SEPTEMBER 3, 1998-vol30n2: UB, community: we're going to the games

VOLUME 30, NUMBER 2 THURSDAY, SEPTEMBER 3, 1998

UB, community: we're going to the games

By CHRISTINE VIDAL
Reporter Editor

Mission I-A, the Division of Athletics' drive to sell 17,000 tickets to each home game this season, is on target and Bob Arkeilpane, interim director of athletics, says he is optimistic UB will meet that goal. It's an important one. According to NCAA regulations, the university must meet the requirement in order to join the Mid-American Conference and compete at the Division I-A level.

Athletics has received support from throughout the UB community in its quest to fill the stadium, Arkeilpane said. Alumni groups, including the Alumni Association and school-based alumni chapters, have organized groups to come and show their support for the Bulls at home games. Student Affairs has been "tremendously supportive," he said. "Dennis Black and Barb Ricotta have the troops rallied."

Athletics and Student Affairs have been working all summer to ensure a strong base of student support at the games. Their efforts began with Orientation, where students got their first impression of UB's athletic programs, presented by Matt Stoll, student-relations coordinator in the Division of Athletics and Office of Student Life.

"We offered a lot more of an athletics presence at Orientation this year," said Stoll. At check-in, Stoll and UB's mascot, Victor E. Bull, greeted students, distributed schedules and answered questions about the program. They also were on hand during the orientation program, introducing players and coaches and reminding students of how important the fans are to UB's athletic efforts. And student reaction was enthusiastic, according to Stoll. "They were totally into this," he said. "It was awesome."

Stoll also used Orientation as an opportunity to promote the Bullfighters, a new student organization devoted to supporting the Bulls. The Bullfighters, Stoll said, pay a one-time membership fee in exchange for special privileges, such as a section reserved for them at games, a hat, pin and a newsletter. The group plans to camp out at the bronze buffalo at Alumni Arena the night before UB's home opener, he said.

The Western New York community also has stepped up to show its support, Arkeilpane said. Four area companies have signed up as corporate sponsors at each of UB's four fall 1998 home games.

Adelphia Cable will show its support for UB as sponsor of the Sept. 12 game against Lock Haven. Kickoff is at 7 p.m.

The home opener will include the "Empire Sports Stars Fan Fest," organized by the Empire Sports Network and featuring sports greats, including Gil Perrault, Derrick Smith, Charlie Ferguson, Jeff Nixon and Tom Day, who will sign autographs. The Buffalo Jills will give a pregame show and sign autographs.

Adelphia also will offer Kidzone, end-zone entertainment that will include gift bags, face painting, a 22-foot-high inflatable slide and a visit by the Rocco and Hey Arnold characters from Nickelodeon. Skyy Dog and Rockin' Ray will perform at half-time, and there'll be fireworks after the game.

Morgan Stanley Dean Witter will sponsor the Oct. 10 Homecoming game as Bulls take on Morgan State at 1:30 p.m.

Clover Management is the corporate sponsor for the Oct. 17 game against cross-town rival Canisius. Victor E. Bull bean-bag buddies will be given away at the game to the first 1,000 fans who bring two box tops from a General Mills product.

And the Amherst Chamber of Commerce will sponsor a football "Spook-tacular" on Oct. 31 when the Bulls kick off at 1:30 p.m. against Western Illinois. Watch for the "terror tent," gift bags, children's identification kits and "horrific half-time"

"The home season promises to be fun, entertaining and the place to be," Arkeilpane said. A lot of people share his enthusiasm-premium, chair-back seating sold out so quickly that four new sections had to be added.

While support has been strong, Arkeilpane has a message for UB and Western New York: "Come to the games. This isn't just about football. This isn't just about the university. It's about the community." Athletics is "a door to the university," he said, a common denominator that links prospective students, corporations and Western New York to UB. Support of UB athletics benefits the area, as well, because people who come to the games bring economic benefit to the region. "We're going to be competing with other AAU universities," said Arkeilpane. "We need everyone, to take our place with other AAU universities."

Tickets for all four Bulls home games are still available. Season tickets are $40 and $30 for reserve seats, and $20 for general admission. Individual game tickets also are available. Students attend games at no cost because they pay a student athletic fee. For ticket information, call 645-6666.