godanesgo99

Based on what I saw last year in the pregame, the post season, and what Will Brown said on the radio, I'm excited to see what he can do this year. Last year there was a video floating around of his dunk contest with Kyle McKinley. I've been looking all over for it, but I can't seem to find it. Anyone have a link to it somewhere?

There is ZERO doubt they all read this board, you can book it! 100% they do - they have told me they do. I think they try to avoid it as much as possible though - as it can be hard reading about yourself. During one of my conversations with them I directed them to the various "asses in the seats" "lets fix SEFCU" and "butts in the seats 2016 edition" threads, and to my surprise they told me that they were read and that is where some of the priorities for the changes/upgrades they are employing this year came from... Maybe them reading this stuff is why I hated the "I'll pull my donations if it doesn't change" talk in this thread and tried to push more constructive conversation. We all want the programs to do well and improve and make the fan experience better. For the program to succeed they need to listen to us and create an environment where we all want to hand our wallets over to them every week and enjoy/look forward to doing it. My take away is this: 1. Us fans want more comfortable seats in the stadium. Loved the seats we bought in the stadium, and hate that we can not bring them in now. The rentals they provide are inadequate. Something needs to change so people are more comfortable in the stadium. 2. The bag policy is too restrictive, and is causing grief. Mostly from families that do want to bring their little ones into the stadium. It is hard to walk all the way over from Dutch Quad then get sent back to the car. This turns fans off. A possible quick fix while seeing how to change the policy would be to add a bag check tent outside of the stadium - preventing the walk all the way back. 3. The bag policy and security policies need to be flushed out because when there is high attendance, the lines to get into the stadium are way too long. One possible improvement might be finding/creating additional stadium entrances. Another might be to end some of the pregame festivities a little earlier, or make some of the promotions first come first served to encourage people to get into the stadium earlier. 4. The concessions need some work. The way people order food, grab their food, and pay for their food is inefficient and leads to long slow lines on a regular game, much less a sell-out. They need to manage the flow better to not block traffic through the stadium with the lines and find a way to get people in and out faster. Additional concession outlets - probably by the hospitality tent/berm area would be very helpful. My personal suggestion would be to rent out spaces for a couple of foodtrucks up there each game. I bet they could charge $500-$1000 for a space rental for the game and make more money than they would lose at the normal concession stands - and people would be much happier with more choices. Does that about round up the complaints so far? Did I miss anything?

Just got the e-mail as well. It has been a long summer waiting for basketball. I had to miss the last 2 years of this - can't wait this year!

Lol I only commented twice. Every other comment was in response to people who quoted me directly. It is what it is. We will just have to agree to disagree on this issue and join together with a growl and a Go DANES.

Besides not reading this thread as others have already suggested to you, if you truly believe comments should not be made publicly on this topic and only in private to the people involved you ought to follow you own advice and not keep commenting. You don't come off looking good Lol Bob, I read this thread and all others because I care about the program. Everyone has the right to share their opinion. You have yours and so does everyone else. Mine just so happens to be that this is a petty issue to make such a huge stink about and making such a huge deal out of it in the only real forum we have is embarrassing when fans of other schools look at our board, and the whining does more harm to the growth of the program than the stupid policy does in the first place. I find quiet conversations with the staff much more effective and I stand by that opinion. If I was in the Athletic department this thread and the threats of pulling donations would make me want to help you less. You disagree, but that is what makes internet forums great. So get off your high horse in telling someone not to read the thread. It wouldn't be the modern internet if people didn't disagree in message boards.

I am a more recent grad (class of 99) so maybe I don't know the pain of back issues at 40 than I would at 60. I'm just a supporter that doesn't like complaining loudly about minor issues (to 98% of the fans) that can cast a shadow over all the positives. I'd rather keep my complaints to private conversations with the staff (who have been more than approachable) instead of creating a public controversy. Silent majority I guess.

See it from your side? I actually don't like Stadium seats in the first place so maybe that is my problem. I find them all uncomfortable and would rather be on the metal bench. Do you have a physical handicap that you require one at the game for a health condition? If so, then you have a real argument as they need to accessible. Maybe you should cut your donations and buy a chairback seat instead? Keep complaining, that is up to you. See if you can affect change and get what you want. The rambling does come off as petty though.

