Dr. Lee McElroy and the University of Albany's Quest: The Multipurpose Stadium

Since Lee McElroy became director of athletics in 2000, the University of Albany hase won 30 conference championships and made 13 NCAA tournament appearances. How can one forget the men's basketball team's near-upset of the University of Connecticut in 2006, and UAlbany Men's Lacrosse overtime loss in the Elite Eight NCAA Championship game in 2007.

McElroy knows that top athletic programs act as economic development engines, but not without top-notch facilities. This is why he continues pushing a $60 million plan to build a multipurpose athletic stadium.

"Successful people want to be around successful teams and successful programs," McElroy said. This is why it is important for all local business to step up and help the University's cause. There are many ways to support UAlbany and its football program, and one way is to donate to the stadium fund. The local communities of the Gators and the National Champion Tigers both give unbelievable support to their State universities. Now is the time for New York to step up. Let's get support for the University of Albany, New York's State University.

The UAlbany football team has done extremely well in a very short period of time, including its third NEC Championship in 6 years, posting a 8-3 record last Fall, going undefeated in NEC play. Not bad for 9 years in FCS Football.

The victories and success have come despite a football stadium that seats only 5,000 people, one resembling a Division III football field. With the decades and decades of success by Bob Ford’s football program, including Football Championship Series success, it is finally time to upgrade and even reward the University and football team with the proper facilities. After all, the university needs facilities equal to that of its peers.

UAlbany football has risen to the point where they play UMass, Delaware, Montana, New Hampshire, etc.. all among the best in Football Championship Series.

"We already have a tremendous program, but for it to get better we must have better facilities," McElroy said.

He says a new UAlbany stadium would generate millions of dollars in spending for the community and the university each year. That would come not only from football games, but also from possibly being host for opening rounds of the NCAA lacrosse tournament and hosting high school playoff games, in addition to other events.

The money would come not only from increased ticket sales and ticket prices, but also lodging and retail sales.

"We currently have an economic impact, and we don't get cited enough for it," McElroy said. The University of Albany already has a multi –BILLION dollar impact on the capital district (Albany). Without the University, the Albany area would suffer greatly. It's time to reward the University that has given so much to the capital of New York State.

The university is seeking both state and private financing for the stadium. All UAlbany supporters, Alumni, capital district residents and businesses should consider donating to the University.

The athletic department stadium plan needs to be placed as the #1 on the University's priority list in the up and coming budget request. University administrators need to hear this from alumni and supporters alike.

NYS officials need to hear that you support the stadium effort, and why the University and athletic department deserves this stadium and how much positive impact it will have over some many things.

Contact the following government officials and voice your support for the Multi Purpose Stadium. Now is the time to begin letting these officials know that you want state funding included in this year's budget. Call, email, and go in person to the following officials now.

Please contact these officials with the utmost respect and with a high level of intellect... please put significant thought into your presentation before contacting them.

Governor Paterson:

Assemblyman Ron Canestrari:
canestr@assembly.state.ny.us

Assembly Speaker Sheldon Silver:
speaker@assembly.state.ny.us

Assembly Minority Leader James Tedisco:
tediscj@ assembly.state.ny.us

Assemblyman John McEneny
mcenenj@assembly.state.ny.us

NYS Senator Hugh Farley
farley@senate.state.ny.us

NYS Senator Neil Breslin
breslin@senate.state.ny.us

NYS Senate Majority Leader Joe Bruno:
bruno@senate.state.ny.us

NYS Senate Minority Leader Malcom Smith:
masmith@senate.state.ny.us

City of Albany: Mayor Jennings
mayor@ci.albany.ny.us

UAlbany Interim President George M. Philip
presmail@uamail.albany.edu

UAlbany Interim Provost Susan D. Phillips
sdphil@uamail.albany.edu









Heery International Inc. Selected to Study Proposed UAlbany Multi-Purpose Complex
Courtesy: UAlbany Sports Information
Release: 04/04/2008

Courtesy: UAlbany Athletics

Albany, N.Y. -- University at Albany Vice President and Director of Athletics Lee McElroy announced on Friday, April 4 that Heery International Inc. has been selected to study a proposed on-campus multi-purpose stadium complex.

Heery's study, which will take four to six months to complete, will include a site analysis, developing a stadium concept, establishing a project budget and formulating fund-raising materials.

"Heery International's work is the beginning of an exciting project that will benefit the entire Capital Region," McElroy said. "As our Division I athletic program continues to grow, so does the facility needs of our 19 sports. The vision for this athletic complex is something that not only services our athletic programs, but campus, high school and community events. The results of this study will allow us to determine, with respect to funding, what our options will be in the future."

Heery International, an Atlanta-based company founded in 1952, is a full-service design, engineering and construction management firm with 1,100 employees located in 30 offices throughout the United States and Europe.

Heery's list of more than 250 collegiate sports projects and 50-plus collegiate stadiums include a recent renovation and expansion of the Cotton Bowl in Dallas, Texas; eight renovations and expansions of the University of Georgia's Sanford Stadium; and a design for the renovation of the University of Texas' Memorial Stadium.

UAlbany Football's Dave McCarty: Passion on the Gridiron

UAlbany junior David McCarty remains inconspicuous sitting at the back of the classroom wearing a plain hooded sweatshirt and jeans. All of this changes once the 20-year-old tailback steps onto the football field. While donning his No. 3 jersey, McCarty can't help but stand out.

Last season, McCarty ranked 10th among the nation's rushing leaders with more than 125 yards per game. He posted the third-highest single season rushing total in school history with 1,503 yards and 13 touchdowns. Not to mention, he was named to the Sports Network Division I FCS All-America Team and first-team Sports Network Mid-Major All-America Squad.

"He has a great work ethic, outstanding strength. He's physically tough and he takes great pride in what he does," said UAlbany football head coach Bob Ford. "He's just a delightful young man."

It was UAlbany's Department of History, in part, that attracted McCarty to the University. McCarty's love of history, particularly American History, may not be something that is evident to his teammates or others -- that is, unless they visit his off-campus residence.

"There are only two channels that are always on at my house -- the Military Channel and the History Channel," said McCarty, who is majoring in history and minoring in education.

"We've gone from playing in Division III ... and now we're playing in bowl games, it's phenomenal."

Junior tailback David McCartyMcCarty, who carried a 3.6 GPA last semester, plans to join the Marine Corps after graduation.
Despite a mounting list of football accolades and accomplishments, all of the attention is something McCarty never imagined for himself, growing up in Gansevoort, N.Y. That's where his passion for football became rooted in neighborhood pickup games with friends.

"I'd come home with scrapes and bruises. It was awesome," said McCarty, who eventually become a high school standout at LaSalle Institute, where he holds records for single-game and single-season rushing and was named three-time wrestling All-American.

McCarty isn't sure what drives him -- perhaps it's a story N.Y. Giants head coach Tom Coughlin told the team before last season. Coughlin had received a letter from the Army's Lieutenant General, who talked about how much his men loved the Giants and what they do.

"He was saying how you can never get down on yourself when you're on the field, whether you're tired or hurt," recalled McCarty. "His men are on the battlefield in 125 degree heat with 100 pounds of gear, fighting for their country and their lives. When I replay that, I never get down on myself. I just keep going."

UAlbany Women's Soccer Beats Colgate 2-1 In Overtime

HAMILTON, N.Y. (8/24/08) - Hamilton, N.Y. – Freshman Rebecca Lee scored her first career goal and set up junior Ashley Tirabassi’s game winner in the 101st minute to lead the University at Albany women’s soccer team to a 2-1 victory over Colgate University in double overtime at Van Doren Field on Sunday, Aug. 24. Tirabassi’s goal came 31 seconds into the second overtime frame.

