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University at Buffalo - AthleticsCollege Prowler3.46
Comparable Schools'
Athletics Grades:
Quick StatsAthletic Division
NCAA Division I
Conference
Mid-American Conference (MAC)
School Colors
Blue and white
School Mascot
Victor E. Bull, Victoria S. Bull
Men Playing Varsity Sports
272 - 3 %
Women Playing Varsity Sports
239 - 3 %
College Prowler Take
In the early ‘90s, UB’s athletic programs moved up to
Division I after decades in Division III. Five years ago, the Bulls made another quick jump to the competitive Mid-American Conference, home to powerhouses like Marshall and Kent State. Despite huge levels of promotion (particularly for football), the teams have failed to inspire much of a following on campus. The hapless football team is so pathetic they are often ranked near the bottom of ESPN’s “Bottom 10.” Over 20,000 students usually come out for the home opener, but interest trails off as the losses mount. Some students genuinely hate the football team, and professors complain about it every day. They say the huge amounts of money that are invested in the program (each of the 100 players on the squad gets a full scholarship) could be better invested in academics. But in the spring of 2004, the basketball team went on a tear and UB got a taste of the potential of big-time sports. Toward the end of the season, thousands of blue-clad “Mighty Maniacs” crowded like sweaty sardines in the large student section, cheering and chanting loudly for the entire game. The fans even rushed the court after a stunning home victory against Kent State (a top 30 team) and a first-round playoff win against Northern Illinois. The other sports teams have had mixed success—wrestling and women’s soccer are both strong in their conferences, while tennis and baseball are weak. UB fields top-notch club teams, and many students also join intramural sports leagues which are generally taken more seriously at UB than at other schools. Students Speak Out
Love your school more than free food? Hate your school more than term papers?
Somewhere in between? Show the world what YOU think of YOUR school:
Anonymous says:  |
Being a varsity athlete, I’d say...
Being a varsity athlete, I’d say that varsity sports are big and, for the most part, successful. Although our revenue-producing sports are inconsistent at times, the University definitely would not be the same without the athletic environment. |
Anonymous says: |
UB is definitely not a school that...
UB is definitely not a school that lives and dies by its athletic teams. It’s far from being a Duke or a Penn State, but Division I athletics only just a little more than 10 years old for all sports. It takes a while to build a formidable reputation. Who knows what the future will hold, but for now, the only big news that spreads around campus is when the football team wins their only game of the season or how low they are in the national rankings. |
Anonymous says: |
Varsity sports on campus are not...
Varsity sports on campus are not that good and lack student popularity. Intramural sports have a good following, and there are many to choose from. |
Anonymous says: |
Varsity sports are big on...
Varsity sports are big on campus—at least when the teams are doing well. Unfortunately, UB has fair-weather fans. But usually there is at least one team doing well, so there’s always something to cheer and paint our faces about. As can be expected, intramural and club sports are big to those who play them. Quite a few people do get involved in intramurals. I’ve been meaning to join a volleyball team myself. |
Anonymous says: |
UB moved up to Division I more...
UB moved up to Division I more than 10 years ago, and they have yet to become competitive or grow a fan base. It doesn’t look like things are about to improve, either. |
FactsMen's Varsity Sports
- Baseball
- Basketball
- Cross country
- Tennis
- Track and field
- Wrestling
Women's Varsity Sports
- Basketball
- Crew
- Cross country
- Tennis
- Track and field
- Volleyball
Intramurals
- Badminton
- Basketball
- Cross country
- Dodgeball
- Euchre
- Flag Football
- Floor Hockey
- Kan-Jam (indoor, outdoor)
- Racquetball
- Roller hockey
- Soccer (indoor, outdoor)
- Softball
- Tennis
- Ultimate Frisbee
- Volleyball
Club Sports
- Badminton
- Baseball
- Bowling
- Boxing
- Cross country and track
- Equestrian
- Field hockey
- Gymnastics
- Ice hockey (men's and women's)
- Kendo
- Lacrosse (men's and women's)
- Men's Crew
- Men's Wrestling
- Paintball
- Racquetball
- Rolley hockey
- Rugby (men's and women's)
- Seido Karate
- Ski Team
- Soccer (men's and women's)
- Tae Kwon Do
- Tennis
- Ultimate Frisbee
- Volleyball (men's and women's)
Athletic Fields
- Alumni Arena
- Alumni Arena (North Campus)
- Clark Hall (South Campus)
- Clark Hall (South Campus)
School Spirit
In terms of school spirit, UB is far less than the sum of its parts. The University is made of many small communities—academic units, sports, clubs, and social groups, but these communities don’t add up to a cohesive whole. Most students are happy in their corner of the University, but can muster only lukewarm spirit for the larger institution. Students credit all the fun parts of their years in Buffalo (parties, friendships, achievements) to their communities within UB, while they blame the institution as a whole for all the depressing parts (huge classes, monolithic architecture, parking, and the weather). Since the 1990s, the administration has poured money into the football and basketball programs, hoping that their success would unite the campus. With the exception of basketball, this effort has yet to pay off (if anything, the football team’s problems have increased student apathy). Nevertheless, there’s a core of students at UB who love the school, despite its flaws. Many students grow to love Buffalo, as well.
Getting Tickets
Students are admitted free to all sporting events. Except for the first home football game of the season or late-season basketball games when the team is hot, you’ll never have trouble finding a seat.
Most Popular Sports
As it improves in conference play, the men’s basketball team is starting to draw big crowds. The student section, also known as the Sea of Blue, is filled with vocal “Mighty Maniacs” (sponsored by Mighty Taco, a local Mexican food chain). After victories, everyone stands while the band plays the alma mater and the players run through the section giving the crowd high-fives. However, though Buffalo is a dyed-in-the-wool football town, the UB football team is consistently ranked among the worst in Division I-A. Though they draw nearly 10,000 fans per game, including a group of die-hards, most students respond to their losing ways with apathy or disdain. On the club sport side, UB has highly-ranked rugby and ultimate Frisbee teams. Students say the popular and well-organized intramural teams are a great way to meet people on campus.
Most Overlooked Teams
While UB’s marquee sports have struggled, several sports—including the wrestling team and the men’s and women’s soccer teams—are very competitive in the MAC.
Best Place to Take a Walk
Amherst’s popular jogging and cycling path runs through North Campus. Many students don’t know that there are also paths in Letchworth Woods (near the Ellicott Complex dorms) and Walton Wood Park (off Audubon Parkway just north of campus). Delaware Park, Buffalo’s magnificent public park, is a five-minute drive from South Campus.
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