UAlbany’s Center for Technology in Government Holds the 2008 iGov Research Institute in Manchester, UK

The University of Albany - SUNY’s Center for Technology in Government (CTG) is holding its second annual iGov Research Institute (iGov 2008) in Manchester, United Kingdom. Twenty doctoral students from around the world will attend the week-long program focused on ways to advance, study, and understand digital government research in an international context.

iGov 2008 is organized around the theme of “The City” as a coherent unit of government that operates within a larger world. The institute’s academic program will cover cross-cultural and interdisciplinary research strategies and digital government research frameworks. The practical focus for 2008 will emphasize urban regeneration and citizen engagement in government decision making. It includes academic activities and practical field visits to venues that demonstrate the use of information and communication technology, along with innovative public management and community involvement, to address these issues. Students will take part in site visits to the Gorton Monastery, the Manchester Digital Development Agency, the EastServe Community Development Project, Manchester Town Hall, and the Centre for the Urban Built Environment.

“The overall goal is to help young scholars develop an appreciation for the global impact of information and communication technologies on the public sector,” said Sharon Dawes iGov Institute director. “Students take advantage of a selected theme and venue to compare research methods and results; develop a deeper mutual understanding of the multi-disciplinary and international nature of the problems addressed by DG research; and begin to form international professional relationships that will continue throughout their careers.”

Students from Argentina, Australia, Brunei, Finland, Germany, Greece, Libya, Netherlands, Nigeria, People’s Republic of China, South Korea, Taiwan, Thailand, Uganda, United States and Venezuela will attend the Institute. They represent multiple academic disciplines and are studying at 13 different universities in the U.S., Europe, and Asia.

The faculty team comprises internationally known digital government researchers and senior government officials:

-Sharon Dawes (Institute Director), senior fellow, Center for Technology in Government (CTG) and associate professor, public administration and policy, University at Albany
-Valerie Gregg (Institute co-Director), government fellow, Center for Technology in Government (CTG), University at Albany
-Alan Borning, professor of computer science and engineering and an adjunct professor in the Information School at the University of Washington
-Steven Curwell, professor of sustainable urban development (SUD) in the School for the Built and Human Environment at the University of Salford, UKDave Carter, head, Manchester Digital Development Agency, Manchester City Council
-Andy Hamilton, director of the virtual planning research group in the Research Institute in the School for the Built and Human Environment at the University of Salford, UK
-Stephen Coleman, professor of political communication and co-director of the Centre for Digital Citizenship at the Institute of Communications Studies at the University of Leeds
-Ian Cooper, partner in Eclipse Research Consultants, and founding co-director of the University's cross-disciplinary Centre for Sustainable Urban and Regional Futures

The Institute is hosted by CTG and supported by the National Science Foundation (NSF) as part of a larger four year $1.4 million grant to build and sustain an international digital government research community. Other major activities included in the grant are a reconnaissance study describing the current status of international digital government (DG) research and a framework for supporting several international working groups.

The Center for Technology in Government is an applied research center devoted to improving government and public services through policy, management, and technology innovation. The Center, located at the University at Albany, works with government to develop well-informed information strategies that foster innovation and enhances the quality and coordination of public services.

Abbey Wexel Joins UAlbany Volleyball Team

Courtesy: UAlbany Sports Information

Albany, N.Y. - Abbey Wexel has signed with the UAlbany volleyball team, as announced by interim head coach MJ Engstrom on Tuesday afternoon.

Wexel, a 5-foot-6 setter, hails from Virginia Beach, Va., and was a first-team all-state honoree as a senior captain. She helped to lead Frank W. Cox to the state championship title as a freshman, followed by three straight state semifinal appearances. In 2007, Wexel also earned first-team all-Tidewater honors, along with first-team Eastern Region and first-team Beach District accolades.

Wexel led the Falcons to four consecutive Beach District and Eastern Region championships, from 2004-07. Frank W. Cox posted a 27-1 record in 2007. Wexel was also a four-year member of the tennis team, leading the Falcons to state championships as a freshman and sophomore. She was a member of four consecutive district and regional championship tennis teams and was a state doubles finalist in 2007.

A member of the National Honor Society and Key Club, Wexel intends on majoring in biology at UAlbany.

University of Albany Recruit Resetarits Impresses at Under Armour All America Classic

A fast and furious first fifteen minutes slowed to a standstill quickly at the Boys Under Armour All America game Saturday evening. Seven different players scored as the South claimed an early 5-2 lead in the first quarter at Towson University.

Then suddenly, the Johnny Unitas Stadium turf may as well have been quicksand for the second quarter. But as quickly as the game slowed, it picked up following the break when the North took its first lead of the game, going on a 5-1 run through the period. The South rallied, but were unable to come back, falling, 13-12.

Only four goals were scored in the second quarter. The South’s Roy Lang (Mill Valley, Calif.), who is headed to Cornell, notched his second with a minute remaining in the period to give his side a 7-4 lead. The North called a timeout with 38 seconds left to draw up a final play, but the plan fell through as the South squelched the scoring opportunity to maintain the three-goal advantage.

“There was definitely a lull in the second quarter, but after that, it was a track meet,” South head coach Scott “Booker” Corrigan said. “There were a lot of athletes in this game and that was as important as anything.”

The North opened the scoring in the second half, tallying the first three goals and tying the game on Joe Resetarits’s second goal of the game off a pass from Michael Shakespeare (The Governor’s Academy, Mass.). Albany signee, Restetarits (Hamburg, N.Y.) came only 11 seconds after Michael Chanenchuk (St. Anthony’s, N.Y.) netted his second goal while taking a beating in an attempt to break down the middle of the defense.

Less than seven minutes later, Chanenchuk received a pass at midfield, holding off two South defenders on his heels and ripped a high-hard right-handed shot between goalie Andrew Wascavage’s left ear and stick to give the North their first lead of the game.

Hunter Rodgers (Brophy College Prep, Ariz.), a Hopkins signee, tied the game a minute later at eight on a left handed shot from eight yards out.

Resetarits drilled his third goal of the game from the left wing and a difficult angle to open the fourth quarter and pad the North’s lead.

A pair of unassisted goals from Georgetown commit Colby Wilson (Western Reserve Academy, Ohio) and Princeton commit Alex Capretta (St. Ignatius Prep, Calif.), the South tied up the score at 10 with less than 10 minutes to play.

Robert Rotanz (Fairfield Prep, Conn.), who is headed to Duke, buried his second goal of the game on a rifled right handed rip from 15 yards out to retake the lead, 11-10. Wilson responded with a score of his own, slicing to the left side of the net, his second of the game.

After picking up a groundball following a North turnover, Shakespeare fed Jeffrey Cohen (Syosset, N.Y.) on the doorstep who bounced in the go ahead score.
Down 13-12, the North had one last chance to tie the game, but PSU signee Steven Rastivo (Ward Melville, N.Y.) stoned the shot from close range to preserve the lead.

Player of the Game: Steven Rastivo – Inheriting a three-goal deficit when he entered the game to begin the second half, Rastivo held the South to just one goal in the third quarter and the North claimed a one-goal lead. On the game, he made nine saves including a denial of the South’s final chance from point blank range with less than 40 seconds remaining in the game.

Goal of the Game: Michael Chanenchuk – With 9:11 to play in the second quarter, the Princeton signee broke down the middle of the defense and was hit hard by several South defenseman. He flipped the ball toward the goal and as South goalie Andrew Wascavage came out for the ball that looked more like a dying bird falling to the Earth, it took a bounce and rolled slowly into the net. Chanenchuk assured us that he was indeed trying to shoot.
“It just tried to get it toward the net,” he said. “I got up and looked in time to see it roll in.”

Quote of the Game: South head coach Scott “Booker” Corrigan – “I had a chance to talk to the players Thursday when they got here and I told them from much is given, much is expected. There is so much talent on these teams and those players are going to be playing on a lot of Memorial Day weekends. After coaching them you can’t help but know that they are the next in line to be NCAA All Americans and NCAA Champions.”

by Geoff Shannon

University of Albany, Albany Med to collaborate on Institute for Biomedical Education and Research

One of the nation’s oldest medical schools in Albany is turning to academia for help in its fight against cancer and Alzheimer’s Disease, and a new biomedical research facility at the University at Albany’s East Campus will serve as the staging ground for that collaboration.

Officials from Albany Medical Center and UAlbany announced today a partnership that will combine their research and educational operations in a physical location for the first time in the history of the 169-year-old hospital and 164-year-old school.

Combined, Albany Med and UAlbany expect to garner more National Institute of Health grants for research. Albany Med also plans to broaden its medical doctorate offerings by pairing them with professional doctorate, master’s and bachelor’s degree programs.

“Today marks the beginning of the collaboration,” Albany Medical Center President and Chief Executive Officer James Barb said at a news conference at the Gen*NY*sis Center for Excellence in Cancer Genomics. Gen*NY*sis is the East Campus’ newest 113,000-square-foot facility, which opened in 2005.

The two institutions on Friday entered a memorandum of understanding, which said they will work together to bring the 110,000-square-foot Institute for Biomedical Education and Research at UAlbany’s East Campus.

“This is going to be world class in every way,” state Sen. Joseph Bruno, R-Brunswick, said at the news conference.

