Virtual Tour of the UAlbany Stadium Plans

Virtual tour showcasing the University at Albany's plans to provide a New Multi-Sports Stadium Complex on campus.

University at Albany Stadium from Max Wave Media on Vimeo.

UAlbany FCS Football's Trevor Anderson Leads Group of Five on Phil Steele's Preseason All-NEC Football Team

Cleveland, Ohio - University at Albany's Trevor Anderson and Eddie Delaney are among five Great Danes named to Phil Steele Publication's preseason All-Northeast Conference football squad. Anderson and Delaney were first-team selections. Andy Sparano, Ross Bertrand and Herb Glass made the second team.

Anderson, a 6-foot-2, 295-pound defensive tackle from Warnersville, N.Y., earned first-team all-conference honors as a junior, when he accounted for 36 tackles and 3.0 sacks. Delaney, a 6-foot-6, 245-pound defensive end from Holtsville, N.Y., totaled 33 tackles, including 6.0 for a loss, last season. Both players were key figures on a defensive unit that ranked first in rushing yards allowed (118.3 ypg) and second in scoring defense (18.3 ppg) among the NEC leaders.

Sparano (5-11, 270) will move from guard to center on the offensive line this season. A senior from Colleyville, Texas, Sparano is one of four returning starters in the trenches. He has made 29 career appearances and shared the team's 2009 top offensive lineman award. Bertrand, who hails from Stamford, Conn., is expected to start at cornerback for the third year in a row. He has 105 career tackles and eight pass break-ups. Glass, a junior placekicker from Miller Place, N.Y., led last year's team in scoring with 61 points. He made 12 field goals, the third-best single-season total in program history, and connected on 25-of-27 point-after attempts.

Paw Prints:
UAlbany was picked second by The Sporting News and third by Lindy's Sports in the national publications' preseason Northeast Conference rankings ... the Great Danes begin preseason camp on Monday, Aug. 9 with an afternoon practice ... UAlbany opens its schedule on Thursday, Sept. 2 at Maine (7:00 p.m.) ... the Black Bears are ranked in the Athlon Sports preseason national top 25 poll ... the Great Danes have won seven or more games in four consecutive seasons for the second time since the program became a varsity sport in 1973 ... the Northeast Conference champion receives an automatic NCAA FCS playoff berth for the first time in 2010.

Courtesy: UAlbany Sports Information

UAlbany Vice President & Athletic Director Lee McElroy Selected to MOAA Board of Directors

Westlake, Ohio - University at Albany Vice President and Director of Athletics Lee McElroy has been selected to the Minority Opportunities Athletic Association Board of Directors. The MOAA, a non-profit organization formed in 2000 that holds its annual convention in conjunction with NACDA (National Association of Collegiate Directors of Athletics), provides opportunities to exchange ideas, and advocate increased participation and administrative opportunities for minorities in athletics.

McElroy, who served as NACDA's president in 2006-07, is in his eleventh year as UAlbany's athletic director. He provides leadership for the school's NCAA Division I 19-sports intercollegiate program for men and women. During his tenure, UAlbany has won 41 conference championships, three IC4A track titles and 15 teams have made NCAA appearances. UAlbany student-athletes have earned All-America recognition on 37 occasions, while 12 have been named to ESPN The Magazine/CoSIDA Academic All-America squads.

McElroy, who currently serves on the America East Conference Executive Committee, was awarded the Under Armour Division I Football Championship Subdivision (FCS) Northeast Region Athletic Director of the Year in 2008-09. He was honored with the 2004 General Robert R. Neyland Outstanding Athletic Director Award by the All-American Football Foundation. McElroy has had roles with professional organizations and NCAA committees, including a three-year term on the NCAA Division I Management Council.


Courtesy: UAlbany Sports Information

Klein on NGCA All-American Scholar Squad; UAlbany Earns Team Academic Honors

Coral Springs, Fla. - University at Albany's Stephanie Klein was named a National Golf Coaches' Association Division I All-American Scholar, while UAlbany earned an NGCA team honor, as announced by the organization. Klein, a sophomore from Thornhill, Ontario, was one of 504 student-athletes recognized nationally, while the Great Danes posted the 19th-best team grade point average across Division I.

Klein, who is a member of the Metro Atlantic Athletic Conference All-Academic Team and UAlbany Athletic Director's Honor Roll, posted a 4.00 cumulative GPA as a pre-medicine major. Klein's top finish was at the MAAC Championships, where she shot a three-round total of 254 to finish tied for 15th individually. To be chosen by the NGCA for an individual honor, student-athletes must have a minimum 3.50 cumulative GPA and must have competed in at least 50 percent of the team's regularly scheduled competitive rounds.

As a five-member team, UAlbany recorded a 3.56 cumulative GPA. Indianapolis took the team award with a 3.75 GPA, while the Great Danes finished ahead of such teams as Arkansas and Stanford. UAlbany was the only MAAC team honored by the NGCA with a team academic award.

Courtesy: UAlbany Sports Information

Walk-On Tryouts for UAlbany Women's Soccer to Take Place on August 11-12

Head coach Mary-Frances Monroe has announced that walk-on tryouts for the University at Albany women's soccer program will be held August 11-12. There will be a total of three training sessions over the two days for interested students to participate in.
Open try-out dates/times are as follows:

August 11th
Morning session: 7am - 9am
Afternoon session: 2pm - 4pm

August 12th
Morning session: 7am - 9am

Anyone wishing to try out MUST complete the following tasks prior to being cleared to practice:
1. Enroll in at least 12 credits for the Fall 2010 semester.
2. Obtain a signature from the coach on the walk-on form.
3. Present athletic trainers proof of personal health insurance, an approved physical within the past six months and receive sickle cell education/waiver.
4. Meet with compliance after receiving signatures from the coach AND athletic trainers.

The link for the NCAA compliance form is
https://admin.xosn.com/attachments1/84224.doc?SPSID=82359&SPID=7966&DB_OEM_ID=15800

Students should come physically prepared to take part in fitness assessments, small- and large-sided games. Participants should bring their running shoes, cleats and shin guards to all three sessions.

If interested, please contact assistant women's soccer coach Kristin Shaw by Saturday, July 31 by either phone or email to ensure housing arrangements.

Email: kshaw@uamail.albany.edu
Phone: 518-591-8653

Courtesy: UAlbany Sports Information

UAlbany Announces 2010 Volleyball Schedule; Will Play in Clemson & Florida Tournaments

Albany, N.Y. - Four NCAA Tournament participants highlight the 2010 University at Albany volleyball schedule, as head coach MJ Engstrom announced today. The Great Danes, who won last year's America East Conference regular-season crown, will have eight home matches at University Gymnasium and compete in four tournaments on the road.

UAlbany kicks off the season with four consecutive in-season tournaments. The Great Danes first participate at Clemson's Big Orange Bash (Aug. 27-28), taking on the host Tigers, a 2009 NCAA participant, Tennessee Tech and Jacksonville. The following weekend, the Great Danes take on NCAA tournament teams Florida and Colorado State, along with Bowling Green, at the Gators' Campus USA Credit Union Invitational. NCAA participant Middle Tennessee State will host UAlbany and Arkansas in an invitational on Sept. 10 and 11 in Murfreesboro, Tenn. The Great Danes conclude tournament play at Lamar on Sept. 17-18, as UAlbany squares off against Louisiana-Lafayette, McNeese State and the host Cardinals. UAlbany closes out a 13-match road stretch on Sept. 24 at Yale, before hosting the Bulldogs on Sept. 25 to open up the home slate.

UAlbany begins America East Conference play on Oct. 1, visiting UMBC before hosting new league opponent Providence (Oct. 8) followed by New Hampshire (Oct. 10). The Great Danes have home and home dates with the remaining conference foes, including Stony Brook, Hartford and Binghamton. The rival Bearcats, the defending America East tournament champion, visit University Gymnasium on Oct. 22, while the Seawolves come to the Capital Region on Nov. 14. UAlbany will also host non-conference opponents Colgate (Oct. 6) and visit Virginia Commonwealth (Nov. 26).

In 2009, Engstrom was named the conference's coach of the year after guiding UAlbany to a 22-9 overall record and a second consecutive undefeated conference slate. The Great Danes were the lone undefeated team in the conference and earned the right to host the America East Conference Volleyball Championship for the second straight year.

-agate-

2010 University at Albany Volleyball Schedule

August - 27 (Fri.) Tennessee Tech+, 4 p.m.; 28 (Sat.) Jacksonville+, 12 p.m.; Clemson+, 6 p.m.

September - 3 (Fri.) Florida^, 12:30 p.m.; Colorado State^, 5 p.m.; 4 (Sat.) Bowling Green^, 4 p.m.; 10 (Fri.) UAB<, 4:30 p.m.; 11 (Sat.) Arkansas<, 1 p.m.; Middle Tennessee State<, 5 p.m.; 17 (Fri.) Louisiana-Lafayette#, 5 p.m.; 18 (Sat.) McNeese State#, 11 a.m.; Lamar#, 8 p.m.; 24 (Fri.) at Yale, 7 p.m.; 25 (Sat.) Yale, 7 p.m.

