Albany Great Danes Overview

Fast facts

League: NCAA Division I FCS

Head Coach: Greg Gattuso

Team Mascot: Damien

Year Opened: 2013

Capacity: 8500

City / State: Albany / New York

Rivalries & Top Games to Attend

Emire Clash FCS Image Source

Empire Clash

Rival Team: Stony Brook Seawolves

The Stony Brook Seawolves are the Great Danes biggest rivals, so you’ll be in for a good matchup when watching the Great Danes take on the Seawolves. The two New York-based rivals first met in 1995 and since then have established a fierce rivalry. The rivalry has been especially heated since 2013 when both teams joined the Colonial Athletic Association as football only members.

Albany Great Danes Tailgate Guide

Atmosphere

The University at Albany does a fantastic job of promoting tailgating creating a fun pregame atmosphere at every game. Tailgating in the SEFCU Arena and Dutch Quad Parking Lots opens at 7 am for every home game giving you plenty of time to set up and tailgate with your friends and family before the game.

As a result of the pro tailgating environment, you’ll see a see of purple and gold in the parking lots outside the stadium. Everywhere you look, you’ll see Great Danes fans tailgating and having a good time.

Best of all the fans here are extremely friendly and as long as you bring something to share you’ll fit in quickly. Just start up a conversation with your neighbor and share some food and drinks and you’ll make lots of friends in no time.

Albany is home to a very friendly tailgate scene, so come on out to Casey Stadium and tailgate to your heart’s content.

Albany Great Danes tailgate
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Albany Great Danes tailgate
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Albany Great Danes tailgate
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Traditions

Bob Ford Field Image Source

Kids’ Area

If you’re taking the kids to the game, stop by the kids’ area near SEFCU Arena. Here you’ll find inflatables and other kids games making it the perfect place for kids before the game.

Arlbany Great Danes Tailgate Image Source

Live Music

Check out the live music performance near SEFCU Arena before the game. The concert is a fun part of the pregame festivities, so don’t miss it during your trip to Albany.

Where to tailgate

Albany Great Danes Stadium Guide

In Game

At Albany, you’ll find everything you could want in a small school football game including a great band, a fun mascot, and a peppy cheerleading team. The band is one of the best parts of the game, and their pregame and halftime shows are can’t-miss parts of any game. You’ll also love the performances of the Great Danes’ mascot Damien and the cheerleaders. Both do a fantastic job of rousing the crowd and help create a collegiate atmosphere at every game.

The band and spirit groups aren’t’ the only ones who make attending a Great Danes game a good experience. The fans inside Casey Stadium create a fantastic atmosphere when Albany is doing well, and even when they aren’t you’ll find plenty of friendly diehards in the crowd.

Finally, Casey Stadium is one of the newest stadiums in the FCS making it a great place to take in a game. No matter where you’re sitting, you’ll have an excellent view of all the action on the field as well as the video board.

Start planning your trip to Albany as it’s a great place to take in some FCS football action.

Albany Great Danes football
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Albany Great Danes football
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Albany Great Danes football
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Things to check out

Albana Marching Great Danes Image Source

The Marching Great Danes

Get to your seat early and don’t leave it at halftime as you wouldn’t want to miss the Marching Great Danes. The Marching Great Danes put on a spectacular performance and are one of the best parts of any Albany football game.

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Arlbany Great Danes Mascot Image Source

Damien

Keep an eye out for Albany’s mascot Damien at the game. The great dane gets into all kinds of shenanigans and is a fun part of each game making him a can’t-miss for fans.

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Arlbany Great Danes Cheerleaders Image Source

Cheerleaders

Get loud and join in the cheerleaders’ cheers to show your support for the Great Danes. The cheerleaders do a fantastic job pumping up the crowd, so join in and give the Great Danes an incredible home field advantage.

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Fight Songs

  1. Purple and Gold

    Purple and Gold,
    your colors shining through
    Hear as the carillons
    are ringing true
    The State of New York
    sends up its cheers to you
    Let’s go Albany!

    Hail, young and old
    We shall prevail,
    purple and gold
    One true triumphant call
    Albany Danes are standing tall

    Purple and Gold,
    our flags are waving high
    Singing our victory song
    into the sky
    All of the world will fear
    our mighty cry
    Let’s go Albany!

    Hail, young and old
    We shall prevail,
    purple and gold
    One true triumphant call
    Albany Danes are standing tall

    Purple and gold,
    your colors shining through
    Hear as the carillons
    are ringing true
    The State of New York
    sends up its cheer to you
    Let’s go Albany!

  2. UAlbany Alma Mater

    College of the Empire State,
    Mother of an army great,
    Thou the molder of our fate,
    Thee we sing today.