“I could not be more proud of the team today to fight back and get a win on the road the way that they did this afternoon,” said head coach Mary-Frances Monroe.

After a scoreless first half, Colgate (0-1) got on the scoreboard first in the 54th minute when junior Jess Bitsack collected a rebound initially saved by UAlbany freshman goalkeeper Cate Crenson. The Raiders only took three more shots on goal the rest of the way.

UAlbany (1-1) answered right back in the 61st minute of action. After Colgate goalkeeper Rachel Michlin punched away the ball, Lee took the rebound and shot it down the middle to tie the match up at 1-1.

At the beginning of the second overtime, Lee intercepted the ball just outside the 18-yard line on a failed clear attempt by the Raider defense. She tapped it to Tirabassi, who fired a shot to the top center of the net for the game winner.

“I give Colgate a lot of credit,” said Monroe. “They dominated the first half. We bounced back in the second half and through the overtime periods. It was a total team effort. No one gave up and we kept running at them.”

UAlbany’s Crenson made seven saves on eight chances to earn her first collegiate victory. Colgate’s Michlin faced two shots on goal in the match.

The Great Danes return to action next Sunday when they visit the Lehigh Mountain Hawks in Bethlehem, Pa. The match is slated to begin at 1 p.m.

Game Photos:
http://www.gocolgateraiders.com/sports/gallery/WSOCvsAlbany/

UAlbany Alum Queener Shines In Win At Major League Lacrosse Championship Game

Brett Queener with 2 beautiful rushes downfield collecting an assist. He added some very nice stops in goal as well. Rochester wins 16-6 and is the Major League Lacrosse Champion. More to come...

Player AND Hot Shot of the Day - Brett Queener, Rochester

You have to add it all together. It was his break dance to Rhianna during warmups. It was his full field clears, including a stylish juke move in the fourth quarter, capped off with a shrug of the shoulders. It was his sweet assist to teammate Jeff Zywicki with a minute and a half left in the third for the team’s 12 goal of the day.

Queener had spark. He had style. He did it all for Rochester in the second half, including locking down on defense with 10 saves. The older guys on defense fed off the effort, sparking the Rattlers to their second half dominance. On a veteran team, it was the rookie who helped them get over the hump.

“I just came out there and tried to get that first stop. I took my first run and actually got knocked on my butt. That kind of woke me up a bit. After that all facets of our team started clicking, I just had to make a couple saves and everything went from there,” Queener said post-game.

Courtesy: Inside Lacrosse

UAlbany FCS Football Deserves Regional Support

The Capital Region loves Division I basketball and hockey. As for football, not so much.

University at Albany sports information director/assistant athletic director Brian DePasquale correctly pointed out at today's football media day that area media types, and perhaps fans in general, don't spend much time thinking about what used to be called Division I-AA football.

The Great Danes have produced seven or more victories six times as a Football Championship Series (formerly Division I-AA) program, and they have won the Northeast Conference championship three times, including last season when they were 6-0 in conference play.

Yet football at this level doesn't get its share of publicity.

The closest big-time college football program to the Capital Region is Syracuse University. That's nearly two hours away. Plus, the Orange have struggled in recent years.

True college football fans should jump on the UAlbany bandwagon. The Danes play an incredible schedule, including national runner-up Delaware and NCAA quarterfinalist Massachusetts, this season. They have an exciting tailback in LaSalle Institute graduate Dave McCarty, who ran for more than 1,500 yards, and they have about 25 Capital Region products on their roster.

Perhaps the lack of a true football stadium is one of the reasons this program doesn't catch on, but I've seen enough games to vouch for the quality of play at this level.

It took a while for the UAlbany basketball program to catch on. Now, it's time for its football team to follow suit. The difference is that the basketball team rarely won much in its early Division I years. The football team, under legendary head coach Bob Ford, has been better than a .500 team in four of the last six years.

How about a little love?

By Bob Weiner

UAlbany Alum Brett Queener Helps Rochester Advance To The MLL Finals

RATTLERS DEFEAT BARRAGE IN OT, 16-15

The Rattlers won a playoff game for the first time in team history.
CAMBRIDGE, Mass. - There's a first time for everything and Saturday's semi-final between the Philadelphia Barrage and the Rochester Rattlers was a prime example of that.

Rochester Rattlers attackman Casey Powell scored the game-winning goal just 45 seconds into overtime to give the Rattlers their first-ever play-off victory, a 16-15 win over the two-time defending MLL champion Philadelphia Barrage.

It also marked the first-ever postseason loss for the Barrage, who had won six straight playoff games prior to this year.

Attackman Joe Walters led the Rattlers with four goals and three assists while midfielder Colin Doyle added two goals and two assists. Goalkeeper Brett Queener made four saves in the second half.

Midfielder Roy Colsey led Philadelphia in a losing effort, scoring three goals with three assists. Attackman Ryan Boyle added two goals and three assists while goalkeeper Brian Dougherty made 16 saves.

Rochester outshot the Barrage by a 45-31 margin and held a commanding 38-16 advantage in ground balls.

The Rattlers will advance to the NB Zip Championship Game on Sunday afternoon at 1 p.m. and will face either Denver or Los Angeles.

Courtesy: MLL

UAlbany Football Finishes Preseason Camp with Friday Scrimmage at University Field

Courtesy: UAlbany Sports Information

Justin Gannon has never gone through a preseason at the collegiate level without an injury. But when the University at Albany football team wrapped up its summer camp with an intrasquad scrimmage on Friday, Aug. 22 at University Field, the junior tailback showed he could shake off his recent ailments with a strong effort.

Gannon, who plays behind standout tailback David McCarty, rushed 11 times for 62 yards and broke off a nifty 34-yard scamper as UAlbany ran nearly 100 plays in preparation for next weekend’s opener.

Gannon and classmate Colin Simmons, who also picked up 62 yards on the ground in the preseason tune-up, know they are key figures in UAlbany’s attack. Both juniors are small in stature, but fierce on their feet.

“Anything can happen,” explained Gannon, a 5-foot-6, 175-pounder who missed last Saturday’s scrimmage with a thigh contusion. “I think we have three good running backs and are comfortable with each other. Dave’s bigger and is more of a downhill runner, someone who can run over people. I have to rely on speed and be quick getting through the hole.”

The Great Danes will need more than one offensive weapon this season with the toughest schedule in the program’s history just ahead. Gannon, who was third on the team in rushing (273 yards) and all-purpose yards (551) last year, is expected to be one of the contributors.

“I just have to give 100 percent in practice and compete every day,” he stated. “I can never let up.”

The Great Danes, who won last year’s Northeast Conference championship, are off on Saturday, but return to the practice field the following day as they ready themselves for nationally-ranked Massachusetts.



Football Notes: UAlbany’s Emerson Kinsey looked in good form from his outside linebacker position with one sack and one pass break-up during Friday’s scrimmage ... quarterback Frank Blasinsky threw a 9-yard touchdown pass to fullback Chris Kenneally ... the Great Danes will play Massachusetts, ranked No. 5 nationally in both the FCS Coaches’ and Sports Network polls, in the season opener on Saturday, Aug. 30 ... Fox Sports Radio 980 AM will air the game in the Capital Region ... game time is 6:00 p.m. ... UAlbany has three players in NFL training camps, with cornerback Rashad Barksdale (Kansas City), outside linebacker Kurt Campbell (Tennessee) and defensive end Andre Coleman (San Diego) ... Barksdale’s Chiefs travel to the Miami Dolphins for their third preseason game on Saturday evening ... the Dolphins are led by first-year head coach Tony Sparano, whose sons, Tony (defensive end) and Andy (center) are members of the UAlbany football team ...

