UB to Host Largest Collegiate Mud Volleyball Tournament

BUFFALO, N.Y. -- "Muddy, Muddy Buffalo" is the theme of this year's Oozfest, the annual mud volleyball tournament sponsored by the University at Buffalo's Student Alumni Board (USAB) and slated for April 26 from 8:30 a.m. to 3:30 p.m. at the Mud Pit on St. Rita's Lane behind UB Stadium on the UB North (Amherst) Campus.

Nearly 1,000 UB students, alumni, faculty, staff and friends, composing 128 teams, have signed on to play in what is recognized as the largest collegiate mud volleyball tournament, and one of UB's largest student/alumni events.

Since its inception in 1984, Oozfest has grown to become much more than a volleyball tournament. The day's other activities include music from radio station Kiss 98.5, a rock climbing wall, wheelbarrow races, three-legged races, dizzy-bat spin races, blue-ball hunt, an ice cream-eating contest, muddy-water balloon toss, leap-frog and tug-of-war competition.

Each team will receive an official team photo, and each player will receive a commemorative Oozfest T-shirt and a "goody bag" stuffed with promotional materials and coupons from local businesses.

USAB co-chairs of the event are Adam Smith and Ruth Kleinman. "After being involved with the event last year, I can't wait for this one. It is an experience you have to be there to understand," said Smith.

Added Kleinman, "It's great to be part of one of the largest and oldest student traditions at UB as a player, volunteer or any other aspect. Being involved in organizations like USAB make being here really worthwhile."

Sponsors of Oozfest 2003 are: Tim Horton's, The Steer, Lake Effect Diner, UB Student Association, UB Residence Halls Association, Hillel of Buffalo, Target, Kaplan, The College Store, Anderson's Ice Cream, The Princeton Review, Lasertron, UB Faculty Student Association, Troyer Farms and Kiss 98.5.

Oozfest is presented by USAB, the student affiliate of the UB Alumni Association. USAB is a non-profit student organization established to improve the quality of life at UB by providing programs that directly benefit students, their parents, faculty and alumni. Oozfest proceeds will benefit programs such as the J. Scott Fleming Scholarship Awards, which honor students who have demonstrated positive leadership qualities at UB, and Reality Check, a free day-long reality-based workshop program created to assist juniors and seniors in their transition into the "real world."