SUNY Chancellor King Celebrates State University of New York at Albany and Stony Brook Men’s Lacrosse Teams Advancing to NCAA Championship Tournament
May 6, 2026
Invites New Yorkers to Learn More about Athletic Programs at SUNY Campuses Throughout New York State
Albany, NY — State University of New York Chancellor John B. King Jr. today celebrated the State University of New York at Albany and State University of New York at Stony Brook men's lacrosse teams as they advance to the National Collegiate Athletic Association (NCAA) championship tournament. SUNY offers athletic opportunities at all competition levels, from intramural and club sports to nationally ranked teams at several of its campuses, providing communities the opportunity to attend high-quality and engaging athletic competitions throughout New York State.
"SUNY student-athletes excel on the field, just as they thrive in the classroom," SUNY Chancellor King said. "I applaud the men's lacrosse teams at the State University of New York at Albany and State University of New York at Stony Brook for earning spots in the 2026 NCAA Lacrosse Championship Tournament. SUNY campuses throughout New York State are fortunate to have great athletic programs that promote school spirit and are an important part of campus life."
The SUNY Board of Trustees said, "As the NCAA Men's Lacrosse Championship Tournament kicks off, we are excited to root for the home teams representing their schools and the entire SUNY system. We congratulate the men's lacrosse teams from the State University of New York at Albany and State University of New York at Stony Brook for reaching this tournament and wish them both the best of luck."
On Saturday May 2, the State University of New York at Albany men's lacrosse team claimed its third-straight America East Tournament title, defeating the University of Vermont and earning a spot in the NCAA tournament. The team will face off against the University of North Carolina in the NCAA Division I Men's Lacrosse Championship on Saturday, May 9.
Also on May 2, the State University of New York at Stony Brook men's lacrosse team defeated Towson University to capture its first-ever Coastal Athletic Association (CAA) title, and earning a spot in the 2026 NCAA tournament. The team will face off against Marist University in the Opening Round of the 2026 NCAA Tournament on Wednesday, May 6.
State University of New York at Albany President Havidán Rodríguez said, "On behalf of the entire University at Albany community, I want to congratulate the Great Danes men's lacrosse team for securing their third-straight America East Tournament win! Athletics are vital to our university, creating a sense of belonging and pride among our students, alumni, faculty, staff, and community. These champion student-athletes are truly a testament to the Great Dane spirit, and we are so proud of their accomplishments and wish them great success in the NCAA Championship Tournament!"
State University of New York at Stony Brook President Andrea Goldsmith said, "Congratulations to the Stony Brook Men's Lacrosse team on their recent victory and bringing home their first-ever CAA championship as well as securing a spot in the NCAA Tournament. I am deeply inspired by this team's talent, perseverance, focus, and resilience that has fueled their enormous and fulfilling success on and off the field. We look forward to cheering on Coach Anthony Gilardi and the team as it continues to showcase its exceptional talents that define Stony Brook Athletics' excellence. Go Seawolves!"
SUNY provides athletic opportunities for all students at all competition levels, including nationally ranked NCAA, National Junior College Athletic Association (NJCAA), National Association of Intercollegiate Athletics (NAIA), and United States Collegiate Athletic Association (USCAA) sports teams. With this, SUNY ensures that students and community members have access to high-quality and engaging competitions.
SUNY has over 85 NCAA Division I, 290 NCAA Division III, and 385 NJCAA athletic teams, and hundreds of non-competitive athletic clubs. SUNY also has one of the oldest small college athletic conferences in the United States, the State University of New York Athletic Conference (SUNYAC), consisting of 10 full members and 10 associate members competing in the conference. As part of his ongoing efforts to celebrate and highlight SUNY sports programs around the state, Chancellor King attended a women’s lacrosse game between SUNY Cortland and SUNY Potsdam in March, and a men's basketball game between the State University of New York at Albany and State University of New York at Binghamton in January. Additionally, Chancellor King cheered SUNY alumni who competed in the 2026 Winter Olympics and Paralympics including Katie Kranze Million, SUNY Oswego '91; Nick Jensen, SUNY Plattsburgh '14; and Kelsey O'Driscoll, SUNY Adirondack '19.
To learn more about SUNY athletics and find a sporting event near you, visit: https://www.suny.edu/attend/athletics/.
About the State University of New York
The State University of New York is the largest comprehensive system of higher education in the United States, and more than 95 percent of all New Yorkers live within 30 miles of any one of SUNY’s 64 colleges and universities. Across the system, SUNY has four academic health centers, five hospitals, four medical schools, two dental schools, a law school, the country’s oldest school of maritime, the state's only college of optometry, 12 Educational Opportunity Centers, over 30 ATTAIN digital literacy labs, and manages one US Department of Energy National Laboratory. In total, SUNY serves about 1.7 million students across its portfolio of credit- and non-credit-bearing courses and programs, continuing education, and community outreach programs. SUNY oversees nearly a quarter of academic research in New York. Research expenditures system-wide are nearly $1.5 billion in fiscal year 2025, including significant contributions from students and faculty. There are more than three million SUNY alumni worldwide, and annually one in three New Yorkers who earn a college degree is a SUNY alum. To learn more about how SUNY creates opportunities, visit suny.edu.
Share this:
Holly Liapis
518-320-1311
Email the Office of Communications