Bruno called the biomedical institute “a done deal,” with $42 million in capital funding already set aside for the East Campus project in the state’s current fiscal year budget. Hospital and university officials could neither specify how many jobs the new facility would host nor when it would open.

However, Barba said the biomedical institute would be an economic driver and likened it to the Georgia Research Alliance, a partnership between research universities, businesses and state government that has helped attract 90 startup companies and create 40,000 technology sector jobs since its founding in 1990.

The biomedical institute will continue the East Campus’ 12-year-old transformation from a pharmaceutical research complex abandoned by the Sterling Winthrop Co. The 87-acre campus now also houses 20 public and private entities and employs 1,000.

By James Schlett
Gazette Reporter

IBM expected to announce expansion plans at the University of Albany

The state's top leaders will attend a press conference July 15 to announce an expected expansion of IBM Corp.'s presence in the Albany, N.Y., region and at the University at Albany.

The 10 a.m. announcement will be made at University at Albany's College of Nanoscale Science and Engineering.

Gov. David Paterson, Senate Majority Leader Dean Skelos, and Assembly Speaker Sheldon Silver are scheduled to speak at the event.

A spokeswoman for state Sen. Joseph Bruno confirmed that the event involves IBM (NYSE: IBM), which the state has been negotiating with for months.

The state has been seeking to expand IBM's presence in the region in a deal that could trade tax credits and state incentives for hundreds of new jobs.

An IBM spokesman declined to comment.

IBM is one of at least 16 companies involed in Sematech Inc., an Austin, Texas, consortium of manufacturers that make computer microchips.

A subsidiary of that company, called International Sematech, is in the process of moving its headquarters to Albany. International Sematech is also adding 450 jobs, in addition to the 250 employees currently working on UAlbany's campus.

The company has had a research operation at UAlbany since 2002.

The Business Review (Albany) - by Adam Sichko

UAlbany’s Antione Johnson on Knicks’ summer-league team

The New York Knicks announced their 15-man roster for the Vegas Summer League next week, and it includes former University of Albany guard Antione Johnson.

Johnson, a 6-1 guard from Lathrup Village, Mich., was on UAlbany’s first Division I team and scored a total of 1,157 points during his career from 1999 to 2003.

Johnson also played for the CBA’s Albany Patroons in 2005-06, when he averaged 8.7 points and 2.3 assists per game. He’s had a few foreign stops, including a stint in Turkey.

The Knicks’ summer entry begins play against the Cleveland Cavaliers next Monday at 4p.m. at the Thomas & Mack Center on the campus of Nevada-Las Vegas. The Knicks will play five games in Las Vegas.

The Vegas Summer League consists mostly of rookies and veteran free agents trying to hook on with a team.

Courtesy: Mark S.

University of Albany Men's Basketball Announces Non-Conference Schedule for 2008-09 Season

Courtesy: UAlbany Sports Information

Albany, N.Y. – University at Albany Vice President and Director of Athletics and Recreation Lee McElroy announced on Friday, July 11 the school's men's basketball non-conference schedule for the 2008-09 season. The list of opponents include defending national champions Kansas and Big East Conference members Villanova and DePaul. Perennial Ivy League power Pennsylvania comes to SEFCU Arena on Nov. 29.

The Great Danes meet Kansas at Allen Fieldhouse, a 16,300-seat facility, in Lawrence, Kan. on Tuesday, Dec. 30. The Jayhawks won their third NCAA championship last April with a 75-68 overtime win against Memphis. Sherron Collins returns for the Big 12 Conference champions. UAlbany will be playing the defending national champion for the first time and its second-ever Big 12 opponent.

UAlbany opens its schedule with a pair of Big East teams in Villanova (Nov. 14) and DePaul (Nov. 17). Villanova has made three regional semifinals and one Elite Eight appearance in the the last four years under head coach Jay Wright. The Wildcats, who finished 22-13 one year ago and lost to Kansas in the Mideast Regional semifinals, met UAlbany for the first time on Dec. 22, 2004. Scottie Reynolds, a second-team All-Big East selection, is the top performer. DePaul and UAlbany will battle for the first time at Allstate Arena (18,500) in Rosemont, Ill. Jerry Wainwright is in his fourth season as the Blue Demons' coach and has two Big East all-rookie players back in Dar Tucker and Mac Koshwal.

Pennsylvania is among four non-league opponents that will play at SEFCU Arena. The Quakers, who have made 23 NCAA appearances, including five of the last seven seasons, travel to the Capital Region on Saturday, Nov. 29. The Great Danes will also host Central Connecticut State (Nov. 22), Bryant (Dec. 1) and Canisius (Dec. 13). Bryant is making the transition to Division I and becomes a member of the Northeast Conference in 2012.

In addition, the Great Danes will tangle with Siena in the crosstown-rivalry's 48th meeting on Saturday, Dec. 6 at Times Union Center. The series has averaged 10,833 fans since the two programs renewed the rivalry in 2001. UAlbany also meets Columbia, Sacred Heart, Bryant, St. Francis, N.Y. and Lehigh in non-league road games.

In 2007-08, UAlbany tied for second in the America East Conference regular-season standings before dropping an overtime battle in the postseason tournament's quarterfinal round. Senior forward Brian Connelly, who averaged 10.1 points and 5.3 rebounds, is among six returning letterwinners.

2008-09 University at Albany Men's Basketball Non-Conference Schedule

Date, Day, Opponent, Site

Nov. 14, Friday, at Villanova, Villanova, Pa.

Nov. 17, Monday, at DePaul, Rosemont, Ill.

Nov. 19, Wednesday, at Bryant, Smithfield, R.I.

Nov. 22, Saturday, Central Connecticut State, SEFCU Arena

Nov. 25, Tuesday, at Columbia, New York, N.Y.

Nov. 29, Saturday, Pennsylvania, SEFCU Arena

Dec. 1, Monday, Bryant, SEFCU Arena

Dec. 6 Saturday at Siena Albany, N.Y.

Dec. 8, Monday, at Lehigh, Bethlehem, Pa.

Dec. 13, Saturday, Canisius, SEFCU Arena

Dec. 19, Friday, at Sacred Heart, Fairfield, Conn.

Dec. 22, Monday, at St. Francis, N.Y., Brooklyn, N.Y.

Dec. 30, Tuesday, at Kansas, Lawrence, Kan.

From Division II to Dolphins, Sparano's rise impressive

It's 10:30 a.m. on a brilliant New England morning in late June, and 10 members of the Sparano family have been at the dining room table for at least two hours.

Sparano in the East Haven, Conn., home where his parents, Tony Jr. and Marie, live.
Ever since they arrived at Ellis Island from Italy in the 1800s, the Sparano men have been preparing lavish breakfasts. Today's spread features four different meats, scrambled eggs and a choice of chocolate chip or banana-nut pancakes.

For generations, important discussions have taken place at this table, which on this day is occupied by Tony Sparano, his parents, his two younger sisters, wife, daughter, two nephews and a niece.

At this table, the title "head coach of the Miami Dolphins" holds little weight, and that's why Sparano is drawn here. The only sign of Sparano's recent promotion is the replica of a Dolphins helmet hanging above the door of the three-bedroom, white frame home that his parents, Tony Jr. (better known as "Poppy") and Marie, share with their daughter Kim's family in East Haven.

In the high-powered world of the NFL, it's rare to run across a man without pretense, but the 46-year-old Sparano might be the exception. As family members take turns telling stories about him, he lowers his head and rubs his temple as if he's in pain.

Sparano grew up in this house in a blue-collar neighborhood in New Haven, Conn.
About three miles west, just off Interstate 91, Sparano grew up in the shadows of one of the world's elite universities. But living within walking distance of the Yale campus didn't put him any closer to privilege.

He shared a green-and-white, three-story row house with both sets of grandparents and his parents in an Irish and Italian neighborhood. Families like Anthony Sparano Sr.'s kept immaculate homes, and they worked and socialized together. The neighborhood has fallen on hard times now, but during Sparano's youth, it was an idyllic setting for a kid who never wanted to come inside.

His father upholstered furniture and his mother worked a sewing machine. Years later, Sparano would help his father land a job in the maintenance department at the University of New Haven, where Tony Jr. retired after 17 years in 2002.

Just down the street, Sparano pitched and played outfield at Amvets Park, where, according to his former coach/dad, he still holds the season home-run record with 17. His mother made pizzas in the concession stand, and the Sparanos closed down the park each evening.

How this former Division II coach went from relative obscurity to the highest level of pro football in less than a decade might seem baffling to anyone but Sparano, who set this goal decades ago.

The no-nonsense Sparano was a stickler for details at the University of New Haven, a Division II school where he was head coach from 1994 to 1998. Under Bill Parcells in Dallas, Sparano was a valued assistant coach.

Tony Sparano hasn't taken much time to admire his cavernous office in Davie, Fla., in part because no one has turned on the lights. In fact, one must adjust one's eyes to see Sparano's shadowy figure behind an enormous mahogany desk.

On the second day of minicamp, he's carved 15 minutes from his precious schedule to discuss one of his least favorite topics: himself. He's had today's practice planned since March -- right down to the number of minutes it will take for the players to walk from the locker room to the practice field.

It's one of the traits Dolphins executive vice president of football operations Bill Parcells noticed right away when he hired Sparano to coach tight ends for the Cowboys in 2003. Sparano had coached the same position on Tom Coughlin's Jacksonville staff in 2002, but he became available when Coughlin was fired.

