Oldtimer

2512 maybe high but 1800 is low; but, to say all the students who attended are not fans is unfair. The crowd would have filled the old gym and that is a start. The atmosphere was good and if the students had fun they will be back. The price is definitely right for families and it was obvious the RACC has a family friendly atmosphere with the mascots attracting more attention than the game for lttle Danes fans. The team needs a lot of help. Levine is the only member with real playing time. Everyone else is new or coming off limited playing time last year.

Comacho and Parks have been named CoSIDA Academic All-Americans as per Great Danes site. At first I thought that was really good, but than when I realized it was a national D-1A, D-1AA Honor I realized it is GREAT. Academic success (and ability) is a must to athletic success. The football program is an athletic and academic success and I am supportive of D-1AA full scholarship as a realistic future goal.

Lady DP has some excellent ideas. She should post more often. I was happy to see the Danes Gear on sale at the Navy game. Maybe someone does read these posts. I still think they need some <$10 mometoes(sp?) for the future Danes that seem to show up at the weekend afternoon games.

These are David versus Goliath games. If you are David you love these games. If you are Goliath, you really don't look forward to them unless you are a rider of the pine. Since we are now pretty thin, I'll keep my fingers crossed that Goliath doesn't become too physical.

As you might expect, Coach Ford complimented his graduating Seniors and was extremely complimentary(sp?) to there ability to communicate about the program. We have been fortunate to have Coach Ford as we have gone from club to D-1. No one asked, nor was he invited to answer questions, about the future. I felt there was an oversight when the attendees were invited to ask questions and Coach Ford was not invited to the podium. Note: this comes from a BB fan but we have attended FB games since the club days.

It is a done deal. Check the UA Athletic site. Dyson, Lillis, Wilson and Baumann have all signed. Present and future look good!!!!!

Stop the rhetoric!! Football is important to Albany and Basketball is important to Albany! The University can support both if we stop playing one against the other. We have very good teams in many sports and we no longer have some of the great sports(wrestling, mens golf and tennis, swimming) at the University. Sermon ended--let us support all of the existing teams and try to bring back some of those sacrificed for D-I.

I hope the post by statefan is just a radio jock trying to create interest. As a supporter of the athletic program for 40 years, I would have to seriously reconsider my efforts if politicians(aka elementary teachers and lawyers) were installed as University Presidents. Whomever is selected needs to know the alumnae want an excellent academic environment which includes a strong mix of athletic, social and cultural opportunities for the students.

All of the thoughts on this thread are pretty accurate. RPI scheduled and scrimmaged Albany often in the late 50's and 60's, Union was a little more reluctant to schedule a public school until the mid-60's although scrimmages were frequent in the 50's and 60's. Siena is a different story. They were a nationally recognized program in the early 50's and in the late 50's and 60's still played Niagara, Canisius and St. Bonaventure even though they had been forced to give up their scholarship program. The result was a huge incentive to "BEAT SIENA"! I think the attendance at the renewal of this rivalry indicates how intense it was. One theory that is not correct is the local private versus local public college rivalry. Remember that in the late 50's and early 60's when Albany was a "teachers college", it was also the ONLY teachers college that you could teach at the secondary or high school level. As a result only one player lived within 100 miles of Albany and Siena had many players who were not local.

MAIL--but I do get the e-newsletter on-line which has really improved from last year.

Just received Vol. 1 Issue 1 of UA Hoop Scoop which included a great deal of information which followers of the team already know. A sincere appeal by Coach Brown to former players to support the program to encourage the players. Nice articles on Brian Barnes and "Doc". I am assuming it went to former players and season ticket holders.

A CONTINUING PROBLEM!! The Athletic Department(or University) must consider taking over the sales at Football and Basketball games when the University negotiates the next food service agreement. This would include refreshments and Danes Wear. It is not a big income now, but as the program grows it can be. Give me a dozen "work study students" and free reign(no pay) and we will make several thousand dollars.

Interesting that between 1955-56 and 1976-77 that Albany and Siena played 37 times. Probably 21 regular season and 16 Capital District Tournaments. That many games created a great rivalry. Siena made the right decision to terminate it at the time and the right decision in reviving it in 2001 when UAlbany went D-1. As soon as Albany defeats Siena on Nov. 21, 2003, the rivalry will be re-newed and the students will show up at games.

SUPER JOB!! It will take a while to move around the sight but it is a giant step forward. THANKS!!!!!!!