Albany, N.Y. -- The University at Albany has dedicated the University’s football practice field in honor of Wellington T. Mara and Preston Robert Tisch, the late co-owners of the New York Giants of the National Football League. Mara and Tisch were instrumental in making the University at Albany home to the Giants’ summer training camp beginning in 1996. The Giants are committed to summer training at the University through the summer of 2008 with an option year for 2009.

     Both Mara and Tisch were highly supportive of the Giants in Albany , often attending the welcome luncheons sponsored by the team to recognize the efforts of the University community during training camp. Mara, who passed away on October 25, 2005, was associated with the Giants for 81 consecutive seasons, and was elected to the Pro Football Hall of Fame in 1997. His father Tim founded the Giants in 1925. Tisch, who died on November 15, 2005 , was a successful businessman and philanthropist, as well as a former Postmaster General of the United States . He became a co-owner of the Giants in 1991.

     “Mr. Mara and Mr. Tisch were passionately devoted to the New York Giants, as we discovered during the team's Summer Training Camps at the University,” said UAlbany Officer in Charge Susan Herbst .  “As tribute to both men, who so greatly enjoyed watching the progress of their football team during the summers in Albany , we will rename the UAlbany football team’s practice field, on the Western Avenue side of campus, Wellington Mara - Bob Tisch Football Practice Field.”

     A plaque and bench with the new field name were unveiled at a recognition ceremony co-hosted by Herbst and Albany Mayor Gerald D. Jennings.

     “In significant ways, Wellington Mara and Robert Tisch have profoundly left their marks on this University and the City of Albany ,” said Jennings . “Not a day goes by in which the connection of this campus and this city to the New York Giants isn't mentioned and admired by both students and faculty here at UAlbany and the greater Albany community at-large.”

     "Giants training camp has become a summer institution in Albany , and for that we have Wellington Mara and Bob Tisch to thank,” Governor Spitzer said. “They were instrumental in bringing the team here, as we mark the twelfth successful year of Giants preseason practice at the University at Albany .”

     “The University at Albany has been a wonderful home for the New York Giants for the past 12 years,” said John K. Mara, President and Chief Executive Officer of the New York Giants and son of Wellington Mara. “The Mara family is thankful to UAlbany for acknowledgment of my father’s commitment to the University as an institution and as a summer home for the Giants.”

     “We have the entire Giants organization to thank for the creation of the New York Giants Scholarship, which has now assisted 11 young Capital Region students in need since the program began in 1997,” said Lee A. McElroy, Jr., Vice President for Athletic Administration and Director of Intercollegiate Athletics. “Mr. Mara and Mr. Tisch have been enormously missed.”

     The Wellington Mara - Bob Tisch Football Practice Field is used by the Giants during summer training camp and by the UAlbany football team during the academic year.

     Albany, N.Y. -- University at Albany Vice President and Director of Athletics Lee McElroy announced on Thursday, June 21 the New York Giants' summer training camp schedule. The Giants, who have trained on the UAlbany campus since 1996, begin workouts on Saturday, July 28. The four-week camp concludes on August 23.

     For the second consecutive year, Giants training camp will feature eight evening practices. The first night practice is slated for Tuesday, July 31, at 6:10 p.m. All eight sessions are preceded by a morning workout at 8:40 a.m. The other day-night workouts are scheduled for August 2, 4, 6, 8, 14, 16 and 22. Training camp opens with morning and afternoon practices on July 28 and 29.

     As has been the routine in previous camps, the Giants will not practice on the days following preseason games. On the day before a preseason game, the team will hold a one-hour jog-thru session. The Giants will practice 21 days on campus, including 10 double sessions.

     Giants training camp all-session parking passes will be available at UAlbany's Athletic Merchandise Store, located in the SEFCU Arena Lobby, beginning Monday, July 9. An all-session parking pass in $15.00. The daily parking fee is $5.00. Dutch Quad Lot is the primary public parking facility. The Merchandise Store is open Monday through Thursday, from 9:00 a.m.-4:00 p.m. For more information, call 518-442-4522. The training camp schedule can be accessed through www.giants.com or www.ualbanysports.com.

     UAlbany and the Giants have partnered on a two-year agreement that will keep the National Football League organization's training camp in the Capital Region through the summer of 2008. The arrangement also includes the option for a third year.

     The Giants have traveled to UAlbany for the second-longest period in the team's training camp history. The Giants previously spent thirteen summers at Pace University in Pleasantville, N.Y. from 1975-87. The Giants, who have also trained in the states of Vermont, Connecticut, New Jersey, Wisconsin and Oregon, previously worked out at Fairleigh Dickinson University (1988-95) in Madison, New Jersey prior to their arrival on the UAlbany campus.

