North Buffalo Resident Leads UB Scholarship Drive

BUFFALO, N.Y. -- North Buffalo resident Gina Stafford is chair of the third annual University at Buffalo Division of Athletics scholarship fund drive, being held through March 25.

Stafford has been a volunteer for the six-week scholarship drive since it started in 1996. She was a member of the then UB Royals women's basketball team from 1979-83 and served as co-captain for the 1982-83 season.

Stafford, who also is serving as a team leader, is heading 15 teams of volunteers. As a team leader for last year's drive, Stafford led the way for her team's volunteers to surpass $10,000 in support raised.

The drive to generate funds for student-athlete scholarships has a $175,000 goal, $5,000 more than was raised during last year's drive. More than 5,000 UB alumni and friends of athletics are expected to be contacted by volunteers during the drive.

The scholarship drive, said Nelson E. Townsend, director of athletics, is significant to advancing the community's support for UB athletics.

"This mutually beneficial partnership is critical to the athletic program's success, particularly as UB moves into the prestigious Mid-American Conference in 1998-99," said Townsend. "With the highly anticipated elevation in competition and national exposure, support from the scholarship drive is even more critical to our success now that UB must contend with schools who have been competing in the MAC for several years."

Stafford is president/owner of Hunter Placement, Inc., and Hunter Temporaries, a Buffalo professional search and placement firm and temporary agency. She is a board member of the UB Athletics Blue & White Club, an organization established in 1996 to enhance the visibility and reputation of the UB Division of Athletics, increase funding for student-athlete scholarships and honor its supporters. Membership is open to supporters who give annual gifts of $50 or more.

In addition to the placement and temporary agencies, Stafford has established Christian Alliance, an outreach ministry. Her association with the alliance has included work with the Fellowship of Christian Athletes, American Rescue Workers and Westside Ministries.

For additional information on ways to support UB athletics, contact UB's athletic development office at (716) 645-6867.

For information on how you can help support the University at Buffalo, go to http://www.buffalo.edu/giving