Bulls to Honor Western New York Champions at Home Opener

Seeking everyday champions for Championship Day

BUFFALO, NY - The University at Buffalo football team kicks off its 2009 home schedule at UB Stadium against the University of Pittsburgh on Saturday, September 12 with Championship Day. The Division of Athletics will celebrate the 2008 championship seasons of football, men’s basketball and rowing. In honoring our champion student-athletes, the Division of Athletics desires to honor everyday champions of Western New York as well.

On Championship Day, the Division of Athletics would like individual and team champions from Western New York to join us in what was truly a year to remember. As champions, there are sacrifices and commitments to be made in order to reach the top.

Coach Gill and the Bulls started the 2008 season of champions by capturing the University’s first Mid-American Conference division title by defeating Bowling Green 40-34 in double overtime. Representing the MAC East, the Bulls captured their first MAC Championship as they defeated previously unbeaten #12 Ball State, 42-24 before 12,871 fans for their first-ever victory over a Top-25 program, assuring a winning season as Buffalo improved to 8-5 overall. On January 3, the Bulls took their game internationally as they faced Big East opponent University of Connecticut in the 2009 International Bowl at the Rogers Centre in Toronto, Ontario. The Bulls' miracle season came to end as they fell to the Huskies 38-20 before an International Bowl record 40,184 fans.

The University at Buffalo men's basketball team earned a share of the MAC regular season title by erasing a 13-point halftime deficit to defeat Miami (OH), 70-67, in overtime at Alumni Arena. Picked to finish last in the preseason poll, the Bulls proved the prognosticators wrong by earning their share of the regular season MAC title and blazing a trail to the MAC Championship game.

The University at Buffalo rowing team capped of its most successful season in program history as it claimed its second straight Jack and Nancy Seitz Trophy as the overall women’s point champions of the Dad Vail Regatta. At the Dad Vail Regatta, the Bulls also tied for the Jack Bratten Trophy, which is awarded to the overall point champions combing both the men and the women. Making this feat even more impressive is that no Buffalo men’s crew made the finals on Saturday.

In honoring everyday champions, the title of champion is limitless. If you captured or were a part of a team who captured a championship in the 2008-2009 calendar year, please join us on Saturday, September 12 for Championship Day at UB Stadium. Those groups who are in attendance will be recognized on the UB Stadium video board during the game. For additional information on how you can join us for this day of celebration, contact the UB Ticket Office at (716) 645-3946.

The remainder of the Bulls’ season offers the following events:

Saturday, October 3
Bulls vs. Central Michigan Chippewas
Kick off at 3:30 pm

It’s Firefighter Appreciation Day with a fire apparatus display and a halftime firefighter team challenge. Fire companies interested in participating should contact the office of Erie County Fire Safety at 716-681-7111 or fire@erie.gov by September 30th.

Saturday, October 10
Bulls vs. Gardner-Webb Runnin’ Bulldogs
Kick off at 3:30 pm

True Blue Days ~ its Homecoming & Family Weekend

Saturday, October 17
Bulls vs. Akron Zips
Kick off at 3:30 pm

UB Social – the Bulls invite all Western NY social and ethnic clubs to cheer on our Bulls during this game.

Tuesday, November 3
Bulls vs. Bowling Green Falcons
Kick off at 7:00 pm

Join the Sea of Blue on ESPN2 … put on your UB Blue and show the nation that Bulls fans are True Blue!

Tuesday, November 10
Bulls vs. Ohio Bobcats
Kick off at 7:00 pm

Take a Kid to the Game Night – kids age 12 and younger will be admitted free with a paid ticket

During every home game Bulls fans can bring their kids to play in the Tim Hortons Kidzone at two locations in UB Stadium. Note that event times and activities during the Bulls football season may be subject to change. Tickets for all Bulls football games are available at BuffaloBULLS.com or by calling 1-877-UB-THERE. Information on Bulls Football and all the Bulls athletic teams can be found at BuffaloBULLS.com.