Albany, N.Y. – University at Albany head basketball coach Will Brown announced on Tuesday, June 29 the hiring of Carey Edwards as an assistant coach. Edwards previously served as the director of basketball operations at the University of Massachusetts.

     Edwards, 32, worked at Massachusetts for two years as a member of Steve Lappas’ staff. He was responsible for coordinating team travel, organizing team purchases and allotments, scheduling opponents and practice times, handling budgetary items, and organizing the UMass summer camp program.

     Prior to his collegiate experience, Edwards was director of player personnel for the Chicago Blaze, a National Women’s Basketball League (NWBL) franchise. His primary duties were to assist in the hiring of a head coach, assist in the negotiation of player contracts, organize the draft, and conduct preseason workouts.

     A standout college player at Manhattan, Edwards was a two-time All-Metro Atlantic Athletic Conference selection and a career 1,000-point scorer. He served as team captain in his final campaign, when the Jaspers reached the NIT Tournament. As a junior, his squad posted a 23-7 record en route to the MAAC championship and a NCAA berth.

    A native of Bristol, Conn., Edwards earned his B.S. in finance from Manhattan in 1993, and has completed some coursework toward a master’s degree in education. He was drafted in the third round by the United States Basketball League’s New Haven Skyhawks and attended the 1994 rookie camp of the Continental Basketball Association’s Connecticut Pride.

ALYSSA LOTMORE FINISHES EIGHTH IN 1,500m RUN USA JUNIOR TRACK & FIELD NATIONALS

     College Station, Texas – University at Albany’s Alyssa Lotmore finished eighth in the women’s 1,500-meter run at the USA Junior National Track & Field Championships on Sunday, June 27 at Texas A&M University’s Frank G. Anderson Track & Field Complex. The top eight finishers in each event earn All-America status.

     Jessica Eldridge, who will be a sophomore in the fall at the University of Oklahoma, and was the Big 12 Conference Freshman Performer of the Year, won the race in 4:21.13. Eldridge, a native of Broken Arrow, Okla., hit the tape more than two seconds ahead of Sarah Bowman, a junior at Fauquier High School in Virginia.

     Lotmore, a 19-year-old who recently completed her freshman year as a member of UAlbany’s track and cross country teams, posted a time of 4:40.00 in a fast-paced 1,500 that was contested in hot and humid conditions.

     Lotmore qualified for nationals with a season-best time of 4:35.54 in this event at North Carolina State’s Raleigh Relays last March. She finished fourth at the America East Conference outdoor championships.

     During the college season, Lotmore set a school record in the 5,000-meter run, plus established another UAlbany standard as a member of the distance medley relay. She also anchored an ECAC-qualifying 4x800-relay squad.

     USA Junior Nationals competitors must be at least 14 years old on the day of competition but not turn age 20 during 2004.

********************

USA Junior National Track & Field Championships

Women’s 1,500-Meter Run Final

1. Jessica Eldridge, 4:21.13; 2. Sarah Bowman, 4:23.36; 3. Erin Bedell, 4:26.62; 4. Jennie Haertel, 4:33.59; 5. Mary Liz McCurdy, 4:34.18; 6. Alison Costello, 4:36.83; 7. Carolyn Quebe, 4:39.36; 8. Alyssa Lotmore, 4:40.00; 9. Sarah Rinker, 4:40.21; 10. Evelyn Wing, 4:40.42; 11. Kasey Kimball, 4:48.21; 12. Krystal Rodriguez, 4:58.01; 13. Annaliese Chapa, DNS.

UALBANY GREAT DANES SCHOLARSHIP GOLF CLASSIC ON MONDAY, JUNE 28

     Albany, N.Y. – The University at Albany will host the 11th annual Great Danes Scholarship Golf Classic on Monday, June 28 at Shaker Ridge Country Club. Proceeds directly benefit the UAlbany athletic scholarship fund. The shotgun tee-off, scramble format begins at 12:15 p.m.  The tournament was originally scheduled for May 24, but postponed due to severe weather in the Capital Region.

     The Great Danes Scholarship Golf Classic is one way to assist UAlbany’s more than 450 student-athletes in attaining their educational and athletic pursuits through scholarship contribution. In 2003-04, the Great Danes have won America East Conference championships in men’s lacrosse, men’s indoor track and women’s golf, while football shared its second consecutive Northeast Conference title. In addition, men’s lacrosse made its second straight NCAA Division I tournament appearance.

