UAlbany Garners Four 2014-15 SUNY Chancellor’s Scholar-Athlete Awards

Great Danes also capture third consecutive Commissioner's Cup after winning eight of 19 America East titles

UAlbany’s John DeLallo, Laini Leindecker, John Maloney, and Sam Rowley were honored with SUNY Scholar-Athlete awards for outstanding academic and athletic achievement.

ALBANY, N.Y. (June 3, 2015) -- State University of New York Chancellor Nancy L. Zimpher announced today 80 recipients of the 2014-15 Scholar-Athlete Award, which recognizes outstanding academic excellence and athletic achievement. The University at Albany’s John DeLallo, Laini Leindecker, John Maloney, and Sam Rowley received four of the 19 Division I awards.

"The SUNY scholar athletes are some of our most exemplary students, having achieved the highest levels of success not only in class but in their respective sports,” said SUNY Chancellor Nancy L. Zimpher. “Congratulations to each of the students recognized for these achievements over the past year, and thank you to the many professors, coaches, and staff across SUNY who support them."

"These four student-athletes are outstanding representatives of the University at Albany," said Mark Benson, UAlbany Director of Athletics. "They possess the best attributes of our student athletes -- excellence in the classroom and athletic competition."

John DeLallo, a senior physics major from Marietta, N.Y., garnered the men’s track and field award. An America East Presidential Scholar-Athlete, accruing a 3.77 cumulative GPA, DeLallo took home the 1,000m title at the Armory Track Invitational and at the America East Indoor Championship. He was also the distance medley relay runner-up at the championship meet, helping the Great Danes win their 10th straight indoor title. In his career, DeLallo sits among UAlbany’s top all-time indoor runners, ranking third in the 1,000m, fifth in the mile, and 10th all-time in the 800m.

Laini Leindecker, a junior human biology major from New Philadelphia, Ohio, earned the volleyball honor. Leindecker boasts a 3.79 cumulative GPA and was named to the 2014 America East All-Conference First Team. An outside hitter, Leindecker ranked 24th in Division I with 11.75 attacks per set. A team captain, she ranked second in the conference in kills per set (3.28), eighth in digs per set (3.34), third in points per set (3.73), and was named America East Player of the Week twice. Leindecker started all 27 matches and played in all 106 sets, helping pilot UAlbany to a second-place conference finish.

John Maloney, a junior biology/Pre-Med major from Victor, N.Y., earned the men’s lacrosse award. With a 3.42 GPA, Maloney played in 18 games including 13 starts at midfield, helping lead the Great Danes to its third straight America East title and an NCAA Quarterfinal appearance. Maloney also contributed to UAlbany’s highest scoring offense in Division I as the squad’s top-scoring midfielder with 36 points, including 16 goals and 20 assists.

Sam Rowley, a senior business administration major from Sydney, Australia, took home the men’s basketball accolade. A co-captain and first-team All-America East selection, Rowley led the Great Danes to its third consecutive NCAA Tournament appearance in 2015. Excelling in the classroom with a 3.60 GPA, Rowley, who also completed a minor in mathematics, was named the 2015 America East Men's Basketball Scholar-Athlete of the Year. On the court, he led the Great Danes in scoring (13.9 ppg), rebounding (7.5 rpg) and free throw percentage (.820). In addition, Rowley rewrote UAlbany’s Division I record book, finishing his career as the program leader in total rebounds (756), offensive rebounds, and defensive rebounds. He also broke the single-season records for total rebounds, offensive rebounds, and defensive rebounds.

"We are pleased that they are being recognized for their achievements by Chancellor Zimpher," added Benson. Their diligence and hard work is commendable and we congratulate them on this prestigious honor."

In order to be considered for this award, student-athletes were nominated by their campus athletic director. Nominees’ academic credentials and athletic accomplishments were then reviewed by a panel of athletic directors from across the SUNY system and members of the provost’s office.

UAlbany Captures Third Straight Commissioner’s Cup

UAlbany claimed the conference’s Stuart P. Haskell, Jr. Commissioner’s Cup for the third consecutive year and fourth time in school history.

After winning eight of the America East’s 19 championships during the 2014-15 season, the University at Albany claimed the conference’s Stuart P. Haskell, Jr. Commissioner’s Cup for the third consecutive year and fourth time in school history. The league announced the final cup standings Tuesday evening at its yearly awards dinner on Mount Washington in Bretton Woods, N.H.

The Commissioner’s Cup annually recognizes the strongest athletic program in America East as determined by a scoring system that rewards a school for success both during the regular season and championship competition in the conference’s 19 sports.

“The Commissioner’s Cup is a direct reflection of the dedication, determination, and hard work of UAlbany’s student-athletes, coaches, and administrative staff, as well as the support we receive from Dr. Robert Jones and our university leadership,” said Mark Benson, UAlbany Director of Athletics.

“The teamwork and cooperation across our campus has allowed us to construct a comprehensive athletic program,” added Benson. “I'm proud to accept this award on behalf of our entire University community for the third consecutive year.”

Matching last year’s output, UAlbany tied the America East record by winning eight league titles. The Great Danes also captured four regular-season crowns and three runner-up finishes to help net a league-best 404 points -- the most by any school since 2002. UAlbany is the only active member of the conference to ever win the cup.

Stony Brook came in second place for the third-straight year, earning 321 points, followed by UMBC (293 points) in third, New Hampshire (276) in fourth, Binghamton (240) in fifth and Hartford (213) in sixth. Vermont (197), UMass Lowell (166) and Maine (164) rounded out the standings.

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