The Albany Great Danes have built a lasting legacy in college athletics with their rich and competitive history. From Albany Great Danes football to Albany Great Danes men’s basketball, the program has achieved success in multiple sports. This page explores the team’s milestones, major victories, and the traditions that define its place in NCAA history.
College Sports Established
1844
Location
Albany, New York
College Name
University at Albany
Collegiate History
1999 - Present / NCAA Division I
Conference History
2001 - Present / America East Conference
1999 - 2001 / Independent
Nickname
Great Danes - The Albany Great Danes Sports fans know that their beloved team has a unique name and mascot. But do you know how they got their nickname? The Albany Great Danes story is steeped in history, tradition, and pride.
Albany Great Danes Origin
The origins of “Great Dane” began back in 1891 when two former college athletes, Franklin Cappon and William, founded the school’s first athletic club called “the Big Nine” or simply “Nine Men.” This group would later become the Albany College Athletic Union (ACAU). In 1895, ACAU officially adopted its current moniker: The University at Albany Athletics Department (UAA).
In 1901, UAA joined forces with another local university to form what was then known as New York State College for Teachers (NYSCT), which eventually became part of the SUNY system in 1948. With this new partnership came a new nickname: The Great Danes! It wasn't until 1923 that "Danes" was formally adopted by NYSCT's teams after it had been informally used since 1904 due to an abundance of Danish immigrants living near campus during those years.
Throughout all these changes, one thing remained constant—the spirit behind why this incredible school chose such an iconic animal to represent them–strength & courage! From competing on some level since 1891 up through today's Division I athletics program – Go DANES!
NCAA Championships
Baseball 0
Men's Basketball 0
Women's Basketball 0
Football 0
Soccer 0
- 2002
- 2004
- 2006
- 2013
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First NEC Championship
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 set the single-season rushing record mark with 1,509 yards (1,380 m) and scoring a ... -
2004 Record-Breaking Season
It played its first season in Division I in 2000, also hiring head coach Jon Mueller that year. After competing as an independent in 2000 and in the New York State Baseball Conference in 2001, it played its first season in the America East in 2002. In 2004, the Great Danes set a program record with 37 wins and reached ... -
Albany Great Danes Won the America East
On March 11, 2006, the men’s basketball team won the America East conference tournament, earning the school (and the SUNY system) its first-ever berth to the NCAA Men’s Division I Basketball Tournament, defeating the University of Vermont 80–67 in a sold-out RACC. The Great Danes were seeded #16 in the Washington, D.C., region and were matched up against top-seeded UConn. ... -
2012–13 Undefeated Season
The Great Danes dominated all conference opposition in the 2012–13 season with a 27–4 overall record, winning all games against America East opponents including 16 regular season games and all league championship contests. UAlbany became the first team to go undefeated in the America East and win the conference since the 1995–96 season. Abrahamson-Henderson earned America East Coach of the ...
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Albany Great Danes History
The Albany Great Danes have a proud and storied legacy in college athletics. Founded in the late 1800s as an independent club, the program quickly became part of the college’s official athletic structure by the early 1900s. Over time, the Albany Great Danes have grown into one of the most competitive members of the America East Conference, making a name for themselves across multiple sports and earning respect for their dedication to excellence.
Throughout their history, Albany Great Danes football has stood out as a core part of the university’s identity. Starting as a small-scale program, the team rose through the ranks and joined the NCAA Division I Football Championship Subdivision (FCS), where it has competed fiercely. Under head coach Greg Gattuso, the Albany Great Danes football team made its first-ever FCS playoff appearance in 2011 and has continued to challenge top rivals, including long-time conference foes like UMBC.
Basketball has also been a major highlight of the program. The Albany Great Danes men’s basketball team has claimed multiple America East Conference championships and secured repeated trips to the NCAA Tournament. Between 2006 and 2015, they became a fixture in March Madness, famously upsetting higher seeds and representing the conference with pride. This success helped place Albany Great Danes men’s basketball among the premier mid-major programs in the country.
The university’s athletic achievements go beyond football and basketball. The men’s soccer team earned back-to-back America East titles in 2008 and 2009 while reaching the NCAA tournament three straight years between 2007 and 2009. Softball and baseball have also contributed to the school’s trophy case, with two NCAA tournament appearances in baseball and multiple conference titles in softball, making the Albany Great Danes one of the most well-rounded programs in the league.
Great Danes Team Achievements
Individual athletes from the program have gained national attention as well. Numerous student-athletes have earned All-American honors, showcasing the depth of talent at Albany. Former stars such as football standout EJ Manuel, a first-round NFL Draft pick, and volleyball leader Laini Leindecker, an America East Player of the Year, exemplify the excellence found across all Albany Great Danes sports programs.
Today, the Albany Great Danes football program continues to grow in competitiveness, regularly drawing passionate crowds and challenging top-ranked opponents. Meanwhile, the Albany Great Danes men’s basketball team remains a powerhouse in the America East Conference, demonstrating consistency and skill season after season. These achievements reflect the university’s strong culture of athletics and its ability to produce competitive teams year after year.
With such a rich history, the Albany Great Danes have firmly established themselves as leaders in collegiate athletics. Whether in Albany Great Danes football, Albany Great Danes men’s basketball, or other sports, the program’s accomplishments continue to inspire future generations of student-athletes and fans alike.