"Tom told me that Tony was one of the two best assistants he'd ever had," said Parcells, Cowboys head coach from 2003 to 2006. "And it didn't take long to figure out what he was talking about."

Parcells promoted Sparano to offensive line coach following the 2004 season. He had been an offensive line coach at his alma mater, the University of New Haven, and then Boston University before eventually landing a similar role with the Cleveland Browns in 2000. When Sean Payton left Dallas to take the head coaching job in New Orleans after the 2005 season, he wanted Sparano to be his offensive coordinator.

But despite the better title and opportunity to make more money, Parcells blocked the move because he didn't want to lose Sparano. At the time, Sparano was devastated.

He knew how small the window could be for advancement in the league. And Parcells, not a man given to subtlety, didn't exactly soften the blow.

"He told me, 'Sparano, you don't know nothing!' and that was pretty much it," said the new Dolphins coach.

The Little College on the Hill

This wasn't the first major setback in Sparano's coaching career.

Sparano was the offensive line coach at New Haven in 1985 when head coach Larry McElreavy was hired at Columbia. McElreavy chose not to take Sparano to New York with him.

"I remember that very clearly," said Debbie Chin, a highly successful volleyball coach at New Haven who became the athletic director in 1993. "I don't know what Larry may have been thinking, but Tony was absolutely devastated. In disguise, it may have been the best thing that could've happened."

New Haven hired future Cleveland Browns coach Chris Palmer to replace McElreavy, and the athletic director at the time put in a good word for Sparano. Palmer not only retained Sparano, but gave him his first full-time coaching job. "Chris Palmer didn't know me from Adam," Sparano said. "I owe a great deal of this to him."


Quote: "Tony actually reminds me of Coach (Don) Shula," said Dolphins offensive coordinator Dan Henning, "with just the way he goes about everything and how organized he is."

Before that, Sparano had been making $2,000 a year as a part-time assistant at the school. His wife, Jeanette, whom he met and started dating when she was 13 (he was 16), worked as a legal assistant and in a dentist's office to make ends meet. According to friends and family members, she's played a huge role in her husband's success. Attractive and more outgoing than her husband, Jeanette is much more comfortable operating behind the scenes.

"Whether she was talking to the president of the United States or the third-string guard's wife, she's going to treat everyone the same," said Pete Rossomando, who played and coached under Sparano at New Haven. "She's just a really, really special woman."

Jeanette says Tony was her first and only boyfriend. They went on their first date 30 years ago -- he took her to see "The Boys From Brazil" with Gregory Peck and Laurence Olivier -- and have been going steady since. He arranged to propose to her during a Central Park carriage ride, but she became ill.

As the two drove toward a party on Christmas Eve in 1983, Jeanette was upset about being sick during the holidays and also not having something new to wear. As usual, Sparano had a plan.

"I have something beautiful for you to wear," he said as he slipped an engagement ring on her finger.

When they married a year later, Jeanette remembers her mother saying, "I love him. Don't screw it up!"

In 1988, Sparano followed Palmer to Boston University, where he served as offensive coordinator from 1989 to 1993, when the team went 11-0. When Chin was promoted to athletic director, her first order of business was replacing head football coach Mark Whipple, who later became the quarterbacks coach in Pittsburgh when Ben Roethlisberger led the Steelers to a Super Bowl title.

"I'd just gotten home from the NCAA tournament, and I had to make the most important hire of my professional career," Chin said. "Word got out that Tony was interested, so I said, 'He's my man.'"

Sparano made only subtle changes to the program -- something he regretted almost immediately.

"Tony said he'd never do that again," Rossomando said. "It was his way or the highway."

A defining moment in Sparano's tenure at New Haven came in the fall of 1997. During a one-on-one drill, a talented 6-6, 290-pound offensive tackle had been beaten twice by a defensive lineman. The player became so frustrated that he took off his helmet and swung it at the lineman. The assistant coaches wanted to give the kid another chance, but Sparano wouldn't budge.

" 'We're gonna let this kid go,' " Rossomando recalled Sparano saying. "There was no wavering at all. He thought it was the right thing to do, and it made a huge impression on our players."

The team advanced to the Division II national championship game that season.

The no-nonsense Sparano left nothing to chance when he was at New Haven. When Jeanette forgot to pick up his coaching outfit on the Friday before a road game in New Jersey, he was beside himself. After her suggestion of wearing another outfit was rebuffed, she talked the owner of the cleaners into meeting her at 6:30 on the morning of the game.


Sparano was so detail-oriented that he worried what condiments were being used on sandwiches. If he arrived for a pregame meal and saw what he referred to as "soupy sauces," he would have them removed from the buffet. (Rossomando defined "soupy sauces" as beef stew or beef stroganoff.)

"He's incredibly organized," Giants head coach Tom Coughlin said recently. "He's just the type of person who doesn't leave a stone unturned. It was pretty obvious he had some of the characteristics that a head coach needs."

Sparano takes the same approach at home. During family vacations, he would wake his sons, Tony and Andy, at 7 a.m. for workouts at whatever gym they could find in the area. When they were playing football at Grapevine (Texas) High School, Sparano would sit in the upper right-hand corner of the 9,100-seat stadium, away from all the parents.

"He wanted it to be about us," Tony said. "He was very, very careful never to infringe on our coaches because he knows how tough a job it is."

Sparano, running drills with the Dolphins, reminds Dan Henning of former Miami coach Don Shula because of his organizational skills.
At least once or twice a game, the boys would locate their father in the stands. If he thought they needed to play with more motor, he would give them a thumbs-up. If Tony was having trouble getting to the quarterback from his nose-tackle position, his father would signal for a swim technique.

After games, he would always say something encouraging. If the boys wanted constructive criticism, they'd knock on his bedroom door later in the evening. In the summers, he brought tapes home of Cowboys offensive linemen Andre Gurode and Larry Allen for his sons to watch.

Tony and Andy now play for the University of Albany, and their younger sister, Ryan, is a talented high school softball player. Before each football game, Sparano sends his sons text messages that say something like "play fast and physical."

It's one of several things that Sparano took from his time with Coughlin and Parcells. They both love inspirational phrases. Parcells had them plastered on the walls of the Cowboys' practice facility, and Coughlin puts them on T-shirts for the Giants.

For years, Sparano recited Vince Lombardi's famous "No. 1" speech in front of his college players. To some, it might be hokey to hear a football coach rant about how a second-place bowl game is a "game for losers," but in Sparano's mind, it's the gospel.

If you've served under Marty Schottenheimer (Redskins), Coughlin and Parcells, it's hard to avoid the "taskmaster" label.

But Sparano, who signed a four-year, $11 million contract with the Dolphins, isn't an easy man to label. When he has moved his family to a new city, one of the first priorities is finding the best ice cream shop. On a recent Saturday night, he led a delegation of Sparanos to Wentworth's Homemade Ice Cream in Hamden, Conn. After quickly finishing off a double scoop of coconut mounds, Sparano entertained his nieces and nephews by using his tongue to tie cherry stems into knots.

You wonder if it's sunk in yet that he's a head coach in the NFL. And you sort of hope it never does.

Matt Mosley covers the NFL for ESPN.com.

Sparano Timeline
Tony Sparano's rise to prominence in the NFL took some winding roads:

1979-82: Sparano was a four-year letterman on the offensive line at the University of New Haven.

Quote: "Everyone on campus knew who he was," said New Haven athletic director Debbie Chin. "He was just as serious then as he is now."

1984-88: Sparano was the offensive line coach and recruiting coordinator at his alma mater.

Quote: "I was making $2,000 and my wife was supporting our family," Sparano said.

1988-93: Followed Chris Palmer to Boston University, where he eventually became the offensive coordinator.

Quote: "That's where I first heard him perform the Vince Lombardi speech," said former player Pete Rossomando, who went on to coach for Sparano at the University of New Haven.

1994-98: Was head coach at his alma mater, the University of New Haven.

Quote: "In the summers, we would play nine holes at 6 a.m. and he'd be sitting at his desk by 9 a.m.," said Rossomando.

1999-2000: Browns head coach Chris Palmer hired Sparano to be his offensive quality control coach. In 2000, he was promoted to offensive line coach.

Quote: "I owe a lot of this to Chris Palmer," Sparano said. "He gave me a shot."

2001: Redskins tight ends coach.

Quote: "Marty Schottenheimer was another coach who taught me a lot about how to prepare," Sparano said.

2002: Jacksonville tight ends coach.

Quote: "Chris Palmer told me about Tony," said former Jags coach Tom Coughlin. "We had an opening at that position and it seemed like a good fit."

2003-2007: Cowboys tight ends coach, offensive line coach, playcaller and assistant head coach.

Quote: "Tony and Jeff [Ireland] are like guys who were supposed to be born 30 or 40 years earlier," said Bill Parcells. "They remind me a lot of the people I came up with in the league."

2008: Head coach of the Miami Dolphins.

University of Albany: Resetarits brothers similar in lacrosse success

It is pretty typical that a younger sibling follow in the older’s footsteps. Joe Resetarits has followed big brother Frank’s blueprint in lacrosse to a tee, thus far.

So it was no surprise that Joe asked for and was given Frank’s jersey number five as he readies himself for a freshman season at Albany University where big brother ranks second all-time with 241 career points.

