University of Albany's Steward Ceus Drafted by Major League Soccer's Colorado Rapids - UAlbany Sports

Courtesy: UAlbany Sports Information

St. Louis, Mo. – University at Albany’s Steward Ceus was chosen in the 2009 Major League Soccer Draft’s third round by the Colorado Rapids, held today at the Saint Louis Convention Center. He was the 37th overall selection. Ceus, a third-team NSCAA/adidas All-American and America East Conference Goalkeeper of the Year, is the first Great Dane in school history to be drafted by an MLS franchise.

“I am very excited to take the next step in my career and play at the professional level,” said Ceus, a 6-foot-6 goalkeeper who will join Bouna Coundoul, a 2005 UAlbany graduate and two-time America East goalkeeper of the year, in Colorado. “This was also very ironic. I came to UAlbany to try and follow the path that Bouna paved. Now I am following his path again, and I will once again try to fill his shoes.”

In 2008, Ceus became the first UAlbany men’s soccer player to garner All-America honors at any level since Marty Hearney was voted to the Division III All-American squad in 1991. The senior co-captain eclipsed Division I program records for career shutouts (19) and saves (329) while posting a .856 save percentage, an 0.96 goals against average and seven shutouts as a senior. He finished the season ranked fourth in the nation in saves per game (5.93) and ninth in save percentage.

“Steward is a gifted goalkeeper who should do very well and follow in the steps behind Bouna, who can help him as a mentor,” UAlbany coach Johan Aarnio offered. “I congratulate him and wish him the best of luck.”

UAlbany posted a 12-4-2 overall record this year, which matched a Division I program record set in 2004. The team’s nine-win improvement tied for third in the nation with Fairleigh Dickinson, only trailing Maryland (13) and St. John’s (10). In addition, the Great Danes’ seven-game unbeaten streak before suffering a 1-0 double overtime loss to Binghamton in the semifinal round of the conference tournament was a program standard in the club’s Division I history.

Question - Answer Session With Brett Gifford

Courtesy: America East Communications

Brett Gifford

Hometown: Columbia, MO
High School Rock Bridge HS
Class: Junior
Major Business: Administration
Favorite Musical Group/Artist Lupe Fiasco

Three Things I Can’t Live Without:
1. Friends 2. Family 3. Food

Q. Why I Chose University Albany:
A- I chose to come to the University at Albany because of the family atmosphere of the program. It was great to see that the team got an incredible amount of support from the coaches, the administration, the faculty and the community. I also chose to go to school here because we have an opportunity to win an America East Championship every year and go to the NCAA Tournament.

Q. Favorite class and why:
A- My favorite class was History of Europe 1914-1945 because I enjoy history and it was a very interesting class. It was great to learn about an important time in our history. Also, the teacher was really cool. He did a good job of capturing that time in history.

Q. One thing I have learned at UAlbany that I will carry with me for the rest of my life is:
A- One thing I have learned at UAlbany that I will carry with me for the rest of my life is to not take people for granted. Like I said earlier, my team is like a second family so it is important to treat those people with respect and dignity.

Q. My Dream Job, other than the NBA/WNBA, is:
A- My dream job other than the NBA is to be a Hollywood actor. Given that I am the face of UAlbany Athletics, I feel that I am well on my way.

Q. The person, other than my parents, who has had the most influence on me is, and why:
A- The people, other than my parents, who has had the most influence on my have to be my friends because I am always around them. Although we may not notice it, we all influence each other in many different ways simply based on the fact that we spend a lot of time together.

Q. The best thing about being an Albany Great Dane is:
A- The best thing about being an Albany Great Dane is having a chance to win an America East Championship every year. It’s great to be on a team that works well and plays hard together.

Q. Most memorable moment as an athlete:
A- My most memorable moment as an athlete is winning the 2007 America East Championship and going on to play in the NCAA Tournament. It was an experience that I will never forget.

Q. What I did this week as a student (classes, tests, projects, study hall):
A- Since it is winter break, this week as a student I didn’t have any responsibilities. I should be getting ready for the upcoming semester though – gathering my books, looking at my syllabi, and preparing myself for another tough academic semester.

Q. What I did this week as an athlete (practice, games):
A- This week as an athlete I practiced quite a bit and travelled to Vermont to play our second America East Conference game.

Q. Based upon my experiences growing up, my advice for young kids about school and athletics is:
A- Based upon my experiences growing up, my advice for young kids about school and athletics is to do what you love and not what people tell you or expect you to do. It is important to take care of your academics before your athletics because without one you can’t be successful at the other. School has helped me to become a better basketball player through hard work and discipline.

Q. Why I am looking forward to the America East Basketball Championship:
A- I am looking forward to the America East Basketball Championship because it’s another opportunity to get to the NCAA Tournament. I am really looking forward to winning and becoming the face of the America East Conference.

University of Albany Men's Basketball Defeats Binghamton And Claims America East Division Lead - UAlbany Sports

University of Albany Men's Basketball Defeats Binghamton And Claims America East Division Lead. More to come...

Albany, N.Y. – Freshman Anthony Raffa had 21 points and Tim Ambrose scored 20 as UAlbany defeated Binghamton, 72-66, in America East Conference play on Wednesday, Jan. 14 at SEFCU Arena. The Great Danes moved into a tie for first place in the conference standings.

Binghamton (10-6, AE 3-1) trailed by eleven at the intermission and was still down 50-41 midway through the second half. The Bearcats then regrouped with eight unanswered. Dwayne Jackson, who had 12 of his 14 points after the break, made a pair of three-point field goals in that stretch, including a 24-footer that closed the gap to a single digit.

UAlbany (11-6, AE 3-1) came back with six straight points for a 56-49 lead. Jimmie Covington made two free throws after corralling an offensive rebound. Ambrose, who canned 7-of-12 from the floor and grabbed eight rebounds, followed with an 18-foot jumper that beat the shot clock, before Raffa finished a shot in the lane off a dribble move.

Ambrose extended his team’s advantage to 60-51 with less than four minutes left, but the visitors worked their way back into the contest. Jackson, a 6-foot-3 senior, buried two 3-pointers from deep range, and got his team within 69-66 with 34 seconds remaining. However, Raffa sank three of four attempts from the line to hold off the threat.

“We played a lot of zone which I personally don’t like to use,” said UAlbany coach Will Brown, whose team held Binghamton to 35.6-percent shooting in winning for the third straight time. “We have a young backcourt and we lost some men on the perimeter, but we were still not afraid to make plays. We have beaten the three most talented teams in our league, but we still have a long way to go.”

The Great Danes, who have struggled from the field most of the season, but shot better than 45 percent for the second straight game, trailed 19-18 in the first half after the conference’s top scorer D.J. Rivera converted a lob pass in transition. Rivera, who is among the top-20 scorers nationally, finished with 16 points.

UAlbany rallied with 17 of the period’s next 22 points to build a 35-24 halftime cushion. Will Harris put his team ahead by scoring in the lane off a feed from Scotty McRae. The 6-foot-6 junior had 18 points and 10 rebounds and has recorded a double-double in three of his last four starts. McRae, who totaled nine points and eight boards off the bench, was also heavily involved in the run. He had a tip-in and made two foul shots. Ambrose added six points in that span.

“The zone defense is something new that we have been working on in practice,” explained Ambrose, whose team in 9-2 this season when he scores in double figures. “We had to make them beat us from the outside instead of the inside. (Anthony) Raffa controls the team. He handles the ball under pressure and gets us in our offense.”

Malik Alvin, a junior college transfer who had 13 points, was the third player in double figures for the Bearcats, who had won six of their last seven entering the contest. Raffa, who scored 20-plus for the third time this season, added five rebounds and three assists.

“They were pressuring full court and trying to get the ball out of my hands,” said Raffa, whose team has its best 17-game record as a Division I program. “I had to use my speed to create space and I had the confidence to make those free throws at the end. The teams that were ahead of us (in the preseason rankings) have experience, and hopefully this win means we should be up there with them."

University of Albany Women's Basketball Rolls Over America East Conference Opponent Maine, With A 70-44 Victory - UAlbany Sports

Courtesy: UAlbany Sports Information

Albany, N.Y. – Tiffanie Johnson had 17 points and Britney McGee added 15 as UAlbany picked up its first America East Conference victory of the season in a 70-44 triumph over Maine on Tuesday, Jan. 13 at SEFCU Arena.

In a first half that produced four lead changes and two ties, both teams struggled to find the mark over the opening 12 minutes. Maine’s Brittany Boser, a junior forward who had 17 points and seven rebounds, tied the contest at 12 apiece when she followed up Samantha Wheeler’s missed baseline jumper.

UAlbany (3-12, AE 1-1) then exploded with a string of 21 consecutive points. Janea Aiken, who was coming off a career-best 33-point effort in her previous start, went coast-to-coast and was fouled on a driving layup that broke the deadlock. Felicia Johnson, a senior guard who had made just five appearances this season, was a key figure in stretching the lead. She made two free throws and later canned a three-point field goal from right of the key for a 26-12 advantage.

