University of Albany Women's Track and Field Paced by Adaramola and McShine on Second Day of ECAC Championship - UAlbany Sports 2009

Courtesy: UAlbany Sports Information

Princeton, N.J. – University at Albany’s Fey Adaramola and Kamilah McShine each advanced to tomorrow’s finals in two events to pace the women’s outdoor track and field team at the 26th Annual ECAC Championship on Saturday, May 16 at Princeton University’s Weaver Stadium. The three-day competition concludes on Sunday.

Adaramola advanced to the finals in the 100- and 200-meter dash events. She sprinted a personal-best time of 11.76 seconds in the 100m trials before crossing the tape in 11.81 in the event’s semifinal round. In the 200, the junior clocked in a personal-best time of 23.91.

McShine will compete in the finals of both hurdles events. The senior ran a personal-best time of 13.76 in the semifinals of the 100-meter hurdles. She won her heat of the 400m hurdles in 1:01.64.

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Women’s Team Standings (Through 8 Events)

1. Virginia 37; 2. Cornell 21; 3. William & Mary 21; 4. Princeton 20; 5. Duke 19.25; 6. Syracuse 18; T-7. Pittsburgh 13; T-7. Maryland 13; T-9. Liberty 11; T-9. Rhode Island 11; 11. West Virginia 10.25; T-12. Dartmouth 9; T-12. Brown 9; T-14. Marist 8; T-14. Connecticut 8; T-14. La Salle 8; 17. Harvard 7; 18. New Hampshire 6; T-19. Providence 5; T-19. Boston University 5; T-19. Coppin State 5; T-19. Massachusetts 5; T-23. George Mason 4; T-23. Robert Morris 4; T-23. Bucknell 4; T-26. Duquesne 3; T-26. Villanova 3; T-26. Hampton 3; T-26. Central Connecticut State 3; T-26. Holy Cross 3; T-31. VMI 2; T-31. Sacred Heart 2; T-31. Rutgers 2; T-31. Iona 2; T-31. Monmouth 2; 36. Delaware 1.50; T-37. Wagner 1; T-37. Saint Joseph’s 1; T-37. Towson 1

UAlbany Women’s Results

100-Meter Dash (Trials): 9. Fey Adaramola 11.76. 100-Meter Dash (Semis): 5. Fey Adaramola 11.81. 200-Meter Dash (Trials): 3. Fey Adaramola 23.91 (NCAA Regional). 100-Meter High Hurdles (Trials): 6. Kamilah McShine 13.88 (NCAA Regional). 100-Meter High Hurdles (Semis): 3. Kamilah McShine 13.76 (NCAA Regional). 400-Meter Intermediate Hurdles (Trials): 5. Kamilah McShine 1:01.64. 3,000-Meter Steeplechase: 10. Laura Cummings 10:42.22 (NCAA Regional), 20. Ada Lauterbach 10:58.79. Long Jump: 18. Jenn Gurrant 18-1.50. Discus Throw: 16. Ritshell Verdier 135-1. Hammer Throw: FOUL. Kadine Johnson. 4x100-Meter Relay (Trials): 13. Kamilah McShine, Jenn Gurrant, Christen Griffin, Fey Adaramola 46.99.

University of Albany's Kim Weltman Chosen to America East Conference All-Academic Tennis Team - UAlbany Sports 2009

Courtesy: UAlbany Sports Information

Cambridge, Mass. – University at Albany’s Kim Weltman has been named to the America East Conference All-Academic Tennis Team, as announced by the league office.

Weltman, who graduated last spring with an undergraduate degree in mathematics, is currently pursuing her master’s in secondary education with an emphasis in mathematics and carries a 4.00 grade point average in her graduate studies. Weltman posted a 16-8 single record in the No. 2 position and combined for a 19-8 record in doubles play this season. She is the program’s career wins leader in both singles (77) and doubles (64). A member of the Student-Athlete Advisory Committee, Weltman was also named to the UAlbany Athletic Director’s Honor Roll, and was the team’s co-MVP this season.

All-Academic squads for team sports are based on the number of athletes that participate in a contest at one time (example: six players in tennis) or are made up of 10 student-athletes for individual sports. There may be more student-athletes recognized if a tie exists or fewer if eligibility requirements limit the number of nominees. To be nominated for the distinction, student-athletes must be a starter or important reserve for their team and participate in at least 50 percent of their team’s games or competitions. In the classroom, student-athletes must have a 3.30 GPA and have completed at least one calendar year at their institution.

University of Albany Announces 2009 Women's Soccer Schedule; Great Danes Head for California - UAlbany Sports 2009

Courtesy: UAlbany Sports Information

Albany, N.Y. – University at Albany Vice President and Director of Athletics Lee McElroy announced on Friday, May 15 the school’s women’s soccer schedule for 2009. The Great Danes will play an 18-match schedule, which includes non-conference dates against five opponents which finished with a winning record last season.

UAlbany’s 10-game non-conference slate begins with a trip to California for a pair of matches against winning programs. The Great Danes kick things off at Sacramento State on Friday, Aug. 28 and conclude the West Coast swing at Pacific on Sunday, Aug. 30.

The Great Danes will return to the Capital Region for two dates at Varsity Field. UAlbany will host Iona in its home opener on Friday, Sept. 4 at 4 p.m. Two days later, the squad will look to avenge a narrow loss on a last-minute goal to Lehigh when the Mountain Hawks visit Varsity Field at 1 p.m.

UAlbany will continue its schedule with three consecutive road dates against Atlantic 10 Conference foes. The squad will visit Massachusetts on Wednesday, Sept. 9 before heading to Philadelphia to face La Salle on Friday, Sept. 11 and Temple on Sunday, Sept. 13. The four-match road trip ends against crosstown-rival Siena on Wednesday, Sept. 16.

The Great Danes’ non-conference portion of the schedule concludes with home matches against Niagara and Colgate. The Purple Eagles come to town on Friday, Sept. 18 and the Patriots make the trek on Sunday, Sept. 20.

UAlbany begins America East Conference play on the road against Vermont on Sunday, Sept. 27. The Great Danes also have road matches against New Hampshire, UMBC and Stony Brook. The squad’s conference home opener at Varsity Field will be on Thursday, Oct. 1 against Binghamton at 3 p.m. UAlbany will also welcome Boston University, the two-time reigning conference tournament champion, as well as Hartford and Maine.

Head coach Mary-Frances Monroe enters her fourth season. After posting a Division I program-record five victories in 2006 and 2007, the Great Danes stayed in contention for their first bid to the six-team league tournament until the final weekend of the regular season last year.

In addition to bringing in the program’s largest recruiting class of 11 members under Monroe, the squad is slated to return eight of its 11 starters and nearly all of its scoring production. Teresa Boring, the 2007 America East rookie of the year, as well as Rebecca Lee and Kendra Harrell-Vigil, a pair of 2008 conference all-rookie team selections, are among the returnees.

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2009 University at Albany Women’s Soccer Schedule

August – 28 (Fri.), at Sacramento State, 8:00; 30 (Sun.), at Pacific, 3:00.

September – 4 (Fri.), Iona, 4:00; 6 (Sun.), Lehigh, 1:00; 9 (Wed.), at Massachusetts, 4:30; 11 (Fri.), at La Salle, 7:00; 13 (Sun.), at Temple, 1:00; 16 (Wed.), at Siena, 4:00; 18 (Fri.), Niagara, 4:00; 20 (Sun.), Colgate, 1:00; 27 (Sun.), at Vermont*, 3:00.

October – 1 (Thu.), Binghamton*, 3:00; 8 (Thu.), at New Hampshire*, 3:00; 11 (Sun.), Boston University*, 1:00; 15 (Thu.), at UMBC*, 3:00; 18 (Sun.), at Stony Brook*, 2:00; 22 (Thu.), Harford*, 3:00; 25 (Sun.), Maine*, 12:00.



*America East Conference Opponent

University of Albany Sends 34 Track & Field Athletes to IC4A and ECAC Championships - UAlbany Sports 2009

Courtesy: UAlbany Sports Information

Princeton, N.J. – UAlbany, which recently swept the America East Conference track and field team titles for the third time in four years, will send 34 athletes to Princeton University for the IC4A and ECAC championship meets on May 15-17. Twenty-three men and 11 women will dawn a purple and gold uniform at the regional competition.

The men’s program, which won the IC4A indoor championship over Connecticut and has been ranked as high as 36th nationally this spring, will look to become the first school to win both team titles since Rutgers accomplished the feat in 2005. The UAlbany men have placed as high as fourth with 47 points at the IC4A outdoor competition in 2007. The women will also look to have their best showing ever at the ECAC meet by surpassing their 23rd-place finish in 2004.

UAlbany’s men's squad is the only program in the country to have two student-athletes ranked in the top 10 nationally in the 400-meter intermediate hurdles. Joe Greene, a 2007 All-American in the event, ranks fifth in the country for his time of 49.97 seconds at the America East championship meet. Alie Beauvais’ mark of 50.36 recorded on the same day is eighth. All-American Luke Schoen, who did not compete at the America East championship due to an injury, will be in the running to claim the pole vault title. He currently ranks 10th in the country, clearing 17-feet, 6.50-inches at the Duke Asics Invitational. The mark is also a school record.

