Dane Pound

Got this is my email yesterday. Seems the alumni association is trying to put together a pep band. Good to see somebody is taking a step in the right direction. Help boost UAlbany spirit by joining a new Pep Band to play at Great Dane home games. We're looking for people who play flute, clarinet, sax, trumpet, trombone, tuba or percussion instruments. We'll provide the instruments, music and uniforms -- high school proficiency desired, enthusiasm required! Come to an informational meeting on Wednesday, December 3 at 7pm in Campus Center room 375. Meet new band director Kevin Champagne and hear about this fun group! Questions? Call or email Kevin at 442-4192 or kachampagne@capital.net.

I agree Old Timer that Ford should have been asked for the Q+A. It seemed like that part of the program was not planned and not inviting him up was an oversight but should have been better thought out. I really enjoyed Coach Patterson's comments about how she enjoys working in the same environment as Ford-thought that was really classy. Ford's comments: -Sciarra is considering going to law school next year. He has another year of eligibility left and is on the fence about using it and playing another year or go to law school. -As probably should be expected from a football coach he spoke about the mistakes made during the four losses. He felt Northeastern was the only team the Danes didn't match up with physically and tha they made alot of mental mistakes in the other losses. -His red-shirt program. I'm not sure I remember this correctly but I think Banach was the only true freshman active on the roster this year and the rest were redshirted. I'm not sure I have that part right. -Recruiting is heating up but he didn't give any specifics. He mentioned that he has a commitment for O-line for next year.

A few things from today's luncheon. The coaches presentations were shorter than the last one I attended probably because both Coach Ford and both basketball coaches gave a talk. Alicia Learn and Becky Ayers were there with Coach Patterson. Patterson gave a nice talk and it sounded like Huchinson would be our through at least the end of Dec. and OBannon + Clark would miss the $iena game leaving them with just two post players. She talked a little about the four recruits for next year including one who played football in high school. Sounded like she was expecting a good season from Learn. Wyatt and Levine accompanied Brown who talked about the four recruits who just signed and as expected was particuarly pleased with the Dyson signing. He mentioned Dyson visited and was offered a scholarship from Houston of ConferenceUSA. He didn't mention the Hughes situation and no one asked. He was asked who would start in place of Wilson and Brown seemed noncommital. He said something to the effect that the staff was concerned with starting too many freshman and would decide during the next few days. He stated rather empatically I thought that Wilson would not play on Friday and wouldn't be coming back until he was completely healthy-this may have been for Roger Wyland's benefit.

I'm kind of surprised Patterson would add two more guards next year. UALBANY BASKETBALL SIGNS FOUR HIGH SCHOOL STANDOUTS FOR 2004-05 Albany, N.Y. – University at Albany women’s basketball coach Trina Patterson announced today that four student-athletes have signed national letters of intent to play for the Great Danes in 2004-05. Agreeing to play for UAlbany next season are Kelly Martinson, a 5-foot-11 shooting guard from Madison, Wis. (Madison Memorial H.S.), Sherri Mikus, a 5-foot-11 point guard from Harrisburg, Pa. (Susquenita H.S.), Kirsten Peterson, a 6-foot-4 center from Owego, N.Y. (Newark Valley H.S.), and Gia Sanders, a 6-foot guard/forward from Bowie, Md. (The Bullis School). Martinson was named first-team All-Big 8 Conference, second-team all-area and all-city as a junior. She averaged 11.1 points and 4.7 rebounds per game, plus made 39 three-point field goals as her team finished with a 10-12 record. Mikus, who guided her squad to back-to-back Mid-Penn Colonial League championships, averaged 14.2 points, 4.6 assists, 3.7 steals and 7.2 rebounds her junior year. She was named to the District 3 Class AAA All-Tournament Team and Big 15 second-team on last season’s 26-3 squad. Peterson, who has solid inside techniques, did not play as a junior at Newark Valley but will return for her senior season. She led Exodus, a Nike Elite AAU team, to the Washington, D.C. tournament title, while averaging 10.0 points, 10.0 rebounds and 2.0 blocks in amateur competition. Sanders averaged 10.0 points, 9.0 rebounds, 4.0 assists and 2.0 steals in leading the Bullis School to a 27-3 record and claiming the Independent School League championship for the third consecutive year. She was selected tenth by the Real Basketball Report as one of the D.C. Area’s top-70 seniors and was named all-league her junior year. "Overall our goal was to bring in size and athleticism to compete at the next level and this year’s class satisfies that need," Albany coach Trina Patterson stated. "We have added a point guard, a true center and a shooting guard, as well as a combination player. This group is accustomed to winning and are going to add to the development of our program." University at Albany Women’s Basketball Signings Name Pos. Ht. Hometown (High School) Kelly Martinson G 5-11 Madison, Wis. (Madison Memorial) Sherri Mikus G 5-11 Harrisburg, Pa. (Susquenita) Kirsten Peterson C 6-4 Owego, N.Y. (Newark Valley) Gia Sanders G/F 6-0 Bowie, Md. (The Bullis School)

