ALBANY, N.Y. – What started five decades ago with some flyers around campus and a meeting of 20 students in the basement of Waterbury Hall has become one of the top men's lacrosse programs in the nation.

Now, the University at Albany men's lacrosse team is celebrating its 50th anniversary by recognizing some of the best student-athletes in the program's rich history.

UAlbany has chosen 54 players for its “All 50-Team,” which spans the program's inception as a club team in 1968 to the present day. Players were chosen by a committee of past and present players and coaches, including: Steve Jakway ('71); David Armstrong ('73); Mike Motta ('74); Mark Wimmer ('93); Steve O'Shea, head coach, 1988-1994; Scott Marr, head coach, 2001-present; Liam Gleason ('07); Merrick Thomson ('07) and Derrick Eccles ('16).

Several members of the All-50 Team will be recognized during halftime of Friday's annual “Spring Stomp” game against Binghamton. Faceoff is at 7 p.m. in Tom & Mary Casey Stadium. Members of the team also will be at the Men's Lacrosse Alumni and Friends brunch Saturday morning in the SEFCU Arena Hall of Fame room.

To purchase tickets for Friday's game, CLICK HERE.

The UAlbany men's lacrosse program began as a club team in 1968, after Steve Jakway started drumming up interest around campus by placing flyers and gathering about 20 men together for a first meeting. Two seasons later, the club team's record was 14-1-1. The program was granted varsity status in 1970.

UAlbany has gone on to compete in nine Division I NCAA Tournaments, win eight America East championships and have three players win the prestigious Tewaaraton Trophy. Five UAlbany players have been named First-Team All-Americans.