Buffalo's renewed commitment to football

[UK Peregrine]

I truly hope UB can turn the corner and become a better team. The MAC could really use another contender in the mix for MAC titles. Plus getting one of the MAC's largest markets interested in MAC football would be huge for its overall fan base and subsequent recognition.

http://www.philly.com/mld/inquirer/sports/11943752.htm

AMHERST, N.Y.
University at Buffalo president John Simpson, reacting to a consultant's report that found the school's commitment to Division I football lacking, says he is "dedicated to fielding a winning team."

The report by former NCAA president Gene Corrigan found the football program in need of money for recruiting, facilities and financial aid, and termed the program "deficient across the board compared to other [Mid-American Conference] schools."

On June 1, Simpson said the report would serve as a "road map" for the university's new athletic director. A national search to fill the position is under way. "I want to state very clearly, UB is firmly committed to Division I-A football and we are equally committed to building a winning program within the Mid-American Conference," said Simpson, who became president in fall 2003.

Simpson commissioned Corrigan in January to evaluate the university's athletics division, including its fiscal state, athletics facilities and priorities. Its football team has been among the worst in Division I football since joining the MAC in 1999. Corrigan suggested the university consider shedding some of its 20 intercollegiate teams, focusing on key sports including football and the men's basketball team, which earned a postseason NIT berth last season. Corrigan praised recent upgrades to the university's training facilities and locker rooms.

Football coach Jim Hofher said his team couldn't even use the locker room on game days because of space and communication limitations, gathering instead in a team meeting room before games and at halftime. He predicted the improvements would help recruiting. "The next recruiting class for football will maybe have some benefit from that kind of 'wow' factor," Hofher said. "It was a project that was necessary... It is a dramatically better-looking room, way more functional."

[Bleeding Orange]

Don't buy it. Yet.

[NY-BG-FAN]

GO BULLS!

It's easy for me to have a second favorite team in the MAC when they are 1-10 every year. But man is that 1 always sweet!

[duckunder53]

I've had this weird feeling for a couple of years now that UB is going to turn the corner.

[rollalong94]

They hired a new Director of Athletics recently. I can't remember his name, but he was an assistant at Michigan.
Whatever that's worth...

Like many others have mentioned, our conference will only be as strong as the weakest link.

How many more cliches can I add to this?

[Lord_Byron]

Buffalo's problem in trying to turn the corner is the lack of high quality high school football programs in Western NY. Don't get me wrong, there are a lot of good players, but the level of competition in Ohio and Michigan is a lot higher than here.

In Rochester, it's big news if one player from a team gets a D-1 scholarship.

So, unless they can recruit better regionally, I think they've got a problem.

[duckunder53]

Is it because football isn't big or because the kids just don't have the size in that area? Are the HS football coaches not getting the job done?

[Lord_Byron]

H.S. football is not the big sport like it is in Ohio. A lot of good athletes pass on football and the schools don't have the same committment. Just a feeling I've had over the years.

[Falconfreak90]

H.S. football is not the big sport like it is in Ohio. A lot of good athletes pass on football and the schools don't have the same committment. Just a feeling I've had over the years.

Great point, LB. Ohio is crazy about HS football...it is religion in these parts. And there is a ton of talent every year.