UAlbany, Stony Brook Expands Rivalry With The Battle For The Golden Apple

The two SUNY schools meet on the football field Saturday in the "Empire Clash" for The Golden Apple trophy

ALBANY, N.Y. – The third annual "Empire Clash” between New York in-state rivals Stony Brook University and the University at Albany will take on new meaning in 2015 as the two schools introduce the battle for The Golden Apple. The Seawolves and the Great Danes will join the rich tradition of college football rivalry trophies as the winner of the annual showdown will now take home The Golden Apple.

The inaugural Battle for the Golden Apple will take place Saturday when the Seawolves host the Great Danes at Kenneth P. LaValle Stadium.  Kick-off is set for 1 p.m. The winner will lay claim to the trophy and bragging rights for the next year.

Both Stony Brook and UAlbany are football-only members of CAA Football and have met 16 previous times on the field with UAlbany holding a 10-6 advantage. The two members of the State University of New York (SUNY) system are members of the America East Conference, competing against each other regularly in 17 other sports.

"The introduction of The Golden Apple Trophy will further enhance what is already a tremendous rivalry between Stony Brook and UAlbany,” said SBU Director of Athletics Shawn Heilbron. “I look forward to expanding the Empire Clash series across all sports next year and generating heightened excitement across both of our fan bases."

"Playing for The Golden Apple Trophy will build even more excitement around a terrific inter-conference rivalry,” said UAlbany Director of Athletics Mark Benson. “As we start with football and move to an all-sports award this will give both UAlbany and Stony Brook fan bases something extra to rally around and celebrate the efforts of our student athletes."

Beginning in the fall of 2016, both schools will expand the rivalry series to include results from match-ups across all sports that will award points based upon head-to-head competition.