By Stephanie Snyder, UAlbany Alumni Association
When I started working at the Alumni Association in April 2014, I was excited to be a part of a major research institution in the Capital Region where I began to truly feel at “home” since relocating to it three years prior. I knew how I felt about my alma mater, Marshall University, and how it changed my life as a first-gen college student. That passion served as my inspiration. I was excited to work with UAlbany alumni who had those same types of feelings for their alma mater, and I couldn’t wait to create content that helped to increase their purple and gold pride.
While I love all things Marshall Thundering Herd, over time I’ve also embraced all things UAlbany Great Danes. I switch my garden flags from the green Marco “M” to the purple and gold Split “A” through the seasons, and my Saturday hoodies in the fall alternate between “Marshall Football” and “UAlbany Football.” The schools represent different phases of my life, and the teams play in different conferences. Thus, I can devote my fandom to them equally.
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What I never anticipated in my career was standing on the visitor’s side of Joan C. Edwards Stadium in Huntington, W.V., pulling for the Great Danes to upset the team that my husband and I had spent over 20 years cheering for. But on September 2, 2023, there I was, on the 110 degree turf, praying to the football gods. With UAlbany holding Marshall 17-14 at the end of the 3rd quarter, even the Marco kid’s club seated behind me started cheering for the Great Danes. Marshall ended up winning 21-17, but their season left much to be desired. UAlbany’s season was one for the record books. You had to know it was going to be a special year for Coach Greg Gattuso and the Great Danes if you watched that game on Labor Day weekend.
Young Herd fans screamed for autographs from UAlbany players as they walked off the field that night. Meanwhile, I wandered to midfield in a daze, post-game firework casings at my feet. Had I really just spent a day with my UAlbany family in the city of Huntington, my kid’s namesake, my home away from my Albany home, for a football game?
Many said I won no matter what that night. But a big piece of my heart was left in that stadium beside the Ohio River.
A big thanks to UAlbany Athletics for including me on this road trip, an experience that will unquestionably be one of the greatest memories of my lifetime.
By Stephanie Snyder, UAlbany Alumni Association
When I started working at the Alumni Association in April 2014, I was excited to be a part of a major research institution in the Capital Region where I began to truly feel at “home” since relocating to it three years prior. I knew how I felt about my alma mater, Marshall University, and how it changed my life as a first-gen college student. That passion served as my inspiration. I was excited to work with UAlbany alumni who had those same types of feelings for their alma mater, and I couldn’t wait to create content that helped to increase their purple and gold pride.
While I love all things Marshall Thundering Herd, over time I’ve also embraced all things UAlbany Great Danes. I switch my garden flags from the green Marco “M” to the purple and gold Split “A” through the seasons, and my Saturday hoodies in the fall alternate between “Marshall Football” and “UAlbany Football.” The schools represent different phases of my life, and the teams play in different conferences. Thus, I can devote my fandom to them equally.
What I never anticipated in my career was standing on the visitor’s side of Joan C. Edwards Stadium in Huntington, W.V., pulling for the Great Danes to upset the team that my husband and I had spent over 20 years cheering for. But on September 2, 2023, there I was, on the 110 degree turf, praying to the football gods. With UAlbany holding Marshall 17-14 at the end of the 3rd quarter, even the Marco kid’s club seated behind me started cheering for the Great Danes. Marshall ended up winning 21-17, but their season left much to be desired. UAlbany’s season was one for the record books. You had to know it was going to be a special year for Coach Greg Gattuso and the Great Danes if you watched that game on Labor Day weekend.
Young Herd fans screamed for autographs from UAlbany players as they walked off the field that night. Meanwhile, I wandered to midfield in a daze, post-game firework casings at my feet. Had I really just spent a day with my UAlbany family in the city of Huntington, my kid’s namesake, my home away from my Albany home, for a football game?
Many said I won no matter what that night. But a big piece of my heart was left in that stadium beside the Ohio River.
A big thanks to UAlbany Athletics for including me on this road trip, an experience that will unquestionably be one of the greatest memories of my lifetime.