October - 1 (Fri.) at UMBC*, 7 p.m.; 6 (Wed.) Colgate, 7 p.m.; 8 (Fri.) Providence*, 7 p.m.; 10 (Sun.) New Hampshire*, 1 p.m.; 15 (Fri.) at Stony Brook*, 7 p.m.; 17 (Sun.) at Hartford*, 1 p.m.; 22 (Fri.) Binghamton*, 7 p.m.; 24 (Sun.) at Binghamton*, 5 p.m.; 31 (Sun.) UMBC*, 1 p.m.

November - 5 (Fri.) at New Hampshire*, 7 p.m.; 6 (Sat.) at Providence*, 5 p.m.; 12 (Fri.) Hartford*, 7 p.m.; 14 (Sun.) Stony Brook*, 1 p.m.; 26 (Fri.) at Virginia Commonwealth, 2 p.m.

* America East Conference Opponent All Times Eastern

+ Big Orange Bash (Clemson, S.C.)

^ Campus USA Credit Union Invitational (Gainesville, Fla.)

< Middle Tennessee Invitational (Murfreesboro, Tenn.)

# Lamar Tournament (Beaumont, Texas)

Former UAlbany Standout Corey Small Plays for Team Canada at FIL World Championships

Albany, N.Y. - Former University at Albany attackman Corey Small will play for Team Canada at the 2010 FIL World Championships (Federation of International Lacrosse) in Manchester, England. Canada, the defending champion after winning the world title in 2006, begins divisional play on Friday, July 16 against Japan. Small, who was added to the Canadian roster 10 days ago, currently plays for Major League Lacrosse's Toronto Nationals and National League Lacrosse's Edmonton Rush.

A native of St. Catharines, Ontario, Small was chosen in the first round of the 2009 NLL Entry Draft by Edmonton and taken in the third round of the MLL Collegiate Draft. The 23-year old accounted for 17 goals and 22 assists during the indoor season in leading Edmonton to the NLL West Division final. He was a member of last year's MLL champion Toronto squad.

As a collegian, Small was picked to the All-America East Conference second team for the second consecutive year as a senior in the spring of 2009. He led the conference in goals at 3.1 per game and was second in points (3.6 pg). He totaled 31 goals and five assists despite playing in just 10 games due to mid-season leg surgery. His rehabilitation was assisted by a VAC (Vacuum Assisted Closure) device that assisted the healing process.

Small, who was one of the top scorers on the 2007 squad that reached the NCAA quarterfinals, finished his UAlbany career ranked sixth on the school's all-time list with 109 goals. He scored at least one point in 27 consecutive games. Small, a left-handed sharpshooter, compiled 137 career points.

The FIL World Championship's medal round begins on July 22. The championship final is scheduled for Saturday, July 24 at 11:00 a.m. (ET) and will be televised live by ESPNU.

UAlbany Men's & Women's Track & Field Programs Sign 11 Student-Athletes to National Letters of Intent

Albany, N.Y. - University at Albany's Director of Track & Field and Cross Country Roberto Vives announced on Wednesday, July 14 that 11 student-athletes have signed national letters of intent to join the men's and women's programs for the 2010-11 academic year. The class, which consists of six women and five men, includes three national champions, seven all-state honorees and three student-athletes from Capital Region high schools.

Chris Burke (Tully, N.Y./Tully/SUNY Delhi), a transfer student who was recently named SUNY Delhi's 2009-10 Male Athlete of the Year, will compete in middle distance and distance events and run on the Great Danes' cross country team. On the track, he was a seven-time All-American and five-time national champion at the junior college level. Burke won the 1,500-meter run twice as well as the 800-meters once at the NJCAA Division III national championships. He also anchored the first-place 4x800-meter relay each year, including the 2010 squad which broke the national meet record (7:44.33). Burke, who has relay splits of 1:52 at 800-meters and 4:09 at 1,600-meters, also garnered All-America honors this spring by placing second in the 5,000. Indoors, the transfer anchored the second-place distance medley relay at the national meet. In addition, Burke was a two-time All-American and national champion in cross country, helping the Broncos win the national team title each year. The squad's 22 points last fall was the lowest total in the history of the NJCAA Division III championship event. His personal bests of 3:54.22 in the 1,500 and 14:45.37 in the 5,000 are school records.

Brianne Bellon (Greenfield, N.Y./Saratoga Springs), an Albany Times Union All-Star in the 800-meters and 4x800-meter relay, headlines the list of women's signees. Bellon has been crowned a national champion as a member of several relay squads and has a split of 2:08.57 at 800-meters. She recently ran on the winning 4xMile relay that hit the tape in 20:04.34 at New Balance Nationals on June 19. After winning the Class A title in the 800, Bellon broke the school record with a winning time of 2:09.93 at the state qualifier before placing eighth at states. The standard of 2:10.74 was previously established by U.S. Olympian Cheri Goddard in 1988. She also anchored the third-place 4x800 relay (8:50.70) at the state meet. Indoors, the middle distance competitor won the 1,000-meters in a personal-best time of 2:55.90 at the state qualifier. Bellon, who has career-best marks of 4:39.40 in the 1,500 and 4:58.14 in the mile, will also compete as a member of the cross country program after leading the Thunder to four Section II, Class AA titles. She garnered Albany Times Union first team all-star recognition and earned a place on the New York State Sportswriters Association's all-state third team as a harrier.

Sprinter Kareem Morris (Albany, N.Y./Albany) was recently crowned the Albany Times Union Male Athlete of the Month in addition to being named a first-team all-star by the publication in the 100- and 200-meter dashes as well as the 4x100 relay that qualified for states. In May, Morris won four events at the Colonie Relays, three events at the Eddy Meet and capped off the month with four victories at the Section II, Class A competition. The sprinter posted wins in the 100, 200 and 4x100 at the Class A and state qualifier meets. He finished second in the 200-meters at states, improving on his eighth-place performance at the meet from the previous season. Morris' personal-best marks are 10.97 seconds in the 100 and 21.76 in the 200.

Multi-eventer Kelsey Hanson (Clifton Park, N.Y./Shenendehowa) rounds out the list of Section II standouts who will wear the purple and gold. Before battling injuries throughout the spring, she ended her indoor career on a high note by placing third in the pentathlon with 3,262 points at Nike Indoor Nationals to garner All-America laurels. Hanson registered top-eight finishes with personal-best marks of 30-feet, 3-inches in the shot put, 16-10.25 in the long jump and 2:31.93 in the 800 to better her eighth-place finish in the pentathlon the previous year at the national meet in Boston.

Donald Williams (Springfield Gardens, N.Y./Midwood) is the fastest short sprinter to ever sign with the UAlbany men's program out of high school. An outstanding student and member of his school's highly competitive Gifted/Medical Science program, Williams was the Public School Athletic League (PSAL) champion in the 100-meters, the State Federation champion as a member of the 4x100-meter relay and the State Federation runner-up in the 100. His personal-best time of 10.56 in the 100-meters mirrors the school record at UAlbany, while he has also been timed at 6.40 in the 55m and 22.18 in the 200m.
Kathryn Fanning (Manlius, N.Y./Fayetteville-Manlius), a distance competitor, was a member of a cross country program that won its fourth straight national championship at Nike Cross Nationals (NXN) last fall. She placed 10th overall as her squad ran away with the Section III, Class AA title in 2009 by boasting eight of the top-10 finishers. On the track, the incoming freshman was crowned a national champion as a member of the winning 4x800-meter relay (9:02.80) at Nike Indoor Nationals. An All-Central New York honoree by the Syracuse Post Standard, Fanning's personal bests include 2:15.42 in the 800, 4:44.09 in the 1,500 and 10:21 in the 3,000. She also earned three varsity awards in soccer.

Hurdler Joseph Elijah Pardo (Huntington Station, N.Y./St. John the Baptist) and middle distance runner Patrick Murphy (Smithtown, N.Y./St. Anthony's) round out the list of men's signees. Pardo earned All-America honors in the shuttle hurdle relay by running the leadoff leg for the seventh-place squad at Nike Indoor Nationals. He was also an all-state selection for his second-place performance in the 110-meter high hurdles at states during the outdoor season and also placed third in the 55-hurdles at the meet during the indoor season. His personal-best times in the events are 7.53 and 14.66. Murphy, who will also run cross country, has career-best marks of 1:56.87 in the 800 and 2:38.61 in the 1,000.

Completing the group of women's newcomers are high jumper Ashley Grant (Highland Mills, N.Y./Monroe-Woodbury) and hurdler Renee Lewis (Brooklyn, N.Y./Midwood), who were both all-state selections this past year on the scholastic level, as well as middle distance runner Jonelle White (Brooklyn, N.Y./Midwood). Grant, who has a personal-best mark of 5-6.50, closed out her senior year by finishing fifth in her premier event at the indoor and outdoor state meets. She was a first-place finisher at both the indoor and outdoor state qualifiers and also competed at Nike Indoor Nationals. Lewis' top performances this past year included placing third at the PSAL City Championship and seventh at states in the 100m-hurdles as well as fourth in the 55-hurdles at the PSAL meet. She also ran at the National Scholastic Indoor Championships and has personal bests of 8.53 in the 55-hurdles and 14.64 in the 100-hurdles. White, who has finished as high as third in the 800-meters at the PSAL City Championship, owns career-best middle distance marks of 2:17.68 in the 800 and 3:02.49 in the 1,000.

