony Brook; Kali Shirk, UMBC; Marissa Fleury, Stony Brook; Ashley Waters, Maine; Meagan Butsch, UAlbany; Melissa Dubay, Boston U.; Amber Maisonet, UAlbany; April Setterlund, Boston U.; Shayne Lotito, Boston U.; Ashley Gray, UMBC; Amanda Fefel, UMBC.

Second Team: Cassidi Hardy, Boston U.; Brittney Stratton, Hartford; Christy Leath, Boston U.; Rachel Hebert, Boston U.; Michelle Connors, UAlbany; Terren Hall, Maine; Vicki Kavitsky, Stony Brook; Alexis Souhlaris, Maine; Kelsi Fanelli, Stony Brook; Rachelle Eloschuk, Vermont; Tyler Benson, Boston U.; Bailey Van Deest, UAlbany.

All-Rookie: Andrianna Walraven, UAlbany; Gina Mason, UAlbany; Brianna Andrews, Binghamton; Deannie Plemon, Binghamton; April Setterlund, Boston U.; Melanie Delgado, Boston U.; Kelley Engman, Boston U.; Terren Hall, Maine; Kristin Allen, Maine; Stephanie Weigman, UMBC; Lauren Brummel, UMBC; Caroline Goddard, Vermont.

All-Academic: Leah McIntosh, UAlbany; Meagan Butsch, UAlbany; Amber Maisonet, UAlbany; Bailey Van Deest, UAlbany; Christy Leath, Boston U.; Tyler Benson, Boston U.; Ashley Waters, Maine; Alyssa Struzenberg, Stony Brook; Marissa Fleury, Stony Brook; Vicki Kavitsky, Stony Brook, Kali Shirk, UMBC, Rachelle Eloschuk, Vermont.



Player of the Year: Ashley Waters, Maine

Pitcher of the Year: Alyssa Struzenberg, Stony Brook

Rookie of the Year: April Setterlund, Boston U.

Coach of the Year: Chris Cannata, UAlbany

University of Albany - UAlbany Athletics - Regular Season and Conference Tournament Championships

As the 2007-2008 Scholar Calendar winds down, we are able to update the university's list of regular season and tournament championships:

Total: 30 America East Conference Tournament Championships and NEC Championships in 7 years of D1 America East Competition and 9 years NEC Competition (football).



Football Champions 2002, 2003, 2007

Field Hockey Regular Season Champions 2006

Volleyball Regular Season Champions 2004, 2005, 2006
Volleyball Tournament Champions 2004, 2006, 2007

M. Basketball Regular Season Champions 2006
Men's Basketball Tournament Champions 2006, 2007

Men's Indoor Track Champions 2003, 2004, 2006, 2007, 2008

Lacrosse Regular Season Champions 2002, 2003, 2007
Lacrosse Tournament Champions 2003, 2004, 2005, 2007

Softball Regular Season Champions 2004, 2005, 2008
Softball Tournament Champions 2005, 2006, 2007

Women's Golf Tournament Champions 2004, 2008

Men's Outdoor Track Champions 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2008

Women's Outdoor Track Champions 2006, 2007

Baseball Tournament Champions 2007



2004-2005 America East Commissioner’s Cup Winner

University of Albany Softball Earns Top Seed for America East Conference Tournament: UAlbany Athletics

Courtesy:The University of Albany softball team earned the top seed for the America East Conference Championship, a double-elimination tournament, set to take place Thursday, May 8 through Saturday, May 10, at Albany Field. UAlbany swept a three-game series with Boston University to claim the regular-season title, the first since 2005.

Tickets for the event are available through the UAlbany ticket office. Admission is $7 for ages 14 and up and $4 for students with an America East school identification card. Spectators are directed to park in the Dutch Quad Gold parking lot. Limited parking will be available in the SEFCU Arena Gold parking lot.

2008 America East Conference Softball Championship - Albany Field – Albany, N.Y.

Thursday, May 8
Game One: #1 UAlbany (32-15, AE 16-5) vs. #4 UMBC (24-27, AE 12-9), 1 p.m.
Game Two: #2 Boston U. vs. #3 Stony Brook 3:30 p.m.

Friday, May 9
Game Three: Winner Game 1 vs. Winner Game 2, 11 a.m.
Game Four: Loser Game 1 vs. Loser Game 2, 1:30 p.m.
Game Five: Loser Game 3 vs. Winner Game 4, 4 p.m.

Saturday, May 10
Game Six: Winner Game 3 vs. Winner Game 5, 12 p.m.
Game Seven: (if necessary): Winner Game 6 vs. Loser Game 6, 2:30 p.m.


Following Article By Bob Weiner, Schenectady Gazette

The 32-15 Great Danes, who barely qualified for the America East Conference tournament a year ago and then surprised everyone by winning the championship, have appeared in three straight NCAA tournaments.

