Total Clips: 8

	Date	Outlet
A baseball star is born in a single at-bat	07/20/2007	Times Union
Sailors may have cruised the Med 14,000 years ago	07/19/2007	Reuters Life! News
Ancient Mariner Tools Found in Cyprus	07/19/2007	Associated Press (AP)
Boilermaker Road Race volunteer profiles	07/16/2007	Observer-Dispatch, The
Upstate Economic Development Chairman visits Hamilton	07/14/2007	News 10 Now - Time Warner Cable
It's official: Stanley Cup coming to Hamilton	07/14/2007	Observer-Dispatch, The
Youth Philanthropy: Video Games and Grant Decisions	07/14/2007	Chronicle of Philanthropy, The
Colleges break records for year's fundraising	07/14/2007	Post-Standard - Madison County Bureau, The


A baseball star is born in a single at-bat 07/20/2007 Times Union Singelais, Mark	Return to Top
Fifty-eight years after his only major league at-bat, Steve Kuczek still receives letters and baseballs through the mail from fans scattered from Maine to California. “It changed my whole life,” Kuczek, 82, said to a pair of visitors at his two-story home. “Even now, I’m getting requests for my autograph and I’m getting you guys here.” What’s so special about a game played on Sept. 29, 1949, involving the Boston Braves, a team that finished 22 games out of first place that season ? For starters, it provided one of the more comical moments in the history of major league baseball, when Boston’s Connie Ryan got ejected for wearing a raincoat in the on-deck circle. As a result, Kuczek entered the game as a pinch hitter and smashed a double off Brooklyn Dodgers ace Don Newcombe. Kuczek, born and raised in Amsterdam, N. Y., never got to bat again. He finished his career 1 for 1, putting him among the fraction of major leaguers with a 1. 000 career batting average. “I always thought I could hit anybody,” Kuczek said. “That’s the feeling I had. They could get a fastball by me once, but they wouldn’t get it past me twice.” In the 131-year history of the majors, there are 75 players who have batted 1. 000, which is less than 0. 5 percent of the roughly 16, 000 men who have appeared in a game. John Paciorek, who played one game for the Houston Colt. 45 ’s in 1963, leads the way as the only man to finish his career 3 for 3. But Ryan stands alone for the bizarre circumstances that led up to Kuczek’s lone at-bat. It was the second game of a doubleheader on a damp, dreary Thursday afternoon at Braves Field. Boston was playing out the string, its reign as defending National League champion about to end, while the Dodgers were battling the St. Louis Cardinals for the pennant. Kuczek, a 24-year-old shortstop, had been called up three weeks earlier from the Braves’ farm team in Pawtucket, R. I. He recalled the Braves promoted him because they wanted their money’s worth from his $ 6, 000 contract. But Kuczek hadn’t seen any action behind starting shortstop Alvin Dark. That was about to change as the Dodgers jumped to an 8-0 lead and the Braves became irritated at playing in wet, miserable conditions. “Nobody wanted to be out there playing,” Dark, 85, recalled from his home in South Carolina. “The game didn’t mean anything to us, and here we were, out there playing in the rain.” One Braves player lit a small bonfire in the dugout. In the bottom of the fifth inning, Ryan decided to send a message to the umpires by trotting to the on-deck circle in complete rain gear, except for his baseball cap. Home-plate umpire George Barr responded by immediately tossing out Ryan. “Everybody couldn’t believe a baseball player would do that to show an umpire up,” Dark said. “But boy, the umpires were mad as hornets. Both benches were dying laughing. To come out there on the field with a raincoat, you can’t show an umpire up more than that.” When order was restored, Boston’s Tommy Holmes led off with a single. Then Manager Johnny Cooney called on Kuczek to pinch hit for Ryan. Kuczek said he didn’t have any strategy for facing Newcombe, a hard-throwing right-hander on his way to winning NL Rookie of the Year. “It was such a surprise to be picked to get into the game,” Kuczek said. Kuczek, who batted right-handed, worked the count to 2-1 before driving a Newcombe fastball to rightcenter field for a double that advanced Holmes to third. “I had a dry mouth after I hit the double, I know that,” Kuczek said. Newcombe recovered to strike out the side, leaving Kuczek on second. Then the umpires immediately called the game because of darkness, giving Brooklyn an 8-0, five-inning victory. While Newcombe went on to win 20 games three times and earn the 1956 Cy Young and MVP awards, Kuczek never saw the majors again. He spent the 1950 season with the Braves’ affiliate in Denver and in 1951 was sold to a minor league team in Atlanta, which offered him $ 400 a month. That wasn’t enough for Kuczek, who was married with a young child. “I said, ‘Stick it. I can’t live on $ 400 a month,’” he recalled. “They didn’t send me another contract, so I went on the voluntary retired list.” Kuczek, a Colgate University graduate, eventually landed a job as a radiation protection technician at the Knolls Atomic Power Laboratory in West Milton, N. Y., where he worked for 33 years before retiring in 1985.

