Campus News

UB alum Ron Balter honored at Dollar General Bowl luncheon

Photo of UB football players at their table during the Mayor's Luncheon.

UB football players attend the Dollar General Bowl Mayor's Luncheon Friday afternoon. Photo: Mark Wallheiser

By DAVID J. HILL

Published December 21, 2018 This content is archived.

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Zoom image: 1980 UB graduate and UB Athletics supporter Ron Balter shows off the Champion of Life plaque he received during the Dollar General Bowl Mayor'ss Luncheon. Photo: Mark Wallheiser 1980 UB graduate and UB Athletics supporter Ron Balter shows off the Champion of Life plaque he received during the Dollar General Bowl Mayor'ss Luncheon. Photo: Mark Wallheiser

1980 UB graduate and UB Athletics supporter Ron Balter shows off the Champion of Life plaque he received during the Dollar General Bowl Mayor'ss Luncheon. Photo: Mark Wallheiser

MOBILE, ALABAMA -- UB alumnus Ron Balter was in some pretty good company Friday afternoon. He joined former Auburn football coach Tommy Tuberville, former New Orleans Saints quarterback Archie Manning and current Kentucky basketball coach John Calipari as a Champion of Life honoree.

This year’s Champion of Life honorees were recognized at the start of the Dollar General Bowl Mayor’s Luncheon held at the SMG Mobile Convention Center.

Since its inception in 1999, the Dollar General Bowl has given numerous Champions of Life awards. The award recognizes recipients for success in their chosen field.

Balter, a 1980 UB graduate, has been a longtime friend and supporter of UB Athletics. He was the football team manager during his undergraduate years at UB and has since remained active with the university, serving as an alumni ambassador for UB Admissions, as well as a member of the Alumni Association Board of Directors. He's seen frequently at home and away Bulls games.

In 2012, Balter provided funding for the Bulls equipment room, now known as the Ron Balter & Family Equipment Room. More recently, Balter’s gift named the new football fueling station Room 77, in honor of the 1977 football team.

In addition to the Champion of Life awards presentation, the Mayor's Luncheon featured a Q&A with Archie Manning, who played 15 years in the NFL and is the father of NFL greats Peyton and Eli, as well as speeches from the presidents of UB and Troy. The spirit teams from both schools also performed.