Joe wore Frank’s same No. 5 when breaking the all-time Western New York single season goals mark in 2008, the same record Frank had set, also as a senior, five years earlier.

In fact, that number has been waiting for Joe since Frank graduated last year with Albany hoping that the little brother would follow the path of his older sibling.

With seemingly limitless potential to once again one-up his big brother during his college career, Joe can now also use Frank in aspiring to an even higher level.

Frank has made it the professional lacrosse ranks, playing in his second season in Major League Outdoor Lacrosse for the Long Island Lizard after finishing up his rookie year in the National Indoor Lacrosse League as a San Jose Stealth.

“They have a classic older brother, younger brother relationship with Joe looking up to his older brother, and Frank has done a good job as an influence,” their father, also a Frank Resetarits, said.
Since he was very young, Joe said he remembers being very in-tune to Frank’s teachings and guidance.
He would work with Joe on his stick handling and shooting skills and taught him how to be mentally tough on the field. Joe believed watching his big brother play was like a clinic in itself.

“That’s where I learned everything,” said Joe, who was selected as an Under Armour All-American and will play in the All-America game for the North team on July 12 in Baltimore. “I would always look up to him and watch him play. He’d come home and we’d shoot around and he’d teach me how to shoot and work on improving my skills. He’s probably the biggest influence in my life, sports-wise.”

Now, Frank can see much of himself in his younger brother. He is in awe of Joe’s great game sense and how his brother can be so unselfish but then suddenly take over a game.

Frank wanted to see Joe follow him along to Albany, where he helped take the lacrosse program to new heights, but wanted Joe to properly weigh his options.

After showing interest in several of the many schools zeroing in on him, Joe decided an emerging lacrosse program, appealing campus and the fact that he knew the head coach, Scott Marr, and some of the players on the team, made Albany the most appealing.

“I told him not to just go there because I did,” said Frank, a first team All-American as a senior at Albany and finalist for the 2007 Tewaaraton Trophy, awarded to the “Most Outstanding” collegiate lacrosse player in the nation. “I told him to pick the best school for you and I think he did. He’s lucky that some of my friends are still there and could help him adjust.”

Joe also liked the idea of building a Resetarits legacy of success at Albany.

“Their success of late kind of got me wanting to go there and I feel like they’ll be good for a while,” Joe said. “Everyone seems to love to play for this coach and I already knew people there. I felt like I would be at home.”

Though the two’s play and paths mirror each other, each maintain parts of their game and idiosyncrasies which make them who they are as individuals.

Hamburg High School head coach Jerry Severino has seen both play and believes Frank is more of a finisher who knows exactly where to be on the field to make a play, while Joe is more apt to bring the ball up into the offensive zone to help create the “magical” movements around him.

“What Joe gained from Frank is something that few siblings can say they have gotten,” said Severino, who coached Joe all five years at the varsity level. “Joe willed himself to be as close to Frank’s ability as possible. They’re both dynamic athletes but different players.”

The creation of phenoms

As young boys, the Resetarits brothers could not get enough of playing sports.

Though the two would love to pass around the lacrosse ball, it would not be a surprise to see either of them on the football or baseball field, swimming, wrestling or playing basketball.

Either brother could have played almost any sport at a very competitive level, but both decided to take on lacrosse exclusively during some point in their high school careers.

“They were the kind of kids that just liked to play sports but as they grew older they weened away from some of the sports,” their father said. “Through a process of elimination, lacrosse became the sport that they most enjoyed playing.”

Though there is a trend toward high school athletes specializing in one or two sports, there is still a lure for many of the finest to remain three-sport stars.

However, Frank and Joe appreciated lacrosse too much to risk injury in another sport. Frank actually would have been the starting quarterback for the football team had a separated shoulder during the fall of his junior season not changed his mind about playing more than one sport.

“I know in Joe’s case there wasn’t a sport he wouldn’t have mastered. He’s that good of an athlete,” Severino said. “Like his brother, Joe plays lacrosse for 12 months. You just aren’t able to do the things he does by playing three months in a year.”

Parents integral to success

The brothers’ father, Frank, said it was always the hope of he and his wife, Madonna, that their sons were given the opportunity to excel in athletics, but more importantly, to be surrounded by positive influences.

So the two parents were always willing to go out of their way, making those long drives or giving up their own personal time to get them to games, camps and clinics that would enrich their sons’ lives and help them to be more confident athletes.

Frank believes sports and being around committed athletes and mentors has been a big help in creating values and a system of hard work and commitment.

“They’re too preoccupied with sports and being healthy so they were less apt to gravitate toward the bad things in life,” their father, a union representative by trade, said. “To this day, sports has given them a positive outlook on life and positive direction.”

Both brothers realize the sacrifices their parents made and continue to be very grateful to this day.
Their parents even went as far as to put up a net in the backyard so that Frank and Joe could get in practice at home.

“Both our parents have been instrumental in our success,” older brother, Frank, said. “They’ve done a ton of driving around and they spared no expense to let us play against the best competition. They expended so much effort so that we could be the best possible.”

Joe excels in Hamburg, Frank, a star at Albany

While Joe began his career with the high school program as just an eighth grader, older brother, Frank, ascended to the collegiate ranks with the Great Danes.

Frank had left big shoes for his younger brother to fill, coming off a Western New York record-setting 88-goal senior season and continuing to help build a program at Hamburg that was still without a Section VI title.

After both saw their games continually improving over the first few years of playing at a new level, there was great anticipation for the 2007 season.

That year, Joe led Hamburg to its long-awaited, first-ever sectional crown behind four goals in the championship game and Frank scored 57 goals and handed out 23 assists in guiding Albany to a trip to the quarterfinals of the NCAA Tournament in a season in which the Great Danes were ranked as high as No. 2 nationally.

“They’re both two highly competitive players who have the ability to zero in and be intense in big situations,” their father, Frank, said. “Coaches have always marveled that they’re two kids that not only look good on the practice field but translated that into what they did in games.”

As a senior, Frank was nationally ranked third in points per game and second in goals per game and named America East Conference Player of the Year.

“It’s tough for guys at smaller schools to get noticed but the program at Albany started turning heads nationally,” Frank said. “Ultimately, that has helped me get to where I am now.”

In 2008, Joe finished off an accolade-filled high school career by being part of another Section VI championship team and helping Hamburg to a Far West Regional victory and first-ever trip the state’s final four.

He also became the second Resetarits to re-write the all-time scoring record, putting up 98 goals to eclipse Frank’s mark.

‘It’s been exciting to see how much the program has come along and been able to accomplish what Hamburg has never done,” Joe said.

Frank got to be a small part of that history at Hamburg. When he was home and on break from playing, Frank stopped by practices to help institute some plays for the team’s odd-man situational units, then got out to some of the team’s playoff games.

Severino said he humbled himself, took a step back and just let Frank provide him and the players with the world of experience and knowledge that could only come from a two-time collegiate All-American and continually improving communicator.

“The kids had heard enough from me, so what they were looking for was what could Frank show us,” said Severino, who noted that when Frank works at any type of local clinics, the attendance doubles. “His help was critical to our team. The kids’ eyes get wide-open when he’s out there on the field.”

What’s ahead for brothers

Frank was drafted in 2007 by the Washington Bayhawks in the third round (22nd overall) of the MLL entry draft, then traded to Long Island where as a rookie he scored 12 goals and added six assists. He was then picked in the first round (fifth overall) in the NLL entry draft and began his career during the 2007-08 season.

His San Jose squad finished atop the NLL’s West Division and Frank notched 17 goals and 17 assists in 17 games, including four points in an opening round playoff loss. In his second year of the MLL, Frank has notched 18 goals in eight games this season and the team is tied for first place in the East Division at 5-3.

“For the time being, it’s great to make a living from lacrosse, but I would do it whether I got paid or not,” said Frank, who lives in the area during the outdoor season and flies back and forth for practices and games which usually occupy a long weekend.

He said the fact that he did make it to this level is a testament to all of the influential coaches in his life, including former Hamburg High head man and program founder, Ed Van Tine.
Joe got an opportunity to see his older brother play when San Jose traveled for an indoor game to take on Philadelphia.

“It was really awesome to see Frank play against that type of competition,” said Joe, who is now playing juniors in Canada, competing against some of the best talent 21-years-and-younger, as his brother also once did.

Joe is also preparing for the new challenges ahead at the school he was being groomed to attend as just a fifth grader when he was first noticed as his older sibling began to be recruited, according to his father.

“Maybe in high school I was able to break his records, but it is going to be difficult to live up to what Frank has done in college and is doing now,” Joe said.

With the leadership skills both have already shown, Severino said he wouldn’t be surprised if either wound up being a coach. But first, Frank has got a career to tend to and Joe has more large imprints in the ground to attempt to fit into.

“I’ve been lucky to have made it this far and wouldn’t trade it for the world,” Frank said. “I know a lot of guys who would love to trade places with me. It’s definitely a dream come true.”

“It’s my dream to play a pro sport,” Joe said. “If I have a chance, I will work as hard as I can to do it.”

By Michael J. Petro

The University of Albany Places 198 Student-Athletes on America East Academic Honor Roll

Courtesy: UAlbany Sports Information

The University at Albany had 198 student-athletes named to the 2007-08 America East Conference Winter/Spring Academic Honor Roll, as announced by the conference office on Thursday afternoon. Students had to earn grade point averages of 3.0 or above for the fall semester to receive this recognition. Students earning a 3.5 GPA or better were named to the Commissioner’s Honor Roll. America East honored 1,639 winter and spring student-athletes from around the conference.

