In the hopes of boosting interest in and providing financial assistance for Buffalo's only professional hockey team, the Student Association is sponsoring a night of Sabres, wings and partying for UB students of all ages.
In a promotion titled "Save the Sabres," SA is selling tickets to the Feb. 15 game at HSBC Arena between the New York Rangers and the Buffalo Sabres.
Tickets cost $29 to UB students and $39 to the general public and include a seat for the game in section 301, round-trip transportation from both UB campuses, a free post-game party and a buffet at the Pearl Street Brewery.
Students over 21 can also party at D'Arcy McGees.
According to SA President Christian Oliver, SA decided to become involved in the Sabres for two reasons: entertainment and community spirit.
"The Sabres are a very important part of the Western New York community. It is no secret that they have been in (financial) trouble as of late," Oliver said. "We wanted to have an event not only entertaining to students, but also one that would give back to the community."
Since many UB students are from the New York area, the fact that the Sabres are playing against the Rangers serves as an added incentive, said Oliver.
According to Oliver, SA is subsidizing the cost of the free buffet and a portion of the actual game ticket cost.
"Our initial goal is to sell 1,000 tickets," Oliver said. "If it is successful, then we will offer additional games in the future."
Oliver said SA had been working with Provost Elizabeth Capaldi for the past two months to secure the deal with Sabres officials.
"I came up with a proposal that was a three-fold endeavor," Oliver said. "Firstly, it is something for students to do in downtown Buffalo. Secondly, it is a community service event for clubs. Lastly, we are trying to encourage as much club participation as possible by making the event a fund-raiser."
To promote club involvement in the promotion, SA is offering prizes to the clubs that sell the most tickets.
According to Oliver, the club that sells the most tickets will receive $500, the second place winner will receive $300, and the third place winner will receive $200.
In addition, the Sabres will donate two 100-level tickets for every 20 tickets sold, as well as an autographed hockey stick to the ticket-selling clubs. The club that sells the most tickets will have the opportunity to watch the game from a suite in the HSBC arena.
"Historically, we have always done things with UB, but usually it has been on an individual basis," said John Sinclair, vice president of ticket sales for the Sabres. "Now, we have an opportunity to reach out to everyone with the help of the Student Association."
"We would love to do something like this again," Sinclair added. "We want to move forward working with the SA in months and years to come."
Dan Klos, a senior accounting major, said a lot of students will probably be interested in participating in this event, even though the Sabres are in last place in the Northeast Division of the National Hockey League.
"I think that a lot of people would be willing to go, despite the Sabres' poor performance," said Klos.
Brandi Spataro, a junior medical technology major, said SA should focus on the immediate UB community, not the whole Buffalo area.
"I would not participate in this event," Spataro said. "If the Sabres are not performing as well as they should, it is not the SA's responsibility to sell their tickets. I would be more interested in an SA-sponsored event that focused on promoting UB instead of the Western New York community."
Tickets go on sale Feb. 7. Students interested in purchasing tickets for the game should contact the SA club of their choice or visit the Sub-Board I Ticket Office, located on the second floor of the Student Union.
Photo: Courtesy of Laron Fomby
