BULLS NEWS

BUFFALO, NY - The backcourt that one publication touted as one of the best in Division I in 1997-98, another guard who graduated as the all-time leading scorer in women's basketball history, one of two former University at Buffalo NCAA statistical leaders and a three-time participant in the Division I wrestling championship tournament will be enshrined in the University at Buffalo Alumni Association Athletic Hall of Fame during ceremonies on Feb. 6 in the Center for Tomorrow.

Another alumnus will be honored for his years of dedication - his commitment of time and resources - to the Division of Athletics through the presentation of the Russell J. Gugino Award.

Digicon Imaging, Inc. is the corporate sponsor of the UB Alumni Association Athletic Hall of Fame Celebration.

Rasaun Young, B.A. '98 and Mike Martinho, B.S. '99, the Nos. 1 and 3 leading scorers, respectively, in UB basketball annals and backcourt mates for three years, will be honored during the 33rd Hall of Fame Celebration, along with:

Lynette Bubel DelFavero, B.S. '93, who graduated as the career scoring leader on the women's basketball teams and now ranks third.

Kathleen Brinkworth, M.S.W. '02, B.A. '98, the NCAA Division I volleyball leader in blocks per game during the 1995-96 season.

Marcus Hutchins, M.S. '98, B.A. '96, the only UB grappler to have represented the University in three NCAA Division I wrestling championships.

In addition to the five inductees, Richard L. Friend, M.B.A. '70, B.S. '68, will be the fifth recipient of the Gugino Award, named in memory of the past president of the UB Alumni Association and staunch supporter of UB Athletics.

Young completed his career with 1,908 points, eclipsing long-time career leader Jim Horne, E.D.B., '55, by 75 points. Young averaged a conference-high 19.8 points as a senior, 19.6 his junior year and 17.2 for his career (he was red shirted one season). A three-time first-team All-Mid-Continent Conference pick, he also is the UB statistical leader in 10 other game, single-season and career categories.

As a junior, Rasaun was one of six recipients of the National Association of Academic Advisors for Students Achievement Award, presented to student-athletes "who have overcome great personal academic and/or emotional odds to achieve academic success while participating in college athletics."

Young and Martinho were ranked the eighth-best Division I backcourt in the country by Athlon Sports College Basketball's (pre-season) annual in 1997-98. That came on the strength of a 17-11 record the season before in which the Bulls swept each game against the area's three other Division I programs. Martinho's three-pointer in overtime gave UB a 78-77 overtime victory against Niagara that year in the first college game ever played in the HSBC Arena.

Mike finished 200 career points behind his teammate and averaged 15.4 points over the four years, including a high of 17.7 as a sophomore (the year in which Rasaun was red shirted).

Martinho is the career leader in nine UB game, single-season and career statistical categories. A total of 984 of his points, 58 per cent, were scored from beyond the three-point arc, where he holds six UB marks. The two-time, first-team All-Mid-Continent selection holds the UB game records for most points (44 vs. the University of Rochester) and three-pointers made (10).

Fittingly, Young and Martinho are tied for second place in career games played (111).

DelFavero, who now ranks third on the Bulls' all-time scoring list, was a key component of the 1991-92 squad that entered Division I play that season and posted a 23-6 record (UB's best ever) and earned the East Coast Conference's regular and post-season championships.

She scored at a clip of a team-high 13.6 points per game on a well-rounded squad that averaged a then-UB record 75.2 points per game (currently the third-highest mark in women's basketball annals) and also sank a team-high 106 free throws (third most for UB) and led the team in steals. She also ranks among the top 10 in 22 team statistical categories.

Brinkworth, who still maintains seven UB volleyball records, was a two-time All-Mid-Continent selection (junior and senior years) and led all of Division I in blocks per game (1.843) during the 1995-96 season. That figure also represented a UB team record, one of three she established that season (total blocks, block assists). UB's female student-athlete of the year as a senior, Kathleen also stands second in two team categories. The Bulls advanced to the Mid-Con Tournament's semifinal round in each of her last two seasons.

Sam Pellom, as a sophomore in 1975-76, was the first UB student-athlete to rank first in an NCAA Division I statistical category when he averaged 16.2 rebounds per game. Pellom entered the UB Hall of Fame in 1983.

Hutchins is the only Bull wrestler in the storied history of UB grappling to ever qualify for the NCAA Championships three times. Hutchins, who wrestled at 158 and 167 pounds, competed in the NCAAs his first, third and final seasons of competition.

A two-time champion (1991-92 and 1993-94) in the prestigious East Coast Wrestling Association Championships, Hutchins earned the 167-pound title in the '94 New York State Intercollegiate Wrestling Championship and also was named the most outstanding competitor in the event. A two-year captain, he compiled a 28-8 record as a senior.

Friend is a former board member of the UB Alumni Association, past chairman of its athletic committee and volunteered on several other committees. He has participated in numerous UB activities, is a Blue and White Club member, has held season tickets for basketball and football for many years and currently volunteers 30 hours per week in the Division of Athletics.

WKBW Sports Director John Murphy will serve as master of ceremonies for the third consecutive year. Tickets, at $60 each, may be obtained from the Office of Alumni Relations (829.2608). Various levels of sponsorships also are available.