Albany Great Danes

UAlbany Great Danes
University	University at Albany
Conference(s)	America East (17 sports); Metro Atlantic Athletic Conference (Women's Golf); Northeast Conference (Football)
NCAA	Division I
Athletics director	Lee A. McElroy
Location	Albany, NY
Varsity teams	19 (8 Men & 11 Women)
Football stadium	University Field
Basketball arena	SEFCU Arena
Baseball stadium	Varsity Field
Soccer stadium	Varsity Field
Lacrosse stadium	John Fallon Field
Other arenas	University Gymnasium
Mascot	Great Danes (Damien & Lil' D)
Nickname	Great Danes
Fight song
Colors	Purple and Gold
Homepage	Albany Great Danes

The Albany Great Danes are the intercollegiate athletic programs of the University at Albany, SUNY. The University's intercollegiate athletics date back to the late 1890s, but its development was hampered for several decades by inadequate facilities, uncertain financial support, and the relatively small number of male students in an institution designed to develop elementary school teachers. Tennis remained a constant from 1898 onward along with men’s basketball from 1909, but attempts to field teams in football (1922), baseball (1896–1901), swimming, and hockey were aborted. Expansion into men’s and women’s sports increased after World War II and then expanded greatly in the 1960s (men’s sports of lacrosse, track & field, cross-country and swimming moved from club to varsity status, and women’s tennis, softball, field hockey, basketball and swimming were introduced), as a direct result of the introduction of the new Uptown Campus and its expanded athletic facilities. A nickname change also occurred, the Pedagogues becoming the Great Danes - making Albany the only American college or university with that mascot.

All athletics are run by the University at Albany Department of Athletics and Recreation. After the 1972 NCAA restructuring, the university competed in Division III until the 1995–96 school year, when it moved to Division II. The university would remain in Division II until 1999. The school currently has 19 varsity sports (8 men, 11 women) competing at the Division I level. The school's sports teams have participated in the America East Conference since 2001. Football participates in the Football Championship Subdivision (former Division I-AA) as an associate member of the Northeast Conference. After the 2008-09 school year, Women's Golf was discontinued in the America East. Along with Boston University and University of Hartford, the program began competing in the Metro Atlantic Athletic Conference (MAAC) starting in the 2009-10 school year. The football program will move to the Colonial Athletic Association beginning in the Fall of 2013.

In addition to varsity sports, Albany's intercollegiate club sports include Men's Ice Hockey, Men's & Women's rugby, and Men's & Women's Crew. However, these teams are not affiliated with the Department of Athletics and Recreation and are instead funded by the Student Association. Competition in these sports is at the club-level except for Crew which competes, almost exclusively, alongside NCAA (varsity level) opponents.

Championships (Since 2001)

America East Conference

Sport	Regular Season Championships	Conference Tournament Championships
Baseball		2007
Men's Basketball	2005–06	2005–06; 2006–07
Women's Basketball		2011-12
Field Hockey	2006°; 2008; 2009	2008; 2010; 2012
Women's Golf		2004; 2008; 2009
Men's Lacrosse	2002; 2003; 2007°	2003; 2004; 2005; 2007
Women's Lacrosse	2010; 2011	2011; 2012
Men's Soccer	2004°
Softball	2004; 2005; 2008; 2011°	2005; 2006; 2007; 2011
Men's Indoor Track and Field		2002–03; 2003–04; 2005–06 to 2011-12 (7 straight)
Men's Outdoor Track and Field		2003; 2005–2012 (8 straight)
Women's Outdoor Track and Field		2006; 2007; 2009-2012 (4 straight)
Women's Indoor Track and Field		2009–10; 2010–11
Women's Volleyball	2004; 2005; 2006; 2008-12 (5 straight)	2004; 2006-08 (3 straight); 2010; 2011
Men's Cross Country		2011

° – Signifies Co-Champions

As an athletic department, UAlbany won the 2004–05 Stuart P. Haskell, Jr. Commissioner’s Cup. The Commissioner’s Cup annually recognizes the strongest athletic program in America East as determined by a scoring system which rewards a school for success both during the regular season and at championship competition in the conference’s 22 sports.