The UAlbany women’s track and field team featured the highest number of honorees for the Great Danes, with 28 student-athletes earning recognition for both the indoor and outdoor seasons. The men’s track and field program featured 26 student-athlete honorees in both seasons.

For the winter season, five members of the men’s basketball team earned academic accolades, led by 2007-08 Men’s Basketball Scholar-Athlete of the Year Brian Lillis. Women’s basketball had nine representatives, including six Commissioner’s Honor Roll members.

For the spring season, the UAlbany women’s lacrosse team had 25 team members recognized, with 15 student-athletes earning Commissioner’s Honor Roll status. Men’s lacrosse placed 19 student-athletes on the honor roll, with nine members named to the Commissioner’s Honor Roll. Twelve members of the baseball team earned the academic honor, while the softball and tennis teams placed eight student-athletes each on the list. The America East Conference Championship women’s golf team had four honorees.

Binghamton had the most honor roll members, with 251 student-athletes earning the award. New Hampshire and Vermont followed with 201 and 197 honorees, respectively, with New Hampshire placing a league-high 121 student-athletes on the Commissioner’s Honor Roll. Stony Brook (188), Maine (168) Boston U. (159), UMBC (140) and Hartford (137) rounded out the nine member schools.



2007 America East Conference Winter/Spring Academic Honor Roll

Baseball: Toby Adeyemi, Ryan Breier, Pete Eichner, Jim Gaudet, Sean Gregory, Zachary Halloran, Dan Koegel, Dave Noble*, Chris Ott*, Marco Rivera, Brendan Rowland, Nate Toussaint.

Men’s Basketball: Billy Allen, Reid Anderson, Brian Connelly*, Jon Iati, Brian Lillis*.

Golf: Sun Kim*, Becky Lukac, Jessica Signorelli*, Maggie Taylert.

Men’s Lacrosse: Mike Ammann*, Steve Ammann*, Andrew Babnik, Anthony Behling, Makr cometti, Kyle Crotty*, Andew Dicioccio, Paul Guzzone*, Matt Johnson*, Mark Kelly, Derek Kreuzer, Mattew Novosel*, Trevor Ortolano, Garrett Pedley*, Makr Phelan, Joseph Pompo*, Corey Small, Derek Speziale*, Nathan Sullivan.

Women’s Lacrosse: Jodi Battaglia*, Kayla Best, Nicole Branchini*, Stacey Brown*, Jane Bush*, Julie Bush*, Samantha Fontanella*, Taylor Frink, Christine Greuniger*, Tricia Hurley*, Stephanie Kempf, Theresa Ladouceur, Renee Levitin*, Meghan Merriam*, Emily Miller, Caitlin Nevins, Molly Ortolano, Tricia Primomo*, Rory Redmond*, Mel Rorie, Brittany Scott*, Teresa Strano*, Sam Strebel, Kimberly Sumcizk*, Sara Wolf.

Softball: Kristine Bill, Meagan Butsch, Tara Dalton*, Nicole Kothe*, Amber Maisonet*, Gina Mason, Julianne Petraitis, Bailey Van Deest*.

Tennis: Melissa Coughlin*, Caitlin Crowley*, Alexa Etkin, Amanda Hall*, Aimee Kern*, Susan Ma, McKenzie Mackey*, Kim Weltman*.

Men’s Indoor Track & Field: Nick Assini*, Joe Belokopitsky, Fred Casimo, Wilfredo De Jesus, Michael Dempsey, Ricardo Estremera*, Tyler Fogarty, Valete Graham*, Jonathan Hilbert, Mattew Hertz, Raphael Jean-Baptiste, Chris Jimenez*, Nicholas Jones, Mohamed Kanu*, Bryan Lasky*, Kevin Lee, Michael Lynch, Kyle Nadler, Kevin O’Reilly, Andrew Overbaugh*, Charles Ross, David Rothman*, Luke Schoen, Mitchel Troise*, Pat Weider, Freddy Wills.

Women’s Indoor Track & Field: Tashia Alexander, Sandy Antenor, Esperanza Blanco, Danielle Broeker, Octavia Clarkson*, Meghan Crowe, Laura Cummings, Bausha Elliott, Zuliana Fontanez, Arina Gerasimova, Kristine Grab*, Jenn Gurrant, Quante Harris, Jessica Hunter, Isabella Katsarelis*, Rebecca Kelly, Sarah Lapierre, Melissa Lee*, Ashley Lewis, Candice Mann*, Briana McNamee, Kamilah McShine*, Amy Morrison*, Kristine Mun, Alexandra Panos*, Jessica Panos*, Laine Sefick, Corrine Porter Stepney*.

Men’s Outdoor Track & Field: Nick Assini*, Joe Belokopitsky, Fred Casimo, Wilfredo De Jesus, Michael Dempsey, Ricardo Estremera*, Tyler Fogarty, Valete Graham*, Jonathan Hilbert, Mattew Hertz, Raphael Jean-Baptiste, Chris Jimenez*, Nicholas Jones, Mohamed Kanu*, Bryan Lasky*, Kevin Lee, Michael Lynch, Kyle Nadler, Kevin O’Reilly, Andrew Overbaugh*, Charles Ross, David Rothman*, Luke Schoen, Mitchel Troise*, Pat Weider, Freddy Wills.

Women’s Outdoor Track & Field: Tashia Alexander, Sandy Antenor, Esperanza Blanco, Danielle Broeker, Octavia Clarkson*, Meghan Crowe, Laura Cummings, Bausha Elliott, Zuliana Fontanez, Arina Gerasimova, Kristine Grab*, Jenn Gurrant, Quante Harris, Jessica Hunter, Isabella Katsarelis*, Rebecca Kelly, Sarah Lapierre, Melissa Lee*, Ashley Lewis, Candice Mann*, Briana McNamee, Kamilah McShine*, Amy Morrison*, Kristine Mun, Alexandra Panos*, Jessica Panos*, Laine Sefick, Corrine Porter Stepney*.



* Denotes America East Commissioner’s Honor Roll

University of Albany Men's Lacrosse Receives Commitments from 14 Student-Athletes for 2009 Campaign

Courtesy: UAlbany Sports Information

Albany, N.Y. -- University at Albany men's lacrosse coach Scott Marr announced on Wednesday, July 9 that fourteen student-athletes have made commitments to play for the Great Danes in the 2008-09 academic year. The list includes three U.S. Lacrosse High School All-Americans and one junior college All-America player.

"It's a very athletic and intelligent group of lacrosse players," offers Marr, who has a 73-51 career record in eight seasons with the UAlbany program. "This class is well-rounded and brings both excitement and passion to the game. We have increased our scoring ability with high-caliber attackmen like Dave Brock and Joe Resetarits, and the midfielders should make us solid at those positions for the next couple of years. We just continue to build with student-athletes from winning programs who are motivated to excel."

Joe Resetarits was named to the U.S. Lacrosse High School All-America squad for the second straight year. Resetarits, whose brother Frank earned first-team All-America honors as a collegian at UAlbany in 2007, was selected to play in the Under Armour All-Star Game, as one of the nation's top 46 scholastic boys' players, and the U.S. Lacrosse National Senior Showcase. He set New York's Section VI record with 98 goals in leading Hamburg High to the Class B state semifinals. Luke Cometti totaled 51 goals and 36 assists as a senior when West Genesee High won the 2008 New York Class A state championship. A U.S. Lacrosse All-American, Cometti was chosen Central New York Co-Player of the Year by the Syracuse Post-Standard. His brother, Mark, is a midfielder on the current UAlbany team.

Rocky Bonitatibus is the third high school All-American in this year's class. Bonitatibus, an All-Section I midfielder, accounted for 39 goals and 22 assists as a member of New York's fifth-ranked Class A squad. A native of Burlington, Ontario, Dave Brock was selected second-team NJCAA All-America for the second consecutive year at Herkimer County Community College. A first-team All-Region III player on two occasions, Brock (6'4", 210 pounds) amassed 115 goals and 51 assists in his two-year HCCC career.

UAlbany picked up two players named to the Ohio High School Lacrosse Association all-state team. Keith Olson, a first-team selection, led Upper Arlington H.S. to its fifth consecutive state championship. A Division I All-Region I choice, Olson was voted the 2008 OHSLA Midfielder of the Year. Daley Baker earned honorable mention all-state and first-team all-region recognition at Cleveland Heights High. In addition, Baker was second-team all-league as a ice hockey goalkeeper.

Shenendehowa High's John Olsen was tabbed All-Area by the Albany Times Union and Troy Record. Olsen, an All-Suburban Council attackman who piled up 185 career points, tallied 49 goals and 42 assists as a senior. Tim Monahan, an Amherst Central High defenseman and long-stick midfielder, was named All-Western New York for the third straight year. Matt Cushing, who also competed in football and wrestling at East Syracuse-Minoa H.S., had 25 goals and 17 assists from the midfield last spring.