"We are very excited about this incoming class of high quality student-athletes," said Vives, whose men's and women's programs have combined to win 19 America East titles and have produced five All-Americans at the NCAA Division I level. "They will be able to contribute to our tradition of winning championships and help propel us to our goal of becoming a national level program."

*********

2010-11 University at Albany Women's Track & Field Signings
Name, Events, Hometown (High School/Previous College)
*Brianne Bellon, Middle Distance, Greenfield, N.Y./Saratoga Springs
*Kathryn Fanning, Distance, Manlius, N.Y./Fayetteville-Manlius
Ashley Grant, High Jump, Highland Mills, N.Y./Monroe-Woodbury
Kelsey Hanson, Multis, Clifton Park, N.Y./Shenendehowa
Renee Lewis, Hurdles, Brooklyn, N.Y./Midwood
Jonelle White, Middle Distance, Brooklyn, N.Y./Midwood
2010-11 University at Albany Men's Track & Field Signings
Name, Events, Hometown (High School/Previous College)
*Chris Burke, Middle Distance, Tully, N.Y./Tully/SUNY Delhi
Kareem Morris, Sprints, Albany, N.Y./Albany
*Patrick Murphy, Middle Distance, Smithtown, N.Y./St. Anthony's
Joseph Elijah Pardo, Hurdles, Huntington Station, N.Y./St. John the Baptist
Donald Williams, Sprints, Springfield Gardens, N.Y./Midwood

*Cross Country


Courtesy: UAlbany Sports Information

Valete Graham & Olivia Jarem Named America East Conference Scholar-Athletes of the Year

Cambridge, Mass. - University at Albany's Valete Graham and Olivia Jarem were chosen America East Conference Scholar-Athletes of the Year in the sports of men's outdoor track & field and women's lacrosse, respectively, as announced on Tuesday, July 13 by the conference office. Graham earned the academic award for the second consecutive year.

Graham, who graduated with a 3.70 cumulative grade point average as a psychology major, was voted to the ESPN The Magazine Academic All-America national third team. He was honored as UAlbany's 2009-10 Co-Male Athlete of the Year. Graham made the 2008 and 2009 USTFCCCA Division I Men's All-Academic Track and Field Team and was named the 2009 America East Conference Scholar-Athlete of the Year in outdoor track and the 2010 America East Scholar-Athlete of the Year in indoor track. A member of five America East all-academic teams, Graham was a 2010 ECAC Merit Medal winner as the school's top senior male student-athlete and a recipient of the Chancellor's Scholar-Athlete Award.

Graham won his third straight long jump title at the America East outdoor championship by leaping 24-feet, 7.75-inches, becoming just the second athlete to accomplish the feat in league history. The indoor and outdoor team MVP also placed fifth in the triple jump with a mark of 47-8. Graham was eighth in the long jump (23-9.50) at the IC4A Championship. His mark of 24-9.25 in the long jump at the 2009 America East championship is a school record.

A senior from Bronx, N.Y., Graham also had a fine indoor campaign, accumulating 18 points at the America East championship. He garnered all-conference laurels twice by winning the long jump with a leap of 23-6 and placing second in the triple jump with a mark of 47-10. He led the Great Danes to their second consecutive title at the IC4A Championship by registering a fourth-place mark of 23-2.75 in the long jump. In addition, Graham broke the program standard in the long jump by leaping 24-6.50 at the Great Dane Classic.

Jarem recently graduated with a 4.00 cumulative grade point average in psychology and a minor in education. She was selected to the ESPN The Magazine Academic All-America At-Large national second team. In 2009-10, Jarem received a NCAA Postgraduate Scholarship, one of 13 females honored nationwide, and plans to study sports psychology as a graduate student at Ithaca College. Jarem was the recipient of UAlbany's Presidential Scholar-Athlete Award as the school's top senior female student-athlete and the State University of New York Chancellor's Award for Student Excellence. She was chosen to both the District I Women's At-Large and America East Conference Women's Lacrosse all-academic squads.

A senior from Clifton Park, N.Y., Jarem totaled 31 goals and four assists for the nation's second-ranked scoring offense. The midfielder was 10th among the conference leaders in goals. She led the Great Danes to their first-ever top-20 national ranking, a school-record 13-3 campaign and the program's first America East Conference regular-season title. Jarem tallied two or more goals in 11 contests and posted a .534 shot percentage.


Courtesy: UAlbany Sports Information

UAlbany's SEFCU Arena Home to World Team Tennis' N.Y. Buzz for Second Straight Summer

Albany, N.Y. - The New York Buzz -- led by former women's No. 1 Martina Hingis -- return to UAlbany this July for the 2010 World TeamTennis (WTT) season. This year the Buzz welcome current No. 1 women's player in the world, Serena Williams, and seven-time major winner and tennis legend John McEnroe.

SEFCU Arena will host six N.Y. Buzz home matches in 2010, highlighted by the July 13th showdown between McEnroe's N.Y. Sportimes and Hingis's Buzz squad. McEnroe and Hingis may find each other on opposite sides of the net if each competes for their team in the mixed doubles event. Each match gets underway at 7:30 p.m.

"The University at Albany and SEFCU Arena are proud to host World Team Tennis and the New York Buzz for the second consecutive summer," said UAlbany Vice President for Athletic Administration and Director of Intercollegiate Athletics Lee McElroy. "Martina Hingis's presence on the team, as a former Wimbledon and U.S. Open champion, heightens the experience for area tennis fans. UAlbany's relationship with New York Buzz is another positive and successful Capital Region partnership."

The Buzz, who captured their first WTT Championship in 2008, are one of 11 teams in the U.S. and compete in the WTT Pro League's Eastern Conference. This year's NY Buzz team includes Hingis, Alex Domijan of Gainesville, Fla., Sarah Borwell of Middlesbrough, England, and Scoville Jenkins of Atlanta, Ga.

The first professional league where men and women have equal roles, WTT is known for introducing innovative elements to tennis including instant replay, cumulative and no-ad scoring, on-court coaching, Supertiebreakers, multi-colored courts and player names on back of their shirts.

The unique gender-balanced team concept for WTT was created in the early 1970s by league co-founders Billie Jean King and Larry King. Each match consists of five sets, with one set each of men's and women's singles, men's and women's doubles and mixed doubles.

Hingis's showdown against Williams of the Washington Kastles will be at the Glens Falls Civic Center on July 9. (courtesy UAlbany media relations)

New York Buzz 2010 Home Schedule

July 5, 7:30 p.m., Philadelphia Freedoms (SEFCU Arena)
July 6, 7:30 p.m., New York Sportimes (SEFCU Arena)
July 9, 7:30 p.m., Washington Kastles (Glens Falls Civic Center)
July 13, 7:30 p.m., New York Sportimes (SEFCU Arena)
July 14, 7:30 p.m., Boston Lobsters (SEFCU Arena)
July 16, 7:30 p.m., Philadelphia Freedoms (SEFCU Arena)
July 20, 7:30 p.m., Boston Lobsters (SEFCU Arena)


Courtesy: UAlbany Sports Information

UAlbany & Georgia Tech Will Meet in Atlanta Regional Round of 4th Annual Legends Classic

Princeton, N.J. - UAlbany will meet Atlantic Coast Conference opponent Georgia Tech in the Atlanta Regional Round of the fourth annual Legends Classic on Wednesday, Nov. 17 at Alexander Memorial Coliseum. Syracuse, Michigan, Georgia Tech and UTEP will host Regional Round games of the 2010 Legends Classic, which has fast become one of the nation's premier early-season college basketball events.

Each institution will host two Regional Round games before heading to historic Boardwalk Hall in Atlantic City, N.J., for the Championship Rounds on Nov. 26-27.

Matchups, game times, and television details for the Championship Rounds at Boardwalk Hall and the Subregional Rounds at Detroit and William & Mary will be announced at a later date.

In 2009-10, Georgia Tech posted a 23-13 record and advanced to the championship game of the Atlantic Coast Conference Tournament and the second round of the NCAA Tournament. The Yellow Jackets' NCAA trip was the 16th in school history and the 24th postseason bid. Georgia Tech head coach Paul Hewitt returns 12 players, including junior guard Iman Shumpert, who averaged 10.0 points and a team-high 4.0 assists a game. Sophomore forward Brian Oliver tallied 7.1 points per game.

The Great Danes return eight lettermen and three starters from last year's squad. Tim Ambrose, a 6-foot senior who has tallied 1,000 career points, is top the returning scorer at 12.4 points per game. Head coach Will Brown also has sophomore guard Mike Black, who averaged 7.2 points and 2.4 assists as a member of the America East Conference all-rookie team.