Sailors may have cruised the Med 14,000 years ago 07/19/2007 Reuters Life! News Kambas, Michele	Return to Top
Archaeologists in Cyprus have discovered what they believe could be the oldest evidence yet that organised groups of ancient mariners were plying the east Mediterranean, possibly as far back as 14,000 years ago. The find, archaeologists told Reuters on Wednesday, could also suggest the island of Cyprus, tucked in the northeast corner of the Mediterranean and about 30 miles away from the closest land mass, may have been gradually populated about that time, and up to 2,000 years earlier than previously thought. "This is a major breakthrough in terms of the study of early Cyprus archaeology and the origins of seafaring in the Mediterranean," Pavlos Flourentzos, director of Cyprus's Department of Antiquities, told Reuters. The discovery at a coastal site on the island's northwest has revealed chipped tools submerged in the sea and made with local stone which could be the earliest trace yet of human activity in Cyprus. U.S. and Cypriot archaeologists conducting the research have known since 2004 that Cyprus was used by small groups of voyagers on hunting expeditions for pygmy elephants. But the newly discovered expanse of the Aspros dig in the Akamas peninsula, which stretches into the sea, suggests the site held larger numbers of people, possibly for months. "It shows that activity is much more organised than some isolated visit," said Tom Davis, director of the Cyprus American Archaeological Research Institute (CAARI) in Nicosia. Flourentzos and Davis said the new find told archaeologists nomads knew the island well enough to find tool material, suggesting they were repeat visitors. Archaeologists say the first human settlements in Cyprus date from 10,000 BC and are located inland. Logically, the coastal settlements should be older, and in Aspros dig case where a good deal of it is now in the sea, possibly up to 2,000 years older. "We are trying to verify through carbon dating on bones in the area that this find is more ancient, possibly another 2,000 years," said Flourentzos, who co-directed the research project with Albert J Ammerman, an archaeologist at Colgate University in Hamilton, New York. Virtually nothing is known about Mediterranean mariners of the era. There is a widely held belief they never ventured into open seas because of limited navigational abilities. "We are looking at repeated activity here, it is more than a handful of people. For the first time in the east Mediterranean we are talking about serious sea-voyaging," said Davis. "This was not a case of one guy, or a family blown off course. This is a number of persons coming to Cyprus, these were conscious, repeated visits," Davis said.