Long Island scholastic standouts are well represented among this group. Dwayne Stewart, an All-Suffolk County performer, scored 38 goals and 42 assists at Copiague High. Jack Reynolds, a 6-foot-3 midfielder who attended Bridgton Academy last year, established Holy Trinity's single-season record with 43 goals in 2007. Dean Steinmann and John Carroll led Smithtown East to the Suffolk County Class A quarterfinals. Steinmann had 32 goals and nine assists from his midfield position, while Carroll made double-figure saves against six opponents, including 16 vs. Smithtown West in the quarterfinals. Travis Lyons, a 6-foot-2, 220-pound defenseman, was also a quality wide receiver for the Farmingdale High football program.

UAlbany returns 24 letterwinners from a team that reached the America East Conference championship final for the seventh consecutive season. The Great Danes have made four NCAA tournament appearances in that period.

***********

2009 University at Albany Men's Lacrosse Commitments

Name, Pos., Hometown (High School)

Daley Baker, Mid., Cleveland Heights, Ohio (Cleveland Heights)

Rocky Bonitatibus, Mid., Yorktown Heights, N.Y. (Yorktown)

Dave Brock, Att., Burlington, Ontario (Nelson / Herkimer County C.C.)

John Carroll, Glk., Nesconset, N.Y. (Smithtown East)

Luke Cometti, Mid., Syracuse, N.Y. (West Genesee)

Matt Cushing, Mid., Minoa, N.Y. (East Syracuse-Minoa)

Travis Lyons, Def., Farmingdale, N.Y. (Farmingdale)

Tim Monahan, Def., Williamsville, N.Y. (Amherst Central)

John Olsen, Att., Clifton Park, N.Y. (Shenendehowa)

Keith Olson, Mid., Upper Arlington, Ohio (Upper Arlington)

Joe Resetarits, Att., Hamburg, N.Y. (Hamburg)

Jack Reynolds, Mid., Farmingdale, N.Y. (Holy Trinity / Bridgton Academy)

Dean Steinmann, Mid., Nesconset, N.Y. (Smithtown East)

Dwayne Stewart, Mid., Copiague (Copiague, N.Y.)

The University of Albany rolls out its new advertising campaign

The University of Albany rolls out its new advertising campaign at the Albany-Rensselaer train station, reminding visitors that UAlbany puts "The World Within Reach." Photo Courtesy: Mark Schmidt

Matt Chmura Hired as Assistant Director of Athletic Media Relations at the University of Albany

Courtesy: UAlbany Sports Information

University at Albany Vice President and Director of Athletics Lee McElroy announced today the hiring of Matt Chmura as the assistant director of athletic media relations.

Chmura comes to UAlbany after a 10-month stint as sports information director at the United States Merchant Marine Academy. He was responsible for the publicity of 23 varsity sports and worked to enhance the department’s publications and web site. He spearheaded the implementation of live web casts for a variety of sports at the Merchant Marine Academy and developed increased media coverage for the department.

Prior to his position at the Merchant Marine Academy, Chmura spent two years as a graduate assistant at Quinnipiac University. He served as the school’s primary contact for nine NCAA Division I programs, while working to gain media coverage on the local, regional and national levels. He was also involved in the planning and implementation of media relations efforts for the opening of the TD Banknorth Sports Center, which opened in January 2007.

Chmura also gained Division I experience through internships at Northeastern University and the College of the Holy Cross. While at Northeastern, Chmura was the lead contact for the women’s ice hockey team and assisted with publicity of the men’s ice hockey team.

Chmura is a 2005 graduate of Springfield College, where he earned six letters in track and field while pursing a B.S. in sports management. He also received his M.S. in journalism from Quinnipiac in 2007.

New York Giants: Superbowl Champions Return to the University of Albany

NY Giants Training Camp Preview

12 years @ UAlbany. Average 30,890 fans per summer.
In, 2007, 40,000+ attended.

UAlbany Lacrosse Adds Another Attack to the Already Impressive List

Dwayne Stewart, the Copiague senior is the third oldest of six children, four of whom live with their single mother. Stewart balances schoolwork, practice, and a job at McDonald's and still finds time to practice with his siblings, hoping to give them an earlier start than he had.

A college scholarship is the reward.

"Once I told my mom I had [colleges] looking at me, she told me you have to get your little brothers to play," Stewart said.

His brother Justin is a sophomore on the varsity and Isiah, a seventh-grader, is just starting to pick up the sport.

Dwayne Stewart, who started playing in eighth grade, is a senior All-County attack was looking for the right local college scholarship offer at the Division I level.

The family could not afford a home phone when college coaches began trying to contact Stewart. His job helped him recently to buy a prepaid cell phone for the family.

"I almost get tears in my eyes thinking about how this kid's life has grown and what he has overcome," Copiague lacrosse coach Jim Konen said. "He does it every day with a smile on his face. He has younger brothers and he brings them around and he is a leader for them."

Stewart, who started on the varsity as a sophomore, has used his quick first step, hard shot and feeder mentality to score 24 goals and pass for 31 assists this season for Copiague (3-7).

"His best days of lacrosse are ahead of him. I think he is a hidden gem," said Paul Carcaterra, a lacrosse analyst for CBS College Sports and co-founder of No Limit Lacrosse camps, which Stewart has attended the last three summers. "If I was a Division I coach, I would take a chance on Dwayne Stewart. I don't even know if I'd call it a chance."

Stewart is also an All-County quarterback who led Suffolk with 19 touchdown passes last season, but lacrosse is where his heart is and where his best chance for a Division I scholarship lies. He quit the basketball team this season to focus on lacrosse.

"The kids have to be big in basketball and football. Division I schools are looking for the 6-2 to 6-4 kid," Copiague football coach Bruce Muro said. "He's a really good athlete. Being a 6-foot kid, he falls more into where the lacrosse kids are."

Stewart realizes this and that the same could be true for his brothers. "My brother in seventh grade, he kind of loves the sport like me," Stewart said. "He could excel right past me." That's the plan.
Courtesy: Newsday

AAU National Karate Championships at the University of Albany

Some 2,100 martial arts competitors from across the nation are gathering at University of Albany's SEFCU Arena for the AAU national karate championships.

The time of year has come when karate athletes from across the country meet to participate in the AAU Junior and Senior Karate Championships. This year, more than 2,000 competitors are expected to participate in the tournament, which will take place June 23 through July 5 at the University at Albany, State University of New York (SUNY).

Athletes ages five to 35 and up will contend for first place in beginner, novice, intermediate, and advanced divisions. The event will showcase those who placed at their district championships and qualified for the Regional or Super Regional Championships. Winners from each division will be awarded AAU National Championship medals.

Opening ceremonies will be held July 2 beginning at 8 a.m. in the SEFCU Arena of the university. The ceremonies will feature guest speakers Gerald D. Jennings, mayor of the city of Albany, and George Philip, Interim president of SUNY.

This event is open to the public. Discounted spectator tickets may be purchased during registration on July 2 at the Crowne Plaza Hotel. Otherwise, spectators can purchase their tickets at the door. For more information and complete results from this event, log on to www.aaukarate.org.
Courtesy: AAUNews

The University of Albany's College of Nanoscale Science, Albany city school district partner to launch Nanoscale Science Summer Institute

Twenty-five middle-school students from the Capital Region will spend their summer vacation immersed in nanotechnology as they attend the first-ever Excelsior Scholars Nanoscale Science Summer Institute, a partnership between the City School District of Albany ("CSDA") and the University at Albany's College of Nanoscale Science and Engineering ("CNSE") that builds on the success of the groundbreaking "NanoHigh" program developed jointly by CSDA and CNSE.

Students from the Bethlehem Central School District, Burnt Hills-Ballston Lake Central Schools, Mohonasen Central School District and Shenendehowa Central School District will join CSDA students in the six-week program, which begins on Monday, July 7 and is funded through the New York State Education Department's Excelsior Scholars Program for Grade Seven Mathematics and Science Students.

Each week, students will attend two days of introductory nanoscience courses taught at Albany High School, and then bring those classroom lessons to life with hands-on, interactive laboratory activities conducted at CNSE's world-class Albany NanoTech Complex. The curriculum is modeled on the NanoHigh program, a joint effort between CSDA and CNSE to enhance students' opportunities to take advantage of new nanotechnology-related careers being created in the Capital Region, New York State and around the globe, which this year graduated its first 20 students.

The Nanoscale Science Summer Institute will provide students with a foundational understanding of the fundamental principles and applications of nanoscale science and engineering, including an up-close look at several cutting-edge areas of nanotechnology, such as nanoelectronics, optoelectronics, nanobioscience and solar-powered devices.

"We are pleased to be able to build on our great partnership with the UAlbany NanoCollege to expand the opportunities available to our students in nanoscience, and to provide opportunities for students in other Capital Region school districts to benefit from the great resource that the NanoCollege is to our community," said CSDA Superintendent Eva C. Joseph, Ed.D.

Dr. Alain E. Kaloyeros, Senior Vice President and Chief Executive Officer of CNSE, said, "The UAlbany NanoCollege is pleased to host eligible students from across the Capital Region who will receive a unique and unparalleled look at the exciting world of nanotechnology through the inaugural Excelsior Scholars Nanoscale Science Summer Institute. Through the strategic partnership between CNSE and the City School District of Albany, school districts from across the region will have the opportunity to share in this pioneering educational paradigm that gives students a firsthand look at nanoscale science and engineering, the field that will shape their careers in the future."