The Legends Classic is produced by The Gazelle Group in Princeton, N.J. The Gazelle Group is a sports marketing firm specializing in event production and management, client representation, and sponsorship consulting. Gazelle produces numerous nationally-recognized events, such as the Coaches vs. Cancer Classic, the O'Reilly Auto Parts CBE Classic, and the College Basketball Invitational (CBI). For more information on The Gazelle Group, please visit www.gazellegroup.com.

Courtesy: UAlbany Sports Information

UAlbany Alum Andre Coleman Joins Edmonton Esks In the Canadian Football League

(Andre Coleman during Eskimos rookie training camp at Clarke Stadium in Edmonton. Photograph by: Ryan Jackson)

While most fans are aware of the physical torture and pain football players put their bodies through, the majority are oblivious to the mental anguish and strain they experience when they leave their families behind to pursue their careers.

Andre Coleman is very much a family man, having left his wife Sali and three children — Cameron, 7; Claire, 3; and Keaton, four months — back in California to continue his dream of a career in the game he loves.

“It’s going to be hard,” said Coleman, 25, a defensive tackle signed by San Diego as an undrafted free agent in 2007 and released by the National Football League Chargers last year.

“When I first told my wife about going to Canada, she said she wanted to go. I told her it’s six months and it was probably best not to have to move the entire family, just yet.

“I was kind of depressed knowing that I would, every night, go to sleep without hearing her voice or being able to see her. She was still a little upset, but she understands this is my dream, this is my passion and she’s completely behind me, which I’m totally thankful for, for the support of family.”

Coleman himself did not receive that kind of support as a child from his father, who left the family behind in Buffalo. Coleman, the youngest of four children, was just one when his dad decided to split.

“I never had a relationship with my father. I’ve been anxious to find him — not to build a relationship with him, but to see whether I have other brothers and sisters. His abandoning me at such a young age is not the fault of my brothers and sisters,” said Coleman.

“I’m not sure why he left and I really don’t care. I’m just blessed to have a loving family. My mother was my mother and my dad, and I was blessed to have someone as strong as she was,” he said of Barbara Williams, who still lives in the Buffalo area and just earned a criminal justice degree from Hobart College at the age of 58.

“Even now, I can call her and talk to her about manly things and not be embarrassed.”

Nicole Davis, Coleman’s older sister, also acts as a second mother.

“I can always call her and talk to her as well. You need that positive feedback. If I’m wrong about something, they’ll tell me,” he said.

The six-foot-three, 300-pounder has a strong feeling he’s right about moving north. After three years of limited playing time in San Diego, the University of Albany product — who has a degree in African studies and wants to work on his master’s — knew he was at a crossroads.

“I didn’t want to go through all that again. I felt like my time there was up,” Coleman admitted. “I had my three years there. I felt like I hadn’t played that much (he played in only two games in 2009), so it was time to go elsewhere and experience a different opportunity.”

Edmonton had his Canadian Football League rights and, after a discussion with agent Mark Maren, he chose the Eskimos.

“I had an opportunity to ask Andre, ‘What do you want to do?’ ’’ said Maren. “ ‘There are a couple of NFL teams that want to fly you up for a tryout, or do you want to work and play and be an every-down player for 18 games, get your film and maybe go back down south again?’

“That was Andre’s biggest issue with NFL teams. They liked his athleticism, but they didn’t have enough solid game film on him. We thought this would be a good opportunity for Andre if he can go up, play a year, get his game film and market him back down again.”


“It was a big transition for him to leave the San Diego area, but for his career he needed to make this move,” Maren said of Coleman.

“If you’re coming to the CFL, as far as facilities are concerned, nothing beats Edmonton. Being a pro player in Edmonton rivals the NFL in all those aspects.

“Hopefully, for Andre’s sake, he gets an opportunity to get up to the NFL again. If not, I think Edmonton and Andre will be extremely happy together. He’s even talked about moving his family up there after a year.”

Coleman totalled 110 tackles, 35 for losses, and 14 quarterback sacks in his collegiate career.

“What I bring is speed and quickness, and my ability to put pressure on the quarterback,” said Coleman, who will have to concentrate on performing on the field but will be preoccupied with the separation from his family while off it.

“It’s tough. My four-month old is a wonderful baby. Wonderful. Doesn’t cry much. Has a great disposition. He sits back and observes and has this wonderful head full of hair,” said Coleman, who spends time with his family every day through the Internet and Skype.

“This is building me as a stronger person — my relationship with my wife and making me a stronger father. It’s tough, but I’m going to get through it.”

By Mario Annicchiarico, Canwest News Service

UAlbany Grad Rowland Signs With MLB's Atlanta Braves

Former UAlbany star Brendan Rowland is now a member of the Atlanta Braves organization. He signed as a free agent today and will report to the Braves Gulf Coast league team on Wednesday. The Gulf Coast Braves play their games at the Walt Disney World complex.

Rowland, an all-America East selection this past season, led the Danes in hitting (.330), doubles (11), home runs (7), RBI's (39) and slugging percentage (.521)

He was signed after his performance at the Braves try-out camp at Belizzi Field on June 12th. Former Albany High baseball coach Joey DiPiazza is an associate scout with the Braves.

Courtesy: Fox News 23

UAlbany's Sean Halpin Finishes Sixth in Men's 1,500-Meter Run at USA Junior Nationals

Des Moines, Iowa - University at Albany's Sean Halpin placed sixth in the men's 1,500-meter run final at the USA Junior National Track & Field Championships on Saturday, June 26 at Drake Stadium.

Halpin, an 18-year-old who just finished his freshman year, hit the tape in 3:53.00 and improved his placing by two positions after running the eighth-fastest time in the second of two heats in yesterday's preliminary round which unexpectedly produced the afternoon's top-10 marks. Princeton's Peter Callahan won the race by finishing in 3:46.42, while Elias Gedyon followed closely behind in 3:47.65.

"Yesterday, the first heat was very slow and I knew that (advancing past) the qualifying round depended on my time," explained Halpin, who changed his approach by staying in the back of the group and passing runners in this evening's race after getting off to a quick start and leading the pack at the beginning of yesterday's qualifying round. "I just made sure I had a good time in yesterday's race. Tonight, I told myself that timing wasn't important and that it was all about running the race and staying in the right position among the other competitors. It feels really good to be named an All-American. This was my goal from the start, and I feel like all of my hard work has paid off."

A native of Mount Vernon, N.Y., Halpin qualified for the national event by winning the mile at the Great Dane Classic in 4:08.77 on Jan. 22. He was named the Most Outstanding Male Track Performer of the Meet as well as the America East Conference Male Performer of the Week for his efforts. Halpin was also a key member of several winning relay teams in his first collegiate season. Indoors, he ran a leg for the victorious 4x800-meter relay squad at the IC4A Championship to help the Great Danes clinch the team title for the second straight year. Outdoors, he competed on the first-place 4x800-meter relay at the America East championship meet and earned all-conference laurels.

UAlbany has produced eight junior All-Americans, including Halpin, Tyler Fogarty, John Moore, Joe Greene, Alyssa Lotmore, Ryan Gaedje, Jessica Ortman, and Jenna Ortman, since 2004.

Men's 1,500-Meter Final Results

1. Peter Callahan (Princeton), 3:46.42, 2. Elias Gedyon (Quiet Fire TC), 3:47.65, 3. Darius Terry (Unattached), 3:48.26, 4. Colby Alexander (unattached), 3:50.89. 5. Taylor Monaghan (Oklahoma State) 3:51.59, 6. Sean Halpin (UAlbany) 3:53.00, 7. Zachary Dahleen (Southern Illinois), 3:54.97, 8. Ryan Hagen (Virginia Tech) 3:55.78, 9. Alex Taylor (Appalachian State), 3:58.32, 10. Paul Reilly (Unattached), 3:58.38, 11. Joseph Bubniak (Syracuse), 4:04.76, 12. Jacob Wike (Wichita State), 4:15.82.


Courtesy: UAlbany Sports Information

UAlbany Track & Field's Valete Graham Named to ESPN The Magazine Academic All-America Third Team

Towson, Md. - University at Albany's Valete Graham has been named to the ESPN The Magazine Academic All-America Men's Track & Field and Cross Country third team, as announced on Tuesday, June 22 by the College Sports Information Directors of America (CoSIDA). The horizontal jumper is the track & field program's second student-athlete to garner the national recognition after distance runner Andy Allstadt was named to the second team four years ago.

Graham, a senior from Bronx, N.Y., graduated with a 3.70 grade point average as a psychology major and was recently honored as UAlbany's 2009-10 Co-Male Athlete of the Year. He made the 2008 and 2009 USTFCCCA Division I Men's All-Academic Track and Field Team and was named the 2009 America East Conference Scholar-Athlete of the Year in outdoor track and the 2010 America East Scholar-Athlete of the Year in indoor track. A member of five America East all-academic teams, Graham was a 2010 ECAC Merit Medal winner as the school's top senior male student-athlete and a recipient of the Chancellor's Scholar-Athlete Award.