     Shaker Ridge County Club is hosting the Great Danes Scholarship Golf Classic for the first time. Shaker Ridge is set up at 6,743 yards from the championship tees and plays to par 71 (36-35). The course, designed by Jim Thomson, previously hosted the annual Capital District Skins Game.

DeGRAZIO AND SCHOONMAKER NAMED TO ECAC BASEBALL SECOND TEAM

     Cape Cod, Mass.- University at Albany’s Derek DeGrazio and Dan Schoonmaker were named to the ECAC Division I Baseball All-Star Team as announced on Tuesday, June 22 by the league office. DeGrazio and Schoonmaker were each voted to the second team.

     DeGrazio, a member of the America East Conference first team, garnered the honor as a designated hitter. The junior batted .369 with six homers, 45 RBI and 32 runs scored. He was also selected to the American Baseball Coaches Association All-Northeast Region First Team on June 17.

     Schoonmaker, the 2004 America East Player of theYear, was named to the ECAC all-star team as a first baseman. A CollegeBaseballInsider.com honorable mention All-America selection, the senior batted .353 with 10 home runs and a UAlbany record 51 RBI. Schoonmaker finished his career ranked among the top three in school history in home runs (23), RBI (125) and triples (11).

     The Great Danes went 37-14 during the 2004 campaign and made their first-ever trip to the America East postseason tournament. The win total shattered the previous school-high of 21 established in 1999.

RYAN, SCHOONMAKER AND DeGRAZIO EARN POSTSEASON BASEBALL HONORS

     Albany, N.Y.- University at Albany’s Shawn Ryan and Dan Schoonmaker were named Honorable Mention All-Americans by CollegeBaseballInsider.com. The three-year old web site released its All-American teams on Tuesday, June 15. Ryan along with teammate Derek DeGrazio were voted to the American Baseball Coaches Association (ABCA) All-Northeast Region First Team as announced on Wednesday, June 16.

     Ryan, a junior closer, was selected as a relief pitcher on both teams after collecting a school record 14 saves this past season, which ranks him third nationally among Division I players. He posted a 3.60 ERA with 28 strikeouts in 25 innings of work and established another UAlbany mark with 27 appearances.

     Schoonmaker, the 2004 America East Conference Player of theYear, garnered the honor as a first baseman.  The senior, who also saw time at third base, batted .353 with ten home runs and a UAlbany record 51 RBI. Schoonmaker finished his career ranked among the top three in school history in home runs (23), RBI (125) and triples (11).

     DeGrazio, who was also named to the America East First Team, was the ABCA First Team selection as a designated hitter. The junior batted .369 with six homers, 45 RBI and 32 runs scored.

     The ABCA Northeast Region encompasses 43 Division I schools. The 43 head coaches nominate their players for recognition and then vote to select First and Second All-Northeast Teams.

     The Great Danes went 37-14 during the 2004 campaign and made their first-ever trip to the America East postseason tournament. The win total shattered the previous school-high of 21 established in 1999.

UALBANY’S BRANDON HOWLETT FINISHES 21ST AT NCAA CHAMPIONSHIPS

     Austin, Texas – University at Albany’s Brandon Howlett placed 21st in the discus with a throw of 174-feet at the NCAA Division I Track & Field Championships at Mike A. Myers Stadium on Friday, June 11. Southern Methodist’s Hannes Hopley finished first in the competition with a mark of 203-feet, 5-inches.

     Howlett is the first UAlbany male athlete to compete at the Division I Championships. The junior owns the school record in the discus as he threw 184-feet, 0.5-inches earlier this season at the America East Conference Championships.

***********

NCAA Division I Track & Field Championships

Men’s Discus Final

1. Hannes Hopley, Southern Methodist, 203-05; 2. Jason Young, Texas Tech, 197-08; 3. Michael Robertson, Southern Methodist, 195-02; 4. Gaute Myklebust, Memphis, 194-06; 5. Karl Erickson, Minnesota, 192-03; 6. Josh Ralston, Texas A&M, 191-01, 7. Niklas Arrhenius, BYU, 188-02; 8. Sam Johnson, Texas State, 188-00; 9. Sam Segond, Rutgers, 184-11; 10. Ryan McIntyre, Florida, 184-08; 11. Raigo Toompuu, Western Kentucky, 184-06; 12. Lucais MacKay, Georgia, 183-02; 13. Jamal Salahuddin, Iowa State, 182-06; 14. Byron Tate, Texas State, 182-02; 15. Edis Elkasevic, Auburn, 181-06; 16. Dan Ames, UCLA, 179-03; 17. Matt McKinney, Southern Methodist, 178-04; 18. Nate Michael, Navy, 178-03; 19. Brian Robison, Texas, 177-03; 20. Brandon Cook, Louisville, 177-01; 21. Brandon Howlett, Albany, 174-00; 22. Derek Anderson, Northeastern, 173-00; 23. Bradley Daufeldt, Iowa, 172-05; 24. Joe Vasquez, Fresno State, 171-08; 25. Dan Arrhenius, BYU, 171-04; 26. Steven Boozer, Alabama, 169-03; 27. James Rowell, NC State, 165-00; Adam Kuehl, Arizona, Foul.

