University of Albany Women’s Basketball Falls To Texas A&M, 69-47, In First-Ever NCAA Tournament - UAlbany Sports 2012

Courtesy: UAlbany Sports Information College Station, Texas - Despite 14 points and nine rebounds from junior Ebone Henry, UAlbany fell to Texas A&M, 69-47, in the first round of the 2012 NCAA Women's Basketball Tournament on Saturday evening at Reed Arena. In their first-ever NCAA Tournament appearance, the Great Danes outrebounded the defending National Champions, 48-33. UAlbany got on the board first with a basket by Julie Forster. Texas A&M responded, getting a conventional three-point play from Tyra White, but a layup by Henry kept the Great Danes on top. Adaora Elonu then recorded a steal on the Great Danes and hit a jumper in the paint to give the Aggies a 5-4 lead at the first media timeout. The teams exchanged baskets to alternate the lead again, before Texas A&M got two free throws from Adrienne Pratcher to extend the lead to 9-6. The two defensive-minded teams continued to battle through the first half, and a steal by Adrienne Jones and basket by Sarah Royals pulled UAlbany to within 15-13 with just over seven minutes left to play. A basket by Forster in the paint tied the game at 17-17 with just over five minutes on the clock. However, a basket by White and two free throws by Skylar Collins put the Aggies back on top by four. UAlbany's Tabatha Makopondo grabbed a rebound and hit a jumper, and Forster went 1-of-2 from the free throw line, cutting the lead to 20-21, but A&M got a 3-pointer by Kristi Bellock just before the shot clock expired to put the Aggies up by four at the four-minute media timeout. With just under two minutes left to play in the first, Henry hit back-to-back baskets, taking an assist from Cassandra Callaway to drain a long three from the right side of the arc, tying the game at 25-25 with 1:41 on the clock. However, White, who finished with 12 points in the half, hit a jumper and a 3-pointer, while Makopondo was only able to hit 1-of-2 free throws, as the team hit the locker rooms with Texas A&M on top, 30-26. A quick basket by the Aggies gave A&M a six-point lead to start the second half, but UAlbany got six straight points to tie the game back up at 32-all. Texas A&M fired back and forced the Great Danes into two turnovers, getting a layup by Elonu and a 3-pointer from the right corner from Carter to take a 37-32 lead and prompt UAlbany to take a time out. The Aggies continued on a 12-2 run, getting up by ten, 44-34, with just over 14 minutes left to play. Texas A&M continued to roll, as Alexia Standish nailed a 3-pointer to put the Aggies up by 13, 49-36. Henry and Forster both hit jump shots to try to spark a UAlbany rally, but Karla Gilbert sank a bucket to keep A&M on top. Standish nailed another long-range shot to put the Aggies up, 57-41, at the eight-minute media timeout. UAlbany refused to fold, and continued its relentless defense against the bigger, more experienced Aggies. A&M built up a 19-point lead, 64-45, on a fourth 3-pointer by Standish as the clock wound down under three minutes. The Aggies, who shot 46.6 percent (27-58) from the floor in the game, continued their hot shooting, and extended their lead out to 22 points before the final buzzer. White led the Aggies with 18 points, while Elonu and Standish totaled 13 and 12 points, respectively. Texas A&M (23-10), forced UAlbany into 24 turnovers and shot 58.3 percent (7-12) from 3-point range. Freshman Megan Craig totaled nine points and seven rebounds, while also recording all three of UAlbany's blocks in the game. Forster finished with eight points and grabbed a game-high 12 rebounds. The Great Danes shot 31.7 percent (19-60) from the floor and recorded eight steals, led by Henry with three. Henry played all 40 minutes for UAlbany.

Newman's Own Awards UAlbany’s (R.A.C.E.) A $10,000 Grant For Their Community Partner, Big Brothers Big Sisters

NEWMAN’S OWN FOUNDATION UNVEILS CAMPUS COMMUNITY SERVICE CHALLENGE GRANT RECIPIENTS
Over $100,000 Awarded in Innovative Student-Engagement Initiative

Westport, Connecticut ─ Yesterday, during the America East Conference Basketball Championship, Newman’s Own Foundation unveiled the top grant recipients of its third-annual Campus Community Service Challenge.

Engineers Without Borders, in partnership with University at Maine, received the top grant of $25,000. Earth Day Southern Tier working with Binghamton University’s SUNY VINES (Volunteers Improving Neighborhood Environments) received $15,000. Two student group/non-profit partnerships tied for the third-place grant. Both Big Brothers Big Sisters of the Capital Region, who partnered with University of Albany’s Reclassifying All Children Equally (R.A.C.E.), and Vermont Adaptive Ski and Sports who partnered with University of Vermont’s Adaptive Sports, will receive a $10,000 grant from Newman’s Own Foundation. In total, over $100,000 was awarded to nonprofits throughout the tournament.

The Newman’s Own Foundation Campus Community Service Challenge was developed to encourage the practice of philanthropy among younger generations, specifically on college campuses. One student group, chosen from each of the America East’s nine member universities, nominated and partnered with a local nonprofit for a Newman’s Own Foundation grant.

“A priority of the Foundation is to encourage the practice of philanthropy among as broad a population as possible,” said Bob Forrester, president of Newman’s Own Foundation. “These student volunteers represent the next generation of leadership. We are inspired by their work and proud to support them through the Campus Community Service Challenge.”

Grant recommendations were based on the student groups’ involvement with their chosen nonprofit, and the impact of the partnership on those served by the nonprofit as well as on the students themselves.

The Newman’s Own Foundation also presented “charity stripe shootouts” throughout the tournament. University students, selected from the crowd, played to win $1,000 for a local charity of choice. In total, $7,000 was awarded to nonprofits per the recommendations of these students.

To learn more about the challenge and the nine student group/non-profit partnerships, please visit http://newmansownfoundation.org/competition/.

Newman’s Own Foundation (www.newmansownfoundation.org)

Paul Newman was committed to helping make the world a better place. To carry on his philanthropic legacy, Newman’s Own Foundation turns all net royalties and profits from the sale of Newman’s Own products into charitable donations. To date, Paul Newman and Newman’s Own Foundation have given over $340 million to thousands of charities around the world.

About America East (www.americaeast.com)

Since its beginning as a men’s basketball conference in 1979, America East has evolved into one of the most comprehensive NCAA Division I conferences with 20 championship sports serving more than 3,400 student-athletes. Supporting the missions of its nine member institutions – Albany, Binghamton, Boston University, Hartford, Maine, UMBC, New Hampshire, Stony Brook and Vermont – America East is committed to developing champions in academics, athletics and leadership.

Maggie Carril
Sunshine Sachs
carril@sunshinesachs.com
212-691-2800 phone
781-424-9223 cell

Tickets to Go On Sale For America East Women’s Basketball Championship Today

Courtesy: UAlbany Sports Information

Albany, N.Y. - Tickets for the America East Conference Women's Basketball Championship game will go on sale tomorrow at 12 noon, through the UAlbany ticket office. The game, which tips off at 8 p.m. on Saturday evening, will feature the UAlbany Great Danes, taking on the UMBC Retrievers. The winner of the game will earn the league's automatic berth into the NCAA Tournament.

UAlbany season ticket holders will have the opportunity to reserve and pay for their seats prior to opening sales to the public. Ticket prices are $30 for chairback seating and $25 for reserved seating. Students, with an America East school ID are $10, while youth tickets (18 and under) will be available for $5. Due to press table arrangements for America East Championships, there will not be courtside seating for the championship game.

Please call the UAlbany ticket office at 518-442-4683 to reserve your seats and cheer on the Great Danes in their first-ever America East Women's Basketball Championship! Visit www.ualbanysports.com for more information.

Seven Great Danes Make 2011 NFHCA Division I National Academic Squad - UAlbany Sports 2012

Courtesy: UAlbany Sports Information

Albany, N.Y. - Seven University at Albany field hockey student-athletes were represented by the 2011 Gladiator by SGI/National Field Hockey Coaches Association Division I National Academic Squad as announced Monday, March 5.
Kristi Troch, Taylor Luke and Brianna Schwoyer are making their third straight appearance on the list. Nina Walters, Daphne Voormolen, Chantae Miller and Karlijn van Dijsseldonk join the group as well for the first time.