Last year’s team was young, but this year’s squad, which clinched the reg­ular-season title over the weekend and will be the top seed and host for the conference tourn­ament beginning Thursday, is even greener — and perhaps a little cocky, as well.

“Sometimes, it’s nice to have a little exper­ience. Even though we were also very young a year ago, I’m still not sure that experience is overrated, because it does help, especially in certain sit­uations. We definitely don’t have much of it,” said Cannata. “We have 15 freshmen and sophomores. We only have one junior and two seniors on the roster. Because of that, it took a while during the year to get everyone going on the same page. Last year was a roller coaster, and this year, it was even more so.”

UAlbany’s youth gave Cannata some stomach aches this season. “We’re a lot more athletic this year, but that inexperience played a part in so many one-run games this year. It didn’t matter whether we were playing somebody good or somebody bad, we still seemed to get stuck in a one-run game,” she said. “It was definitely rough on me, trying to coach them in those situations.”

Fortunately for the Great Danes, talent carried the day. Sophomore pitcher Leah McIntosh of Whitby, Ontario, led a deep staff, while Shenendehowa graduate Michelle Connors, a sophomore second baseman, and junior utility player Meagan Butsch wielded big bats in a powerful lineup.

But it all starts on the mound. “Leah definitely is having a great year, but she got tendonitis in her forearm and missed 10 days, right in the middle of our conference season,” Cannata said. “We were able to hold our own during that time with some nice pitching from Marissa Powell and Brittany Rose, but I’m glad Leah is back. She is extremely talented. She pitches for the Canadian junior national team and she throws very hard. Her best pitch is the rise ball, and she also has a curveball.”

“I’m not feeling that bad, right now, but I had to take a cortisone shot, and I didn’t really want to go that route,” said McIntosh, who has a 15-5 record with a 1.65 earned run average. She also has completed 19 of her 21 starts, and has posted seven shutouts. “I love taking the ball. I know we have depth, and it’s awesome that our other pitchers came through when I was hurt, but we have a young pitching staff. I’m young, but I’ve been pitching for 15 years, and nothing really rattles me,” she said.

Powell, from Dallas, is 13-9 with a 2.99 ERA, while Rose, a Schen­ectady High School graduate, is 3-1 with a 3.35 ERA. “Marissa is another hard thrower, but she uses a drop ball rather than a rise ball as her out pitch. Brittany Rose came in when we really needed her, especially when Leah was out. She throws hard, but she needs a little more control.”

Leadoff hitter Amber Maisonet, a senior outfielder from Newburgh, is a team leader in more ways than one. She sets the table for the power hitters and is batting .372, second in the America East Conference. Connors, the team’s No. 3 hitter, and Butsch, the cleanup hitter, excel at driving in runs. Connors, who is batting .331, has a team-high eight home runs and 29 RBI, while Butsch, the conference’s top hitter at .381, has six homers and 28 RBI.

“If I don’t drive Amber in, Meagan will,” said Connors. “We have a tremendous amount of talent and depth on this team. I’ll contribute in any way I can. I consider myself both a line-drive hitter and a power hitter, but we have a lot of good hitters all the way through our lineup.”

The pitching is sharp and the top half of the lineup provides plenty of punch, but the Great Danes don’t always field the ball the way Cannata would like. “Let’s just say our defense plays like a bunch of freshmen,” she said. “But it’s been better lately. Since we’re more athletic, they can get to the ball quicker. Once they began to feel comfortable, they started to make the plays, but it took them a while.”

That inexperience that Cannata keeps coming back to is one of the reasons why she’s not as happy as one would think about hosting the America East Conference tourn­ament.
“I think it puts more pressure on the kids,” said Cannata, who has guided the Great Danes to seven straight appearances in the conference tournament. “If we were more experienced, I would love playing at home, but now, the kids are going to class and taking finals. In fact, they’re right in the middle of finals, and they are all in the dorms. When you’re on the road, you are all together in the hotel rooms, and you are less distracted.”

University of Albany Student-Athletes Earn Recognition at 8th Annual Great Dane Awards: UAlbany Athletics

Courtesy: UAlbany Sports Information

Albany, N.Y. -- University at Albany Vice President and Director of Athletics Lee McElroy presented Brian Lillis and Amber Maisonet with ECAC Merit Medals at the eighth annual Great Dane Awards, held at SEFCU Arena on Monday, May 5. The event celebrates UAlbany Athletics in the 2007-08 academic year. Presidential Scholar-Athlete Awards were given to Amanda Hall, Kelly Martinson, Mike Ammann and Steve Ammann. Each of the 19 intercollegiate men’s and women’s teams handed out their most valuable player awards.