Women's Soccer Drops Season Opener To Syracuse, 3-1

Courtesy: UAlbany Sports Information

Junior Ashley Tirabassi found the back of the net for the eighth time of her career, but the University at Albany women’s soccer team took a 3-1 loss to Syracuse University at the SU Soccer Stadium on Friday night. Freshman Katie Norwood assisted on the Great Dane goal.

Syracuse (1-0) scored twice in the opening five minutes of the season opener for both teams to take an early 2-0 lead. Sophomore Megan Bellingham netted the first goal in the second minute, and freshman Casey Ramirez followed up with the second tally in the fourth minute of play.

Tirabassi scored the first goal of the season for UAlbany (0-1) in the sixth minute of action to cut the Orange lead in half. Norwood, who was one of seven true freshman starters for the Great Danes in the contest, was credited with her first career assist on the play.

Freshman goalkeeper Cate Crenson turned away the next three shots she faced to keep it a one-possession match over the next 30 minutes, but Syracuse’s Amanda Morris doubled her club’s lead by scoring a goal in the 35th minute.

The Great Danes, who trailed by two at the break, came out with a vengeance to start the second half by taking the first three shots on goal in the stanza. Spearheaded by freshman Katie Grant, sophomore Jenna Burke and Norwood, UAlbany’s defense did not allow the Orange to take anything on Crenson until the 75th minute. UAlbany outshot Syracuse by a count of 4-1 in the second frame, but the team could not get the ball past Syracuse junior goalkeeper Eliza Bennett-Hattan.

UAlbany’s Crenson made seven saves on 10 opportunities in her Great Dane debut and was credited with the loss. Syracuse’s Bennett-Hattan turned away four of the five shots she faced.

The Great Danes return to action on Sunday afternoon when they visit the Colgate Raiders in Hamilton, N.Y. Game time is set for 3 p.m.

UAlbany Athletic Director Lee McElroy Assists With Freshmen Move-In on State Quad

Courtesy: UAlbany Sports Information

University at Albany Vice President and Director of Athletics Lee McElroy joined the class of 2012 to assist with the freshman class’ move-in onto State Quad resident hall on Friday, Aug. 22.

Approximately 84 freshmen student-athletes will be residing on State Quad during the academic year. Because several of UAlbany’s athletic teams require staying on campus over school breaks, they are placed in dorms that allow recess housing, which includes State Quad. Upperclassmen are able to reside in Freedom and Empire housing.

McElroy, who assists with freshmen move-in each year, is in his ninth year at the helm of the UAlbany athletic department. He believes that getting involved with move-in is a good way to get an early word out about UAlbany athletics. Classes begin on Monday, Aug. 25.

“We are a part of the greater UAlbany community,” McElroy said. “We receive a lot of support from faculty, staff and students, and we want to be able to give back and support the rest of campus as a part of the UAlbany team.”

UAlbany Is America East's 2008 Preseason Favorite In Field Hockey Coaches' Poll

Courtesy: America East Communications

If the head coaches’ predictions hold true, a new champion will be crowned at the 2008 America East Field Hockey Championship this November. University at Albany topped the 2008 preseason coaches’ poll, voted on by all six field hockey head coaches across the conference, which would end Boston University’s three-year reign as tournament champions. The Great Danes received four first-place votes out of a maximum of five and 24 total points to edge out the Terriers who received two first-place votes and 22 points.

Albany (15-5 overall record in 2007, 4-1 America East record) fell to Boston University (18-6, 5-0) in last year’s final by a 4-1 score.

This year’s field hockey championship will take place November 7 and 9 and will be hosted by the highest seed with an artificial turf surface. The top four teams from the regular season will participate in the tournament, with the winner of the championship receiving an automatic berth to the NCAA Championship.

University of Vermont (16 points) and University of New Hampshire (14 points) were picked to finish the season third and fourth, respectively, while University of Maine (nine points) and Fairfield University (five points) rounded out the six-team poll.

The Great Danes finished runners-up to the Terriers last year in both the regular season and the tournament, and are searching for their first America East crown. Albany turned in the second-most productive offense in the league last year largely due to senior midfielder Michelle Simpson (Midlesbrough, England/University of Teesside), a second-team All-American recording 34 points, who returns with one more year of eligibility. Head coach Phil Sykes’ team also has America East first-team goalkeeper senior Ashley Ross (Lancaster, Pa./Conestoga Valley), who led America East with a 1.14 goals against average in 2007. Juniors Nicole Savage (Wilkes-Barr, Pa./James M. Coughlin) and Jess Lindsey (Norristown, Pa./Methacton) will also look to produce results after putting up 31 and 19 points, respectively, last year.

The Terriers lost a senior class that led the team to four straight regular season titles and three consecutive trips to the NCAA Tournament, but head coach Sally Starr’s squad hopes to replace that experience with nine freshmen and two transfers in addition to the returning athletes. Boston U. boasts the 2007 America East Rookie of the Year in sophomore goalkeeper Kim Kastuk (Putnam Valley, N.Y./Putnam Valley) as well as senior backs Lizzie Perreault (Teaticket, Mass./Falmouth) and Holly Wiles (Harare, Zimbabwe/Arundel School), who all should make for a very strong defensive unit. Junior Gabby Hajjar (Ottawa Hills, Ohio/Ottawa Hills) is the highest-scoring returner up front with 2007 totals of nine goals, one assist and 19 points.

Vermont (12-7, 3-2) is coming off one of its most successful seasons, tying the program’s record for total wins, and will try to continue that momentum into 2008. Leading the team should be two returning first-team all-conference picks, seniors Kim Striegler (Whitney Point, N.Y./Whitney Point) and Maegan Luce (Hartford, Vt./Hartford). Luce, a forward, notched seven goals and eight assists last season, while Striegler posted 12 points on four goals and four assists from the midfield a year ago.

New Hampshire (9-12, 2-3) will feature a pair of second-team all-conference selections in junior forward Megan Shea (Melrose, Mass./Melrose) and junior back Kiera Williams (Dover, N.H./St. Thomas Aquinas), while senior Sarah Craigue (Concord, N.H./Concord) will also provide a veteran presence up front. Despite missing three games due to injury, Craigue still finished second on the team in both points (13) and assists (five) last year. The hardest decision for 18th-year head coach Robin Balducci may be at goalkeeper, where two rookies and a sophomore will be vying for the job.

Josette Babineau’s Black Bears (5-11, 1-4) also have a void at the goalkeeper position which they hope to fill with either rookie Brittany Fleck (Vancouver, British Columbia/Crofton House School) or classmate Elizabeth Anderson (Morrill, Maine/Kent’s Hill). Maine has a young squad in 2008, but has a talented sophomore class which placed back Maire Dineen (Toronto, Ontario/Michael Power-St. Joseph) and midfielders Brittney Cummings (Belfast, Maine/Belfast) and Courtney Veinotte (Canaan, Maine/Skowhegan) on the 2007 All-Rookie team.

Fairfield (3-17, 0-5) begins its second season in America East on a quest to reach its first conference championship. Senior forwards Emily Janis (East Hampton, N.Y./East Hampton) and Molly Byrnes (Greenwich, Conn./Greenwich) were consistent performers for the Stags last year, each posting a team-high eight points and playing in the starting lineup. Janis and Byrnes will be leaders on a team which welcomes nine freshmen.

