Saratoga Race Course to host Siena basketball coaches for meet and greet
The New York Racing Association, Inc. (NYRA) will welcome Siena University basketball fans to Saratoga Race Course on Wednesday, August 26, for a special meet and greet featuring new Siena men’s basketball head coach Nevada Smith and women’s basketball head coach Terry Primm.
The one-hour event will take place from 2 p.m. to 3 p.m. by the Jockey Silks Porch.
Fans will have an opportunity to meet Siena’s current coaches and players, as well as purchase tickets to what will be a highly anticipated preseason matchup against Syracuse, a homecoming for former members of the Saints’ championship squad.
“We’re grateful to NYRA for welcoming our teams and our fans to Saratoga Race Course and for recognizing Siena University with a race in our honor,” said Siena University Vice President and Director of Athletics John D’Argenio. “It’s a tremendous opportunity to celebrate Siena basketball and connect with our supporters at one of the region’s premier sporting venues. We appreciate NYRA’s partnership and look forward to a great day at the Spa.”
Fans will be able to purchase no-fee tickets to the matchup announced earlier today between the defending Metro Conference champion Saints and Syracuse Orange. Siena will host Syracuse and former head coach Gerry McNamara in an exhibition game on Sunday, October 18 at 2 p.m. at MVP Arena – marking only the second time ever that Syracuse has traveled to Albany to take on Siena. McNamara led Siena to its seventh conference championship in just his second year as head coach and guided the Saints to a near historic upset of top-seeded Duke in the first round of the NCAA Men’s Basketball Tournament.
The exhibition will also mark the return of former Saints standouts Gavin Doty and Francis Folefac, who followed McNamara to Syracuse following Siena’s 2025-26 championship season. Doty was named the conference tournament’s Most Valuable Player last season, while Folefac was a unanimous conference All-Rookie Team selection. A special pregame ceremony will include the unfurling of the Saints’ championship banner and distribution of championship rings.
Fans will have the opportunity to purchase tickets without service fees to the highly anticipated October clash between Siena and Syracuse during Wednesday’s meet and greet at the Spa. Tickets may also be purchased online at sienasaints.com/syracuse.
Smith, who was named the 20th head coach in Siena men’s basketball history, enters his first season leading the Saints after spending the previous six seasons as an assistant coach at Marquette and Texas. During that time, Smith was part of four NCAA Tournament appearances at Marquette, including the Golden Eagles’ 2023 BIG EAST regular-season and tournament championships.
Primm enters his third season as Siena women’s basketball head coach after being promoted to the position in April 2024 following three seasons as the program’s top assistant. During his tenure, the Saints have achieved consecutive seasons with double-digit conference victories including a national postseason appearance.
In addition to the meet and greet, the August 26 program will feature a special race honoring Siena University, named Siena Saints, March On!
Highlighted by the 157th renewal of the Grade 1, $1.25 million DraftKings Travers on Saturday, August 29, the Saratoga summer meet continues through Labor Day, Monday, September 7.
For more information about Saratoga Race Course, visit NYRA.com.
