Messages

16

Buffalo Bulls Football / Re: The road to bowl eligibility

« on: November 01, 2015, 09:10:26 PM »

Wow, both guys predicting buffalo in the quick lane bowl vs Virginia tech.
http://espn.go.com/college-football/story/_/id/14029573/college-football-bowl-projections-week-9

Oofffff!!!!  If that comes true, so much for a bowl victory, not after the announcement that Beamer is retiring after the season.

17

Buffalo Bulls Football / Re: Ohio Game Thread

« on: October 28, 2015, 02:04:46 PM »

good afternoon

I should stay out of this conversation

But please stop putting any blame or responsibility on down state students. I am from Long Island and went to UB in the 70's.  That was the height of NYC and Long Island kids at UB. The % of down state students has significantly declined. The issue is general student apathy or disinterest in football. I get the argument that only winning will bring out the students. I also understand the large UB alumni base living and working in the Buffalo market did not go to school with a sports culture. That all being said, we need to draw better--college sports is so much better than professional sports. What an inexpensive and way to spend an afternoon or day.  We need student and alumni spirit We will get better results on the football field and basketball court

go BULLS

Nobodies blaming down state students, just illustrating the why.  Same can be said for local students as well.

The thing that UB misses the most from is lack of Alumni support.  Whether its 5 miles, 50 miles, 500 miles, 1000miles.  They just dont have support where they need it to come from the most.  Theres numerous whys they dont.  If they were apathetic in school, most likely be apathetic as alumni.  Theres the whole shutting down of the program in the 70s.  There was the whole demeanor the University had when it came to Athletics 80's, 90's.  There are just so many lost generations of support there, not to even mention that overall, UB just hasnt been very good.  The only good support they get is from the alumni from earlier days.  I look around me in the stands, and there are alot of older folks, there every week.

I really wish that there was more alumni like you, and Brooklyn that make it a point to come back at least once a year for games.  UB needs more of that period.

Alumni bases for the big time programs are spread across the country, just like UB's.  The difference is those other programs get alumni back from everywhere consistently, while UB does not.  Ive pointed out before, just when I went to see UB play Penn State, just in the parking lot of the hotel we stayed at for the weekend, the license plates of the Penn State fans in for the game, Michigan, Indiana, Illinois. 

This is where somebody points out that Penn State has a bigger history and tradition than UB.  True, but that history and tradition was built from the support of its alumni.


Edit:  I probably should add a solution Ive been thinking about for this problem.  Danny White is using NYBI to market UB across the state and nationally.  If thats the case, then hand in hand with that, he should be working his connections with this NYBI board of advisors (Frankly, I have no idea what they do because we never hear about it) and creating ticket/hotel stay packages for weekend games for primarily alumni spread across the state, cities like New York, Boston, Philly, and DC and further to at least make it easier for them to come back for games.   

And for locals, whether its Alumni or not, bring back the family four packs they used to offer AND consider creating packages that just include all weekend home games (the midweek games are a little tougher for attendance, especially for families)

18

Buffalo Bulls Football / Re: Ohio Game Thread

« on: October 28, 2015, 01:41:46 PM »

Buffalonians are no different than Downstaters when it comes to sports allegiances. The entire state of NY top to bottom roots for the NFL over college football, however there are pockets that are deeply interested in college basketball. If you ask those people why they root for college basketball over the NBA they will tell you it's because of the atmosphere, tradition, and pageantry in college basketball (not to mention the best tournament ever created). I have never understood why they don't feel the same way about college football since those are basically the exact same reasons that I love NCAA football over the NFL.

This is all very true as well.  We were brought up on the Bills and Sabres, and its been the constant connection to the bigger world outside WNY.   UB just never mattered while I was growing up. 

Plus, I dont think its just New York State.  Its almost like college athletics ceases to exist from the Pennsylvania border all the way up through Maine.  Sures theres pockets, like you say, but there's just not a following for it.  Its professional or bust. 

19

Buffalo Bulls Football / Re: Ohio Game Thread

« on: October 28, 2015, 11:20:41 AM »

As I have been saying for years, the game should be blacked out in the dorms.  The students who want to see the game should not have the option to watch in the dorms.  That should help a little bit with attendance.