The largest contingent of men’s athletes will be competing in the horizontal jumping events. The Great Danes have entered six long jumpers, headlined by Valete Graham, and three triple jumpers, led by Mike McCadney. The Great Danes accumulated 22 points in these two events at this winter’s indoor championship.

Sprinter Fey Adaramola and hurdler Kamilah McShine should be the biggest threats to accumulate points for the women’s team after winning multiple events at the America East meet. Adaramola won both the 100 and 200-meter dashes, while McShine was victorious in both hurdles events. Jenn Gurrant, who was the triple jump champion at the ECAC indoor meet this winter, and broke the outdoor record at the America East championship, will be in contention to score points in both horizontal jumping events.

UAlbany also has several other school record-holding athletes competing this weekend. They are Laura Cummings and Ricardo Estremera in the 3,000-meter steeplechase, Kadine Johnson in the hammer throw, Ashley Lewis in the javelin throw, John Moore in the 1,500-meter run and Ritshell Verdier in the discus throw.

University of Albany's Butsch and McIntosh Named to NFCA Division I All-Northeast Region First Team - UAlbany Sports 2009

Courtesy: UAlbany Sports Information

Hanover, N.H. – Senior third baseman Meagan Butsch and junior pitcher Leah McIntosh were both named to the Louisville Slugger/National Fastpitch Coaches Association Division I All-Northeast Region First Team, as announced by the NFCA on Thursday, May 14. Both student-athletes helped the Great Danes set a school record for winning 38 games and advance to the championship round of the America East Conference Tournament for the fifth straight season.

Butsch earned her first all-regional selection after being named the America East co-player of the year as well as garnering spots on the all-conference first team and all-championship squad. The senior broke school records for home runs in a career (31) and a single season (16). She led the league in home runs, runs scored (50), on-base percentage (.492), slugging percentage and tied for first in RBI (44). Butsch finished her career ranked second all-time in RBI (121), tied for third in doubles (31) and fifth in hits (177) and runs scored (123).

McIntosh, who was a second-team all-regional selection in 2008, was the fourth Great Dane in the past seven seasons to be honored as the America East pitcher of the year. The junior, who was also placed on the all-conference first team for the second straight time, hurled a national-best four perfect games as well as 10 shutouts this season. She broke the Division I program records for career strikeouts (621) and no-hitters (6) while leading the league with a 1.34 ERA and averaging 10.7 strikeouts per seven innings. It marked the second straight season she ranked first in America East in both categories, while her mark for strikeouts is also fourth in the country.

University of Albany Basketball Coach Will Brown Speaks at Capital Region School's Athletic Awards Ceremony - UAlbany Sports 2009

Courtesy: UAlbany Sports Information

Albany, N.Y. – University at Albany head basketball coach Will Brown was the featured speaker at The Doane Stuart School’s Upper Class Athletic Awards Ceremony on Thursday, May 14. Coach Brown spoke to the school’s students about team concepts, competition and leadership.

“The ability to achieve common goals and develop relationships is important,” offered Brown, who has guided the Great Danes to pair of America East Conference championships and two NCAA appearances during his tenure. “Success is not easy. It takes a lot of hard work.”

Brown stressed to the athletes to stay involved while competing with honesty and integrity. He also talked about leadership, whether it’s by example or being vocal, and goal setting.

Doane Stuart, the nation’s only successfully merged Protestant/Catholic independent school, competes athletically in the Central Hudson Valley League and as a Section II, Class D member.

“Enjoy competing and participating,” Brown added. “It’s not all about winning and losing. Success comes in many forms.”

UAlbany Council and Search Committee Recommend George Philip to be Permanent President

The University at Albany Council and the Presidential Search Committee have unanimously recommended to SUNY Chancellor-Elect Nancy L. Zimpher that George M. Philip be the 18th president of the University at Albany. Currently, Philip is the UAlbany Interim President.

“As Interim President, George has demonstrated exemplary leadership in advancing the University’s academic and research mission while showing a deep interest in our students and their success,” said Daniel Tomson, member of the University at Albany Council and Chair of the Presidential Search Committee. “For this reason, we knew it was necessary to convince George to stay on and lead the campus. The Search Committee and the University Council are enthusiastically and unanimously recommending to Chancellor-Elect Nancy Zimpher that George Philip be the next President of the University at Albany. We are confident that, under his leadership, the institution will achieve its aspirations to ascend in the ranks of the nation’s top research universities.”

“Convincing George to remain at UAlbany and lead the campus into the future is clearly best for students, faculty, staff and the entire campus community, as well as SUNY as a whole,” said Chancellor-Elect Zimpher. “This selection was made following careful and thorough review of many fine candidates and in light of George’s superb leadership and outstanding accomplishments at UAlbany.”

Chancellor-Elect Zimpher continued, “After consultation with the University Council and in-depth conversations with George Philip, I am delighted to recommend to the SUNY Board of Trustees that he become the next president of the University at Albany.”

Prior to Chancellor-Elect Zimpher’s recommendation to the SUNY Board of Trustees, SUNY System Administration requested that the University Council review the status of the search and make any appropriate recommendations. The University Council requested permission from SUNY System Administration for the Search Committee to consider Philip for the position of president.

The Search Committee and University Council subsequently held a joint meeting to discuss the search and consider Philip for the position of President. As a result, the Committee and Council unanimously agreed to pursue him for the job. The University Council has now unanimously recommended to Chancellor-Elect Zimpher that George M. Philip become the 18th President of UAlbany.

After extensive discussion with the Chancellor-Elect, Council Chair Tomson and SUNY Vice Chancellor and Officer-in-Charge John J. O’Connor, Philip has agreed to have his name forwarded to the SUNY Board of Trustees for consideration.

Chancellor-Elect Zimpher said she is asking the SUNY Board of Trustees to convene a meeting in the very near future to formally appoint George Philip.

Alain E. Kaloyeros, Ph.D., Senior Vice President and Chief Executive Officer of the College of Nanoscale Science and Engineering said “The appointment of George Philip as UAlbany President is great news for SUNY and the University, particularly given his proactive leadership, extensive experience, demonstrated advocacy, and intimate knowledge of UAlbany and its various stakeholders and constituents. I congratulate Chancellor Nancy Zimpher, Search Committee Chair Daniel Tomson, the University Council, and the Search Committee for their unanimous selection and, more importantly, their success at convincing him to take on the helm of this great institution at a time of deep challenges and great opportunities. I look forward to a great partnership with President Philip to advance the educational, research, and economic innovation agendas of UAlbany, the NanoCollege, and SUNY to best serve New York State and its citizens.”

“I am delighted that George Philip is being recommended to Chancellor-Elect Zimpher to serve as the University at Albany’s next president,” said Distinguished Teaching Professor John W. Delano who chairs the University Senate. “His strenuous dedication to our campus and personal candor with the Senate and members of the Senate Executive Committee has been exemplary. As a result he has built a relationship of mutual respect between the administration and faculty governance which will serve the institution well in advancing its goals.”

“As a student leader, I have experienced, first-hand, George Philip¹s unwavering commitment to student success,² said Brian Tregerman, student representative on the University Council and former president of the UAlbany Student Association. ³The students of the University at Albany are the true

beneficiaries of this recommendation. His openness and accessibility shows
he always has the students¹ best interest in mind.”
Commenting on the Council’s decision, George Philip said, “I was honored when Chancellor-Elect Zimpher contacted me about continuing my service at my alma mater as its president. Over the past 44 years, I have seen UAlbany transform into a world class research university. I can think of no greater privilege or reward than continuing my work with UAlbany’s outstanding students, faculty, researchers and staff with the common goal of advancing its reputation as one of the best in the nation. I thank the search committee and the University Council for the confidence they have in me and look forward to meeting with the SUNY Board of Trustees as they consider Chancellor-Elect Zimpher’s recommendation.

About George M. Philip
George M. Philip was appointed interim president of the University at Albany in November 2007. During his tenure, the University has realized a record level of research funding of $392 million. For the first time in University history, undergraduate and graduate student enrollment exceeded 18,000 students. Fourteen of the University’s graduate programs were ranked in the Top 25 according to U.S. News & World Report. The University had one of its most successful SUNY capital advocacy efforts ever, resulting in support for a new School of Business building, campus center expansion and vital critical maintenance.

Philip is also leading the University through its decennial accreditation process with the Middle States Commission on Higher Education (MSCHE). He continues to steer the campus through one of the most challenging budget environments the University has experienced. Recognized for his concern and affection for students, Philip is highly regarded across the campus community by the student body, faculty, staff, and alumni.

Prior to serving as UAlbany’s interim president, Philip was the executive director of the New York State Teachers’ Retirement System (NYSTRS), since 1995 and its chief investment officer since 1992. NYSTRS is one of the 10 largest public retirement funds in the nation.