Top Salaries Among Nation's Public Colleges and Universities

University Name - Starting Salary - Salary With Experience

1.University of California, Berkeley $59,900.00 $112,000.00
2.University of Virginia (UVA) $52,700.00 $103,000.00
3.Cal Poly San Luis Obispo $57,200.00 $101,000.00
4.University of California at Los Angeles (UCLA) $52,600.00 $101,000.00
5.University of California, San Diego (UCSD) $51,100.00 $101,000.00
6.University of California, Davis $52,300.00 $99,600.00
7.University of Colorado - Boulder (UCB) $47,100.00 $97,600.00
8.University of California, Irvine (UCI) $48,300.00 $96,700.00
9.University of Illinois at Urbana $52,900.00 $96,100.00
10.Texas A&M University $49,700.00 $96,100.00
11.Bing U $53,600.00 $95,900.00
12.University of Missouri - Rolla (UMR) $57,100.00 $95,800.00
13.San Jose State University (SJSU) $53,500.00 $95,600.00
14.University of Maryland, College Park $52,000.00 $95,000.00
15.University of California, Santa Barbara (UCSB) $50,500.00 $95,000.00
16.U of Texas (UT) - Austin $49,700.00 $93,900.00
17.University of Michigan $52,700.00 $93,000.00
18.SBU $49,500.00 $93,000.00

19.University of Albany $44,500.00 $92,200.00

20.Rutgers University $50,300.00 $91,800.00
21.Purdue University $51,400.00 $90,500.00
22.University of Connecticut (UConn) $48,000.00 $88,800.00
23.University of Massachusetts (UMass) - Amherst $46,600.00 $88,200.00
24.California State University (CSU), Chico $47,400.00 $88,100.00
25.University of Florida (UF) $47,100.00 $87,900.00
26.University of Wisconsin (UW) - Madison $48,900.00 $87,800.00
27.Louisiana State University (LSU) $46,900.00 $87,800.00
28.California State University, Fullerton (CSUF) $45,700.00 $87,000.00
29.George Mason University $47,800.00 $86,900.00
30.University of Massachusetts (UMass) - Lowell $45,400.00 $86,600.00


Source: Payscale.com

University of Albany Art Museum Presents Work of Edmier and DiBenedetto

In the long-running Broadway show and TV hit "The Odd Couple," Felix and Oscar live together due to an odd set of circumstances. While the arrangement is wrought with difficulties, the relationship makes for great entertainment.

The same is true for New York City artists Keith Edmier and Steve DiBenedetto. Paired in separate exhibits at the University at Albany Art Museum, the artists' works produce interesting conflicts and intriguing results. It's great theater of the absurd.

The exhibits, one on each floor, feature the curious and time-warped installations of Edmier and DiBenedetto's wild and intense paintings and drawings. While their mediums and methodologies differ greatly in "& Episode 1," and "Edge Dwelling" the artists share enough similarities through pop culture and color to stay together — for a while at least.

Although billed as two shows, their proximity invites us to compare and contrast. On view until Sept. 21, the two exhibits came together in an unexpected way, said Janet Riker, the museum's director. Several years ago, DiBenedetto was in discussions with the museum about a solo show when his neighbor, Edmier, jumped in and got involved. They both work from the same Manhattan building and are friends.

Read article:

By TIM KANE

Merrick Thomson Earns 1st Team All MLL and Warrior Most Improved Player

Major League Lacrosse, the premier professional lacrosse league, announced Thursday that New Jersey Pride attackman Merrick Thomson has been honored as the 2008 Warrior Most Improved Player of the Year, according to Commissioner David Gross. The award was based on votes submitted by the general managers and head coaches of the ten MLL teams.

After scoring just nine goals last year, Thomson ranked second in the MLL with 42 goals and 52 points in 12 games this season. He scored three or more goals nine times this season, including a team record-tying seven goals in a 26-20 victory over the Long Island Lizards on July 3. He also added two assists in the victory to equal the New Jersey single-game record with nine points, earning MLL Offensive Player of the Week honors.

On July 26, the former University at Albany attackman led the Pride to a 25-20 victory over the Washington Bayhawks, scoring five goals with two assists as New Jersey won the first of three straight games to end the season. He scored seven goals and added an assist in the final two games, helping New Jersey finish with a .500 record for the first time since the 2003 season.

Thomson also added a five-goal effort against Boston on June 6 and scored four goals with two assists in a victory over the Eastern Conference champion Rochester Rattlers on June 14.

Thomson received 10 of a possible 20 first-place votes and tallied 56 points while Chicago Machine goalkeeper Mike Gabel finished second by earning 13 points, including a pair of first-place votes. Rochester Rattlers midfielders Colin Doyle and Joe Walters and New Jersey Pride attackman Matt Rewkowski were tied for third place with 10 points. Both Doyle and Rewkowski each recorded a pair of first-place votes.



Major League Lacrosse announces All-MLL teams



Major League Lacrosse, the premier professional lacrosse league, announced Friday the players who have been named to the 2008 All-Major League Lacrosse team, recognizing the best players at each position. Named to the All-MLL team were:

Attack: John Grant, Jr. (Rochester), Kevin Leveille (Chicago), Merrick Thomson (New Jersey)
Midfield: Brian Langtry (Denver), Matt Striebel (Philadelphia), Joe Walters (Rochester)
Defense: Eric Martin (San Francisco), Brodie Merrill (Rochester), Kyle Sweeney (Philadelphia)
Goalkeeper: Mickey Jarboe (Los Angeles), Rob Scherr (New Jersey)
Face-off Specialist: Alex Smith (Rochester)

UAlbany Women's Basketball Set to Take International Trip to Costa Rica

Courtesy: UAlbany Sports Information

The University at Albany women’s basketball team will embark on a four-day international trip to Costa Rica, beginning August 29, as announced today by Director of Athletics and Vice President Lee McElroy. Costa Rica is a republic in South America, bordered by Nicaragua to the north and Panama to the south, with the Caribbean Sea to the east and the Pacific Ocean to the west, with a population of over 4.1 million.

“It is an incredible asset to get experience and practice this early in the year,” said UAlbany head coach Trina Patterson. “The trip gives us a chance to mesh our eight returning players with our five newcomers as quickly as possible. We will be able to do some team bonding activities and also evaluate players in a competitive aspect, which will help prepare us for the season.”

The Great Danes will depart from New York’s John F. Kennedy International Airport, arriving at La Condesa Monte de la Cruz Hotel in Heredia, Costa Rica that afternoon. UAlbany will play the first of two exhibition games against Universidad Nacional de Costa Rica on the evening of Aug. 29. The Great Danes then face the Costa Rican National Team on Saturday before spending a day on the Pacific Coast in Jaco, Costa Rica the following day.

“This trip will give us more time to learn about each other and gel together as a team,” said UAlbany junior guard Charity Iromuanya. “We have a chance to play together and see what we have to work on to prepare us for the season.”

UAlbany is coming off a season in which the Great Danes posted the most wins in America East Conference play with a 10-6 record and produced the program's second appearance in the conference postseason tournament's semifinal round. Patterson was voted the 2008 America East Coach of the Year.

-agate-

UAlbany Women’s Basketball – Costa Rica Tour Schedule

Friday, Aug. 29 Universidad Nacional de Costa Rica 9:30 p.m.

Saturday, Aug. 30 Costa Rican National Team 10:30 p.m.

UAlbany Volleyball Picked First in America East Conference Preseason Poll

Courtesy: UAlbany Sports Information

Cambridge, Mass. – The University at Albany volleyball team was picked to finish first in the America East Conference preseason poll, as voted by the league’s head coaches and announced on Tuesday afternoon. The Great Danes, who have won three of the last four America East championships, received four first-place votes for 33 total points.

UAlbany edged out New Hampshire in the voting, as the Wildcats garnered two first-place votes and 31 points. UMBC earned the final first-place vote to finish third in the poll, followed by Binghamton, Stony Brook, Hartford and Maine.