As I have been saying for years, nobody watches the game in the dorms.

I do not ever remember you ever saying that no one watched the game in the dorms.  I said it as far back as 2007 (http://www.ubfan.com/board/index.php/topic,6585.msg70396.html#msg70396) Assuming that is true then where are the students?  

Many schools never win consistently yet their students showed up.  So you do not have win to get students to games.

There are two things that are part of the college experience (besides the education).  One is supporting your team by going to the games, win lose or draw.  The other is becoming a member of the Alumni Association upon graduation so that you can continue the college experience long beyond graduation.  I am at a loss as to why UB students do not go to the games.

Students don't care.  Like students actually don't give a shaq.  Clodney's post is spot on.  We had a HUGE student turnout for the Baylor game because we were on ESPN and we had the chance to beat a team that had a chance at the national title last year.  I had people begging me for tickets.  But by halftime everybody was gone.  The dying passion that Buffalo has for the Bills does not get anywhere close to UB.  Downstaters don't care because they've been around professional sports their entire lives.

Downstaters don't care because they've been around professional sports their entire lives.

I think this is very true.  Somebody on WGR made a quip after the Giants v. Bills game about Ralph Wilson Stadium being over run by thousands of UB Students there rooting for the Giants.  Obviously it was overstated, but theres always some truth to it as well.  Even if it was 300 UB Students, thats still alot more than the 20 or so that are consistently at the UB Games.

20

Buffalo Bulls Football / Re: The road to bowl eligibility

« on: October 27, 2015, 09:11:48 AM »

UB has 5 games remaining, 4 against teams right around us or worse in W/L record: Akron (3-4) Kent St. (3-5) Miami (1-7) and UMass (1-6).  NIU is 5-3 but it's a home game, as is the UMass game.  What are our odds of going 4-1 the rest of the way?

Im really liking UB's chances with the remaining 5 games.  Food for thought....

1.  Since 2007 when UB really started putting it all together, against MAC East teams not named Bowling Green or Ohio, so basically against the everybody elses in the East,  Miami, Kent, Akron, Temple, & UMASS, UB is 18-9, with three of those losses in 2010 because, well, Quinn.  And we are lacking a game because of Kent last year, but I strongly believe that record would have been 19-9 had they played that game.

&

2.   Im really liking how the remaining schedule plays out.

@Miami – Slightly concerned about the quick turnaround, but I also dont think UB was really that taxed in the Ohio game, and I think they came out of the game healthy.

@Kent – Full week to prepare, plus UB should go into the game wanting to rip their faces off because they took away UB’s shot at a possible bowl game last year.

NIU – one less day to prepare, but this will be NIU’s second mid week road game (there playing @Toledo the week before). Could be very interesting game.

@Akron – If Akron is something, at least UB goes into the game with extra time to prepare and rest up from NIU, 9 days.

UMASS – Send UMASS out of the MAC with a loss, because they deserve it.

21

Buffalo Bulls Football / Re: Take on the BGSU game

« on: October 05, 2015, 01:20:42 PM »

I mentioned this in the Bull Run chat, but why not give Daniel a couple drives? I'm sure they can come up with a gameplan for a drive or two, using his mobility as a massive change of pace compared to Joe. Joe is not getting it done right now, I see no reason to not give our other Senior QB an opportunity to make plays. Maybe he will provide a spark that we've been looking for. I assume Lance won't do it because of the people who would be upset to see the WNY hero benched his senior year. He's kind of stuck in that regard.

I was actually writing something very similar to this earlier but decided to delete it in fear that the Buffalonian Licata Brigade would chew me out for it.

I'm not sure who you think is the "Buffalonian Licata Bridgade"

I dont think it has anything to do with him being from Buffalo.

Most of the pushback in support is because of stats and numbers, not where he's from....

They know who they are.

Licata has always had a little bit of an "edge" (for lack of a better term), because he is the local kid who broke all the WNY passing records in HS. He got off to a really hot start with UB, and that hyped him up even more. He was the "savior." He has put up good stats up to this point as well. In his particular situation, it would be tough for Lance to bench him in his first year as the coach, but it honestly could be the best thing for the team. Joe isn't performing, and i'm not saying bench him completely, but give Daniel a shot to spark some offense.

