During the years when Albany had a top-level Arena Football team, the Firebirds had several “rival” opponents. There were the Tampa Bay Storm, who never seemed to lose when they came to our building. There was the Detroit Drive, with quarterback Art Schlichter, who would take bets on everything and anything. But mostly, the biggest…
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Remembering Fritz Walker
It’s November of 1989, and the Albany Patroons are about to host the Omaha Racers at the Washington Avenue Armory for the season opener. The Pats had a new coach, former General Manager Gerald Oliver, and most of their nucleus from the 1988-89 season (Mario Elie, Vince Askew, Clinton Smith). But before the game began,…
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When Muhammad Ali fought at the Washington Avenue Armory
Yes, it’s true. There was a time when Capital District boxing fans could see the greatest prizefighter of all times, the former Cassius Marcellus Clay, later known as Muhammad Ali. Yes, you could actually travel to the intersection of Washington and Lark Streets, and pay a few dollars to watch Ali decimate his opponents. And…
Read MoreA prayer for local racing legend Shirley Muldowney
Do you remember Shirley Muldowney? Do you remember the dozens of races she drove at Fonda Speedway? Do you remember her as the first woman to earn a professional National Hot Rod Association driver’s license? Do you remember that night in 1971 when she dominated the competition at Lebanon Valley Speedway? Do you remember her…
Read MoreSupport Jamario Moon in the TBT Basketball Tournament 2016!
I am a long-time fan of all things related to the Albany Patroons. I keep an eye out for the progress of former players and coaches, and I have several former Pats as Facebook friends, Twitter followers and even an Instagram contact or two. I am also a supporter of the TBT Basketball Tournament, the…
Read MoreAlbany Patroons documentary to debut in 2017
Forget all the other pro sports teams that came and went through this area. The Albany Patroons were the best and most beloved. From 1982 to 1993, and then from 2005 to 2009, the Patroons won two CBA champions and five regular season titles. They sent nearly two dozen players and coaches to the NBA,…
Read MoreThe Albany Choppers: The IHL’s Dirty Little Secret
With everybody reminiscing about the Albany Choppers, who played in our area for about half a season 25 years ago, I thought I might bring out my original Hockey Digest article about the history of the Choppers. Apparently the article has been referenced in various Choppers reminiscences today, including the story Choppers coach Dave Allison…
Read MoreBest of our TU Community Blogs, October 29, 2015: Ten for Thursday
Before I start this week’s recap of blog goodness, I would like you to take a moment and say a prayer for a local Albany sports legend. Luther ‘Ticky” Burden, who arguably was the greatest high school basketball legend the Capital District ever produced, is now fighting for his life. Burden, who was voted into…
Read MoreOne final “Just Vic” story
The things you might not know in January will eventually become part of your Decembers. Case in point. Earlier this year, I was practicing some photographs at Saratoga Casino and Raceway when, in the first race, a bay colt named Just Vic got clipped by another driver’s sulkey and crashed. The horse was helped off…
Read MoreCapturing peace and avoiding security at Saratoga Race Course
Last Saturday, I was at the Saratoga Race Course. No, I didn’t win any money. Trust me, the only thing I won that day was a nasty farmer’s tan. That being said, I was busy testing out some new film techniques along the pathway that connects the track to the paddock. I brought a few…
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