Comments on: Billboards On Skates? Not A Fan

By: World Be Free

World Be Free — Tue, 11 Aug 2009 01:13:55 +0000

That arena the Purple Eagles play in is real nice. I went to a couple junior games there 2 years ago.

Golisano and Ralph Wilson-not in the same league. Ralph was a trail blazer as an owner, Golisano is just along for the ride.

By: The Earl of Bud

The Earl of Bud — Mon, 10 Aug 2009 17:16:04 +0000

Yeah, every player who spent all 4 years there has been to the NCAA tournament. Unfortunately that is going to come to an end as the University does not want to compete and opted to lose scholarships and go into a lower conference and not expand the arena as originally planned.

By: Brendan

Brendan — Mon, 10 Aug 2009 15:29:06 +0000

That’s a shame, then, for the Purple Eagles Hockey program, moving forward. I see them every so often in the NCAA Tournament. They seemed to be moving in the right direction.

By: The Earl of Bud

The Earl of Bud — Mon, 10 Aug 2009 14:02:54 +0000

Brendan, the Niagara Hockey team won’t see a dime of that $10 mil. I have an extremely far-fetched conspiracy theory that I don’t even want to share because it is worse than doubting the moon landing, but the Niagara hockey program is going to tank. Ok I’ll say it, I wonder if Golisano’s $10 mil had anything to do with the University’s executive decisions to pull back on the hockey program. After all, if they would’ve grown as they have been and were planned to, it would’ve competed against those 41 sellouts. I’m sure you don’t know much about Niagara U. but the administration killed what could have been a jewel.

By: Brendan

Brendan — Mon, 10 Aug 2009 02:41:11 +0000

I hope Golisano holds on to the Sabres. With 41 sellouts a year, he shouldn’t be hurting, financially, over this particular asset. I saw that he gave to Rochester, NY-based schools, mightily. And he funded some Science Center for Niagara University, for a hefty chunk, as well. Hopefully, that Niagara Hockey team will see some of that money. I forgot how much, exactly, Golisano gave, but I remember it seemed excessive. Why not put that money into the Sabres?

By: The Earl of Bud

The Earl of Bud — Sun, 09 Aug 2009 19:20:24 +0000

WBF remember they sucked for a good chunk of the 70’s and the early 80’s had those 2-14 seasons which is why they had the chance to get Bruce Smith #1 overall. But like your comment earlier, they went from doghouse to being a premier destination back to doghouse this last decade. They can still get big names a la T.O. but they need to get to the playoffs badly this year.

Brendan, Wilson I can hear saying that but never Golisano. Both of these teams can be sold any day due to Wilson’s age and Golisano’s not being a real hockey guy to begin with. I doubt he would sell now though because the value is still rising and selling a year too soon would be a huge mistake.

By: World Be Free

World Be Free — Sun, 09 Aug 2009 11:59:25 +0000

Brendan, I remember when Bills’ fans hated Ralph Wislon I went to a ceremony at Rich Stadium in the early 80’s when Wilson was booed off the filed. So Buffalo fans can be low class too.

it’s only when Wilson commited to winning did Bills’ fans start to cheer him, now they love him for what he has done for 50 years.

By: Brendan

Brendan — Sun, 09 Aug 2009 10:47:21 +0000

That doesn’t surprise me, I’m convinced that Buffalo fans are very passionate. Imagine if Golisano would grab a live microphone, before a packed house, and proclaim, “I promise to do WHATEVER IT TAKES to win a Stanley Cup right here in Buffalo,” like Rutherford Seydell did on “Opening Night,” in 2007, at Philips Arena, vs. the Capitals.

By: The Earl of Bud

The Earl of Bud — Sun, 09 Aug 2009 01:52:21 +0000

Brendan, I also liked your comments about keeping things civil. I have received some name calling and I didn’t care for it. What was odd is I never addressed the guy in a post when he started bickering. Maybe since Tiller started a new blog the 3 of us can keep this conversation going without worrying about it getting unruly. Then for other stuff we can keep posting on the current one.

While I have you two here, you have to watch replays or clips of the HOF ceremony tonight. Buffalo fans dominated that thing. I know they had two candidates, but they showed up in full force.

By: The Earl of Bud

The Earl of Bud — Sun, 09 Aug 2009 01:38:55 +0000

WBF, we are just going to disagree on this one. I admit letting Chara go is tough, but again they did go to the Stanley Cup Finals without him. Their slide came from losing 5 of their top 6 defensemen from that Cup Finals team. Corvo, Redden, Volchenkov, Meszaros and Pressing. Losing all of them is why they suck now, not because they lost Chara who they won without.