Students participating in the Excelsior Scholars Nanoscale Science Summer Institute have been selected by their home school districts based upon distinguished work in mathematics and science. Each student will receive a certificate at the completion of the program identifying them as a New York State Excelsior Scholar.

UAlbany Alum Thomson Scores 7 goals as New Jersey upsets Long Island in high-scoring showdown

If there is one thing that is guaranteed about Major League Lacrosse, it is the fact that fans can be sure they will see plenty of scoring. The game between New Jersey and Long Island was no exception as the teams combined for a season-high 46 points in the Pride's 26-20 victory over the Lizards at Mitchel Athletic Complex, snapping Long Island's five-game win streak.

It was the highest-scoring game in the MLL this season and tied for the third-highest scoring game in the league's eight-year history. The 46 points are also the most since Rochester and Denver combined to score a league-record 53 points last year at INVESCO Field at Mile High.

Merrick Thomson led the offensive explosion with a career-high nine points, matching the most by a player in the league this year. He scored a career-high seven goals and had two assists, barely missing the New Jersey single-game points record set by former Pride attackman Jesse Hubbard. Thomson, who was named as the Bud Light MVP, tied a team record with the fourth seven-goal effort in the Pride's eight-year history. Hubbard had recorded the other three seven-goal efforts.

Rookie attackman Matt Danowski also had the best night of his brief professional career. He recorded a season-high nine points, scoring four goals with three assists. Of his four goals, two of them were from two-point range.

While New Jersey was busy setting team records, Long Island midfielder Peter Vlahakis was busy chasing the MLL record book. The three-time MLL Defensive Player of the Week honoree set a league record by winning 35 of 48 face-offs while adding 17 ground balls with a goal.

Keith Cromwell and Chris Fiore took advantage of Vlahakis' success at the face-off "x" by each scoring four goals with three assists. Meanwhile, Spencer Ford scored twice and also had three assists, upping his MLL-leading total to 23 on the season.

The Pride, who have won two of their last three games, snapped a two-game losing streak against the Lizards. Long Island still leads the series by a 12-7 margin.

University of Albany Set to Meet National Champions Kansas in 2008-09 Season

For years it worked for Denny Crum at Louisville, play a brutally hard out of conference schedule, reap the benefits at tournament time. It's a strong schedule philosophy ualbany is following.

While the signatures still have to go on contracts, the Danes are set to play the defending national champions Kansas early on in the 2008-09 season.

The Danes will visit Phog Allen fieldhouse, likely a december date. the Bill Self coached Jayhawks are expected to see 5 players drafted in this seasons NBA draft. Don't worry, they'll still be ranked come start of next season.

The Kansas trip comes a year after the Danes played at Duke. Also on the dance card this year, Big East DePaul with one other Big East school still possible.
Courtesy: Fox23

Dates:
11/14 @Nova
11/17 @Depaul
12/6 @Siena
12/30 @Kansas

UAlbany Women's Lacrosse Receives Three Commitments for 2008-09 Academic Year

Courtesy: UAlbany Sports Information

University at Albany women's lacrosse coach Lindsey Hart announced on Wednesday, July 2 that three student-athletes have made commitments for the 2008-09 academic year. Brianna Day, a defender/midfielder from North Masspequa, N.Y. (Plainedge H.S.), Jenn Primeau, a midfielder from Niskayuna, N.Y. (Niskayuna H.S.), and Melanie Sosnowski, an attacker from Massapequa Park, N.Y. (Massapequa H.S.), will enroll as freshmen in the fall semester.

"Jenn Primeau is a midfielder who can play both ends of the field," stated Hart, whose program has made two consecutive America East Conference postseason tournament appearances. "She is incredibly fast and extremely athletic. (Melanie) Sosnowski is a skilled attack who is great in transition and can finish. (Brianna) Day is an aggressive defender who has the ability to carry the ball into the midfield and scoring area."

Primeau was named to the Albany Times Union All-Area squad after accounting for 38 goals and 11 assists as a senior. A first-team All-Suburban Council selection, she scored four goals against both Saratoga Springs and Saugerties. Primeau led the Silver Warriors, who finished with a 15-6 record, to the 2008 Section II championship and the Class B state semifinals.

Day, who has been a starter since her freshman year at Plainedge High, earned all-conference honors last season. She had 37 goals and six assists for the Red Devils, including a seven-goal, one-assist performance against Port Washington. Day, who most likely will play defense at the collegiate level, was named to the 2008 U.S. Lacrosse High School Academic All-America Team.

Sosnowski, who has an accurate shot, was an All-Conference I standout. She totaled 35 goals and 18 assists from her attack position as a senior. Sosnowski, who led her team to an 11-5 record, was named the Nassau Player of the Week by Newsday on April 17. She tallied five goals against St. Anthony's and four goals and two assists versus Seaford. Sosnowski was also an All-Nassau County gymnast.

UAlbany returns 19 letterwinners, including nine starters, off a squad that posted eight victories for the third consecutive season against a schedule that featured six national top-20 programs.

2009 University at Albany Women's Lacrosse Commitments

Name, Pos., Hometown (High School)Brianna Day, D/M, North Massapequa, N.Y. (Plainedge)Jenn Primeau, Mid., Niskayuna, N.Y. (Niskayuna)Melanie Sosnowski, Att., Massapequa Park, N.Y. (Massapequa)

The University of Albany Will Host New Energy Symposium - 2008

New Energy New York and the College of Nanoscale Science and Engineering are hosting the Third Annual New Energy Symposium July 9-10, 2008, attracting prominent players in the energy field from the academia, government, and industry sectors.

The event will feature a Solar Expo and is held at the world-class Albany NanoTech complex in Albany, NY. Co-chairs for this event are Vincent A. Delorio, Chairman of the Board of Directors for NYSERDA; and Tom Birdsey, President & CEO of Einhorn Yaffee Prescott Architecture & Engineering.

The New Energy Symposium offers a unique chance to share industry trends, threats, and opportunities as they relate to emerging energy technologies. The Symposium also provides the opportunity to meet with executives who take an interest in the future of energy in the United States.

Technology Demonstrations
The New Energy Symposium will again highlight clean energy technologies, and invites your organization to showcase emerging technology and research you are developing. Some of the confirmed demos include:

BMW Hydrogen 7 Series
Honda Fuel Cell Car
SmartCar
MiniCooper
Plug Power Fuel Cell Forklift
To showcase your company's technology, please contact Ms. Kate Dooley at kdooley@uamail.albany.edu with an abstract.

Former Football Star Lee McElroy and His Journey to University of Albany

When others saw risk, Beaumont native Lee McElroy found opportunity. The oldest of 12siblings, the former Hebert High School football star became the first to go as far from home has he did.
Years later, an unexpected career shift took him from home again, this time on a journey that has allowed him to make as bigger a difference off the field than he ever did on it.

Through it all, McElroy points to a racially segregated upbringing that shaped his values today, as he is one of few African-Americans to run an athletic program at a non-traditionally-black school. "I've had a lot of success everywhere I've been, and that's because I learned to go in and look at an environment and then develop the pieces to make it fit," said McElroy, the director of athletics at New York's University of Albany since 2000.

McElroy, 60, is an older brother to former National Football League players Reggie and Leeland McElroy. Their greatest impacts came on the field, Reggie through 15 years as an offensive lineman and Leeland through three years as a running back.
Although a good enough football player to be a linebacker at UCLA, Lee McElroy's impact came in the classroom. His father the mail carrier and his mother the teacher's aide stressed getting an education. They said his six brothers and five sisters looked to him as an example."Very early on you learned responsibility and accountability," said McElroy, expected to be the first to the dinner table and to make sure the doors were locked for the night.

Branching out
McElroy's responsibilities today include overseeing an expanding athletic department and trying to get financing for an on-campus football stadium. Those tasks, however, were far beyond McElroy's horizon when he left Beaumont for what he called the "culture shock" of UCLA in 1966."Lee wasn't afraid to branch out," said one of McElroy's former Hebert teammates, Bob Pollard, who played 11 seasons in the NFL.
Pollard recalled that he and other Hebert teammates didn't stray beyond Texas Southern University in Houston at a time when McElroy made his cross-country leap.
"There were four or five guys that went to Texas Southern, but he was going all the way to UCLA," said Pollard, who transferred after one season at Texas Southern to Weber State in Utah. "He wanted to branch out and prove that he could compete, not just athletically, but academically as well."

Although McElroy took academics seriously, he felt he had more to prove in the segregated setting that surrounded Hebert."We had to overcome the stigma and perceptions that our school wasn't as good academically (as schools with mostly white students)," McElroy said of Hebert, housed on the site that is now Ozen. "We had to overcome the perception that our school was inferior and that the experience was inferior." With a bachelor's in political science from UCLA and a master's in education from Southern California, McElroy returned to Beaumont to be a teacher and coach at South Park High School in 1975. He became an assistant principal at Forest Park in 1979 and envisioned a future in academic administration before his career took an unexpected turn in 1981.

"My original intention was to remain in Beaumont," said McElroy, who had completed courses at UH to become a school superintendent. But, at the behest of then-UH athletic director Cedric Dempsey, McElroy joined the school's athletic department and started what he said was the first academic support program for athletes in the now-defunct Southwest Conference.