Ancient Mariner Tools Found in Cyprus 07/19/2007 Associated Press (AP) Psyllides, George	Return to Top
** Editor's note: The following story ran on the Associated Press wire, and was picked up by many other publications across the country, such as the Houston Chronicle, Miami Herald, Los Angeles Times, Newsday, Seattle Post-Intelligencer, MSNBC, and Tuscaloosa News. Archaeologists excavating the seabed off Cyprus have discovered the tools of ancient mariners, which they believe were used by foragers more than 10,000 years ago - before the island had permanent settlements. The underwater discovery of what archaeologists said were the oldest materials recovered off the island's coast could shed fresh light on the early history of Cyprus and Mediterranean seafaring. Earlier this month, divers located the pre-Neolithic finds - chipped stone tools and ground stone implements - in several areas off the western coast, near Aspros, an archaeological site discovered in 2004. The most significant finds were located in water about 33 feet deep and about 330 feet offshore. "These are the people who are the pioneers; without their knowledge people who came later maybe would not have had it that good," said Colgate University's Albert J. Ammerman, the survey's director. Archaeologists say the new discoveries indicate that ancient Aspros was much larger than the landward section visible today. The Aspros site, discovered in 2004, now extends more than 820 feet along the top of a cliff on the north side of the dry Aspros River bed, the archaeologists said. "All of what we see on the land is just a tip of the iceberg of what is in the water," said Ammerman, whose underwater survey was carried out by nine divers from Cyprus and the U.S. Aspros, along with a similar site also discovered in 2004 at the tourist resort of Agia Napa in southeastern Cyprus, lies on a coastal formation of aeolianite - old cemented sand dunes. The archaeologists believe that tools found at the two sites were used by seafaring foragers who frequented the island well over 10,000 years ago - before the first permanent settlers arrived around 8,200 B.C. They are thought to have sailed from present-day Syria and Turkey, at least 46 miles north and east of the island. The dawn of seafaring in the region has been put at around 9,500 B.C. from evidence found 20 years ago at Aetokremnos, on Cyprus' southern Akrotiri peninsula. The finds indicate these early wanderers traveled more widely, and more frequently, than was previously believed, outside experts say. "This just shows there is a lot more activity than was originally thought," said Tom Davis, an archaeologist and director of the Cyprus American Archaeological Research Institute, who not involved in Ammerman's study. "We're looking at repeated visits around the island." "These would be people stopping deliberately, coming to the island to use resources, setting themselves with a clear understanding of the landscape," Davis said. The tools found at Aspros and Ayia Napa are similar to those found at Akrotiri, though precise dating must still be verified through radiocarbon tests, which are in progress. The era in question coincided with a climatic cold snap known as the Younger Dryas - dated roughly 11,600-12,800 years ago - when the sea level was some 200-230 feet lower. Rising seas subsequently submerged much of the ancient coast.

Boilermaker Road Race volunteer profiles 07/16/2007 Observer-Dispatch, The Sinha, Chinky	Return to Top
Allison Salewski For Allison Salewski, the work to stage the International Mile [of the Boilermaker Road Race] in East Utica began hours before the runners passed. Salewski, 20, a Colgate University student, helped set up equipment and plug in wires as part of a group of students who work with the Mohawk Valley Resource Center for Refugees. She was assigned to help a Cuban drummer who was performing for the runners. To her, the Boilermaker Road Race is a great asset to the city of Utica. "It is neat," she said. "It is so inspiring to run. I am impressed at how many international places are represented." She was interested in the belly-dancing exhibition taking place down the road from her on Culver Avenue. As a child, she had taken belly dancing classes, she said. "It is great to have the Boilermaker here," she said. "It is good for the city. It could use some economic stimulation."

Upstate Economic Development Chairman visits Hamilton 07/14/2007 News 10 Now - Time Warner Cable	Return to Top
Dan Gundersen, the man anointed by Governor Eliot Spitzer to improve Up-state New York's economy gave praise to town and village officials for their efforts to improve Hamilton. Upstate Economic Development Chairman, Dan Gundersen said, "The community has come together and decided their future and I think that's fantastic and it can be a model for upstate communities." Gundersen says upstate development isn't just about making the cities grow. He says it's also important to have strategies to make towns and villages like Hamilton grow as well. "What we need to do is create the jobs so the young people don't have to leave this state, so that they can find opportunity here and we'll do that by focusing on existing businesses helping them to grow and looking at the assets our agriculture assets," said Gundersen. One of those assets that town and village officials of Hamilton are looking to improve upon is their air park. Gundersen is someone they're looking to get feedback from. Hamilton Village Mayor, Sue McVaugh said, "We are hoping that he can help us market it, to attract some businesses to come to Hamilton, and increase our tax base and increase our number of jobs." That's something most municipalities will be looking for Gundersen and Spitzer to do during their service to the state.

