UB Football's Season Opener to Feature Village People, New Mascot

BUFFALO, NY -- There will be plenty going on besides great football at the University at Buffalo's home opener against Rutgers University to be held Aug. 30 in UB Stadium on the North (Amherst) Campus.

A number of great promotions will make the night one to remember as the Bulls kick off the 2001 season under new head coach Jim Hofher at the first-ever Buffalo appearance by a Big East football team.

Before the game starts, UB will introduce its newest mascot, Victoria S. Bull -- a.k.a. Vicki -- the sister of Victor E. Bull, who made his first UB Stadium appearance on opening night in 1997. It will be Vicki's first game appearance, although she'll be introduced officially at UB's Rockin' Rally 2001 on Aug. 24.

At halftime, fans will get a chance to relive the 1970s during UB's "Retro Halftime Spectacular." The halftime performance will be headlined by national recording artists the Village People, who will perform some of their greatest hits, including long-time stadium favorite "YMCA." They will be joined on the field by a group of more than 300 local children who participated in YMCA camps throughout Western New York this summer.

The season opener also will include special appearances by the Zooperstars, sponsored by WNSA and the Empire Sports Network, a 22-foot giant slide and a bounce house, and a performance by the UB marching band, Thunder of the East. The event also marks Western New York High School Football night, and a giant fireworks show will conclude the evening.

Single game tickets are available for $12, $10 and $8 by calling the UB Ticket Office at 645-6666.