As a UAlbany alumnus, Philip has been active in SUNY and UAlbany governance, serving as chair of the University Council from 1996-2007.

Educationally and culturally, the University at Albany-SUNY puts "The World Within Reach" for its 18,000 students. An internationally recognized research university with 56 undergraduate majors and 128 graduate degree programs, UAlbany is a leader among all New York State colleges and universities in such diverse fields as public policy, nanotechnology and criminal justice. With a curriculum enhanced by 300 study-abroad opportunities, UAlbany launches great careers. For more information about this globally ranked University, visit www.albany.edu. For UAlbany's extensive roster of faculty experts, visit www.albany.edu/news/experts.htm.

University of Albany President George Philip

George Philip is a graduate of University at Albany where he earned B.A. and M.A. degrees and also holds a J.D. degree from Western New England Law School in Springfield, Massachusetts.

Following graduation from University at Albany, Mr. Philip served as a teacher in Linton High School in Schenectady, NY. He joined the staff of the New York State Teachers' Retirement System as an information representative in 1971. During his 34 year tenure at the System, he has received numerous promotions at the management/executive staff level and has gained extensive knowledge and experience in investments, pension fund administration, actuarial concepts and member services and benefits.

Between 1986 and 1995, he held the executive staff positions of Director of Budget and Investor Relations, Chief Real Estate Investment Officer and Assistant Executive Director/Chief Investment Officer. In February 1995, he was named Executive Director of the Teachers' Retirement System.

Mr. Philip is a member of numerous professional organizations and governing bodies involved in financial, educational and community activities.

Courtesy: SUNY Research Foundation

SEFCU and University of Albany Unveil Outdoor Wall Sign & Electronic Message Center For SEFCU Arena - UAlbany Sports 2009

Courtesy: UAlbany Sports Information

Albany, N.Y. – SEFCU, the largest credit union in the Capital Region, and the University at Albany unveiled on Wednesday, May 13 an outdoor wall sign with an electronic message center. The sign, located on the west side of SEFCU Arena, is visible from University Drive on campus. On hand for the sign’s display were UAlbany Interim President George M. Philip, SEFCU President Michael J. Castellana and UAlbany Director of Athletics Lee McElroy.

SEFCU Arena is the home for UAlbany’s men’s and women’s basketball programs and has seating for capacity crowds of 4,538. The facility hosted the 2009 America East Conference Men’s Basketball Championship and becomes the home of the New York Buzz, the current Advanta World Team Tennis (WTT) champion, this summer.

“It is a terrific opportunity for the university and its partnership with SEFCU to have this fabulous sign that will advertise all of the activities, whether it’s the home of the Buzz, the New York Giants or most importantly our world class Division I athletics,” Interim President Philip said.

The SEFCU Arena sign, designed by Daktronics, has dimensions of 12-feet, 4 1/2-inches by 18-feet, 6 inches. The electronic message center features a three-line display.

“The University at Albany is one of the best kept secrets in the Capital Region,” Castellana offered. “We have had a number of events here for the community and we will continue to do that. Our membership has been very supportive of this relationship; I do believe we are just getting started.”

In November 2006, SEFCU and UAlbany entered into a 10-year agreement that renamed the school’s basketball facility and provided for promotional opportunities. That relationship continues to be a successful public-private partnership.

Added McElroy, “Today’s unveiling allows SEFCU and UAlbany to enhance its partnership, increases interest between both institutions and organzations, and makes the community better.”

Defending America East Champion University of Albany Field Hockey Announces 2009 Schedule - UAlbany Sports 2009

Courtesy: UAlbany Sports Information

Albany, N.Y. – University at Albany Vice President and Director of Athletics Lee McElroy announced on Tuesday, May 12 the school's field hockey schedule for the 2009 season. The Great Danes, who are coming off their first-ever America East Conference championship and NCAA Tournament appearance, face a 17-game schedule. The non-league schedule features Syracuse and Connecticut, two programs that made the NCAA Tournament field last season. In addition, UAlbany battles five America East Conference opponents.

The Great Danes begin the season at home, with five of the first six games being played at Alumni Turf Field. UAlbany will host Bucknell (Aug. 29) and Radford (Aug. 30) to kick off the season, before visiting Hofstra on Sept. 5. The Great Danes will then welcome 2008 NCAA Tournament teams Massachusetts and James Madison in back-to-back games on Sept. 11 and 13, respectively. Massachusetts spent the 2008 season nationally ranked before taking the Atlantic 10 Conference championship, while James Madison claimed the Colonial Athletic Association title. Northeast Conference opponent Saint Francis, Pa. will visit the Capital Region on Sept. 18. The Great Danes hit the road to visit Temple (Sept. 20) and Colgate (Sept. 23) before closing out the month with a home tilt against Providence (Sept. 27).

UAlbany will start America East play on Oct. 3, hosting Fairfield. The Great Danes will then be on the road against Syracuse, a team that earned a No. 1 national ranking last season, on Oct. 4. Conference opponents Maine and Vermont slide into the schedule in mid-October, with the Great Danes traveling to Orono to play the Black Bears on Oct. 10 before hosting the Catamounts on Oct. 17. Siena makes the annual trip across the Capital District on Oct. 18. UAlbany will also visit league foe Boston University on Oct. 24 and NCAA Tournament participant Connecticut on Oct. 28. The Great Danes close out the regular season with a home contest against New Hampshire on Oct. 31.

The America East Conference Championship will be held at the highest seed on Nov. 6-7, while the NCAA Tournament’s first round begins Nov. 13.

Phil Sykes, who was named the 2008 America East coach of the year after leading UAlbany to its first-ever conference title, returns for his sixth season on the sidelines. Senior Nicole Savage, who was recently named a team captain for the 2009 season, leads a group of veterans for the Great Danes. Savage started all 22 games last season, and scored nine goals, while also tallying two assists. Vice captain Jess Lindsey, who already stands first on UAlbany’s career assists chart, recorded a team-high 14 helpers last season. Fellow vice captain Ashlyn Bach helps anchor a defense that allowed just 2.04 goals per game.

2009 University at Albany Field Hockey Schedule

August -- 29 (Sat.) Bucknell, 1 p.m.; 30 (Sun.) Radford, 2 p.m.

September -- 5 (Sat.) at Hofstra, 1 p.m.; 11 (Fri.) Massachusetts, 2:30 p.m.; 13 (Sun.) James Madison, 2:30 p.m.; 18 (Fri.) St. Francis, Pa., 6 p.m.; 20 (Sun.) at Temple, 1 p.m.; 23 (Wed.) at Colgate, 6 p.m.; 27 (Sun.) Providence, 1 p.m.

October -- 3 (Sat.) Fairfield*, 1 p.m.; 4 (Sun.) at Syracuse, 2:30 p.m.; 10 (Sat.) at Maine*, 1 p.m.; 17 (Sat.) Vermont*, 1 p.m.; 18 (Sun) Siena, 2 p.m.; 24 (Sat.) at Boston U.*, 1 p.m.; 28 (Wed.) at Connecticut, 6 p.m.; 31 (Sat.) New Hampshire*, 1 p.m.

November -- 6-7 (Fri.-Sat.) America East Conference Championship.

*America East Conference Opponent

All Times Eastern

University of Albany's Jessica Signorelli Earns America East All-Academic Golf Honors - UAlbany Sports 2009

Courtesy: UAlbany Sports Information

Cambridge, Mass. – Junior Jessica Signorelli was named to the America East Conference Golf All-Academic Team, as announced by the league office on Tuesday afternoon.

Signorelli, a communication major, posted a 3.78 cumulative grade point average to earn the first all-academic accolades of her career. Signorelli finished tied for third at the America East Conference Championship, helping to lead the Great Danes to their second straight league title. She was also named to the UAlbany Athletic Director’s Honor Roll.

University of Albany's John Moore Breaks 1,500-Meter School Record at NYC Qualifying Challenge - UAlbany Sports 2009

Courtesy: UAlbany Sports Information

Randall’s Island, N.Y. – University at Albany’s John Moore broke the school record in the 1,500-meter run and qualified for the NCAA East Regional Championship to lead the UAlbany men’s and women’s outdoor track and field teams at the New York City Qualifying Challenge at Icahn Stadium on Saturday, May 9. In addition, Kyle Nadler met the IC4A standard in the long jump.

Moore clocked in a time of 3:47.73, eclipsing the old program standard of 3:47.92 recorded by Gered Burns in 2005. Nadler’s third-place leap in the long jump was 23-feet, 10.25-inches. He became the fifth Great Dane to qualify for the IC4A meet in the event.

The UAlbany outdoor track and field teams will travel to Princeton University to compete at the IC4A and ECAC championship meets from May 15-17.