Northeast Conference - Football

Conference Championships	Postseason Game & Location	Opponents & Results
2002	ECAC Football Classic (University Field – Albany, NY)	Win vs. Duquesne Dukes (24–0)
2003°
2007	Gridiron Classic (Welcome Stadium – Dayton, OH)	Loss vs. Dayton Flyers (42–21)
2008	Gridiron Classic (University Field – Albany, NY)	Win vs. Jacksonville Dolphins (28–0)
2011°	NCAA Division I Football Championship - 1st Rd. (Kenneth P. LaValle Stadium - Stony Brook, NY)	Loss vs. Stony Brook Seawolves (31-28)
2012°

° – Signifies Co-Champions

Football

Main article: Albany Great Danes football

One of the most well known coaches at the university is football coach Bob Ford. The architect of the University at Albany's football program, Ford has been Albany's only head coach since the program was reinstated after a 46-year absence. Ford joined the program in 1970 when it was a club. After only three seasons at the club level, the program was upgraded to varsity status in 1973, and finished with a 7–2 record. In 1974, the team finished 9–0, the school's only undefeated season. Ford has put together a record of 246-156 with the Great Danes, while his 256 career victories rank first among active NCAA Division I Football Championship Subdivision (FCS) head coaches. His UAlbany teams own a 80-52 mark for a .606 winning percentage as a Division I FCS program. (records as of end of 2011 season). Ford recorded his 250th career win with a 38-10 victory against Duquesne on October 8, 2011.

At his time with Albany, Ford has led the Great Danes to one ECAC North Championships (D-III), one Division-III Playoff appearance, two East Football Conference Championships and three Northeast Conference Championships (two Co-Championship).

Ford's knowledge has also created a "coaching factory scenario" at the university. More than 100 coaches, who have started their careers under Ford, are currently employed with 60 different high schools, colleges, and professional teams from around the world.

1999–2010: Start of Division I Football

The Great Danes have been successful in football since its first season on the Division I-AA level. In the 1999 season the Great Danes compiled a 7–2 overall record, finishing 6–1 in-conference, which was good for second in the NEC.

In 2002, Ford's team had its first big successful season at the Division I level. The Great Danes, led by running-back Gary Jones, would win the program's first-ever Northeast Conference title. They would go on to defeat unbeaten Duquesne in the 2002 ECAC Bowl. Jones would set the single-season rushing record mark with 1,509 yards (1,380 m) and scoring a program record 22 rushing touchdowns.

Jones would break his own single-season mark the following season, rushing for 1,524 yards (1,394 m). He would also become the programs all-time leading rusher with 3,033 yards (2,773 m) in only two seasons with the Great Danes.

Success for Ford's program continued during the 2006 season. The Great Danes would defeat #11 FCS ranked University of Delaware (a full-scholarship program) 17–10 in front of just over 22,000 people on September 16. Two weeks later, for the first time in the program’s history, the team would be ranked in both The Sports Network and College Sporting News Division I-AA national polls, ranked at No. 23 in both national rankings. The Great Danes would finish the season 7–4.

The 2006 season also marked a major change in recruitment of athletes for the football program. The program, which had played non-scholarship football since being established, had begun offering scholarships to part of its roster players, joining other Northeast Conference programs in the expansion of the conferences football teams.

Despite starting the season 1–3, including loses to #19 Hofstra and #2 University of Montana, the Great Danes in 2007 would run through the NEC Conference, going 6–0, to win their second conference championship. In what was deemed the 'NEC Championship Game', UAlbany defeated Central Connecticut State University 49–14 in the final regular season game. The Great Danes became the fifth team in NEC history to go undefeated in conference play. The victory also gave them a postseason appearance against the University of Dayton of the Pioneer League in the Gridiron Classic in Dayton, Ohio.

UAlbany continued its run during the 2008 season despite playing an un-orthodox schedule to start the season. The Great Danes would play their first five games of the season on the road, three against Top 25 ranked FCS opponents, and eight consecutive road games from the 2007 to the 2008 season. UAlbany would be the lone Football Bowl Subdivision and Football Championship Subdivision team to not play at home in August or September of the 2008 season.

Led by running-back David McCarty, who would break Gary Jones single season and career rushing record during the season, the Great Danes would go 7–0 to win their second consecutive NEC Championship. The undefeated season marked a 13 conference game winning streak, second longest in NEC History, and the second time in conference history a team won back-to-back championships. The Great Danes defeated the Jacksonville University Dolphins in their second consecutive appearance in the Gridiron Classic on December 6, 2008 by a score of 28–0.