This is the first story I have seen about the game on Friday. Also a story on the Danes recruits. Most of the info was already on the UA site except Brown's quotes on Dyson-"He's a man."$iena game Danes Recruit story

The upcoming couple of weeks are generally when I receive the heaviest amount of flak from the $iena fans in my office-tournament time generally being the other heaviest time. Last year I heard about how we should be 30-40 point underdogs in the Albany-$iena game and that we provided a nice "scrimmage" opponent. In the spring when $iena was in the NIT I was invited to the Pepsi Arena so I could "at least see what tournament play looks like." Pretty good stuff no doubt about it. In fairness there are some pretty decent Siena fans especially on their board and I get the feeling the most obnoxious ones are those who just jumped on the Saints bandwagon when they started winning regularly. Just had to get that off my chest. Anyway, on the eve of a new season here's my wishlist: 1-Beat Siena! 2-Double digit wins. About 25 would be nice but I'd be happy with a dozen. 3-We are 0-6 since joining the America East against Binghamton, BU and Maine. We have to take at least one of those teams off that list this year. 4-Win a conference tourney game. Actually I'd be happy if any of the New York schools won a tourny game but I'd prefer it be us. 5-Sellout the RACC for the Big Purple Growl. 6-Witness a Janis Pipikis dunk.

Was talking with Alumni92 about this last nightafter the scrimmage-if that was the "rusty" Iati we are going to enjoy the next four years.

According to OCSN Dyson is the only guy to sign so far. I'm really looking forward to the luncheon Weds. to see what Brown has to say about these guys. So far everything I've seen about all of them have good-both on the court and in the classroom which really speaks to the quality of our coaching staff. In the space of two years we should go from not being able to defend the post (last year) to being able to defend the post (this year hopefully) to actually having a guy or two who can be a force down low (next year or the year after).

Same problem again yesterday that's haunted us all year. Sounds like Jones had another good day against a decent opponent but the passing game was as frustrating as ever. Hats off to Monmouth as they had a dream season when no one expected it. Win the conference, Senipal to the all-star game and now the bowl game. Hopefully they represent us well against the Dukes.

Usually Patch and the Professor are all over stuff like this. Telep lists Deleware as the other school interested and both he and Rivals rate Dyson pretty high. This looks like a great signing to add to an already good incoming class. Can't wait until these guys sign so we can hear what Brown says about them-hopefully by the luncheon Wednesday.

They have alot of respect for Jones and the O-line. Towson story

Story in today's TU about the coaches poll and media day. If I remember correctly last year we were picked low in the conference and Brown didn't really disagree. This year seems to be different, also a mention that Levine might possibly be named captain. TU Story

Danes were picked ninth (not last!) in conference ahead of UMBC. Alot depends on how soon Hutch comes back I would guess. Women's Poll

