haggyland

Am I missing it, or where is the UAlbany reference?

With Wagner adding a Premium Turf Field, University Field is the only one in the NEC left with natural grass surface. Even though the crown keeps it in pretty good shape except during extremely heavy rain until late in the season, it can't be an advantage when kids are choosing a school.

 

Wagner story with photo gallery

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speaking of University Field, does anyone know if any sketches or models have been produced for the football stadium? I hope the stands will wrap around the field whenever it's built.

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Athletics Plan 2010 has a blueprint up in the R.A.C.C. just past the box office on the right-hand side. There is no blueprint on the web as of now.

The resurfacing of the wedding-BPG debate reminds me of my fate during the NCAA tournament. Like any Albany student, alum, or fan, I was very excited by the end of year run by the men’s basketball team. The season should have culminated in watching the game versus Connecticut with close friends, but it instead ended with a rehearsal dinner for a wedding in Detroit. To this day I am still not happy I missed the Danes’ efforts that night in Philadelphia.

As an out of town guest to my friend’s wedding, I was invited to the rehearsal dinner the night before the wedding. With a rental car, I became responsible for taking my friends to the dinner, and opting out was not an option. Throughout the dinner my lady friend kept excitedly calling me to give me updates on the game. Finally, after the telephone calls reached a crescendo in the second half, and my table could tell I would go insane if I stayed at the dinner, I excused myself and drove the five miles to an Applebee’s. Being in Detroit, the second half of the Michigan State game was on, but I watched on the ticker as UConn pulled away. After the MSU game ended, I was treated to about 25 seconds of UAlbany play, which was bittersweet at best.

Upset about missing the game, I didn’t feel I could contribute any opinions. One small consolation was that we got to hang around the Bradley team in the Hyatt at the Detroit airport. So, anyways, I have followed the boards anonymously, and now feel ready to contribute. Regarding Siena: As a Yankees fan living in Boston, one of the things that upsets me is that Boston’s baseball fans care almost as much about hating the New York team as they do loving their own team. This type of behavior diminishes the accomplishments of their team and saps energy needed to be fervently dedicated fans to their own players and program.

With my contriteness, there will be more opinions to follow…..

And if anybody has that DVD of the UConn game, I would love to get a copy (even if it will not quite be the same).

Haggy-

 

Of course I know that but if we can change the attitude and start thinking of them as 'just another state school' and not the doom and gloom of a sextillion to one to go all the way it's half the battle.

 

Statistically speaking someday a #16 seed will unseat a #1.

 

Stealing from old NY Lottery commercials "You gotta be in it to win it".

 

The "in it" starts with an attitude.

 

Just being overly motivational.

 

sss

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I didn't realize that I was involved in this thread, but since I have been mentioned I should point out that the odds were included in a different thread as a bit of a "Well, isn't that nice" moment.

As for UConn, they are the team with all the recent hype, but they do have a tendency to be complacent. After a difficult Big East schedule, including a first round tournament loss, they could be susceptible to as team (Albany) that is more team oriented, and incredibly well coached.....

I'll be hammering the point spread, but probably not the money line (even though a win would be awesome).

If you like those odds to get to the Final Four, check these out to win it all....

http://sports.espn.go.com/espn/columns/sto...gene&id=2367350

Albany: 1 sextillion-1.

"One sextillion to one," Albany coach Will Brown said. "I don't even know what that is. I guess that's going to be our bulletin board material."

If you go by canine nicknames, Albany's Great Danes ought to have the edge over UConn's Huskies. But that's about it for advantages.

"Their kids are signing NBA contracts," Brown said. "Our kids are sending out résumés. A 16 is going to beat a one. I don't know if it's going to happen in my lifetime, but it's going to happen."

From one of the on-line websites...

