Athletics was at the forefront of discussion this past Thursday as the Corrigan Committee examined UB's sports program and invited the Buffalo community to speak its mind.
The committee had already conferred with UB's head coaches, student athletes and representatives of the athletic administration, but during the meeting UB Athletics affiliates, parents, and alumni gathered at the United Way of Buffalo and Erie County to bring up ideas about UB's athletic future.
"The attendance was probably more than what we were thinking," said Laura Barnum, associate athletic director and committee member. "Some people were skeptical of whether this was really going to be an open forum but afterwards everybody thought it went well and that the committee was really interested."
Student Association's President Viqar Hussain was appointed to represent the students at the forum.
"It is definitely good to seek the community's input, they have to get it," Hussain said. "Since UB is so diverse, it is important to get the community's voice into the committee."
Last fall the Corrigan Committee was commissioned by President John B. Simpson to refine a vision for excellence in UB's athletic program. The committee looks into a series of recommendations made by Gene Corrigan, who issued a report on UB athletics in June of 2005. Mr. Corrigan is a former athletic administrator and consultant in intercollegiate athletics.
"At some point you are going to hear from the community, if you don't give them an opportunity for input now, then the voice of the community is going to be upset," Barnum said. "Then they think that the decisions were made but not all of the information was considered."
Many presentations from the community focused on the establishment of new teams, particularly men's volleyball and ice hockey.
Four out of six presentations by the public were proposals for a varsity men's volleyball team.
"It seems like a natural marriage," said Mike Norton a father of two boys playing volleyball.
According to Norton, his oldest son just signed a letter of intent with Ohio State because UB doesn't have a varsity men's volleyball team.
The traditional subject of a varsity men's ice hockey team was also discussed. The presenter, a former UB men's ice hockey team member described the lack of the team as a tragedy.
The group also discussed the department's finances and the role of club sports.
Rather than focus on raising the budget, the committee put an emphasis on budget distribution and successes and participation within SA Clubs.
Opening responses to the Corrigan report including President John B. Simpson's endorsement to Division-I and the hiring of Ward Manuel
"UB has found an extraordinary Athletic Director," Olsen said. "Ward Manuel is committed to excel in academics and in athletics."
Overall the Committee was satisfied with the public forum.
"The community knows that they had an opportunity and they want to know that they matter," Barnum said.
The second meeting will take place from 7-9 p.m. on Feb. 27 at the Center for the Arts.
"We hope that more people will be at the meeting on Tuesday," Barnum said. "Even if people can't come to the meeting they still have an opportunity for input."
The Committee encourages any questions or issue proposals to be sent to corriganchair@buffalo.edu , or directly to the Department of Athletics.