Tiffanie Johnson and McGee worked together to end that decisive run, as Maine (2-14, AE 0-3) went scoreless for nearly eight minutes. Johnson, a 5-foot-11 senior who shot 6-of-11 from the field and grabbed five rebounds, buried a three-pointer from the top of the arc. McGee, who scored in twin figures for the 10th time this season, sank two foul shots and converted a layup after her own steal. The Great Danes took a 36-15 to the locker room, when Johnson drilled a 22-footer at the buzzer.

In the final half, Maine still trailed by 21 points when Boser, who made 5-of-10 from the floor and 7-of-7 from the line, connected on a three-point play as she was fouled scoring against UAlbany’s press. But the Great Danes put the game away with 11 unanswered over the next two minutes. McGee countered with a deep 3-pointer from the right wing, before Felicia Johnson made a jumper in transition. Tiffanie Johnson added a pair of baskets, including a fastbreak layup off Johnson’s feed. Charity Iromuanya’s two free throws provided her club with a commanding 58-26 margin.

“If we can click in January and February, then we are going to be very dangerous in March,” said UAlbany coach Trina Patterson, whose team held the visitors to 29.8-percent shooting, a season-low by an opponent, and held a 40-26 margin on the glass. “The thing I was the most proud was our rebounding. The team was really focused on not giving up offensive rebounds in the second half.”

Amanda Tewksbury added 11 points for the Black Bears, who have lost 10 in a row. UAlbany’s Felicia Johnson netted a career-high 11 in 16 minutes off the bench. The Great Danes, who have won three straight in the series after dropping the first 14 meetings between these programs, tied their third-best win margin as a Division I program.

“I am coming off of an ACL injury, and I was playing with a brace,” explained Johnson, who had totaled 31 minutes and three points this season coming into the contest. “I finally got rid of the brace, and I felt like myself again. I think that was what helped me tonight. I felt so free on the court.”

University of Albany Assistant Andy Thornton Leads U.S. Indoor Field Hockey Team to Silver Medal at Pan Ams - UAlbany Sports

Courtesy: UAlbany Sports Information

San Juan, Argentina - UAlbany assistant field hockey coach Andy Thornton led the United States Women's National Indoor Field Hockey team to the silver medal at the 2008 Pan American Games. The team fell to Argentina, 4-2, in the final match.

The U.S. finished with a 6-1 record, posting wins over Mexico, Paraguay, Peru and Chile, while also defeating Argentina, 1-0, in the round robin stage. The team then defeated Peru, 2-0, in the semifinals before dropping the championship match to host Argentina. The United States scored a total of 35 games in the tournament, while allowing only six in the seven game competition.

"The experience for our players will put them in good standing for the next Pan Am tournament as the event, and the atmosphere was electric," said Thornton, who was also recently named a captain of the Scottish National Indoor Team.

University of Albany's Luke Schoen and Kamilah McShine Earn America East Conference Field Athlete of the Week Honors - UAlbany Sports

Courtesy: UAlbany Sports Information

Cambridge, Mass. – University at Albany’s Luke Schoen and Kamilah McShine were each named the America East Conference Field Athlete of the Week in men’s and women’s track and field, respectively, as announced on Tuesday, Jan. 13 by the league office. Both Great Danes are being honored for the first time this season.

Schoen, a junior pole vaulter, broke his own school record and provisionally qualified for the NCAA Indoor Championship at the Yale Collegiate Invitational on Jan. 10. Schoen cleared 17-feet, one-inch to win the event, breaking his old standard of 16-8.75 set at Boston University’s Valentine Invitational last season. He posted the best mark by an America East student-athlete in the pole vault this winter by nearly two feet.

McShine placed second in the pentathlon with 3,259 points, a conference-best this year, at the Dartmouth Relays on Jan. 9. The senior co-captain, who holds the school record in the event, recorded the best finish of the 13 women’s competitors in the 60-meter high hurdles (8.93 seconds) as well as the long jump (16-8). In addition, she finished with the second-best mark in the 800-meter run (2:32.92). McShine, who finished 130 points behind Dartmouth’s Karen Woolley, also cleared 4-10.25 in the high jump and recorded a throw of 31-2.5 in the shot put.

University of Albany Pole Vaulter Luke Schoen Provisionally Qualifies for NCAA Championship at Yale Invitational

Courtesy: UAlbany Sports Information

New Haven, Conn. – Junior pole vaulter Luke Schoen broke his own school record and provisionally qualified for the NCAA Indoor Track & Field Championship to highlight a list of stellar performances by the University at Albany men’s and women’s indoor programs at the Yale Collegiate Invitational on Saturday, Jan. 10. In addition to Schoen, five other individuals and three relays met qualifying marks for the IC4A and ECAC meets at the non-scoring meet.

Schoen cleared 17-feet, 1-inch, breaking his old standard of 16-8.75 set at Boston University's Valentine Invitational last season. Michael Dempsey’s mark of 14-9 placed him seventh in the same event.

“This was a very good start for Luke," said associate head coach Craig McVey, who oversees the pole vaulters. "He was using a brand new pole which he never had for a meet. It looks like he is going to have the indoor and outdoor seasons we are all expecting him to have.”

Joe Greene and Alie Beauvais each qualified for the IC4A Championship in the 400-meter dash. Greene, who holds the school record in the event, recorded a winning time of 48.72 seconds. Beauvais, a transfer from Lincoln University in Missouri where he was an NCAA Division II All-American, placed third in 49.07.

Pat Weider and Fey Adaramola both qualified for the IC4A and ECAC competitions, respectively, in the 60-meter dash. Adaramola, a junior transfer from Central Florida where she holds several of the school’s sprinting records, finished sixth overall with a time of 7.76 seconds. Her qualifying time came in the preliminary round, where she clocked in at 7.72. Weider placed third overall in the event in 6.98. He recorded the fastest time in the preliminary round, crossing the finish line in 6.93. Mike McCadney placed fourth in the finals with a time of 7.04.

Jean Juste, who placed third in the 60-meter high hurdles with a time of 8.24 seconds, rounded out the list of individuals to qualify for the IC4As. Garrett Askew placed fourth overall in 8.26 seconds, which narrowly missed the IC4A qualifying standard. On the women’s side, Christen Griffin finished fourth in 9.13.

In addition, all three men’s relay teams met the standards for March's IC4A meet. Most notably, the 4x400-meter relay team consisting of Weider, Beauvais, Jeffery Barnes and Greene recorded a winning time of 3:14.92, edging out Seton Hall and Connecticut of the Big East Conference. It was also the fastest time the program has ever had in the event at the first meet of the season. Joe Belokopitsky, Nick Santos, Jared Jupin and Aaron Lozier combined for a second-place time of 7:40.80 in the 4x800-meter relay, while the distance medley relay team consisting of John Moore, Peter Rowell, Tyler Fogarty and Ricardo Estremera placed third in 10:13.42.

UAlbany had four individuals post a third-place performance in the jumping events. Nasim Siddeeq and Jenn Gurrant leaped 22-4.25 and 17-6.25, respectively, in the long jump, while Valete Graham and Traequanda Brock recorded triple jump marks of 46-7.5 and 36-0.75, respectively. Making their Great Dane debuts, Tiffany Bennett placed fourth in the high jump (5-3) and Jordan Pollock finished sixth in the triple jump (44-4).

Two freshmen on the women’s side placed in the top five of the pole vault. Celine Cauderlier, a former high school national champion from France, cleared 10 feet to place second. Emily Mino was fifth overall with a mark of 9-6.25.

Zuliana Fontanez, Laine Sefick, Kristin Grab and Jon Juleus paced UAlbany in the middle distance and distance events. Fontanez was second in the 800-meter run with a time of 2:15.21, which was one second shy of the ECAC qualifying standard. Sefick (10:52.97) and Grab (10:59.46) placed fifth and sixth, respectively, in the 3,000-meter run. Juleus was fourth in the mile, clocking in at 4:26.38.

Leading the way for the Great Danes in the throwing events were Michael Lynch and Kadine Johnson. Lynch placed eighth in the weight throw (48-11) and the shot put (46-2.50), while Johnson was fourth in the weight throw (49-7) and fifth in the shot put (42-1.50).

“This was the best start we have ever had for both the men and women,” said head coach Roberto Vives, who is now in his 24th year at the helm of both programs. “We are looking forward to having a tremendous indoor season.”



