All welcome to a bigger Bulls Welcome Back Blast

UB’s “Bulls Welcome Back Blast” will be larger than ever this year, as the annual event commencing the new academic year for students has evolved into a celebration for the entire campus community — faculty, staff, alumni and Bulls fans, alike.

The fourth annual event scheduled for Sunday night, Aug. 25, will be moved to UB Stadium and feature special guests, live performances, fireworks and the first official peek at the 2024 Bulls under new football head coach Pete Lembo.

UB’s biggest spirit rally of the year, the Bulls Welcome Back Blast caps off Student Life’s traditional Welcome Weekend. The event is free and starts at 8 p.m. in UB Stadium.

“Often when we hold large campus events celebrating UB, the perception is it’s only for students,” says Brian Hamluk, vice president for student life. “But we can’t have that total experience of UB tradition and pride — that True Blue spirit — without our faculty, staff and alumni.

“So, as we continue to grow this event and more opportunities like it, the hope is we’re building upon that sense of belonging and emotional connection to UB.”

Gates open at 7:30 p.m.

The first 3,000 to arrive to the Welcome Back Blast will receive rally towels and enhancement glasses for the evening’s fireworks display. This year’s event will feature a concourse kidszone, a fanfest photo booth, autograph tables, concession and novelty stands, and free Perry’s ice cream, while supplies last.

Peter Johnson, host of the popular video series “That UB Life,” will serve as master of ceremonies for the evening. Co-hosts will be local singers Cami Clune, an Amherst native and 2020 finalist on NBC’s “The Voice,” and Josh Vacanti, a Lockport native and “Voice” finalist in 2022.

The evening also will include performances by former America’s Got Talent contestants the Zooperstars!; an inflatable entertainment act; the Spyros Bros., a diabolo duo; and the Thunder of the East, UB’s Marching Band.

The night will conclude with a fireworks finale over UB Stadium and a performance by Party Pupils, sponsored by the Student Association.

During the event, faculty and staff with valid ID can visit the ticket tent located in the west concourse of the stadium to receive two complimentary tickets to the Bulls Aug. 29 football home opener, as well as additional tickets for a discounted price of $12.

The Welcome Back Blast is sponsored by Perry’s Ice Cream and presented by the Division of Student Life, UB Athletics, the Student Association, Campus Dining and Shops and Alumni Engagement.

The blast wraps up a weekend of activities that officially usher in the 2024 fall semester.

Most new students will begin life at UB when they move into their residence halls on Thursday, Aug. 22.

Highlights of the weekend include the Festival of Culture Uniting Students (FOCUS) from 8-11 p.m. Thursday outside Goodyear Hall on the South Campus; the New Student Welcome from 7:45-8:45 p.m. on Friday in UB Stadium; and Campus Fest from 5-8 p.m. Saturday in the Furnas parking lot and the Student Union field, followed by Victor’s Glow Zone Dance Party on the Student Union field.

In addition to the social activities, students can attend an on-campus job fair and learn about all the resources available to help students thrive, both personally as well as academically.

Classes for the fall semester begin on Monday, Aug. 26.

For a detailed schedule, visit the Welcome Weekend website.