I was kind of surprised Hartford was picked fourth. Vermont Selected in Men's Basketball Coaches' Poll University of Vermont, which won its first Choice Hotels America East Championship last season, has been chosen by the conferences coaches to repeat. The poll was announced at America East Men's Basketball Media Day at Eilberg Lounge on the Boston University campus. The Catamounts, 21-12 overall last season (11-5 America East), received four first-place votes and 74 points to edge defending regular-season champion Boston University and Northeastern University. Both the Terriers, who received two first-place votes, and the Huskies, who received four, finished with 72 points. Coaches were not permitted to rank their own teams in the preseason voting. A total of five votes separated University of Hartford (50), Stony Brook University (46) and Binghamton University (45) in fourth, fifth and sixth place. University of Maine, which saw its streak of four-straight trips to the semifinals end last season when Northeastern’s Jose Juan Barea nailed a three-pointer with 0.8 seconds left for a 71-68 win, was chosen seventh. America East newcomer University of Maryland, Baltimore County (UMBC), University at Albany and University of New Hampshire rounded out the poll. Vermont, a charter member of America East in 1979, finds itself atop the preseason coaches poll for the first time in conference history. The Catamounts return 2003 America East Player of the Year Taylor Coppenrath, who led America East in scoring last season with 20.1 ppg, and 2002 America East Player of the Year T.J. Sorrentine, who led the conference in scoring with 18.8 ppg two years ago. Boston University has appeared in each of the last two Choice Hotels America East Championship games. The Terriers, who had eight players average at least 19.5 minutes a game last season, will again be among the deepest teams in the conference with 10 letter winners returning. First-team all-conference choice Rashad Bell (12.0 ppg, 5.2 rpg) and third-team all-conference selection Ryan Butt (8.0 ppg, 4.9 rpg) are two of five returning players who averaged at least 7.2 ppg last season. Seniors Kevin Fitzgerald, Jason Grochowalski, Matt Turner and Butt have led the Terriers to a 35-15 mark in conference games over the last three seasons, the top winning percentage over America East in that span. Northeastern has won a conference-best seven America East Championships. But the Huskies have not appeared in the title game since 1995 and last won the championship in 1991. In fact, prior to last year, Northeastern had not enjoyed a winning season since 1994-95. Ron Everhart, now in his third year along Huntington Avenue, has rebuilt Northeastern behind third-team all-conference choices Jose Juan Barea (17.0 ppg, 3.9 apg), Javorie Wilson (14.6 ppg) and Sylbrin Robinson (11.4 ppg, 9.1 rpg). After posting just one conference win in his rookie season as head coach, Larry Harrison has guided Hartford to the No. 3 seed in the Choice Hotels America East Championship each of the past two seasons. First-team all-conference choice Jerell Parker (13.6 ppg, 7.0 rpg), senior Ryan Stys (8.7 ppg) and all-rookie selection Aaron Cook (9.9 ppg, 48 three-pointers) lead the Hawks in 2003-04. Two-time all-conference choice D.J. Munir (17.4 ppg) is one of five returning starters for Stony Brook head coach Nick Macarchuk, now in his fifth year with the Seawolves and 27th year as a collegiate head coach. Touted recruit Mitchell Beauford of Christ the King High School, also joins the Seawolves. Al Walker will look to the tallest player in America East to lead Binghamton to new heights in 2003-04. Junior Nick Billings, a 7-0 center, was a second-team all-conference choice after averaging 9.0 ppg and 6.7 rpg last year. Billings was named the conference’s Defensive Player of the Year after finishing second in the nation with 4.3 blocks per game. He already owns the Binghamton career blocks record with 197 in 48 games. Maine saw its streak of four-straight trips to the America East semifinals end last season when Northeastern’s Barea drilled a three-pointer with 0.8 seconds left for a 71-68 win. The Black Bears’ ability to return to the semifinals this season revolves around all-rookie choice Kevin Reed, who averaged 12.4 ppg last year and established a school rookie record for three-pointers with 81, and the additions of transfers Jermaine Jackson (Indian River JC) and Chris Markwood (Notre Dame), who becomes eligible after the first semester. UMBC joins America East this season and head coach Tom Sullivan, now in his ninth year with the Retrievers, welcomes the return of all five starters. Sullivan’s teams have been no strangers to success, earning the Northeast Conference regular season title in 1998-99 and posting a 20-9 campaign two seasons ago. Head coach Will Brown begins his second full season at Albany (he was interim head coach for 20 games in 2001-02) building around all-rookie choices Jamar Wilson (18.9 ppg) and Levi Levine (13.2 ppg). Fifth-year head coach Phil Rowe welcomed the Wildcats’ first international player (Ioannis Karalis of Greece) and first junior college player (Griffin Walker) last season. This year, Blagoj Janev, a native of Macedonia who calls Sydney, Australia home, and two junior college transfers (Damione Liddell, Craig Walls) join the Wildcats, who also boast senior Marcus Bullock, who has 183 career three-pointers, 14 shy of the Wildcat record.

