I know its not one of the Big Bowl games, not even a second tier Bowl game - but nonetheless for the third year in a row me and a couple of friends are heading to the Rogers Centre on January 3rd for the game between UConn and the UB (University of Buffalo) Bulls.

By the sounds of it UB fans are snapping up tickets and UConn fans are not. According to some chat boards UConn had only sold about 3,000 of their 10,000 allotment as of a week ago - whereas the UB fans had snapped up all 10,000 of theirs and were beginning to fill other sections of the Rogers Centre. So hopefully UB will put up a good game so that the Rogers Centre will be rocking that day.

I watch the odd Buffalo newscast up here in Toronto- usually just to get info on the Bills or Sabres, but had taken note that under Turner Gill UB's football program was really on an upswing. The highlight this year their huge upset over previously unbeaten Ball State in the MAC championship game in Detroit back in early December. Of course since then UB has been in the news mainly because of Auburn not hiring Turner Gill as their head coach. Since then there have been a number of commentaries blasting Auburn and their alumni - including John Saunders - who will be doing the play by play with Doug Flutie and Jesse Palmer on ESPN2 of the game. Saunders (who is actually Canadian) - ripped into Auburn saying that African Americans could now tell their children that yes - they could grow up to be President - but not head coach of Auburn football.

So when I saw a headline about Jesse Jackson being confirmed as the keynote speaker at the International Bowl luncheon - I was wondering if that was somehow related to the Turner Gill story. Now maybe - knowing how Jesse Jackson loves the headlines - the fact that Turner Gill has been in the headlines does have something to do with him accepting the invitation. However the official reason is that this is the first time the UB Bulls have made it to a Bowl game since 1958 - fifty years ago. A Bowl game the team never got to play in. You see - Reverend Jackson will be appearing at this year's luncheon in conjunction with the 50th anniversary celebration of the University at Buffalo's 1958 team that took a courageous stand against segregation. The team declined its spot in the Tangerine Bowl after learning of a county rule in Orlando that barred black players from competing with white players on the same field. This would have meant leaving behind players Willie Evans and Mike Wilson, and the team unanimously voted against it.

That is one piece of College football history - I was not aware of. Well done 1958 team. I've gone to the previous two International Bowls not having a clue who I was cheering for. This time that is not the case. Now that I am aware of that historical antecdote about the UB Bulls and seeing as how their fans are apparently supporting their team much better than the UConn fans - I am ready to cheer for the Bulls next Saturday.

Besides I still think there is a better than 50% chance that the Bills will move up here to Toronto in 2013 after the lease at Ralph Wilson Stadium runs out - and it would be good to see the UB Bulls football program continue to do well - so that Buffalo football fans still have a team of their own to cheer for once the Bills leave - either for up here to Toronto or to some other American city. A move that I think is inevitable considering how Buffalo's population continues to shrink.

thanks for posting this

You're welcome!

Here is a bit more on the story from today's Star. Apparently a number of players from that 1958 UB Bulls team are going to be in attendance this Saturday at the International Bowl.
http://www.thestar.com/article/559955

There were about 25 members of the UB Bulls 1958 team who were honoured with a prolonged standing ovation prior to yesterday's International Bowl kickoff from the Int'l Bowl record crowd of close to 41,000 at the Rogers Centre.

The UB Bulls took advantage of their uncanny knack to force turnovers to surge to a 20-10 first half lead which had the Rogers Centre rocking. It really was a great atmosphere with the 20,000+ fans up from Buffalo joined by about 15,000 locals - all of us seemingly cheering for the Bulls - really having a lot to cheer about in the first half. But realistically the Bulls were lucky to have that lead as all day long UConn were moving the ball much better than Buffalo led by their NCAA rushing leader running back Donald Brown who scampered for 261 yards yesterday. He announced after the game that he is declaring for the NFL draft this year. UB had one last chance down by 11 with about 3 minutes left - but what looked like a touchdown pass - right in front of where we were sitting - bounced off the chest of the intended UB receiver right into the hands of a UConn player who took it back 100+ yards for the game clinching score.

All in all an entertaining game though and Bowl organizers and UB had to be thrilled with the size of the crowd. I've gone to all 3 Int'l Bowls and all have been entertaining games. Certainly a heck of a lot more entertaining than the Buffalo - Leafs hockey game I went to at the ACC the other night. The crowds keep getting better - going from about 28,000 the first year, up to 31,000 last year and over 40,000 yesterday. The four of us who were at yesterdays game already have agreed we're doing it again next year!

I finish my sport triple header weekend this afternoon with a Raptors game at the ACC against Orlando this afternoon. Go Raps!