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UAlbany Men’s Results

110-Meter High Hurdles (Prelims): 12. Garrett Askew 15.67, 13. Mohamed Kanu 15.75. 110-Meter High Hurdles (Finals): 9. Garrett Askew 14.92, 10. Mohamed Kanu 15.38. 800-Meter Run: 25. Aaron Lozier 1:58.99, 34. Joe Belokopitsky 2:00.68, 51. Tyler Fogarty 2:10.20. 1,500-Meter Run: 2. John Moore 3:47.73 (NCAA Regional, School Record), 7. Aaron Lozier 3:53.69, 16. Paul Lagno 4:02.61. 5,000-Meter Run: Brian Yurkewecz 15:37.44. Long Jump: 3. Kyle Nadler 23-10.25 (IC4A). Discus Throw: 5. Stephen Hassard 134-6.

UAlbany Women’s Results

100-Meter High Hurdles (Prelims): 9. Christen Griffin 15.04. 100-Meter High Hurdles (Finals): 7. Christen Griffin 14.71. Triple Jump: 5. Tiffany Sprenkels 38-5. Pole Vault: 2. Celine Cauderlier 10-8. Discus Throw: 3. Catie Coxon 126-3. 4. Ashley Lewis 125-2. Javelin Throw: 8. Ashley Lewis 115-9, 14. Rebecca Power 103-7.

Baseball Drops Non-Conference Tilt to NYIT on Senior Day

Courtesy: UAlbany Sports Information

Albany, N.Y. – Sophomore third baseman Effery Valdez went 4-for-5 with five runs scored and three RBI to lead New York Tech to a 14-7 win over UAlbany in the finale of a four-game non-conference baseball series on Sunday afternoon at Varsity Field. The Great Danes honored their 11 graduating seniors in a pre-game ceremony.

NYIT jumped out to an early lead, scoring three runs in the third and four in the fourth. Valdez recorded his first RBI single of the game in the third, and later scored on a UAlbany fielding error. Sebastian Grazziani also scored a run for the Bears in the frame. In the fourth, Ryan Campbell and Brian Smith knocked out back-to-back singles before Denton Neill hit a double into right center that scored the baserunners. Valdez drove a homer over the right field wall to score Neill and give NYIT a 7-0 lead.

UAlbany broke the shutout with one run in the fourth. Left fielder Gary Pitcheralle scored on a sacrifice fly by Brendan Rowland. NYIT added three runs in both the sixth and seventh innings to gain a commanding lead. After Neill sent Smith home with a sacrifice fly in the sixth, Valdez drove a double into left center. The Bears loaded the bases and Valdez added a second run as he came home on a hit by pitch. Christian Dienna added the third run in the frame, getting driven in by catcher George Carroll.

In the seventh, Smith hit a double down the left field line to score Campbell, who led off the inning with a base hit. Valdez was hit by a pitch to reach base and was later driven across home on an Eric Cos single. Dienna also hit a double in the inning to score Smith.

After giving up one run in the top of the ninth, the Great Danes attempted to mount a comeback in the final inning. Ryan Gugel and Dave West hit consecutive singles and UAlbany loaded the bases as Chris Bouchard drew a walk off reliever Steve Faulkner. Gugel crossed home on a ground out by Mike Tirri, and the Great Danes kept the bases juiced as designated hitter Ralph Keppler was walked. With two outs, Joe Ilacqua knocked out a base hit to score West, before Pitcheralle hit a double into left center to send all three baserunners home. Pitcheralle was responsible for the final UAlbany run as well, scoring on an RBI double by Sean Donovan.

Andrew Guarassi earned the win for NYIT (18-25-21), going 8.1 innings while striking out two. UAlbany used a staff of six seniors for the final home game of the season. Starter Cory Warrings took the loss on the mound, going four innings and striking out two. Each of the remaining pitchers tossed one inning each, with all recording at least one strikeout.

UAlbany (22-27-1) will conclude the regular season over the weekend, visiting Harford for a four-game America East Conference series, starting on Friday.

University of Albany Baseball Takes First Half of Non-Conference Doubleheader with NYIT - UAlbany Sports 2009

Courtesy: UAlbany Sports Information

Senior catcher Ryan Gugel recorded a three-run homer as well as a double to lead UAlbany to a 7-3 win over New York Tech in the first game of a non-conference baseball doubleheader at Varsity Field on Saturday afternoon. The second game ended in a 4-4 tie in the bottom of the eighth inning after being called for rain.

NYIT took an early lead with one run in the second, as Christian Dienna, who led off the inning with a single, scored on a fielder’s choice by George Carroll. UAlbany responded with two runs in the bottom of the frame. Centerfielder Dave West knocked a lead-off single and scored on an RBI double down the right field line by second baseman Kyle Crean. Crean later crossed home plate on a sacrifice fly by Jim Banks.

The Great Danes increased their lead with Gugel’s three-run smash out to right centerfield that scored Brendan Rowland and Gary Pitcheralle. NYIT cut the lead to two runs, scoring a pair in the top of the fourth. Eric Cos singled with a bunt and advance to third on a double by Sebastian Grazziani. Cos scored on a base hit by Ryan Campbell, and was followed across the plate by Campbell, who made it home on a single by Brian Smith.

In the fifth, UAlbany took advantage of a hit by pitch and a walk which got Pitcheralle and Rowland on base. The baserunners advanced on a passed ball by Bears pitcher Eric Johnson and scored on Gugel’s RBI double to set the final score. UAlbany reliever Ryan White, who earned the win in his three inning performance, got three quick outs in the sixth, while closer Sean Gregory shut down the NYIT hitters in the seventh to seal the win for the Great Danes. Starter Matt Doran took the loss for the Bears, going 3.1 innings with one strikeout.

UAlbany took a 3-0 lead in the second inning of game two, as Gugel and Dave West knocked out back-to-back singles, with Gugel getting called out trying to make it home on the play. Third baseman Pete Eichner and catcher Ralph Keppler then hit consecutive doubles to score two runs, while Jamie Liebowitz followed with a single up the middle to send Keppler home.

NYIT scored two runs in the third and took a 4-3 lead with two additional runs in the fourth. Effery Valdez hit a base hit to score Campbell and Smith made it home on a double play in the third, while Carroll and Campbell both scored in the fourth on RBI singles by Grazziani and Smith.

The Great Danes tied the game at 4-4 in the fifth on an RBI single by Rowland that scored Pitcheralle, who hit a base hit to start off the frame. After three scoreless innings, the game remained tied and was forced into a 30-minute delay for lightening with no outs and one man on in the bottom of the eighth. The thunderstorms continued past the delay and the game was called as a tie.

Starter Zach Kraham went three innings for the Great Danes, fanning three opposing batters while allowing just two hits. Eric Cortland fanned two in a two-inning relief appearance for UAlbany. Preston Wasmund recorded two strikeouts in three innings of work for NYIT. Steve Falkner and Mike Roth both recorded single strikeouts in relief.

UAlbany (22-26-1) and NYIT (17-25-1) will conclude the four-game series with a nine-inning game at noon on Sunday. The Great Danes will honor their 11 graduating seniors in a pre-game ceremony.

University of Albany Softball Beats Stony Brook In Semi-Final, Loses To BU In America East Championship Final - UAlbany Sports 2009

Senior pitcher Cassidi Hardy tossed a five-hitter in leading Boston University to a 7-1 victory over UAlbany in the championship final of the America East Conference Softball Tournament on Saturday, May 9 at Stony Brook’s University Field. The Terriers, who earned an automatic NCAA berth, won their first conference crown since 2003 and seventh overall.

Hardy, the championship’s most outstanding player, was in complete in control in winning her third tournament game in as many days. She struck out one and walked none in improving to 25-5 in the circle and recording her 26th complete game this spring. Boston U. (41-16) became the third consecutive team to sweep all three tourney games en route to the title. Stony Brook and UAlbany also accomplished that feat in 2008 and 2007, respectively.

The Terriers built a 5-0 lead after three innings. Brooke Hudson and Emily Roesch put together consecutive doubles in the second, before Rachel Hebert added an RBI single. Shayne Lotito and April Setterlund led off the third with back-to-back home runs. Melissa Dubay singled and later came across on Nora Militz’s sacrifice fly.

The Great Danes, who dropped a 4-3 extra-inning decision to Boston U. in Friday’s first round, got on the scoreboard in the fourth when the America East co-player of the year Meagan Butsch belted a two-out home run, her school-record 16th of the season. Boston U. added two more runs in the sixth that were aided by three errors and a wild pitch.

“We are very disappointed with the outcome,” said UAlbany coach Chris Cannata, whose program had worked its way to the championship round for the fifth consecutive year. “However, we still have a lot to be proud of. We broke the school record for victories, and 38 wins is a great season for us. Getting to the championship game is a big accomplishment.”

In the loser’s bracket final that preceded the championship in this double-elimination tournament, Gina Mason slammed a three-run homer, her eighth of the season, in the fifth inning to lift UAlbany (38-16) past defending conference champion Stony Brook, 4-1. After a two-hour weather delay, Stony Brook (36-14) took a 1-0 lead in the second when all-conference third base Kelly Oberto hit a solo blast over the right-field fence. UAlbany tied the contest in the third. Jessica Bergin led off with a double, but Seawovles’ ace Alyssa Struzenberg struck out the next two batters. Butsch followed with a run-scoring single to right field.