     In the 11 years that the Giants have trained at UAlbany, the preseason camp has averaged 30,890 fans per summer. More than 40,000 attended last year, while the all-time mark of 45,040 was established in 2004.

GREENE AND PALLOZZI EARN ALL-AMERICAN HONORS AT NCAA TRACK & FIELD CHAMPIONSHIPS

     Sacramento, Calif. - University at Albany's Marc Pallozzi finished eighth in the javelin throw to earn his All-American honors for the second straight year at the NCAA Division I Track and Field Championships on June 8-9 at California State University, Sacramento's A.G. Spanos Sports Complex. Sophomore Joe Greene finished fourth in the men's 400-meter intermediate hurdles finals to also earn All-America status. Greene and Pallozzi became the first Great Dane track and field athletes to score points at an NCAA Division I meet.
     Greene's time of 49.92 set a new school record and made him the top UAlbany finisher at an NCAA event. Pallozzi, who finished 10th in the NCAA Championships last year, recorded a throw of 224-feet, 5-inches to finish eighth.
     "Joe had a great performance," said UAlbany head coach Roberto Vives. "He used running in lane 8, which is usually a disadvantage, to his advantage because he wasn't watching the other runners. He made a step up from last season and defeated guys he hadn't beaten before."
     Greene, a two-time IC4A champion and the 2007 America East Conference Championship's most outstanding performer, finished third at NCAA East Regionals to qualify for the national meet. He sprinted a school-record 50.18 to register the best finish by a UAlbany athlete in regional competition.
     "To have two All-Americans is great for our program," offered Vives. "Our goal is to become a top-20 track and field program, and we are on our way."
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NCAA Track & Field Championships
Men's Javelin
1. Justin Ryncavage (North Carolina), 241-5; 2. Adam Montague (North Carolina), 236-1; 3. Aris Borjas (Cal Poly), 234-4; 4. Cody Fillinich (Northwestern State), 230-5; 5. Chris Hill (McNeese State), 229-4; 6. Chad Rdgowski (LSU), 225-11; 7. Ryan Brandel (Oregon), 225-11; 8. Marc Pallozzi (UAlbany), 224-5; 9. Michael Maloney (Tennessee), 220-11; 10. Preston Chatham (LSU), 212-3; 11. Tanner Evak (Penn State), 207-4; 12. Alex vanderMerwe (Texas-El Paso), 199-6.
400-Meter Hurdles -Finals
1. Isa Phillips (LSU), 48.51; 2. Brandon Johnson (UCLA), 49.02; 3. Justin Gaymon (Georgia), 49.43; 4. Joe Greene (UAlbany), 49.92; 5. Thomas Hilliard (South Carolina), 49.93; 6. Andrew Peresta (Hampton), 50.85; 7. Bryan Scott (Texas Tech), 51.01; 8. Hamza Deyaf (Texas), 51.24.

JOE GREENE REACHES 400-HURDLES FINALS AT NCAA TRACK & FIELD CHAMPIONSHIPS

     Sacramento, Calif. - University at Albany's Joe Greene advanced to the men's 400-meter intermediate hurdles finals for the second straight year at the NCAA Division I Track and Field Championships on Friday, June 8 at California State University, Sacramento's A.G. Spanos Sports Complex. Greene finished third in his heat in a time of 50.20. The top three in each of the two heats, along with the next best two times, automatically advanced the next round.
     Louisiana State's Isa Phillips posted the day's best time in the second heat, crossing the line in 49.31. Brandon Johnson of UCLA finished in 49.41, while Justin Gaymon of Georgia posted a time of 49.85. Along with Greene, Thomas Hillard of South Carolina (50.01), Bryan Scott of Texas Tech (50.13), Andrew Peresta of Hampton (50.21) and Hamza Deyaf of Texas (50.60) advanced to the finals, which will take place on Saturday at 1:05 p.m. ET.
     "I am really proud of him," said UAlbany head coach Roberto Vives. "It was technically one of his worst races of the year, but he caught all of those guys to finish third. He is a true competitor."
     Greene, a two-time IC4A champion and the 2007 America East Conference Championship's most outstanding performer, finished third at NCAA East Regionals to qualify for the national meet. He sprinted a school-record 50.18 to register the best finish by a UAlbany athlete in regional competition.
     Marc Pallozzi, the UAlbany record holder in the men's javelin, will compete in the finals on Friday at 10:15 p.m. ET. He placed 10th in last year's NCAA championship.
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NCAA Track & Field Championships
400-Meter Hurdles - Semifinals (Advance to Finals)
1. Isa Phillips (LSU), 49.31, 2. Brandon Johnson (UCLA), 49.41, 3. Justin Gaymon (Georgia), 49.85, 4. Thomas Hilliard (South Carolina), 50.01, 5. Bryan Scott (Texas Tech), 50.13, 6. Joe Greene (UAlbany), 50.20, 7. Andrew Peresta (Hampton), 50.21, 8. Hamza Deyaf (Texas), 50.60.

