UB Sports History Collection

This collection covers the early years of University at Buffalo football, basketball, and hockey. The collection will continue to grow in phases and will eventually encompass all UB intercollegiate sports teams (both men’s and women’s) from their beginnings to the present day.

Football - The history of Sport at UB begins in 1894 with the founding of the University of Buffalo Athletic Association and the first UB football team. By 1897, UB Football was a perfect 7-0 against collegiate foe. Although the entire UB athletics program was cancelled in 1904 due to a lack of financial support, personnel and leadership, UB Football was reinstated in 1915. In 1931, the UB Football team adopted the “Bulls” moniker. Although all intercollegiate athletics were suspended for the duration of World War II, UB sports teams returned in 1946, and the UB Football program continued to grow and flourish. This culminated in its achievement of small college football supremacy by winning the Lambert Cup in 1958. In 1960, UB moved up to University Division status.

Basketball - The University enjoyed success on the basketball court from its first official season, 1915-16, when Coach Art Powell's team posted a 7-4 record, through the era of Coaches Mal Eiken and Len Serfustini in the 1940s, 50s and 60s, to recent years.

Hockey - Hockey, under the influence of our Canadian neighbors, enjoyed pockets of support by the University through the 1930's. It was finally recognized as part of the eight-sport intercollegiate package in 1933-34. In the 1960's the team played at the club level. In 1969-70, hockey became a varsity sport. In the Spring of 1987, the University decided to discontinue it and it's now a club sport once again.