UAlbany became the first America East program to win a match in the NCAA Tournament, defeating Cleveland State, 3-0, last season. The Great Danes return 2007 conference rookie of the year Amanda Cowdrey and the postseason championship’s most outstanding player Brooke Stanley. UAlbany will retain much of its youth from last season, with just two seniors gracing a 13-player roster. The list includes all-conference first-team middle blocker Kamisha Kellam, who was among the league leaders last season in hitting percentage (.327), kills (3.24 kpg) and blocks (1.06 bpg).

The 2008 America East volleyball championship will take place November 21-23 at the top seed’s home court. The top four teams from the regular season will participate in the championship and the tournament winner will earn an automatic berth to the NCAA Tournament.

UAlbany starts the 2008 season on August 29 at San Diego State’s Aztec Invitational.

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2008 America East Conference Volleyball Preseason Poll

1. UAlbany (4) 33, 2. New Hampshire (2) 31, 3. UMBC (1) 29, 4. Binghamton 21, 5. Stony Brook 16, 6. Hartford 9, 7. Maine 8.

first-place votes in parenthesis ( )

Senior Safety Dave West & UAlbany Football Team Meet Media at Annual Preseason Luncheon

Courtesy: UAlbany Sports Information

Gone are the days when a collegiate athlete competes in two or three sports year-round on a regular basis. Most athletes have become specialized in one sport, and focus all of their time and energy with a single purpose.

The NCAA doesn’t officially keep track of the number of dual-sport athletes, but outside the realm of track and field and cross country, the dual-sport student-athlete at the college level is a rare breed. Most talented student-athletes make a choice in high school to continue with one sport at the collegiate level. Then there are athletes like UAlbany’s Dave West, who simply could not, and would not, make a choice.

West, a senior safety on the Great Danes’ football team, is also the starting center fielder for the school’s baseball squad. West has earned All-Northeast Conference recognition during his time on the football field, helping UAlbany win the 2007 league championship. He also was an All-America East Conference selection on the diamond, bringing baseball to its first-ever conference title and NCAA tournament appearance in 2006. West wanted that challenge from the beginning.

“I couldn’t make up my mind,” West stated at Tuesday’s football media luncheon in the SEFCU Athletic Hall of Fame Room. “I knew that I had to play both.”

While most schools that were interested in him wanted him to focus on one or the other, UAlbany offered West the solution he was looking for – an opportunity to continue both his football and baseball career wearing purple and gold.

“I have always had the philosophy that if you want to play another sport – play it,” said UAlbany’s Bob Ford, who is in his 40th season as a college head football coach. “It takes a unique athlete to be able to excel in college athletics in two sports.”

Ford, along with head baseball coach Jon Mueller, saw the potential for West to succeed in both areas at UAlbany. Despite having to miss fall baseball to play football, and not being able to participate in spring football practice in order to play baseball, West has convinced both coaches that being a dual-sport athlete is worth the sacrifice.

“We are lucky because Dave is such a cerebral guy on the field,” said defensive backs coach Drew Christ, who works with West on his positional play. “We changed things schematically in the spring, so when he came back in the fall, he was a little lost. But he understands the game, and is such a natural athlete that the transition was smooth.”


West believes his biggest challenge is changing how he approaches his game with the different coaches.


“Coach Ford is old school, and wants us to focus on execution,” West explained. “He talks to us about how it isn’t about what scheme you’re running, but about what players you have. Coach Mueller is more hard-nosed and just wants us to get after it.”

Not to say that West’s respect for either coach waivers.


“I have a great deal of respect for both of them,” West stated. “Coach Ford has been around for so long, and with his reputation and accomplishments, you want to show your best all the time. With Coach Mueller, I can talk to him on a different level. I agree with the way he does things and how he coaches.”


West focuses on each sport individually, but carries over aspects from each into the opposite season. With a short three-week rest between the end of football season and the start of baseball preseason, West doesn’t get much down time. He has discovered that although the baseball training focuses more on running and maintenance of fitness, he benefits more from continuing his football routine in the weight room.


This work ethic has helped him succeed on both the football field and the baseball diamond, something both coaches appreciate.


“Dave is a great kid to coach, he is tough both physically and mentally,” said Ford, whose team has been picked to repeat as conference champion in the NEC’s preseason poll. “By playing baseball in the spring, it is giving him another competitive opportunity. It is not a negative experience to have him compete in baseball. He is a great addition to both teams and has been on the same upward track since he arrived.”


A natural athlete who has been playing organized sports since he was five years old, West takes the challenge of playing two sports at the Division I level in stride.


“I didn’t realize it was such an accomplishment,” West said. “There were so many people who played more than one sport in high school, I didn’t think it was a big deal.”


For the Great Danes, having a highly successful two-sport athlete is a big deal. And for his coaches, they couldn’t ask for anything more.


“He is very gifted athletically,” Mueller explained. “He is focused and determined and I am very proud of him. He is a very tough kid.”

(By Brianna LaBrecque, UAlbany Athletic Media Relations)

University of Virginia's Harris Transfers To UAlbany

Will Harris is returning to his home state.

Harris, who's from Queens, N.Y., confirmed yesterday that he's transferring from the University of Virginia to the University of Albany. The 6-6, 245-pound forward will have two seasons of eligibility for the Great Danes after sitting out 2008-09.

Albany's assistant coaches include Jeremy Friel, whose brother Keith played basketball at U.Va. before Harris enrolled there.

Harris was looking for a program where he could have a bigger impact, and "I feel like it's a situation where I can go in and do some good things," he said.

As a freshman, coincidentally, Harris played against Albany. He went scoreless in nine minutes in the Cavaliers' 84-57 romp over the Great Danes in the NCAA tournament's first round.

Harris, who turns 22 next week, played in 47 games for U.Va., with three starters, and averaged 3.3 points and 3.0 rebounds. In his most memorable game, Harris totaled 14 points and six rebounds in a December 2006 victory over N.C. State.

Back problems limited Harris to 15 games in 2007-08, but he said he's healthy again and feels great.

Harris, who also considered Marist and Valparaiso, said he's bittersweet about leaving U.Va. He's excited about the opportunity that awaits him at Albany but will miss Virginia's players and coaches.

"I loved it out here," he said. "My experience here was great." -- Jeff White

Super Bowl Champion N.Y. Giants End Training Camp at UAlbany with Morning Workout

Courtesy: UAlbany Sports Information

The New York Giants concluded their 2008 training camp with an 80-minute morning practice at the University at Albany on Sunday, Aug. 17. The team will play its second preseason game on Monday evening against the Cleveland Browns at Giants Stadium. Head coach Tom Coughlin signed autographs as he left the practice field for the last time this summer with his defending Super Bowl champion squad.

The Giants’ thirteenth camp at UAlbany produced the second-highest attendance total since the NFL team started training in the Capital Region in 1996. More than 44,000 fans attended 19 practice days and 29 practice sessions since camp opened on July 25.

The Giants averaged 2,342 fans per day to break the previous mark of 2,145 that was established over 21 days during 2004. The final attendance total rose 36.6 percent over last summer.

UAlbany will again host training camp in 2009, with a possible extension to be discussed in the future. The Giants’ 14th training camp at the school will be the longest at any location in franchise history. The New York Giants spent thirteen summers at Pace University in Pleasantville, N.Y. from 1975-87.

New York Giants May Be At UAlbany For Long Haul

Mara says team could train in Albany after '09

When the Giants return to the University at Albany next summer, the trip may not be the farewell tour many once expected.

Though the team is building a state-of-the-art training facility at The Meadowlands and even though the contract between the Giants and UAlbany expires after next summer, the Giants now appear to be leaning toward a future in Albany.

Giants president John Mara said after a practice earlier this week, "There's a pretty good chance that we could come back here after 2009."

