Written by sports editor Brian Josephs…
If you were to ask an average sports fan what was the biggest news of this past summer, he would refer to the lockouts, the NFL free agency frenzy, or even the women’s World Cup.
Bulls fans, on the other hand, have witnessed a plethora of other newsworthy material. UB athletics has been turning heads over the past few months with the success of its athletes, its new acquisitions, its and headlining announcements. Here are a few of them:
Kourtney Brown to Play Overseas
Brown is without question one of the most prolific athletes in UB Athletics history. She left UB as the all-time leader in points and rebounds, and as the Mid-American Conference’s all-time leader in blocked shots. Brown’s talent will surely be missed at Alumni Arena.
The WNBA missed out, however. Brown suffered a minor setback when she went unselected in the 2011 WNBA draft.
This didn’t slow Brown too much, as she will still play basketball professionally in September. In July, Brown signed to play with Femenino Cáceres in the Spanish LF2 League. This makes her the fifth women’s basketball team athlete to go professional.
Full story: http://www.ubspectrum.com/sports/kourtney-brown-en-route-to-spain-1.2546765
Chazz Anderson Joins the Bulls
Buffalo fans questioned all summer who would be the next starting quarterback. Would junior Jerry Davis get a chance to redeem himself after a lackluster season or would sophomore Alex Zordich take the reins?
The competition for the spot only deepened when fifth-year Chazz Anderson, a recent University of Cincinnati graduate, transferred to UB back in July. Last season, Anderson threw for 206 yards with one touchdown, and rushed for 80 yards on 16 carries.
Additionally, Anderson expects to start despite being a transfer. He’s not alone in that belief; the majority of Bulls fans expect Anderson to start. This sort of confidence made the quarterback race all the more interesting.
Full story: http://www.ubspectrum.com/sports/chazz-anderson-transfers-to-ub-and-expects-to-start-1.2521591
Football Team Gets New Uniforms
Although the starting quarterback remains a mystery, the Bulls have unveiled something else: new jerseys.
On August 4th, UB athletics showcased the football team’s new uniforms at the UB Football Kickoff Luncheon. The uniforms, designed by Nike and manufactured by ADPRO Sports of Buffalo, have several notable changes. The color way is lighter, the signature “Buffalo” text in the front is compressed, and the backs will feature the players’ names. The helmets will feature the same design as before.
Head coach Jeff Quinn believes that the jerseys’ bold new designs will reflect his team’s presence on the field.
Full story coming…
McCrea Practices with U19 National Team
Sophomore forward Javon McCrea has received numerous accolades after his outstanding freshman season, including 2011 MAC Freshman of the Year and number three in Sports Illustrated’s top five players in college basketball poised to have a breakout season in 2011-12. Last June, McCrea earned one more thing to add to his growing résumé.
McCrea was invited to the USA Under-19 training camp, a week-long tryout session that features the nation’s best young college talent.
The star forward made it as far as the final cut, but in the end he fell just short of the final 12-man team. According to U19 head coach Paul Hewitt, McCrea missed the cut because Hewitt didn’t feel comfortable playing without three point guards.
The close call is a bit of a letdown. But how many athletes can say they got a chance to play against some of the finest upcoming players in the nation?
Full story with video: http://www.ubspectrum.com/sports/javon-mccrea-in-national-spotlight-1.2521998
Will Regan Returns to Buffalo
The men’s basketball team was already looking dangerous for the next few years. There is the raw talent of McCrea, the defensive ability of sophomore guard Jarod Oldham, the highlight reel known as the senior forward Mitchell Watt, and the firepower provided Zach Filzen and the rest of the team.
Being dangerous doesn’t cut it apparently. In June, forward Will Regan signed a letter of intent to join the Bulls after spending one season with the University of Virginia.
Regan was one of Buffalo’s top prospects before his stint with the Cavaliers. He led Nichols School to a New York State Federation championship during his senior year and broke Monsignor Martin Athletic Association’s scoring record with 2,008 points.
He was also closely related with the men’s basketball program. He played in UB’s basketball camp when he was in fifth grade and was even offered a scholarship when he was entering high school by head coach Reggie Witherspoon.
The 6-foot-8 talent will sit out the 2011-12 due to NCAA transfer rules.
Full story: http://www.ubspectrum.com/sports/welcome-home-will-regan-1.2356984
Zack Filzen and Titus Robinson Tour East Asia
The Bulls weren’t only making noise in the states. The basketball team went international, as well.
In June, senior guard Zach Filzen and senior forward Titus Robinson were selected to play for Athletes in Action and went on a two-week long tour of East Asia. The teammates played against professional teams and held clinics for young children. They were joined by athletes from the ACC, Ivy League, the Big Ten, and Conference USA during the trip.
Athletes in Action is a sports ministry that works to help the less fortunate and spread the message of Christianity.
Bulls Send Three to Olympic Trials
The men and women’s swimming team continued to impress and had three more of its members qualify this month for the 2012 US Olympic Trials.
Senior Alison Schirmers made history by becoming the first female swimmer to make it to the trials. Schirmers qualified for the 200m breaststroke with a 2:35.63.
Junior Matt Hogan and sophomore Phil Aronica are Buffalo’s third and fourth qualifiers. Aronica advanced with a 57.53 in the 100m backstroke, while Hogan sealed the deal with a 50.94 in the 100m freestyle.
Hogan, Aronica, and Schirmers, as well as fellow qualifiers sophomore Mike Dugan and junior Matt Schwippert, are responsible for breaking a combined 15 of the school’s records.
The Spectrum: Sports Blog 