Yea, I get all that, and I read the game thread so I know what you and Mr. Brand were dealing with.

But I honestly dont think the support for has anything to do with Buffalo vs.non Buffalo reasons.  The pushback you two got was based primarily on pretty stats and numbers (which I think are bull shaq and dont paint the whole picture accurately anyway and shouldnt be relied on).  

Im just guarding against this turning into another Buffalo vs. non-Buffalo situation when it really isnt.  

22

Buffalo Bulls Football / Re: Take on the BGSU game

« on: October 05, 2015, 11:20:17 AM »

I mentioned this in the Bull Run chat, but why not give Daniel a couple drives? I'm sure they can come up with a gameplan for a drive or two, using his mobility as a massive change of pace compared to Joe. Joe is not getting it done right now, I see no reason to not give our other Senior QB an opportunity to make plays. Maybe he will provide a spark that we've been looking for. I assume Lance won't do it because of the people who would be upset to see the WNY hero benched his senior year. He's kind of stuck in that regard.

I was actually writing something very similar to this earlier but decided to delete it in fear that the Buffalonian Licata Brigade would chew me out for it.

I'm not sure who you think is the "Buffalonian Licata Bridgade"

I dont think it has anything to do with him being from Buffalo.

Most of the pushback in support is because of stats and numbers, not where he's from....

23

Buffalo Bulls Football / Re: Offense

« on: October 03, 2015, 07:59:34 PM »

Can someone please tell me how Kotelnicki took a 40-point per game offense last season that returns a 4-year senior starting QB, a 1,400 yard rusher, and all major receivers, and turned it into an utter joke? I don't understand what the heck happened to this offense.

One reason is the lost of three (Davis, Sales, Silas) 3/4 year starter on the OL. 

Oline isn't the issue today.  And as the season wears on, it isn't an excuse anymore

24

Buffalo Bulls Football / Re: The next 3 games...

« on: September 28, 2015, 12:07:18 PM »

Im thinking what might help on the OLine penalties is to get away from some of the delayed hand offs.  These guys are being asked to take getting popped by the defensive lineman at the snap, then hold their blocks everytime Joe drops back to pass or having to wait for the hand off nearly every play.  The longer they have to stand there and absorb whatever the defender is throwing at them, the more chance there is to get penalties like we're seeing, holding, hands to the face, chop blocks.  Get these guys firing off the ball at the snap and let their size start moving the defense out of the way and get the running backs the ball earlier so they can start following behind them.   

25

General Discussion / Re: Branding Survey

« on: September 25, 2015, 10:08:51 AM »

Evidently, UB disagrees or they just dont care about the SUNY part.

UB was a former name when the school was private, hence the reason people still call it that. However, in reality it is no more our official name than "New York".

This would appear to make University at Buffalo more official than "New York."

UB Name
University at Buffalo’s name
In almost all day-to-day instances, when referring to UB use “University at Buffalo” on first reference and “UB” on second and subsequent references.
The university’s official legal name is State University of New York at Buffalo. This official name is to be used on legal documents such as contracts and diplomas.
In almost all other cases, use the short names approved by the SUNY central administration: University at Buffalo and UB.?
No other names are allowed. Do not use “SUNY-Buffalo,” “SUNYAB” or “SUNY [name of school or unit].”
The preferred way to identify a school or division in conjunction with an approved short name of the university is for the name of the unit to precede the name of the university, as in School of Management, University at Buffalo—or the School of Management at the University at Buffalo. It is also acceptable to place the university’s name first (“the University at Buffalo School of Management”).  In formal communications (such as policy statements), use “School of Management at the University at Buffalo, The State University of New York.”
http://www.buffalo.edu/toolbox/brand/editorial/ub-name.html

edit- and for sake of accuracy, in it's private university days it was the University of Buffalo, not at.

When I see this, I cant help but think about driving past Niagara County Community College and their signs that read "Niagara County Community College - The State University of New York"  Obviously there's a big difference in the level of University between NCCC and UB, but it also shows just how over used and un-special State University of New York is.

