Release

Alum�s Donation Sponsors All-Weather Lacrosse Field

Contact: Michael Parker (518) 437-4980

ALBANY, N.Y. (July 20, 2004) -- John R. Fallon, Jr., who received both undergraduate and graduate degrees from the University at Albany, is contributing $250,000 to help finance a new all-weather lacrosse field for the men�s and women�s teams. A top Partner at LeBoeuf, Lamb, Greene and MacRae, LLP in New York City, Fallon (B.A.�77, M.P.A.�81) handles major transactions, acquisitions and financings. Fallon�s aim is to further bolster the success of UAlbany�s men�s lacrosse team, which earned an NCAA tournament berth for the second straight year this past spring.

�The field will have the same synthetic turf as the teams played on for the NCAA championship,� noted Fallon, who as an undergraduate played all four years on UAlbany�s lacrosse team. �On our current grass field, in the spring, you can�t do anything. There�s too much water, too much snow, too much residue. But when we have the new all-weather field, the teams can get out there practicing sooner and we could have some of the early season games played here - as opposed to playing on the road.

�This year, the first half of the season was on the road,� said Fallon, a graduate of Albany Law School of Union University. �Obviously, the team did well on the road but you have got to think that they�d be playing better if they were here. Plus from a recruiting standpoint it helps to have an all-weather field for practicing and playing. Teams like Johns Hopkins and Syracuse will agree to come here to play us, as opposed to traveling to their fields.� The men�s 2004 lacrosse team finished 10-6 and lost to eventual NCAA champion Syracuse in the first round of the NCAA tournament, 21-13.

The University is currently developing a master plan for improving athletics facilities over the next five to ten years, and, says Director of Athletics and Recreation Lee McElroy, the all-weather lacrosse field is the first of many projects he envisions to enhance the University�s athletics programs. �The implementation of the athletics facilities master plan will enhance institutional pride, tradition and excellence. We are immensely grateful for John�s support. We have done well with our existing facilities, but if we are going to compete at the national level, we have got to have better facilities. Private support is vital for accomplishing our goals,� said McElroy. When the field is completed, it will be named after Fallon in recognition of his gift.

Gov. George Pataki appointed Fallon to the University at Albany Council in 1998. Fallon is a member of the Presidential Search Committee charged with recruiting a successor to Karen R. Hitchcock. He is also a member of the board of directors of the University at Albany Foundation, which is UAlbany�s philanthropic arm.