Jan. 10 - Yale Collegiate Invitational

UAlbany’s Men’s Results – 60-Meter Dash Prelims: 1. Pat Weider 6.93 (IC4A) 12. Mike McCadney 7.23, 23. Kyle Nadler 7.41. 60-Meter Dash Finals: 3. Pat Weider 6.98 (IC4A), 4. Mike McCadney 7.04. 400-Meter Dash: 1. Joe Greene 48.72 (IC4A), 3. Alie Beauvais 49.07 (IC4A), 20. Andrew Overbaugh 51.97. 60-Meter High Hurdles Prelims: 3. Jean Juste 8.31, 4. Garrett Askew 8.35, 14. Alfred Pryor 8.78 60-Meter High Hurdles Finals: 3. Jean Juste 8.24 (IC4A), 4. Garrett Askew 8.26, 8. Alfred Pryor 8.68. Mile: 4. Jon Juleus 4:26.38, 8. Cory Greczyn 4:34.42. 800-Meter Run: 15. Bryan Lasky 2:01, 16. Greg Miniger 2:01.22, 23. Devon Sedgwick 2:03.29. 3,000-Meter Run: 10. R.J. Sniffen 8:49.35, 25. Chris Manico 9:06.77, 28. Ryan Florkiewicz 9:14.37. DNF. Brian Yurkewecz. High Jump: NH. Jordan Pollock. Long Jump: 3. Nasim Siddeeq 22-4.25, 17. Dong Ning Hu 20-4.25. Triple Jump: 3. Valete Graham 46-7.5, 6. Jordan Pollock 44-4. Pole Vault: 1. Luke Schoen 17-1 (NCAA Provisional), 7. Michael Dempsey 14-9. Shot Put: 8. Michael Lynch 46-2.5, 13. Frank Fazzino, 43-8, 14. Jordan Meikle 42-11, 15. Cory Thomas 41-8, 19. Will Anger 38-9.5. Weight Throw: 6. Will Anger 50-2.75, 7. Kevin Lee 50-0, 8. Michael Lynch, 48-11. 4x400-Meter Relay: 1. Pat Weider, Alie Beauvais, Jeffery Barnes, Joe Greene 3:14.92 (IC4A), 5. Andrew Overbaugh, Peter Rowell, Bryan Lasky, Tyler Fogarty 3:22.65. 4x800-Meter Relay: 2. Joe Belokopitsky, Nick Santos, Jared Jupin, Aaron Lozier 7:40.80 (IC4A). Distance Medley Relay: 3. John Moore (1200m), Peter Rowell (400m), Tyler Fogarty (800m), Ricardo Estremera (Mile) 10:13.42 (IC4A).



Jan. 10 - Yale Collegiate Invitational

UAlbany’s Women’s Results – 60-Meter Dash Prelims: 5. Fey Adaramola 7.72 (ECAC) 14. Quante Harris 8.06, 18. Jenn Gurrant 8.14, 26. Arielle Roberts 8.27, 27. Sandy Antenor 8.28. 60-Meter Dash Finals: 6. Fey Adaramola 7.76, 14. Quante Harris 8.06. 400-Meter Dash: 9. Octavia Clarkson 1:00.45, 18. Elia Francis 1:01.55, 23. Tenica Roberts 1:02.73, 27. Jessica Hunter 1:04.08, 28. Jessica Panos 1:04.15, 29. Renee Johnson 1:04.23, 32. Brittany Eveleth 1:04.70, 33.Laura Bolognino 1:04.86, 34. Rashida Charles 1:05.12. 60-Meter High Hurdles Prelims: 4. Christen Griffin 9.23. 60-Meter High Hurdles Finals: 4. Christen Griffin 9.13. 800-Meter Run: 2. Zuliana Fontanez 2:15.21, 12. Melissa Lee 2:26.88, 18. Maureen Nweke 2:33.41, 20. Jessica Barberio 2:36, 23. Jenn Pierson 2:40.96. 3,000-Meter Run: 5. Laine Sefick 10:52.97, 6. Kristin Grab 10:59.46. High Jump: 4. Tiffany Bennett 5-3. NH. Bryanna Hebenstreit, NH. Ashleigh Whitfield. Long Jump: 3. Jenn Gurrant 17-6.25. Triple Jump: 3. Traequanda Brock 36-0.75. Pole Vault: 2. Celine Cauderlier 10-0, 5. Emily Mino 9-6.25. NH. Rebecca Power. Shot Put: 5. Kadine Johnson 42-1.5, 8. Ritshell Verdier 39-7.75, 10. Ashley Lewis, 37-7.25. Weight Throw: 4. Kadine Johnson 49-7, 5. Sinead Corley 44-6. 9. Isabella Katsarelis, 40-10.5, FOUL. Ritshell Verdier. 4x400-Meter Relay: 3. Octavia Clarkson, Melissa Lee, Fey Adaramola, Zuliana Fontanez 3:57.19, 7. Elia Francis, Tenica Roberts, Renee Johnson, Nyree Richardson 4:08.25, 8. Laura Bolognino, Jessica Hunter, Quante Harris, Tierra Chavis 4:08.38, 12. Christen Griffin, Maureen Nweke, Brittany Eveleth, Lesan Mattis 4:13.73. 4x800-Meter Relay: 2. Laura Varble, Allie Carlson, Esperanza Blanco, Laura Cummings 9:55. Distance Medley Relay: 5. Laura Varble (1200m), Allie Carlson (400m), Esperanza Blanco (800m), Laura Cummings (Mile) 12:42.36.

State University of NY SBDC, Administered by University of Albany, Is Awarded Small Business Sustainability Grant

UAlbany-based center partners with State Energy Research and Development Authority to promote small business energy conservation

The State University of New York's State Small Business Development Center (SBDC), the state's leading provider of small business management and technical services, has been awarded the U.S. Small Business Administration's Small Business Sustainability Initiative Grant to help small businesses plan for efficient and cost-effective energy use.

In announcing the award, the US SBA said, "The New York State SBDC and its partner organizations plan to coordinate their resources to provide energy audits for small businesses with substantial energy consumption. They also will educate small business owners to help them identify energy savings and make 'efficient energy' decisions. The SBDC and its partners will advise small business owners about energy opportunities relating to green buildings, renewable energy sources such as solar and wind, and improved environmental performance."

The sustainability grant is one of only four (4) awarded nationally by the US SBA to pilot targeted outreach to the small business community.

The Sustainability Program is a specialized initiative of the SBA providing grant-funded service delivery network providing quality customer service to the small business community. The program creates a broad-based system of assistance for the small business community by linking the resources of federal, state and local governments with the resources of the educational community and the private sector.

The SBDC, based at the University at Albany, will assist small business owners by conducting training and educational activities directly related to energy efficiency and provide access to information and resources on energy efficiency practices. The award will allow the NYSSBDC to promote small business energy conservation in partnership with the New York State Energy Research and Development Authority (NYSERDA) as well as its host higher education institutions.

NYSERDA will contribute engineers to conduct energy audits of small businesses that are identified and referred by the SBDC. The audits will identify energy-efficiency strategies and improvements that yield energy savings. The SBDC will use the SBA Sustainability Grant award to have Business Advisors from the SBDC program assist small business owners to implement the recommendations of the engineers by accessing capital and building the business case and improve the overall energy efficiency of the participating firms.

In addition, the New York Business Development Corporation (NYBDC), a lending consortium made up of 135 banks doing business in New York State, will make financing available to those small business owners participating in the NYSERDA audits that have viable business opportunities in order to assist in implementing energy saving investments. NYBDC is one of the largest and most experienced SBA lenders in the state for developing innovative financial solutions for programs such as this.

"The recent spike in energy costs help make this project very timely for most small businesses," said NYSSBDC State Director Jim King. "We're enthusiastic about the potential to identify and work with small businesses throughout New York State, and to work with NYSERDA and NYBDC to help implement changes in business operations that will save energy while helping the environment through reduced emissions and cutting back on imported oil. This simply makes good sense for the business and the State."

"Implementation of energy efficiency strategies will lower energy costs, preserve our environment, and improve the bottom line for small business owners," said Robert G. Callender, NYSERDA vice president for programs. "This work by the New York State Small Business Development Center will improve conditions for small business growth while addressing Governor David Paterson's goal of reducing electric consumption by 15 percent from forecasted levels by 2015."

"NYBDC is committed to providing unique financing for businesses in the energy efficiency and green business sectors," said NYBDC President and CEO Patrick MacKrell. "We look forward to working with the energy projects identified through this program and partnering with the SBDC to accomplish these energy related goals."

University of Albany NanoCollege and Commerce Technologies Create Joint Information Technology Workforce Development Program

The College of Nanoscale Science and Engineering ("CNSE") of the University at Albany and Commerce Technologies Inc. ("CTI") today announced the creation of a joint workforce development and recruitment program that will offer students unique educational and training opportunities at a leading global information technology ("IT") company headquartered at the UAlbany NanoCollege.

The CNSE-CTI program will serve to support the development and implementation of an advanced education, training and recruitment program for CTI's CommerceHub - the industry's leading provider of integration and fulfillment solutions for multi-channel e-Commerce merchants - which employs approximately 90 professionals at its offices at CNSE's Albany NanoTech Complex, and has increased its workforce by 40 percent since coming to the complex in May of 2004.

Initially, four students will receive paid internships for a variety of research projects at CommerceHub that are designed to enhance software development, integration, prototyping and implementation for a variety of platforms, including drop-ship fulfillment, database and internal systems. The program will also provide education and workforce training that is critical to support the growing number of nanotechnology-enabled IT applications that integrate the design, deployment, utilization and management of emerging computing technologies to enable radio frequency identification devices ("RFID"), global positioning systems ("GPS"), biometrics and other emerging fields.

Dr. Alain E. Kaloyeros, Senior Vice President and Chief Executive Officer of CNSE, said, "The UAlbany NanoCollege is delighted to enter into this partnership with Commerce Technologies to provide critical support and resources that will address both the strategic and business objectives of our partner tenant, CommerceHub, and the essential need for advanced education and training in information technology. The development of a highly educated, highly skilled IT workforce, as embodied by CommerceHub, has never been more important, particularly as nanotechnology enables a growing number of career opportunities in the innovation economy of the 21st century."

