AlbanyFan2018

Some really good points, and it would be great to understand the economic impact to the overall athletic department of a middle of the pack vs top tier FCS football program and say Buffalo which competes at the FBS level in the MAC.

I have zero opinion and don't know enough, but agree give this time, but I can see having the discussion about the pros and cons of what kind of commitment to make to non FBS football in terms of the cost/benefit analysis.

I'm relatively new to following FCS football and I know the passion and effort of the guys playing is no different than the guys playing in front of 100,000 people in the Big 10. For a long time until this year's resurgence in Syracuse and BC, football success in the Northeast has been on a long slide down. I know at North Dakota, and I would assume James Madison and other FCS powers football is a big deal, but for the investment does being an FCS power vs an FBS team is it a big deal? I can't say, but I know kids make college decisions based upon SEC football, Big 10, but in the East Coast or Northeast does a kid make a college choice based upon success in FCS football?? I think North Dakota is an outlier. If one can't be a power in the CAA it would seem to me that a lesser conference with fewer scholarships would be the way to go in order to support programs where a school can compete and can add cache.

VT had a much better outing this week. Key has to continue to be to get the ball into our playmaker's hands because we are going to have to score 35-42 points every week to be competitive in league games.

Are you saying $400k in donations or in additional ticket revenue? I know some lacrosse specific donations have been coming in, but no specific campaign I am aware of other than it is providing some additional support above and beyond the current tam budget.

That's a great question, and in a perfect world, even as a huge UA lacrosse fan, one would put the money into a basketball program IMO if you had a reasonable expectation that you could turn it into a regular NCAA tournament team, and have it be in the 9-13 seed range. I don't know a lot about the particulars, but Denver seems to be the model for a lacrosse school with no football. They do have big time hockey, but lacrosse is right there. Lacrosse is a much bigger roster and relative to basketball as a percentage has fewer scholarships so there are some potential economic impacts especially if the lacrosse roster expands to include more out of state kids. I think this is the first time I can ever recall where there are as many kids from outside of NY as NY kids in an incoming class. I have no data to back this up, but I bet the more diverse the program becomes over time the more self sustaining the program can become economically. I don't know the physical plant limitations of what can be remodeled versus need to build from scratch. Let's assume there is existing space which could be upgraded to give the lacrosse teams better locker rooms, team rooms. I would bet that we are talking about $2mm-$3mm to fully endow the program to a point where it is top notch (that does not include upgrading Fallon or some sort of bubble or indoor space) If we wanted to upgrade Fallon with locker rooms, a training room, meeting rooms, new turf, etc. I bet we are talking at least $5mm, but that cost could be spread across several teams.

I haven't heard any specifics about the project (other than something is in the works) so don't know if that just means sprucing up the current locker room or a new facility. Galloway has definitely injected a lot of enthusiasm down there. One of the reasons I keep banging on the we need to more aggressively market this program.

Still surprised that the Canadian spigot hasn't been more with Coach Thomson on board.

Great post. What concerned me the most with the Morgan State game was the incessant deep throws. Whether any of our QB's throw it in the air for a 60 yd TD or one of our playmakers, which we have a few of, takes a 6 yard slant to the house it still counts as six points. We have playmakers and the aim ought to be to find higher percentage ways to get the ball into their hands, especially when plan A is a total disaster. I am not as familiar as some with the makeup of our roster, but there are definitely some very good players on it so the recruiting definitely hasn't been a disaster.

I was talking with one of the starting defenders, and while I am sure you are correct about budget constraints, one of the reasons hiring Maloney was a plus, besides being a former player which has been our M.O., is the MLL experience with the shot clock. My initial hunch was that they would go after Tim Cox, no idea if they did or not, just based upon him being a former player, VA, and his recent DI experience at Robert Morris. Personnel wise, I actually think the defense will be in good shape to handle the rule changes. IMO Stone was one of the most under appreciated poles in the country, but we will have great continuity and even more size with Flip as the starting third pole. We'll lose offensive punch with Troy leaving, but will be bigger with Gleason(assuming he is the front runner) as the LSM. I understand that two of the freshmen have been outstanding on defense so overall this will be the biggest and most athletic defense that I can ever recall in Dane history. Our weakness on defense last year was teams exploiting midfield dodges, and with the new rules I imagine we will see more of that. No clue on how we will attack it, but there will be 4 poles out there all the time who have the athleticism to press out and make it difficult for teams to get quality looks in 60-70 seconds. I think the biggest hole is going to be replacing McClancy and to me the most unsung Dane of last year's team Josh Eagan.

Definitely a younger overall staff, and as I would have assumed, it appears as if Coach Marr is more hands on this year. I have had a chance to be around some of the guys, and there definitely is something different this fall.

Great story and Connor has one of the biggest coaching jobs this off season. I will be eager to see how the FOGO's do on the 13th.

Nike is a big sponsor of Thompson Brother's Lacrosse which is why I mentioned them. There seems like a respectful way to leverage the Thompson's and the special relationship Coach Marr has developed with them and the Haudenosaunee.

Early read is that it looks like Jakob moving down low and working through a combination of guys at the 4th attack position. Sounds like really good competition at the goalie position as well.

Especially with some talented WR's. Just get the ball into their hands.

I hope VT can somehow pull it out, but one of the worst throwing performances I have ever seen.

I don't think the Vikings with Randy Moss in his prime though this many bombs in half a season. The most bizarre play calling I have ever seen.

they look lost

WTF??????????????????? Terrible

I'm no Bill Belichick but this play calling is crazy. How about some high percentage plays to get the offense in a rhythm?

Dodged a bullet there. Now play some ball.

I can barely hear Whyland now.

Please let us know what you here. Would kick in what I can as well. Just did a search and can't find anything about it.

I heard through the grapevine that the school wants to either upgrade or expand (not sure which) the lacrosse locker room, and you would think that whoever runs the development program would be out with a bull horn, screaming at the top of his or her lungs. I am surprised that no one has tried to do something at the corporate level and with the Thompson's to honor the Native roots of lacrosse, and how Coach Marr and the UAlbany program is the embodiment of that history. I can see the Nike commercial now.

I got a few tidbits. Based upon what I have heard now over two years, my impression only, is that things are a bit more serious this year. This is a pretty small senior class and the guys who are in official and unofficial leadership positions are pretty serious guys. That being said there are definitely still some characters on the team. They are putting in a lot of time adjusting to the new rules, especially pushing the transition to maximize the shot clock in the offensive zone. Unfortunately don't have any news on what the offensive rotations are looking like.