UAlbany starting pitcher Leah McIntosh ran into some mild trouble with two runners aboard and one out in the fourth. But McIntosh got Kendall Blumenthal to pop out to the shortstop and Jade Clare to strike out swinging. McIntosh, who recorded five strikeouts, was then lifted for reliever Marissa Powell in the top of the fifth after throwing 73 pitches.

The Great Danes broke the tie in the fifth in advancing to their fifth consecutive championship final. Bergin walked to start the inning and was sacrificed to second. After Struzenberg struck out Nicole Kothe looking, Butsch was intentionally walked. Mason then drilled a 3-1 pitch to dead center that cleared the fence by nearly 40 feet for a 4-1 lead.

University of Albany's Rafael Nguti Gets NFL NY Giants Minicamp Workout - UAlbany Sports 2009

Raphael Nguti The CFL will have to wait... the Giants want UAlbany's Raphael Nguti.

The mammoth 6-6, 330 lb. offensive lineman was set for a private workout with the Winnipeg Blue Bombers of the Canadian League. That workout was contingent on Nguti not getting an NFL invite.

That invite came today from the team Nguti watches practice all last summer. He'll be in mini-camp with Big Blue all this weekend in New Jersey trying to get a contract that will bring him back to UAlbany's campus in August for training camp.

Nguti, an All-American selection as a senior with the Danes, was seen by just about every NFL team last season. Raphael is represented by National Sports Management of Niskayuna.

Courtesy: Fox23sports

UAlbany Softball Upends UMBC, Moves On To America East Semi-Final Saturday @ Noon - UAlbany Sports 2009

Courtesy: UAlbany Sports Information

Stony Brook, N.Y. – Meagan Butsch homered, doubled twice and scored three runs to lead UAlbany to a 5-1 victory over UMBC in the loser’s bracket of the America East Conference Softball Championship on Friday, May 8 at Stony Brook’s University Field. The Great Danes, who lost in extra innings to start the day, will face Stony Brook on Saturday at 12:00 p.m. in an elimination game.

UAlbany (37-15) trailed 1-0 with two outs in the third inning when Butsch slammed her school-record 15th home run of the season over the left-field fence. The Great Danes scored times in the fifth to break the tie. Butsch doubled into the right-field gap to start the uprising, before Gina Mason was hit by a pitch. Michelle Connors pushed Butsch across with a fielders’ choice ground ball. Bailey Van Deest, who had two hits, drove in another run with a ground ball to the shortshop. The throw went to the plate, but catcher Amanda Page couldn’t hang on to the ball which allowed a sliding Mason to score. Connors also came home on the same play as the ball went to the back of the fence.

The Great Danes, who set the program’s single-season standard with their 37th win, tacked on an insurance run in the sixth. Butsch, the America East co-player of the year, delivered a one-out double before moving to third on a passed ball. Connors, who totaled two hits with two RBIs, then doubled to right field.

Starting pitcher Marissa Powell upped her record to 19-10 by scattering four hits, while striking out four and walking one. Powell, who threw her 25th complete game of the season, sent UMBC hitters down in order in four of seven innings, including one-two-three in the final frame. The Retrievers finished 34-21 overall.

“We had a very disappointing loss to start the day, and we could have packed our bags up because it was very emotional,” said UAlbany coach Chris Cannata, whose team has won three previous America East championships. “However, we battled back and Marissa threw a great game. We have to continue taking it one game at a time.”

In first-round play, Nora Militz’s run-scoring double in the eighth inning led Boston University to a 4-3 come-from-behind victory over UAlbany. The Great Danes built a 3-0 lead after four innings. Mason belted her seventh home run of the season over the center-field fence in the second. After Kristine Bill doubled, Van Deest sent an RBI single through the left side. Catcher Kat Smith, who went 3-for-4 at the plate, drilled the first pitch of the fourth to left field for her third homer of the spring.

Boston U. picked up a run in the fifth after UAlbany hurler Leah McIntosh had struck out the first two batters of the inning. Rachel Hebert lined a double down the right-field line and later came across on error by the UAlbany center fielder. The Terriers, who have won six conference championships in their history, came up with another two-out rally in the sixth. Militz singled to right and Brooke Hudson followed with a two-run blast that tied the contest at three apiece.

In the seventh, shortstop Andriana Walraven led off with a double and was sacrificed to third, but the heart of the the Great Danes’ order failed to get her across. Boston U. broke through in the first extra frame when Melissa Dubay singled up the middle, took second on a sacrifice bunt, and came home on Militz’s RBI double into the left-field gap.

Baseball Falls to New York Tech in Non-Conference Action

Courtesy: UAlbany Sports Information

Albany, N.Y. – Senior centerfielder Denton Neill went 4-for-6 with a double and a stolen base to lead New York Tech to a 15-5 win over UAlbany in non-conference baseball action on Friday afternoon at Varsity Field.

New York Tech had taken a 5-0 lead into the fourth behind singles by Neill in the second and third innings. George Carroll added an RBI single in the second inning to score two runs while Christian Dienna knocked a base hit through the right side in the third that scored Neill. Sebastian Grazziani hit a two-run homer in the fourth to give the Bears the five run lead.

UAlbany scored four runs in the fourth to cut the NYIT lead to one. Gary Pitcheralle was hit by a pitch and advanced on a single by Brendan Rowland. The Great Danes loaded the bases when NYIT pitcher Louie Bernardi hit Ryan Gugel with a pitch. Pitcheralle scored the first run on a ground out by Dave West, and Rowland crossed home on a fly out by Mike Tirri. After Kyle Crean drew a walk, Pete Eichner smacked a double down the right field line to score the next two runs for the Great Danes.

NYIT held UAlbany without another run until the eighth, but added three to the visitor’s side of the scoreboard in the sixth. Ryan Campbell hit an RBI single, stole third and later scored on a passed ball. The Bears added another run in the inning, taking advantage of a UAlbany error that allowed Brian Smith to score. The Great Danes put a single run up in the bottom of the eighth, as Pitcheralle made it home on a ground out by West.

The Bears exploded for seven runs in the top of the ninth. Effrey Valdez led off the frame with a solo homer over the left field fence. Dienna made it home when Carroll was hit by a pitch with the bases loaded. Campbell and Smith both drove in runs in the inning and Neill added an RBI double. Dienna was responsible for two more runs in his second at bat of the inning with a single through the right side that scored Neill and Campbell.

Bernardi earned the win on the mound for NYIT (17-24), going five innings with two strikeouts. Dave Kubiak took the loss for the Great Danes, striking out three in four innings of work, while allowing four earned runs. Seven other pitchers saw action for UAlbany, while John Eichhorn made a four-inning appearance for the Bears, fanning three.

UAlbany (21-26) will host NYIT in a non-conference doubleheader on Saturday starting at noon and will conclude the four-game series on Sunday.

University of Albany Softball's Butsch & Kothe Voted to ESPN The Magazine Academic All-District Second Team - UAlbany Sports 2009

Courtesy: UAlbany Sports Information

Ithaca, N.Y. - University at Albany’s Meagan Butsch and Nicole Kothe have been named to the ESPN The Magazine District I Academic All-America Softball Team, as announced on Thursday, May 7 by CoSIDA (College Sports Information Directors of America). Both players were chosen to the all-district second team.

Butsch, a senior biology major with a 3.35 cumulative grade point average, was named a NFCA Academic Scholar-Athlete and to the America East Conference All-Academic Team last year. In addition, she has been named to the league’s academic honor roll twice.

The third baseman is batting .379, which ranks fifth among the league’s top hitters, and has broken school records for home runs in a single season (14) and a career (29). Butsch ended the regular season leading the conference in home runs, on-base percentage (.491) and slugging percentage (.780). In addition, she leads the team with 50 hits, 45 runs scored, 41 RBI and 24 walks. Butsch has helped the Great Danes advance to two NCAA Tournaments and make four America East postseason appearances. She has been named to the all-championship team twice.

Kothe, a junior psychology major with a 3.68 cumulative grade point average, is a two-time NFCA Academic Scholar-Athlete who has been a starter in the outfield for the past three seasons. A two-time member of the America East Commissioner’s Honor Roll, Kothe is batting .282 with a .419 on-base percentage, nine RBI and five stolen bases. Her on-base percentage ranks second on the team. Defensively, she has a .949 fielding percentage with just two errors.

University of Albany Softball's Butsch Named America East Co-Player of the Year; McIntosh Chosen Top Pitcher - UAlbany Sports 2009

Courtesy: UAlbany Sports Information

Cambridge, Mass. – University at Albany’s Meagan Butsch has been named the America East Conference Co-Player of the Year and Leah McIntosh earned conference pitcher of the year honors, as announced on Wednesday, May 6 by the league office. Butsch and McIntosh were members of the All-America East first team for the second straight season.