2011 Season

Prior to the 2008 season, the NCAA Board of Directors' approved the expansion of the Division I Football Championship Subdivision post-season bracket, allowing the Northeast Conference to gain automatic access into the Division I Football Championship beginning in 2010. The NEC’s automatic access could come sooner than 2010 if its champion meets specified criteria of the Football Championship Committee for an at-large spot.

In 2011, after 39 years of running the program, Ford's program would reach a major accomplishment. The Great Danes would finish the season 8-3 (7-1 in conference), despite starting the season 0-2. The team would finish the season as co-champions with Duquesne. However, because of a 38-10 victory against the Dukes earlier in the season, the Great Danes would win their first ever trip to the NCAA Division I Football Championship. They would play former NEC opponent and Big South Champions, the Stony Brook Seawolves in the first round of the tournament. They would lose 31-28, as the Seawolves came up with an interception at the goal-line with under a minute to play. Stony Brook coach Chuck Priore graduated from Albany, played for Bob Ford and was running back coach for Albany from 1983-85.

The Great Danes would have strong leaders on the 2011 team. Senior quarterback, Dan Di Lella would lead an offense that averaged 34.2 point per game. Di Lella would set a school record for most touchdowns passes in a single season. On defense, senior captain defensive-end Eddie Delaney would set a single season school record for sacks. Delaney would also get national recognition for his success on the field despite being a diabetic and having been born without a left hand.

Bob Ford Field and move to CAA

On April 17, 2012, the university broke ground on a new multi-sport complex that would be available for use beginning in Fall 2013. Along with a complex that will be the new home for football and soccer, a new track will be created on the current football field, University Field. The plans to build the stadium were revealed in the summer of 2011. The new stadium, which the field will be named Bob Ford Field, will hold initially 6,000. However, the stadium will be built so future expansion can take place upwards to 10,000 to 15,000.

It was announced on August 7, 2012 that beginning in 2013, the football program would accept an increase in scholarships and move out of the Northeast Conference and into the Colonial Athletic Association. Stony Brook, a former Northeast Conference rival, would also be making the move with them.

On November 17, 2012, the Great Danes played their final NEC Conference game and final game at University Field against Central Connecticut State. UAlbany defeated the Blue Devils 63-34, finishing 78-24 all-time against NEC opponents and 127-65 at University Field. The Great Danes also clinched a share of the NEC Championship. However, they did not win the NEC automatic bid do to a loss against Wagner (one of only two loses on the 2012 season) and finishing in a tie with the Seahawks.

UAlbany and the NFL

The UAlbany football program continues to grow under Ford's leadership, leading to connections between the program and the National Football League. Rudy Vido, who graduated in 1974 as a fullback and defensive end, became the first player in school history to try-out for an NFL team. He tried out for the New England Patriots, but never played in the league.

In 2005, Kurt Campbell became the first player in the program's history to be drafted into the NFL. Campbell was selected in the 7th round by the Green Bay Packers.

In the 2007 NFL Draft, Rashad Barksdale, who made the game winning interception against Delaware in 2006, became the second player in school history to be drafted. He was selected in the 6th round by the Philadelphia Eagles. Barksdale was cut however at the end of training camp, but was signed by the Kansas City Chiefs, and became the first player in school history placed on an NFL 53-man roster.

Barksdale made his National Football League debut on October 7, 2007 against the Jacksonville Jaguars. It marked the first time a UAlbany player had appeared in an NFL regular-season game when he took the field on special teams. He also played on the punt cover and punt return units and recorded his first career tackle in the fourth-quarter.

Barksdale was cut by the Kansas City Chiefs on August 31, 2008. However, he would sign with the New York Giants as a member of the practice squad for the 2008 season. On December 30, 2008, Barksdale would become the first UA stand-out to make an NFL Playoff Roster after the Giants signed him to replace corner Sam Madison, who went down with an ankle injury.

The Great Danes have sent multiple players to try-outs and NFL training camps as un-drafted free agents. In addition to the NFL, multiple alumni have participated in the Canadian Football League and the Arena Football League. Many former coaching staff members have also coached in the NFL, including former NFL head coach Dave Campo. From 2006-2010, Tony and Andy Sparano would be key figures on the Great Danes roster. At the same time their father, Tony Sparano, would be head coach of the Miami Dolphins.

The strongest connection to the NFL is the university hosting the New York Giants Summer Training Camp. Since 1996, the university's practice fields are handed over to the Giants, bringing fans and media from around New York and the United States to Albany. In 2007, the school dedicated the University’s football practice field in honor of Wellington Mara and Preston Robert Tisch, the late co-owners of the Giants. Mara and Tisch were instrumental in making the University at Albany home to the Giants’ summer training camp.

