These Bulls Are Running The Show

Many people think of Cross Country as a black sheep kind of sport. In many ways, this sport is very different from all of the others. Men's Cross Country embraces that aspect of the sport along with the rest of it. They are the only athletes at this university, aside from Women's Cross Country, who have their name on three different rosters. They have a fall competition season, an Indoor Track and Field season, and an Outdoor Track and Field season. With three MAC Championships throughout the year, "training pretty much stays at the same intensity all year." This means they have no off season, and they travel all through both the fall and spring semesters. They even come back early from winter break to travel and train for their winter competition season. The men admit that this makes it difficult to have time to balance their work intensive majors with athletics, but share that as an athlete, they feel as though this year round, high intensity training helps them to improve their abilities much faster. Although our team is improving so quickly, they say that the biggest misconception about the sport is that it is easy. The sport of cross country requires the athlete to break down his body every day all year long, "and then come back the next day expecting to do the exact same thing." They get as few mental breaks as they do physical breaks, so battling physical and mental fatigue is a daily task. From eight mile long workouts (not including the warm up and cool down miles) to two hour weekly long runs, the men stress that their training is by no means easy.


As different as their demands may be, the Men's Cross Country Program is like the other athletic programs here in its success. This team is indisputably on the rise, and with no seniors on the current roster, this talented young team is ready to keep climbing. Last year, the program had a milestone in Zach Ahart's MAC Cross Country Championship win, becoming the first male in school history to accomplish this feat. This year, the men ran their way to the highest regional program ranking in school history, and they had some stellar performances this past weekend at their MAC Championships, taking fourth place. With the talent each team member possesses, the close knit bond these teammates share, and the experience they've gained this year, the team looks forward to their Regional meet in two weeks, as well as the amazing accomplishments they know lie ahead. Cross Country may seem difficult to understand, but the discipline, work ethic, and current and future successes of this team are plain to see.

To stay up to date on the Men's Cross Country Team and all of our other teams, like our Bulls Pride page on Facebook, an follow UB_BullsPride on Twitter and Instagram.

If You Want to Know What Champoins Do, Just Ask These Women

UB's Women's Soccer Team is on the same page this morning, but that is nothing new. Their excitement at securing their spot as top in the MAC is shared by all, and yet their determination to earn higher honors is even more apparent in each team member. "As a team we are driven and determined to exceed everyone's expectations and be the best team that has ever stepped in to UB Stadium," says one girl. You would be hard pressed to find an athlete on campus who hasn't noticed the incredible work of these women. They make it a point to build not only themselves, but other athletic programs. They say that they've noticed how much it can help to have a crowd cheering during a game, and they hope to be able to provide that to every team here by attending as many athletic events as their schedule allows. In addition, spending the extra time together at these events has helped to build their team camaraderie. This confidence in one another, they report, has helped to increase their confidence in themselves. "Knowing that every girl next to you has your back and is not only playing for themselves but for the team as a whole . . . is what drives us." These ladies admit they were nervous about their chance at success this year due to a coaching change after last season. Now, though, they rave about how close knit they are as a team and how vital the coaching staff has been to their mindset, work ethics, and ultimate success.


Being successful at a D1 level is certainly not easy, and these athletes face some hardships. As one of the most active teams on campus, time management is essential. Morning practices means a reasonable bedtime is a must in order to practice at the level that is demanded. Most days, after practice, are devoted to studying and homework so that these ladies can stay at the top academically as well. Because they sometimes miss classes in order to travel and compete, some weeks are "catch-up" weeks where the school workload can seem overwhelming. "Being a division one athlete requires you to be on the clock all day long," because in addition to practices, athletes who want to be successful generally do treatment on their own time, meet with coaches, attend mandatory study hours, and constantly monitor themselves to make sure they stay in top condition and make the "right" choices. Despite the expansive list of demands placed upon these athletes, they wouldn't trade the opportunity to represent the University for the world. Although many people don't understand the level of commitment required at this level, that doesn't matter to this team. The love they have for the sport, and that they have for their teammates and staff, makes the difficult parts bearable and the successes all the more special. These girls share trust, determination, tenacity, and a hunger for success that makes us all certain that the best is yet to come.


See more about these women and our other incredible athletes by following UB_BullsPride on Instagram and Twitter and like the Bulls Pride page on Facebook.

