The threat of coming into a hostile Buffalo environment has been almost non-existent - until now.
With the emergence of UB's student section True Blue, the extra player known as the "12th man" has been louder and more raucous than ever.
The current wave of excitement and enthusiasm sweeping campus was the small idea of founders Paul Hutchings and Jeseph Meyers, both UB alumni. The idea originated due to the lack of support and care from the student body a mere four years ago.
Not only was the club formed to support UB's athletes, it was also created to build rich game traditions for students, similar to Penn State's "White Out," where all fans attend the game in just white t-shirts.
Both Myers and Hutchings looked at other universities across the country as well as Mid-American Conference schools in order to get an idea for how True Blue would work.
"Jeseph and I traveled to the University of West Virginia and University of Maryland for meetings," Hutchings said. "We had also looked within our conference from Ohio's O-Zone for basketball or Miami's Red Scare for things we can implement here."
True Blue teamed up with the Student Athletic Advisor Committee to make sure the athletes themselves would be on board with the group. True Blue pounded the pavement to make sure at least one captain of every team was a member. They became an official group after the Spring 2007 semester.
Unlike other largely populated schools around the country, getting a large turnout to Bulls games was extremely difficult. Hutchings and Meyers responded by going through the process of becoming a legitimate club in order to receive funds for buying prizes and giveaways at games to lure people in.
Prizes include bottle openers, can covers, key chains and a glass mug, all emblazoned with "True Blue." The group also held pre-game festivities in the special events parking lot outside of UB Stadium. The lot is littered with barbeques and football tosses, not to mention the live music week to week.
Overall, the student population has embraced the idea, from captains of various teams to the average student fan joining True Blue.
Andy Piatkowski, a junior business major, feels that over the years, True Blue has truly evolved into something more than a group of rowdy students.
"I went to games as a freshman and there was nothing like it," Piatkowski said. "Tuesday against Miami [Ohio], the student section was pretty nuts."
When asked about the effectiveness of the "12th man," Piatkowski feels it can only help the home team have a bigger and better advantage.
"No question, when there is a bigger crowd it always helps a football team," he said. "I am not a member yet but I will definitely be joining soon."
The biggest advantage for True Blue has been the added exposure at Buffalo's freshman orientation. The appearance on the forefront of activities at the university has been meet with great results. This past summer, True Blue swelled with 1,000 new members heading into the academic year.
While the football team has been given the help from True Blue-ers everywhere, the basketball season will also earn the group's services as well.
According to True Blue President Andy Conroy, the group has partnered with both the men's and women's basketball teams for a night at Dave and Buster's sports caf?(c).
Conroy hopes that the event, an opportunity to watch the football team clash against Akron for the number one spot in the MAC East, will help propel the good energy built by the successful football season.
"It will further bring the uniqueness that True Blue has," he said. "Some players from both teams will be there."
According to Conroy, the interaction doesn't stop there. True Blue has partnered with other clubs, such as the University Student Alumni Board (USAB) and the Blue and White clubs, to boost school spirit in athletic events.
Hutchings says that overall membership is currently at 2,800 and that it will continue to grow as the seasons for each Buffalo team get underway.
"Its goal is to take over the school with spirit and allow all students to come out and have an organization supporting our teams," Conroy said. "This is regardless of what sport it might be or how good the team is."
Being a member of True Blue also offers a unique experience, unlike other student organizations. This is most evident when the Bulls take the field at UB Stadium for a football game. One player carries out the True Blue flag right to the student section, causing the "12th man" to be as rowdy as ever.
"We really stress interactions with the actual players," Hutchings said. "True Blue will be there regardless of performance and the players really respect that."
Photo: Courtesy of Laron Fomby