The National Academic Squad recognizes student-athletes who have achieved a cumulative grade point average of 3.30 or higher through the first semester of the 2011-12 academic year. Seventy-seven division one institutions had student-athletes recognized on the academic list.

The entire field hockey program was recognized as well for accumulating a grade point average of 3.0 or higher. UAlbany were among 65 division one schools to receive this honor. The National Academic Squad recognized teams with a minimum 3.0 GPA during the first semester of the 2011-12 academic year.

UAlbany Posts 58-50 Win Over Binghamton; Will Host America East Women’s Basketball Championship - UAlbany Sports 2012

Courtesy: UAlbany Athletics

West Hartford, Conn. - Nineteen points from Defensive Player of the Year Ebone Henry led UAlbany to a 58-50 victory over Binghamton in the America East Conference Women's Basketball quarterfinals on Sunday afternoon at Chase Family Arena. With the win over the Bearcats, UAlbany advances to the program's first-ever America East Conference Championship game. The Great Danes will host fifth-seeded UMBC on Saturday at 8 p.m. at SEFCU Arena.

UAlbany jumped out to a 13-6 lead seven minutes into the game on a 3-pointer by Henry. Binghamton cut the advantage to three, 13-10, with back-to-back jumpers by Mallory Lawes and Andrea Holmes. A bucket from Viive Rebane pulled the Bearcats to within one, with just over 10 minutes to play, but UAlbany went on an 8-0 run to take a 20-12 lead on a layup by Cassandra Callaway. Binghamton responded, continuing the trend of runs in the first half, and closed the gap back to five, 23-18, on another Rebane jumper. The Bearcat senior would add one final bucket just before time expired, cutting the UAlbany advantage to three, 23-20, as the teams hit the locker room.

Henry led the Great Danes out of halftime and scored the first five points, putting UAlbany up by eight, 28-20, at 18:41. Holmes ended the run for Binghamton, but UAlbany's offense remained hot, as the Great Danes pulled ahead, 38-27, on a trey by Callaway with just under 15 minutes to play. Lindsey Lowrie sank a long range shot next, while a conventional three-point play by Henry gave UAlbany its largest lead of the game, 44-27, with 11:35 left to play.

Binghamton rallied back to cut the deficit to single digits, as Holmes was fouled on a good jumper and hit the ensuing free throw, pulling to within 50-41 with 5:40 left to play. The teams exchanged baskets and free throws, as UAlbany clung to a nine-point lead with under two minutes to go. Orla O'Reilly would not let the Bearcats fade, however, nailing a 3-pointer, before Holmes hit two free throws to pull Binghamton to within four, 54-50, with just a minute to go. UAlbany was not about to let the victory and ensuing championship game slip away, as Adrienne Jones converted a fast-break layup and Henry dropped in two free throws to seal up the win.

Holmes led Binghamton (13-18) with 17 points, while Rebane posted a double-double of 14 points and 14 rebounds. Jasbriell Swain also finished with a double-double for the Bearcts, totaling 12 points and 11 boards.

Lowrie finished with 11 points, including three 3-pointers, while Julie Forster controlled the boards, pulling down 11 rebounds while chipping in with seven points, three assists, two steals and a block. UAlbany forced Binghamton into 22 turnovers, including 13 steals, led by Henry's four thefts.

"Will power. The team had will power and determination today," said head coach Katie Abrahamson-Henderson, who has orchestrated an incredible turnaround in just two seasons with the UAlbany program. "We focus on one game at a time. That's been our motto all season. We are very excited, but also very humble that we are in this position. We have a tough opponent ahead."

UAlbany (21-9) will host UMBC at 8 p.m. on Saturday for the America East Championship and automatic berth into the NCAA Tournament. The game will also be available on ESPN3.

"Phil [Stern] is a great coach and he's going to chess-match this game and come prepared, so are we," said Abrahamson-Henderson, whose team swept UMBC in the regular season. "And they've got some great seniors and players that don't want to go home just yet. We're not going to think about that right now. We're going to enjoy this, go to the men's game and cheer them on like crazy, and then take a nice day off. We are going to enjoy this journey and then we'll get back to business."

Pat McNish Topples Long Jump School Record Again @ ECAC Indoor Track & Field Championships - UAlbany Sports 2012

Boston, Mass. - Pat McNish soars in the long jump to trump the school's record for the third time this season at day one of the ECAC Indoor Track & Field Championships at the Reggie Lewis Track & Athletic Center.

After the first day of competition and four scored events, the Great Danes are placed 8th among 28 scoring teams. Six schools are tied for second place with six points and Cornell leads all teams with 12 points.

McNish recorded a 19 foot and 9.50 inch long jump to place second overall. Kathryn Fanning ran in the 1,000 meter run preliminary round to finish at 2:52.23. The time qualifies Fanning for tomorrow's final event.

The Great Danes are set to compete in the distance medley, 3,000 meter, 1,000 meter and triple jump events in the final day of the ECAC Championships.

One the men's side, after the first day of IC4A Men's Indoor Track & Field Championships at Boston University, the squad sits in a three-way tie for 12th spot amongst 22 scoring teams. Four events were completed in the first day of competition.

Kadeem Howell finished third in the long jump event with a leap of 23' 9.75" collecting six points for the Great Danes. Kareem Morris, also competing in the long jump, finished 11th overall. UAlbany is set to compete in the high jump event tomorrow.

Courtesy: UAlbany Sports

Men's Basketball Soars Past New Hampshire, 63-45, In America East Quarterfinals - UAlbany Sports 2012

West Hartford, Conn.- Gerardo Suero's 24-point, nine-rebound and four-assist performance led UAlbany over New Hampshire, 63-45, in the America East Conference Quarterfinals on Saturday, March 3 at Chase Family Arena. Along with Suero's 21st 20-plus point performance, Mike Black scored 11 points in the contest which put him at 1,000 points for his career at UAlbany. The Great Danes move on to the semifinals to face the No. 1 seed Stony Brook on Sunday, March 4 at Chase Family Arena with the tip-off set for 5:02 p.m.

Suero had a game-high 24 points and was one rebound shy of his third career double-double, shooting 8-for-24 from the floor. Black was the only other Great Dane with double-figures, 11, and added four assists and four rebounds. Blake Metcalf, Jayson Guerrier and Sam Rowley each tallied at least seven rebounds with Metcalf leading the group with nine, five of which were offensive.

New Hampshire's Patrick Konan had a team-high 12 points on 4-of-11 shooting and six rebounds. Brian Benson had a game-high 13 rebounds, seven of which were offensive and five points.

A slow start to the first half as both teams mustered up only 11 points each through the first eight minutes of play. Gerardo Suero led UAlbany with six points on 3-of-9 shooting. The Great Danes would grab a seven-point lead, 23-16, with a 12-5 run that was capped by a Mike Black layup.

New Hampshire would look to cut the deficit with consecutive baskets by Ferg Myrick but Suero would add onto the UAlbany lead with two free throws then followed by an up-and-under play by Sam Rowley to grab the game's largest lead of ten, 30-20, with 1:46 remaining in the half. Jordon Bronner would get fouled with 2.3 seconds left and would make one-of-two to end the half at a nine-point deficit, 30-21.

UAlbany would extend its lead to 17 points to open the second half, 52-35, with 7:14. Black led the Great Danes with seven points and a key steal and assist to teammate Tanner Gibson to spark 12-6 run during the 12 minute stretch.

New Hampshire would cut the deficit down to 11 with a 6-0 run , 52-41, with 4:11 remaining forcing UAlbany head coach Will Brown to call a timeout. The run was capped by a steal and layup by Ferg Myrick who finished the game with 11 points and three rebounds.

But the Great Danes would hold onto the lead for the final four minutes, going four-for-four from the free-throw line and topped the game off with a Gibson three pointer with nine seconds remaining to put the game up 18 points.

UAlbany held New Hampshire under 30.0 percent shooting from the floor (28.1%) and from three-point land (26.3%) while out rebounding UNH as well, 47-35. The Great Danes shot 36.2 percent from the floor and 42.1 percent from behind the arc.

Courtesy: UAlbany Sports

Royals Tabs 21 Points To Lead Women's Basketball Past Vermont, 74-61; AEast Semifinals On Sunday - UAlbany Sports 2012

West Hartford, Conn. - Sarah Royals recorded a career high 21 points, hitting 14 of 18 free throw shots, to lead University at Albany to the America East semifinal round with a 74-61 victory over Vermont in Friday's quarterfinal match.
Royals ties an America East tourament record with free throws made (14) and sets a new record for free throw attempts (18). Julie Forster recorded her eighth double-double of 18 rebounds and 13 points, while Lindsey Lowrie led the Great Danes in the first half with 14 points.

