Campus Observations from a returning alumni

[BestDaneSinceHamlet]

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.

[BestDaneSinceHamlet]

Crap, that should be returning Alumnus. Stupid grammar.

[Dane96]

Awesome overall assessment, and similar to my own thoughts from opening day at the BoFo.

 

I love that they are also sprucing up the SEFCU, much needed videoboards will help the fan, player, coach and recruiting experience. And probably not cheap...close to 250k-500k...easily.

 

Phase 2 can't get started fast enough. People see big places...and things become BIG TIME very quickly. We go from being a cute little story...to the TRUE PLAYER in the region.

[UA'08]

Are these permanent video boards at sefcu?

[Dane96]

Yeah, I'd presume.

[UA'08]

Nice!

[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.

[BestDaneSinceHamlet]

Does anyone have any information on the exact nature of the improvements to SEFCU and when they are going to happen?

[Dane Pound]

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.

 

 

+1 on this. It took me by surprise the first time I went up Western Ave.

[Brutus]

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.

All part of the overall plan developed several years ago.

[Clickclack]

Does anyone have any information on the exact nature of the improvements to SEFCU and when they are going to happen?

 

I don't believe they are doing anything to SEFCU...were we not all in there just a week ago? There was zero sign of any work being done AT ALL...maybe in the future...

[UA'08]

We are in need of at least a new scoreboard that has players in and current stats baaad.

[Jammaster]

Yeah, the asst AD said changes are coming. We know they haven't started. Prob will be after the bball season ends.

[Clickclack]

We are in need of at least a new scoreboard that has players in and current stats baaad.

 

The current board is terrible...I mean vintage 1970...

[Jammaster]

It would have been 1992, which might as well be the 1970s for a scoreboard.