16-Mar ODDS TO WIN WASH DC REGIONAL

# To Win the Tournament Odds

1 AIR FORCE (WDCR) +17500

2 ALBANY (WDCR) +300000

3 GEORGE MASON (WDCR) +7500

4 ILLINOIS (WDCR) +600

5 KENTUCKY (WDCR) +2500

6 MICHIGAN ST (WDCR) +1000

7 MURRAY STATE (WDCR) +30000

8 NORTH CAROLINA (WDCR +300

9 SETON HALL (WDCR) +5000

10 TENNESSEE (WDCR) +1000

11 UAB (WDCR) +4000

12 UCONN (WDCR) -120

13 UTAH STATE (WDCR) +17500

14 WASHINGTON (WDCR) +1000

15 WICHITA STATE (WDCR) +5000

16 WINTHROP (WDCR) +50000

$2 makes me a rich man.....

After allowing myself to get caught in the moment, I went back to Boston and receded into my shell. Anyways, it was great to see all of you in Albany, and the next time I will be far more complacent.

So, Go Great Danes, and here's to more success.

Interesting article with information on the Albany program, and their rating as a 16:

http://sports.espn.go.com/espn/columns/sto..._pat&id=2368106

I think the fact that it mentions "firing up bombs for 60 minutes" proves that it is a satirical article that is a weak attempt at humor....

The unsuccessful humorist should have at least researched basketball to know that college games last 40 minutes.

Hello all-

In thirty minutes I will start the trek from Boston to Albany, where I will be out of internet access in West Sand Lake. Anyways, I wanted to let you all know that I hope everyone has a great time this weekend, and that I look forward to meeting some of you at the game.

I will be in the RACC lot and the Alumni house early Saturday morning. Me- 6'2" with glasses, a Taiwanese girl, and a scruffy brother-in-law....we should be hard to miss.

So, as mentioned, I hope to see some of you there, and Go Great Danes!

I am in the process of trying to get an interview on our website with one of the students.

 

WCDB is actually going to buy them a case of Coke so they can stay up. We plan on brining it to them later tonight. I plan on visiting again tonight a few times.

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GO BUY THEM SOME RED BULL TO KEEP THEM UP (plus...they can mix it with Stoli O...oops did I say that?!)

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Dane96-

We all know that Red Bull is a better mixer with some chilled Jaegermeist.... Oh, wait, same mistake.

This is excellent publicity for my alma mater and for the region.

Thank you GreatDanes84 for offering this glimpse into the electricity surrounding the school. Your dedication does not go unappreciated.

I know that not every game offers the opportunity, and that it may not be the most politically correct chant, but I love the 'left-right' chant when one of the opposition fouls out. It seems only a few arenas ever use...

One more for good measure...

http://msn.foxsports.com/cbk/story/5146706

Albany Ny Notes, Quotes

Story Tools:

Sports Xchange

Posted: 2 days ago

--F Brent Wilson was the only Albany player to score in double figures in the team's 67-54 win over New Hampshire. Wilson scored 16 points on 7-8 shooting, while G/F Jason Siggers and F Levi Levine each scored nine.

--This is the first time that Albany has reached the America East championship game, and with a record of 20-10, this is the first time the Danes have won 20 games since the 1993-94 season.

--QUOTE TO NOTE: "We have been working on getting back to the RACC all season. We know if we continue to play consistently that we can get a championship." -- F Levi Levine, referring to the fact that Albany gets to play the conference championship game on its home floor (the RACC, in Vestal, N.Y.) by virtue of being the tournament's top seed.

Article posted on FoxSports. Nice to see them misstate the venue...

http://msn.foxsports.com/cbk/teamReport?ca...ype=InsideSlant

Team Report: Getting Inside

Getting Inside | Notes and Quotes | Roster Report

Albany has played like the No. 1 seed so far in the America East tournament, blowing out its first two opponents while charging into the championship game with a whole lot of momentum.

The Great Danes beat UMBC, 79-65, in the first round, and New Hampshire, 67-54, in the semifinals, and neither game was as close as the scores might indicate. Albany has been working efficiently on offense and frustrating its opponents on defense, a combination that has led to the best season in school history.

But no matter how well the Danes are playing, no one is going to give them the championship. In fact, they're going to have to pry the crown right off of the head of the three-time defending league champion Vermont if they want to advance to the NCAA tournament.

Albany shot 57.5 percent from the floor against UMBC and 49.0 percent against New Hampshire, but Vermont will be the toughest test. The Catamounts have the inside players and the size and quickness on the perimeter to stay with Albany.