Ive always understood the point behind NYBI and trying to use UB's place within SUNY, but the way White is using it, he's trying to look like THE (as in singular, the ultimate) State University of New York when in all reality,  theyre nothing more than being an A (as in plural, a part of many) State University of New York.  There's just not enough bite to the bark for me to really buy in.

26

General Discussion / Re: Branding Survey

« on: September 24, 2015, 07:35:51 PM »

But...the respondents in this phase are faculty, staff, alumni and students at this institution!   Isn't the purpose of branding and marketing to tap into new and different markets?

You answered your own question in what you bolded in my reponse

These data suggest that the biggest opportunity for UB is to build momentum and visibility by better identifying with the whole, and that whole is identified by the official university name: “University at Buffalo

I have clearly missed the point here, so maybe you can help me.

I think what you are saying is:

1.  The university interviews and surveys those with affiliations to the university (faculty, staff, students, supporters).
2.  The results are that the name "University at Buffalo" should be used to build momentum and visibility.

Is that correct?

If so, my point is that I don't understand the validity of the approach.   It isn't surprising that keeping "University at Buffalo" is what those stakeholders want.

In the FAQs, it says a key outcome of the initiative is:

"An understanding of current awareness and perceptions of the university among important local, national and international audiences."

However, based on the approach listed in Phase 1, it says:

"Research Methodologies

    Qualitative research included in-depth interviews with 150 individuals representing university leadership, faculty, students, alumni and external partners and influencers.
 
   Robust quantitative research included a market perception survey yielding nearly 4,500 responses from faculty, staff, alumni and students.

    Communications review included an assessment of a comprehensive sample of university materials from departments, schools and organizations.

    Observational research included on-site visits, campus tours and attendance at athletic and community events."


I just don't understand how one can determine "current awareness and perceptions of the university among....national and international audiences" if that cohort has not been included in either the interviews or market perception survey.

UB is paying about $350k for this.  The first phase seems to conclude that those affiliated with the "University at Buffalo" like the name "University at Buffalo". 

I didn't say it, the findings that was linked to said it, I just copy and pasted from there.

I would hope that the survey would have been done by some of the many international students at UB, as well alumni across the State and the nation.  Obviously, I can't answer that. 

27

General Discussion / Re: Branding Survey

« on: September 24, 2015, 04:35:09 PM »

Evidently, UB disagrees or they just dont care about the SUNY part.

UB was a former name when the school was private, hence the reason people still call it that. However, in reality it is no more our official name than "New York".

Im sorry, I was just copy and pasting what was written in the results of the initial survey......there was a link to it in the very first post of this thread....read it for yourself...and honestly, I dont think its a matter of disagreeing, I think its more likely that they just dont care about the SUNY part.

28

General Discussion / Re: Branding Survey

« on: September 24, 2015, 04:02:13 PM »

These data suggest that the biggest opportunity for UB is to build momentum and visibility by better identifying with the whole, and that whole is identified by the official university name: “University at Buffalo

The official university name is The State University of New York at Buffalo.

Evidently, UB disagrees or they just dont care about the SUNY part.

29

General Discussion / Re: Branding Survey

« on: September 24, 2015, 02:46:46 PM »

The purpose of the survey is that when it is completed all and I mean all portions of the university shall be called the same thing.  The individual parts will not be able to come up with their own names.  Currently the law school calls itself SUNY Buffalo Law School.  Once the branding process is complete all parts of school will be called the same thing whether an individual part like the name or not.  The administration wants the one name and it will forced upon everybody/

It is all "The State University of New York at Buffalo", right?  Whether it's SUNY Buffalo, UB, University at Buffalo, etc.   Is there really confusion or is this solving a problem that doesn't really exist, just to create uniformity?

If there was an easy, simple, obvious solution, it would have been made already.   How do you incorporate the history and location of "Buffalo", while tapping into the untapped aspect of using "New York" for athletics branding.   


Can't it just be this and we call it a day?


Official Name:  State University of New York at Buffalo

d/b/a:   SUNY Buffalo
 
Nickname:   UB

Athletics (d/b/a):  New York Bulls

  I think the purpose of the Survey, and from Brooklyn's response, is that the whole school, athletics included, are ALL going to present one uniform face to the public. 

