ALBANY, N.Y. — Tonight, the University at Albany football program kicks off its 50th anniversary season. Throughout 2019, the Great Danes will celebrate a tradition of excellence that dates back to 1970.
The Great Danes' milestone season coincides with the 150th anniversary of College Football. UAlbany will be celebrating both anniversaries during the Nov. 5 game against CAA-rival and 2018 national semifinalist Maine.
“The entire campus is excited for our 50th football season," said Mark Benson, UAlbany's athletic director. "The truly special element of our football teams have been the people. Coach Ford and Coach Gattuso have continuously recruited student-athletes who have competed for and have represented UAlbany so well, both as student-athletes and alumni. Many have gone on to be great leaders in their communities. We are proud of our football program and the impact it has had on the University at Albany and our fans."
Greg Gattuso, UAlbany's head coach, added, “We're looking forward to celebrating the history and tradition of UAlbany Football. Since its founding, this program has prided itself on success on the football field and excellence in the classroom. The 50th anniversary gives us the perfect opportunity to reflect on the amazing achievements of our student-athletes and coaches, past and present.”
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UAlbany's football history includes six Division I conference championships and an FCS playoff appearance in 2011. The program has won 300 games and seen 15 student-athletes sign NFL contracts.
It all began in 1970, when former coach Bob Ford, with a roster of about 50 players and four graduate assistant coaches, restarted a club team that had been inactive since 1924. Just three seasons later, UAlbany moved up to Division III and went 16-2 over its first two campaigns. The program later transitioned to Division II in 1995 and then Division I in 1999.
“We've always believed in family,” said Ford, who won 265 games in 44 seasons leading the program. “Winning was important, but there are a lot more embarrassing things in life than losing a football game. We believed in graduation. We believed in good grades. And we believed in having each student-athlete achieve his potential. We're proud of what our young men were able to accomplish, on and off the field.”
In 2013, UAlbany joined the Colonial Athletic Association, one of the top conferences in all of the Football Championship Subdivision. The Great Danes continue to build on their tradition. UAlbany has claimed its first two victories over Top 10 programs in each of the past two seasons, and it placed 25 student-athletes on the CAA Commissioner's Honor Roll this past year.
