Bulls fans who can't get enough of the Sea of Blue at Alumni Arena have taken their spirit online, to a popular site called UBFan.com.
At this site, visitors are treated to daily polls, fan forums, top ten lists, and exclusive articles on UB's athletics program.
The website began as a simple dream for Kyu Hwang, a 1995 UB graduate who characterizes himself as one of the biggest Bulls fans of all time.
"As a Bulls supporter who lives in NYC, I was always starving for information on how the team was doing," Hwang said. "I enjoyed the interaction with other fellow Bulls fans on the forum."
The site has gained the attention of many UB coaches and athletics staff members.
"Coach Hofher has been really supportive of the site. He was the first person from UB to do an interview for us," said Hwang. "(Bill) Maher also has graciously done an interview. I ran into Bill Maher in the bathroom at the UConn basketball game. He expressed his appreciation for the site and expressed interest in helping the site grow as long as the site remains positive which is something I plan on doing."
Though the site's administrator says he aims for it to be positive, anybody can post their thoughts on UB sports, even if those particular thoughts don't flatter the Bulls.
"Obviously because the website allows for people to express themselves, you do get some very negative posts. I have not had too many problems as most of the members are intelligent and courteous," Hwang said.
"I have also gotten some emails from parents of the student-athletes. I think they're in a similar situation as I am as most of them are hundred of miles away from the school and want to find out what the fans are saying about the team," Hwang added.
Hwang plans to continue the site until it is the main source for curious fans and alumni who have graduated from UB and left the Buffalo area. He says it important for fans across the country to be well informed of how the Bulls are doing.
"I want to help the UB image, recruiting, build fan base, communication, have a better understanding of what's going on," said Hwang. "No longer are fans just satisfied going to a football game and cheering. They want to know who the backup QB is, why a certain player is being underutilized, et cetera."
Hwang also cited his disapproval for other alumni who have displayed little to no support for UB.
"I am also a part of the New York City alumni chapter and I am sometimes appalled at the lack of alumni participation," he said. "It's sort of understandable since UB is not an Ivy League institution with a non-existent athletics program."
Hwang expressed hope that the program's recent growth will continue, and his site will grow along with it.
"I think this will change," he said. "I talk to alumni and they still don't know that we're in Division I. I guarantee that the class of 2005 will have the highest alumni membership in the future just because of the projected success of the basketball team."