This quarterfinal match featured multiple lead changes and did not reach a scoring margin larger than ten points until the final minute.

With 2:13 remaining, the Great Danes held a 63-61 lead. Making it to the free throw line twelve times to finish the game, UAlbany missed only one shot. Forster and Ebone Henry each knocked in two, while Royals went 7-for-8 en route to the victory.

Vermont came out of the mid-game break with a 5- 0 run to cut a UAlbany lead down to 36-34. Over the next several minutes both teams played close and it wasn't until after the second media timeout that UAlbany began to widen the scoring margin. The Catamounts would come within three points twice in the final minutes, but with less than two minutes to play, the Great Danes hit the foul line to pull away.

Going into the locker room, UAlbany led 36-29. Lowrie finished the half with 14 points, tied with Vermont's Niki Taylor, who lead the Catamounts in the first half.

Vermont (10-20) began the game with first possession and a 4-0 run. Going into the first media timeout, UAlbany had committed four turnovers and was shooting 25 percent from the floor. Lowrie finished off two treys in a minute to collect the Great Danes' first lead of the night at 12-9 with 14:32 on the clock. Vermont regained momentum to produce their biggest lead of the half at 18-12 just a few minutes later before Adrienne Jones swiped a steal at mid-court to make the lay-up at 8:46, to start a 16-4 run in a three minute span for UAlbany. The Great Danes managed a ten-point lead with 1:22 left in the half.

Taylor played a key role in the Catamounts efforts to stay in the game as she tallied a career-high 22 points to lead her team. Kayla Burchill and Ashley Hoyt each chipped in 15 points in the losing effort. Shanai Heber led on the boards as she grabbed ten.

UAlbany (21-9) will play in the second semifinal game Sunday afternoon against the Hartford/Binghamton.

Courtesy: UAlbany Sports

Suero, Black and Aronhalt Honored With 2011-12 America East Conference Men's Basketball Accolades - UAlbany Sports 2012

Cambridge, Mass.- UAlbany Men's Basketball had three players honored for 2011-12 America East Conference regular-season accolades. Junior guards Gerardo Suero (1st team), Mike Black (2nd team), and Logan Aronhalt (3rd team) all received America East honors with Aronhalt making the All-Academic team for the second year in a row. The three junior guards and the rest of the Great Danes will prepare to play New Hampshire in the America East Quarterfinals on Saturday, March 3 at 2:15 p.m.

Gerardo Suero, a Santo Domingo, Dominican Republic native, was one of the top America East players, leading all scorers with 21.7 points per game and scored a league-high 20-plus points 20 times. The junior guard was America East Player of the Week four times this season for his outstanding performances in a week. Of Suero's 630 points this season, 201 of them came at the free-throw line which put him third all-time in America East history for made free throws.

Mike Black, who was a 2011 America East Third team selection, improved his game play from last season , averaging 13.5 points (12.3 last season), 4.2 assists (2.8 last season) and 2.8 rebounds (1.9 last season) this season. He has gone over 20 points four times this season, having only surpassed 20 points once last season. The Chicago, Ill. native was named America East Co-Player of the Week for the week of Jan. 9 through Jan.15, having tallied nine rebounds twice in a week for a point guard.

Logan Aronhalt, repeating as America East third team and all-academic team selection, even with an ailing knee throughout the season still performed well. Aronhalt surpassed the 1,000 point mark against Vermont and is currently ranked 25th all-time at UAlbany with 1,089 points. The Zanesville, Ohio native went 74 straight games that he started, which started back in 2010 against New Hampshire before ending the streak against Maine this season. He currently is in graduate school having graduated earlier this season with a 3.78 GPA and was honored on the 2012 CoSIDA All-America Academic Second team.

First Team
Name Yr. Pos. School Hometown/High School/Previous School
*Gerardo Suero Jr. G Albany Santo Domingo, Dominican Republic/Our Savior New American
*Darryl Partin (1) Sr. G Boston University Seattle, Wash./Charis Prep/La Salle
Tommy Brenton (2) Jr. F Stony Brook Columbia, Md./River Hill/Hargrave
Bryan Dougher (3) Sr. G Stony Brook Scotch Plains, N.J./Scotch Plains-Fanwood
Matt Glass Sr. F Vermont Underhill Center, Vt./Mt. Mansfi eld/UMass

Second Team
Mike Black (4) Jr. G Albany Chicago, Ill./Oak Park Fenwick
D.J. Irving So. G Boston University Chester, Pa./Archbishop Carroll
Gerald McLemore (5) Sr. G Maine San Diego, Calif./Worcester Academy
Chase Plummer So. F UMBC Plainfi eld, N.J./St. Patrick
Alvin Abreu (2) Sr. G New Hampshire Lynn, Mass./Boys to Men Academy (Ill.)

Third Team
Logan Aronhalt (4) Jr. G Albany Zanesville, Ohio/Zanesville
Andres Torres Sr. G Hartford Guaynabo, Puerto Rico/Colegio
Alasdair Fraser So. F Maine Falkirk, Scotland/Falkirk Clark Eriksson Fury
Dallis Joyner Sr. F Stony Brook Norfolk, Va./Granby
Brian Voelkel So. F Vermont Pleasantville, N.Y./Iona Prep

All-Rookie
Ben Dickinson Fr. F Binghamton Alexandria, Va./Gonzaga (D.C.)
Mark Nwakamma Fr. F Hartford Leander, Texas/Leander
Nate Sikma Fr. F Hartford Bellvue, Wash/Bellvue
*Justin Edwards Fr. G Maine Whitby, Ontario/Anderson CVI
*Four McGlynn Fr. G Vermont York, Pa./Dallastown

All-Defensive
*Patrick Hazel (6) Sr. F Boston University Jamaica, N.Y./Blair Academy (N.J.)/Marquette
Mike Allison Jr. F Maine Lynden, Ontario/National Elite Development Acad.
Chandler Rhoads (6) Jr. G New Hampshire Berryville, Va./Air Force Prep
Tommy Brenton (7) Jr. F Stony Brook Columbia, Md./River Hill/Hargrave
Brian Voelkel So. F Vermont Pleasantville, N.Y./Iona Prep

All-Academic Team
Name Yr. School Major GPA Hometown/High School

*Logan Aronhalt (8) Jr. Albany human biology 3.78 Zanesville, Ohio/Zanesville
Andrew Rogers (9) Sr. Maine kinesiology/physical eduction 3.86 Philadelphia, Pa./Archbishop Ryan
Brian Benson (9) Sr. New Hampshire kinesiology/pedagogy 3.48 Rochester, N.Y./Greece-Athena
Luke Apfeld So. Vermont English 3.82 Wolfeboro, N.H./Brewster Academy
Sandro Carissimo So. Vermont business 3.42 Sleepy Hollow, N.Y./Iona Prep

Rookie of the Year
Four McGlynn, Vermont

Defensive Player of the Year
Tommy Brenton, Stony Brook

Kevin Roberson Player of the Year
Darryl Partin, Boston University

Coach of the Year
Steve Pikiell, Stony Brook (10)

* Unanimous Selection
(1) First-Team - 2011
(2) Second Team - 2010
(3) Second Team - 2010, 2011
(4) Third Team - 2011
(5) First Team - 2010, Second Team - 2011
(6) All-Defensive - 2011
(7) All-Defensive - 2010
(8) All-Academic - 2011
(9) All-Academic - 2010, 2011
(10) Coach of the Year - 2010

Courtesy: UAlbany Sports

Katie Abrahamson-Henderson Named America East Women’s Basketball Coach Of The Year - UAlbany Sports 2012

West Hartford, Conn. - UAlbany head coach Katie Abrahamson-Henderson was named the America East Conference Women's Basketball Coach of the Year, announced at the 2012 awards reception held on the University of Hartford campus on Thursday. Junior guard/forward Ebone Henry was also named the league's Defensive Player of the Year, for the second straight season. Junior forward Julie Forster was also an All-Conference Second Team selection.

