Cardona’s Market today introduced its newest celebrity sandwich named for Siena Men’s Basketball Head Coach Gerry McNamara, one day before the Saints take on the UAlbany Great Danes in the Albany Cup.
The family-owned Italian market and catering company unveiled the “G-Mac” sandwich in honor of Coach McNamara, who is affectionately known as “G-Mac” to many of his fans. McNamara indulged in the ceremonial first bite at Cardona’s Latham Market just ahead of Saturday’s highly anticipated crosstown rivalry matchup.
The G-Mac sandwich is a chicken cutlet tossed in Cardona’s Tomato Basil Cream Sauce, topped with field greens, sliced tomato, red onion, banana peppers, provolone, olive oil and balsamic glaze, and served on a toasted roll. Partial proceeds from all sales during the Siena men’s and women’s college basketball season will be donated to the Capital Region Boys and Girls Club.
“I’m flattered to receive such an appetizing welcome to the Capital Region,” said McNamara. “It’s an honor to be the namesake of this delicious sandwich, and I would like to thank Cardona’s for their recognition and support of both Siena Basketball and the Capital Region Boys and Girls Club.”
“As Saints fans, we’re proud to help welcome Coach McNamara to Siena with a specialty sandwich,” said Cardona’s Co-Owner and Executive Chef Robert Cardona Jr. “Today’s launch of the limited-edition G-Mac is a fitting tribute on the eve of the Albany Cup and the start of the college basketball season here in the Capital Region.”
The G-Mac sandwich is available at all three Cardona’s Market locations: 340 Delaware Avenue in Albany; 9 Cobbee Road in Latham; and 222 Washington Street in Saratoga Springs. The Albany and Latham markets are open Monday through Saturday from 9 a.m. to 6:30 p.m. and the Saratoga market is open Monday through Saturday from 9 a.m. to 6 p.m. All three locations are open Sunday from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m.
McNamara assumed the head coaching duties for the Saints following a 15-year tenure as an assistant and later associate head coach with his alma mater, Syracuse University. The former All-BIG EAST selection led the Orange to the NCAA Men’s Basketball National Championship as a freshman during his playing days, which included East Regional Semifinal and Final matchups in Albany.
Under McNamara’s leadership, Siena men’s basketball is off to the program’s first 3-0 start featuring non-conference play since the 2003-04 season. The Saints followed up overtime victories against Brown and at Bryant with a 74-66 home victory over American earlier this week.
The Albany Cup tips off Saturday, Nov. 16 at 7 p.m. at the Broadview Center on UAlbany’s campus, with Capital Region bragging rights on the line.
Siena men’s and women’s basketball tickets can be purchased by contacting the Siena Fan Relations Management Center at (518) 487-2202, online at sienasaints.com/tickets, or by e-mail at [email protected].
: Cardona’s Market introduces its newest celebrity sandwich, the “G-Mac,” named for Siena Men’s Basketball Head Coach Gerry McNamara on Friday, Nov. 15, one day before the Saints take on the UAlbany Great Danes in the Albany Cup. Partial proceeds from the sandwich will benefit the Capital Region Boys and Girls Club. From left to right: Cardona’s Market Chef de Cuisine Sebastian Marro; Siena Men’s Basketball head Coach Gerry McNamara; Cardona’s Market Co-Owner and Executive Chef Robert Cardona Jr.
For more information about Cardona’s Market, call (518) 434-4838 or visit CardonasMarket.com.