Why?  That's my question.  What problem is it solving by presenting "one uniform face to the public"?  In a vacuum, I agree.  But moving to a 'single name' will (in my opinion) cause more problems than the ones it is supposed to solve in this situation.

I stand by my suggestion above.  If athletics wants to put the state of NY for the purposes of branding on things (hats, the football field, etc.)...fine.  It doesn't impact that this is still UB and the name of the school is still the State University of New York at Buffalo.

By the way, I don't care that Johnny asks to see the Empire State Building when he comes to Buffalo on a recruiting visit.  I would suspect that most HS seniors that live in Buffalo, if given a map of Illinois, could not properly identify the location of Chicago.

Because that's not what they are getting from their results.  4500 people responded, and this is what was said in the result links from the original post:

5. Identity: The true essence of UB, expressed through its name
One of the most effective tools for conveying the identity of a university is its name. The majority of respondents prefer to use “UB” and “University at Buffalo” in referencing the university. These data suggest that the biggest opportunity for UB is to build momentum and visibility by better identifying with the whole, and that whole is identified by the official university name: “University at Buffalo.
State University of New York isn't even on the radar.  People need to realize that just because two dozen people think White's initiative is the way to go, it's not having the affect like you think it is, and the numbers theyre getting back so far are reaffirming that.  24 of 4500 people is like .5%. 

But...the respondents in this phase are faculty, staff, alumni and students at this institution!   Isn't the purpose of branding and marketing to tap into new and different markets?

You answered your own question in what you bolded in my reponse

These data suggest that the biggest opportunity for UB is to build momentum and visibility by better identifying with the whole, and that whole is identified by the official university name: “University at Buffalo

30

General Discussion / Re: Branding Survey

« on: September 23, 2015, 07:08:20 PM »

The purpose of the survey is that when it is completed all and I mean all portions of the university shall be called the same thing.  The individual parts will not be able to come up with their own names.  Currently the law school calls itself SUNY Buffalo Law School.  Once the branding process is complete all parts of school will be called the same thing whether an individual part like the name or not.  The administration wants the one name and it will forced upon everybody/

It is all "The State University of New York at Buffalo", right?  Whether it's SUNY Buffalo, UB, University at Buffalo, etc.   Is there really confusion or is this solving a problem that doesn't really exist, just to create uniformity?

If there was an easy, simple, obvious solution, it would have been made already.   How do you incorporate the history and location of "Buffalo", while tapping into the untapped aspect of using "New York" for athletics branding.   


Can't it just be this and we call it a day?


Official Name:  State University of New York at Buffalo

d/b/a:   SUNY Buffalo
 
Nickname:   UB

Athletics (d/b/a):  New York Bulls

  I think the purpose of the Survey, and from Brooklyn's response, is that the whole school, athletics included, are ALL going to present one uniform face to the public. 

Why?  That's my question.  What problem is it solving by presenting "one uniform face to the public"?  In a vacuum, I agree.  But moving to a 'single name' will (in my opinion) cause more problems than the ones it is supposed to solve in this situation.

I stand by my suggestion above.  If athletics wants to put the state of NY for the purposes of branding on things (hats, the football field, etc.)...fine.  It doesn't impact that this is still UB and the name of the school is still the State University of New York at Buffalo.

By the way, I don't care that Johnny asks to see the Empire State Building when he comes to Buffalo on a recruiting visit.  I would suspect that most HS seniors that live in Buffalo, if given a map of Illinois, could not properly identify the location of Chicago.

Because that's not what they are getting from their results.  4500 people responded, and this is what was said in the result links from the original post:

5. Identity: The true essence of UB, expressed through its name
One of the most effective tools for conveying the identity of a university is its name. The majority of respondents prefer to use “UB” and “University at Buffalo” in referencing the university. These data suggest that the biggest opportunity for UB is to build momentum and visibility by better identifying with the whole, and that whole is identified by the official university name: “University at Buffalo.

State University of New York isn't even on the radar.  People need to realize that just because two dozen people think White's initiative is the way to go, it's not having the affect like you think it is, and the numbers theyre getting back so far are reaffirming that.  24 of 4500 people is like .5%.