News & notes

 UAlbany football coach Greg Gattuso was named FCS Coach of The Year Tuesday by the American Football Coaches Association.

Gattuso led the Great Dames to an 11-4 record and the FCS semi-finals, where they were defeated by eventual national champion South Dakota State on December 15.

Since that time, 3 Danes have entered the transfer portal, and relocated for next season. As reported yesterday, QB Reese Poffenbarger will head to Miami (ACC). Defensive end Anton Juncaj has landed at Arkansas (SEC). Defensive lineman Elijah Hills is heading to Wisconsin (Big 10), the latter being significant because Albany gets a Wisconsin QB in return.

QB Myles Burkett will challenge for the starting job in training camp, and actually made his decision 2 hours before Poffenbarger chose Miami. Burkett carried a clipboard last season after 1st year coach Luke Fickell brought in 2 other QBs out of the transfer portal.

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Tom Walsh, Jr. had been the manager at Uncle Sam Lanes in downtown Troy after his family acquired the venue from fellow bowler Jim Lewis a number of years ago. On Saturday night, Walsh, normally a mild mannered fellow, had reached his boiling point with a homeless man who'd been removed from the premises several times prior.

The homeless man was again ejected from the venue, but this time, because he wasn't moving fast enough for Walsh's benefit, Walsh threw what looked like water out of a Coors light bucket at the man.

Unfortunately for Walsh, it was his last act, as his mother, Lorraine, terminated his employment the next day. Dan Walsh, Tom's brother, was overheard by reporters insinuating that he was ready to sell Uncle Sam Lanes.

The Walsh family also owns Green Island Lanes & Cohoes Arena. Uncle Sam is home turf for Troy High, Lansingburgh, & Catholic Central's bowling teams.

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Tuesday's high school & college scoreboard:

Colleges:

Men's basketball:

SUNY Poly 75, Cobleskill 67.

Women's basketball:

Vassar 61, Skidmore 58.

Union 52, Bard 34.

Men's hockey:

Skidmore 4 Cortland 3.

High schools:

Women's basketball:

Suburban Council:

Shaker 57, Bethlehem 54. The Eagles were without some key players, and have dropped 3 of their last 4.

Men's bowling:

Suburban Council:

Columbia 26 1/2, CBA 5 1/2.

Niskayuna 19, Shenendehowa 13.

Shaker 24, Bethlehem 8.

Colonie 25, Albany 7.

Women's bowling:

Suburban Council:

Schenectady 21, Colonie 11.