Men's basketball

Main article: Albany Great Danes men's basketball

Sauers Era

The second longest serving coach in UAlbany history belongs to Richard “Doc” Sauers. Sauers served as Great Danes men's basketball coach from 1955–1997. Little known to many, Sauers is one of the most victorious coaches in the history of college basketball with 702 victories. He led the program to eleven NCAA and four NAIA post-season tournament appearances in his tenure.

Sauers joined the program when the school was known as the State College for Teachers, and helped in the transition from the College Division into Division III and then Division II basketball. From 1975 to 1995, Sauers led the team to 10 NCAA Tournaments, 2 ECAC Championships (1978 and 1989), ten 20-win seasons and 26 17-win seasons.

Sauers finished his career with a 702–330 record in 41 seasons. Sauers achieved the prestigious 700-win mark on Feb. 8, 1997 in an 89–71 victory over the University of Bridgeport. He would retire one month later.

A banner is flown in the rafters of the SEFCU Arena honoring Sauers accomplishment of 702 wins. The college is planning on naming the court at SEFCU Arena in his name in the near future. Sauers still coaches for UAlbany, now leading the Women's Golf program, in which he led the Great Danes to the 2004 and 2008 America East Championship. He also was head coach for men's golf from 1962–79. He was inducted into the university's Hall of Fame in 2004.

Division I

The process to become a Division I program was slow. From the 1999–00 season, the first year in Division I, to the end of the 2004–05 season, UAlbany recorded a 48–118 record. The team finished with over 10 victories in only two seasons. However, in the 2005–06 campaign, the Great Danes compiled a 21–11 season. In that season, the Great Danes would take on both the eventual national champion Florida Gators and UCLA Bruins, both of which would play each other for the National Championship.

"Why Not Us?: The 2005–06 Season"

On March 11, 2006, the men's basketball team won the America East conference tournament, earning the school (and the SUNY system) its first ever berth to the NCAA Men's Division I Basketball Tournament, defeating the University of Vermont 80–67 in a sold out RACC. The Great Danes were seeded #16 in the Washington, D.C. region and were matched up against top-seeded UConn. Despite the #16 seed being 0–87 before Albany took the floor, head coach Will Brown believed that his team had a chance to beat UConn in the tournament. With that, the team took the motto, "Why Not Us?". Fans and alumni wore shirts with the motto.

On March 17, 2006, the Danes nearly became the first #16 seed to defeat a #1 seed in the Division I tournament. The Danes, down only 1 at the half, went on a 13–0 run early in the second half to take a double-digit lead over the Huskies. With the game televised on CBS, the Danes led 50–38 with just over 11 minutes left in the game. However, a late run by the Huskies' stifling defense stopped the Danes' offense, and the Huskies averted the upset, winning 72–59. The play against UConn gave the program instant notoriety.

2006–Present

In the 2006–07 season, the Great Danes faced a much stronger America East conference. The Great Danes would accomplish a 20–9 regular season, but be the #2 seed in the conference tournament. This forced the Great Danes to travel to Vermont, who was the #1 seed for the conference championship, where they were previously 0–7.

The Great Danes, considered underdogs, would not falter. On March 10, 2007, the men's basketball team won their second consecutive America East title, beating Vermont 60–59 in the conference final on a last second steal by Carl Ross and Brent Wilson. The Great Danes would be seeded 13th in the South Division of the 2007 NCAA Division I Tournament, and lost to the 4th seed Virginia Cavaliers 84–57 in the first round in Columbus, Ohio.

Prior to the conclusion of the 2006–2007 season, the men's basketball program retired the number 31 of player Jamar Wilson. Wilson finished his career as the school’s all-time scorer with 2,164 points, plus ranked second in assists with 488. Wilson became the first player in school history to score 500 points or more in three different seasons. He also shattered the school standard with 620 points in a season, breaking a record set by Jason Graber in 1993–94. He would also win two America East Player of the Year Awards, something only three other people in conference history had achieved. Many believed that his commitment to the university was part of the early Division I success of UAlbany's men's basketball program. No athlete in the program's history has had their number retired prior.

The program has participated in ESPN's BraketBuster series in 2005–06 at Virginia Commonwealth, 2006–07 at Boise State, both of which were shown on one of ESPN's family of networks.

