Three Former Bulls to Throw Ceremonial First Pitch

John Buszka, Dennis Howard and Bill Monkarsh all to be honored
BUFFALO, NY – Continuing a tradition that began last season, the University at Buffalo baseball team will honor past members of the program before each Saturday home game. This season, John Buszka, Dennis Howard and Bill Monkarsh will throw out ceremonial first pitches prior to Saturday home games.

Buszka will throw out the first pitch before Buffalo's contest against Miami (Ohio) on April 19. A member of the UB Athletic Hall of Fame, Buszka led the nation in hitting during the 1976 season, when he batted .517, a mark that still stands as the highest single-season batting average in school history. Later that year, Buszka was drafted in the 14th round of the Major League Draft by the Cleveland Indians. Buszka was a member of the Bulls from 1974-76.

Howard will be honored prior to UB's meeting with Akron on April 26. After going 7-1 with four complete games on the mound for the Bulls in 1980, Howard was drafted by the Toronto Blue Jays in the fifth round of the Major League Draft. Howard played at UB from 1978-80 and is second in Buffalo career history with five shoutouts thrown.

Throwing out the first pitch for Buffalo's May 17 meeting with Ohio will be Monkarsh. As head coach of the Buffalo baseball program from 1968-81, Monkarsh compiled a record of 302-208-4. In 1980, Monkarsh's Bulls pulled off one of the greatest upsets in school history when they defeated second-ranked Miami (Florida). Under Monkarsh, Buffalo also defeated high-profile opponents such as Oklahoma State and Michigan. UB qualified for the NCAA Tournament twice during the Monkarsh era, in 1971 and 1973. In 2005, he was inducted into the Western New York Baseball Hall of Fame.

"We are proud and excited to honor these three men who helped make UB one of the top baseball programs in the northeast during their time," said head coach Ron Torgalski. "It is important for us to remain connected to our rich baseball tradition here at UB as we seek to once again establish ourselves as one of the top programs in the region."

04/17/2008