Albany will have one huge advantage in that the game will be played on its home floor in Vestal, N.Y., just one of the perks that come with being the top seed. The Great Danes earned the right to play the championship game at home and now they have to take advantage of it.

That is a pretty cool UAlbany artifact.

I can't wait for a couple more years when there is a Brian Lillis New Jersey Nets card.

Is it too early to call dibs on the 36 hours to tip-off post?

A little off the topic of the excitement of the big game on Saturday, but as of now these are the automatic bids, with their RPIs:

Gonzaga: 10

UNC Wilmington: 27

Southern Illinois: 31

Wisconsin- Milwaukee: 58

Iona: 62

Murray State: 63

Montana: 71

Winthrop: 72

South Alabama: 73

Penn: 93

Davidson: 99

Belmont: 117

Oral Roberts: 131

Monmouth: 156

Albany is sitting at #128

Scout.com still has seven players listed with Albany as a school of interest, but I do not know if any of them are still on the radar. Do you think Brown would prefer a JuCo or transfer for the extra experience?

http://scout.scout.com/a.z?s=75&p=9&c=11&c...umn=RatingValue

The T-U has an article posted on how quickly the tickets sold:

http://timesunion.com/AspStories/story.asp...wsdate=3/8/2006

According to the math the breakdown of tickets would be:

UVM: 600

Albany students: 1000

Corporate sponsors and season ticket holders: 1700

General public: 1200

Total: 4500

With the large number of corporate tickets I am now even more glad that I was able to get a hold of the ticket office from long distance.

As nothing gets done without the money, there's no sense announcing things until they can happen.  The plan is the basis and when funding becomes available for a phase, I'm sure they'll be announcements.  There's still millions of dollars of work left at the LAX/FH venue to finish.  Just keep selling out the RACC, and be assured persons are working to get more $ into the coffers for all of the projects.

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If you want to attract investment, you need to announce your plans. Otherwise, there is nothing to support. As I mentioned once before, when I was in Albany for the BPG, I saw the plans that have been alluded to here....behind a glass enclosure inside the RACC. Initially I was excited to see all of the proposed changes, but I then began to question why this was the only area where this information is available.

I will call the athletic office sometime before this weekend's game politely reminding them that if funding is the problem then this weekend is a showcase.

(Additionally, I attended the Ferocious Feast before the BPG, and there was no mention of expansion there.....only behind that one glass enclosure).

thanks, haggyland, though i'm not sure if its dedication, insanity, or a combination of both.

as for the spelling, not the first time that happened and it sure won't be the last. 

the rest of the week is going to take forever.

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Steve- How did you get the Albany web-site to change your name to the correct spelling?

My only question is with all these great changes, how come the publicity is lacking? The only mention of capital improvements on the web-site is the ground-breaking for the lacrosse field.

With so many alumni all over the country, the web-site should be used more aggressively to achieve long-term goals. Currently there is no mention of the Athletics Master Plan on the site, and the updates from the Athletic Director are sparse and non-informative. If the university wants to take the next leap forward, it must learn to market itself progressively.

Fantastic weekend results.  UA continues to be the only team to make indoor T&F a spectator sport worth the price of admission!  The 3:09+ 4X4 win vaults the men's team to national levels!  Didn't make to the indoor dance but it sure sets the stage for outdoor.  How about our twin sensations, all of the frosh for that matter!  Good things for years to come.

 

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I was curious about the guidelines for qualifying for the 'indoor dance.' I have been on google, but there is limited information on indoor track. Can complete teams qualify, or is it based upon individual/relay efforts? Also, when and where, and what exactly is it?

BTW, it is nice to see the university evolve on this athletic front.

This alum is very happy.  I've got my tix but maybe I'll go and get in line Sat. AM just to feel what it would have been like in my day if we had this kind of excitement on campus!  How about a winter tailgating party!  Start early / end late.  I'll bring the grill!  Will the admin. allow this?

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I'm in for some pre-game celebration, as the little lady will be chauferring me around throughout the day. I have a feeling the fun police will be on top of their games, however.