Pride and scorn
McElroy spent eight years at UH and went to three other universities, including Albany. He also served as athletics director for four years at American University in Washington D.C., seven years at California State University-Sacramento and one year at the University of District of Columbia. With McElroy, Albany is among four percent of universities with mostly white students to have an African-American athletic director; a statistic McElroy declares "a source of pride and a source of scorn." The pride comes with an achievement that has allowed him to stand tall, as he was recognized enough to have served as the president of the National Association of Athletic Directors for the 2007-07 academic term. McElroy's scorn that lies in his desire that blacks be given as much opportunity as whites.

"I'm a little tired of hearing from people in the industry who are saying that the only people who can make a change are the university presidents," McElroy said.

To McElroy, raising the number of black administrators and coaches to reflect the amount of black athletes - close to 60 percent in Division I basketball and 45 percent in Division I football, according to NCAA data - must be an industry-wide effort.

"Look at the way the NFL has worked," McElroy said of the "Rooney Rule," which requires all teams to interview at least one minority for all head coaching positions. "Why can't we do the same thing in the NCAA? You interview quality people of color." At most schools, the athletic director and football coach are often the public face of a university, McElroy said. "In the south, if a person of color is the point person, he may not be able to raise enough money," McElroy said. "That's got to change."

Changes at home
Yet, for as much change McElroy would like to see in the NCAA, he has seen more change in his home town. Gone is the segregated environment in which whites had "no contact athletically and educationally with anyone who was African-American."
McElroy pointed to the merger of all-black Hebert and all-white Forest Park to create West Brook and its Class 5A football state title that followed in 1982 as an eye opener. "That showed what integration could do," he said.

McElroy returns home for annual visits with his mother, where he continues to bump into those whose lives he touched during his brief return to Beaumont. "He's always been highly academically oriented," said Arthur Louis, who was coached by McElroy at South Park and is now an assistant football and track coach at West Brook. "He always talked with me about being the complete student athlete, which is what I talk about today." Although McElroy said he is happy to live in Albany - he recently took dance lessons with his wife, Karen, to prepare for a local charity "Dancing with the Stars" event - he might be open to another move, but only under proper circumstances. "I'm having so much fun here," he said. "The community is behind us and the state of New York is getting behind what we've done. What I want to do now is build a (football stadium), so I can't say what tomorrow will bring."

By CHRISTOPHER DABE

Birdsey to head alternative energy consortium led by UAlbany NanoCollege

Tom Birdsey, president and CEO of Einhorn Yaffee Prescott ("EYP") Architecture & Engineering of Albany, has been elected as chair of New Energy New York ("NENY"), a statewide consortium of alternative energy companies and organizations led by the Energy and Environmental Technology Applications Center ("E2TAC") at the College of Nanoscale Science and Engineering ("CNSE") of the University at Albany.

Birdsey will guide NENY's mission of promoting energy technology excellence in New York State through a series of initiatives that assist energy-related companies in pursuing common technology challenges, addressing critical policy issues and receiving the benefits of collaborative marketing and promotion. Through its strategic and coordinated approach, NENY has been successful in drawing international attention to New York's growing leadership in clean and renewable energy technologies.

At EYP, Birdsey heads a 300-person, leading global architectural and engineering firm with a 30-year history of designing energy efficient and "green" facilities around the world. EYP has also partnered with CNSE to create the National Institute for Sustainable Energy ("NISE") - a world-class center for zero energy and sustainability research and development at the UAlbany NanoCollege - designed to convert zero energy concepts and innovations into actual business opportunities and revenue-generating initiatives in established markets, including integrated building modeling and energy simulation, energy efficiency, new energy technology, and monitoring and control.

Birdsey said, "It is both a pleasure and a privilege to serve as Chair of New Energy New York, which is playing a vital role in addressing critical challenges and opening up new opportunities in the alternative energy sector for companies throughout New York State. With interest in clean and renewable energy technologies at an all-time high, I look forward to working with the pioneering leaders at the UAlbany NanoCollege to expand and grow the mission and impact of NENY at this critical time in our nation's history."

Dr. Alain E. Kaloyeros, Senior Vice President and Chief Executive Officer of CNSE, said, "As a recognized leader in ‘green' energy through his work on the design and engineering of energy-efficient, high-tech buildings around the world, Tom Birdsey is a superb choice to lead New Energy New York. Tom's expertise in clean and renewable energy technologies, combined with his global leadership and vision, will provide outstanding direction for NENY that will serve to benefit alternative energy companies and organizations throughout New York."

Dr. Pradeep Haldar, Director of CNSE's E2TAC and Executive Director of NENY, said, "Tom Birdsey has already made significant contributions to the New Energy New York consortium through his active involvement with several key initiatives. I look forward to working with him to further enhance NENY's efforts to bring together the growing number of renewable energy organizations across New York State."

NENY has played a leading role in a number of important alternative energy technology initiatives, including development of a Solar Roadmap for New York State; creation and coordination of numerous events, such as the New Energy Symposium and Tech Valley Energy Forums; and, promotion of New York's alternative energy capabilities at trade shows and through the "New York Loves Energy" campaign.

University of Albany Entry Plaza Update

Courtesy: UAalum72

UAlbany Men's Soccer Announces Nine Incoming Players for the 2008 Season

Courtesy: UAlbany Sports Information

Albany, N.Y. -- University at Albany head men’s soccer coach Johan Aarnio announced on Tuesday that the program has received commitments from nine incoming players for the 2008 season. The incoming class includes three transfers and six freshmen.

“We have recruited to add depth to our roster and affect the areas we fell short in last year,” Aarnio said. “With an incoming class of three recruited transfers and six recruited freshmen we have added experience and talent in both offense and defense to our group.”

The class is led by junior transfer Claudio Dantas, who joins the Great Danes from Jefferson College in Hillsboro, Mo. A native of Deerfield Beach, Fla., Dantas was a two-time adidas Junior College Division I All-American and also earned consecutive All-South and Regional XVI honors in 2006 and 2007. Last season, Dantas led Jefferson to a fifth-place finish in the NJCAA National Tournament and was ranked eighth nationally in scoring with 27 goals and eight assists. He led the Vikings to consecutive Region XVI and Plains District championships. Dantas, a 5-foot-8 striker, was ranked fourth nationally in points as a freshman in 2006, scoring 28 goals and adding eight helpers.

Junior forward/midfielder William Vasquez joins the UAlbany program after two seasons at SUNY Delhi. In 2007, Vasquez was voted to the NSCAA adidas Junior College Division III All-America first team, as well as earning Division III All-East Regional and All-Region III honors. A native of Peeksill, N.Y., he was ranked ninth nationally in points, with 15 goals and eight assists.

Defensive midfielder Mike Peters comes to UAlbany from Hogeschool Apeldoorn in the Netherlands. A 6-foot-2 senior who hails from the town of Westervoort, Peters was a member of the senior first-team AVW’66 Arnhem Divisional Champions in 2007.

Leading the group of five freshmen is Lawrence Papaleo, a 6-foot-2 forward from Manlius, N.Y. Papaleo earned NSCAA all-state honors and was a member of the Syracuse Under-18 New York State West championship team. A high honor roll student at Christian Brothers Academy, Papaleo competed in the Red Bull High School Cup, presented by adidas, which brings together the top New York and New Jersey high school seniors.

Konner Julian McNamara comes to the program from Iona Catholic Central High School in Mississauga, Ontario. A 6-foot-2 defender, McNamara was a member of the Toronto Lynx 20-under Super-Y League finalist squad and was a two-time winner of the Ontario Cup with the Mississauga Falcons in 2005 and 2006. McNamara is the younger brother of UAlbany senior Taylor Mikael McNamara.

Jordan Zaprowski joins the Great Danes out of Clarence Central High School. A 5-foot-9 defender from Williamsville, N.Y., Zaprowski was a bronze medal winner at the 2007 Empire State Games with the Western Scholastic soccer team and was a member of the Delaware SC Internationals.

Aarnio continues to bring in high-performing international students, including Adrian Foncette, Bjorn Bekkers and Luuk Collou. Foncette, a 6-foot-2 goalkeeper, is a native of Arima, Trinidad and Tobago and was a member of the 2007 Under-23 national team. Foncette, who attended Fatima College High School, was also a member of the St. Ann’s Rangers Futbol Club. Bekkers is a 6-foot-2 forward/midfielder from Enschede, Netherlands. He was a member of the Senior First Team Sparta Enschede and attended Stedelijk Lyceum in Enschede. Collou also hails from Enschede, Netherlands and was a member of the Tubanters Enschede Senior First Team last year and attended ROC Twente.

-agate-

Hilco Beeks Sr. D Arnhem, Netherlands/Hogeschool Arnhem-Nijmegen

Bjorn Bekkers Fr. M/F Enschede, Netherlands/Stedelijk Lyceum

Luuk Collou Fr. M/F Enschede, Netherlands/ROC Twente

Claudio Dantes Jr. F Deerfield Beach, Fla./Jefferson College

Adrian Foncette Fr. GK Arima, Trinidad and Tobago/Fatima College HS

Konner Julian McNamara Fr. D Mississauga, Ontario/Iona Catholic Central

Lawrence Papaleo Fr. F Manlius, N.Y./Christian Brothers Academy

Mike Peters Sr. D/M Westervoort, Netherlands/Hogeschool Apeldoorn

William Vasquez Jr. F/M Peekskill, N.Y./SUNY Delhi

Jordan Zaprowski Fr. D Williamsville, N.Y/Clarence