Early in the 2007–08 season the Great Danes played a nationally televised game against the Duke Blue Devils, losing by a score of 111–70.

In 2009, the University at Albany played host to its first America East Men’s Basketball Championship at the 4,538-seat SEFCU Arena on campus. The America East will bring the conference tournament back to SEFCU in March 2013.

Men's Lacrosse

Main article: Albany Great Danes men's lacrosse

The program began in 1970 with a 3–7 record competing in Division III. In 1975, the program would reach the ECAC Division III Tournament under coach Dave Armstrong. From 1975 to 1997, the Great Danes would reach two more ECAC Division III Tournaments. In 1997 the Great Danes would reach the finals of the ECAC Division II Tournament.

2000–2006

In 2000, the Great Danes began play in the America East at the Division I level. In 2001, Scott Marr was given the reigns of the program. Even though the Great Danes finished with a 3–8 record in 2001, the Great Danes compiled an 8–6 regular season to take the regular season conference championship in the America East in 2002. They would reach the championship game but lose to the Stony Brook Seawolves 8–6.

Led by a new crop of recruits, some of the first lacrosse players in school history to be on scholarship, such as Kevin Rae and Luke Daquino, the Great Danes would start making a mark on college lacrosse in 2003. The Great Danes would go 8–6 and seek revenge against Stony Brook in the America East semifinals 11–5 to move on to face the University of Hartford for the America East Championship. On May 3, 2003, Albany would defeat Hartford 7–5 to win their first ever America East Championship. They would go on to face and lose to Princeton University in the first round on the NCAA Tournament.

The success for the Great Danes would not stop after 2003. With incoming recruits and a strong core of returning players, the Great Danes would continue their championship ways. In 2004, including an upset against the University of Massachusetts Amherst, the Great Danes would go on to win another America East Championship. They would play Syracuse University in the first round and lose 21–13.

The surge would continue into 2005 as the Great Danes defeated Stony Brook 16–7 to win their third straight America East Championship. However, the first round NCAA Tournament jinx would continue as the Great Danes were demolished by the University of Virginia 23–9.

2006 would be an off year for the Great Danes. With all-time career points leader at the time Luke Daquino and career saves leader Kevin Rae graduated, the team was young and over matched. The Great Danes would sneak into the America East Tournament, but lose 19–10 to UMBC. However, it would be soon that the Great Danes would go back to their winning ways.

Despite a season of struggles in 2006, the program took one major stride during the season. In the fall of 2005, John Fallon Field was completed and became the new home of the Great Danes. An all-weather facility, Albany finally had a place to call home. In previous seasons the team would play home games at University Field. However, do to harsh winters and wet springs, the field was usually not in playing condition come lacrosse season. This forced many home games to be played at local high schools and community colleges. With John Fallon Field, Albany now had one of the premier outdoor lacrosse fields in the Northeast.

2007 season

In the 2007 season, the lacrosse team would be ranked in the top-25 in both USILA and Nike/Inside Lacrosse polls and reached a high of #2 in the USILA poll. Notable wins were against #1 ranked Johns Hopkins Blue Jays and #10 Delaware. On May 13, 2007, the men's lacrosse team became the first team at the Division I level to advance/win a match in the NCAA Tournament, defeating Loyola College in Maryland 19–10 in front of nearly 3,000 people at John Fallon Field. One week later, the Great Danes were defeated by undefeated Cornell University 12–11 in the NCAA Quarterfinals at Princeton University.

The team finished ranked #4 in the Nike/Inside Lacrosse poll, the highest ranking for any team in school history. Head Coach Scott Marr was awarded the USILA Division I National Lacrosse Coach of the Year to cap the amazing season.

One of the big stars for the lacrosse team in 2007 was senior attackman Frank Resetarits. He would become the first Great Dane in school history to earn first-team All-American honors as he was selected to the 2007 USILA All-America Team. Resetarits was also named a finalist for the Tewaaraton Trophy. Resetarits would also become the first lacrosse player in school history to be drafted into the Major League Lacrosse, selected by the Washington Bayhawks, but being traded and making his debut with the Long Island Lizards. Resetarits would also join the National Lacrosse League, drafted #5 overall by the San Jose Stealth in 2007 NLL Draft.

