Fans give UB women spirited send-off

With dozens of fans lined up on either side of the Alumni Arena lobby, women’s basketball coach Felisha Legette-Jack trailed behind her Sweet 16-bound team, did a little twirl, then started dancing wildly.

Ah yes, it’s a good time to be #UBDancing.

That’s what coach Jack and the No. 11 Bulls will do this weekend against defending national champion South Carolina in Albany for the Sweet Sixteen round of the NCAA Tournament. It’s the farthest UB has advanced in the tournament, and it’s only their second time in.

Bulls fans lined the Alumni Arena lobby — clapping and cheering as the UB cheerleaders led chants of “BU-FF-AL-O, Go!” — to give the women’s team a spirited send-off before they boarded the bus for Albany just before 1 p.m. Wednesday. The Bulls play second-seeded South Carolina at 11:30 a.m. Saturday in the Times Union Center. They advanced to the Sweet 16 by defeating Florida State, 86-65, Monday night.

Michael Mislin, who worked as a carpenter at UB for 33 years, was among the supporters in the crowd. “To me, it’s amazing what this team has done, and they’re the underdogs,” said Mislin, sporting a “More Cowbell” T-shirt, a nod to the instrument that’s become a fan favorite at all Bulls games.

“They beat two teams in Florida, on their home court, convincingly,” Mislin added. “It’s remarkable, and it’s bringing a lot of energy to UB.”

Also there to show his support was the newest member of the UB Bulls team — Mark Alnutt, who was introduced as UB’s new director of athletics at a press conference moments before the send-off. “To have the opportunity to be in this position at this time of year, it’s amazing,” said Alnutt, who previously served as deputy director of athletics at the University of Memphis.

Alnutt doesn’t officially start at UB until April 11. But he’ll be cheering the Bulls on in person this weekend. “I can’t wait to be in Albany on Saturday for the game. It’s definitely a special time,” added Alnutt, who will travel from Memphis for the game.

Melania Kosanovich, who serves as executive assistant to the dean of the School of Law, was thrilled with the turnout for the send-off. “This is fantastic. I was a college basketball player and it’s so nice to see a women’s sports team have a following,” said Kosanovich, who played at the United States Military Academy and then SUNY Buffalo State.

“They’re playing some of the best fundamental basketball I’ve seen,” added Kosanovich, who plans to make the trip to Albany.

Nellie Drew, an adjunct faculty member in the law school, won’t be in Albany, but she, too, was amazed by the fan support, especially considering the timing. “It’s wonderful, isn’t it? It’s spring break and you’ve got this nice big crowd of supporters sending them off.”

Information on tickets for Saturday’s game, as well as official watch parties, is available on the UB Athletics Tournament Central webpage.

Fans can follow the men's and women's teams on Facebook, Instagram, Twitter and Snapchat. Use the hashtag #UBDancing.