During the outdoor season, Graham won his third straight long jump title at the America East championship by leaping 24-feet, 7.75-inches, becoming just the second athlete to accomplish the feat in league history. The indoor and outdoor team MVP also placed fifth in the triple jump with a mark of 47-8. Graham, who was eighth in the long jump (23-9.50) at the IC4A Championship, ended his career with a 22nd-place finish in his premier event (24-3) at the NCAA East Preliminary Round. His mark of 24-9.25 in the long jump at the 2009 America East championship is a school record.

Graham was also impressive during his final indoor campaign, accumulating 18 points at the America East championship. He garnered all-conference laurels twice by winning the long jump with a leap of 23-6 and placing second in the triple jump with a mark of 47-10. He also led the Great Danes to their second consecutive title at the IC4A Championship by registering a fourth-place mark of 23-2.75 in the long jump. UAlbany was the first program to win back-to-back IC4A crowns since Georgetown in 2000, and remains the only America East institution to win the championship. In addition, Graham broke the program standard in the long jump by leaping 24-6.50 at the Great Dane Classic.

UAlbany has placed 12 student-athletes on national Academic All-America teams since upgrading to the Division I level in 1999-2000. Graham is the second Great Dane to be selected this month, as women's lacrosse midfielder Olivia Jarem earned a spot on the at-large second team.

University at Albany's Academic All-Americans (Division I)
Baseball
Eddie Scott (2002, 3rd team)

Football
J.T. Herfurth (2000, 1st team)
Ryan MacLean (2002, 2nd team)
Victor Camacho (2003, 1st team)
David Parks (2003, 2nd team)

Men's Soccer
Stephan Hall (2005, 1st team)
Stephan Hall (2006, 1st team)

Softball
Amber Maisonet (2008, 1st team)

Men's At-Large
Emil Bove (2002, 2nd team, lacrosse)

Men's Track & Field/Cross Country
Andy Allstadt (2006, 2nd team)
Valete Graham (2010, 3rd team)

Women's At-Large
Olivia Jarem (2010, 2nd team, lacrosse)



Courtesy: UAlbany Athletics

UAlbany Volleyball's Laurie Gonzalez Competes on United States Women's A2 Team

Albany, N.Y. - University at Albany's Laurie Gonzalez, who recently completed her sophomore year with the Great Danes, earned a bronze medal as a member of the U.S. Women's National A2 Red Team at he USA Volleyball Open National Championships held at the Phoenix Convention Center from May 29-June 1.

Gonzalez, a two-time America East Conference Defensive Player of the Year, was a member of the 24-player National A2 volleyball program that trained in Tempe, Ariz. from May 24-28. The group was split into two 12-member rosters for the open championships. The A2 Blue Team won the tournament title.

"Playing with the A2 for the second time was even better than the first time," said Gonzalez, who was making her second appearance with the national squad. "I had the opportunity to play with some of the top volleyball players in the nation and compete in a higher level. Its a great educational & competitive experience, it gave me an idea of what it's like in the next level."

The athletes were selected from a group of participants at the U.S. Women's National Team Open Tryouts held back in February at the U.S. Olympic Training Center in Colorado Springs. Gonzalez was one of 175 athletes in attendance.

"I had the opportunity to learn new skills that I can bring to my UAlbany team and make us all better," said Gonzalez, a native of Carolina, Puerto Rico. "In general, playing with the A2 team is a physical & mental challenge that only made me better. I made new friends, met some amazing people and played some great volleyball."

Gonzalez and the Great Danes will return to action in August. Entering her junior season, Gonzalez will look to lead UAlbany to a third straight America East Conference regular season title. UAlbany finished 22-9 last season with back-to-back undefeated conference records.

Courtesy: UAlbany Sports Information

University of Albany's Olivia Jarem Selected to ESPN The Magazine Academic All-America Women's At-Large Team

Albany, N.Y. - University at Albany's Olivia Jarem has been selected to the ESPN The Magazine Academic All-America Women's At-Large second team, as selected by the College Sports Information Directors of America (CoSIDA) on Thursday, June 10. Jarem is the first UAlbany lacrosse player in program history to earn Academic All-America recognition.

Jarem has a 4.00 cumulative grade point average in psychology with a minor in education. She recently received a NCAA Postgraduate Scholarship, one of 13 females honored nationwide, and plans to study sports psychology as a graduate student at Ithaca College. Jarem was the recipient of UAlbany's Presidential Scholar-Athlete Award as the school's top senior female student-athlete and the State University of New York Chancellor's Award for Student Excellence. She was chosen to both the District I Women's At-Large and America East Conference Women's Lacrosse all-academic squads.

A senior from Clifton Park, N.Y., Jarem totaled 31 goals and four assists for the nation's second-ranked scoring offense. She finished 10th among the conference leaders in goals. She led the Great Danes to their first-ever top-20 national ranking, a school-record 13-3 season and the program's first America East Conference regular-season title. Jarem tallied two or more goals in 11 contests and posted a .534 shot percentage.

UAlbany has placed eleven student-athletes on national Academic All-America teams since upgrading to the Division I level in 1999-2000. Jarem is the second woman to be selected, as Amber Maisonet made softball's national first team in 2008.

University at Albany's Academic All-Americans (Division I)
Baseball
Eddie Scott (2002, 3rd team)

Football
J.T. Herfurth (2000, 1st team)
Ryan MacLean (2002, 2nd team)
Victor Camacho (2003, 1st team)
David Parks (2003, 2nd team)

Men's Soccer
Stephan Hall (2005, 1st team)
Stephan Hall (2006, 1st team)

Softball
Amber Maisonet (2008, 1st team)

Men's At-Large
Emil Bove (2002, 2nd team, lacrosse)

Men's Track & Field/Cross Country
Andy Allstadt (2006, 2nd team)

Women's At-Large
Olivia Jarem (2010, 2nd team, lacrosse)


Courtesy: UAlbany Sports Information

Nikki Branchini, Tim Bush & Valete Graham Chosen 2009-10 UAlbany Athletes of the Year

Albany, N.Y. - Nikki Branchini, an All-America lacrosse defender, Tim Bush, an all-conference wide receiver, and Valete Graham, a conference long jump champion, have been selected the University at Albany's 2009-10 Male and Female Athletes of the Year, as announced on Thursday, June 10. The athletes were chosen in voting by the head coaches of the school's Division I 19-sport intercollegiate athletic program.

Branchini, a junior from Guilderland, N.Y., was named to the Intercollegiate Women's Lacrosse Coaches Association (IWLCA) All-America third team, the first UAlbany player at the Division I level to be selected. She was picked by womenslacrosse.com as the Division I Defender of the Year and made the IWLCA's All-North Region first team. Branchini was chosen America East Conference Player of the Year and made her third consecutive appearance on the all-conference first team. She added 10 goals and three assists in leading the Great Danes to their first-ever America East Conference regular-season title, a school-record 13-3 campaign, and the program's first national top-20 ranking. She ranks among the NCAA national leaders in draw controls (second, 4.93 pg), ground balls (sixth, 3.27 pg) and caused turnovers (ninth, 2.07 pg).

A senior from Bronx, N.Y., Graham won his third consecutive America East Conference outdoor long jump championship. He leaped 24-feet, 7.75-inches to become the second athlete in league history to win three titles in a row. He also placed fifth in the triple jump (47-8) as the Great Danes captured their sixth straight America East outdoor title, a conference record. Graham was even more proficient during the indoor season when he led UAlbany to the IC4A and league championships. The Great Danes became the first program to win back-to-back IC4A indoor crowns since 2000. He won the America East indoor long jump and was fourth at the IC4A meet in the same event. Graham, the track program's indoor and outdoor MVP, owns the school's indoor record (24-6.50).

Bush, a senior from Saratoga Springs, N.Y., shares the UAlbany male athlete award with Graham. He was voted first-team All-Northeast Conference for the second consecutive season. He caught 63 passes for 861 yards and three touchdowns, as the Great Danes posted a 7-4 record and finished second in the conference standings. Bush became the first UAlbany player to make 60-plus catches in back-to-back seasons and had four 100-yard receiving games, tying the second-best single-season mark. He hauled in five passes for 101 yards in a 20-16 comeback win over No. 20 Maine. Bush established a school record for career receptions with 147, breaking a standard previously set in 1997, and finished third on the program's all-time receiving yards list with 1,880.

