SUNY Board Honors 58 and 08 University at Buffalo Football Teams

New York City – The State University of New York Board of Trustees today unanimously passed a resolution honoring the courageous actions of the University at Buffalo’s 1958 football team, and the athletic accomplishments of its 2008 squad.

The story of how the 1958 UB football team refused an invitation to the Tangerine Bowl in protest of segregationist policies that would have prevented its African-American players from competing in that bowl game, has inspired international media attention from Reuters, ABC’s World News with Charles Gibson, ESPN’s Outside the Lines, and in The Washington Post.  In addition, the team’s courage and the critical role its black athletes had in helping to overcome racism has been mentioned in conjunction with the inauguration of President Barack Obama.

The SUNY Board resolution says the team’s actions “served as an example of courage for the nation.”

It was the success of the 2008 UB Bulls—the first UB team and first State University of New York team ever to compete in an NCAA post-season bowl game-- that caused a look back in history to the events 50 years earlier. The 2008 UB Bulls earned national recognition for winning the Mid-American Conference championship in a stirring victory over undefeated and nationally-ranked Ball State University. That victory earned the Bulls a berth in the International Bowl against Big East power University of Connecticut.

“In 1958 the members the University at Buffalo men’s football team’s unflinching and immediate decision in support of their teammates provided inspiration that would endure for half a century,” said SUNY Board of Trustees Chairman Carl T. Hayden.  “Fifty years later, inspired by their predecessors, UB again emerged as champions and we are very proud of both teams; they serve as models for us all.”

“The University at Buffalo takes tremendous pride in the accomplishments of its 1958 and 2008 football teams. Both teams embodied the spirit and passion we all strive for in collegiate athletics: they were resilient, courageous and set a standard of character that will long be remembered. Both teams are champions of the highest order,” said University at Buffalo Director of Athletics Warde Manuel. “New York State, Western New York, SUNY, and UB are going through tough times – these two teams, 50 years removed, epitomize the resilience, strength, and determination of the people of this great state.  The 2008 football teams Mid-American Conference Championship and the 1958 football team’s stance against bigotry are proud moments in the history of UB and SUNY that shine a positive light on the great people of the State of New York.”

As stated in the Board of Trustees’ resolution: “The 1958 UB Bulls represent a legacy of courage, honor, integrity, and values that are embraced by the entire University at Buffalo community and continue to be exemplified by the 2008 championship team.

“The 2008 UB football team persevered throughout the season to distinguish itself as the Mid-American Conference championship team, prevailing against competitive rivals in hard fought and thrilling victories with three overtime wins and six games decided on the final play.”

About the State University of New York

The State University of New York is the largest comprehensive university system in the United States, educating nearly 440,000 students in 7,669 degree and certificate programs on 64 campuses. To learn more about how SUNY creates opportunity, visit www.suny.edu 

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