Abrahamson-Henderson, in just her second year at the helm of the UAlbany program, led the Great Danes to a 20-9 record and the second seed in the conference tournament. It is the first time in Division I history, and the first time since the 1991-92 season, that UAlbany has reached the 20-win plateau. Abrahamson-Henderson took over a squad that went 11-19 in 2009-10, and guided them to the program's first winning season in 2010-11 with a 16-14 record. Under her guidance, the Great Danes continued to show a remarkable improvement this season, going undefeated on the road during the league slate to post a 14-2 conference record.

Henry, an All-Conference First Team and All-Defensive Team selection, has blossomed under Abrahamson-Henderson's tutelage, and was named the conference's Defensive Player of the Year for the second consecutive season. Henry, the first player to earn the award for UAlbany, was also an All-Conference First Team selection this year, after leading the team in scoring with 14.1 points per game. She was also first in the league in steals, recording 2.7 thefts per game. Henry, a native of San Diego, Calif., scored her 1,000th career point this season. She has reached double-figure scoring totals in 22 games, including the last six straight, and has also recorded seven double-doubles on the season while averaging 7.2 rebounds per game.

Forster moves up to the All-Conference Second Team after a third-team appearance last year, and was also named to the All-Defensive Team for the second consecutive season. Forster, who is currently second on UAlbany's all-time career rebound chart with 836 caroms in three seasons, led the conference in rebounding for the third straight season. A native of Huntington, N.Y., Forster averaged 9.8 boards per game during the regular season, pulling down double-figure totals in 16 games. She is also averaging 8.8 points per game and leads the Great Danes with 30 blocks.

Forster, who holds a 3.97 cumulative grade point average in business administration, was also named to the All-Academic Team, for the second year in a row.

UAlbany will kick off the conference tournament on Friday evening, taking on the seventh-seeded Vermont Catamounts at 6:05 p.m.

-agate-

2012 America East Women's Basketball All-Conference Awards

First Team: Ebone Henry, Jr., UAlbany; Chantell Alford, Jr., Boston U.; Mo Moran, Jr., Boston U.; Erin Brown, Sr., UMBC; Denise Beliveau, Sr., New Hampshire.

Second Team: Julie Forster, Jr., UAlbany; Andrea Holmes, Sr., Binghamton; Ruthanne Doherty, Jr., Hartford; Michelle Kurowski, Sr., UMBC; Morgan Frame, Jr., New Hampshire.

Third Team: Viive Rebane, Sr., Binghamton; Rashidat Agboola, So., Boston U.; Daphne Elliott, Jr., Hartford; Nikkia Smith, Jr., Hartford; Samantha Baranowski, Sr., Maine.

All-Defensive Team: Ebone Henry, Jr., UAlbany; Julie Forster, Jr., UAlbany; Rashidat Agboola, So., New Hampshire; Denise Beliveau, Sr., New Hampshire; Shanai Heber, Jr., Vermont.

All-Rookie Team: Amber Bepko, Hartford; Danielle Walczak, Maine; Lauren Chase, UMBC; Tierra Shumpert, Vermont; Niki Taylor, Vermont.

All-Academic Team: Denise Beliveau, Sr., New Hampshire; Erin Brown, Sr., UMBC; Julie Forster, Jr., UAlbany; Alex Hall, Jr., Hartford; Michelle Kurowski, Sr., UMBC; Viive Rebane, Sr., Binghamton.

Coach of the Year: Katie Abrahamson-Henderson, UAlbany

Rookie of the Year: Lauren Chase, UMBC

Defensive Player of the Year: Ebone Henry, UAlbany

Player of the Year: Chantell Alford, Boston U.

Courtesy: UAlbany Sports

Logan Aronhalt Named To The 2012 CoSIDA Academic All-America Men's Basketball Division I Second Team - UAlbany Sports 2012

Towson, Md.- University at Albany's Logan Aronhalt has been chosen to the Capital One 2012 Academic All-America Men's Basketball Team Division I Second Team, as selected and announced on Thursday, Feb. 23 by CoSIDA (College Sports Information Directors of America). This is Aronhalt's first time being honored for All-America Division I second team. He has also graduated a semester early and is currently enrolled in the educational administration and policy studies graduate program at UAlbany.

Aronhalt, a junior guard from Zanesville, Ohio, has a 3.78 cumulative grade point average in human biology. He is fifth among the America East Conference scoring leaders at 14.6 points per game, plus is sixth in three-point field goals (2.1 per game) and second in free-throw percentage and 17th in the nation (.889). He is also averaging 4.5 rebounds.

Aronhalt, who is having a great junior season, eclipsed the 1,000-point mark as a Great Dane against Vermont earlier this season. He became the 32nd UAlbany basketball player to reach the plateau and is currently 25th all-time at UAlbany with 1,087 points.

SECOND TEAM

Name School Yr. Hometown GPA Major

Logan Aronhalt Albany Jr. Zanesville, Ohio 3.78 Human biology
Brian Conklin Saint Louis Gr. Eugune, Ore. 3.54 MBA (G); Busin. Admin (UG)
Drew Crawford Northwestern Jr. Naperville, Ill. 3.40 Economics
Ronald Nored Butler Sr. Homewood, Ala. 3.64 Early, Middle Childhood Ed.
Scott Saunders (2) Belmont Sr. New Orleans, La. 3.84 Finance & Marketing

Courtesy: UAlbany Sports

Women's Basketball Win 20 Games For the First Time in Division I History With 69-37 Win Over Binghamton - UAlbany Sports 2012

Albany, N.Y. - Megan Craig scored a game-high 19 points on 9-of-11 shooting from the floor to lead UAlbany to a 69-37 victory over Binghamton in America East Conference women's basketball action on Wednesday evening at SEFCU Arena. With the win, the Great Danes improve their record to 20-9 overall, and 14-2 in league play. It is the first time in Division I history, and the first time since the 1991-92 season, that UAlbany has won 20 or more games.

After Binghamton's Orla O'Reilly hit a 3-pointer 43 seconds into play, neither team scored until the 13:49 mark of the first half when Julie Forster hit a jumper in the paint for the Great Danes. The teams went back-and-forth, tying the game at 9-9 on a trey by Binghamton's Andrea Holmes. After another long-range shot put the Bearcats up, 12-9, UAlbany kicked into high gear, and scored the game's next 18 points. Craig scored seven of those points for the Great Danes, while two free throws by Forster with 36 seconds on the clock gave UAlbany a 26-12 lead. O'Reilly ended the run with a jumper for Binghamton with 20 seconds left, but Lindsey Lowrie sank a bucket with just nine ticks on the clock to send the Great Danes to the locker room with a 28-14 lead.

UAlbany continued to roll coming out of the halftime break, and build up a 21-point lead, 42-21, on a 3-pointer by Lowrie at 14:41. O'Reilly responded with a trey of her own at the Binghamton end of the floor, but the Bearcat defense could not contain the Great Danes, as they extended their advantage to 25 on back-to-back treys off Binghamton turnovers by Ebone Henry and Cassandra Callaway. Viive Rebane made two free throws to try to spur the Bearcats into action, but another long-range shot by Callaway at 7:35 put the Great Danes up, 60-30. Binghamton was cable to cut the lead back to 27 on a jumper by Jasbriell Swain, but UAlbany continued to roll, as a free throw by Sarah Royals set the score at 67-33 with under two minutes to play. Cyndra Couch laid the ball in with under a minute to play, while two made free throws by Binghamton's Kyra Aloizos set the final score.

O'Reilly and Holmes led the Bearcats with eight points each, while Swain totaled seven points and six rebounds for Binghamton (12-16, AE 6-9).

Craig scored her 19 points in 19 minutes of action off the bench, leading three players in double-digit scoring totals. Henry netted 12 points and recorded seven rebounds, five assists and two steals, while Callaway totaled 10 points, three helpers and two steals. Forster controlled the game off the boards, pulling down a game-high 11 caroms, as UAlbany out-rebounded Binghamton, 43-26. The Great Danes shot 44.1 percent (26-59) from the floor, while holding Binghamton to 27.3 percent (12-44) shooting.

UAlbany (20-9, AE 14-2) will wait to see how the conference standings wrap up over the weekend, determining the Great Danes' seeding and first America East tournament opponent.