University at Albany Athletes of the Year (Division I)
2009-10: Male: Tim Bush (Football) & Valete Graham (Track & Field), Female: Nikki Branchini (Lacrosse)
2008-09: Male: Joe Greene (Track & Field), Female: Michelle Simpson (Field Hockey)
2007-08: Male: Brian Lillis (Basketball), Female: Amber Maisonet (Softball)
2006-07: Male: Frank Resetarits (Lacrosse) & Jamar Wilson (Basketball), Female: Casey Halloran (Softball)
2005-06: Male: Jamar Wilson (Basketball), Female: Blair Buchanan (Volleyball) & Casey Halloran (Softball)
2004-05: Male: Luke Daquino (Lacrosse), Female: Blair Buchanan (Volleyball)
2003-04: Male: Gary Jones (Football), Female: Andee Lindgren (Softball)
2002-03: Male: Gary Jones (Football), Female: Teresa Covert (Track & Field)
2001-02: Male: Chris Phillis (Football), Female: Amy Di Micco (Field Hockey)
2000-01: Male: Michael Oliva (Baseball), Female: Dawn Di Micco (Basketball/Lacrosse)
1999-00: Male: Todd Cetnar (Basketball), Female: Megan Buchanan (Basketball)


Courtesy: UAlbany Sports Information

University of Albany Baseball Second Baseman Brian Bullard Named 2010 Louisville Slugger Freshman All-American

Tucson, Ariz. - University at Albany second baseman Brian Bullard was named to the 2010 Louisville Slugger Freshman All-American Baseball Team, as announced by the organization on Wednesday afternoon.

Bullard, who started 47 games for the Great Danes this season, was named to the America East Conference Second Team and was an all-rookie selection. He finished second on the team with a .326 average, recording 58 hits, including nine doubles and four home runs. He scored 37 runs and drove in 32 more, while also stealing eight bases on the season.

Bullard, a native of West Nyack, N.Y., was one of nine freshman second basemen from around the nation to be selected to the team.

Courtesy: UAlbany Sports Information

New York Giants and UAlbany Agree on Deal to Hold 2010 NFL Training Camp on Campus

Albany, N.Y. - The New York Giants and the University at Albany jointly announced on Tuesday, June 8 an agreement to hold training camp at the University at Albany this summer. The arrangement also includes a two-year option to have the Giants train on the UAlbany campus through 2012.

With an agreement in place, the New York Giants are traveling to UAlbany for the fifteenth consecutive summer, the longest period at one site in the team's training camp history. The Giants previously spent thirteen summers at Pace University in Pleasantville, N.Y. from 1975-87. The Giants, who have also trained in the states of Vermont, Connecticut, New Jersey, Wisconsin and Oregon, previously worked out at Fairleigh Dickinson University in Madison, New Jersey prior to their arrival on the UAlbany campus.

"Albany has been an ideal summer home for our football team," said Giants President John Mara. "With the support of President Philip and his predecessors and Mayor Jennings and the rest of the staff at the university, in addition to the great facilities, we have felt for 15 years that starting our season in Albany gives us the best chance to succeed each season."

"I can't say enough about the cooperation we receive from the university and its staff," said Coach Tom Coughlin. "The spirit of a common purpose and objective allows our team to get the work done that is necessary for us to compete at the highest level at the outset of the season. Our coaches and players appreciate the opportunity the University at Albany affords us to be the best we can be."

"We look forward to our continued relationship with the Giants, and to another successful year," said UAlbany President George M. Philip. "Giants summer training camp enriches our campus life and contributes to the vitality of the Capital Region."

"The New York Giants' training camp at UAlbany has become part of the fabric of the Capital Region," said Albany Mayor Gerald D. Jennings. "The countless number of fans that live in Upstate New York have an opportunity to watch and interact with players, and, ultimately, form a greater bond with their team. I congratulate the Giants organization and the administration of UAlbany for their continued commitment to our great All-America Capital City."

The Giants have trained on the UAlbany campus, just 2 1/2 hours north of the New Meadowlands Stadium, since 1996. In the 14 years that the Giants have trained at UAlbany, the preseason camp has averaged more than 33,000 fans per summer. The camp attendance mark of 46,960 was established last year, the fourth time figures have surpassed 40,000-plus. One of the fields used is now known as Mara-Tisch Field, and was dedicated on Aug. 16, 2007 in honor of the team's former owners Wellington Mara and Robert Tisch.

In 2010, the Giants begin workouts on Sunday, August 1 with a single afternoon practice at 3:15 p.m. The three-week camp concludes on August 20. Giants training camp will feature five evening practices. The first night practice is slated for Thursday, Aug. 5, at 6:05 p.m. All five sessions are preceded by a morning workout at 8:35 a.m. The other day-night workouts are scheduled for August 7, 9, 11 and 13. The entire training camp schedule can be accessed through www.giants.com or www.ualbanysports.com.

As has been the routine in previous camps, the Giants will not practice on the days following preseason games. On the day before a preseason game, the team will hold a one-hour jog-thru session. The Giants will practice 16 days on campus, including seven double sessions.

Courtesy: UAlbany Sports Information

UAlbany's Dave Brock Selected By Toronto in Sixth Round of Major League Lacrosse Draft

New Haven, Conn. - University at Albany's Dave Brock was taken in the sixth round of the Major League Lacrosse Collegiate Draft by the Toronto Nationals on Sunday, June 6. Brock, the 36th overall selection, becomes the sixth player in the UAlbany program's history to be chosen in the MLL Draft.

Brock, who played both attackman and midfielder in his two-year career with the Great Danes, earned second-team All-America East Conference recognition during the 2010 campaign. He was also named to the America East all-championship squad after leading his team to the conference tournament final. Brock ranked sixth in the conference in goals (2.12 pg) and 10th in scoring at 2.50 points per game.

Brock, who shared the team's MVP award with defenseman Mark Kelly, led UAlbany in scoring with 34 goals and six assists, plus had a .301 shooting percentage and 37 ground balls. A native of Burlington, Ontario, Brock netted three or more goals six times as a senior, including a career-high four against league opponents Hartford and UMBC. He accounted for a career-best four points against five opponents.

Paw Prints: UAlbany's John Fallon Field will host a Major League Lacrosse regular-season game between the Chicago Machine and the Long Island Lizards on Saturday, June 12 at 7:00 p.m. Tickets for Saturday's game between the Machine and Lizards are available by contacting the MLL office at (866) MLL-TIXX or by visiting majorleaguelacrosse.com/buytickets/.

UAlbany's Major League Lacrosse Collegiate Draft Selections
Frank Resetarits (2007 MLL, Long Island-3rd)
Jordan Levine (2008 MLL, New Jersey-1st)
Brett Queener (2008 MLL, Rochester-5th)
Corey Small (2009 MLL, Toronto-3rd)
Chris Schongar (2009 MLL, Toronto-5th)
Dave Brock (2010 MLL, Toronto-6th)


Courtesy: UAlbany Sports Information

UAlbany Field Hockey Coach Phil Sykes Announces Three Student-Athletes Have Signed For 2010

Albany, N.Y. - University at Albany head field hockey coach Phil Sykes announced today that three student-athletes have signed for the 2010-11 academic year. Corrine McConville, Samantha Rimback and Daphne Voormolen have all signed National Letters of Intent.

McConville will be the fourth member of the UAlbany squad from Lehighton High School in Pennsylvania. McConville was the Mountain Valley Conference's Most Valuable Player in 2009 after leading the Indians to the conference, district and state championships. Lehighton claimed the conference and district titles three out of McConville's four years on the team, and the midfielder earned all-conference first-team honors in each of those three seasons. A two-time all-state first-team member and was an all-region selection as a junior and senior, she earned All-America status in 2009. A two-time team MVP, McConville was the Times News Player of the Year as a senior and was also a player of the week for two local news organizations.

Rimback, a goalkeeper from Washington, N.J. was a three-year letterwinner at Warren Hills High School. She helped lead the Streaks to their first Tri-County Tournament title and the first Skylands Conference championship since 2001. Rimback was a member of the 2009 squad that won the New Jersey Group III North II sectional title after posting a record-breaking 22-win season. As a senior, Rimback made 16 saves in the Streaks' first New Jersey State Final appearance since 2003. Rimback recorded 338 career saves with an .820 save percentage. She was an all-conference first-team selection, as well as earning All-West Jersey and North Jersey second-team accolades. Rimback, who was also a member of the Edge Field Hockey Club, where she won a National Indoor Tournament Title, was an All-Warren County honoree and was named to the All-Group III Third Team.

Voormolen is a forward from Rotterdam, Netherlands. She has been a member of Rotterdam's top club level team the past three years and has helped guide her squad to three straight national championships, including the 2007-08 finals. From 2004-07, Voormolen was a member of Rotterdam's second team, which won both an indoor and outdoor championships. Voormolen, who has been playing field hockey since the age of nine, accompanied her team on a training trip to Madrid, Spain, in February 2010.

"We are very excited about our 2010 incoming class," said head coach Phil Sykes, who has led UAlbany to back-to-back America East Conference regular-season titles. "We are returning a very seasoned team and this class will add a great deal to it. Our offense and midfield will get a nice boost of speed, goal scoring ability and dynamic skills. And our defense will add some quality goalkeeping depth. This coming season looks very promising."

Courtesy: UAlbany Sports Information

University of Albany Track & Field's Valete Graham Voted to ESPN The Magazine Academic All-District I Team

Philadelphia, Pa. - University at Albany's Valete Graham has been named to the ESPN The Magazine District I Academic All-America Men's Track & Field Team, as announced on Thursday, June 3 by CoSIDA (College Sports Information Directors of America). Graham, who helped UAlbany capture eight America East Conference championships and three IC4A crowns over the last four years, was chosen to the all-district first team for the second straight season.

