Coach Bob Ford

 After 44 years with the University at Albany football program, beloved Bob Ford has retired as head coach.
An iconic figure around campus and beyond, his positive attitude and coaching philosophy instilled loyalty and pride in his teams and staff, and his impact on their lives is immeasurable.

Coach Ford's legacy transcends the field that now bears his name. The architect of the University at Albany football program, Ford, who had been UAlbany's only head coach since the program was reinstated after a 46- year absence, was appointed on April 27, 1970. He compiled a 41-year varsity record of 256-170 as the Great Dane mentor, while his 265 career victories ranked first among active NCAA Division I college football head coaches. Ford has won four Northeast Conference Coach of the Year honors and led the Great Danes to six NEC titles. His UAlbany teams own a 98-69 mark as a Division I FCS program.

A 1986 inductee into the Wachusett Regional High School Hall of Fame and a 2012 inductee into the Springfield College Hall of Fame, Ford is presently active in the National Football Foundation and Hall of Fame (NFFCHF) and serves as vice president of the NFFCHF's Capital District Chapter. He was honored by that organization in 2000 with its Service to Football Award. Ford has been a member of the American Football Coaches Association's (AFCA) Board of Trustees since 1994, and presently is serving on the AFCA's Division I FCS All-America
Team Selection Committee.

Coach Ford has been recognized by numerous organizations for his leadership and talent, and been presented many prestigious awards including the New York State Athletic Administrators Distinguished Service Award in 2005, the UAlbany Alumni Association's Citizen of the University Award in 2007, and the National Football Foundation Capital District Hall of Fame's Service to Football Award in 2010. Just this year he was awarded The Sage Colleges' Athletic and Civic Award for his leadership and dedication to fostering positive character development in youth and communities.

Over the past four decades, Ford has dedicated his life to Great Dane football, the Capital District, his extended family of thousands of current and former players, and his personal family. Coach and his wife, Donna, reside in the Capital Region and enjoy spending time with their family, including daughter Sherri, sons Marc and David, and their grandchildren.

Please consider a gift to one of the following:

The Bob Ford Scholarship Fund
The Bob Ford Scholarship Fund was created in 1995 by two former Great Dane players to assist current football players who are in good standing in the classroom and contributors on the field. The program's recent move to the CAA makes your support of scholarships more important than ever.

The First Down Fund
The First Down Fund provides the critical margin of excellence to Great Dane football. Your gift to the Fund addresses such key priorities as:
• Expanded recruitment travel
• New recruitment tools, including access to essential video services
• State-of-the-art equipment
• Staff development

A Revitalized Athletics Academic Support Center
Academic support services are an integral component of the Division I Athletic experience. Your gift helps Great Dane student-athletes by:
• Increasing space for studying and individual tutoring sessions
• Acquiring additional computer terminals
• Expanding study and review sessions for student-athletes

An Upgraded Football Office Suite
Upgraded office spaces are essential to hosting visits by recruits and their parents. The refurbished office suite will also facilitate collaboration among
the coaching staff. Your gift:
• Helps UAlbany compete for the most talented student-athletes
• Supports great coaching

Make a donation within the registration page for the June 7th event, or go to www.albany.edu/giving to download a giving form.

Directions, Parking, Accommodations
 
Directions to the University at Albany Uptown Campus:

Campus Map

From the North, I-87 (Adirondack Northway) South

• Take exit 1E-W toward I-90 E.
• Keep left at the fork to continue on Exit 1E, follow signs for I-90 E/​Albany/​Boston and merge onto I-90 E.
• Take exit 2 for Washington Ave. toward UAlbany.
• Go straight and cross over Washington Ave., pulling onto University Drive.
• Turn right on University Drive, traveling approx. 1.5 miles to the Athletics Complex.

 
From the East, I-90 West

• Take exit B1 to stay on I-90 W toward US-9/​Albany/​Hudson.
• Take exit 4 to merge onto NY-85 W toward Slingerlands/​Voorheesville.
• Take the exit toward Washington Ave/​State Offices and merge onto the Campus Access Rd.
• Veer left onto the access road to Washington Ave. and continue straight.
• At third light, turn left onto University Drive, traveling approx. 1.5 miles to the Athletics Complex.

From the South I-87 (New York State Thruway) North

• Take exit 24. Merge onto I-87 N/​I-90 E toward Albany/​Montreal.
• Take exit 2 for Washington Ave toward UAlbany.
• Go straight and cross over Washington Ave., pulling onto University Drive.
• Turn right on University Drive, traveling approx. 1.5 miles to the Athletics Complex.

 
From the West, I-90 (New York State Thruway) East

• Take exit 24. Merge onto I-87 N/​I-90 E toward Albany/​Montreal.
• Take exit 2 for Washington Ave toward UAlbany.
• Go straight and cross over Washington Ave., pulling onto University Drive.
• Turn right on University Drive, traveling approx. 1.5 miles to the Athletics Complex.

 
Parking:
Parking will be located in the SEFCU Arena and Physical Education lots directly adjacent to the venues. While driving on University Drive on the campus, follow signs for the Athletics Complex and the Tribute to Coach Ford.

Accommodations:
The University at Albany has arranged for special hotel accommodations for guests attending from out of town. Rooms with special rates in honor of Coach Ford will be available through our University partners, the Holiday Inn Express Albany and Homewood Suites. For more information and details, see the links below.

Holiday Inn Express1442 Western Avenue Albany, NY 12203
Phone: 518-438-0001

Questions? Contact the Office of University Events at (518) 442-5310 or events@albany.edu.