Photo by: Paul Hokanson/UBBulls.com
From the Desk of AD Mark Alnutt
8/26/2025 12:12:00 PM | General
Bulls Nation!
There's a special energy in the air here at the University at Buffalo. Classes have started, our students have returned and our campus is alive again. This year, we welcome the largest first-year class in UB's history of over 5,000 students. In Athletics, you can feel the anticipation of another year filled with big goals, new challenges and unforgettable moments.
This past year was transformative for Buffalo Athletics. Our student-athletes achieved the best academic performances in our history, posting a 3.380 department-wide GPA in the Fall and followed it with the second-highest GPA (3.317) in the Spring. We had five programs achieve their highest GPA in their history this past year. This esteemed list includes Women's Swimming and Diving, Women's Track, Men's Basketball, Football and Wrestling. All of our programs earned a 3.0 GPA or higher for the entire year, a feat that has not been achieved during our NCAA Division I history.
Our teams also thrived in competition. Women's basketball capped its season by winning the WNIT, our first national tournament championship. Our football program earned its fourth bowl win in six years — finishing with a 9-4 record and its first five-game win streak to end a season since 1959. Men's and women's tennis each brought home MAC Championships. Women's Soccer took down a top 10 team in Pitt while also advancing to the MAC Championship game. Among many outstanding individual performances and accolades, I would be remiss not to mention Zahra Amos of our Track and Field program, who became an Honorable Mention All-American in the High Jump at NCAA Championships in the spring.
Our donor support played a major role in making these moments possible. On UB Giving Day, we set new department records with 316 donors contributing $99,357 — the largest single-day giving total in our history. Athletics led the entire university in fundraising, accounting for nearly 20% of the day's total. In addition, their generosity and unwavering support allowed us to open the doors to the Brittany Murchie Mulla Sports Performance Center, renovated both Men's and Women's Basketball locker rooms, and for this upcoming Fall, our new videoboard and sound system at UB Stadium.
As the landscape of college athletics continues to evolve — from the House settlement, NIL, to the transfer portal — our focus remains the same: to be the best version of Buffalo we can be. We're fortunate to have the resources, the alignment with campus leadership, and most importantly, the passion of those who bleed blue and white.
Looking ahead, we are proud to continue building the Bulls Championship Fund — an inclusive giving initiative that brings all of our philanthropic efforts under one umbrella. From ticket revenue and fundraising to corporate sponsorships, every dollar counts toward your recognition in the BCF, including membership in the 1958 Society. This approach ensures that every gift, regardless of its form, is celebrated and linked to the growth of UB Athletics.
This upcoming academic year promises to be one of our most exciting yet. Thank you for standing with us, believing in us, and helping our student-athletes reach their potential both on and off their respective field of play.
Let's make this year one to remember!
Horns Up and Go Bulls!!
Mark Alnutt
There's a special energy in the air here at the University at Buffalo. Classes have started, our students have returned and our campus is alive again. This year, we welcome the largest first-year class in UB's history of over 5,000 students. In Athletics, you can feel the anticipation of another year filled with big goals, new challenges and unforgettable moments.
This past year was transformative for Buffalo Athletics. Our student-athletes achieved the best academic performances in our history, posting a 3.380 department-wide GPA in the Fall and followed it with the second-highest GPA (3.317) in the Spring. We had five programs achieve their highest GPA in their history this past year. This esteemed list includes Women's Swimming and Diving, Women's Track, Men's Basketball, Football and Wrestling. All of our programs earned a 3.0 GPA or higher for the entire year, a feat that has not been achieved during our NCAA Division I history.
Our teams also thrived in competition. Women's basketball capped its season by winning the WNIT, our first national tournament championship. Our football program earned its fourth bowl win in six years — finishing with a 9-4 record and its first five-game win streak to end a season since 1959. Men's and women's tennis each brought home MAC Championships. Women's Soccer took down a top 10 team in Pitt while also advancing to the MAC Championship game. Among many outstanding individual performances and accolades, I would be remiss not to mention Zahra Amos of our Track and Field program, who became an Honorable Mention All-American in the High Jump at NCAA Championships in the spring.
Our donor support played a major role in making these moments possible. On UB Giving Day, we set new department records with 316 donors contributing $99,357 — the largest single-day giving total in our history. Athletics led the entire university in fundraising, accounting for nearly 20% of the day's total. In addition, their generosity and unwavering support allowed us to open the doors to the Brittany Murchie Mulla Sports Performance Center, renovated both Men's and Women's Basketball locker rooms, and for this upcoming Fall, our new videoboard and sound system at UB Stadium.
As the landscape of college athletics continues to evolve — from the House settlement, NIL, to the transfer portal — our focus remains the same: to be the best version of Buffalo we can be. We're fortunate to have the resources, the alignment with campus leadership, and most importantly, the passion of those who bleed blue and white.
Looking ahead, we are proud to continue building the Bulls Championship Fund — an inclusive giving initiative that brings all of our philanthropic efforts under one umbrella. From ticket revenue and fundraising to corporate sponsorships, every dollar counts toward your recognition in the BCF, including membership in the 1958 Society. This approach ensures that every gift, regardless of its form, is celebrated and linked to the growth of UB Athletics.
This upcoming academic year promises to be one of our most exciting yet. Thank you for standing with us, believing in us, and helping our student-athletes reach their potential both on and off their respective field of play.
Let's make this year one to remember!
Horns Up and Go Bulls!!
Mark Alnutt
UB Women's Soccer vs. Ball State
Friday, September 26
Nickel Corner Jalen McNair on what happened in the loss to Troy and his new nickname
Thursday, September 25
Kicker Jack Howes on dealing with weather conditions and if 90s are the cool numbers for kickers now
Wednesday, September 24
Coach Lembo Week 5 Press Conference (vs. UConn)
Tuesday, September 23
