UB Teams up with Fidelis Care for the Bulls Reading Stampede
4/22/2025 10:15:00 AM | General, Office of Student-Athlete Success
BUFFALO, NY —The University at Buffalo Athletics Department's Stronger Together Task Force recently teamed up with Fidelis Care to provide care packages and books for area children that focused on leadership development, as part of National Reading Month and the Bulls Reading Stamp
ede.
Members of the Stronger Together Task Force (STTF) – including Student Athletes, Red Murdock and Qua Sanders from the UB football team, Ryan Sabol from the men's basketball team, Lauren O'Rourke, Reese Wilber and Amber McDonald from track & field, along with Rafael Knapp and Brady Unger from wrestling, joined Fidelisaurus from Fidelis Care –to engage with the kids, read books with them and answer their questions about being a student-athlete. The STTF visited Lindbergh Elementary, Dodge Elementary, Frontier Blasdell Elementary and Hoover Middle School.
Melanie Bliz, Assistant Athletic Director for Student-Athlete Enrichment at UB who helps lead the Stronger Together Task Force commented, "We are so excited to be partnering with Fidelis Care, who provided the books and care packages for the kids, as it's so crucial to highlight teamwork and leadership with young kids in the community."
"I think the importance of having the student-athletes here to show their commitment and how important it is to show up and be a member of a team," said Heidi Sorel, a Hoover Middle School ELA Teacher. "It's important for them to see real life young people, not just people on tv."
George Rodriguez, Vice President of Sales & Marketing with Fidelis Care added; "We are thrilled to partner with the University at Buffalo Athletics Department for National Reading Month to bring the Bulls Reading Stampede to students in our local schools. At Fidelis Care, we believe that fostering a love for learning and promoting healthy habits go hand in hand. By teaming up with these dedicated athletes, we are not only encouraging kids to read more but also inspiring them to lead active, healthy lives."
About the Stronger Together Task Force
The UB Stronger Together Task Force (STTF), comprised of staff, coaches, and student-athletes, was created in September 2020 to reaffirm our commitment to sustaining a culture of diversity and inclusion across all dimensions and embrace and promote equality for all. The groups' charge is to identify areas of priority and help perpetuate positive change for the athletics department, UB campus and the Western New York Community.
About Fidelis Care
Fidelis Care is a mission-driven health plan offering quality, affordable coverage for children and adults of all ages and at all stages of life. With more than 2.4 million members statewide, Fidelis Care believes that all New Yorkers should have access to affordable, quality health insurance. Follow us on LinkedIn at linkedin.com/company/fidelis-care, Instagram at @fideliscare,
and on Facebook at facebook.com/fideliscare. For more information, call Fidelis Care at
1-888-FIDELIS (1-888-343-3547) or visit fideliscare.org.
ede.Members of the Stronger Together Task Force (STTF) – including Student Athletes, Red Murdock and Qua Sanders from the UB football team, Ryan Sabol from the men's basketball team, Lauren O'Rourke, Reese Wilber and Amber McDonald from track & field, along with Rafael Knapp and Brady Unger from wrestling, joined Fidelisaurus from Fidelis Care –to engage with the kids, read books with them and answer their questions about being a student-athlete. The STTF visited Lindbergh Elementary, Dodge Elementary, Frontier Blasdell Elementary and Hoover Middle School.
Melanie Bliz, Assistant Athletic Director for Student-Athlete Enrichment at UB who helps lead the Stronger Together Task Force commented, "We are so excited to be partnering with Fidelis Care, who provided the books and care packages for the kids, as it's so crucial to highlight teamwork and leadership with young kids in the community."
"I think the importance of having the student-athletes here to show their commitment and how important it is to show up and be a member of a team," said Heidi Sorel, a Hoover Middle School ELA Teacher. "It's important for them to see real life young people, not just people on tv."
George Rodriguez, Vice President of Sales & Marketing with Fidelis Care added; "We are thrilled to partner with the University at Buffalo Athletics Department for National Reading Month to bring the Bulls Reading Stampede to students in our local schools. At Fidelis Care, we believe that fostering a love for learning and promoting healthy habits go hand in hand. By teaming up with these dedicated athletes, we are not only encouraging kids to read more but also inspiring them to lead active, healthy lives."
About the Stronger Together Task Force
The UB Stronger Together Task Force (STTF), comprised of staff, coaches, and student-athletes, was created in September 2020 to reaffirm our commitment to sustaining a culture of diversity and inclusion across all dimensions and embrace and promote equality for all. The groups' charge is to identify areas of priority and help perpetuate positive change for the athletics department, UB campus and the Western New York Community.
About Fidelis Care
Fidelis Care is a mission-driven health plan offering quality, affordable coverage for children and adults of all ages and at all stages of life. With more than 2.4 million members statewide, Fidelis Care believes that all New Yorkers should have access to affordable, quality health insurance. Follow us on LinkedIn at linkedin.com/company/fidelis-care, Instagram at @fideliscare,
and on Facebook at facebook.com/fideliscare. For more information, call Fidelis Care at
1-888-FIDELIS (1-888-343-3547) or visit fideliscare.org.
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