LOL - Sorry for my post. I was just venting at all of the bitching. The threat of "no more university or Athletic Donations" and "please join me" were what set me off. I get that there was stupidly bad communication on it. It is also crazy that they were sold in the stadium, allowed to be used, then told no way. The bag policy is insane and worse than any other place I have been. I have voiced my displeasure on certain items with the school as well. That doesn't make me flip out and threaten the school over certain items. Carry on. Make a big stink over something that was $20 and only a relatively small number of people have an issue with. Get worked up. Become a $iena fan. That is fine. I just think everyone needs to get their priorities in check.

I get not blindly following orders and standing up for what you feel is right and doing what you think is best for your own pockets, but this whole "fiasco" seems to be out of hand and pretty petty - on both sides. Whiners complaining about not being able to use something that cost them under $20, and an athletic department that is trying anyway it can to get more revenue, ensure safety, and do what's right for the university and fans while following DHS recommendations in the way they interpret them. There are plenty of things you can buy in an airport or in a movie theater that you cant bring into the place after you leave with it. Many people might want to buy a UAlbany logo'd stadium seat to show their UA support when they attend a high school or pop warner game. The people on this site are the "superfans" and the ones that are supposed to care the most about helping the program grow. To grow it needs more $$. Most of these complaints seem like trolling to get your rocks off and not doing anything substantial to help the program grow. If you dislike the policy, that is fine and your choice. Voice your complaints. See if you can effect change. That is the American way. Just remember you get more flies with honey. Threatening to cut off all support because of a policy you disagree with wouldn't make me want to give in and change my policy though if I worked for the program. You don't give into terrorists. Find a constructive way to show that changing the policy would provide a better environment in the stadium or help get more revenue and you will win. Find out how many people wont go because of the policy and how many lost fans will happen because of it. I am sure there are plenty of fans that would give you your $20 back out of pocket to not have to hear the whining. How many fans is this issue actually pissing off? 20? 30? I question if it is even that high.

I think it is a bit early to start taking bets. I am super excited for the season - I think practices start next week? It is a crapshoot right now. I like what we hear about Nichols and the newcomers - I think we know what we will get from the returning guys. I have to see them play or at least hear about how they look after a week or 2 of practice before betting against *wince* Vermont from winning the league. I know most of the younger crowd now considers SBU the main rival in the AE - but I still want to see VT get squashed more than anyone else.

It's really too early for power rankings as teams haven't even started practicing yet. The only thing any of us have to go on is who was lost from each team. We don't have a clue what our own team has really much less the rest of the league. I only posted to get some more basketball talk going on. From what I have read, their article is probably pretty close, but I'd do something like this: 1. Vermont - They showed so much potential last year, have almost everyone back, a couple new players should make an instant impact. They are going to be tough. 2. Albany - Maybe New Hampshire will overtake them - but I still have my purple glasses on. Yes UA lost 3 all-conference players - but I am excited to see what Rowley will do as a Senior. Stire should keep improving - he became a beast at the end of the season last year, Cremo is Cremo and if what Will Brown says about Nichols and Devonte Campbell is true - that could be a great starting 5 by the time conference play rolls around. Something tells me Dallas is going to have a big year, we know what Travis Charles can do if he is healthy, and the rest of the team seems very deep. 3. New Hampshire - Return what they return and you start out as a potential favorite. 4. UMass Lowell - Still not eligible but what that team has done and their direction should be scary for the league 5. Hartford: Even without Waffles this team looks good on paper 6. SBU: Still has some great pieces, but there will be growing pains. lots of them 7. UMBC: Lyles and Elliot can carry a team of walk-ons. I bet Wincowski takes a leap forward, and some of their other players showed promise last year. They should finish near the bottom half of the league, but they also could beat any team in the league on any given night. 8. Binghamton: I have 0 confidence that this team will win a single game this year, I know they have some talent, but until the prove otherwise - I see them as a bottom feeder. 9. Maine: It looked like they were going to improve, but then they lost Vann. It's is gonna be cold in Maine this winter.

Didn't know where else to put this, and didnt think it deserved it's own thread... http://www.midmajormadness.com/2016/9/6/12798566/america-east-2017-power-rankings-vermont-stony-brook-new-hampshire Wish basketball would start already!

