Lambert Named NACMA/Host Communications Division I-A Marketer of the Year

UB's Senior Assistant Athletic Director Honored for Marketing Excellence

John Lambert

BUFFALO, NY - University at Buffalo Senior Assistant Athletic Director for External Relations John Lambert has been named as the Division I-A recipient of the 2000-01 National Association of Collegiate Marketing Administrators (NACMA)/Host Communications Marketer of the Year Award. The award, presented annually, recognizes marketing excellence on campuses and within college communities and is presented for significant contributions made by a marketing administrator at his or her institution and in his or her region. Lambert was chosen as the recipient of the award for his role in overseeing the external relations branch of the athletic department in efforts to promote and generate student and community support for and involvement in UB athletics.

"We are elated to have John Lambert as part of our management team," said Athletic Director Bob Arkeilpane. "He certainly brings a lot of creative ideas to the table, and anyone who has ever worked with him knows that his incredible sense of humor can make any project seem manageable."

Lambert's 2000-01 external relations calender of special events kicked off on August 25 with "Rockin' Rally 2000," an event that attracted more than 5,000 students and fans from the Western New York community to UB Stadium who were introduced to the UB football squad and then entertained by legendary singer Eddie Money. Other highlighted events of the 2000-01 season included a pregame appearance by basketball commentator Dick Vitale prior to the UB men's basketball game against Duquesne on December 5 and an on-campus appearance and pregame address by WNBA star Sheryl Swoopes to fans at the UB women's basketball game against Western Michigan on February 7 as part of National Girls and Women in Sports Day.

UB's athletic programs enjoyed increased fan support and recognition in the community during the 2000-01 season, undoubtedly as a result of increased promotional efforts on the part of Lambert's external relations staff. The women's basketball season opener against North Carolina on November 17, a 95-89 UB victory, was witnessed by a record 4,017 fans in Alumni Arena, the most ever assembled to watch a women's basketball game at any of the Western New York-area Big 4 schools (Buffalo, Canisius, Niagara and St. Bonaventure).

During the season, three more attendance figures among the top 15 of all-time at Alumni Arena were set, and the women's basketball average attendance nearly doubled from the 1999-2000 season and more than tripled from the 1998-99 season. Community support for the UB women's basketball program was also aided by a comprehensive marketing program that included the development of a branding mark, the broadcasting of 10 games on WWKB-AM 1520, the televising of five games and eight UB Basketball Coaches' Shows on Adelphia 13 and radio and television advertising. The marketing program for women's basketball was made largely possible by funds received for gender equity from the State of New York, an allocation of more than $1.6 million over the past two years that has allowed the UB athletic department to increase promotional efforts and the overall exposure of all of its women's sports. One women's volleyball, soccer and softball game was broadcast on Adelphia during the 2000-01 season, and each women's team received promotional team photo cards and give-away T-shirts.

Lambert came to UB in the fall of 1996 after five years with the Buffalo Bisons where he was the Top Group Sales Associate in 1995 and 1996. In his current position at UB, he oversees the sales and promotions, athletic communications and corporate sales efforts of the Division of Athletics. Lambert played an instrumental role in UB's successful completion of "Mission I-A," meeting NCAA-mandated attendance figure requirements that allowed Buffalo's entry into Division I-A football beginning with the 1999 season. Much of UB's success in generating student involvement in its athletic programs and community support for its women's athletic programs can be attributed to the creation, under Lambert's watch, of a student relations coordinator and a marketing coordinator for women's athletics position.

"I'm very honored to be named as the recipient of this award, but I'm really accepting it on behalf of our entire external relations team," said Lambert. "The promotions and events we put on here at UB fall under my umbrella, but I have a talented group of people working under me who do a tremendous job and they all deserve the recognition this award brings."

The NACMA/Host Communications Marketer of the Year Award is in its second year. Iowa State's Mary Zeigler was last year's Division I-A winner. Lambert and the other three divisional winners of this year's award (Division I-AA/I-AAA - Curt Krouse, Delaware; Division II/III - Larry Swanson, UC-Davis; NAIA/Junior College/Community College/Other four-year institutions - Steve Meeker, Black Hills State) will be presented with their awards at the NACMA/National Association of Athletic Development Directors (NAADD) Awards Luncheon on Sunday, June 10 in Salt Lake City, UT as part of the 36th annual National Association of Collegiate Directors of Athletics (NACDA) Convention.