BestDaneSinceHamlet

One other point that I forgot to make was where the stadium is positioned in relationship to visibility. If intentional, it was a brilliant move to have it rising up from Western Avenue as you drive by the campus. it looks fantastic from the street and really adds to the campus visual profile.

Crap, that should be returning Alumnus. Stupid grammar.

Folks, For the first time since 1996, I set foot on the UAlbany campus. Jammaster and I (full disclosure, he was the best man at my wedding May 2012 and we graduated together back in 1995) stopped by on our way down from Burlington where he had to be for a work thing, and I joined him as part of my trip home from Cali. Campus Overall: The changes at the school are amazing in the last 17 years. I love how all the new construction now surrounds the old concrete campus and makes it seem more like a campus and less like a prison or an old set from Blade Runner. I love that the food in the campus center are local business vs. the KFC and Taco Bell that we had (which was an improvement since in 1993 we were voted worst food in America). I noticed about 1/5 of all students wearing some sort of UA gear; a huge leap up from when we went there. The LCs look great and I love the campaign showing all the interesting graduates from years past. Maybe one day I'll get one up there. The branding of the school as UAlbany is all over the place and they've done a great job beautifying and incorporating the school colors, etc. They are redoing the fountain and it looks like it could be really cool. Bummer that Fountain Day is no more though. Used to be the best day of the year. Athletic Facilities: Wow, just wow. I was completely blown away. Not just by the new stadium but by the whole layout of the athletic campus in general. They put all the athletic facilities together, and in a real, not slapdash way. All of the facilities seem top notch, and its great how all of the major sports have their own new, or newish fields (excepting Soccer, which piggybacks at the Bofo). We went up to UVM the day before and every single thing that UA has blows away what they have at UVM. I can't imagine, based on facilities, how the A-East will be able to hold on to UA. The athletic program just seems at a whole 'other level; more akin to UMASS (minus the Mullins Center) than a school like UVM. Damien Branding: As the big proponent of using the cartoon dog, I am over the moon proud to say that Damien IS EVERYWHERE. Stuffed animals in the school store, on almost anything that is branding UA on the campus, on clothing, etc, and it WORKS. A conversation with Associate Athletic Director Voelker While we were checking out SEFCU we bumped into a guy who turned out to be the Assoc. Athletic Director, Charlie Voelker. Here's what we learned: - They are actively using Damien, the reason why it didn't get used before was that the previous head of graphics hated it. Now each sport's coach can use it as they see fit, and most of them love it. It's why you see the Dane head on ESPN.com during the scoreboard. They see it as a great way to reach out to the community. They also do bring rescue danes to the basketball game. Not football though, since there was a dog biting incident a bit ago. - Phase 2 of the stadium is pretty much planned. It's about getting the money and approval. We got a sense that he was a bit frustrated with the SUNY overlords and how long it takes for them to make decisions - They are going to be putting in new videoboards and sprucing up SEFCU a bit. Don't think its a SB type arena makeover, but its a step in the right direction. - He (as we are) doesn't love the U AT Albany thing they insist on using (a leftover from Hitchcock). He would much prefer they be Albany University, or University of Albany, as would many folks, but expressed frustration from the SUNY overlords on this one as well. - A few of the athletic dept members read BPF, but not him. He made a good point that some of them worry too much about what 15-20 active people say, and that happens at other schools too. Overall, the school is coming along nicely and is a huge leap forward from where we were when I was going there.

Second level above the doors leading into the gym. We sorta scurried out of there after the shouting

Was with poster Jammaster Jay on the Uvm campus today checking out Patrick Gym. The team was in there practicing and as we poked out head in JMJ shouted (sorta) UA U Know. I think I saw some guy on the second level look down and sorta sneer. Way to rep, Jay

How was attendance

Big crowd?

But u a u know is original and unique to ua

Hey guys, Just had a good tweet session with Ryan Restivo @pioneer_pride and One bid Wonders @onebidwonders who cover a lot of AE basketball. They think the 7 1 link loves to rebound and is in the Kristen Zoellner mold whereas they really like Michael Rowley and think he's the real deal. Could have probably played at A-10/Pac -10/ WCC had he not followed the Aussies. Feel free to check out the brief convo at @darylberg in case you're curious.

Who wrote that. And referred to it as the Bofo!

Out of curiousity, anyone know why? Was it an issue of red-shirting? Playing time? Fit in the system?

I wonder if the football enthusiasm attendance wise will rub off on basketball

+ 1 on this. Amen.

This..is awesome. Thank you!

I'm not a huge Keeler guy--like Danefan, I'd interview him as part of a very shortlist--but your post is a bit off. K.C. Keeler is young--he's 54 years old. If that's old in the football coaching world...that's crazy. As for Downer-- why would you blow your redshirt year on a kid who could be the future of the program. The positive in Keeler is that he will quickly build up the Albany program to respectability, which is a strong suit because you don't want to go 5 years of being in the dumper; tough to recruit that way. Keeler, Ambrose, and Fiore are very similar. The reason I would like a Keeler-type is because we would be striking while the iron's hot: new stadium, lot's of playing time, new staff, nice crowds= easy pitch. Ahh..didnt know that Downer was redshirted. Standing down. As far as the age thing, I just mean I'd rather have a first time coach who succeeded at a program as an OC or a DC, than someone who already brings their own baggage.

While I like his established track record, going an older established coach feels like a stop gap solution vs. building on something. If we go stop gap, I'd rather get someone younger who builds Albany and then leaves for a larger FBS job, showing that Albany can be a stepping stone to larger things, vs. someone who just landed here because he got canned at a larger program. Ideally we get someone young who can build it themselves and stay, but my hope in McCarthy being that guy imploded with the absolute ugliness and unadaptive play calling. On a side note, isn't it time we move on from Fiacchi and try a downer or a Smith? The Season is lost anyway.

Whoever teaches tackling should be sacked. All shoulders. No wrapping up. Terrible

Is it me or does the defense look like they're swarming to the ball more? Any new starters? More pt for the frosh?

C'mon. How many times is the play by play guy gonna say Ennema Drains a Two while smirking under his sleeve. "Drops the mic"

Did I really make that joke already? Jesus, i'm so sorry. And here I thought I was taking it to another level. Working from home really is making me forgetful.

I can't wait for Ennema to leak out on the fast break for a quick two. Sorry but you've all been thinking it since we signed him.

So I found videos of him singing to pop songs..but no damn highlights!

You would think there would be more interested in a 7 1 guy anywhere other than Buffalo. Assuming he's a giant body, completely raw though?

Great Danes are certainly more famous throughout pop culture than the other two (Marmaduke, Scooby Doo)

I was going to mention when you follow the games on ESPN, they use the Dane logo and not the A. As the unofficial leader of the Dane logo movement I couldn't be prouder. Although there's a Dane at the dog park I go to and that thing is slow and constantly dropping the ball. Poor goofy bastard