Courtesy: UAlbany Sports

University of Albany Men's Indoor Takes Seventh Straight AEast Title; Women Finish Second

Boston, Mass. - Winning six of 20 events, the University at Albany men's indoor track and field team won its seventh straight America East Conference title Saturday afternoon at Boston University's Track and Tennis Center. The women's team, finishing just four and a half points behind first place Boston U., fell short of their third straight conference title. Four event titles were given to the women's squad.

The men's squad has won nine of the previous ten conference titles. Alfonso Scannapieco was honored as the Most Outstanding Field Performer, while the UAlbany received the Indoor Coaching Staff of the Year honor.

Scannapieco ended the weekend with two event titles; capturing the heptathlon and pole vault. In the pole vault, he completed a season-best 17 foot and one inch soar. Completing the last three events of the heptathlon today Scannapieco finished with 5, 202 points for the crown.

In addition to Kadeem Howell's 23' 11.50" title winning long jump yesterday, Alexander Bowen picked up another field event title in the high jump. Bowen leaped a 6' 9.75" distance for the top mark on the day.

On the track, the men captured titles in the 1,000 and 5,000 meter events. Chris Burke finished the 1,000 in 2:25.57, while Alex Leuchanka grabbed the 5,000 title yesterday crossing the tape at 14:24.60 to set a new school record.

Both distance medley teams garnered second place finishes with a 9:58.93 time for the men's side and 11:55.03 time for the women's squad. Tyler Fogarty, Alex Petit-Frere, Andrew Pirnie and Chris Buchanan split up the legs for the men's distance medley. On the women's side, Brianne Bellon, Brittany Eveleth, Jonelle White and Miranda McConnell ran in sync for the second place finish.

Pat McNish also finished the weekend with two titles. After a school record setting long jump yesterday, she finished Saturday with a 40 foot and four inch triple jump for the conference title.

On the track, Sherez Mohamed both a school and meet record in the 500 meter as she clocked in at 1:12.29 for the first place finish. The legs of Elia Francis, Kamilah Williams, Tenica Roberts and Alli Rogers finished in 3:46.26 setting a conference meet and school record in the 4x400 meter relay event. The 4x800 and distance medley teams for the Great Danes both placed second.

Rogers set a school record in the 400 meter trials and finished second in the final event in a time of 55.19.

The indoor season continues next weekend for the Armory Collegiate Challenge in New York City.

Courtesy: UAlbany Sports

First Regular Season Polls Are In; Women's Lacrosse At No. 16 - UAlbany Sports 2012

Albany, N.Y. - After the season opening 19-9 victory over Niagara, the University at Albany women's lacrosse program ranks in at No. 16 in the deBeer Women's Media Poll and first-ever ILWomen.com Power Rankings Poll.

The 2012 campaign began at home for the Great Danes this past Saturday with the victory over Niagara. Producing 19 total goals, UAlbany had many different players find the back of the net, including six goals from Tewaaraton Watch List player, Ariana Parker. Three freshmen made a lasting first impression by producing six goals and four assists that afternoon. Those first-year scorers included Maureen Keggins who banked in two goals and four assists, while Nichole Eamer tallied three goals and Rachel Bowles converted once.

The Great Danes will spend the next five games on the road, including a visit to Chapel Hill, N.C. Friday, February 24 with a contest featuring No. 3 North Carolina drawing off at 5:00 p.m

Courtesy: UAlbany Sports

University at Albany Announces Site of New Athletic Field Complex;

ALBANY, N.Y. (February 15, 2012) – University at Albany President George Philip today announced the official site of the University’s new $24 million athletic and recreational complex and kicked off a $6 million fundraising campaign to support the project. George Hearst, president of the University at Albany Foundation, announced a $1 million challenge pledge by an anonymous donor to match any contribution up to $1 million between now and Dec. 31, 2012.

“We are very excited to move forward on these long overdue and essential upgrades to our University’s athletic and recreational facilities,” said President Philip, speaking at an afternoon press conference held in the University’s SEFCU Arena. “The University is very appreciative of the tremendous support this project received from our Capital Region Legislative Delegation, led by Senators Neil Breslin, Hugh T. Farley, and Roy McDonald. We are also grateful for the tremendous support we have received from the community. All have made a crucial difference in making this day a reality.”

According to Philip, the project, which has been years in the making, would not have happened without the bi-partisan support of the Capital Region’s three New York State Senators, who each worked diligently to bring this project to fruition.

The renovation of the UAlbany athletic facilities will be accomplished in three phases over the next two years, and is budgeted at $24 million: $18 million from allocated state appropriations targeted for capital improvements and scheduled maintenance projects, and $6 million from private funding.

The groundbreaking for the project is expected to take place in mid-April. The three components include:

A new multi-use synthetic turf field for student recreational and intramural use. This component of the project is scheduled for completion in fall 2012.

An enhanced football and soccer facility able to accommodate NCAA Division I competitions with capacity for 4,000 permanent seats, 2,000 berm seats and nearly 2,000 temporary bleacher-style seats. This is slated for completion for fall 2013.


A rendering of the new football field, scheduled to be ready for fall 2013.


Repairs and upgrades meeting NCAA Division I standards to the University’s track & field venue. Completion of the track is scheduled for early winter 2013.

University at Albany Foundation President George Hearst remarked, “This momentous occasion demonstrates the importance of public-private partnerships as the means to advance our region’s economy and quality of life. This anonymous gift of $1 million places the University at Albany well on its way to achieving a state-of-the-art multi-sports complex for students, alumni, and the community-at-large.”

New Site for Football, New Turf for Track & Field
The enhanced facilities will be adjacent to the existing athletic football fields and the SEFCU arena on the Uptown Campus. Varsity football will be relocated to a new multi-purpose facility to be located south of the Bubble, east of the SEFCU Arena. A synthetic turf field with new field lighting and fencing (for extended season use) will be constructed east of the tennis courts and south of the Dutch Quad residence hall. The track will be located in its current location. When not in use for competitions, it will be available for community recreational use by high schools and community organizations.

UAlbany’s athletic facilities were constructed in the mid 1960s and have not been materially upgraded since that time. Today, these facilities do not meet current codes and access requirements. The football program is a perennial leader in NCAA Division I-AA football despite playing on the same field it used in 1970 as a club sport. Its track and field team, which has dominated competition in the Division I America East Conference, cannot host an NCAA competition as a result of the University’s track not being NCAA compliant.

UAlbany Vice President and Director of Athletics Lee McElroy said, “This is a tremendous acknowledgment of all that our coaching staffs and athletes have accomplished over the last decade. UAlbany athletes on the Division I level have achieved remarkable results, both on the field and in the classroom. All our students, coaches, alumni and community supporters will now receive the Division I-level playing facilities their dedication merits.”

“This is truly a great day for the University at Albany and the entire Albany area,” said Senator Breslin. “The University’s high performing student-athletes – both on the playing field and in the classroom – have provided local residents with great sporting opportunities over the years, and these new facilities will ensure even broader community support across the region for years to come.”

In addition, Senator Hugh T. Farley, a UAlbany alumnus and emeritus faculty member, worked tirelessly to support the University’s pursuit of the project. “UAlbany athletics are sources of pride both for our region and the school’s many alumni, of which I am one,” he said. “The development of a multi-sports complex will attract even more outstanding student-athletes to our excellent institution.”

Senator McDonald added, “I am always proud to lend my support to this great university. The additional attention these improvements to UAlbany’s recreational and intercollegiate sports facilities will bring to the campus will allow a brighter light to shine on the tremendous academic quality and research excellence that takes place here.”

Representatives from the New York State Public High School Athletic Association and the Sports Foundation of the Capital Region also praised the contribution the new UAlbany facilities will make as venues for major area sporting events.

Courtesy: UAlbany Sports

UAlbany To Play In The 2012 Basketball Hall of Fame Tip-off Tournament

Springfield, Mass.- UAlbany Men's Basketball has been invited to be a part of the 2012 Basketball Hall of Fame Tip-off Tournament, sponsored by the Metro Atlantic Athletic Conference. The annual NCAA men's exempt tournament will take place the weekend of November 16th-18th at Mohegan Sun Arena in Uncasville, Connecticut featuring eight schools in two four-team brackets. All teams will also compete in two campus round games.

The other seven teams scheduled to participate in this year's Tip-Off tournament are Loyola University Maryland (MAAC), Norfolk State University (MEAC), Ohio State University (Big Ten), Seton Hall University (Big East), University of Missouri-Kansas City (Summit League), University of Rhode Island (Atlantic 10) and University of Washington (Pac-12). Of the seven teams, UAlbany has only faced Seton Hall which was back on Jan. 7, 1925 with Seton Hall winning that contest.