Speaking of the Duke game... this just hit my notifications: http://sports.yahoo.com/news/119210-234801321.html NCAA pulls 7 postseason events out of North Carolina due to LGBT law

I wonder how much the loss of the Duke game will hurt the SOS. While I like the schedule as well, I would like to see another top 25/50 game on the schedule. Hard to get some signature big time wins when you don't have any on the schedule. Penn State and Cincinnati are nice. GCU is up and coming, but I want to see another big time game. I guess I'm just greedy

Anyone know anything about Sean Dunn? He may have been discussed before and I missed/forgot it.... 3 Star Recruit from AZ. Position rank of 38. 6'9" Center I know the team already got a commit from a center in Bent Hank, but looking at the lineup, he might be a huge get for the team with the graduation of Rowley and Charles at the PF position and then Stire entering his Senior Year. According to Verbal Commits: Albany is his only offer? Is there something I am missing that a ranked prospect isn't being recruited elsewhere? http://www.verbalcommits.com/players/sean-dunn https://twitter.com/AZPowerHoops/status/731955409766899712 https://twitter.com/sean_dunn1

BBL preseason has begun. Looks like first game was yesterday. Hooley led all scorers... https://www.plymouthraiders.com/news/game-review/ Peter Hooley lead all scorers in the game with 21 points, made up of some fantastic 3 point shooting (7/11), with Cory adding 5 assists and grabbing 9 rebounds to go with his 11 points, and Rhys Carter making 8 assists in just over 20 minutes. Donte continued his fine defensive form most recently in Australia, with 3 steals.

The kid isn't tall but he has ups. I don't remember who won, but there was a news special on a dunk contest between him and McKinley at the end of last season. If he has grown any and/or spent any time in gym he could be an explosive player. While the game leaves a lot to forget - I was excited when at the very end of the Hartford playoff loss last year Nichols drained a 3 pointer on the last play of the game. I thought that was at least the smallest sliver of silver lining on a disgusting game.

Wonder if he got permission from the NBA to use the logo's on the jersey's in an advertisement. I know when Panini makes baseball cards they have to airbrush all of the logos and alter the copyrighted colors of the jerseys in the photos from the cards because of no license to use them. Just causing trouble. I have no idea how copyright rules work with internet images and memes that may or may not have been officially created by the coach or school or the difference between NBA rules and the "express written permission of MLB"

I hope it's not the first home game. With all of the changes announced so far: new traffic patterns on game day, video board on the scorers table, second big screen, etc. I hope they get a game or two under their belt to get the kinks out before a showcase event that will bring so many new people onto campus.

Given what this team lost last season, I should be expecting a down year - but for some reason I am excited as ever and can't wait for the year to start. It's gonna be a dog fight with Vermont. All the newer/younger fans seem to think SBU is the main rival in the league - but Vermont is still the team I look forward to beating most every season. Cremo seems to have one of the best work ethics I have ever seen. If half of his effort rubs off on the rest of the team it should be a real fun season and next 3 years.

I have no problem with Siena fans buy season tickets, as long as they go to the majority of the games. I think it could very well convert some of the fans. That said, one has to wonder if it they buy season tickets and dont go to many of the games if the empty seats will do more harm than good.

According to Verbal Commits, it appears Baker has left North Dakota after never playing a game for them. I can't find confirmation on that anywhere (though I haven't looked past the first page of google results). I wonder what happened there... That kid was explosive and I thought he was gonna be a top player after he matured a bit.

Anyone have any insight on how the team looks and is progressing so far for this upcoming season? This off-season feels like it lasting forever. Looks like the starting 5 will be Cremo, Ennema, Nichols, Rowley, and Stire with Andrews and Charles being first off the bench? Tons of new guys: I think WB mentioned someone was already injured? Any idea of who is gonna get time? The team looks real deep based on what I read on the new guys. I assume the team will be the pre-season #3 pick - behind VT and NH, slightly ahead of SBU? I know the season is still 3-4 months away, but I want info http://www.ualbanysports.com/SportSelect.dbml?&DB_OEM_ID=15800&SPID=7999&SPSID=70290

Offers are great. I don't think coaches spend too much time preparing an official offer to someone unless they feel there is at least a slight chance of them coming to the school (which is why you don't see us making many if any 5-star offers). Seeing who UA gives offers to gives insight into what the mindset of the coaching staff is, the types of players and the level of players they are going after. While signings are the real time to get excited, I also get excited after hearing about official visits. Those mean that not only are we interested in the player, they are also showing some interest in UA.

I'm told there is more to come as well. I'm excited to see what this year and next brings. This post should also be in the thread complaining about the increase in ticket prices.