Mara added that internal discussions about the camp's future have yet to take place. But as the Giants held their final practice of camp Saturday, officials with both the school and the team cautioned against assuming the 13-year relationship will end next August.

Instead of abandoning the concept of training camp in Albany altogether, the Giants instead may change the model. For instance, the team could spend two weeks in Albany at the beginning of camp before moving operations to the new facility being built in East Rutherford, N.J.

"That's an idea," Mara said. "We haven't really discussed it yet. There are just a lot of positives to coming up here that we might not want to give up."

The camp's 2008 version proved one of the most successful. The Giants, on the heels of a Super Bowl title, drew 43,760 fans, the second-highest total at UAlbany. This marked just the third time more than 40,000 people came through campus.

"It is definitely nice to see that," Mara said. "We've got a great reception from people up here, and believe me, we've noticed."

The Giants' interest extends well beyond fan support. UAlbany offers five practice fields near Western Avenue, locker-room facilities inside SEFCU Arena and a support staff.

Though the team will have four practice fields at its new facility, it might be worthwhile to save the wear and tear on those fields for the regular season, Mara said, and instead beat up UAlbany's fields in the summer.

Moving camp to The Meadowlands also would force the Giants to contract with a hotel to house players. Here, UAlbany provides dormitories.

A camp away from the New York City area also curbs distractions. Keeping players bunked in dormitories on Freedom Quad fosters bonding and focus, players said.

"It gets you into the mind-set of being at training camp," Giants center Shaun O'Hara said. "It's 24 hours of football. You're so busy that distractions are at a minimum already."

Mara said he expects to reach a decision on the future site of camp before next summer. But history shows he need not rush the decision. When the Giants first came to Albany in 1996, they made the announcement in March -- just four months before the start of camp.

Two weeks ago, Mara met with UAlbany athletics director Lee McElroy and interim president George Philip to discuss the more immediate future. At that time, Mara told school officials the Giants planned to return for next summer; the Giants could have terminated the contract at the conclusion of this camp.

Both sides said discussions about long-term plans and another contract may take place as soon as this fall.
"We don't know where we're going after 2009," McElroy said. "I don't have a sense that they have any particular model in mind. Do they want to do the four-week model or do they want to shorten it? We haven't gotten to that stage of the discussion yet."

By PETE IORIZZO, Staff writer
First published: Sunday, August 17, 2008

UAlbany's School of Public Health, Peace Corps Partner to Offer Master's International Program

The University of Albany School of Public Health has been selected to partner with the International Peace Corps Master's International (MI) Program. Joining a group of nine other Schools of Public Health involved in the Program, including Johns Hopkins University, Boston University and George Washington University, the UAlbany School of Public Health will offer the program beginning in 2009.
The MI Program was established in 1987 by the Peace Corps to meet the increased need for international Peace Corps volunteers with higher levels of education and technical skills and to enable universities to provide internationally-focused experiences for students.

Students accepted to the MI Program will earn a Master of Public Health (MPH) degree and spend 27 months serving in the Peace Corps while earning the degree. Following their experience in the Peace Corps, students will return to the School of Public Health for one final semester to complete work toward the MPH degree.

Participation in the MI Program expands upon other global health initiatives underway within the School of Public Health, including the establishment of the Center for Global Health and the School's strong connection to the local Returned Peace Corps Volunteer (RPCV) organization.

"It is an honor to have our School of Public Health selected as a partner for the Master's International Program," said Provost Susan Phillips. "The School has made global health a priority and its partnership with the Peace Corps allows students international opportunities."

"The MI program fits naturally with the University strategy for internationalizing the University at Albany by encouraging our students to experience international service learning opportunities," said Ray Bromley, vice provost for International Education.

"I am extremely pleased to have our School selected as a partner in the MI Program," said SPH dean Philip C. Nasca. "We join a small and very select group of Schools of Public Health offering this unique opportunity for students to practice public health in an international setting while working towards the MPH degree. Our students will come to the program with global health knowledge and skills gained from their academic preparation and be prepared to capably serve the Peace Corps."

Through its partnership with the New York State Department 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.

Courtesy: UAlbany News

University of Albany Nature Preserve

Entry Plaza - University Hall

Entry Plaza Video

Embrace Albany As A Great College Sports Town

The apparent demise of the Conquest and the Patroons should be a clear message to the residents and politicians of Albany: You do not live or work in a professional sports town! You live in a college town and it is about time you start realizing it!

Forget the Conquest. Take a ride up Western or Washington avenue and support a Division I football team (UAlbany). Forget the Patroons. Stick around the SEFCU Arena on the UAlbany Campus or head downtown to the Times Union Center for the Division I hoops of UAlbany and Siena. Like hockey? Then support the two Division I hockey teams (Union & RPI). Your kids want to play lacrosse? Did you know that some of the best college lacrosse this country has to offer is being played on the campuses of UAlbany and siena? Not to mention the numerous other teams fielded by UAlbany, Siena, Union, RPI, Sage, Saint Rose, and Hudson Valley.

Why does the Capital Region need second-rate professional sports franchises when it already has first-tier college athletics? Your first chance to support your real hometown teams starts at 1pm Oct. 11th when your NEC Champion UAlbany Great Danes football team begins its title defense. Embrace what the area offers. Bring the kids out for some tailgating and Division I football.

Written By: ANTHONY SCIARRA
Posted As: Letter to the Editor (TU)

New York Giants Coach Tom Coughlin Addresses UAlbany Football Team at Wednesday Practice

Courtesy: UAlbany Sports Information

New York Giants head coach Tom Coughlin spoke to the University at Albany football team following the Great Danes’ morning practice on Wednesday, Aug. 13. Coughlin, who coached the Giants to last year’s Super Bowl championship, addressed the squad for the second consecutive year.

UAlbany will scrimmage on Saturday, Aug. 16 during the 9:00 a.m. practice session to end the second week of preseason camp. The Great Danes are also coming off a championship season as the program won the 2007 Northeast Conference title. The New York Giants conclude their thirteenth summer training camp at UAlbany on Aug. 17.

EXCERPTS FROM TOM COUGHLIN’S TALK TO UALBANY FOOTBALL TEAM

I have to say this, and, of course, I am a little prejudiced about the situation. The reason (last season) was such a wonderful thing was that it was great for football. It is the All-American success story. There’s no doubt about it, and that’s the message that I would give all of you guys.”

You all had a heck of a year last year. Coach (Bob) Ford and his staff are an outstanding, outstanding staff, and Coach Ford and I have been good friends for a long time.

You don’t let anybody ever tell you that you can’t do anything. You never do. I just finished writing a book. People are going to say ‘why did you write a book, coach? What’s this book all about?’ You know what the book is for? So that my grandchildren and their grandchildren know the real story about this 2007 New York Giants world championship football team.”

The greatest thing about it is that nobody expected it. We can go all the way back and talk about the parade and why the people were the way they were. They were ecstatic and they were hanging off of buildings. Nobody worked. It was because no one expected it.

* * *

So we’re 0-2, and we’ve given up a zillion points. We go to Washington to play, and as Bob (Ford) mentioned, Mike Sullivan comes into my office. He is my receiver coach. He comes into my office and says, ‘coach, I have a friend of mine who played with me at West Point by the name of Greg Gadson, who is a Lieutenant Colonel who was in Iraq, who was wounded in Iraq, and is stationed in Washington. I was wondering if I could bring him over to say hello to us on Saturday night.’ So I said, ‘Mike, that would be a great idea. Let me know more about Lieutenant Colonel Gadson.’

So he went on to tell me the story about Greg Gadson. I got on the phone, I talked with him, and I said, ‘how about you come over and speak to our team on Saturday night?’ Now I don’t ever let anyone speak to our team, okay? It just doesn’t happen that way. Maybe once a year, you have a speaker in the offseason or something. But normally during the season, you don’t have that opportunity.

