UAlbany

On Saturday, November 30, 2019, as the Great Danes finished defeating Central Connecticut by a score of 42-14 in the NCAA playoffs at Tom & Mary Casey Stadium, I am positive that Greg Gattuso did not think that it would be the last time for nearly two years that he would see fans in the UAlbany home stands. Well, that has all changed. Today the University at Albany announced that they will "open all of its athletic venues at full capacity this fall in line with updated guidance from the CDC and New York State."

This afternoon as I passed through the thousands of fans that came out to enjoy the first Friday of racing season in the Spa City, many come year after year. The UAlbany Alumni Association held their annual outing. Hundreds were adorned in purple and gold ready to make their bets and enjoy the spectacular weather and an amazing card of top horse racing, highlighted by the 9th race, the Forbidden Apple Stakes.

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.

Hartford is a member of the America East, as is UAlbany, Vermont, Maine, New Hampshire, UMBC, NJIT, Stony Brook and Binghamton. This year the America East was ranked 23rd out of 32 basketball conferences. For the past decade, the conference has been close to the lower third.

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.

the Drive with Charlie and Dan will continue to bring you a fun look at sports, life and entertainment, with awesome local and national interviews everyday from 3 to 7pm on 104.5 FM.

The University of Albany Great Danes 6 game Spring season may have ended two games early but four games were plenty for the CAA to recognize the talent on the UALBANY roster. Running back Karl Mofor, Linebacker Danny Damico and Defensive Lineman Jared Verse have all been named to the All-CAA Second Team. Verse capped off a special campaign during this "special season" by being named CAA Defensive Rookie of the Year.

The Dwayne Killings' era of UALBANY basketball is under way. Coach Killings has finalized his coaching staff and is working on his roster. DK took some time to introduce us to his new staff and let us know why he chose them to help lead the Great Danes. If we end up being as fired up about this staff as coach Killings is, it's going to be a great time at the SEFCU Arena.

Scott Marr's UALBANY Lacrosse team has potentially it's biggest challenge of the season Thursday, when they face the Syracuse Orange in the Carrier Dome. The Great Danes are a true power in the world of college lacrosse and they'll get to prove it tomorrow against the Orange. Coach Marr explains why he and the Great Danes took this mid-week matchup and the future of UALBANY facing top teams in college lacrosse.