    Thine the hand with clasp so strong,
    Holding tho’ the years be long,
    Thou the burden of our song,
    Thee we sing today.

    Ways of pleasantness are thine,
    Leading where in wisdom’s shrine,
    Joy and cheer, and hope divine,
    Ever dwell for aye.

    Thine the voice whose call we hear,
    Thine the hand which holds us near,
    Thine the heart, so true, so dear,
    Cherished, loved alway.

    Wisdom’s duty heeds thy call,
    Ever in Minerva’s thrall,
    Pass the torch from one to all,
    Guide each destiny.

    `Neath the Purple and the Gold,
    Let thy history unfold,
    Sons and daughters, young and old,
    Hail to Albany.

Albany Great Danes Bars & Restaurants

  1. Recovery Room Sports Grill

    Recovery Room Sports Grill

    Recovery Sports Grill is more than just a sports grill and bar—it’s a family and fan friendly restaurant with great food and drink, and a casual atmosphere tied together by both local and professional sports.

    62 New Scotland Ave, Albany, NY 12208, USA

    Bar website

    american - $$

  2. Bombers Burrito Bar

    Bombers Burrito Bar

    Bomber's Burrito Bar is an authentic mexican burrito bar. Come in for tasty original burrito creations, hang out for a margarita or grab some other of the classic treats like wings!

    258 Lark St, Albany, NY 12210, USA

    Bar website

    mexican - $$

  3. Graney’s Bar & Grill

    Graneys Bar Grill

    If you’re in need of a light snack or a full meal, Graney’s Bar & Grill has it available.

    275 New Scotland Ave, Albany, NY 12208, USA

    Bar website

    pizza - $$

  4. Wolff’s Biergarten

    Wolffs Biergarten

    We specialize in 3 things at Wolff’s: bier (The finest German, Belgian and Czech biers), wurst (quality sausages and schnitzel served with homemade spatzle) and soccer (televising all your favorite live games from around the world).

    895 Broadway, Albany, NY 12207, USA

    Bar website

    european - $$

  5. The Olde English Pub

    The Olde English Pub

    At The Olde English, we serve quality British beers (plus Guinness & a rotating domestic beers), single malt scotches, wine, and hand-crafted cocktails.

    683 Broadway, Albany, NY 12207, USA

    Bar website

    european - $$

  6. Parish Public House

    Parish Public House

    Parish Public House is a Louisiana Eatery, Drinkery and Live Music Venue, in the heart of downtown Albany, New York.

    388 Broadway, Albany, NY 12207, USA

    Bar website

    american - $$

  7. The Hollow Bar + Kitchen

    The Hollow Bar Kitchen

    Delicious food made from fresh ingredients. Sourcing amazing craft beer and interesting wine. Great live music.

    79 N Pearl St, Albany, NY 12207, USA

    Bar website

    american - $$

  8. Riverfront Bar & Grill

    Taphouse burger Riverfront Bar Grill

    Beautiful atmosphere, great food, and amazingly courteous staff.

    12 Albany St, Albany, NY 12204, USA

    Bar website

    american - $$

  9. The City Beer Hall

    The City Beer Hall

    An American beer hall and gastropub located in historic downtown Albany NY.

    42 Howard St, Albany, NY 12207, USA

    Bar website

    american - $$

  10. Public House 42

    Public House

    Serves authentic Irish cuisine, beverages, and experience.

    42 Eagle St, Albany, NY 12207, USA

    Bar website

    european - $$

  11. Hudson Harbor Steak & Seafood

    Captain Toms Seafood Seafood Hudson Harbor

    This place has an absolutely great food menu, with super delicious steak and seafood.

    351 Broadway, Albany, NY 12207, USA

    Bar website

    american - steakhouse - $$

  12. Casey’s Restaurant

    Timbermine Steakhouse steak Caseys Restaurant

    Our restaurant is cozy and has both a dining room and full service bar, which makes it the perfect setting for both lunch and dinner.

    77 Washington Ave, Rensselaer, NY 12144, USA

    Bar website

    american - $$

  13. Angelo’s 667 Prime

    Angelos Prime

    Our menu has a variety of foods including sushi, salads, fresh seafood, and of course our USDA Prime steaks. We have a wine list of over 400 varieties and a full bar.

    677 Broadway, Rensselaer, NY 12144, USA

    Bar website

    american - steakhouse - $$$$

  14. McGreary’s Restaurant

    burger McGrearys Restaurant Celestial Cafe

    An Irish pub that's home away from home.

    4 Clinton Square, Albany, NY 12207, USA

    Bar website

    american - sportsbar - $$

  15. Albany Pump Station

    Albany Pump Station

    An award-winning brewery and restaurant in the heart of NY's capital city.

    19 Quackenbush Square, Albany, NY 12207, USA

    Bar website

    american - $$