Stephen Hamlin, President and CEO of Commerce Technologies Inc., said, "We are pleased to partner with the College of Nanoscale Science and Engineering on this innovative program that will provide pioneering educational and training opportunities for students in the fast-growing field of information technology. For CommerceHub, this unique workforce development and recruitment program will serve to ensure the presence of top-notch employees that are vital to supporting our future technology advances and business growth on a global basis."

The program will be launched in January, at the start of the spring 2009 semester, and will continue throughout the calendar year.

University of Albany's Anthony Raffa Named America East Conference Basketball Rookie of the Week - UAlbany Sports

Courtesy: UAlbany Sports Information

Boston, Mass. -- University at Albany’s Anthony Raffa has been chosen the America East Conference Rookie of the Week in men’s basketball, as announced on Monday, Jan. 12 by the conference office. The freshman guard received the award for the first time this season.

A native of Strathmere, N.J., Raffa scored 14 of his 22 points, tying a career-high, in the second half in Sunday’s 82-77 victory over Vermont. Raffa buried consecutive three-point field goals to give his team the lead for good, 46-43, with 14:02 remaining. He made 9-of-14 from the field and added three assists and two rebounds as his team posted its third straight win at UVM’s Patrick Gymnasium. He has scored in double figures on 10 occasions this season. Raffa averaged 13.0 points, 5.0 rebounds and 2.5 assists in two conference victories last week.

UAlbany (10-6, AE 2-1) has matched its best 16-game as a Division I program. The Great Danes had this same record in the 2005-06 and 2006-07 campaigns. Raffa is second on the team in scoring at 11.5 points per game, plus is averaging 4.4 rebounds and 1.8 assists.

University of Albany Men's Basketball Defeats Vermont Catamounts In America East Contest - UAlbany Sports

Courtesy: UAlbany Sports Information

Burlington, Vt. -- Freshman guard Anthony Raffa tied a career-high with 22 points and Will Harris added 20 as UAlbany knocked off Vermont, 82-77, in America East Conference play on Sunday, Jan. 11 at Patrick Gymnasium.

UAlbany (10-6, AE 2-1) trailed 43-40 early in the final period, but then went ahead on consecutive three-point field goals by Raffa, who scored 14 after halftime. Tim Ambrose, who added 17 points, eight rebounds and five assists, drilled a 3-pointer from the left wing to end that barrage.

The Great Danes, who shot 58.3 percent from the floor in the final stanza, later pushed out a 52-44 margin when reserve guard Louis Barraza buried another long-range jumper off a double-screen at the top of the arc. UAlbany held that working margin into the late stages of the contest until Harris sank two free throws for a 72-61 lead with 3:26 to play.

Vermont (9-6, AE 0-2) rallied with full-court pressure over the final minutes. Mike Trimboli, a three-time all-conference guard who had 21 points, closed the gap to 77-75 on a pair of foul shots with 47.5 seconds left. However, UAlbany held off the conference’s preseason favorite when Billy Allen and Jerel Hastings combined to make five from the line.

“We could have folded in the last two or three minutes, but we were able to escape with a win,” said UAlbany coach Will Brown, whose team made 48 percent from the field and canned a season-best eight 3-pointers. “They are as good as any team in our league. We got to halftime feeling good about ourselves after trailing by nine. We were in rhythm offensively and took good shots.”

The opening half produced end-to-end action, as UAlbany erased an early deficit with a 10-2 run. Harris, who scored 15 in the period, hit a turnaround on the left baseline to give his team the lead. The Catamounts, who shot 59.3 percent in the half, later trailed 23-20, but then struck for 10 unanswered. Joey Accaoui put his team in front with a fastbreak layup. Colin McIntosh's third consecutive basket ended that outburst.

Vermont upped their advantage to 34-25 on back-to-back buckets by Marqus Blakely, including a slam dunk following a steal. The Great Danes, who won for the third straight time on this floor, dating back to the 2007 America East championship final, got back into the contest by halftime when Ambrose canned a 3-pointer and Raffa made a pull-up bank shot.

“This is very meaningful (to beat Boston U. and Vermont),” offered Harris, a 6-foot-6 junior who grabbed nine rebounds and nearly had his third consecutive double-double. “Coach (Brown) puts together a good game plan and we just have to go out and execute.”

Blakely, last year’s America East player and defender of the year, totaled 11 points, seven assists, five rebounds and three blocks despite being saddled with foul trouble in the second half. McIntosh, who made 12 of 17 from the field, tied a career-high with 25 points.

“I have been frustrated the last two games,” explained Raffa, who also scored 22 against Pennsylvania in November. “I have not been aggressive against zone defenses. There were open gaps and I stepped up and starting hitting shots.”

Janea Aiken Posts Career-High 33 Points in 67-63 Loss to Binghamton in A-East Opener

Courtesy: UAlbany Sports Information

Vestal, N.Y. – Laura Franceski recorded 14 points, 13 rebounds and two assists to lead Binghamton past the University at Albany, 67-63, in America East Conference women’s basketball action at the Events Center on Saturday afternoon. The Great Danes erased a 19-2 deficit and took a 30-28 lead to open the second half before the Bearcats recovered to win their first league game of the year.

UAlbany (2-12, AE 0-1) got a career-best 33 points from Janea Aiken, which marked the most points scored by an individual in a conference game against the Bearcats. The previous standard was set by Boston University’s Rachel Vanderwal, who scored 29 points on Feb. 15, 2006.

Trailing 63-53 with one minute remaining in regulation, Aiken hit a three-point field goal from about 30 feet away to pull the Great Danes within seven points. After Andrea Holmes made one of two free throws for Binghamton, Charity Iromuanya hit a running jumper for two of her eight points to make it a six-point game. Following a UAlbany foul, Erica Carter scored two of her 11 points from the charity stripe to put Binghamton (6-9, AE 1-1) ahead by a 66-58 score with 33.1 seconds left. Aiken hit another one of her four shots from behind the arc to trim the lead to five before Holmes drilled another free throw.

The Great Danes got the ball to Aiken again on its ensuing possession, but her shot from downtown with 19 seconds left bounced out. After Jackie Ward missed two free throws, Tabitha Makopondo, who finished with a career-best nine rebounds, made it 67-63 when she put back her own offensive rebound with three seconds on the clock to seal the outcome.

The teams held each other scoreless for over two minutes to start the game, but the Bearcats used a balanced scoring attack to take a 12-0 advantage. With Britney McGee on the sideline after picking up two quick fouls in the first three minutes, the Great Danes got on the scoreboard when Tiffanie Johnson canned a long jump shot from the top of the key with 12:12 on the clock.

Paced by two field goals from Ward, Binghamton rattled off seven consecutive points to take a 19-2 lead before Aiken scored seven straight points to close the gap to 10 with 8:50 to play. A few minutes later, the Bearcats were forced to call their first timeout when the lead was trimmed to seven at 23-16 thanks to Iromuanya’s 18-foot jumper from the right wing. UAlbany, which missed its first 14 shots before hitting 10 of its next 14 to close out the stanza, ended the half on a 6-0 run as the teams headed to their locker rooms locked at 28.

Aiken gave UAlbany its first lead of the ballgame when she drove in for a layup on the team’s opening possession of the second half. Binghamton responded with a 14-3 run to go ahead, 42-33, with 13:05 left to play in regulation. Viive Rebane scored 10 of her team-best 16 points to keep the Bearcats ahead the rest of the way, and UAlbany fell to 0-6 this season in games decided by five points or less.

“When you go on the road and play in games like this, every possession, foul and rebound is important,” said UAlbany head coach Trina Patterson. “I thought the difference was that they outrebounded us. In the second half, our team defense wasn't as sharp as it was in the first half. Foul trouble hurt us, but our bench picked us up. Charity played very well, and Janea was outstanding."

The Great Danes, who will face Maine in their America East home opener on Jan. 13, shot 40 percent (22-55) from the field despite starting the game off ice cold. UAlbany also converted 28.6 percent (6-21) of its three-point field goals and shot 59.1 percent (13-22) from the charity stripe, while the Bearcats shot 43.1 percent (22-51) from the field, 50 percent (5-10) from behind the arc and 58.1 percent (18-31) from the free throw line.

"We showed today that we are not going to go away very easily when we don't have the lead,” said Aiken, who set a facility record at the Events Center and was just three points off the UAlbany single-game scoring record of 36. “We are going to fight to the very end. Even with very little time left on the clock, we still came back. No matter what, we are never going to give up."

University of Albany Men's Basketball Rallies Past A-East Favorite Boston University - UAlbany Sports

Courtesy: UAlbany Sports Information

Albany, N.Y. -- Tim Ambrose made two free throws with 12.3 seconds remaining as UAlbany rallied for a 62-61 America East Conference victory over Boston University on Thursday, Jan. 8 at SEFCU Arena.

Boston U. (5-8, AE 0-1) took a 60-57 lead when Marques Johnson picked off an errant pass and fed Matt Wolff for a layup. The Terriers, who were playing without Corey Lowe, the conference’s third-leading scorer, due to a suspension, added another point to their margin as Scott Brittain collected an offensive rebounds and made the first of two foul shots.

