haggyland

Hands down the biggest home game in UAlbany history.

 

BoFo here we come!

I have been looking forward to this game for a long time, but before I saw your headline, I thought we were opening with CCSU...tunnel vision strikes again!

I don't know why MANY people are afraid that we won't get a Great Dane Statue or the "HOME OF THE GREAT DANES SIGN". I think both will be in place. Heck, they still have to put the sponsor boards up on the big screen.

For me it comes down to two things:

1) There are seven construction days left, with two of those days being weekend days.

2) I could see some of the more "cosmetic" items getting overlooked.

Either way, the 14th should be rocking!

Give me a dog statue...

That and the announcement of the naming rights and the sign of the benefactor

Should I get excited about the placement of two pieces of lumber at the top of the entrance ramp, or should I temper my expectations?

What more needs to be done at BoFo? I thought there would be some trees and stuff planted?

Give me a dog statue, and give me "Great Danes" on the scoreboard, and "Home of the Great Danes" on the northern end of the upper level....please.

Right on cue, Jennifer Gish writes that the Band will have UAlbany tooting its own horn.

 

Kevin confirms we'll have at least fifty musicians plus color guard, and except that uniforms haven't arrived yet, it's 'going almost surprisingly well'.

Sounds like a pretty good incoming class. Do you know if they plan on red-shirting any of the new kids, or will they be playing a lot of the true freshmen?

I remember seeing a "Port-A-Potty" setup in the plans.

I think I would prefer seeing people make the walk rather than throwing some Port-a-Potties up in the middle of a $20 million project.

Maybe the American Disabilities Act thinks differently, though. (And rightfully so.)

They are power zones for mobile concession kiosks.

I remember seeing in the plans concession locations on the berm area. Really smart move. Great for the people out there and on the visitors side to not have to walk all the way around to grab a soda.

Awesome...thanks for the info. It does beg the question of what happens after they drink that soda, though, doesn't it?

First time at night. Light level readings required.

Sweet. I noticed that the work started on the back stairwell also.

By the way, what are those gray poles near the berm? Any reason they couldn't be buried?

Thanks as always.

Is this the first time the lights have been on?

Not to totally hijack this thread, but it looks like 5Dimes might have run a report on the betting for Albany, and pulled the line.

Also, no Delaware line...(insert crying emoticon here.)

Meant to say Pioneer Leage. Can't edit on my blackberry.

The same team that loves the frozen tundra of University Field?

Another line to make you laugh...or giggle

 

Jacksonville is a 7.5pt favorite against Delaware in Delaware.

No love for the home field advantage? (Especially at a venue where the home team rarely loses?)

Didn't Jacksonville get some good transfers in? I think I remember that being the case.

Not that I am attempting to justify that line; maybe I am just trying to understand their rationale a little better.

So, it's already on the books?

Yup...under "Extras" on their site, so there is a limit to what you can bet at one time.

Interestingly enough, after one of my bets the line moved.

Vegas does not understood FCS football. Crazy lines in the beginning of the season.

You have to figure UA would be picked 1 or 2 if they were still in the NEC, right?

Throw in the first CAA class, and UA wanting to hit the conference slate with some wins, and this one to me is a no-brainer.

I was going to get the Duquesne game thread going just to share one tidbit of information that I came across, but sticking it in here works just as well:

I was on a gambling website last night, and they had us as a 10.5 point UNDERDOG at Duquesne...Let's just say that I might be getting my season tickets for free if things turn out as hoped for.

I believe the $2.4M is not what they raised in that one week, I think this one week they raised ~ $100K. The $2.4M is probably total raised for the stadium through regular donations. I heard there will be ~200 names on the plaque. The 200 names includes anyone in the week long fundraiser as well as anyone who had previously donated at the level towards the stadium over the past few years.

Wasn't the initial goal to raise $2 million in private donations, after one donor came through with $1 million, and a matching plan? Or do I have the numbers confused?

Just imagine what they would have raised had they targeted small donors with directed fundraising like this 10 years ago.

It gives you a little more hope for Phase 2 though, doesn't it?

Donor e-mails have gone out:

With your help, we've raised over $2.4 million in support of the stadium! Thank you for being a part of UAlbany history. Your generous support helped us score the winning touchdown in the final days of our stadium fundraising campaign.

The new stadium will be the perfect venue for students, alumni, friends, and fans to cheer on our Great Danes—and to pay tribute to the outstanding achievements of legendary coach Bob Ford, who announced his retirement earlier this week.

Times Union Article: Coach Bob Ford leaves a legacy and his name

I hope to see you at Homecoming on October 19 as we unveil the Stadium Donor Wall of Fame, celebrate our talented student-athletes and the many acomplishments of UAlbany's football program under Coach Ford's 43 years of leadership.

I love the sculpture in the SEFCU lobby, and if they need to organize something to get something similar for the football stadium, I would fully support it.

Your excitement about the dog brings tears of joy to my eye. Now, I'm not suggesting it be a cartoon dog, don't worry..but still..

I was looking forward to the players rubbing the statue for luck before running down the ramp, but if things do not turn out as hoped, we can always just suit up Damien and stick him up there.

Balloons on the scoreboard! (Please forgive me, but it is Friday...)

I wouldn't be too sure about the dog - remember there were two dogs in the design drawings of the fountains by the main entrance. Maybe they'll need an extra donation to install it.

Your comments echo my thoughts...I was eagerly anticipating the dogs at the entranceway to Collins Circle, but I was greatly disappointed when they were not a part of the final product.

My fear is that this will happen again, but my hope is that with the dog being in the design plans, and in a highly visible area at the top of the player's ramp, that I will not be left disappointed.

I don't think there's anything to worry about hag. Still a month away.

I can try to moderate my neuroticism, but I can make no promises.

I'm a little surprised they haven't replaced the stairs yet. It is the main entrance to the stadium.

I will confess to being slightly concerned, but I am sure they know what they are doing. With the installation of the ground lights, and paving in the area, maybe they were not accessible enough.

That is beautiful man...bought a tear to my eye...

I want:

1) The dog at the top of the ramp.

2) The back stairs.

3) The remaining signage.

Then (and only then) will I join you with tears of joy.