No finer time to be a Bull

There has never been a better time to be a part of University at Buffalo athletics.

I say that representing many at this great University: the coaches and student-athletes that wear our institution's name proudly on their uniforms, the administrators and staff in the department, the alumni across the country, and our fans here in Western New York. But, mostly, I say it for my staff and faculty colleagues on campus and, most significantly, for the students here at UB.

Why do I make such a statement? Mainly because I wouldn't be here if it wasn't true. I matured as a college student-athlete at the University of Michigan. I played football for legendary head coach Bo Schembechler routinely in front of over 100,000 home fans.

UB has the opportunity in front of it to become a great university with a wonderful balance of academics and athletics. The recognition for its academics spreads far and wide. Athletics, as we are beginning to see more and more every day, has incredible potential as well.

In my very brief time here (a little over four months), it has been clear to me the vision of excellence for our university that President John Simpson talked to me about when I interviewed for the job is present throughout the campus community. He also sees that opportunity for excellence in athletics, and we are committed to making it a reality.

The excitement I feel comes from knowing that although we have not yet had sustained across-the-board success in our athletic programs, those who have succeeded have brought this campus together in a very unique way. This year alone, we have had one team (men's soccer) ranked in the Top 25 in Division I, and two others (men's basketball and wrestling) earning votes in their respective Top 25 polls. This is unprecedented in UB's still infantile Division I experience, but it speaks to the growth that is happening in the athletics programs. I also believe that the experience, character, and vision that new head football coach Turner Gill will bring to our program will have all of you ready to take part in the splendor that college football brings to a campus.

The great support of our men's basketball program over the last few seasons is proof positive that UB, and indeed all of Western New York, is anxious to support a successful program at the Division I-A level. To me, this is the most exciting part of the chapters to be written about UB's Division I experience.

In my experience, nothing unifies the faculty, staff, student body and alumni, quicker than athletics. While we share our individual majors, clubs and activities with a few on campus, athletics can encompass all of us. I know firsthand from my days as a student-athlete and administrator at Michigan the unbridled passion and pride that athletics can bring to an institution.

Your experience as a student at UB in 2006 is much different than those that attended this institution just 10 years ago. Not only does UB continue to grow in terms of its degree programs and undergraduate choices, but you now have a Division I-A athletic program to call your own, to support and to follow long after your days as a student are passed.

I recall the story Reggie Witherspoon shared with me upon my taking the job. He had noted that two students came up to him after a sold out home basketball playoff game two years ago with tears in their eyes. Reggie was confused, as we had just won and advanced to the Mid-American Conference quarterfinals for the first time. The students explained that the tears were a mixture of joy and sadness. Joy that they had been a part of a benchmark moment in UB's athletic history, but sadness that they were graduating and wouldn't be a part of it anymore.

That is, however, where I would beg to differ. Once you are a part of our athletic program, you are a "Bull" for life. I invite you to join in now, for the best is still to come.

Warde J. Manuel became UB's Director of Athletics this past August after serving as Associate AD at Michigan for the past five years. He holds a Bachelor's Degree, Master's in Social Work and MBA from the University of Michigan.