The 2012 Tip-Off Tournament game schedule will be separated into two brackets. The Springfield bracket will include Albany, Loyola, UMKC and Norfolk State. The Naismith bracket will consist of Ohio State, Washington, Seton Hall, and Rhode Island. Game times and sessions for both rounds will be announced at a later date.

What the head coaches said about the tournament:

Thad Matta, Ohio State University
"Opening the 2012-13 season in the Hall of Fame Tip-Off Tournament will give our team the opportunity to gauge itself against quality competition in an NCAA tournament setting. Our program appreciates the opportunity to be a part of this outstanding event."

Lorenzo Romar, University of Washington
"Coach Jim Shaw has done a great job of trying to get us in one of the premier tournaments every year and this certainly falls into that category. We are privileged and honored to be selected as a participant in the Hall of Fame Tournament. The New York experience was great, we got to do a lot of things away from basketball. When we went to the CBE Classic (Kansas City) a few years ago, we got to see the NCAA Hall of Fame. Now, to be able to see and experience the Naismith Hall of Fame is something that may be our players only opportunity to ever see it. I'm already excited!"

Anthony Evans, Norfolk State University
"We are excited to be first-time participants in the Hall of Fame Tournament. It's an honor for us to be involved with an event that is connected to the history of the game. This is a great opportunity for our program and players."

Kevin Willard, Seton Hall University
"This is a great opportunity for our program to participate in one of the marquee early season events on the national calendar. We're proud to be a part of a tournament that celebrates the tradition and history of our sport. We're excited to be a part of this impressive field and look forward to the competition next November."

Jimmy Patsos, Loyola University Maryland
"We are looking forward to participating in the Tip-Off Tournament. The Metro Atlantic Athletic Conference has formed a strong partnership with the Naismith Basketball Hall of Fame, and we are honored to be selected to participate in the event next year."

Matt Brown, University of Missouri-Kansas City
"We are appreciative of the opportunity to play in the Tip-Off Tournament. We are not only looking forward to playing some great teams, but also be able to expose our student-athletes to the history of the sport of Basketball at the Hall of Fame."

Will Brown, University at Albany
"We are excited to be a part of the Hall of Fame Tip-Off Tournament. We will open the season with a very challenging schedule as our first 2 games in the event will be against Ohio State and Washington. The event will also give us the opportunity to visit the Hall of Fame and play 2 more games at Mohegan Sun. This will be a great experience for our program, athletic department, university, alumni, and fans."

Jim Baron, University of Rhode Island
"We are proud to be among the field for the 2012 Hall of Fame Tip-Off Tournament. It is a
tremendous tournament with outstanding teams, coaches, and student-athletes. We are looking forward to the challenge and the opportunity to play in such a prestigious event."

For more information:
Visit on the web: www.hoophall.com
... on Facebook: www.facebook.com/BBHOF
... on Twitter: @hoophall
... or call 1-877-4-HOOPLA

Courtesy: UAlbany Sports

UAlbany Celebrates Bob Ford Day

The University at Albany coach is the active Division I leader in coaching victories with 255 and is heading into his 40th season coaching the Great Danes. Just last season, he led UAlbany to its first Football Championship Subdivision playoff appearance.

On Thursday, Mayor Jerry Jennings proclaimed Feb. 2, 2012 as Bob Ford Day, in the city of Albany.

“I’m humbled by the whole process,” Ford said.

Even Jennings, a UAlbany grad himself, admitted that this was a honor long overdue. After Ford spoke, he was met with a standing ovation from a huge crowd in the Hall of Fame room, on campus.

“Bob Ford is as good a coach as there has ever been in the college game — any sport — because of the way that his young people respond to him and the way that he conducts himself with his colleagues and the way he conducts himself in high education,” said UAlbany Director of Athletics Lee McElroy.

Ford was asked what he would do on his day and anyone who knows him wouldn’t be surprised by his answer.

“We’ll probably go up and wrap up the recruiting,” Ford said.

Ford’s address teetered on sounding like a retirement speech, but he was quick to dismiss that thought.

“I just think you have to start reflecting as you get older, what will you miss, what are the things that you’ll miss tremendously,” he said. “I’ll miss the kids and having my batteries recharged on a daily basis.”

Ford mentioned a few special moments, including a victory over current Baltimore Ravens quarterback Joe Flacco, at Delaware. He also mentioned how special the players have been, speaking about one the team’s current players, Eddie Delaney, who has overcome diabetes and being born with one hand, to become an all-conference defensive end.

“For him to say that I’ve impacted his life means more than anything,” Delaney said.

Ford, who is having a hip replacement in two weeks, says he just wants to stay healthy and keep winning. Coaching has been a big enough reward for Ford, so things like Thursday’s event are just gravy.

“I’m fortunate that I get to work with young kids at a very critical time in their lives and you have a chance to mold them,” he said. “I know part of my life was molded by good high school and college coaches.”

A recent study by the University showed that more than 100 former assistants of Ford are working at the high school, college or professional ranks.

Men’s Basketball Draws Rider For The ESPN Bracketbuster Game - UAlbany Sports 2012

Albany, N.Y.- UAlbany Men's Basketball team (14-9, 6-3 AE) will face off against Rider (9-14, 6-5 MAAC) tentatively set for Saturday, Feb. 18 at SEFCU Arena (7 pm) in the ESPN Bracket buster game. The Great Danes are 0-2 in previous ESPN Bracketbuster games, having lost to Boise State by one, 83-82, on Feb. 16, 2007 and lost to Virginia Commonwealth, 70-67, on Feb. 17, 2006.

The Rider Broncs are in the Metro-Atlantic Athletic Conference and currently sit fifth in the standings with a 6-5 conference record. The Broncs are averaging 73.2 points per game on offense while allowing 76.1 points per game. One of Rider's team strengths has been shooting behind the arc boasting a 38.6 shooting percentage which ranks 32nd in the nation. The two Bronc's sharp shooters behind the arc are senior guards Brandon Penn shooting 44.3 percent (54-122 3FG) and Jeff Jones shooting 39.8 percent (45-113 3FG).

UAlbany is in the America East Conference and currently sits fourth in the standings with a 6-3 conference record. The Great Danes will have their hands full with the Broncs with what has seemed to be the team's Achilles heel, guarding the three-point shot. On the season, UAlbany ranks last in the conference defending the three-point shot allowing the opposing team to shoot 38.9 percent (178-457 3FG). To counter its lack of three-point defending has been its potent offense averaging 73.5 points per game. Junior guards Gerardo Suero, Logan Aronhalt, and Mike Black have provided to be one of the best three guard tandems averaging 50.1 points per game as a group this season.

The Great Danes continue its 2011-12 season on Wednesday, Feb. 1 against the Retrievers of UMBC at SEFCU Arena (7pm)

Stadium Design?

John Battaglino Honored as Lacrosse Magazine's Best Women's Coach of 2011 - UAlbany Sports 2012

Albany, N.Y. - After a tremendous, record-breaking 2011 women's lacrosse season for the Great Danes, head coach John Battaglino garnered numerous coaching awards after his first season in the reigns; including the recently announced Lacrosse Magazine Best Women's Coach of 2011.

Battaglino took the team 18-1 during his first season to set a program record for wins. Amongst those 18 wins was an America East Conference Championship title, the first for UAlbany, followed by the first NCAA Tournament game and first NCAA Tournament win. Topping that off, the Great Danes was the only Division I team to go undefeated in the regular season.

Lacrosse Magazine chose Battaglino for both his outstanding first season at the helm and working with a miniscule, injury-plagued roster. Battaglino told LM, "I've always been a big proponent of getting kids to make reads. I'm looking for five, six, seven kids on the scoreboard. They're all looking to score, to pounce on lanes and opportunities. It's a lot more fun to play, and it's a lot more fun to coach, especially when they start getting it. As soon as they start to see that, it's very rewarding."

The Great Danes 2012 campaign will begin at John Fallon Field on February 18th as they host Niagara.