Ambrose, who broke out of a two-week scoring drought with 19 points and a career-best 11 rebounds, then converted a conventional three-point play on his team’s next possession. Mike Johnson followed up a missed three-point attempt and fed the streaking 6-foot guard, who was fouled by the Terriers’ Jake O’Brien. After UAlbany caused a turnover when Will Harris tied up Brittain in the backcourt, Ambrose was fouled on a move in lane and calmly sank a pair from the line for a 62-61 lead. Wolff’s 16-footer, under pressure from the key, misfired with the clock winding down.
“I just tried to visualize making those (free throws) in situations like that during practice, and then just go out and knock them down,” said Ambrose, who had scored a combined eight points over his last four games. “We just stayed together, tried to executive, and we had a great defensive stop at the end.”

The Terriers, who led by three at halftime, stretched their advantage to 42-34 when John Holland delivered a three-point field goal from the top of the arc off a screen. Holland, last year’s conference rookie of the year, finished with 25 points on 10-of-16 shooting.

UAlbany (9-6, AE 1-1) would close the gap to 44-43 when reserve guard Louis Barraza drilled a deep three-pointer from the right wing and Harris split a pair of free throws. Boston U. pushed their advantage back to a comfortable margin when Holland made consecutive baskets. The 6-foot-5 sophomore hit a fastbreak layup and made a step-back jumper in the lane.

The Terriers, who eliminated UAlbany in last year’s overtime nail-biter in the America East tournament’s quarterfinal round, were still ahead 55-50 with 6:14 remaining. But Barraza, who had 11 points off the bench, made both ends of a one-and-one and canned a 3-pointer from straightaway. Boston U. eventually went back in front as O’Brien made a foul shot and Johnson hit a 16-footer from right of the key.

“We had intensity throughout the whole game and it surged through the team,” said Harris, whose squad helped Will Brown record his 100th career victory as head coach. “I was thinking that Tim (Ambrose) was going to make both foul shots and we were going to make a steal, and that’s what happened. We will enjoy the win, but now we have to put together a bunch of one-game win streaks.”

Harris, a 6-foot-6 junior, had 14 points and 10 rebounds, his second consecutive double-double. Brittain added 11 points and seven rebounds for the Terriers, who also played without injured guards Tyler Morris and Carlos Strong.

UAlbany Notes: The Great Danes have matched their best 15-game record as a Division I program with 9-6 won-loss mark ... Will Harris is the first UAlbany player to record back-to-back double-doubles (points/rebounds) since Brian Lillis in January 2008 ... Tim Ambrose posted the first double-double of his career ... Louis Barraza scored in twin figures for the first time since Nov. 17th ... UAlbany registered its third one-point victory of the season, the first time the Great Danes have accomplished that feat at the Division I level.

University of Albany's Casale, Nguti & Leible on ECAC Football Championship Subdivision All-Star Team - UAlbany Sports

Courtesy: UAlbany Sports Information

Cape Cod, Mass. – University at Albany’s Raphael Nguti, Jon Leible and Dave Casale have been chosen to the 2008 ECAC Football Championship Subdivision (FCS) All-Star Team, as announced by conference office on Thursday, Jan. 8.

Nguti, a 6-foot-7, 330-pound left tackle, has been voted to two All-America squads this season. He was named to the American Football Coaches Association (AFCA) first team and voted as a Sports Network honorable mention selection. A senior from Rochester, N.Y., Nguti was a member of the All-Northeast Conference first team for the second year in a row. He led the Great Danes, who finished with a 9-3 record, to their second consecutive NEC championship and a Gridiron Classic victory over Jacksonville.

Leible, a 6-foot-5, 285-pound right tackle, earned first-team All-NEC honors in his first year as a starter. Leible, the program’s most improved player, blocked for an offense that ranked 16th nationally in rushing (200.6 ypg) and led the conference in total offense (363.2 ypg). A senior from Commack, N.Y., Leible paved the way for tailback David McCarty, the nation’s second-leading rusher who broke the school’s single-season record and scored 17 touchdowns.

Casale, a junior free safety, was named to the All-NEC first team after accounting for 74 tackles, including 40 unassisted, and breaking up seven passes. He set the program’s Division I FCS single-season mark with seven interceptions, the highest total by a UAlbany defender since 1990. Casale made a career-high 13 tackles and blocked a field goal in a 22-16 overtime victory at Hofstra in September. Casale, who has 154 career tackles as a collegian, was twice named the NEC defensive player of the week.

Will University of Albany FCS Football Be Considered In CAA Expansion? - UAlbany Sports

CAA athletic directors to study 14-team puzzle - Colonial Athletic Association athletic directors will convene in Washington next week and discuss the league's coming football expansion. In general, the agenda is this question: Can a 14-team football conference work? The ADs will be together for the NCAA convention.

Old Dominion begins playing CAA football in 2011. Georgia State is scheduled for a 2012 CAA football arrival. The Colonial already has 12 football members, including the University of Richmond, William and Mary and James Madison. Starting Wednesday, CAA directors of athletics and Tom Yeager, the commissioner of the league since its creation in 1985, will explore options.

Yeager yesterday said among those options are 1) one league with a pair of seven-team divisions, and 2) a split into two leagues, based on geography. The CAA also includes Delaware, Villanova, Towson, Hofstra, Maine, Massachusetts, New Hampshire, Northeastern and Rhode Island.

If the choice is a 14-team league with a pair of seven-team divisions, Yeager believes an eight-game CAA obligation would continue. Yeager hopes a consensus is reached next week, allowing the league to go forward with scheduling for 2011 and beyond. The CAA has a strong interest in reducing travel costs, if possible, while maintaining traditional conference rivalries.

Charlotte announced four months ago that it intends to launch a football program in 2013, if the school can raise sufficient funds. Yeager said he has not heard from Charlotte representatives about any interest they may have in the Colonial.

Courtesy: John O'Connor

University of Albany's Steward Ceus Earns Invite to 2009 Adidas Major League Soccer Player Combine - UAlbany Sports

Courtesy: UAlbany Sports Information

New York, N.Y. – University at Albany’s Steward Ceus (West Haverstraw, N.Y./North Rockland) will participate in the 2009 adidas Major League Soccer Player Combine, from Jan. 9-13 at Lockhart Stadium in Fort Lauderdale, Fla. Ceus, who was recently named to the NSCAA/adidas All-America third team and was the America East Conference Goalkeeper of the Year, was one of 65 Division I seniors invited to the event.

The coaching and management staffs of all 15 MLS teams will be in attendance to scout talent at the combine, which wraps up just two days before the MLS Superdraft on Jan. 15 in St. Louis, Mo. Last season, 43 of the 58 players selected in the draft participated in the combine. In addition, 12 of them were picked in the first round.

Ceus recently became the first UAlbany men’s soccer player to garner All-America honors at any level since Marty Hearney was voted to the Division III All-American squad in 1991. He eclipsed Division I program records for career shutouts (19) and saves (329) while posting an .856 save percentage, an 0.96 goals against average and seven shutouts this fall. He finished the season ranked fourth in the nation in saves per game (5.93) and ninth in save percentage.

UAlbany posted a 12-4-2 overall record this year, which matched a Division I program record set in 2004. The team’s nine-win improvement tied for third in the nation with Fairleigh Dickinson, only trailing Maryland (13) and St. John’s (10). In addition, the Great Danes’ seven-game unbeaten streak before suffering a 1-0 double overtime loss to Binghamton in the semifinal round of the conference tournament was a program standard in the program’s Division I history.

University of Albany Tailback David McCarty Named to Sports Network All-America Football Third Team - UAlbany Sports

Courtesy: UAlbany Sports Information

Philadelphia, Pa. – University at Albany’s David McCarty has been named to the 2008 Sports Network Division I FCS (Football Championship Subdivision) All-America Team, as announced by the national wire service on Tuesday, Jan. 6. McCarty, a junior tailback, was voted to the third team, while offensive tackle Raphael Nguti and defensive tackle Tom Pandolf were honorable mention selections.

McCarty, the nation’s second-leading rusher at 154.3 yards per game, shattered the school’s single-season records for rushing yards (1,852) and all-purpose yards (2,208). He scored 17 touchdowns, including 13 on the ground, and broke the program’s FCS single-game standard with 271 rushing yards and four TDs in a 28-0 victory over Jacksonville in the Gridiron Classic. A first-team All-Northeast Conference selection, McCarty ran for 100 or more yards in 11 of 12 games played this season. He has scored at least one touchdown in 20 consecutive contests.

McCarty, who becomes the sixth UAlbany player to be chosen to a Sports Network, Associated Press or AFCA All-America football squad, will enter his senior campaign as the school’s all-time leader in rushing yards (3,353), all-purpose yards (3,979) and 100-yard rushing games (19). He was an honorable mention All-American last year.

Nguti, a 6-foot-7, 330-pound offensive tackle, was voted to this second All-America squad this season. He was picked to the AFCA (American Football Coaches Association) first team in December. Nguti moved from right tackle to left tackle this year and led an offense that ranked 16th nationally in rushing (200.6 ypg) and first in the conference in total offense (363.2 ypg). A two-time first-team All-NEC standout from Rochester, N.Y., Nguti has made 24 consecutive starts over the last two seasons.