Butsch is the second player to garner player of the year honors, joining Andee Lindgren who was the program’s first honoree in 2004. The third baseman is batting .379, which ranks fifth among the league’s top hitters, and has broken school records for home runs in a career (29) and a single season (14). Butsch, who started all 50 games, also ended the regular season leading the conference in home runs, on-base percentage (.491) and slugging percentage (.780). In addition, her 50 hits, 45 runs scored, 41 RBI and 24 walks were team highs. Batting in the heart of the order, she only struck out just six times in 132 at-bats.

McIntosh becomes the fourth Great Dane player to be named the league’s pitcher of the year after Lindgren, Amanda Morin and Casey Halloran. She has hurled a national-best four perfect games this season. The junior holds Division I program records for career strikeouts (610) and no-hitters (6), while boasting a league-best 1.27 ERA and an 18-4 record. McIntosh, who posted 10 shutouts, is second among the NCAA leaders nationally in strikeouts per seven innings (11.02). She needs18 more strikeouts to break the single-season record of 252 held by Halloran, who established that standard when she the league’s pitcher of the year in 2006.

Sophomore Kristine Bill, who appeared in all 50 games and made 48 starts, was one of three Great Danes to be placed on the all-conference second team. After collecting eight hits in her first collegiate campaign, the center fielder has 25 RBI and is batting .306 with 41 hits this year. In addition, two of her three home run provided victories in the team’s most recent America East wins to close out the regular season.

Gina Mason makes her first appearance on the all-conference second team after garnering all-rookie team honors last year. She started all 50 games at first base and finished the regular season with a .297 batting average, six home runs and 37 RBI. The sophomore was also the team’s second-best slugger with a .523 percentage and 16 extra-base hits. Mason joined Butsch and Bill as one of three Great Danes to belt a grand slam in an eight-day span this season.

Kat Smith, a catcher who has started 49 contests this spring, is being recognized on the second team for the first time. From behind the plate, she has been a key figure in helped the UAlbany pitching staff account for five no-hitters, four perfect games and 20 shutouts this season. Offensively, she hit .264 with two home runs and 18 RBI. One of her homers decided a 4-3 eight-inning victory against league opponent UMBC.

Freshman Katie Wambold was voted by the coaches to the league’s all-rookie team, marking the seventh consecutive season that at least one Great Dane has been honored. Wambold made 36 appearances and 28 starts, the most of any freshman on the squad, as the team’s designated player. She totaled 15 hits, including four doubles, and drove in seven runs while scoring eight times.

UAlbany has produced 54 all-conference players, including 28 first-team selections, since joining the America East Conference in 2002.

University of Albany's Small Business Development Center Among Top Ten in Nation - UAlbany

The Small Business Development Center is part of UAlbany's School of Business, one of the top 15 graduate schools most highly rated by students in The Princeton Review.

The New York State Small Business Development Center (SBDC), based at the University at Albany, has been named among the top ten centers in the nation by the U.S. Small Business Administration. The center, part of UAlbany’s School of Business, was named the Region II winner for New York, New Jersey, Puerto Rico, and the U.S. Virgin Islands. The Center was recognized for the “innovative way it champions small businesses while providing programs and services for entrepreneurs.”

“Small businesses and entrepreneurs are the key engine of job growth and improvements in our economic performance,” said School of Business Dean Dr. Donald Siegel. “This award confirms what we've long known -- that UAlbany’s Small Business Development Center provides local entrepreneurs with the key advisement services they need to launch and sustain a profitable company."

"For 25 years, UAlbany's Small Business Development Center has helped startup and existing companies develop strategic business plans and identify funding sources,” said UAlbany SBDC director William Brigham. “The center’s goal is to provide Capital Region entrepreneurs with the facts and business acumen they need to help their organization succeed."

With the support of the U.S. Small Business Administration and the University at Albany, the UAlbany SBDC contributes to the local, regional, and state economies. The center is the state's leading provider of small business management and technical services. Since its inception in 1984, the UAlbany SBDC has provided business assistance to 17,263 entrepreneurs with 146,948 counseling hours, resulting in more than $224 million in economic investment and 8,586 created or saved jobs. In 2008, the economic investment of UAlbany SBDC clients exceeded $34 million.

University of Albany's School of Public Health Hosts Geographical Information Systems And International Health Conference

As public health officials continue to track the path of swine flu around the world, it becomes evident that the technology used for such monitoring -- Geographic Information Systems (GIS) -- is an indispensable tool.

The University at Albany's School of Public Health is hosting a conference May 5-6 on the applications of GIS to international health. Guest speakers will address topics including the clustering of Dengue virus in Thai villages, and tracking the polio virus down the Congo River.

GIS links data and geography digitally in order to make maps. This technology often provides a useful way to reveal spatial and temporal links among data and can help monitor the global spread of a pandemic.

"The swine flu outbreak is a good example of how GIS is used to track and share information," said Assistant Professor of epidemiology and biostatistics Mike Zdeb. "When you click on a world map on a news Web site such as The New York Times and see the clusters of dots of documented cases, you are seeing GIS at work. The sooner public health officials share this information, the more quickly they can respond to an outbreak like swine flu."

This is the fifth year of the conference, which has covered the role of GIS in tracking environmental health problems and the incidence of cancer in the past. It includes internationally known experts on how GIS helps public health officials battle the spread of infectious disease around the world.

"The University at Albany's School of Public Health has developed a reputation for drawing top experts in the field on the issues that matter most in global public health," said Dean Philip C. Nasca.

Ellen K. Cromley, a senior research associate at The Institute for Community Research in Hartford, Conn., and an assistant clinical professor in the Department of Community Medicine, in the University of Connecticut's School of Medicine, is the keynote speaker. In August, she will present the results of research on the role of alcohol in sexual risk behavior among adult males in slum communities in Mumbai, India. At UAlbany, her topic is developing spatial databases for social and behavioral research in communities outside the U.S.

Raoul Kamadjeu, National Center for Immunization and Respiratory Disease, of the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, gives technical support to nations in Africa and Asia as they fight preventable diseases, including polio. A disturbing pattern has developed in Africa in the past year and a half, with polio being reported in 15 countries in Africa. Kamadjeu will discuss Tracking the Polio Virus down the Congo River: a Case Study on the Use of Google Earth in Public Health Planning and Mapping.

Other speakers include:

• Molly E. Brown, a research scientist from the NASA-Goddard Space Flight Center, on Climate Change and the Famine Early Warning System;
• Jared Aldstadt, of the University at Buffalo's Department of Geography on Spatial and Temporal Clustering of Dengue Virus Transmission in Thai Villages;
• Wayne Myers, professor of Forest Biometrics and co-director of the Office of Remote Sensing of Earth Resources at Pennsylvania State University's School of Forest Resources on using GIS to cope with complex social/environmental issues;
• Deborah Balk, associate professor of Baruch College/CUNY School of Public Affairs, on how a spatial view of urbanization can be used to understand the impact on health of issues like climate change and poverty.

University of Albany's Ashley Ross & Jenn Gurrant Nominated for America East Woman of the Year - UAlbany Sports 2009

Courtesy: UAlbany Sports Information

Cambridge, Mass. – University at Albany’s Ashley Ross and Jenn Gurrant are among eleven student-athletes who are institutional nominees for 2009 America East Woman of the Year, as announced on Tuesday, May 5 by the conference office.

Binghamton’s Ashley Allen (volleyball), Boston University’s Christy Leath (softball) and Marisha Schumacher-Hodge (soccer), Hartford’s Kacey Busque (soccer), Maine’s Ashley Waters (softball), UMBC’s Cornelia Carapcea, New Hampshire’s Michaela Hardy (lacrosse), Stony Brook’s Kaitlin Leggio (lacrosse) and Vermont’s Kristen Millar (lacrosse) have also been chosen as the senior female student-athletes on their respective campuses that best exemplified a commitment to service, leadership, athletics and academics during their collegiate careers.

To be nominated, student-athletes must have earned a varsity letter in an NCAA-sponsored sport and competed during the 2008-09 academic year, completed intercollegiate athletic eligibility in her primary sport by the end of the 2009 spring season or received her undergraduate degree prior to the conclusion of the summer 2009 term and have a minimum cumulative grade point average of 2.500 (4.000 scale).

Ross, a goalkeeper on the UAlbany field hockey and lacrosse teams, received an ECAC Merit Medal as the school’s top senior female student-athlete during the current academic year. A three-time All-America East performer in field hockey, Ross was named the conference championship’s most outstanding player when she led the program to both its first America East title and NCAA Tournament appearance. She has a 3.70 cumulative grade point average in communication.

Gurrant, a member of the track & field squad, won the 2009 ECAC indoor triple jump with a leap of 42-feet, 6.25-inches. She also captured the America East indoor title in the same event and was a member of the winning 4x400-meter relay. Gurrant helped UAlbany win the America East outdoor team championship for the first time since 2007. She placed second in the triple jump with a school-record mark (42-0.75) and ran on two second-place relays. She has a 3.19 GPA in communication.

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

The nominees will be narrowed down to three finalists on Wednesday, May 27 with the America East Woman of the Year being announced on Tuesday, June 9.