UAlbany Football Finishes Season Ranked On Two National FCS Polls - UAlbany Sports 2012

Albany, N.Y. - The UAlbany football program finished up the 2011 season ranked on two national polls, and was receiving votes in a third. The Great Danes were voted 23rd in the Football Championship Subdivision Coaches Poll, and 21st in the Any Given Saturday FCS Poll. UAlbany also finished up the season receiving votes in the Sports Network Media Poll.

The Great Danes earned a share of their fifth Northeast Conference championship with 31-21 victory over Sacred Heart. Head coach Bob Ford, who has 255 career victories, led the program to its first NCAA FCS postseason appearance. UAlbany reached the eight-win plateau for the fourth time as a NCAA Division I FCS program. The Great Danes made their first NCAA appearance in football since 1977, taking on Stony Brook in the first round of the FCS Playoffs. UAlbany placed eleven players on the 2011 All-Northeast Conference squad, led by defensive end Eddie Delaney, who was just the second UAlbany defensive lineman to be recognized on three occasions during a career. Ford was voted the Northeast Conference Coach of the Year for the fourth time.

Paul Layton Named A 2011 ECAC Football Championship Subdivision Special Team All-Star - UAlbany Sports 2012

Albany, N.Y. - Sophomore punter Paul Layton was named a 2011 ECAC Football Championship Subdivision (FCS) Special Team All-Star, as announced by the organization. Layton, along with the rest of the first-team all-star honorees, will be recognized at the Eastern College Football Awards Banquet presented by FieldTurf on Thursday, February 16, in the Chase Club at MetLife Stadium in East Rutherford, New Jersey.

Layton, who hails from Burnt Hills, N.Y., finished the season sixth among the nation's punting leaders with a 42.6 average. He booted 17 kicks of 50 or more yards this season, and was named the Great Danes' Most Valuable Special Teams Player at the team banquet. He was named to the Northeast Conference First Team, and was the league's Special Teams Player of the Week on two occasions.

McNish, Lagno & Fanning Set School Records; Men Place Third, Women Place Sixth at Great Dane Classic - UAlbany Sports 2012

New York, N.Y. -Pat McNish, Paul Lagno, and Kathryn Fanning set more school records at the 10th Annual Great Dane Classic Saturday, January 20th in the NYC Armory. The men's squad finished third overall, while the women placed sixth out of 26 and 24 scoring team fields, respectively. The event featured over 50 teams.

Fanning, this week's America East Conference track performer of the week ran the 1,000 meter in 2:49.33 to place first which qualifies her for the ECAC Championships. Fanning exceeds a UAlbany record set in 2007 (2:50.74).

Lagno, also garnered America East honors this past week, soared in the mile run to finish with a time of 4:04.40. The time surpasses a record set in 2009 by over a half second.

Pat McNish soared 19' 4.00" in the long jump to finish third and qualified for the ECAC Championships. The previous school record was a half an inch shorter and set in 2009. McNish also had a 38' 8.25" triple jump score, good for eighth overall.

Elsewhere on the field, Janice Johnson garnered a 10th place finish in the shot put with a 41' 2.25" throw, a season-best. Ashley Grant had a high jump mark of 5' 5.00" to place sixth. On the track, the legs of Kamilah Williams, Elia Francis, Tynelle Taylor-Chase and Allison Rogers completed the 4 x 400 meter relay in 3:52.10 for fourth overall and qualifying for ECAC round. In the distance medley, Miranda McConnell, Allison Rogers, Sherez Mohamed, and Emily Finnegan finished in 12:01.85 for third overall; also an ECAC qualifying mark.

Alfonso Scannapieco leap 16' 8.75" to place first in the pole vault; the mark qualifies him for the IC4A Championships at the end of the season. Scannapieco also clocked an 8.65 in the 60 hurdles to place 13th overall. Chris Burke (4:13.24) had top-10 times in the mile run, while Alex Leuchanka (14:45.37), Christopher Buchanan (14:54.83) and Ethan Clary (15:12.64) placed in the top-20 in the 5,000 run. Matthew Catera and Elijah Pardo completed the 60 hurdles in 8.40 and 8.45 respectively, both top-10 performances overall. Alexander Bowen had another impressive high jump mark of 6' 11.00" to place third.

The Great Danes will take a week off before returning to the Armory the first weekend of February for the New Balance Collegiate Invitational, a two-day event.

Mike Black America East Co-Player of the Week - UAlbany Sports 2012

Cambridge, Mass.- Junior Guard Mike Black was voted the America East Conference Co-Player of the Week, which was voted on by the conference office. The other recipient for the award was Boston U.'s sophomore guard DJ Irving. This is Black's second time in his career that he has been honored with Player of the Week.

Black, a Chicago, Ill. native, had a career week in the Great Danes' two victories last week. Against New Hampshire, Black went off early in the game surpassing his previous career-high of five rebounds with seven in the first half. He would finish out the game with nine rebounds and 17 points in route to an 86-63 victory. Then versus Maine, the junior point guard matched his Wednesday night's results with nine rebounds and 15 points leading to a thrilling victory, 76-75.

Since conference play has begun, he is averaging 16.6 points per game, 5.2 assists per game, 4.4 assists per game. When the junior guard dishes out seven assists or more in a game, UAlbany is 5-0 on the season.

Five Great Danes Set Records at the Penn State Nittany Lion Challenge - UAlbany Sports 2012

University Park, Pa. - Kathyrn Fanning, Alexander Bowen, Paul Lagno and Sherez Mohamed set school records, while Alfonso Scannapieco set a new meet record at the Penn State Nittany Lion Challenge on Saturday, January 14th. The competition featured squads from Penn State, Cornell, Maryland, Pittsburgh, and West Virginia, meeting at Ashenfelther III Indoor Track.

Fanning began the day with a 4:51.88 mile time to finish third overall, setting a new UAlbany school record previously set in 2007. Alexander Bowen became the first UAlbany track and field athlete to jump over seven feet in the high jump (7' 0.25"), which is 1.25 inches more than the record previously set in 2002. Bowen, a freshman, placed second overall in the event.

Paul Lagno ousted his own record set last season in the 3,000 meter (8:16.88). Sherez Mohamed ran the 600 meter six-tenths of a second quicker than the record set last season by Brittany Eveleth, taking sixth place with the 1:36.00. Scannapieco set both a meet and personal record by soaring 16' 6.00" with the pole vault, good for first place.

In other women's track events, Jonelle White clocked a 2:15.95 800 meter time for second, while Brianne Bellon took fifth in the 1,000 meter with a 2:54.38 time. The Great Danes ran the distance medley in 12:06.87 as Emily Finnegan, Allison Rogers, Fanning and Bellon split up each leg. Pat McNish made an 18 foot and 5.25 inch leap to finish first in the long jump event.

Notable track events on the men's side include the first place 60 meter performance by Earnest Waters (6.87), while Donald Williams, Jr. clocked 6.88 in the same event. The 3,000 meter event featured a top-four Great Dane lineup; Paul Lagno took first as he clocked 8:16.66, while Chris Burke (8:27.00), Alex Leuchanka (8:28.93), and Chris Buchanan (8:33.35) completed the quartet finish. Meanwhile, Kareem Morris leaped 23 feet for a second place finish in the long jump.

The Great Danes will resume their schedule on Friday, January 20th for the 10th Annual Great Dane Classic held at the NYC Armory.

Ebone Henry Scores 1,000th Career Point; UAlbany Defeats New Hampshire, 60-44 - UAlbany Sports 2012

Albany, N.Y. - Junior guard Ebone Henry scored her 1,000th career point, while Lindsey Lowrie led all players with 23 points, as UAlbany defeated New Hampshire, 60-44, in America East Conference women's basketball action on Wednesday evening at Lundholm Gymnasium. The Great Danes, who remain in first place in the league standings, improve to 10-7 overall and 4-0 in conference play.

UAlbany jumped out to a quick 13-2 lead and never looked back. A 3-pointer by Lowrie, one of five in the game for the junior, were the first points of the contest, while Julie Forster grabbed an offensive rebound and put it back to give UAlbany a 5-0 lead three minutes into play. New Hampshire's Morgan Frame hit a jumper to put the Wildcats on the scoreboard, but Lowrie and Henry combined for six points on three straight Great Dane possessions to extend the UAlbany lead to 11-2. Forster capped the run with a jumper before Frame hit two free throws for New Hampshire with just over 12 minutes left in the first half.

