"New conference affiliation, new opportunities"

Being an independent team with no conference affiliation is a struggle the rowing team no longer has to experience.

Buffalo's rowing program accepted an invitation to join the Colonial Athletic Association (CAA) as an associate member. It will join Delaware, Old Dominion, Drexel, George Mason and Northeastern to form the new six-member rowing conference.

"This invitation is a historic event for the women's rowing program and it will allow us the opportunity to reach another level," said Buffalo rowing head coach Rudy Wieler.

With the conference affiliation, Buffalo now has the opportunity to capture a conference championship and appear in the NCAA Rowing Championships.

The Mid-American Conference, of which Buffalo is a member in its other sports, does not offer collegiate rowing. Eastern Michigan is the only other MAC school that offers intercollegiate rowing.

"I know I speak for everyone associated with the UB Rowing program when I say that we look forward to a long and rewarding relationship with the CAA, as it can truly make a huge impact on our rowing program," said Buffalo Director of Athletics Warde Manuel.

The rowing team now has a sudden opportunity to prove itself. All six programs in the CAA will meet for the conference's first championship on April 18 with the winner taking part in this year's NCAA Rowing Championships.

Wieler likes his chances against the other five teams in the conference. Old Dominion is in its first year as a rowing program, but the other four schools have established programs that have experienced prior success.

Buffalo has raced against each of the five other CAA teams. Wieler believes his team stacks up well against the conference competition.

"We have raced against all of [these schools]," Wieler said. "The only school we don't consistently beat is Northeastern. They have a very well-established program."

Wieler stated that being affiliated with a conference will help the team build for the future. A conference affiliation and an opportunity at postseason play will be encouraging for recruits looking at Buffalo's rowing program.

Wieler worked over the course of a year to get his team into a conference. He was dedicated to getting his team into a conference in which they could succeed and shape a strong presence. The news of a conference membership gives the team additional motivation to work hard during the next few weeks, Wieler said.

"Unequivocally, we're excited [by] where we're going with this team this year. It's a real extra incentive for us," Wieler said. "Can we win the conference? We're going to do everything we can."

Last season, the Bulls had their most successful season in school history. They captured the Jack and Nancy Seitz Trophy at the Dad Vail Regatta, one of the largest collegiate regattas.

Despite the success, Buffalo was unable expose its team to the rowing world in the NCAA Championships. Now they have the chance to prove themselves among the best rowing teams in the nation.

The Bulls continue their season in the Harvey Cup on Saturday in Bloomington, Ind. They will compete with Indiana, Dayton and MAC-foe Eastern Michigan.