College Sports

It's hard not to be skeptical of the NCAA or some of the larger conferences, aka the Power 5 schools, when it comes to things like, well, paying student-athletes above and beyond their tuition, room and board and more recently, a "cost of attendance" stipend. Yes, they are institutes of higher learning but over the years even some of the most prestigious universities in the United States, such as Notre Dame, Stanford, Duke and even Harvard have been marred by athletic scandals. Then add in the football and basketball powerhouses that occupy your tv screen every week and the list of improprieties would make your head spin.

Pandora’s Box has now been opened. The NCAA ruled that student-athletes may now own their NIL (Name, Image & Likeness). The ruling seems like it would be a common sense decision and it should be but it’s not.

The Colonial Athletic Conference has produced such NFL greats as Howie Long (Villanova), Joe Flacco (Delaware), Charles Haley (James Madison), Darren Sharper (William & Mary) and scores of others. 36 CAA players were on NFL rosters at the start of last football season, including former UAlbany Great Dane, Jarron Williams. Many of them, including Williams, played at Tom & Mary Casey Stadium while still in college. All the more reason to support the UAlbany Great Danes by purchasing a couple of season tickets.

Summer camps are a long standing tradition in most places but especially in the Capital Region. Parents often use camps as a way of keeping their kids constructively occupied during the summer months. Sports camps are especially popular locally. Unfortunately, it looks like some of the most popular camps will not operate for a second consecutive year.

It was reported today by CBS Sports' Jon Rothstein that UAlbany Great Danes will play the Kentucky Wildcats in men’s basketball this season. It makes sense. New Head Coach, Dwayne Killings, has strong ties to John Calipari and the Wildcat coaching staff. It appears that UAlbany’s first time head coach is trying to make a statement. He has high expectations for his program starting now.

What people may forget about the incredible career of Coach K, is that it all began in New York.

It's been a long and winding road in college hockey for Jack Adams. After struggling in Schenectady, and not finding success in Providence, Adams has yet another move on his hands.

There will be high school football games played in the Capital Region of New York today, strange as that seems at the tail end of March, instead of October. We’ve gotten used to some of the abnormalities, such as no fans in the stands and student-athletes competing with masks. Another missing element will be college coaches.

The 2021 NCAA Division I Men's Ice Hockey Regional tournament is this weekend at the Times Union Center. The seeding for the Albany Region are 1) Boston College, 2) St. Cloud State, 3) Boston University and 4) Notre Dame. Not only will the eyes of college Hockey fans all over the country be on the Capital Region this weekend it's also the first event at the Times Union Center with fans in attendance in over a year. Here's all the scheduling and information you'll need to follow along or even attend the road to the Frozen Four Saturday and Sunday.

This year was the first year in 20 or so years that I filled out a bracket for a cash prize, in the 104.5 The Team and LaBatt Blue Light Million Dollar Challenge, a million for a perfect bracket and $10,000 for 60 wins. I had zero expectations of winning and from the looks of it, I could come in last place, which could be fun too. The good thing is I couldn’t be getting more enjoyment out of watching these games, rooting against my bracket!

The University at Albany and Director of Athletics Mark Benson have announced the hiring of Dwayne Killings as the 16th head men’s basketball coach in program history and third during UAlbany’s Division I era.

As reported by 104.5 FM, The Team’s Rodger Wyland on Monday, the University at Albany will name a new men’s basketball coach this week. From everything I know, the fanbase should be pleased in the new direction of the program. Though much of UAlbany’s hoop success is focused on the Division I era, the Great Danes have a long history of winning on the hardwood