JOE GREENE REACHES 400-HURDLES SEMIFINALS AT NCAA TRACK & FIELD CHAMPIONSHIPS

     Sacramento, Calif. – University at Albany’s Joe Greene advanced to the men’s 400-meter intermediate hurdles semifinals for the second straight year at the NCAA Division I Track and Field Championships on Thursday, June 7 at California State University, Sacramento’s A.G. Spanos Sports Complex.  Greene won his heat in 50.64 seconds, the fourth-fastest time of the day.  The top two in each of the five heats automatically advanced the next round.

     Texas Tech’s Bryan Scott, who was eighth in this event last year, won his heat in 50.31 seconds.  Auburn’s Rueben McCoy also had one of the top times of the preliminary round when he hit the tape in the second heat in 50.90.  McCoy placed fourth in the 400-hurdles final one year ago.  Sixteen competitors will run in Friday’s semifinals at 8:55 p.m. ET.  The top three finishers in each race, along with the next best two times, advance to the championship.

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NCAA Track & Field Championships

400-Meter Hurdles – First-Round Qualifiers (Advance to Semifinals)

1. Bryan Scott ( Texas Tech), 50.31, 2. Joe Greene (UAlbany), 50.64, 3. Rueben McCoy ( Auburn ), 50.90, 4. Justin Gaymon ( Georgia ), 50.99, 5. Isa Phillips (LSU), 51.01, 6. Andrew Peresta ( Hampton ), 50.51, 7. Brandon Johnson (UCLA), 51.08, 8. James Fredrickson ( Washington ), 51.12, 9. Jussi Heikkila ( South Carolina ), 51.16, 10. Thomas Hilliard ( South Carolina ), 51.21, 11. Hamza Deyaf ( Texas ), 50.56, 12. Steve Delice (Coppin State), 51.34, 13. Nick Robinson ( Texas A&M), 51.54, 14. Jansen Hyde ( Texas Tech), 51.77, 15. Nick Karren ( Utah State ), 51.82, 16. John Cassleman ( Washington State ), 51.88.

MARC PALLOZZI ADVANCES TO JAVELIN FINAL AT NCAA TRACK & FIELD CHAMPIONSHIPS

     Sacramento, Calif. – University at Albany’s Marc Pallozzi advanced to the men’s javelin final at the NCAA Division I Track and Field Championships on Wednesday, June 6 at California State University, Sacramento’s A.G. Spanos Sports Complex.  Pallozzi reached the final round for the second straight year with a throw of 216-feet, 2-inches.

     Pallozzi finished seventh in his flight and 11th overall against 26 throwers in the preliminary round.  He earned a spot in the 12-competitor final on Friday at 10:15 p.m. ET.  Defending NCAA champion Justin Ryncavage, of North Carolina , took ninth in the preliminaries (217-10), while McNeese State ’s Chris Hill had the best mark of the day (238-10).

     “It was a nerve-racking experience,” said Pallozzi, the America East Conference champion whose best throw came on his first attempt.  “There is certainly a sense of relief that I made the final.  Funny things happen at nationals and there were several top-10 throwers who didn’t make it today.  It’s going to take a school record in the 71-meter range to finish in the top three in Friday’s final.”

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NCAA Track & Field Championships

Men’s Javelin – Preliminary Round (Top 12 Advance to Final)

   1. Chris Hill ( McNeese State ), 238-10, 2. Chad Rodgowski (LSU), 230-07, 3. Aris Borjas (Cal Poly-SLO), 229-04, 4. Alex vanderMerwe (Texas-El Paso), 227-0, 5. Ryan Brandel ( Oregon ), 226-05, 6. Cody Fillinich (Northwestern State), 224-07, 7. Tanner Evak ( Penn State ), 224-02, 8. Adam Montague ( North Carolina ), 217-11, 9. Justin Ryncavage ( North Carolina ), 217-10, 10. Matthew Maloney ( Tennessee ), 216-06, 11. Marc Pallozzi (UAlbany), 216-02, 12. Preston Chatham (LSU), 214-02.

NO. 20 CREIGHTON ELIMINATES UALBANY IN NCAA BASEBALL REGIONAL’S SECOND ROUND

   Fayetteville, Ark. – Steve Winkleman belted his fifth home run of the season and had a career-high six RBI to lead Creighton to a 21-11 victory over UAlbany in the second round of the NCAA Baseball Championship’s Fayetteville Regional before 2,681 fans on Saturday, June 2 at Baum Stadium.  The Blue Jays, ranked 20th nationally as the Missouri Valley Conference champion, advanced in the loser’s bracket.

