A Legacy Forged: The History of Albany University Football
The University at Albany's football program boasts a history marked by periods of dormancy, resurgence, and recent ascendance. From its early beginnings as a club sport in the 1920s to its current standing as a competitive force in the NCAA Division I Football Championship Subdivision (FCS), the program has undergone significant transformations.
Early Years and Revival
Albany's football journey began in the 1920s when the school fielded a team as a club sport. However, this initial foray into football was short-lived, as the program was discontinued in 1924. For nearly half a century, the university remained without a football team.
The modern era of Albany football commenced in 1970, with the restoration of football as a club sport. After only three seasons at the club level, the program was upgraded to varsity status in 1973, and finished with a 7-2 record. This revival marked a turning point, laying the foundation for the program's growth and eventual success. In 1974, the team finished 9-0, the school's only undefeated season.
The Bob Ford Era: Building a Foundation
During the late 1900s one of the most well known coaches at the university was football coach Bob Ford. The architect of the University at Albany's football program, Ford was Albany's only head coach from the reinstatement of the program after a 46-year absence until his retirement at the end of the 2013 season. Ford joined the program in 1970 when it was a club.
Ford put together a record of 256-169 with the Great Danes. Ford's knowledge has also created a "coaching factory scenario" at the university.
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From the revival of football in 1970 through 2012, the team played its home games at the 10,000 seat University Field in Albany, New York. In 2011, after 39 years of running the program, Ford's program would reach a major accomplishment. The Great Danes would finish the season 8-3 (7-1 in conference), despite starting the season 0-2. The team would finish the season as co-champions with Duquesne. However, because of a 38-10 victory against the Dukes earlier in the season, the Great Danes would win their first ever trip to the NCAA Division I Football Championship. They would play former NEC opponent and Big South Champions, the Stony Brook Seawolves in the first round of the tournament. They would lose 31-28, as the Seawolves came up with an interception at the goal-line with under a minute to play. The Great Danes would have strong leaders on the 2011 team. Senior quarterback, Dan Di Lella would lead an offense that averaged 34.2 point per game. Di Lella would set a school record for most touchdown passes in a single season. On defense, senior captain defensive-end Eddie Delaney would set a single season school record for sacks.
On August 13, 2013, Bob Ford, announced that after the 2013 season (his 45th year at UAlbany), he would be retiring. The Great Danes would have their worst season under Bob Ford in 2013. The team would finish 1-11, the only time a Bob Ford team won only one game in a season. Despite the down season, there were memorable moments. On September 14, the Great Danes played their first game in brand new Bob Ford Field. In a 19-13 OT loss to Rhode Island, a sellout of 8,500 fans came for the home opener. Bob Ford would coach his final home game at UAlbany on November 16 against New Hampshire. On November 23, Ford would coach his final game at UAlbany, as the Great Danes would lose to Stony Brook on Long Island.
Rise in Division I-AA and Northeast Conference Dominance
The Great Danes have been successful in football since its first season on the Division I-AA level. In 2002, Ford's team had its first big successful season at the Division I level. The Great Danes, led by running-back Gary Jones, would win the program's first-ever Northeast Conference title. They would go on to defeat unbeaten Duquesne in the 2002 ECAC Bowl. Jones would break his own single-season mark the following season, rushing for 1,524 yards (1,394 m).
Success for Ford's program continued during the 2006 season. The Great Danes would defeat #11 FCS ranked University of Delaware (a full-scholarship program) 17-10 in front of just over 22,000 people on September 16. Two weeks later, for the first time in the program's history, the team would be ranked in both The Sports Network and College Sporting News Division I-AA national polls, ranked at No. 23 in both national rankings. The 2006 season also marked a major change in recruitment of athletes for the football program. Despite starting the season 1-3, including loses to #19 Hofstra and #2 University of Montana, the Great Danes in 2007 would run through the NEC Conference, going 6-0, to win their second conference championship. In what was deemed the 'NEC Championship Game', UAlbany defeated Central Connecticut State University 49-14 in the final regular season game. The Great Danes became the fifth team in NEC history to go undefeated in conference play. UAlbany continued its run during the 2008 season despite playing an un-orthodox schedule to start the season. The Great Danes would play their first five games of the season on the road, three against Top 25 ranked FCS opponents, and eight consecutive road games from the 2007 to the 2008 season. Led by running-back David McCarty, who would break Gary Jones' single season and career rushing record during the season, the Great Danes would go 7-0 to win their second consecutive NEC Championship. The undefeated season marked a 13 conference game winning streak, second longest in NEC History, and the second time in conference history a team won back-to-back championships. Prior to the 2008 season, the NCAA Board of Directors' approved the expansion of the Division I Football Championship Subdivision post-season bracket, allowing the Northeast Conference to gain automatic access into the Division I Football Championship beginning in 2010.
Transition to CAA Football and a New Home
On April 17, 2012, the university broke ground on a new multi-sport complex that would be available for use beginning in Fall 2013. Along with a complex that will be the new home for football and soccer, a new track will be created on the current football field, University Field. The plans to build the stadium were revealed in the summer of 2011. The new stadium, which the field will be named Bob Ford Field, will hold initially 6,000. Albany opened a new 8,500-seat stadium, Bob Ford Field, for the 2013 season. The stadium was named after Bob Ford, who was the Great Danes' head coach from 1970 through 2013. It was renamed Bob Ford Field at Tom & Mary Casey Stadium after Tom & Mary Casey gave a $10 million gift to the school in 2015.