So Greg came over. Now Greg has lost both legs from above the knees. He was wounded in Iraq, and he was on the fast track in the military. He was an outstanding linebacker at West Point. Just a great human being.

So Greg spoke to our team, and he spoke about all the most important things. Remember when I had a story for you about General Ray Odierno the year before and about team first? That’s basically what Greg talked about, too. The man on your left and the man on your right, you put yourself and well being in their hands and they do the same with you.

The story that he left me with was one of vigilance. Vigilance. In our game, vigilance means preparation. Vigilance means doing everything the right way. It’s easy to say that, but not easy to do it.

He talked about being in Iraq and what, as the leader of a battalion, what he really worried about was when the soldiers came off of a detail, a night detail, and hadn’t fired their weapons. He was really concerned about that, because he was really concerned about human nature. Human nature is, ‘well, I was out last night and I didn’t have to fire my weapon. I was safe. I have to go out on detail again tonight on patrol, and I’ll be safe again. It just takes care of itself.’ Those were the kind of people that he was most worried about. Would they clean their weapon correctly?

The story directly applied to us as well. When he told that story and he finished speaking, I decided that the impact of what he said was enough. I was prepared for my meeting, but I dismissed the players.

* * *

When the coaches are talking to you about the way you win and the way you lose. Guys who are really sharp and really into it pay attention to the details, the details.

The fact that we stopped (the Redskins) on a goal-line stand provided us with the confidence and the emphasis to go ahead. We were 6-2 and won six straight. We went over to Europe to beat the Dolphins in a mud bath. That experience was a great experience.

But the other thing that came about because of our season. Just as you have young people, every year is a new year and every team is a new team. It’s just the way our game is. So when you start over, you have to integrate all kinds of new bodies and new people.

We have been given a lot of credit for our great draft class from a year ago. And how was it that when we got into the playoffs the kids all came together? Well I’ll tell you how it was. They were integrated with the team idea, and they were responsible and they were accountable because each guy in their group made each one of them feel like they were directly responsible for whether or not we were going to win or lose.

As we went down the stretch, all of these young kids, whether it’s (Ahmad) Bradshaw, or (Kevin) Boss, or Michael Johnson. Any name you want to claim of that draft class, and it may not be in the front page of the New York Times, but it was, it was. And they were key factors in our winning.

We go to Green Bay, and there’s a play. We intercept the ball; we bring it back to the middle of the field. R.W. McQuarters. It’s 24 below zero. He gets hit, and he fumbles the ball. The Green Bay players are right there to pick the ball up. Does he go down and cover the ball? No. He reaches down like he’s going to pick it up and advance it. Michael Johnson, a rookie, reaches down, swoops the ball and Domenik Hixon covers the ball up. We have the ball at midfield whereas (Brett) Favre would’ve had the ball at midfield and the end of the game could’ve changed.

In the Super Bowl, Bradshaw is going to take an exchange. He slides over to Eli (Manning) to accept the ball and he doesn’t get his elbow up high enough. The ball goes on the ground. A New England Patriot linebacker goes on the ball. Bradshaw goes down under the pile and steals the ball back. (Rodney) Harrison is standing there going like this. He’s pointing for a first down and they have the ball at the 30-yard line. The significance, I’m sure, you understand.

Those are the plays that don’t end up on the front page, but they are just as important as every play and any play that allowed us to win the world championship. We would not have won it without those two plays.

They were made by rookies. They were made by guys who understood that they could not let the other guy down.

* * *

You are at the end of your second week. General Odierno was here again the other day. He came to visit our team. He walked into this group right here and said, ‘guys, I know that at the end of the second week, you have been banging into each other and you’re tired and sore.’

It’s tough to think about the soldiers in Iraq that are performing in 125-degree temperatures with over 100 pounds of equipment on for five to six hours at a time. Sometimes when you are able to do that, and focus on other things, and realize there are other ways for which you should go ahead and evaluate your personal values, you sort of find that you don’t have a whole lot to complain about.

I’ve listened to you, and you have great enthusiasm. The coaches tell me that (preseason) camp is going very well. You guys had a heck of a year last year, and an opportunity to build on this again this year.

Just remember that as hard as it is for us right now and I’m trying to get this done with our team and we’re not there yet either, there’s always going to be team first. It’s always going to be team above self. It’s always going to be people who are willing to take the name off the back of their jersey and pay the price and sacrifice for the good of the team. Because in the long run, individuals play the game and teams win championships. Good luck to you guys.

UAlbany Football Picked to Win NEC Title, Six Players on Preseason All-Conference Team

Courtesy: UAlbany Sports Information

Somerset, N.J. – According to a preseason poll of Northeast Conference head coaches, the University at Albany has been chosen to defend its conference football championship in 2008. The Great Danes, who became the fifth team in NEC history to go undefeated in league play en route to last year’s title, received five first-place votes. Monmouth placed second in the voting with two first-place votes, while Central Connecticut State was third with one vote to finish first in the standings.

This year’s NEC champion will host the winner of the Pioneer Football League in the third annual Gridiron Classic, an exempted postseason football game that takes place on Saturday, Dec. 6. The Northeast Conference receives an automatic NCAA Division I FCS playoff berth, beginning in 2010. In addition, Duquesne joins the conference as its eighth football-playing member this season.

“Our school and program are respected and that’s a major reason why we were voted to win the conference,” said UAlbany’s Bob Ford, who leads all active FCS head coaches with 225 career victories. “Our offensive line has a strong nucleus returning and we have a great tailback. The defense is solid with some key players back from last year. But I tell the squad every day that we have arrived at a point where you can lose on any weekend in this conference.”

The Great Danes, who won the NEC crown for the third time since joining the league in 1999, finished with an 8-4 overall record. Coach Ford has 46 letterwinners, including 11 starters, back from last year’s championship team. UAlbany has produced seven or more wins six times as an Division I FCS program.

**********

2008 Northeast Conference Preseason Coaches Football Poll

1. UAlbany (5), 2. Monmouth (2), 3. Central Connecticut State (1), 4. Wagner, 5. Duquesne, 6. Robert Morris, 7. Sacred Heart, 8. St. Francis, Pa. ( ) – first-place votes

*********

Somerset, N.J. – The Northeast Conference announced its 2008 preseason all-conference football team. UAlbany had six players voted to the squad by the conference’s head coaches. Nineteen of the 25 student-athletes on the preseason all-star unit earned NEC postseason honors last year.

David McCarty, who was named to the Sports Network FCS All-America team, ran for 1,503 yards, the third-highest single-season total in program history. The junior tailback ranked 10th among the nation’s rushing leaders at 125.3 yards per game. McCarty, who also totaled 1,634 all-purpose yards, gained 100 or more yards on the ground in eight games. He was a second-team All-NEC selection in 2007.

Raphael Nguti, a 6-foot-7, 330-pound right tackle, and Kevin Richards, a 6-foot-2, 270-pound center, were also voted to the league’s preseason team. Nguti, a first-team All-NEC lineman, has made 33 career appearances and may have an opportunity to play at the next level with his size. Richards anchored a line that helped the offense average 208.6 rushing yards and 362.5 total yards per game.

Defensive tackle Tom Pandolf was one of five UAlbany players who were named to last season’s all-conference first team. He accounted for 37 tackles, three sacks and 6.5 hits for a loss. Justin Brancaccio, a junior inside linebacker, was second on the UAlbany defense in tackles with 63 and added two forced fumbles and one fumble recovery. Dave West, a senior safety, made 60 tackles, including 44 unassisted, and had five pass break-ups and two interceptions. West earned second-team All-NEC recognition last season.