A Closer Look at Men's Soccer

Our Men’s Soccer team is into their MAC play, and hopefully a lot of our students, student-athletes, and fans have been out to watch them at some point this season. According to several team members, they have been dominating their games as far as better quality chances go. The results in non-Conference play haven’t been what the team hoped for this season, but they are encouraged by their MAC play this season. They have stayed tough through double overtime in both of their MAC Conference play games so far to snag two draws, giving them 2 points and seating them fourth in Conference play. Both games have included a surge late in the game to keep them in contention and ultimately earn them two 1-point draws. 

It isn’t easy to keep strong the entire 90 minute game, especially with the double overtimes making the game a total of 110 minutes. “People don’t realize how physically draining it is. It is literally an hour and a half of constant running with the guarantee that you will get tackled on several occasions in that time.” The men say that the heat on the field varies by team, but it is always there to some degree. “Guys say pretty personal things,” they told me. “It can get dirty; people definitely underestimate the physicality of [the sport].” Perhaps it is this underlying brutality that makes soccer the number one watched and played sport in the world. 

So why the late-season improvements? The players attribute this success to “clicking” better on the field and being the kind of men who play better in higher pressure situations. The team agrees that having each other is rewarding and a key element that keeps them going during these games. They are optimistic about their chances to make it into the MAC Tournament this year. It would be the first time they entered the tournament in several years. They play a non-Conference game on Tuesday at UB Stadium and a hugely important Conference game this Saturday at Niagara University at 8:30 p.m. They report that a crowd “most definitely” helps them to elevate their level of play. Fans, if you can make it to the game, you could help this team as they give it their all; a win on Saturday gives the team a great chance of competing in the MAC Tournament. 

To see more about UB Athletics, like the Bulls Pride page on Facebook. Follow us on Twitter and Instagram @UB_BullsPride

Small Steps Toward Big Success

“Success is the sum of small efforts, repeated day in and day out.” The sooner you commit to a goal, the more time you have to develop it and the more likely you are to achieve it. Regardless of your season of competition, it isn’t too late or too early to plan for success. As a student athlete, especially entering Week 8 of classes, it can be far too easy to lose sight of what we’re working for athletically. With multiple mid-terms in one week, practice intensity increasing, internships, fall festivals, and everything else going on, the little things can fall by the wayside. Rest is important for everyone, athletes especially. Maybe the 8 hours we were getting in August seems impossible now. We may be tempted to stay up late studying, or need to stay up later studying because we wasted time earlier in the day. Maybe while we’re up late, we drink coffee (more than usual) and thus have elevated caffeine and sugar levels which can further hinder the rest we get. These little things are hardly noticeable, but they can have a big impact on performance. We all have big outcome and performance goals, I’m sure. Maybe it’s to finish a certain number in the MAC (outcome goal), or to run a certain time or attain a certain personal statistic throughout the season (performance goal). These are only dreams, however, until we know our process goals. Process goals are the small efforts that we can do daily in order to perform our best. These could pertain to sleep, nutrition, mental toughness, daily ways to enhance your training, or anything else you need to succeed. Having these posted somewhere, maybe in your room or as the screensaver of your phone, can allow you to re-center yourself mid-day or at night when you’re tempted to have an extra snack or to spend an extra hour awake. College life can be overwhelming, and the added responsibilities of being a student athlete can definitely wear you down. Having predetermined goals, and seeing them every day, can really help to keep you focused and willing to work hard. When you know what you’re training for, who you’re training to be, it can often stop feeling like work.

Hear more about UB athletics on our social media sites. Like our Bulls Pride Facebook page and follow @UB_BullsPride on Instagram and Twitter.

