Celebrating UAlbany’s 175 Years

Celebrating UAlbany’s 175 Years

The University at Albany continues its demisemiseptcentennial with a look back at the event’s kickoff last spring – and at some beloved traditions and venues.

President Rodriguez and Mayor Sheehan with proclamation.

Student speaks at podium in front of 175 Anniversary cake with President Rodriguez and Damien.

Students inspect contents of time capsule.

Rivalry and Clash of the Quads

Students look on as teams compete in tug of war competition.

Rivalry, a tradition that began at the New York State College for Teachers in 1913 and continued into the 1960s, pitted freshmen and sophomores, and eventually upperclassmen, against one another. Each group had its own class song, fight song, and large banner featuring its class year and mascot. Rivalry began on Campus Day in late October and continued until Moving-up Day, just before Commencement.

Students in green, organge, blue and purple shirts on volleyball court.

Students race on scooters on purple track.

Today, in Clash of the Quads, students compete in a series of events that include laser tag, pony hopper race, bungee run, scooter race, Defender Dome, relay race, micro-reality car racing, musical chairs, extreme obstacle course, Brain Bowl, social-media competition, and basketball shoot.

Beanie Ball

Edith Hardy Leet ’66, ’68, dons the 1966 beanie with pride. An October 1962 State College News item advertises the upcoming Beanie Ball.

The Tunnels

The uptown campus tunnels were designed for use by delivery vehicles and service personnel, but students, faculty, and staff quickly discovered they were great places to stay warm and dry during Albany’s cold spells. The underground passageways also came to be used for other purposes, including exploration, bookstore sales and buybacks, yearbook distribution, and sports training. Before SEFCU Arena was built, the men’s and women’s track teams trained in the tunnels.

1980

Students browse through record albums being sold on the Podium.

Homecoming

The inaugural Homecoming, held in 1953, consisted of “a soccer game, punch party, and dance” (UAlbany, Spring 2009, “Ask Geoff”). Track events were later added. The first Homecoming to feature a football game was Oct. 17, 1970, with the University’s football club hosting Siena. Football became a varsity sport in 1973. Today, Homecoming festivities include the Great Dane Pre-Game Tailgate.

Musicians entertain at Homecoming 1954.

A Homecoming Parade float made of flowers.

A Homecoming Parade float is pictured in 1960.

Spectators watch the 1974 Homecoming football game.

Old article titled Homecoming Plans Underway Now.

This article appeared in the Albany Student Press Oct. 12, 1967.

Attendees at a recent Homecoming celebration.

Celebrate Homecoming 2019 on Saturday, Oct. 19!

Enjoy the Great Dane Pre-Game with food and entertainment from 1-3:15 p.m., then cheer on the Great Danes as they host Rhode Island. Kickoff is at 3:30 p.m.