A native of Holbrook, N.Y., Pandolf was a member of the All-NEC first team for the second year in a row as a defensive tackle. He totaled 66 tackles, including 6.5 hits for a loss and 2.5 sacks, in 12 starting assignments. He added four pass deflections, two forced fumbles and one fumble recovery. Pandolf led a defensive unit that held each of its final six opponents of the season under 300 total yards. UAlbany finished 13th among the FCS leaders in points allowed (18.2 ppg) and 18th in total yards (300.8 ypg).

UAlbany (9-3) captured its second consecutive Northeast Conference championship by becoming the second team in conference history to go undefeated against league opponents in back-to-back seasons. The Great Danes capped their best campaign at the FCS Division I level by blanking Pioneer Football League champion Jacksonville in the Gridiron Classic.

***********

UAlbany’s Division I FCS Football All-Americans

(members of Associated Press, AFCA or Sports Network All-America teams)

2008: Raphael Nguti (AFCA 1st team), David McCarty (Sports Network 3rd team)

2006: Colin Disch (AFCA 1st team)

2004: Geir Gudmundsen (AFCA 1st team)

2003: Gary Jones (AP 3rd team)

2002: Gary Jones (AP 2nd team)

2000: OT J.T. Herfurth (AP 1st team, AFCA 1st team)

University of Albany Anthropologist's "Hobbit Research" is one of Top 100 Science Stories of 2008

Anthropologist Adam Gordon studied the size of the face and skull and other remains to determine that the hobbit was a distinct species of hominid (Photo Peter Brown, University of New England)

ALBANY, N.Y. (December 22, 2008) -- University at Albany anthropologist Adam D. Gordon is a key investigator in one of the 100 best science stories of 2008, according to Discover magazine.

In March of this year Gordon published, with then-colleagues at George Washington University, a comparative study in the Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences centering on an ancient skeleton discovered in 2004 on the island of Flores, Indonesia. The 18,000-year-old skeleton, which came to be known as the hobbit due to its chimp-sized brain, diminutive stature, and unexpectedly large feet, was given the new species name Homo floresiensis. Its discoverers argued that it was a small-bodied, small-brained descendant of Homo erectus, a species that preceded modern day Homo sapiens. Gordon studied the size of the face and skull and other remains to determine that the hobbit was a distinct species of hominid, descended from an even older species known as Homo habilis, which inhabited and then disappeared from Africa some 1.8 million years ago. The hobbit appears to have inhabited Indonesian islands 90,000-12,000 years ago.

In the January 2009 article "#85: Smackdown Over Ancient 'Hobbit' Continues " Discover notes that, according to Gordon, the skull of the hobbit was well outside the range of modern human variation.

"What's fascinating about this is the study suggests that a distinct lineage of humans, very different from our own, shared the planet with us for almost two million years, from the time our ancestors first left Africa until modern humans first populated the Americas," said Gordon.

Discover also cites the studies of other hobbit researchers, including paleoanthropologist William Jungers of Stony Brook University in New York, and Penn State evolutionary biologist Robert B. Eckhardt.

"Dr. Gordon and his collaborators' research is exciting because it helps put to rest a recent controversy in the scientific community about whether the 'hobbit' represents a different species that co-existed with modern humans or was a human born with microcephalia," said Dean Edelgard Wulfert of the College of Arts and Sciences.

The University at Albany Department of Anthropology pursues the study of fundamental humanness through teaching and research in the subdisciplines of archaeology, biological anthropology, cultural anthropology, and linguistic anthropology.

Contact(s): Catherine Herman (518) 956-8150

University of Albany Men's Lacrosse Ranked #12 In Pre-Season Face-Off Yearbook Top 20 - UAlbany Sports

1: Virginia
2008 Record: 14-4
Finish: NCAA Semifinals (L to Syracuse in OT)
Goals Per Game (Rank): 12.78 (4)
Goals Against Average (Rank): 9.78 (40)

2: Syracuse
2008 Record: 16-2
Finish: National Champions (Def. Johns Hopkins, 13-10)
GPG (Rank): 13.61 (2)
GAA (Rank:) 7.22 (14)

3: Maryland
2008 Record: 11-6
NCAA: Quarterfinals (L to Virginia in OT)
GPG (Rank): 10.5 (T-13)
GAA (Rank): 7.69 (T-11)

4: Cornell
2008 Record: 11-4
NCAA: First Round (L to Ohio State)
GPG (Rank): 11.13 (8)
GAA (Rank): 8.53 (20)

5: Johns Hopkins
2008 Record: 11-6
NCAA: Finals (L to Syracuse, 13-10)
GPG (Rank): 10.53 (12)
GAA (Rank): 8.24 (19)

6: Georgetown
2008 Record: 9-4
NCAA: N/A
GPG (Rank): 11.46 (7)
GAA (Rank): 9.15 (33)

7: Duke
2008 Record: 18-2
NCAA: Semifinals (L to Johns Hopkins)
GPG (Rank): 15.20 (1)
GAA (Rank): 7.30 (8)

8: North Carolina
2008 Record: 8-6
NCAA: First Round (L to Navy)
GPG (Rank): 10.00 (T-16)
GAA (Rank): 9.29 (T-34)

9: Notre Dame
2008 Record: 14-3
NCAA: Quarterfinals (L to Syracuse)
GPG (Rank): 12.12 (5)
GAA (Rank): 7.06 (5)

10: UMBC
2008 Record: 12-4
NCAA: First Round (L to Virginia)
GPG (Rank): 10.00 (T-16)
GAA (Rank): 9.00 (29)

11: Navy
2008 Record: 10-6
NCAA: Quarterfinals (L to Johns Hopkins)
GPG (Rank): 8.38 (35)
GAA (Rank): 6.50 (3)

12: Albany
2008 Record: 8-8
NCAA: N/A
GPG (Rank): 9.69 (21)
GAA (Rank): 7.69 (T-11)

13: Brown
2008 Record: 11-3
NCAA: N/A
GPG (Rank): 8.50 (32)
GAA (Rank): 6.79 (4)

14: Princeton
2008 Record: 7-6
NCAA: N/A
GPG (Rank): 9.00 (T-28)
GAA (Rank): 8.62 (22)

15: Hofstra
2008 Record: 10-6
NCAA: First Round (L to Johns Hopkins)
GPG (Rank): 9.38 (T-24)
GAA (Rank): 8.63 (23)

16: Denver
2008 Record: 10-7
NCAA: First Round (L to Maryland)
GPG (Rank): 10.94 (9)
GAA (Rank): 9.94 (42)

17: Colgate
2008 Record: 11-6
NCAA: First Round (L to Notre Dame in OT)
GPG (Rank): 9.76 (19)
GAA (Rank): 8.76 (25)

18: Bucknell
2008 Record: 10-5
NCAA: N/A
GPG (Rank): 8.47 (33)
GAA (Rank): 7.80 (16)

19: Loyola
2008 Record: 7-7
NCAA: First Round (L to Duke)
GPG (Rank): 9.29 (27)
GAA (Rank): 8.14 (17)

20: Delaware
2008 Record: 9-7
NCAA: N/A
GPG (Rank): 10.81 (10)
GAA (Rank): 9.44 (37)

University of Albany Men's Basketball Conducts Youth Clinic With Southern Saratoga YMCA's SAFE Program - UAlbany Sports

Courtesy: UAlbany Sports Information

Clifton Park, N.Y. – Members of the University at Albany men’s basketball team conducted a youth clinic at the Southern Saratoga YMCA on Sunday, Jan. 4. Head coach Will Brown, UAlbany basketball student-athletes, and YMCA volunteers worked with boys and girls on skills related to baseball, golf, soccer and basketball.

The YMCA’s SAFE program provides physically and mentally challenged youth an opportunity to participate in sports in a non-competitive, fun environment. Participants, who displayed a wide-range of abilities, were instructed by UAlbany’s basketball players and coaches in various informal sessions and some youth played in actual game competition.

The men’s basketball program and the school’s Student-Athlete Advisory Committee (SAAC) are involved in coordinating several community service activities each semester. UAlbany Vice President and Director of Athletics Lee McElroy has made community service one of the athletic department's top initiatives since he arrived on campus more than eight years ago.

University of Albany Women's Basketball Upends University of Rhode Island In Non Conference Action - UAlbany Sports

UAlbany Womens Basketball Upends University of Rhode Island In Non Conference Action. Britney McGee scores 17 points, 5 rebounds, 4 assists, and 2 steals to lead the Great Danes. More to come...

Kingston, R.I. – Junior co-captain Britney McGee recorded 17 points, five rebounds and four assists in leading the University at Albany to a 69-59 victory over the University of Rhode Island in non-conference women’s basketball action on Saturday afternoon. UAlbany broke a 53-53 tie by ending the game on a 16-6 run to record the program’s first victory over an opponent from the Atlantic 10 Conference since joining the Division I ranks in 1999.