Team Love is True Love

Athlete life in college certainly has its perks. We get first pick of classes behind the honors students (to accommodate our practice schedule), the gear we receive is top of the line, and we attract the interest of more fans than ever before. One of the coolest things we gain through collegiate athletics, though, is the people working alongside us. It can be difficult to find people on campus with the same discipline, focus, mindset, and goals. Most Division 1 athletes are crazy high achievers and perfectionists who constantly demand the very best of themselves. Your classes may not be full of people who operate the same way (those kids who come to class but sit on their phones the whole time?), but the rosters are composed of many people who are constantly in attack mode. We go to class ready to focus. We understand the importance of time management and balancing classroom success with athletic success. When that’s stressing us out, we have all of our teammates who can relate 100% and offer their support and sympathy. When we need to de-stress, our teammates are ready to drive us to our favorite place and tell jokes or sing along (out of tune) to the radio and just really make us laugh. If we need to cry after a bad athletic or school performance, they know exactly what to do, and they do it without judging or badgering us. They see us in our crazy moods and on our ugliest days, and yet they are always there to reassure us of how wonderful we are, inside and out. When we think there is no way we can do something, our team is there to build us up and help us conquer whatever barrier lies in our way. It is truly a special bond, and one that cannot be found anywhere else. We compete against each other sometimes, and we may fight, but we all know that every single person on your team would have your back in a split second should you ever need anything. This week, be sure to step back and look at how much your team gives you, and make sure you are giving that much and more back to them. After all, they aren’t just your teammates but your family, and the bonds we form now are lifelong.

Managing Mid-Semester

Is it really the end of September? Already? If you’re like most college athletes, you have a pretty rigorous schedule. Maybe, like myself, you hardly noticed the time passing. It’s as though you woke up today and suddenly it is mid-season, mid-terms are rolling around, you can’t seem to find enough time to accomplish everything you need to, and you’re thoroughly frazzled. It’s surprisingly easy to become overwhelmed and lose your focus. As we near this mid-semester point, though, it is important to remind ourselves and our teammates and friends that there is a greater picture here. There are a lot of resources available to us to de-stress. The Health and Wellness office in the Student Union offers short massages, stress management tips, healthy snacks, and more. Dog therapy is generally offered several times a semester. Tutors and mentors are available upon request. As student athletes, we have access to the amazing athletics staff, which includes Kellie Pieper. She is a Sports Psychologist who can help you with any issue, whether it is a sports concern, a school issue, or a personal thing. We have team members who are likely willing to help us through the stress, as well. Don’t be afraid to reach out to others for help. So many of us are used harnessing our inner strength, which is fantastic. However, if we are continuously expending all of this energy and internalizing everything, the stress will catch up to us eventually. Every Division One athlete has an inner warrior, but we also have a whole team full of people just as strong as we are. Not everyone can make that claim, so we may as well utilize these resources. Never be afraid to voice your concerns to others – often the person will be able to relate and offer advice to remedy the problem. Take short study breaks to do something you enjoy, and believe me, you will make it through this!

Under Pressure

The pressure as an athlete, whether collegiate or professional, can be immense. Training, time management, making sure to sleep and eat properly, and keeping your nose clean are all part of the job. In addition, college athletes must maintain the proper GPA, worry about performance in order to maintain a roster spot and scholarship, try to have some sort of social life, and attend seminars or internships or anything that can additionally grow them as a person. I know some people think anyone could do it, but it really is extremely challenging and stressful. Beyond that, we have people examining us constantly. We must be wary of our social media use and make sure everything we do is cleared by compliance. Whether you are a member of a money-generating team or not, the pressure and goals are the same. You had better believe that every team is packed full of athletes working their tails off. Sometimes we may feel the regular student body doesn’t understand all of our responsibilities. It’s worse when we feel other teams at this University don’t give us credit. Many people lack respect for other sports because “they could never do what we do”. Yes, I doubt a 280 pound football player is going to do very well if you throw him into a cross country workout. In the same respect, a 110 pound distance runner won’t fare very well as a defensive end. We need both of these people, though, in their respective areas if we have any chance at those MAC Championships we want to be winning.  It’s not about the competition between the sports here at UB, but the unity. As student-athletes, it is up to us to represent our school, our team, and ourselves in a positive light. Cheering at other sporting events or asking a member of another team how their competition or training has been going can really help to bring us together, as well as bringing us closer to success.  It is much easier to push through the physical and mental exhaustion when a group of your peers is rooting you on. My challenge to you this week, then, is to not just attend the AFA but to be vocal at the event. Maybe get a group to go to the Rowing event the next morning and cheer them on as well. We’re full of talent here; every athlete deserves your full respect and support. The only way to elevate the State University of New York at Buffalo is to lift the other teams up with us as we rise to the top. Success of an individual person or team means hardly anything. We are interested in universal success, and it starts with your success in supporting others.