UALBANY’S COVERT SETS SCHOOL RECORD AT NCAA CHAMPIONSHIPS

     Austin, Texas – University at Albany’s Teresa Covert placed 16th in the 100-meter hurdle preliminaries in a school-record time of 13.30 at the NCAA Division I Track & Field Championships at Mike A. Myers Stadium on Thursday, June 10. Nebraska’s Priscilla Lopes finished first in the prelims with a time of 12.75.

     Covert, a senior, participated in the same event at the NCAA Championships last spring. The Susquehanna, Pa. native became the first UAlbany track athlete to qualify for the national championships at the Division I level. Covert has eclipsed her own school marks in the 100-meter hurdles (13.30), 100-meter dash (11.55) and the long jump (19-feet, 5.5-inches) this season.

     UAlbany’s Brandon Howlett, the school’s first male athlete to participate at the Division I Championships, will compete in the discus tomorrow at 4:45 p.m. (ET).

**********

NCAA Division I Track & Field Championships

Women’s 100-Meter Hurdle Preliminaries

1. Priscilla Lopes, Nebraska, 12.75; 2. Nichole Denby, Texas, 12.82; 3. Sheena Johnson, UCLA, 12.85; 4. Ashlee Williams, Texas, 12.90; 5. Raasin McIntosh, Texas, 12.86; 6. Dawn Harper, UCLA, 12.91; 7. RaNysha LeBlanc, LSU, 12.92; 8. Brittany Littlejohn, LSU, 12.94; 9. Lolo Jones, LSU, 12.96; 10. Ebony Foster, NC State, 12.99; 11. Molly Logan, Ohio State, 13.11; 12. Beau Walker, Alabama, 13.14; 13. Sani Roseby, UCLA, 13.25; 14. Kellie Wells, Hampton, 13.25; 15. Virginia Powell, Southern California, 13.26; 16. Teresa Covert, Albany, 13.30; 17. Kasia Williams, Arkansas, 13.33; 18. Sharifa Jones, Arizona, 13.35; 19. Alicia Cave, Houston, 13.39; 20t. Heather Heron, San Diego State, 13.41; 20t. Ronnette Alexander, South Carolina, 13.41; 22. Funmi Jimoh, Rice, 13.42; 23. LaTasha Pharr, Alabama, 13.47; 24. Jessica Czaikowski, West Virginia, 13.49; 25. Makeatha Cooper, TCU, 13.59; 26. Rebecca Williams, Iowa State, 13.60; 27. Amy Menlove, BYU, 13.89; Andrea Bliss, Florida, DNF.

UALBANY VOLLEYBALL ADDS TWO TO THEIR ROSTER FOR 2004 SEASON
     Albany, N.Y. – University at Albany volleyball coach Kelly Sheffield announced Monday, June 7 that two student-athletes have committed to play for the Great Danes in the 2004-05 academic year. The Great Danes finished with a 24-10 record last season, marking the most single-season wins at the Division I level, and advanced to the America East Conference postseason tournament for a second consecutive year.
     Sheffield, who is in his fourth year at the helm, adds a transfer from St. Louis University and a high school standout to his veteran roster.
     Ashley Hunter, a 6-foot-1 outside hitter from Moreno Valley, Calif., spent her first two years at St. Louis as a starter for the Billikins. Last year, Hunter was third on the team in kills per game (2.42) and digs per game (2.74), despite playing with a foot injury that limited her playing time. During her freshman season she ranked second on the team with 125 kills against Conference USA opponents.
     "Ashley can have an immediate impact on our program," Sheffield stated. "She hits with tremendous power and gives us much needed size at the net. I like her backrow skills and she has a chance of being one of our better passers and defenders back there."
     Ashley Crenshaw, a 5-foot-11 middle blocker from Birmingham, Ala., was an All-Metro honorable mention selection during her senior season. She led Hoover High School to a 34-21 overall record and No. 5 state ranking. Crenshaw was also a member of the Birmingham Volleyball Club which was ranked fifth in Alabama and placed 15th at the Tampa (Fla.) National Qualifier. She was named the most improved player in 2001 and 2003, plus earned the Captains Award as a senior.
     "Athletically, Ashley is as talented as anyone in the conference," Sheffield commented. "She jumps 5 to 6 inches higher than anyone we’ve got. Ashley has the potential to be a very good player for us someday, along with the possibility of being a dominating frontcourt player sometime in the future."