     The two teams combined for 32 runs, 34 hits and 19 walks and used 13 pitchers in the four-hour-and-18-minute offensive marathon.  The Great Danes, who won the America East Conference championship to earn their first-ever NCAA berth, finished with a 29-29 record. UAlbany fell to No. 11 Arkansas, 9-0, in this double-elimination regional’s first round.

     “This is an experience that this team will never forget and a huge step in the development of our program,” UAlbany coach Jon Mueller said.  “We didn’t pitch or play good defense today.  You have to give yourself a chance, especially when you are playing teams at this level.  But I am not going to let what happened the last two days ruin what these guys have accomplished.”

NO. 11 ARKANSAS BLANKS UALBANY, 9-0, IN NCAA BASEBALL REGIONAL’S FIRST ROUND

   Fayetteville, Ark. – Right-hander Duke Welker threw six shutout innings to lead Arkansas to a 9-0 victory over UAlbany in the first round of the NCAA Baseball Championship’s Fayetteville Regional on Friday, June 1 before 8,372 fans at Baum Stadium.  The Razorbacks, ranked 11th in the national polls, advanced to meet Oklahoma State , who won 6-4 earlier in the day, in the second round.

     UAlbany (29-28) will face Creighton, the Missouri Valley Conference champion, in the loser’s bracket of this double-elimination regional on Saturday at 3:30 p.m. ET.  The Great Danes are making their first-ever NCAA appearance as the champions of the America East Conference.

     Arkansas (42-19) took a 1-0 lead in the first inning when designated hitter Jacob Julius singled through the right side with two outs to score Logan Forsythe.  However, the at bat ended when UAlbany right fielder Leo Corvino gunned down Casey Coon at the plate.  After the Razorbacks had another player thrown out trying to score in the second, rain and lightning caused a 53-minute delay in the top of the third.

     Following the suspension of play, Julius delivered again in the bottom of the frame when he lined a 1-2 pitch into the right-field corner for a two-run double.  The Razorbacks, who are in the NCAA field for the 20th time, including six straight trips, pulled away in the fourth.  In the top half, UAlbany had runners on second and third following Tom Hill’s sacrifice, but Welker retired the next two batters to get out of trouble.  Arkansas then chased starter John Naples, who hit a batter and gave up a walk with one out.  Ben Tschepikow greeted reliever Josh Willimott with a RBI single through the box.  Forsythe then belted his ninth home run of the season, when his three-run blast went off the glove of left fielder Mike Konstanty at the top of the fence.

    Meanwhile, Welker, a 6-foot-7, 221-pound junior, allowed just two hits in his 18th start of the season.  Steve Wyland and Corvino singled in the fourth and sixth, respectively.  He recorded seven strikeouts and three walks in his six innings on the hill to improve to 7-5 overall.  Reliever Evan Cox threw three scoreless frames and worked out of a bases-loaded jam in the seventh, as shortstop Tim Smalling collected Corvino’s ground ball to get the force at third base to end the threat.

     “We were unable to make the plays when we need and got behind the eight-ball,” said UAlbany coach Jon Mueller, whose team had nine of its previous 11 outings heading into the NCAA contest.  “Their pitcher did a tremendous job of turning us back when we had opportunities.  The (rain) delay hurt (John) Naples .  He didn’t have as good as stuff after that.”

     Wayne Hrozek and Jake Dugger each had two hits, including a pair of RBI singles in the fifth, for the Razorbacks, who won the Southeastern Conference (SEC) West Division and lost to top-ranked Vanderbilt in the conference championship last Sunday.    

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UAlbany (29-28)                     000      000      000      -           0          3         3

#11 Arkansas (42-19)             102      420      000      -           9          11        0

    John Naples, Josh Willimott (4), Jeff Kaier (6), Matthew Herrick (8) and Chris Wood.

     Duke Welker, Evan Cox (7) and Brian Walker, Jeff Nutt.

NCAA Fayetteville Regional Tournament Schedule (All Times Eastern)

Friday, June 1

Game 1 -- #3 Oklahoma State 6, #2 Creighton 4

Game 2 -- #1 Arkansas 9, #4 UAlbany 0

Saturday, June 2

Game 3 – Creighton (44-15) vs. UAlbany (29-28), 3:30 p.m.

Game 4 – Oklahoma State (39-19) vs. Arkansas (42-19), 7:30 p.m.

Sunday, June 3

Game 5 – Game 3 winner vs. Game 4 loser, 3:30 p.m.

Game 6 – Game 4 winner vs. Game 5 winner, 7:30 pm.

Monday, June 4