The America East Woman of the Year will be forwarded to the NCAA Woman of the Year selection committee. The selection committee will select the top 10 winners in each NCAA division (I, II and III). From among those 30 honorees, the selection committee will determine the top three in each division. Finally, the members of the CWA will vote from among the top nine to determine the 2009 NCAA Woman of the Year.

University of Albany's Student-Athletes & Nineteen Sports Programs Honored at Ninth Great Dane Awards - UAlbany Sports 2009

Courtesy: UAlbany Sports Information

Albany, N.Y. – University at Albany Vice President and Director of Athletics Lee McElroy presented Steward Ceus and Ashley Ross with ECAC Merit Medals at the ninth annual Great Dane Awards, held at SEFCU Arena on Monday, May 4. The event celebrates UAlbany Athletics in the 2008-09 academic year. Presidential Scholar-Athlete Awards were given to Vanessa Walter, Renee Levitin and Chris Ott. Each of the 19 intercollegiate men’s and women’s programs handed out their most valuable player awards.

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

Ross, a senior goalkeeper on the women’s field hockey and lacrosse teams, has a 3.70 cumulative grade point average in communication. Ross, a three-time All-America East Conference selection, led field hockey to both its first-ever conference championship and NCAA Tournament appearance. She was named the championship’s most outstanding player. Ross posted a .741 save percentage and shut out five opponents in 22 starting assignments. She is field hockey’s all-time leader in saves (318) and shutouts (15).

Ceus, a senior goalkeeper on the men’s soccer team, has a 3.61 GPA in biology. He became UAlbany’s first soccer All-American since 1991 when he was named to the NSCAA third team. Ceus was voted America East Conference goalkeeper of the year after recording an .856 save percentage with seven shutouts. He was the first Great Dane to be drafted by an Major League Soccer franchise when he was taken by the Colorado Rapids in the third round. UAlbany equaled the program’s Division I win standard with a 12-4-2 campaign.

Walter has a 3.87 GPA in human biology with a minor in anthropology. A member of the field hockey squad, Walter started all 22 games for a defense that allowed 1.64 goals per game. She earned NFHCA national academic recognition and was a member of the conference all-academic team. Levitin owns a 3.88 GPA in political science with a dual minor in English and education. She played in all 16 games as a midfielder and defender in lacrosse. UAlbany registered its first winning campaign since 2000. Levitin was chosen to the UAlbany Athletic Director’s Academic Honor Roll.

Ott, a senior pitcher on the baseball team, is majoring in biology and has a 3.81 cumulative grade point average. He has made 42 career appearances as both a starter and reliever. The Great Danes are currently in second place in the America East standings. Ott has also earned a place on the UAlbany Athletic Director’s Academic Honor Roll.

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2008-09 University at Albany Team MVP Awards

Fall: Brian Yurkewecz (Men’s Cross Country), Laura Cummings & Emily Fung (Women’s Cross Country), Ashley Ross, Michele Polizois & Michelle Simpson (Field Hockey), David McCarty (Football), Claudio Dantas & Erik DiLorenzo (Men’s Soccer), Rebecca Lee (Women’s Soccer), Kamisha Kelliam (Women’s Volleyball).

Winter: Tim Ambrose (Men’s Basketball), Britney McGee (Women’s Basketball), Jean Juste, Mike McCadney & Luke Schoen (Men’s Indoor Track & Field), Jenn Gurrant & Kamilah McShine (Women’s Indoor Track & Field).

Spring: Corrin Conroy & Annemarie Kissane (Women’s Golf), TBD (Baseball), Brian Caufield & Mark Kelly (Men’s Lacrosse), Katie Neer & Mel Rorie (Women’s Lacrosse), Meagan Butsch & Leah McIntosh (Softball), Charlotte Tatler & Kim Weltman (Women’s Tennis), TBD (Men’s Track & Field), TBD (Women’s Track & Field).

Spirit Awards: Jackie Mahoney, Nickie Mineau (Cheerleading), Alex Cerasi (Dance).

University of Albany Earns Third Seed for America East Conference Softball Tournament - UAlbany Sports 2009

Courtesy: UAlbany Sports Information

UAlbany was tabbed as the third seed for this week’s America East Conference Softball Championship, which will be hosted by top-seeded Stony Brook from May 7-9. The Great Danes, who have won three tournament titles and advanced to the championship game in five of the past six seasons, are making their eighth consecutive conference postseason tournament appearance.

UAlbany (36-14, AE 12-7) will take on No. 2 Boston University (38-16, AE 14-6) in the second game on Thursday, May 7 at 3:30 p.m. Top-seeded Stony Brook (35-12, AE 15-5) will face No. 4 UMBC (34-19, AE 12-8) in the first game, scheduled to start at 1:00 p.m. The winners of the first two games will face off on Friday, May 8, starting at 11 a.m., while the losers of Thursday's games will play at 1:30 p.m. in an elimination game. A second team will go home later on Friday when the winner of previous game and the loser of the day's first game meet at 4:00 p.m. The 2009 America East champion will be named on Saturday, May 9. The final two teams standing will play at 12 noon with a second game slated for 2:30 p.m., if necessary. If inclement weather occurs, the champion will be crowned on Sunday, May 10. The winner will earn an automatic berth in the 2009 NCAA Tournament.

The Great Danes have been led by junior pitcher Leah McIntosh and senior third baseman Meagan Butsch. McIntosh has hurled a national-best four perfect games this season. She holds Division I program records for career strikeouts (610) and no-hitters (6) while boasting a league-best 1.27 ERA. McIntosh is also first in strikeouts per seven innings (11.02). Butsch is hitting .379 this season and has broken the school records for home runs in a career (29) and a single season (14). She leads the conference in home runs, on-base percentage (.491) and slugging percentage (.780). Sophomore center fielder Kristine Bill is also hitting over .300, while junior pitcher Marissa Powell has won 16 of her last 19 decisions in the circle.

agate-

2009 America East Conference Softball Championship

(played at Stony Brook’s University Field)

Thursday, May 7
Game One: #1 Stony Brook (35-12, AE 15-5) vs. #4 UMBC (34-19, AE 12-8), 1 p.m.
Game Two: #2 Boston U. (38-16, AE 14-6) vs. #3 UAlbany (36-14, AE 12-7), 3:30 p.m.

Friday, May 8
Game Three: Winner Game 1 vs. Winner Game 2, 11 a.m.
Game Four: Loser Game 1 vs. Loser Game 2, 1:30 p.m.
Game Five: Loser Game 3 vs. Winner Game 4, 4 p.m.

Saturday, May 9
Game Six: Winner Game 3 vs. Winner Game 5, 12 p.m.
Game Seven: (if necessary): Winner Game 6 vs. Loser Game 6, 2:30 p.m.

University of Albany's Gary Pitcheralle and Zach Kraham Earn America East Weekly Baseball Honors - UAlbany Sports 2009

Courtesy: UAlbany Sports Information

Cambridge, Mass. – Senior left fielder Gary Pitcheralle and freshman right hander Zach Kraham earned America East Conference Baseball weekly awards for the first time this season, as announced by the league office on Monday afternoon. Pitcheralle was named the conference’s player of the week while Kraham earned rookie of the week honors as they both helped lead UAlbany to a four-game sweep of Maine in America East play over the weekend.

Pitcheralle hit .500 for the week with 10 hits, including three doubles, one triple and one home run for a .900 slugging percentage. Pitcheralle scored seven runs and drove in another five while starting all five games in left field and recording 12 putouts without an error. He had two hits, including a double, and scored two runs in Friday’s 7-5 nightcap win over Maine, scoring the eighth-inning insurance run for the Great Danes in a one-run game after leading off the inning with a double. In Saturday’s first game, he went 2-for-3 with two runs and two RBI, driving a homer over the left field fence in the first inning.

Kraham earned the win for UAlbany on the mound in the final game of an important four-game sweep of Maine in America East Conference action. In 5.2 innings, the rookie scattered five hits without allowing an earned run. Kraham issued just one walk while striking out four batters. He moves to 4-2 on the season with 32 strikeouts in 37.0 innings of work.

UAlbany (21-24, AE 13-7) currently stands in sole possession of second place in the America East standings. The Great Danes visit Le Moyne on Tuesday before hosting New York Tech over the weekend in non-conference action.

University of Albany Men Capture Fifth Consecutive America East Outdoor Track & Field Championship - UAlbany Sports 2009

Courtesy: UAlbany Sports Information

Vestal, N.Y. – University at Albany’s Joe Greene was a double-winner in the 400-meter dash and 400-meter hurdles to lead his team to its fifth consecutive America East Conference outdoor track & field championship on Sunday, May 3 at Binghamton University’s East Gym Track Complex. The Great Danes were comfortable winners with team total of 243.33 points.

UAlbany’s Kamilah McShine and Fey Adaramola each won two events in leading their team to its first women’s outdoor track & field championship since 2007. The Great Danes scored 176.50 points, while runner-up New Hampshire had 153. UAlbany has garnered three America East women’s outdoor titles in its history.