Leading 61-55 with under a minute to play in regulation, UAlbany (2-11) ran down the shot clock and put the ball in the hands of Charity Iromuanya. The junior missed an 18-foot jumper with 54 seconds remaining, but she was able to steal the ball from Lindsay Harris after the Ram grabbed the defensive rebound.

Janea Aiken, who was being pressured at midcourt by multiple Ram defenders on the extra possession, found a wide open Tiffanie Johnson down low for two of her 13 points, putting UAlbany ahead by eight with 41 seconds on the clock. After Harris made two free throws, Aiken converted two shots from the charity stripe and hit a layup to seal the final outcome.

UAlbany scored on its first three possessions to jump out to a 6-2 advantage in the opening minutes of the contest. McGee had four points during the stretch. Aiken, who finished with 16 points, made a pair of trifectas to put the Great Danes ahead by a score of 12-6.

Led by two three pointers by Megan Shoniker, who finished with a game-high 20 points, URI (6-8) responded with a 10-0 run to go ahead by a 16-12 score with 10:38 left in the stanza. However, the Great Danes rattled off 12 straight points to take a 30-22 advantage in the final minute. Amira Ford found a wide open Ashley Lindsay on the right block for a layup to put UAlbany on top for the first time in over eight minutes, and a three-point field goal by McGee capped the run. Shoniker’s running layup in the last seconds closed out the scoring, and the teams headed to the locker rooms with the Great Danes holding a six-point advantage.

Trailing 30-24 at recess after allowing the Great Danes to shoot 48.1 percent from the field and 60 percent from downtown, URI rallied to take a 42-39 lead with 13:14 left to play in regulation. However, Aiken canned a 12-foot jumper and converted two free throws to put UAlbany back on top by one with 11:51 on the clock.

Two straight field goals by Tanja Licina tied the game up at 53-53, but a deep three pointer by McGee sparked a 10-1 run for the Great Danes. After dropping three straight games when leading at halftime, UAlbany did not surrender its lead late in this contest and held on the rest of the way for the 10-point win.

“After many tries which resulted in close and disheartening losses, this one felt really good to start the new year,” said UAlbany head coach Trina Patterson. “We held our composure, and I think this is going to be our springboard heading into conference play.”

The Great Danes, who will open America East Conference play on Jan. 10 at Binghamton, held a commanding 19-0 advantage in bench points and shot a season-high 54 percent (27-50) from the field. UAlbany also converted 40 percent of its three-point field goals and shot 78.6 percent from the charity stripe, while the Rams shot 42.4 percent from the field, 27.3 percent from behind the arc and 75.0 from the free throw line.

“This was a big relief,” said McGee. “We got a big monkey off our back. The bench was a big part of this win. We should really be geared up for conference play (next week).”

Mens Basketball Flops In Conference Opener With Lackluster Performance

Mens Basketball Flops In Conference Opener With Sub-Mediocre Performance. More to come...

UAlbany Men's Basketball Begins America East Conference Play Against Hartford on Saturday

Courtesy: UAlbany Sports Information

West Hartford, Conn. -- UAlbany begins America East Conference play against Hartford on Saturday, Jan. 3. Tip-off is 2:00 p.m. Fans can listen to the game on Fox Sports 980, WOFX-AM. Rodger Wyland and Jon Phelps will call the play-by-play from Chase Arena at Reich Family Pavilion.

The Hawks, who have played a rugged non-league schedule, are coming off a pair of road losses to Baylor and Stanford. Hartford (4-9) was picked to finish third in the conference preseason poll. Head coach Dan Leibovitz guided his team to its first-ever conference championship appearance and a Division I program record 18 wins last year. Joe Zeglinski leads the team in scoring (15.5 ppg) and rebounding (5.5 pg). The first-team All-America East guard is expected to return after missing the last three games with an ankle injury. Jaret von Rosenberg adds 11.9 points, 4.0 rebounds and 4.4 assists. He joined Zeglinski on the 2008 conference all-championship squad.

UAlbany (8-5) has matched its best 13-game record as a Division I program and own eight non-conference wins for the first time since moving to this level in 1999. The Great Danes lost to defending national champion Kansas in their last outing on Dec. 30. Tim Ambose (12.0 ppg) and Anthony Raffa (11.8 ppg) are the top scorers, while Will Harris averages 10.0 points and 4.7 rebounds. UAlbany has allowed less than 60 points against five opponents this season. Head coach Will Brown, who is in his eighth season at the helm, is seeking his 100th career win.

Defending National Champion Kansas Overpowers Men's Basketball, 79-43, at Allen Fieldhouse

Courtesy: UAlbany Sports Information

Lawrence, Kan. – Cole Aldrich scored 20 points and Tyrel Reed added12 off the bench in leading Kansas to a 79-43 victory over UAlbany on Tuesday, Dec. 30 before a capacity crowd of 16,300 at historic Allen Fieldhouse. The Jayhawks extended their winning streak to 31 in a row in a home facility that was sold out for the 119th consecutive time.

The Jayhawks, who were coming off a 17-point road loss to Arizona one week ago, started with some hot shooting. Kansas (9-3) grabbed a 12-6 lead by making 4-of-5 from the floor. Freshman Tyshawn Taylor drilled a three-point field goal from the left wing after the ball was saved from a backcourt violation.

Reed, a 6'3" sophomore, pushed the lead to double figures with back-to-back 3-pointers, including one from the left corner. Travis Releford later hit a slam dunk after collecting a full-court outlet pass from Sherron Collins for a 24-8 lead. Collins finished with seven points and four assists.

UAlbany (8-5) closed within 28-15 when Scotty McRae scored off a tip-in. But Marcus Morris made a turnaround from the foul line and Quintrell Thomas sank two foul shots. The Jayhawks shot 65 percent in the period en route to a 40-19 halftime lead.

“It was a great crowd,” said Kansas coach Bill Self, who guided the program to the national championship one year ago. “I was really pleased with the crowd and I was pretty pleased with how we played for the most part. We did some good things and we guarded.”

Reed, who had a career-high scoring total, used a conventional three-point play to give his team a 55-27 advantage with 11:27 remaining. He was fouled while connecting on a fastbreak layup. The Jayhawks, who have made 37 NCAA appearances and reached the Final Four on 13 occasions in their storied history, cruised the rest of the way by shooting a season-best 56.3 percent.

“I thought our effort was okay,” offered UAlbany coach Will Brown, whose team will begin America East Conference play on Saturday at Hartford. “I think the right terminology was lack of focus and consistent energy. We had a couple of shots at that rim that (Cole) Aldrich blocked or altered. We got hesitant and tentative. Their defense pressured the ball and took away the driving angles.”

Aldrich, a 6-foot-11, 245-pound sophomore, made 8 of 10 from the floor to go with six rebounds and three blocks. He scored his team’s opening 10 points of the second half. Anthony Raffa, a freshman guard, was the lone UAlbany player in double figures with 11, while senior forward Brian Connelly added eight points, four assists and three rebounds.

“Right now our team isn’t good enough to just show up,” explained Connelly, whose club shot just 30 percent on 18-of-60 attempts and committed 17 turnovers. “We have to get to the gym and work our butts off. That’s the only way we can win.”

NFL's New York Giants Move Former UAlbany Cornerback Rashad Barksdale to Active Roster

Courtesy: UAlbany Sports Information

East Rutherford, N.J. - The Giants announced on Tuesday, Dec. 30 the addition of two players to their roster in advance of tomorrow’s first practice of the postseason. They signed cornerback Rashad Barksdale, a former University at Albany standout, off their practice squad and signed linebacker Rich Scanlon.

To make room on the roster, the Giants put cornerback Sam Madison on injured reserve and waived linebacker Edmond Miles. Madison broke his right ankle in the third quarter at Minnesota.

Barskdale, 6-0 and 208 pounds, was signed to the practice squad on Sept. 1. He was released on Oct. 21 but re-signed the next day.

In 2007, Barksdale spent the entire season with the Kansas City Chiefs. He played in six games and was inactive for the other 10 games. Barksdale finished with nine special teams tackle. He made his NFL debut against Jacksonville on Oct. 7 with one special teams tackle. Barksdale had three tackles vs. Tennessee on Dec. 16 and at the Jets on Dec. 30.

Barksdale joined the NFL as a sixth-round draft choice of the Philadelphia Eagles in 2007, the 201st overall selection. He was waived on Sept. 1, 2007 and signed by Kansas City the following day. He is the first player on the Giants’ active roster from the University at Albany, where they have held training camp since 1996.

Barksdale played baseball for two seasons at Albany before joining the football team as a walk-on as a senior in 2006. He started 10 games at cornerback and was credited with 37 tackles (26 solo) and intercepted three passes, including two in the fourth quarter in an upset victory over Delaware. Barksdale was an All-State running back and defensive back at Hudson (N.Y.) High School. He was born on May 11, 1984.

Scanlon, 6-2 and 249 pounds, has played in 40 games – 31 with Kansas City from 2004-06 and nine with Tennessee in 2007. He also played in a postseason game with the Titans last season. Scanlon has never started a game, as most of his playing time has been on special teams, where he has 51 tackles.

