Here are videos from my tour of the new UAlbany football field today.

J.S. Carras/The Record

Over the past two days, I've been at Schuyler Meadows, in Loudonville, for the New York State Amateur Championship.

Here is the story from Tuesday's first round.

Here is the story after Wednesday's second round.

Bethlehem grad Victor Fox (left) leads the pack, heading into Thursday's final day of competition.

For live scoring of the final 36 rounds, follow along here.

The University at Albany is a new member to the Colonial Athletic Association in football.

The Great Danes didn't receive much respect in the preseason poll, which was released on Wednesday, at the league's media day at M&T Stadium in Baltimore.

Coach Bob Ford and quarterback Will Fiacchi represented the team down at media day.

Here is the preseason poll.

1. Villanova
2. Towson
3. New Hampshire 
4. Richmond
5. James Madison
6. Delaware
7. Stony Brook
8. Maine
9. William & Mary
10. UAlbany 
11. Rhode Island

The Great Danes kick off the season on Aug. 31, at Duquesne, and play their first CAA game on Sept. 14, when they host Rhode Island, in the first game played at Bob Ford Field.

The Siena men's basketball team released its non-conference schedule on Tuesday.

The highlight is a trip to the Old Spice Classic, in Orlando, over Thanksgiving weekend.

Here is a link to the full schedule.

"Obviously, it's one of the toughest schedules Siena has ever played," said coach Jimmy Patsos, who was hired in April.

Mike McMahon/The Record

Former New York Yankees first baseman Chris Chambliss was in the Capital District on Monday, participating in the 29th Center for Disability Services Golf Classic.

Here is a link to the story.

Chambliss said it was one of the best charity events he's ever been a part of.

Chambliss won six World Series rings with the Yankees, as a player in the late 1970's and then four more, as a coach in the late 1990's.

Sage College announced on Monday that 58 student-athletes have been named to the spring scholar-athlete list.

Here is a link to all students who earned that honor. 

ValleyCats

The Tri-City ValleyCats will get a special boost later this week, when the No. 1 pick joins the team.

Mark Appel, who was selected No. 1 in the recent 2013 MLB Draft, will pitch for the ValleyCats on Friday, July 5, against Lowell.

Appel will join the team on Thursday, July 4.

Appel finished the 2013 season with a 10-4 record for Stanford, with a 2.12 ERA. He set the program record for strikeouts with 372.

Appel signed with Houston two weeks ago and has been working out in Florida since.

Appel will be the highest drafted player to play for the ValleyCats and fourth first-round pick to play in Troy.

Jason Castro (2008), Jordan Lyles (2008) and George Springer (2011) are the other first round selections to appear for the ValleyCats.

The defending America East champions have released their non-conference basketball schedule for the 2013-14 season.

The highlight is obviously a New Year's Eve date against Pitt. The season opens on Nov. 8, when UAlbany plays at Siena. The first game at SEFCU Arena is a few days later, when the Great Danes host NJIT, on Nov. 12.

UAlbany will be road warriors, as nine of the first 13 games are away from SEFCU Arena.

The schedule is below.

2013-14 UAlbany Men’s Basketball Non-Conference Schedule
Nov. 8 - at Siena
Nov. 12 - NJIT
Nov. 16 - at Quinnipiac
Nov. 20 - at Duquesne
Nov. 23 - Bucknell
Nov. 26 - at Rider
Dec. 1 - at NJIT
Dec. 4 - at Holy Cross         
Dec. 10 - at Brown
Dec. 14 - Colgate
Dec. 20 - Yale
Dec. 23 - at Drake
Dec. 31 - at Pitt