The coaches released their pre-season all conference team on the AE site. JJ Barea is all-conference first team? Coppenrath, Bell Lead Preseason All-Conference Team Reigning America East Player of the Year Taylor Coppenrath of University of Vermont and junior Rashad Bell of Boston University were unanimous selections to the conference's preseason all-conference team as voted by the men's basketball head coaches. The team was announced at America East Men's Basketball Media Day at Eilberg Lounge on the Boston University campus. Coppenrath, Bell and Jerell Parker of University of Hartford, each of whom earned first-team all-conference honors a season ago, were joined on the preseason all-conference team by 2002 America East Player of the Year T.J. Sorrentine of Vermont, who missed last season after suffering broken bones in both wrists in the preseason, junior center Nick Billings of Binghamton University, and sophomore guard Jose Juan Barea of Northeastern University. The teams were selected regardless of position. Six players were named to the team due to a tie in the voting. Coppenrath was named the winner of the Kevin Roberson Award, given to the America East Player of the Year, after leading the conference in scoring last season with 20.1 ppg. He was eighth in the conference with 6.2 rpg. The 6-9 junior led the Catamounts to their first America East Championship and NCAA Championship berth and a 21-12 overall record. The 5-11 Sorrentine will see his first game action since 2001-02 when he led America East in scoring with 18.8 ppg, added 4.0 assists per contest and led the conference with 90 three-pointers. He was chosen as the Roberson Award winner that season. Bell emerged as the top player on the regular-season champion Terriers last year. The 6-8 swingman averaged 12.0 ppg and 5.2 rpg in leading Boston University to a 20-11 mark and a berth in the National Invitation Tournament (NIT). Parker was one of the most complete players in America East in his first season at Hartford after transferring from Loyola (Ill.). The 6-4 swingman was the only player to rank among the conference’s Top 15 in scoring (13.6), rebounding (7.0) and assists (2.5). He led the Hawks to a 16-13 overall mark and the No. 3 seed in the Choice Hotels America East Championship. The 7-0 Billings averaged 9.0 ppg and 6.7 rpg with 4.3 blocks per game, second in the nation to Connecticut's Emeka Okafor. Billings led the Bearcats to a 14-13 record last season. Binghamton, which was ineligible for the Choice Hotels America East Championship in its transition to Division I, finished fourth in the conference a year ago. The 5-11 Barea averaged 17.0 ppg with 3.89 assists per game as an all-rookie choice last year. He scored 38 points in the quarterfinal win over Maine in the Choice Hotels America East Championship en route to all-championship honors. The point guard led Northeastern to a 16-15 mark, the Huskies' first winning season since 1994-95. The return of Roberson Award winners Sorrentine and Coppenrath marks only the second time in NCAA history where conference players of the year will be teammates for an entire season. The only other occurrence was in the 1999-2000 season when Stefan Ciosici and Brian Ehlers teamed at Lafayette. Ciosici, a center, was the Patriot League Player of the Year in 1998 before suffering a knee injury that forced him to miss the 1998-1999 season. Ehlers, a point guard, was chosen Player of the Year that season. Ehlers also won the league’s top honor in 2000 when the two played together.

Sunday's exhibition opponent, Big Apple All-Stars played Virginia last night and lost by 20+. Roughly the same lineup that beat Stony Brook pretty badly last week. Here's the box. The only name that jumps out at me is JaJa Bey who played for LIU last year. I was leafing through a magazine called High School Hoops which listed the top ten high school players in all 50 states. I'm not sure how any publication can see all those players but anyway both Brian Lillis and Brent Wilson were listed among the top ten players in Iowa. The late exhibiton this year probably works to our favor as it will give the coaching staff a chance to look at Levine at the 2 against live competition. Any ideas on who will get the start and extra minutes with Wilson being out? I would guess with Levi at the 2 Knotts would get the start but since no knows what happened at the scrimmage I guess we'll have to wait and see.

I was curious what happened to PJ Mills the Juco forward from Texas who was rumored to be a Danes signee but never was because he was thrown off his Juco team. He's turned up at D2 power Kentucky Wesleyan. If I remember right Kentucy Wesleyen played St. Rose the year they went to the elite eight. PJ Mills

I have to hope Jones has a shot at the all-star game and/or the Payton watch list which will be revised again in just over a week. He's currently fourth in 1-AA in rushing and fifth in 1-AA in scoring. A big game against Towson would help alot. If it is his last game Ford should rush him about 40 times on Saturday.

I never thought a fractured patella would be GOOD news but in this case I guess it is. Here' s the story in the TU

Unverzadt is a nice blocker but doesn't seem to be the ball carrier yet that Jon George is. I really like Vidal as a runner as he is a real burner. Fantell has run hard when he's gotten carries this year but really needs to bulk up if he is going to get alot of carries next year. Don't know much about Omar Johnson except that his cousin Ray Harris plays for Towson.

Stranger things did happen on Saturday. That delayed touchdown by Robert Morris was just plain wacky-I can't imagine what the officals were talking about for five minutes that would lead them to declare a touchdown. I guess they don't interview the officiating crew after the game but I was hoping to see them explain that. I don't know about anyone else but I thought Ford called the play for Zylinski to run out of the end zone. It was only when I read the paper the next day that I saw he was supposed to run out of the end zone for the saftey and decided to run for the first down sticks on his own. That was an awesome play. Gotta become a St. Francis Red Flash fan this weekend. Should Monmouth win this weekend I'm not very confident about their chances against the Dukes in the ECAC Bowl.

Agreed Professor-until we hear from Brown everything is pretty much a rumor. The thing that surprised me with the ACL diaganosis is that in the first story in the paper Brown said it may be tendinitis. I remember when I ruptured my ACL (had it ruptured for me, actually) it was very clear to me and everyone around that something was seriously wrong with my knee. It's hard for me to imagine that a torn ACL would be mistaken for tendinitis but I guess every injury is different. Let's hope for the best.

Looks like all-everything LB Joe Senipal will be back for Monmouth this week vs. Sacred Heart. Monmouth Story Story from today's TU about senior day. Danes back in hunt

If this is true it really sucks. Especially after how hard he obviously worked over the summer. Any doctor can tell you've ruptured an ACL before they do the MRI. They'll do an MRI to see how much damage is done but they usually know before they do it.

Story in today's TU. Wilson injury