Greene, who suffered a hamstring injury during the 2008 indoor season and never recovered to full strength, pulled off the 400-dash and 400-hurdles double for third time in his career. An NCAA All-America selection in 2007, he was named the championship’s most outstanding track performer for the third time in his career and won the coaches’ award for accumulating the meet’s highest individual point total. He set a school and meet record of 46.49 seconds in the 400-meters and lowered another conference mark in the 400-hurdles in 49.97. Greene also anchored the 4x400-meter relay to a winning time of 3:13.20. He was joined on the relay by Andrew Overbaugh, Jeffery Barnes and Alie Beauvais.

“Last year was very frustrating for Joe and he wanted to go out on top,” said UAlbany coach Roberto Vives, whose team has an extraordinary year after winning their first-ever IC4A indoor championship in March. “He is very team-oriented, but today he established himself as one of the top hurdlers in the country.”

Middle-distance runner John Moore was also a key figure as the Great Danes surged from their second-place standing after the first day of competition. Moore won the 800-meter run in an IC4A-qualifying time of 1:51.25 and was second in the 1,500-meter in 3:51.56. He also ran the final leg on the winning 4x800-meter relay that finished in 7:32.37. Nick Santos, Ricardo Estremera and Joe Belokopitsky competed on the first three legs.

“John Moore did a great job on the relay with a 1:49 split to hold off the other teams,” Vives offered. “The seniors have never tasted defeat in indoors or outdoors (at conference meet) and they talked about going out that way.”

Jean Juste successfully defended his 110-meter hurdles crown by setting a conference record with a time of 14.40 seconds. A defensive back on the UAlbany football team, Juste was one of nine individual men’s champions. Freddie Wills came from behind on the second day to win the decathlon with 6,250 points. Wills was a winner in 110-hurdles and long jump in the 10-evert competition. Michael McCadney took first in the triple jump for the second consecutive year with a leap of 49-feet, 8.25-inches.

In the women’s championship, McShine won the conference title in the 100-meter hurdles for third year in a row as she was clocked in 13.90 seconds. She completed the hurdles double for the first time in her career when she was the first to hit the tap in the 400 event. McShine posted a time of 59.74 that automatically qualified her for the NCAA East Regional.

Adaramola, who ran the second-fastest qualifying time in the preliminaries, bettered that mark to win the 100-meter dash final in 11.96. She later came back to take the 200-meters in an ECAC-qualifying time of 24.27. Adaramola, a Central Florida transfer, and McShine were both members of the 4x100 and 4x400 relay teams that each finished second.

Ritshell Verdier set a school record in the hammer throw to win the conference championship for the second time in her career. Verdier broke her own standard by more than two feet with a toss of 159-feet, 9-inches. She was also third in the shot put with a mark 42-0. Jenn Gurrant, who also competed on both second-place relay squads, was the runner-up in the triple jump. Gurrant shattered the UAlbany record with a leap of 42-0.75. Vives and his assistants were named America East Conference Women’s Coaching Staff of the Year.

-agate-

America East Conference Outdoor Track & Field Championships

(Binghamton University’s East Gym Track Complex)

Men’s Team Standings

1. UAlbany 243.33, 2. New Hampshire 159.50, 3. Binghamton 119.33, 4. UMBC 118.50, 5. Boston U. 81, 6. Vermont 57, 7. Maine 44.33, 8. Stony Brook 16, 9. Hartford 15.

University of Albany Women Win First America East Conference Outdoor Track & Field Championship Since 2007 - UAlbany Sports 2009

Courtesy: UAlbany Sports Information

Vestal, N.Y. – University at Albany’s Kamilah McShine and Fey Adaramola each won two events in leading their team to its first America East Conference women’s outdoor track & field championship since 2007 on Sunday, May 3. The Great Danes had 176.50 points, while runner-up New Hampshire scored 153 at Binghamton University’s East Gym Track Complex. UAlbany has garnered three America East women’s outdoor titles in its history.

UAlbany’s Joe Greene was a double-winner in the 400-meter dash and 400-meter hurdles to lead his team to its fifth consecutive men’s outdoor track & field championship. The Great Danes were comfortable winners with team total of 243.33 points.

McShine won the conference title in the 100-meter hurdles for third year in a row as she was clocked in 13.90 seconds. She completed the hurdles double for the first time in her career when she was the first to hit the tap in the 400 event. McShine posted a time of 59.74 that automatically qualified her for the NCAA East Regional.

Adaramola, who ran the second-fastest qualifying time in the preliminaries, bettered that mark to win the 100-meter dash final in 11.96. She later came back to take the 200-meters in an ECAC-qualifying time of 24.27. Adaramola, a Central Florida transfer, and McShine were both members of the 4x100 and 4x400 relay teams that each finished second.

“This has been a magical year for our program,” explained Vives, whose men’s and women’s program also captured outdoor titles in the same year in 2006 and 2007. “The missing piece has been the women winning the conference. Kamilah was composed and confident and Fey was our secret weapon, a real competitor.”

Ritshell Verdier set a school record in the hammer throw to win the conference championship for the second time in her career. Verdier broke her own standard by more than two feet with a toss of 159-feet, 9-inches. She was also third in the shot put with a mark 42-0. Jenn Gurrant, who also competed on both second-place relay squads, was the runner-up in the triple jump. Gurrant shattered the UAlbany record with a leap of 42-0.75. Vives and his assistants were named America East Conference Women’s Coaching Staff of the Year.

In the men’s championship, Greene, who suffered a hamstring injury during the 2008 indoor season and never recovered to full strength, pulled off the 400-dash and 400-hurdles double for third time in his career. An NCAA All-America selection in 2007, he was named the championship’s most outstanding track performer for the third time in his career and won the coaches’ award for accumulating the meet’s highest individual point total. He set a school and meet record of 46.49 seconds in the 400-meters and lowered another conference mark in the 400-hurdles in 49.97. Greene also anchored the 4x400-meter relay to a winning time of 3:13.20. He was joined on the relay by Andrew Overbaugh, Jeffery Barnes and Alie Beauvais.

“Last year was very frustrating for Joe and he wanted to go out on top,” UAlbany coach Roberto Vives said. “He is very team-oriented, but today he established himself as one of the top hurdlers in the country.”

Middle-distance runner John Moore was also a key figure as the Great Danes surged from their second-place standing after the first day of competition. Moore won the 800-meter run in an IC4A-qualifying time of 1:51.25 and was second in the 1,500-meter in 3:51.56. He also ran the final leg on the winning 4x800-meter relay that finished in 7:32.37. Nick Santos, Ricardo Estremera and Joe Belokopitsky competed on the first three legs.

Jean Juste successfully defended his 110-meter hurdles crown by setting a conference record with a time of 14.40 seconds. A defensive back on the UAlbany football team, Juste was one of nine individual men’s champions. Freddie Wills came from behind on the second day to win the decathlon with 6,250 points. Wills was a winner in 110-hurdles and long jump in the 10-evert competition. Michael McCadney took first in the triple jump for the second consecutive year with a leap of 49-feet, 8.25-inches.

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America East Conference Outdoor Track & Field Championships

(Binghamton University’s East Gym Track Complex)

Women’s Team Standings

1. UAlbany 176.50, 2. New Hampshire 153, 3. Boston U. 140.50, 4. Maine 111, 5. Binghamton 80, 6. Vermont 69, 7. Stony Brook 50, 8. Hartford 39, 9. UMBC 34.

Softball Drops Final Game of Weekend Series on Senior Day

Courtesy: UAlbany Sports Information

Albany, N.Y. – Kelly Oberto was one of four Seawolf players to club a home run and ended the afternoon with four RBI as Stony Brook defeated the UAlbany softball team, 10-2, in America East Conference action on Senior Day at Albany Field on Sunday, May 3. Kat Smith homered for the Great Danes, who honored Meagan Butsch prior to the game and finished the regular season in the top half of the league standings for the eighth time in as many years.

The Great Danes earned the No. 3 seed for the America East championship, a double-elimination tournament which runs from May 7-9, and will open up against second-seeded Boston University at Stony Brook’s University Field.

Stony Brook (34-12, AE 14-5) hit two home runs to take a 5-0 lead in the top of the first inning. Crista Cerrone hit a two-run homer to start the scoring, and Kelly Oberto blasted a three-run shot to center a few plays later. Oberto singled in the sixth run for the Seawolves in the top of the second.

UAlbany (36-14, AE 12-7) got on the scoreboard in the bottom of the second to close the gap to four. Michelle Connors (Shenendehowa) was hit by a pitch, and Kat Smith went yard to left center on the next play. Stony Brook got solo home runs from Kendall Blumenthal and Marissa Fleury in the third and fourth, respectively, before extending their lead to eight in the top half of the fifth. The Great Danes failed to score in the bottom half of the frame, and the game ended due to the eight-run rule.

UAlbany’s Powell fell to 18-10 this year in the losing effort. She surrendered 12 hits, 10 runs (nine earned) and issued one walk while fanning three. Stony Brook’s Alyssa Struzenberg improved to 21-5 this season with the victory. She yielded two hits and two runs which were earned while issuing one walk and striking out six.