It's official: Stanley Cup coming to Hamilton 07/14/2007 Observer-Dispatch, The Muder, Craig	Return to Top
The Hamilton Village Board on Tuesday approved Colgate University's plans to honor former Raiders star Andy McDonald on Aug. 11 when the National Hockey League champion brings the Stanley Cup to Madison County. The ceremony will be held on the north end of the village green starting at about 10 a.m., depending on when the private plane carrying McDonald lands at the Hamilton airport. Several people, including Colgate men's hockey coach Don Vaughan and McDonald, will speak before the Anaheim Ducks forward signs autographs and poses for pictures with the Cup. Every member of the winning Stanley Cup team gets one day with the historic trophy. McDonald led the Ducks past the Ottawa Senators in the Stanley Cup finals in June. "The example he set when he was here is one we continue to draw on," said Vaughan, whose team advanced to the NCAA Tournament in 2000 — McDonald's senior season — largely on the strength of McDonald's speed and goal-scoring ability. "He was doing it for all the right reasons. He wanted to get better and make himself into best player he could be, and he made everyone around him better. That allows other to rise up and follow him." Because the private plane will be flying McDonald from his home in Canada to the United States, a few minor customs issues remain to be worked out. But Colgate officials are confident any customs delays will be minor. "It's just unbelievable that he'll be able to come here with the Cup," Vaughan said. "He's hoisted the Stanley Cup and become one of the best players in the NHL. He worked hard for it all."

Youth Philanthropy: Video Games and Grant Decisions 07/14/2007 Chronicle of Philanthropy, The	Return to Top
Video games and grant-making courses are among the efforts schools and nonprofit organization are undertaking to attract young people to philanthropy, reports The Wall Street Journal. More than 125 universities offer classes that give students a chance to explore the nonprofit world, including the Upstate Institute Student Philanthropy Council at Colgate University, which requires students to decide how to make grants to local charities. Do Something, with support from JPMorgan Chase, designed a video game called “Karma Tycoon,” which prods players into supporting charity. The greater the impact of their philanthropy, the more the player’s “karma” rises. For more on grant-making courses, read The Chronicle of Philanthropy’s coverage.

Colleges break records for year's fundraising 07/14/2007 Post-Standard - Madison County Bureau, The Coin, Glenn	Return to Top
Colgate University and Hamilton College have just completed record-breaking fundraising years. Colgate beat its record by nearly 50 percent; Hamilton by nearly 30 percent. Fiscal years ended June 30 for both schools. Officials at both colleges attribute the big increases to key times in their long-term fundraising campaigns. Colgate is in the first year and Hamilton is in its last. "Typically, you'll get a big bump when you launch a campaign," said Murray Decock, Colgate's vice president for institutional advancement and director of the "Passion for the Climb" campaign. Colgate raised nearly $66 million in gifts this past year. The previous record was last year's $45 million. Just a few years ago, Decock said, the college brought in under $30 million annually. "We have been elevated to a new plateau of philanthropic support from the board and our key donors," he said. "We've had a monumental year because we have a very strong educational agenda." The money will be used for new buildings, scholarships and for the college's operating costs, he said. Colgate hopes to raise $400 million by 2011 in its fundraising campaign. Hamilton College's final numbers aren't in yet, but the college will bring in more than $30 million in gifts. The previous record was $23 million, said Dick Tantillo, vice president of communications and development. Hamilton is in the final year of its $175 million "Excelsior" campaign. The college has already raised about $164 million of that, Tantillo said. "I think momentum has been built with this campaign, and it has been energizing to our constituency," Tantillo said.