Scanlon joined the Chiefs as an undrafted free agent in 2004. As a rookie he played in six games and had five special teams tackles. He started 11 games for the Berlin Thunder of NFL Europa in 2005, when he led the league with 94 tackles (68 solo). That year, he played all 16 games for the Chiefs, including 13 in which he played on defense. He led the team with 29 special teams tackles and had three tackles on defense. In 2006, Scanlon played in nine games, including seven on defense. He had 10 special teams tackles. He was placed on injured reserve with a neck injury on Dec. 31, 2006.

Scanlon was waived by the Chiefs at the end of training camp in 2007. He signed with the Titans on Oct. 31, 2007 and contributed seven special teams tackles and two fumble recoveries in nine regular season games and two special teams tackles in the Titans’ AFC Wild Card loss at San Dieg0.

ESPN's Mark May's College Football All-May Day Team - UAlbany's Eddie Delaney

Thanks to our devoted UAlbany Great Dane alum and fan, DANEFAN, we have learned that UAlbany's Eddie Delaney was selected to Mark May's All-May Day Team. Eddie was the only FCS player on the list.

All May Day Team Link











Sports Illustrated Story On Eddie

Albany's Eddie Delaney over comes disability to become a star Story Highlights
Eddie Delaney was born without a left hand, but that has never stopped him
The redhirt freshman was named a second-team all-conference defensive end
"I never looked at it as a disability," said Delaney, who also his diabetes

Eddie Delaney looks like your typical second-year college student, with his shaggy hair almost covering his eyes and traces of stubble dotting his chin. The only thing that makes him unique, at first glance, is his 6-foot-6, 235-pound frame. The fact that he was second-team all-conference in the Division I-AA Northeast Conference as a redshirt freshman defensive end for the Albany Great Danes is impressive in its own right. A second look at Delaney, however, makes his accomplishment unfathomable.

He has only one hand.

Delaney was born without a left hand. His ability to participate in youth sports brought him a sense of normalcy. His ability to excel at the Division I level at a position that essentially involves hand-to-hand combat goes way beyond normalcy. Just don't use the "D" word around Delaney.

"I never looked at it as a disability," Delaney said. "Not once. "It might even be an advantage, because people might take me lightly."

Despite being a stellar football and lacrosse player at Sachem East High in Holtsville, N.Y., Delaney was lightly recruited and received interest from mainly Division II and III schools. Even Albany, the school that landed Delaney, had its doubts.

"We were concerned about his hand," said Albany coach Bob Ford, the architect of an Albany program that started as a club team in 1970. "How would he be able to play that position without being able to grab a jersey or a lineman? We just weren't sure it was possible at this level."

If Ford and his staff needed any convincing, they were sold during Delaney's redshirt season as he worked on the scout team at barely over 200 pounds against a veteran starting offensive line for a team that would go undefeated in the NEC.

Delaney's road to success started in the weight room, where he bulked up to his current playing weight by bench-pressing more than 300 pounds, balancing one part of the barbell with the end of his left arm.

"He is really quick off the ball and he uses his one good hand to stab the offensive lineman in the chest," said Great Danes defensive line coach Bill Banagan. "Using only one hand and turning his hips gives him a reach advantage,"

"The O-line calls it the Iron Claw," said Delaney, demonstrating on a writer how he is able to keep the blocker away from his body with only one hand.

What about the other arm?

"The nub?" replies Delaney. "I don't know, but the guys tell me it really hurts bad if you get hit by it."

The greatest indication that Delaney is one of the guys comes from the amount of good-natured ribbing he takes from his teammates, a sure sign that he has earned their respect and is in the club. His peers along the defensive line mess with him all the time. Other teammates call him Hollywood, referring to the significant amount of media attention he has received in overcoming his handicap.

While Delaney was giving a recent interview, starting quarterback Vinny Esposito made a point to call out "Hollywood" across the room and point to his own chest. When asked what that was all about Delaney just laughed and shrugged it off, like everything else he has had to go through in his young life and said, "He wants me to give him a shout-out, but I'm not going to."

The Eddie Delaney story would be remarkable enough if it ended there. But it doesn't. When he was six, Delaney was diagnosed with Type I diabetes. The news was especially devastating to his parents, who understood that their son would have yet another hurdle to overcome.

Delaney had to give himself two or three insulin shots a day until several years ago when he got hooked up with an insulin pump that includes a tube that was inserted into his leg and is protected on the field by only his thigh pad. That's right, Delaney plays Division I football with only one hand while carrying an insulin pump on his left leg.

"We didn't know whether or not we could count on him," recalls Ford. "What if he was our starter and he had to leave the field for 15 to 20 minutes to handle his diabetic issues?"

One person having to overcome two huge road blocks while he strives to achieve his dream seems at a minimum to be unfair, but only once during a lengthly conversation did Delaney prove to be human. And even then it was for just an instant. When asked whether he thought about the fact that he has to deal with two significant handicaps while most people have none, Delaney paused ever so slightly.

"Nah," said Delaney as he flashed his characteristic smile, "So many people have it so much worse than I do. I am the luckiest guy in the world. I am playing D-I football."

Delaney's ability to overcome obstacles has helped transform him into a new position on and off the Albany campus: role model.

Delaney's eyes light up when he talks about the Sugar Free Gang, a group of diabetics ages 6-12 who live in the Albany area. Delaney has spoken to them on a couple of occasions and the group has attended a Great Danes game. The kid who once got former Major League pitcher Jim Abbott's autograph as a youngster now gives out his signature to his own set of adoring fans.

But it is not only the youngsters who look up to Delaney and everything he has accomplished. It is his peers as well. "Some of my teammates have told me how cool they think it is that I am able to do what I have done," he says. "They can't imagine going through it with everything else they have going on in their lives."

If Delaney is to be believed, there is at least one benefit to attending college with one hand and an insulin pump. When asked about the social ramifications of his situation, Delaney grins from ear to ear.

"I think it helps, to be honest," he says. "If people are talking about a blond guy they met on campus, that could be anyone. If they mention that the guy was tall that narrows it down, but there are still a lot of people who match that description. If they say it was the kid with one hand, they pretty much know who they are talking about."

Delaney gets as much joy as anything, however, by fooling with some of the students who come across him for the first time. Last summer, when Albany's 2008 squad began training camp, Banagan alerted the incoming freshmen to Delaney's situation and told a heroic tale that involved sharks, drawing amazement on the looks of the newbies as Delaney feigned boredom for a story told too many times.

"I don't understand," said one confused teenager, "How did he get Diabetes then?"

Delaney didn't miss a beat.

"It was a diabetic shark," he said.

By Ross Tucker

University of Albany Education Professor David Yun Dai Travels to China as Fulbright Scholar - UAlbany Academics

Courtesy: University of Albany News

University at Albany Education Professor David Yun Dai is conducting teacher surveys on inquiry-based learning in China as part of the country's educational reform efforts.

ALBANY, N.Y. (December 23, 2008) -- University at Albany Education Professor David Yun Dai was named a Fulbright Scholar, joining an accomplished group of higher-education faculty and professionals traveling abroad for the 2008-09 academic year. Dai is conducting teacher surveys on inquiry-based learning in China as part of the country's educational reform efforts.

"It's an honor for Professor Dai to receive this important acclaim," said Interim Provost Susan D. Phillips, vice president of academic affairs. "He is a committed researcher and teacher, and this recognition will enhance his work and the School of Education's international reach and reputation."

Dai, an associate professor in the Department of Educational and Counseling Psychology, will meet with more than 50 senior high school principals who are pioneering a new round of curriculum reform in China. Dai will share his experiences and perspectives on U.S. education reform, as well as discuss implementation, obstacles and other potential issues.

"I think countries have much to learn from each other, on education or otherwise, and I am very privileged and honored to serve as a medium and facilitator in this mission," said Yun, who joined UAlbany's faculty in 2001.

At UAlbany, Yun teaches courses related to instruction, learning, motivation, and cognition. He has conducted classroom-based research on incorporating teaching cases and case methods in teacher education courses to facilitate teacher reflection and learning.

Dai will remain in China through March 2009.

Two visiting Fulbright Scholars, Vadim Kozlov, professor of mechanics and mathematics at Moscow State University in Russia and Chanyoung Park, associate professor of economics at Andong National University in Korea, will lecture and research at the University at Albany as part of the Fulbright Visiting Grantees program.

Both will remain at UAlbany through summer 2009.

Established in 1946 under legislation introduced by the late Senator J. William Fulbright of Arkansas, the Fulbright Scholar program's purpose is to build mutual understanding between the people of the United States and other countries. This year, about 800 U.S. faculty and professionals received Fulbright Scholar awards to lecture and conduct research abroad, joining nearly 100,000 scholars who have received a Fulbright award since the program's inception.

The Fulbright Scholar program, America's flagship international educational exchange activity, is sponsored by the U.S. Department of State and administered by the Council for International Exchange of Scholars. Award recipients are chosen on the basis of academic or professional achievement and because they have demonstrated extraordinary leadership potential in their fields.

UAlbany MBA Program Garners Top-10 National Ranking from Princeton Review

Courtesy: University of Albany News

The University of Albany Master's in Business Administration degree ranks ninth in offering the "Greatest Opportunity for Women," according to the Princeton Review's 2009 Best 296 Business Schools.