Local Residents Lead Volunteer Teams For UB Athletics Scholarship Drive

BUFFALO, N.Y. -- Several local residents are serving as team leaders for the third annual University at Buffalo Division of Athletics scholarship fund drive.

Gina Stafford, president/owner of Hunter Placement, Inc., and Hunter Temporaries in Buffalo, is chairing this year's drive and serving as a team leader. A North Buffalo resident, she will lead the 15 teams of volunteers seeking scholarship support for UB athletics.

Other team leaders are: Ronald Balter of New York City, an attorney with Fine Olin & Anderman in New York City; Kimberly Crooks of Amherst, assistant dean for education support services in the UB School of Medicine and Biomedical Sciences; John Dunbar Jr. of Clarence, senior vice president and principal of Strategic Investments & Holdings, Inc.; Richard Friend of Williamsville, a supervisory compliance officer for the National Labor Relations Board in Buffalo; Jay Friedman of Tonawanda, manager of UB catering services, and Donald Griebner of East Amherst, president of Real Property Services in Williamsville.

Also, Gary Joseph of Getzville, an attorney with Sarles, Frey & Joseph in Buffalo; Robert Lipp of Tonawanda, an attorney with Falk & Siemer in Buffalo; Joseph Lojacono of Getzville, a vice president at M&T Bank in Buffalo; Mark Maier of Clarence, general manager of Ralf Rigo Agency in Tonawanda; Anita Peterson of Williamsville, a senior sales assistant at Dean Witter Reynolds in Williamsville; Timoleon Siderakis of Tonawanda, assistant director of UB Alumni Relations; Nanette Harvey of Cheektowaga, senior woman administrator for UB athletics, and John Walters of Amherst, a cost accountant for Scott Aviation in Lancaster.

The six-week drive has a $175,000 goal to raise funds for student-athlete scholarships. 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."

For more information on ways you can 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