Photo by: Paul Hokanson / UB Athletics
Buffalo Basketball Launches 716 Club with $500,000 in Commitments
7/20/2026 9:25:00β―AM | General, Men's Basketball
BUFFALO, NY - Named after Buffalo's area code and rooted in the city's blue-collar identity, the 716 Club is a membership-based initiative designed to directly support Buffalo men's basketball through operational excellence and revenue-sharing efforts.
For Head Coach Halcovage, the launch is more than a fundraising campaign β it is personal.
To help jump-start the initiative, Halcovage and his wife, Lizzy, committed the first $7,160 as a matching gift to help inspire others to support the program over duration of his recently extended contract.
"I believe in this program and in the student-athlete experience we are building at Buffalo," Halcovage said. "These are transformative years for our players, and I want them to look back on their careers and say their best experience, both on and off the court, happened here in the 716."
The 716 Club is launching with more than $500,000 in commitments, including matching gifts and Halcovage's initial contribution.
"Lizzy and I love raising our family in Buffalo, and we are proud to be associated with this institution," Halcovage said. "We want to pay it forward, impact lives and help create the best possible experience for our student-athletes. The 716 Club is a great way to do that."
"UB Basketball has always been an important part of our university and the Buffalo community.Β Those of us joining the 716 Club are energized by the direction and progress of the program under Coach Halcovage," said Dan Magnuszewski, '05. "We want to help build a sustainable foundation that quickly returns UB to national prominence. Reaching that goal will require the entire community, and I hope more alumni, fans and Buffalonians will join us."
The launch comes as Buffalo continues to show clear progress under Halcovage's leadership. After winning four games in his first season, the Bulls improved to nine wins in year two before finishing 17-15 in 2025-26, the program's best season under Halcovage. Halcovage was recently awarded a contract extension through 2029-30.
The improvement also showed up across the stat sheet. From year two to year three, Buffalo made significant jumps in scoring offense, scoring defense, scoring margin, field goal percentage, free-throw percentage, and three-point shooting. The Bulls climbed from 238th nationally in scoring offense to 120th, from 346th in scoring defense to 241st and from 291st in field goal percentage to 58th. Buffalo also ranked 14th nationally in three-point percentage last season at 38.3 percent.
The program's NET ranking reflected that progress as well, making a major jump from 341 to 197.
For Halcovage, the standard for long-term growth was shaped during his years at Villanova, where he worked alongside legendary head coach Jay Wright. During Halcovage's time with the Wildcats, Villanova went 389-131, won two national championships, four NCAA regional championships, seven Big East regular-season titles and five Big East Tournament championships.
Now at Buffalo, Halcovage is working to build his own version of sustainable success.
Vice President and Director of Athletics Mark Alnutt said the 716 Club gives supporters a direct way to be part of that process.
"This is a great opportunity to get involved, whether you are a former student-athlete, a fan, season ticket holder or a corporate sponsor," Alnutt said. "It provides a direct way to make an impact on our student-athletes and the future of Buffalo basketball."
Membership in the 716 Club will include unique benefits and access opportunities, such as hands-on experiences with the team, and potential travel opportunities.
Membership gifts start at $7,160. Multiple leadership gifts of $71,600 have been committed.
But the larger purpose is simple: help Buffalo men's basketball continue to compete, grow and invest in the student-athletes who represent the program.
In a city known for its toughness, pride and willingness to work, the 716 Club is built around the same idea.
Buffalo basketball is building and Halcovage is making sure the foundation starts at home.
To join the 716 Club contact Men's Basketball General Manager - Turner Battle at tabattle@buffalo.edu.
Β
For Head Coach Halcovage, the launch is more than a fundraising campaign β it is personal.
To help jump-start the initiative, Halcovage and his wife, Lizzy, committed the first $7,160 as a matching gift to help inspire others to support the program over duration of his recently extended contract.
"I believe in this program and in the student-athlete experience we are building at Buffalo," Halcovage said. "These are transformative years for our players, and I want them to look back on their careers and say their best experience, both on and off the court, happened here in the 716."
The 716 Club is launching with more than $500,000 in commitments, including matching gifts and Halcovage's initial contribution.
"Lizzy and I love raising our family in Buffalo, and we are proud to be associated with this institution," Halcovage said. "We want to pay it forward, impact lives and help create the best possible experience for our student-athletes. The 716 Club is a great way to do that."
"UB Basketball has always been an important part of our university and the Buffalo community.Β Those of us joining the 716 Club are energized by the direction and progress of the program under Coach Halcovage," said Dan Magnuszewski, '05. "We want to help build a sustainable foundation that quickly returns UB to national prominence. Reaching that goal will require the entire community, and I hope more alumni, fans and Buffalonians will join us."
The launch comes as Buffalo continues to show clear progress under Halcovage's leadership. After winning four games in his first season, the Bulls improved to nine wins in year two before finishing 17-15 in 2025-26, the program's best season under Halcovage. Halcovage was recently awarded a contract extension through 2029-30.
The improvement also showed up across the stat sheet. From year two to year three, Buffalo made significant jumps in scoring offense, scoring defense, scoring margin, field goal percentage, free-throw percentage, and three-point shooting. The Bulls climbed from 238th nationally in scoring offense to 120th, from 346th in scoring defense to 241st and from 291st in field goal percentage to 58th. Buffalo also ranked 14th nationally in three-point percentage last season at 38.3 percent.
The program's NET ranking reflected that progress as well, making a major jump from 341 to 197.
For Halcovage, the standard for long-term growth was shaped during his years at Villanova, where he worked alongside legendary head coach Jay Wright. During Halcovage's time with the Wildcats, Villanova went 389-131, won two national championships, four NCAA regional championships, seven Big East regular-season titles and five Big East Tournament championships.
Now at Buffalo, Halcovage is working to build his own version of sustainable success.
Vice President and Director of Athletics Mark Alnutt said the 716 Club gives supporters a direct way to be part of that process.
"This is a great opportunity to get involved, whether you are a former student-athlete, a fan, season ticket holder or a corporate sponsor," Alnutt said. "It provides a direct way to make an impact on our student-athletes and the future of Buffalo basketball."
Membership in the 716 Club will include unique benefits and access opportunities, such as hands-on experiences with the team, and potential travel opportunities.
Membership gifts start at $7,160. Multiple leadership gifts of $71,600 have been committed.
But the larger purpose is simple: help Buffalo men's basketball continue to compete, grow and invest in the student-athletes who represent the program.
In a city known for its toughness, pride and willingness to work, the 716 Club is built around the same idea.
Buffalo basketball is building and Halcovage is making sure the foundation starts at home.
To join the 716 Club contact Men's Basketball General Manager - Turner Battle at tabattle@buffalo.edu.
Β
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