Albany, N.Y. - Final preparations are being made for the University at Albany's 13th Annual Big Purple Growl and Ferocious Feast on Saturday, Feb. 6. The school's Winter Homecoming features a men's and women's basketball doubleheader at SEFCU Arena. The women meet Vermont at 4:30 p.m., while the men follow against Boston University at 7:00 p.m. For tickets, call 518-442-4683.
     The Big Purple Growl doubleheader will be televised on Time Warner Cable (TW3), with Rodger Wyland and UAlbany Hall of Famer John Quattrocchi handling the play-by-play. Fox Sports 980, WOFX-AM will air the men's game, with Greg Tobben handling the broadcast.
     Big Purple Growl T-shirts, courtesy of Verizon Wireless, will be distributed to the first 1,000 fans at the doubleheader. Students will participate in the CDTA Shot for Tuition, with the winner receiving an award that is equivalent to one semester's in-state tuition. Alumni will also shoot for prizes. Residential Life will sponsor a housing lottery for five lucky UAlbany students during halftime of the men's game.
     In addition, one fan, chosen in a random drawing, will play in the $1,000 SEFCU Money Machine. Another fan will shoot for $5,000 in a GEICO local office contest. UAlbany's pep band, dance team and cheerleaders will perform, while The Earth Tones, the school's men's a capella group, will sing the National Anthem prior to the men's basketball game.

BPG Notes: UAlbany has a 9-3 men's record in Big Purple Growl games ... the Great Danes had won four in a row previous to last year's loss to Vermont ... the event has averaged 3,718 fans in its history, including four consecutive sellouts ... SEFCU Arena's capacity is 4,538 ... UAlbany Athletics and the Haitian Student Association will have a table set up where fans can make donations to aid the victims of Haiti's devastating earthquake.