UAlbany deals with new America East travel policy - College Sports ...

by Mark Singelais

HARTFORD, Conn. – The University at Albany basketball teams will deal with a new approach to America East road games this season.

The Great Danes are affected as much as anyone by the conference’s new cost-cutting policy which requires members to travel the day of the game to any America East contest within 200 miles.

Until now, UAlbany basketball has been accustomed to taking a bus the day before the game, which allows the men and women to get a night’s rest in a hotel.

America East commissioner Patrick Nero said the new policy was passed by the league’s athletic directors as just one of several cost containment measures that affect all 20 America East sports.

“They want ways to save money to send a message across campus the athletic departments are looking for a way to save money,” Nero said.

Here’s the excerpt from the America East basketball policy manual:

2. Overnight Travel Restriction: Overnight travel is not permitted for the following trips between schools:

a. Albany: (Binghamton, Boston U., Hartford, Vermont)

b. Binghamton (Albany)

c. Boston University (Albany, Hartford, New Hampshire)

d. Hartford (Albany, Boston U., New Hampshire, Stony Brook)

e. Maine (New Hampshire)

f. UMBC (none)

g. New Hampshire (Boston U., Hartford, Maine, Vermont)

h. Stony Brook (Hartford)

i. Vermont (Albany, New Hampshire)

As you can see, UAlbany has to travel on gameday to four league opponents, tied for the most with Hartford and New Hampshire.

Nero pointed out that other sports such as soccer and baseball have long been familiar with gameday travel.

“Yeah, Albany basketball is impacted, Hartford basketball is impacted,” Nero conceded. “But for most (sports), it doesn’t impact as much as you would think. They are used to doing it.”

Nero said he expects to hear more from basketball coaches after the season.

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