New York Giants Will Return to University of Albany for Summer Training Camp in 2009

Courtesy: UAlbany Sports Information

It’s official – the Giants will hold training camp at the University of Albany in 2009.

The team announced on Monday, Aug. 11 that it has picked up the option on its contract and will train here for the 14th consecutive summer next year. The Giants have trained at UAlbany since 1996.

"We look forward to continuing our relationship with the University at Albany and the city of Albany," said Giants president John Mara. "UAlbany is our summer home, and that's not just because of the great resources and facilities we are provided, but it is mostly because the administration and staff have made us feel welcome and have always gone out of their way to accommodate our needs."

The school has always been a popular camp venue for Giants fans, but particularly this year. The Giants have been drawing fans here at a record pace. Through 13 practices days, the camp attendance is 33,540. That puts them ahead of the pace in 2004, when the camp attendance record of 45,040 was set. After 13 practice days that year, the count was 30,110.

"The Giants have been part of the University at Albany family since 1996," said UAlbany Interim President George Philip. "We're pleased that they will be back for the 2009 summer training camp."

The Giants’ 14th training camp at UAlbany will be the longest at any location in the franchise history. The Giants spent thirteen summers at Pace University in Pleasantville, N.Y. from 1975-87. The Giants, who have also trained in the states of Vermont, Connecticut, New Jersey, Wisconsin and Oregon, previously worked out at Fairleigh Dickinson University (1988-95) in Madison, New Jersey prior to their arrival on the UAlbany campus.



(Courtesy Michael Eisen & New York Giants)

Merrick Takes Lead By Two On MLL Top Goal Scorers List

UAlbany alum Merrick Thomson powered the Pride’s second-half run to complete the comeback, adding three second-half goals to his second period assist to register four points, and put himself two goals ahead of John Grant Jr. of Rochester, who will close his season against Chicago this weekend.

It took 12 weeks, but the Pride finally reached .500 in 2008 with a thrilling come-from-behind, overtime victory over Philadelphia, 17-16.

The Pride overcame an early 6-0 hole to battle back to a 16-16 tie at the end of regulation, and Matt Rewkowski found the back of the net to earn the Pride their third consecutive win to close the season.

The Pride nearly won it early in overtime as they took the opening possession down and Matt Danowski fired a shot past Kevin Keenan. The ball struck iron though, and rebounded out to midfield, ending the scoring threat.

After several fruitless possessions for each team, Stephen Peyser took the ball near the top of the two-point arc and, following a double team, fed Rewkowski.

“I just did my job,” Peyser said. “I did a dodge down the side, got the double and passed it to Rewk.”

With the game in his stick, Rewkowski faked the shot, stepped inside and fired one past Keenan for the win.

The game not only breeds optimism for next season as the conclusion of the three-game tear, but also was as far from what many expect from the Pride franchise as a team can get. In addition to winning in overtime, the bane of the Pride’s existence in recent years, the Pride overcame a huge deficit by continuing to fight, rather than wilting in the face of a terrible start.

“We started off just dead flat,” Pride coach Peter Jacobs said. “From the middle of the first to the end we played better.

“It’s one of those things where you need a little spark.”

The Pride found that spark early in their rookies, who combined for the Pride’s first seven points in their last game as, perhaps, the most talented rookie corps in league history.

Peyser had three goals in the run, and Danowski added two goals with one behind the arc. Another rookie, defenseman Joe Cinosky added the final strike to pull the Pride within 10-7.

In total, Peyser had four goals for the Pride to earn Bud Light MVP Honors.

The Pride halved the six-point hole by halftime at 11-8, despite a large disparity in penalty time. The Barrage were awarded seven minutes of man-up time to the Pride’s 2.5, and the lack of calls on Philadelphia, most notably Brian Spallina putting his stick on two Pride players after the whistle had blown play dead.

“A couple of their guys were cheaping us,” Jacobs said, “and our guys are retaliating, which stinks because that’s how you get caught.

“It’s a travesty.”

While the Pride entered looking to take advantage of the Barrage’s hot-heads and physical play to earn the man-up, Jacobs was less than thrilled with the way the game was called,

“Obviously [playing physical didn’t work],” Jacobs said, “because they were calling the penalties on us.”

The victory was a part of a larger season-ending run by the Pride. In addition to the 3-0 finish, the Pride closed the year going 6-3 after incorporating their full rookie crop into the line-up.

“[The win] means the world to us,” Peyser said. “We knew we had a great team, it was just a matter of finding the right pieces to the puzzle.

“It’s a lot of positive things. We’ve got a great face-off kid [Danny Brennan}, a great defense and a some stars on offense.”

One of those stars, a relative veteran on the rookie-heavy team, is second-year Merrick Thomson, who put himself temporarily in first in the MLL in goal-scoring.

While the late charge was not enough to pull the Pride into the postseason, there is much cause for optimism heading into the 2009 season. With victories over both of the Eastern Conference’s playoff teams during their run, the Pride have shown they already have the talent to compete with anyone. Next season, they will hope that another year of experience will take them from competitive to dominant.

By Bobby Ingram

#14 UAlbany Field Hockey Set to Hold Walk-On Tryouts

Courtesy: UAlbany Sports Information

UAlbany Field Hockey finished last season (Fall 2007) with an RPI Ranking of #14 in the nation, and #19 in the final coaches poll.

The University of Albany field hockey team will hold walk-on tryouts on August 15-16.

The team will practice from 9:00 a.m. to 11:00 a.m. and 3:30 p.m to 5:30 p.m. on August 15. Practice will run from 9:00 a.m. to 11:00 a.m. on August 16. This will conclude the tryout period, and players will be notified of status immediately following.


Those individuals expressing interest must complete and bring (1) complete NCAA compliance paperwork and (2) written documentation of an updated physical done by a physician at home, which states they are cleared to participate in athletic activities. Individuals who do not provide both pieces of paperwork before the start of the morning session will not be able to participate in the tryouts. The link for the NCAA compliance form can be found by clicking on the following link:
https://admin.xosn.com/attachments1/5754.pdf?SPSID=82359&SPID=7966&DB_OEM_ID=15800

All individuals participating in tryouts must be registered with the NCAA Clearinghouse.

For more information, contact assistant coach Andy Thornton by email: athornton@uamail.albany.edu, or by phone: 518-605-09182

University of Albany's Africana Studies Graduate Program Ranks Second in Nation

The University of Albany Africana Studies graduate program has maintained its ranking as second in the nation, according to Diverse Issues in Higher Education magazine.

"For the past six years, the master's program has been ranked number two in the nation. It is because of our excellent faculty, outstanding students, and supportive administrators that we have earned this ranking. Moreover, our graduates have excelled academically and professionally," said Marcia Sutherland, professor and chair of the Africana Studies Department. "With continued support and diligent effort, the department will soon be ranked number one in the nation."

Created in 1969 in the wake and tumult of the civil rights movement, the master's degree program has attracted a growing number of international students. UAlbany is the only school in the SUNY university system that offers a master's degree in Africana Studies.

UAlbany's program ranks second behind Ohio State University. Other schools in the top 10 include New York University, University at Massachusetts at Amherst, Temple University, Columbia University, University of Wisconsin at Madison, and the University of California-Los Angeles and Berkeley campuses.

The top-10 ranking is based on a synthesis of data from the U.S. Department of Education and National Center for Education and Statistics. An on-site evaluation by outside professors was also conducted. The magazine also looked at the number of graduating students, diversity of the program, and quality of faculty.

Diverse Issues in Higher Education, which is published bi-weekly, carries in-depth and up-to-date coverage of the diverse education community, including African Americans, Native Americans, Asian Americans, and Hispanic Americans, as well as Americans with disabilities and women.

Courtesy: Catherine Herman