Graham, a senior horizontal jumper from Bronx, N.Y., graduated with a 3.70 grade point average as a psychology major. He made the 2008 and 2009 USTFCCCA Division I Men's All-Academic Track and Field Team and was named the 2009 America East Conference Scholar-Athlete of the Year outdoors and the 2010 America East Scholar-Athlete of the Year indoors. A member of five America East all-academic teams, Graham was a 2010 ECAC Merit Medal winner and a recipient of the Chancellor's Scholar-Athlete Award.

During the outdoor season, Graham won his third straight long jump title at the America East championship by leaping 24-feet, 7.75-inches, becoming just the second student-athlete to accomplish the feat in league history. He also became the first UAlbany student-athlete to claim three straight crowns in an individual event at the championship. He also placed fifth in the triple jump with a mark of 47-8. Graham who was eighth in the long jump (23-9.50) at the IC4A Championship and ended his career with a 22nd-place finish in his premier event (24-3) at last week's NCAA East Preliminary Round. His mark of 24-9.25 in the long jump at the 2009 America East meet is a school record.

Graham was as equally impressive during his final indoor campaign, accumulating 18 points at the America East championship. He garnered all-conference laurels twice by winning the long jump with a leap of 23-6 and placing second in the triple jump with a mark of 47-10. He also led the Great Danes to their second consecutive title at the IC4A Championship by registering a fourth-place mark of 23-2.75 in the long jump. UAlbany was the first program to win back-to-back IC4A crowns since Georgetown in 2000, and remains the only America East institution to win the championship. In addition, he broke the program standard in the long jump with a first-place mark of 24-6.50 at the Great Dane Classic.


Courtesy: UAlbany Sports Information

University of Albany's Nicole Kothe and Gina Mason Garner America East Softball All-Academic Team Laurels

Cambridge, Mass. - University at Albany's Nicole Kothe and Gina Mason were named to the America East Conference All-Academic Softball Team, as announced on Wednesday, June 2 by the conference office. Both student-athletes, who are members of the America East Commissioner's Academic Honor Roll and the UAlbany Athletic Director's Honor Roll, helped the Great Danes advance to the America East Tournament for the ninth season in a row.

Kothe, a senior psychology major and four-year starting outfielder who graduated with a 3.67 cumulative grade point average, is making her second consecutive appearance on the America East all-academic squad. A three-time NFCA Academic Scholar-Athlete, Kothe made the 2009 and 2010 ESPN The Magazine Academic All-District second team. She carried minors in sociology and education and served on the school's Student-Athlete Advisory Committee (SAAC). A native of Middletown, N.Y., Kothe posted a career batting average of .240 with 113 hits, 50 RBIs, six homers and 72 runs scored. Defensively, she registered a .964 fielding percentage by committing just seven errors in four years.

Mason, a junior first baseman from Sacramento, Calif., has a 3.37 GPA as a journalism major with a minor in communication. She has been a three-year starter at first base and has not missed a start in the last two seasons. An NFCA Scholar-Athlete, Mason was named to the All-America East first team this spring after making the all-conference second team in 2009 and the league's all-rookie squad in 2008. She led the Great Danes in several offensive categories this season, including batting average (.342), home runs (8), RBIs (30), hits (40), runs scored (24), slugging percentage (.607) and on-base percentage (.444). Mason enters her senior campaign ranked on several of the program's top-10 lists, including fourth in career home runs (21), tied for fifth in RBIs (100) and tied for eighth in doubles (25).

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.

Courtesy: UAlbany Sports Information

University of Albany Women's Lacrosse's Kayla Best Will Play in IWLCA All-Star Game; Lindsey Hart Serves as North Head Coach

Baltimore, Md. - University at Albany's Kayla Best has been selected to play in the Intercollegiate Women's Lacrosse Coaches Association Division I North-South All-Star Game, as announced on Wednesday, June 2 by the IWLCA. UAlbany's Lindsey Hart will serve as head coach of the North squad. The all-star contest will be played at the United Sports Training Center, located in Downingtown, Pa., on Saturday, June 12 at 12 noon.

Best is the second UAlbany player to earn All-America East Conference recognition four times. A senior midfielder from Guilderland, N.Y., she was a member of the all-conference first team for the third season in a row. Best, who had 36 goals and five assists, ranked sixth among the America East leaders in goals per game (2.25). She netted three or more goals on six occasions this year and posted a .507 shooting percentage. Best is second on the school's all-time scoring list with 188 points and third in goals with 155. She is also among the program's career top 10 in assists, caused turnovers and draw controls.

Hart was voted the 2010 America East Conference Coach of the Year after leading the Great Danes to their first-ever conference regular-season title and the top seed for the league's postseason tournament. UAlbany established the school's single-season record with a 13-3 mark, went undefeated in America East regular-season play, and was ranked in the IWLCA (#19) and Inside Lacrosse (#17) national polls for the first time in the program's Division I history.

A native of Vineland, Ontario, Hart had seven players chosen to the all-conference team, including the league's player of the year. UAlbany ranked second nationally in scoring (15.1 goals per game), plus fourth in scoring margin and sixth in scoring defense. Hart has a 46-37 career record. Her teams have reached the eight-win mark in all five years under her direction, including this season's school-record total that broke a mark that had stood since 1998. According to the computer rankings, UAlbany was rated fourth among the most improved Division I programs this season.


Courtesy: UAlbany Sports Information

UAlbany Volleyball Coach MJ Engstrom Announces Four Student-Athletes Have Signed For 2010 Season

Albany, N.Y. - University at Albany head women's volleyball coach MJ Engstrom announced today that four student-athletes have signed for the 2010-11 academic year. Kaley Jacobson, Lindsey McCloskey, Vanessa Sheffield and Tamara Weems have all signed National Letters of Intent to play for the Great Danes next year.

A 5-foot-9 setter from Watertown, Wis. and a four-year letterwinner, Jacobson was a two-time captain and was the Public School Athlete of the Year in 2010. Jacobson helped lead Watertown to the Little 10 Conference Championship in 2007 and 2009, and guided the Goslings to the 2007 Wisconsin Division I State Championship in 2007. Jacobson is also a member of the National Honor Society and the Tri-M Music Society.

"As a setter, Kaley has a great feel for her hitters, tremendous court sense and is extremely competitive," Engstrom explained. "She's a very exciting player to watch and has the leadership skills required for the setting position."

McCloskey, a 5-foot-10 outside hitter, was a three-year letterwinner at Edison High School in Huntington Beach, Calif. A senior captain, McCloskey helped guide the Chargers to the CIF Southern Section Championship Quarterfinals in 2007 and the second round in 2009. She was also a captain of the SCVA High Performance Club team in 2009, and played for five years on the TCA SC Volleyball Club. McCloskey, who was also a member of the soccer, basketball, softball and swimming programs, competed in the USA Junior Olympics for five straight years from 2005 to 2009. She was also an ocean lifeguard for the City of Huntington Beach for five years.

"Lindsey has been successful in one of the toughest leagues in the nation," Engstrom said. "I look for her to have an immediate impact in both the front and back row this season."

Sheffield, who committed to the Great Danes during the early signing period in November, is a 5-foot-10 outside hitter hailing from Oswego, N.Y. A two-time team captain, Sheffield was a three-time Section III Class AA All-CNY All-Star and an All-American League first-team selection in 2007, 2008 and 2009. Sheffield, who also played for the Onondaga Storm Volleyball Club, was named the Section III CNYCL American League Player of the Year as a junior and senior and earned All-State Class AA honors in 2009. Also a letterwinner in basketball and track and field, Sheffield was a member of the National Honor Society and was a high honor roll student as a scholar-athlete, posting a 3.70 grade point average.

"Vanessa is an outstanding athlete with huge potential and I'm very happy that we have another New York State player on our roster," Engstrom said.

Weems, a 6-foot middle blocker and middle hitter, is a two-time captain of Bishop McNamara High School in Upper Marlboro, Md. "Tamara is the second player from Bishop McNamara to become a Great Dane," Engstrom state. "She's very quick both laterally and off the floor and we predict will have an immediate impact in the front row."

A four-time letterwinner, Weems finished her career with 447 kills, 114 blocks, 241 digs and 153 service aces. She was the team's most valuable player in 2008 and 2009, and earned Washington Catholic Athletic Conference first team honors in those same seasons. As a junior, Weems was named first-team All-Prince George's County before earning county Player of the Year accolades as a senior. She was also an honorable mention All-WCAC selection and earned all-county second-team honors in 2007.

"I am very excited about the class of 2010 because they have the potential to make significant contributions this season," Engstrom explained. "All four have a tremendous work ethic, are very athletic and have great attitudes."