ECAC Merit Medals are annually awarded to the school’s top senior male and female student-athletes who have shown excellence in the classroom and as competitive athletes during the current academic year. Presidential Scholar-Athlete Awards are presented to the Department of Athletics’ top students.

Maisonet, a senior outfielder on the softball team, has a 3.85 cumulative grade point average in psychology. Maisonet, a three-time first-team All-America East Conference selection, has led the program to three conference championships and three NCAA Tournament appearances. She is currently batting .372 with 25 stolen bases. Maisonet is the school’s career leader with 227 hits and is tied for first in runs with 148 and is second in stolen bases with 94.

Lillis, a senior guard/forward on the basketball squad, has a 3.23 GPA in business administration. He was voted to the all-conference first team after averaging 15.8 points, 6.0 rebounds and 3.5 assists. Lillis, who was one of 10 players at the Division I level to lead his team in all three categories, was also selected as the America East Fans’ Choice Player of the Year. He led the Great Danes to a pair of America East championships and two NCAA berths during his career.

Hall posted a 3.88 GPA in business administration. A member of the women’s tennis team, Hall had an 18-8 singles record and a 17-11 mark in doubles play this spring. The Great Danes went 18-7 in dual matches, their best season as a Division I program. Martinson, who hails from Madison, Wis., has a 3.99 GPA in social welfare with a dual minor in psychology and education. Her basketball career was cut short due to injury, but she provided leadership for a program that registered its best-ever record in America East Conference play and reached the conference tournament’s semifinal round.

Mike Ammann has a 3.87 GPA in accounting with a dual minor in business administration and athletics. He received the 2008 UAlbany President’s Award for Leadership and was chosen to last year’s ESPN The Magazine District all-academic team. Ammann accounted for 65 career points as a lacrosse midfielder. Steve Ammann, who has twice been voted to the All-America East second team in lacrosse, has a 3.86 GPA in business administration with a concentration in finance and marketing. Steve and his twin brother, Mike, have been involved in numerous community service projects, including Habitat for Humanity. Steve was fourth on the team in scoring with 15 goals and 12 assists as a senior.

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2007-08 University at Albany Team MVP Awards

Fall: Ricardo Estremera (Men’s Cross Country), Laura Cummings (Women’s Cross Country), Michelle Simpson (Field Hockey), Michael Dungey (Football), Steward Ceus (Men’s Soccer), Meghan Garrity (Women’s Soccer), Kamisha Kellam (Women’s Volleyball).

Winter: Brian Lillis (Men’s Basketball), Gia Sanders (Women’s Basketball), Jean Juste & David Parker (Men’s Indoor Track & Field), Laura Cummings & Jenn Gurrant (Women’s Indoor Track & Field).

Spring: Brendan Rowland (Baseball), Corrin Conroy (Women’s Golf), Jordan Levine (Men’s Lacrosse), Kayla Best & Sara Wolf (Women’s Lacrosse), Amber Maisonet, Meagan Butsch & Leah McIntosh (Softball), Charlotte Tatler (Women’s Tennis), TBD (Men’s Track & Field), TBD (Women’s Track & Field).

Spirit Awards: Tori Palmer (Cheerleading), Katie Lappin (Dance).

University of Albany's Leah McIntosh and Gina Mason Earn America East Weekly Softball Awards: UAlbany Athletics

Courtesy: UAlbany Sports Information

Albany, N.Y. – UAlbany’s Leah McIntosh and Gina Mason earned America East Conference weekly softball awards, as announced by the conference office on Monday afternoon. McIntosh earned her fourth pitcher of the week honor, while Mason was named the conference’s rookie of the week for the first time.

McIntosh, a native of Whitby, Ontario, tossed three complete-game shutouts for wins last week, recording 39 strikeouts in 21.0 innings to go 3-0 on the week. The sophomore hurler took a perfect game inot the seventh inning in a 4-0 win over Manhattan and established UAlbany’s Division I single-game record with 18 strikeouts. McIntosh also recorded two shutout wins over Boston U., fanning 15 in a 7-0 win on Saturday and six in a 3-2 victory on Sunday, helping to secure the Great Danes as the top seed in the conference tournament.

Mason, who saw time at first base and designated player for UAlbany last week, hit .467, recording seven hits, five runs and 10 RBI. She hit two doubles, one triple and two home runs, including her first career grand slam in a 7-0 win over Boston U. Mason, a native of Sacramento, Calif., finished with a 1.133 slugging percentage and did not strike out in 15 at bats. She recorded six RBI in the series-opening win against Boston U., and followed up with a 2-for-3 performance, including a two-run double, in the nightcap. Mason leads all UAlbany freshmen, hitting .230 for the season, and is third on the team with 25 RBI.