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It was announced on August 7, 2012 that beginning in 2013, the football program would accept an increase in scholarships and move out of the Northeast Conference and into CAA Football. On November 17, 2012, the Great Danes played their final NEC game and final game at University Field against Central Connecticut State. UAlbany defeated the Blue Devils 63-34, finishing 78-24 all-time against NEC opponents and 127-65 at University Field. The Great Danes also clinched a share of the NEC Championship. The 2013 season was the Great Danes' first in CAA Football, following a 14-year tenure in the Northeast Conference.
Recent Growth and Success
Under Gattuso, the Great Danes saw growth as a program, but minimal success. From 2014-2023 the Danes finished above .500 only three times. They would finish second in the CAA in 2019 and receive an automatic qualifier to the NCAA Tournament. After a 42-14 first round win over Central Connecticut State, the Danes would lose in the second round to Montana State 47-21. In 2023, the Great Danes reached incredible new heights. The Great Danes finished with an 11-4 overall record, going 7-1 in Coastal Athletic Association (CAA) action. The team claimed its first ever CAA title, sharing it with Villanova and Richmond. UAlbany was awarded the NCAA's #5 seed in the playoffs, the highest the team has ever been ranked, while also receiving a First Round bye. The win over Richmond cemented the furthest the Great Danes had ever gotten in the postseason, previously having reached the Second Round in 2019.
Notable Players and NFL Connections
Rudy Vido, who graduated in 1974 as a fullback and defensive end, became the first player in school history to sign a contract with an NFL team. He was cut in the preseason by the New England Patriots, so he never played in the NFL. In 2005, Kurt Campbell became the first player in the program's history to be drafted into the NFL.
In the 2007 NFL draft, Rashad Barksdale, who made the game-winning interception against Delaware in 2006, became the second player in school history to be drafted. He was selected in the sixth round by the Philadelphia Eagles. Barksdale made his National Football League debut on October 7, 2007 against the Jacksonville Jaguars. It marked the first time a UAlbany player had appeared in an NFL regular-season game when he took the field on special teams. Barksdale was cut by the Chiefs on August 31, 2008. However, he signed with the New York Giants as a member of the practice squad for the 2008 season.
The highest ranked former Great Danes to be drafted was defensive end Jared Verse. Verse redshirted his freshman season at Albany. He made 22 tackles with 10 tackles for loss and four sacks over four games during his redshirt freshman season, which was shortened and played in early 2021 due to the COVID-19 pandemic. He was named second-team All-Colonial Athletic Association (CAA) and won the conference's Defensive Rookie of the Year award. In 2022, Verse announced he was transferring to Florida State University to play for the Seminoles. He finished his first season with the Seminoles with 48 tackles, 17 tackles for loss, and 9 sacks.
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The Great Danes have sent multiple players to try-outs and NFL training camps as un-drafted free agents. In addition to the NFL, multiple alumni have participated in the Canadian Football League and the Arena Football League. Many former coaching staff members have also coached in the NFL, including former NFL head coach Dave Campo. From 2006 to 2010, Tony and Andy Sparano were key figures on the Great Danes roster. At the same time, their father, Tony Sparano, was head coach of the Miami Dolphins. From 2017-2018, the son of well known former NFL QB Vinny Testaverde, Vincent Testaverde Jr., played for the Great Danes. In 2018, he was named the team's starting quarterback for the season.
Hosting the New York Giants Training Camp
The strongest connection to the NFL is the university hosting the New York Giants Summer Training Camp. From 1996 to 2012, the university's practice fields were handed over to the Giants, bringing fans and media from around New York and the United States to Albany. In 2007, the school dedicated the university's football practice field in honor of Wellington Mara and Preston Robert Tisch, the late co-owners of the Giants.
Albany and Fort Valley State University Football Rivalry
The football rivalry between Fort Valley State University and Albany State University has a rich history, dating back to 1924. In 1989, the Fountain City Classic was established to honor this historic matchup, with Columbus, Georgia chosen as the host city due to its central location and strong alumni presence from both schools. State Representative Calvin Smyre, a proud alumnus of Fort Valley State College, has served as Chairman of the Fountain City Classic for over 30 years.Though the rivalry began in 1945, 2025 marks the 35th meeting since the game officially became known as the Fountain City Classic in 1990. The inaugural game saw FVSU triumph over ASU, 27-21. Notably, the teams did not face off in 1946, 1947, and 2020. The decision to move the game to Columbus in 1990 was driven by a desire to enhance the event’s impact.The Fountain City Classic has always aimed to create opportunities, build connections, and provide financial support for students pursuing education at historically black universities and other institutions across the country. The event also significantly boosts the local economy, drawing tens of thousands of visitors each year. The football rivalry between Fort Valley State University and Albany State University is almost a century old, dating back to 1924, and in 1989, the Fountain City Classic was birthed to celebrate this historical matchup. Columbus, Georgia, was chosen as the host site for the Fountain City Classic, as both schools have many alumni in the area and Columbus is centrally located. State Representative Calvin Smyre, a Fort Valley State College alumnus, has been at the helm as Chairman of the Fountain City Classic for over 30 years. The rivalry began in 1945, although 2022 is just the 32nd meeting of the two teams since it became officially known as the Fountain City Classic in 1990. FVSU leads the series 33-31-3.The first meeting of the two schools was in 1945, when FVSU beat ASU, 27-21. The two schools did not play each other in 1946, 1947, and 2020.
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