A.D. Search Begins
As a part of the University�s search process for a new director of athletics, a nine-member screening committee has been announced.
Currently, Robert Ford, the school�s head football coach, is serving as interim director of athletics, taking over for Milton E. Richards, who resigned on Oct. 9. Vice President for Student Affairs James P. Doellefeld announced on Tuesday, Nov. 10, that Meredith Butler, dean of library faculty and director of University Libraries, will be serving as committee chair and Brian DePasquale, assistant athletics director for media relations, will be staff to the screening committee.
The committee will be identifying candidates who will be invited to campus for interviews. Faculty, coaches, student-athletes, students, and administrative staff will be participating in these interviews. Albany will accept all applications and nominations until a final selection is made.
"We thank those individuals who have agreed to serve on this important committee," said Doellefeld. "The next athletic director will lead a comprehensive intercollegiate program for men and women into the Division I era and also oversee a growing recreation program. We are committed to finding someone who can execute this mission while maintaining the University�s academic values."
The University hopes to have a permanent director of athletics in place by Labor Day 1999.
Danes Leave Div. II as Champs
Quarterback Michael Oliva came off the bench to pass for three touchdowns and run for another, as Albany rallied from a huge first-half deficit for a 25-24 victory over American International in the Eastern Football Conference championship on Nov. 21 at University Field. The Great Danes, who move to Division I-AA in 1999, captured their second consecutive EFC title, and completed the Division II era by winning 21 of their last 22 contests.
American International, the EFC�s Bay State Division champion, looked like it would easily avenge last year�s seven-point loss to Albany in championship by sprinting to a 24-0 lead early in the second quarter. American International (7-4) used the nation�s top-ranked offense to score on its opening four possessions, led by 238 rushing yards from tailback Kavin Gailliard who set school records with 1,971 yards rushing yards and 23 touchdowns this season.
Oliva, the game MVP, was inserted in the second stanza for starter Eric Williams, and immediately directed his club to the end zone. His one-yard sneak finished off a 66-yard drive, and the subsequent two-point pass failed. He then fired a 41-yard scoring bomb to flanker Greg Butryn, who made a diving grab just across the goal line with 2:25 left in the period. Deron Regev�s PAT pulled the Great Danes within, 24-13, at halftime.
Albany, the EFC�s Atlantic Division winner, manufactured a 14-play, 87-yard march to get even closer in the fourth quarter. Oliva flipped a two-yard TD pass to tight end Steve Checksfield to complete the six-minute, 15-second drive. The Great Danes were on the move again the next time they touched the ball, and used eight straight running plays to reach the AIC 22.
Oliva, a 5-foot-11 junior, threw a 22-yard strike, off play-action, to Checksfield, who outleaped an AIC defender in the end zone for the go-ahead touchdown with 5:50 left. A two-point conversion attempt failed, but Albany had come all the way back to take a 25-24 lead. The Yellow Jackets, who amassed 527 total yards on the day, marched to the Albany 26 on its last possession but Larry Moses�s 42-yard field goal attempt sailed wide left.
"When you dig a hole, there�s usually a shovel nearby," said Albany coach Bob Ford, whose 1985 team came back from a 21-point halftime deficit to win the ECAC-North Division III crown. "I told the kids you just have to gradually work yourself out. We made some big plays, the defense contained Gailliard, and our offensive line took over the line of scrimmage in the final quarter. This was gratifying, because we were truly a team this season. You would be hard pressed to find any stars."
Albany upgrades to Division I-AA and the Northeast Conference in next fall, but the Great Danes will carry two EFC championship trophies with them to the next level.