Resetarits was joined in the pros by UAlbany elite goal scorer Merrick Thomson. Thomson would sign a free agent contract with the New Jersey Pride on the MLL, and then drafted #2 overall by the Philadelphia Wings in the 2007 NLL Draft. Both Thomson and Resetarits are ranked one and two in career points at Albany. Thomson is also the all-time leading scorer in Great Danes history. Defender Liam Gleason was also signed by the New Jersey Pride shorty after the 2007 Major League Lacrosse draft.

Two other pieces of the championship team were drafted in the 2008 Major League Lacrosse draft. Midfielder Jordan Levine was selected 10th Overall by the New Jersey Pride, re-uniting him with Thomson and Gleason. Star goaltender Brett Queener was selected 48th Overall by the Rochester Rattlers making him the 5th UAlbany graduate to play professionally in Major League Lacrosse.

Other Division I athletic success

• The Athletic Program would win a record-tying eight conference titles in the 2006–2007 school year, including five during the spring sports period. The Great Danes took home the conference championship in women's volleyball, men’s indoor track & field, men’s basketball, men’s lacrosse, men’s & women’s outdoor track & field, baseball and softball.

• The women's volleyball team in 2006 became the first team in school history to host a Division I NCAA Tournament event. In 2007, the Great Danes won their second consecutive America East Conference championship and defeated Cleveland State 3–0 to win their first NCAA Division I Tournament match, led by coach Kelly Sheffield. Sheffield would lead UAlbany to three NCAA Tournaments during his seven seasons as head coach. Even after Sheffield's departure, interim coach MJ Engstrom would lead the Danes volleyball team to its third consecutive America East Championship in 2008.

• The Track & Field team became the first team at Albany to sweep both men's and women's conference titles in 2006 and then repeated the effort again in 2007.

• Men's soccer goalkeeper Bouna Coundoul would sign a contract with the Colorado Rapids of Major League Soccer and make his professional debut, the first for an Albany alumni in the major-American (NFL, MLB, NBA, NHL, MLS etc...) sports, on May 13, 2006. In January 2008, Coundoul was named to the Senegal National Soccer Team to compete in the 2008 African Cup of Nations Tournament in Ghana. The African Cup is the highest level soccer championship tournament in Africa. With being named, Coundoul became the first MLS player to ever compete in the tournament. In 2009, goalkeeper Steward Ceus became the first Great Dane selected in the MLS Draft when he was selected by the Colorado Rapids to replace Coundoul after he left to free agency.

• Baseball won its first ever conference championship in 2007. They were selected as the #4 seed in the Fayetteville Regional in the 2007 NCAA Division I Baseball Tournament (#1 University of Arkansas, #2 Creighton, #3 Oklahoma State).

• In 2011, the Women's Lacrosse team would finish the regular season a perfect 17-0. They would be the only team to finish the regular season undefeated in the nation going into the NCAA Tournament. The trip to the NCAA Tournament would be the first in program history. They would defeat UMBC 11-4 in the America East Championship. They would be seeded #7 in the tournament, however would have to play their first round game at Dartmouth (conflict with universities graduation weekend). They would defeat Dartmouth 10-7, however lose in the Quarterfinals 18-4 to Northwestern. They would finish the season a program best 18-1.

• UAlbany has had eight players selected in the Major League Baseball First-Year Player Draft: Terry Kenny (9th round, 1974, San Francisco Giants), Steve Checksfield (10th round, 2001, Houston Astros), Mike Grasso (11th round, 2002, Atlanta Braves), Adam Kroft (30th round, 2004, San Diego Padres), Tom Hill (34th round, 2007, Kansas City Royals), Mike Konstanty (39th round, 2008, Cincinnati Reds), Dave Kubiak (36th round, 2011, Tampa Bay Rays) and Sean Lucas (25th round, 2012, Cincinnati Reds). No Great Dane has ever played in the majors.

• Softball won three straight conference titles from 2005–2007. The team would win its first NCAA Division I Tournament game and advance to its first regional final after defeating Harvard 1–0 and Hofstra 4–2 in 2007.

• Field Hockey won its first ever America East Championship in 2008 after being ranked within the top-20 nationally for the majority of the season. They would be eliminated in the first round of the NCAA Tournament by the top seeded Maryland Terrapins.

• Three former student athletes have competed in the Olympic Games. Andy Seras competed in the 149.5-pound Greco-Roman wrestling group in the 1988 Seoul Olympics for Team USA. Shawn Sheldon competed in the 114.5-pound Greco-Roman wrestling group in the 1992 Barcelona Olympics for Team USA. Rob Caracciolo competed in the 1,500 meter Track and Field event in the 2004 Athens Olympics for Equatorial Guinea.