The Great Danes continued to extend their lead as the half continued, getting up by 14 on another trey by Lowrie before Keyana Williams put UAlbany on top, 23-7 with a jumper at 5:27. Forster gave the Great Danes what would be their largest lead of the half, 24-7, with a free throw, before New Hampshire's Player of the Game, Kelsey Hogan, dropped in two free throws to cut the UAlbany advantage back to 15. Lowrie and Forster both hit buckets to put the Great Danes back ahead by 17 in the late going, but New Hampshire's Denise Beliveau converted a layup with just under two minutes left to set the halftime score at 28-13.

Lowrie kicked off the second half just like the first, draining a 3-pointer off an assist from Kate Cronin. UAlbany continued to roll, building up a 25-point advantage on a jumper by Lowrie at 17:14. New Hampshire's Kaylee Kilpatrick ended the Great Dane run with a layup, but Forster responded with a jumper in the paint to keep UAlbany ahead by a 25-point margin. A 3-pointer by Cari Reed kicked off a 9-0 run by the Wildcats, as New Hampshire was able to cut the deficit to 14, 40-26, with just over 13 minutes left to play. However, Henry sunk a shot from long range to end any threat by the Wildcats, and Lowrie followed with a trey of her own to keep the Great Danes ahead by 20, 46-26, with 10:48 left to play.

Henry scored her 1,000th career point on the first of two free throws with just under eight minutes left to go, which put UAlbany ahead by 22. New Hampshire continued to fight, getting the score back under 20 three more times as the game wound down. A 7-0 run by the Wildcats cut the Great Dane lead to 14, 56-42, but freshman Margarita Rosario nailed two free throws to keep UAlbany with an 18-point advantage. New Hampshire's Alexandra Leftridge scored the final basket of the game with 20 seconds remaining to set the final score.

Lowrie's 23 points on 9-of-16 shooting led three Great Danes in double figures. Henry totaled 12 points and a team-high nine rebounds, while Forster chipped in with 11 points, eight rebounds and two blocks. UAlbany shot 43.6-percent (24-55) from the floor, including 41.2 percent (7-17) from 3-point range. The Great Danes also outrebounded New Hampshire, 39-25.

Kilpatrick scored a team high 14 points for New Hampshire (8-7, AE 1-2), while Frame added eight points. Beliveau led the Wildcats off the boards with five rebounds, while also adding four points and three steals.

UAlbany (10-7, AE 4-0) will return to action on Saturday, visiting Maine in America East action.

Track & Field Sweeps America East Field Performances of the Week - UAlbany Sports 2012

Cambridge, Mass. - Unviersity at Albany's Alfonso Scannapieco and Kelsey Hanson recieve America East Confernence Field Performers of the Week with their first place finishes this past weekend at the Crowell Open.

Scannapieco placed first overall in the heptathlon with 4,956 points to begin the 2012 season for the Great Danes. He took the top spot in three field events including the long jump (21-07.25), the high jump (6-04.25) and the pole vault (15-03.00). The Crowell Open marked Scannapieco's first competiton with the Great Danes after transferring from Empire College.

Hanson, meanwhile, took first in the pentathlon with a score of 3,262, over 200 points more than the second place finisher. She leapt to victory in the long jump (16-11.50) and turned in solid second-place finishes in the high jump (5-03.25) and shot put (33-02.00).

Scannapieco and Hanson, along with the rest of the Great Dane squads, will return to action this coming weekend at the Penn State Nittany Lion Challenge in University Park, Pa.

Gerardo Suero Named Mid-Major Player of the Week - UAlbany Sports 2012

Albany, N.Y. - Gerardo Suero was named mid-major player of the week on nbadraft.net on Saturday, Jan. 7. Suero averaged 23.0 points in UAlbany's last two victories this past week. The junior guard is currently fourth in the nation in scoring with 22.1 points per game and has found the free throw line more than anyone else in the nation with 142 free-throw attempts.

Suero, the Santo Domingo, Dominican Republic native, has been one of the most consistent scorers on the Great Dane roster. In the past eight games, he has scored 20-plus points in which UAlbany is 6-2 overall. He has scored in double-digits in every game he has played in this year. Suero, a junior college transfer, has had no problem adjusting to the Division I level as he has been able to not only make it to the free-throw line more than anyone in the nation but has made the second-most free throws with 116.

Suero and the rest of the Great Danes look to win their fourth consecutive game on the road against Stony Brook on Sunday, Jan. 8 at Pritchard Gym at 2 pm.

Eddie Delaney Wins Maxwell Football Club Thomas Brookshier Spirit Award - UAlbany Sports 2012

Philadelphia, Pa. - University at Albany's Eddie Delaney has been named the winner of the Maxwell Football Club's Thomas Brookshier Spirit Award, as announced by the club's president, Ron Jaworski, on Wednesday afternoon. The Maxwell Football club has been presenting a Spirit Award since 2000, only in years when deemed appropriate. The award was re-named the Brookshier Award in 2010.

Delaney, a senior defensive end from Holtsville, N.Y., plays without a left hand and wears an insulin pump to control diabetes. An All-Northeast Conference Defensive First Team selection, Delaney made 54 tackles and led the Great Danes with 11.5 hits for a loss. He also established the program's FCS single-season record with 8.5 sacks.

In addition to excelling on the field, Delaney also devoted himself to numerous pursuits in the local community. He has taken a large role in an effort to raise awareness and funds for the Juvenile Diabetes Research Foundation, and has spoken to the Sugar Free Gang on several occasions, inviting the group to attend UAlbany football games. The Sugar Free Gang, established in 1989 at Ellis Hospital in Schenectady, N.Y., actively involves children and their families as full partners with their health care providers in managing type 1 diabetes. Delaney, who developed many of his own workout and weight lifting plans, would like to work in the future to help create plans to help children overcome disabilities in the same way he did.

"This is a tremendous honor for Eddie and for the University," said UAlbany head coach Bob Ford, who led the Great Danes to the NEC Championship title and first FCS Tournament berth in 2011. "Eddie is a tribute to the sport of football and to UAlbany. He is a great role model for kids with disabilities and, in addition, he is a great football player."

The Brookshier Award was named after Tom Brookshier, who earned distinction as an All-Pro cornerback on the 1960 NFL Champion Philadelphia Eagles. After a broken leg ended his playing career, Brookshier took to the broadcast booth, working three Super Bowls with longtime partner Pat Summerall. Brookshier passed away in January 2010, and the Maxwell Football Club re-named the Spirit Award in his honor. The award is presented only when deemed appropriate, to a member of the football community who best exemplifies extraordinary spirit in overcoming adversity or demonstrating service. The award was last given to Boston College's Mark Herzlich in 2009, and has also been presented to Kevin Everett of the Buffalo Bills (2008) and Tedy Bruschi of the New England Patriots (2005).

The Maxwell Football Club was established in 1935 in Philadelphia, Pa. The organization presents the Maxwell Award for the College Player of the Year. This award is presented in honor of Robert W. (Tiny) Maxwell, legendary college player, official and sports columnist.

The 75th Maxwell Football Club National Awards Gala will be held at the Harrah's Atlantic City Resort on March 2, 2012. The event is open to the public. Tickets may be purchased on the Maxwell Football Club website at www.maxwellfootballclub.org or by calling 215-643-3833.

Dan Di Lella Named to 14th Annual FCS Athletic Directors Association Academic All-Star Team - UAlbany Sports 2012

Cleveland, Ohio - University at Albany's Dan Di Lella was named to the Football Champioship Subdivision Athletic Directors Association Academic All-Star Team, as announced by the FCS ADA and president Marilyn McNeil. Di Lella was one of 58 student-athletes selected to the Academic All-Star squad out of 92 nominees from across the country.

Di Lella, a 6-foot-5 quarterback from Neshanic Station, N.J., established school single-season records in passing yards (2,548), touchdowns passes (25) and total offense with 2,859 yards. He completed 59.9 percent of his attempts and had a 144.51 efficiency rating. Di Lella also set a program record with seven games of 200 or more passing yards. A business administration major with a minor in criminal justice, Di Lella holds a 3.22 cumulative grade point average.

Student-athletes from all FCS institutions are eligible for ADA Academic All-Star awards. Nominees are required to have a cumulative GPA of 3.20 (on a 4.00 scale) and must be a starter or key player. He must have reached his second year of athletic and academic standing and must have participated in 50 percent of the games played at his designated position.