Courtesy: UAlbany Sports Information

University of Albany Women's Lacrosse's Nikki Branchini on IWLCA All-America Team; First UAlbany Player to Earn Division I Honor

Baltimore, Md. - University at Albany's Nikki Branchini has been selected to the Intercollegiate Women's Lacrosse Coaches Association (IWLCA) All-America third team, as announced on Monday, May 31. Branchini is the first UAlbany player to receive All-America recognition in the program's Division I history. The IWLCA will honor the National All-Americans at the IWLCA All-American banquet on June 12, 2010 at the Crowne Plaza Valley Forge in King of Prussia, Pa.

In addition, Branchini was chosen the womenslacrosse.com Division I Defender of the Year and named to website's All-America first team.

Branchini, a junior from Guilderland, N.Y., was voted the 2010 America East Conference Player of the Year after leading the Great Danes to the conference's regular-season title and a school-record 13-win campaign. Am IWLCA first-team All-North region selection, she is among the NCAA Division I leaders in draw controls (second, 4.93 pg), ground balls (sixth, 3.27 pg) and caused turnovers (ninth, 2.07 pg).

The defensive midfielder added 10 goals and three assists and had a .476 shot percentage. She established the school's single-season record with 74 draw controls and totaled 31 caused turnovers, the seventh-best mark in program annals. Branchini earned first-team all-conference honors for the third consecutive year.

UAlbany established a school record for most wins in a season with a 13-3 record, breaking a mark that had stood since 1998. The Great Danes achieved their first national ranking in the IWLCA coaches' poll (No. 19) and deBeer/Inside Lacrosse media poll (No. 17).


Courtesy: UAlbany Sports Information

Jenn Pierson Leads UAlbany Track & Field on Final Day of NCAA East Preliminary Round

Greensboro, N.C. - University at Albany's Jenn Pierson placed fifth in her heat and ran the 12th-fastest time overall in the women's 3,000-meter steeplechase to lead her team at the NCAA East Preliminary Round on Saturday, May 29 at North Carolina A&T University's Irwin Belk Track. Laura Cummings and Catie Coxon also represented the Great Danes on the final afternoon of the three-day regional meet.

Running in one of the faster heats of the steeplechase, Pierson navigated the track in 10:32.89 and fell just .91 seconds shy of punching her ticket to the NCAA Championships. The top-three finishers in each heat plus the next three-fastest times in the event automatically qualified for the national meet. As a result, Yale's Anne Lovelace, who placed third in the final heat in 10:32.92, made the NCAA Championship field despite running a slower time than Pierson, while Ohio's Jenielle Hunt took the 12th and final qualifying spot by placing fourth in the second heat and just ahead of the UAlbany junior with a mark of 10:31.98.

"I never thought I would make it this far," explained Pierson, who was competing in the steeplechase for the first time at any level this spring and was the America East champion in the event earlier this month. "The steeplechase is a lot harder than it looks, but with constant training through cross country and hurdle work I was able to perform well. It was nerve-wracking with the storm last night which pushed the race back to this morning, but I kept telling myself that I could do it because I have trained hard. I still felt that (all the training and hard work) I did paid off today."

Cummings, who was competing at a qualifying meet for the NCAA Championships for the third straight season in the steeplechase, placed 27th by registering a time of 10:48.45. A transfer from North Carolina, she finished her career as the school's record holder in the event. The senior initially broke the school record with a winning time of 10:33.60 at the 2008 America East meet before finishing 10th at the 2010 ECAC Championship in 10:29.27 to establish the current program standard. She garnered all-conference honors all three years she competed in the event for the Great Danes.

Coxon wrapped up the weekend by placing 11th in the opening flight of the women's discus throw. The sophomore, who increased her personal-best mark by over 18 feet this spring, registered a toss that sailed 139-feet, 6-inches on her final attempt. Coxon earned all-conference accolades for the second consecutive year by winning the event at the America East championship meet this spring and also placed ninth at the ECAC Championship. Her winning throw of 157-3 at the Capital District Classic ranks second on the program's top-10 list.

"This meet was a great conclusion to our season," said associate head coach Craig McVey, who oversees the steeplechasers, distance runners and pole vaulters. "We obviously wanted to see some of our student-athletes advance to the NCAA meet, but we still finished high here and had several strong performances. For Jenn Pierson to come as close as she did by finishing 12th when 12 go (to NCAAs) and not make it because of the way the qualifying works is something that almost never happens. She had never run in the steeple before this spring, so to see her finish where she did was just phenomenal."

Paw Prints: Both the men's and women's steeplechase events were scheduled to start on Friday night, but a severe thunderstorm delayed the races until this morning ... Jenn Pierson came up just short of becoming the first member of the Great Dane women's program to advance to the NCAA Championships since Teresa Covert qualified in the 100-meter high hurdles in 2004 ... She entered the meet ranked 27th in the East Region with a personal-best time of 10:30.30 before running the 12th-fastest time today ... UAlbany had nine student-athletes, which was an America East Conference best, travel to the prestigious meet ... All of them helped UAlbany become the first school to win all four America East track and field championships in the same academic year.


Courtesy: UAlbany Sports Information

UAlbany Track & Field's Fogarty, Wills and Adaramola Compete at NCAA East Preliminary Round

Greensboro, N.C. - Junior Tyler Fogarty finished seventh in his heat and 21st overall in the quarterfinal round of the men's 800-meter run to lead the UAlbany track and field teams at the NCAA East Preliminary Round on Friday, May 28 at North Carolina A&T University's Irwin Belk Track. Senior captains Freddie Wills and Fey Adaramola also represented the Great Danes on the second day of the regional competition.

Fogarty, who advanced to tonight's quarterfinal of the men's 800 by running a season-best time of 1:49.02 in the first round last night, registered a mark of 1:50.37 in his final race of the spring this evening. An America East champion in the 1,500 earlier this month, Fogarty was making his second straight appearance at an NCAA regional and improved on his 35th-place performance in the event at last year's meet which was also held at Irwin Belk Track.

Adaramola, a transfer from Central Florida, completed her stellar two-year career at UAlbany by placing eighth in her heat of the women's 200-meter dash in 24.50. In addition to helping the women's program win consecutive America East outdoor crowns, the senior captain was a two-time champion in the 100 and claimed the 200 title at the conference meet in 2009. She also anchored three relays which broke school records this spring, including the victorious 4x100-meter relay at the America East meet.

Wills competed in the men's high jump to start the day. The senior failed to clear the opening height of 6-feet, 7-inches. Despite coming up short, Wills finished his prolific career as a four-time America East outdoor champion. He won the long jump in 2006, the triple jump in 2008, the decathlon in 2009 and the high jump in 2010.

Catie Coxon, the America East women's discus throw champion, will represent UAlbany in her premier event tomorrow afternoon at 3:30 p.m. In addition, Laura Cummings and Jenn Pierson's 3,000-meter steeplechase race has been delayed due to weather and was not scheduled until later this evening.
Paw Prints: The top-12 finishers in each individual and relay event automatically advance to the NCAA Championships, which will be hosted by the University of Oregon, on June 9-12 ... No at-large bids are being awarded under the NCAA's newly-adopted format this year ... Laura Cummings, Jenn Pierson and Catie Coxon all have an opportunity to become the program's first women in six years to advance to NCAAs ... Teresa Covert, the school's record holder in the 100-meter high hurdles, competed in her premier event at the national meet in 2003 and 2004.


Courtesy: UAlbany Sports Information

UAlbany's Nikki Branchini & Ashley Ross on IWLCA All-North Region Women's Lacrosse Team

Baltimore, Md. - University at Albany's Nikki Branchini and Ashley Ross have been named to the Intercollegiate Women's Lacrosse Coaches Association (IWLCA) All-North Region Team, as announced by the association on Friday, May 28. Branchini is the first UAlbany player to earn first-team all-region honors in the program's Division I history. Ross is a second-team all-region selection.

Branchini, a junior defensive midfielder, was voted the 2010 America East Conference Player of the Year after leading the Great Danes to the conference's regular-season title and a school-record 13-win campaign. She is among the NCAA Division I leaders in draw controls (second, 4.93 pg), ground balls (sixth, 3.27 pg) and caused turnovers (ninth, 2.07 pg). The Guilderland, N.Y. native, added 10 goals and three assists and had a .476 shot percentage. Branchini, who earned first-team all-conference honors for the third consecutive year, was named to the IWLCA all-region second team last year.

Ross, who hails from Lancaster, Pa., makes her first appearance on the IWLCA all-region squad. She received first-team All-America East Conference recognition in her first year as the program's starting goalkeeper. Ross previously was an all-conference goalie on the school's field hockey team. The senior is fourth nationally in save percentage (.519) and seventh in goals against average (8.11). Ross made double-figure saves against seven opponents, including a career-high 13 in the America East tournament semifinals against UMBC. She was named conference defensive player of the week three times this season.

UAlbany established a school record for most wins in a season with a 13-3 record, breaking a mark that had stood since 1998. The Great Danes achieved their first national ranking in the IWLCA coaches' poll (No. 19) and deBeer/Inside Lacrosse media poll (No. 17).


Courtesy: UAlbany Sports Information