Rivalries

Siena

UAlbany's biggest rival is Siena College located in Loudonville, NY. Both schools are separated by 8 miles (13 km) and both fan bases have strong hatred for one another.

While teams from multiple sports will face each other annually, the strongest part of the rivalry lies with men's basketball. Both teams met for the 50th time in 2010. The first match-up was February 23, 1957 in which Siena defeated Albany 75–66 at Albany. After nearly twenty years, the series ended on February 3, 1977 with a 62–49 Albany victory.

All games since 2001 have taken place in the Times Union Center, officially making it a home game for Siena. Since 2001, the game has averaged an attendance over 10,000 for the annual match-up, with attendance being below 10,000 only three times.

While the women's basketball match-up receives less fan fare then the men's game, it is part of the Albany Cup battle. Their first match-up was in the 1975–76 season.

While both the men's and women's basketball games battle for the Albany Cup, the rivalry has been dubbed the "Crosstown Showdown" by sportscasters in the Capital Region.

Binghamton

A notable rivalry exists between the Great Danes and the Binghamton University Bearcats. Both teams joined the America East conference around the same time, and are relatively new to Division I sports. Their SUNY connection as well as geographic proximity has fostered the rivalry and generated the name, "The I-88 Rivalry." Both teams post the largest away crowds at either school's athletic events. While Siena is sometimes viewed as Albany's top rival, Albany is largely considered Binghamton's biggest rival.

Vermont

The other notable athletic rivalry is between Albany and the University of Vermont. UAlbany and UVM have twice met in the America East tournament finals (basketball) with Albany winning both games. The first win came in 2006 at home and the second came in 2007 at Vermont (Albany's first-ever win in Vermont).

Annual Sporting Events

The Department of Athletics annually host two major sporting events. The first event is the Homecoming Football Game.

The University’s first Homecoming Weekend was held October 31, 1953 and it featured a soccer game, punch party, and a dance. This first Homecoming appears to have been organized by the Senior Class, reuniting the Classes of 1951, 1952, and 1953.

Every fall since then, the UAlbany campus becomes a hub of activity during Homecoming/Family Weekend. One highlight of the Weekend is checking out Great Dane Athletics. The highest level of tail-gaiting takes place during this weekend while the University hosts the Homecoming Touchdown Tailgate.

During Homecoming Weekend, the Athletic Department also enshrines players, coaches and administration from the past into the UAlbany Athletic Hall of Fame. The most recent inductees can be found at the UAlbany Athletic Website.[1]

The Big Purple Growl is the annual winter homecoming. The Ferocious Feast kicks off the festivities with lots of great food and fun. The Growl usually features a doubleheader with both the women’s and men’s basketball teams playing home at the SEFCU Arena. Beginning in 1997, this annual event is an exciting fun-filled, spirited day for all members of the University community.

The University also hosts an annual Cross Country Meet (UAlbany Invitational), Track and Field (UAlbany Classic) and other events.

Media coverage

UAlbany Football and Men's Basketball games air on Fox Sports Radio WOFX AM 980 in Albany, NY. It was announced that WCDB 90.9 FM, the UAlbany Student Radio Station, would be broadcasting games at the start of the 2012-13 school year. However, half-way through the 2012 Football Season, the university once again began broadcasting games on WOFX. Roger Wyland has been the voice of the Great Danes since 1994.

Select athletic events also air on TW3 (Albany, NY) Television. TW3 has broadcast rights to select football, America East Conference Network (usually involving UAlbany teams) and men's and women's basketball games. The station has also aired select Lacrosse and Women's Volleyball games.

WCDB has done select athletic events in past years. The station was at one point the exclusive home of UAlbany Women's Basketball, Men's Lacrosse and Women's Volleyball, doing select games every year.

In 2007, the university began streaming live video coverage of selected events on the University Athletic Website. The America East Website [2] also live streams selected events.

Fight song

Purple and gold,
your colors shining through
Hear as the carillons
are ringing true
The State of New York
sends up its cheer to you
Let’s go Albany!

Hail, young and old
We shall prevail,
purple and gold
One true triumphant call
Albany Danes are standing tall (repeat chorus)

External links

• University at Albany
• UAlbany Athletics
• History Of UAlbany's Mascot