Notes on Albany

Posted on September 20, 2007 by Colin O'Keefe
Their program has grown from nothing. Head coach Bob Ford built the program from the ground up.
The football program grew from a club team in 1970-72 to Division III from 1973-1994. The Great Danes climbed into Division II in 1995 and the Football Championship Subdivision in 1999.
They keep changing up their gameplan. One has to wonder if this is really an act in deception or just the Great Danes trying to find something that works. Albany is 1-2 on the season with losses to Colgate and Hofstra.
Montana quarterback Cole Bergquist said film study during the bye week showed certain defensive tendencies on the part of the Great Danes. Then the Griz watched film of Albany's 28-13 Saturday home loss to No. 15 Hofstra, and things had changed.

"They ran some totally different stuff," Bergquist said. "Now it's just like any game - we have to be ready for everything."
Bob Ford has coached the Albany Great Danes forever. This is an interesting contrast to our situation. Not that there's anything wrong with BH wanting to move on. Who wouldn't? I doubt there are many coaches would've rather sit at the FCS instead of moving. There is at least one though.
"When I first came here I thought I was going to stay three years, use it for a professional stepping-stone and move on," Ford said.

"I started the program from scratch,” Ford said. “As other opportunities came up to go other places that paid more money, it was sort of my baby, I guess, and I just didn’t want to walk."
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Quick glance at Albany tradition

Posted on September 19, 2007 by Colin O'Keefe

The video above shows University of Albany successfully setting the record for the world's largest pillow fight. The school also held the record for largest game of musical chairs. I believe both these records were broken on Fountain Day. Some insight into what that is:
Fountain Day is UAlbany’s annual rite of spring when the main fountain at  the center of the Academic Podium is turned on for the season. This event draws a huge cross-section of the University Community, gathering students, faculty, and staff for an afternoon of festivities. Fountain Day began in 1978 as Human Awareness Potential day. The University President is usually on hand to preside over the ceremony by tossing out the “First Frisbee” of the season. In recent years, Fountain Day has been shaped into a carnival-esque atmosphere complete with beach balls, free caricatures, free massages, fried dough vendors, tropical smoothie bars, music, contests, giveaways, and more fun!
Sounds interesting.
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