GARY JONES AND ANDEE LINDGREN NAMED UALBANY'S 2003-2004 ATHLETES OF THE YEAR

     Albany, N.Y. – Gary Jones, an All-America football running back, and Andee Lindgren, an all-region and all-conference softball pitcher, have been chosen as the University at Albany's 2003-04 Male and Female Athletes of the Year, as Director of Athletics and Recreation Lee McElroy announced on Thursday, June 3. The athletes were selected in voting by the head coaches of UAlbany's 19-sport intercollegiate athletics program.

     Jones, a senior tailback from Ravena, N.Y., was named to the 2003 Associated Press Division I-AA All-America squad as a third-team selection. He made his second straight appearance on the Associated Press team, and also earned the same recognition from The Sports Network and Football Gazette. Jones was also chosen the Northeast Conference Offensive Player of the Year for the second consecutive year, as he finished second among the NEC's all-time scorers with 252 points and third in career rushing yards (3,033).

     Jones, who led the Great Danes to a share of their second conference championship and a 7-4 record, broke his own single-season rushing record with 1,524 yards and scored a league-leading 19 touchdowns. He ranked sixth among the NCAA Division I-AA rushing leaders at 138.6 yards per game, plus was fifth nationally in scoring (10.4 points/game) and 16th in all-purpose yardage (153.6 ypg). Jones ran for 100 or more yards against eight opponents, including a career-high 242 against Stony Brook on Oct. 25. The UAlbany standout established or tied 12 school records, and is the all-time leader in rushing yards, touchdowns scored (42), rushing touchdowns (40) and all-purpose yards (3,639).

      Lindgren, a senior from La Habra, Calif., was chosen as the 2004 America East Conference Player of the Year. She posted an 18-4 record on the mound, and ranked 28th nationally with a 1.04 earned run average. Lindgren set the school's single-season record with 179 strikeouts and led the conference in K's at 8.08 per seven innings. A first-team all-conference player for the second straight year, she led the league and is 11th among the NCAA Division I leaders with a .430 batting average. Lindgren, who also played first base, set a UAlbany record with 18 doubles and owns the second-best mark in school history with 34 RBI.

     Lindgren, a second-team All-Northeast Region selection for the second consecutive year, helped UAlbany capture the America East regular-season title and the No. 1 seed for this spring's postseason tournament. The Great Danes tied the single-season standard for victories with a 34-18 record. Lindgren finished her career as a pitcher with a 38-10 won-loss mark with 40 complete games, 13 shutouts, 350 strikeouts and a 1.11 ERA. She batted .368, third on the all-time list, with 102 total hits, 54 RBI and a school-record 25 doubles.

*********************

University at Albany Athletes of the Year

2003-04: Male: Gary Jones (Football), Female: Andee Lindgren (Softball)

2002-03: Male: Gary Jones (Football), Female: Teresa Covert (Track & Field)

2001-02: Male: Chris Phillis (Football), Female: Amy Di Micco (Field Hockey)

2000-01: Male: Michael Oliva (Baseball), Female: Dawn Di Micco (Basketball/Lacrosse)

1999-00: Male: Todd Cetnar (Basketball), Female: Megan Buchanan (Basketball)

1998-99: Male: Steve Checksfield (Baseball/Football),

Female: Kelly Poynton (Softball) & Xiomara Davila Diaz (Track & Field)

1997-98: Male: Joe Savino (Football), Female: Rafaela Nikas (Lacrosse/Volleyball)

1996-97: Male: Jomo Forrester (Soccer/Track) & Anthony Vitti (Football),

Female: Tonya Dodge (Cross Country/Track)

1995-96: Male: Dennis King (Cross Country/Track), Female: Debbie August (Lacrosse)

1994-95: Male: Jeffrey York (Track & Field), Female: Melinda Cook-Carpenter (Softball)

1993-94: Male: Jason Graber (Basketball), Female: Lynda Nealis (Basketball)