2010 Bulls Football Preview <<
special articles throughout issue
A SWITCH O F STR E N GTH S • Buffalo’s offense is normally of the strength of this football team, but Buffalo will rely on its defense to lead this team. Page 11
SU R PR I SI NG STA RTE R • Freshman Branden Oliver was a surprise at the starting running back position, but the 5-foot-7 back is ready for the opportunity. Page 16
DAV I S’ TU R N • Sophomore quarterback Jerry Davis is UB’s third starting quarterback in as many years. Page 16
N EW CO R E • Terrell Jackson and the other wide receivers are expected to replace two of Buffalo’s best pass catchers. Page 16
The independent student publication of the University at Buffalo
Buffalo, New York
Volume 60 Issue 01
www.ubspectrum.com
Simpson to retire
news
sp or t s > f o o t b a l l p r e v i e w
Bulls look to have bounce back season After a disappointing 5-7 record last year, a new coach hopes to renew energy
UB 2020 pushes forward
MATTHEW PARRINO Senior Sports Editor
Scott Nostaja named interim president LAUREN NOSTRO
Senior News Editor
After a tumultuous year of SUNY budget cuts, a shocking announcement made on the first day of classes will further alter UB’s future. On Monday, John B. Simpson, the university’s 14th president, announced his plan to retire after the fall semester. Simpson’s tenure will end on Jan. 15, 2011, when he will return with his wife, Katherine, to his family on the West Coast. Following Simpson’s retirement, Scott D. Nostaja, current Senior Vice President and Chief Operations Officer of UB, will serve as interim president.
>> Presidental history
These five men served as UB presidents current president John B. Simpson 2004-Present
last president William R. Greiner 1991-2003
first president Millard Fillmore 1846 - 1874
shortest term Wilson S. Bissel 1902 - 1903
longest term Samuel P. Capen 1922 - 1950
W E D N E S D AY E D I T I O N September 1, 2010
As expressed in his written statement as well as the press conference, Simpson made his decision to retire based on personal reasons. However, as he made clear in his comments, Simpson also mentioned his decision was made easier by the state legislature’s inability to give UB the policy reforms it needs to complete UB 2020. Many students feel left in the dark about his decision and are confused with the timing of the press conference. “It’s just strange that Simpson would wait until the first day of school, when everyone is running around getting things ready for the semester...” said Matthew Anguish, a junior management major. “He could have done this at any point before the year started and I think it would have given students and faculty a much more reassuring start to the school year.” As the spearhead of the UB 2020 plan, students feel Simpson is abandoning their university in a time of need. Additionally, the UB community is questioning if Simpson ever planned to see the initiative through. Still, others were supportive of his decision to retire and are more concerned with the future of our university. “I believe President Simpson’s reasons for leaving were legitimate,” said
Clinton Hodnett / The Spectrum
Scott D. Nostaja, current Senior Vice President and Chief Operations Office, will be serving as interim president after President Simpson retires Jan. 15.
Alicia Musilli, a senior accounting major. “Let’s just hope his successor can work through the budget cuts and fulfill the hopes and dreams that Simpson had for the UB community.” Nostaja, who is set to take over when the spring semester commences, responded to some questions that the UB community may have. “There is never a good time to leave an organization,” Nostaja said. “If you try to time your planned retirement on a calendar, there will always be something that precludes or prevents you from doing so. [Simpson] spoke to the [UB Council] this past Monday and did not want to hesitate making the announcement public after announcing it to the council.”
Nostaja, a fellow West Coast native, worked primarily in the entertainment industry for years and held prestigious positions such as Senior VP at Universal Studios. Nostaja began his own consulting firm in 2001 and the majority of clientele were higher education establishments. This included the University of California at Santa Cruz, where President Simpson assumed the role of Provost. Shortly after beginning his own firm, Nostaja came to UB in 2004 as a strategy consultant for the university and helped design what ultimately became the UB 2020 vision. In 2006, he assumed the • see NOSTAJA | page 4
All signs show that the football team has bought into head coach Jeff Quinn’s system. Thursday night, however, will be the first true test. It’s been an offseason of uncertainty, but Quinn and his coaching staff have put their best foot forward to assure fans that the Bulls are ready to compete. The arrival of the firstyear head coach has given new life to a program that finished a disappointing 5-7 last season after winning the Mid-American Conference championship in 2008. Quinn’s “Next Bull In” motto has become a way of life at UB Stadium. His demeanor and attitude has infused positivity on his players as they prepare for Rhode Island. “I tell my guys every day that you really don’t get respect until you win,” Quinn said. “We get 12 games and every single day I
wake up I think about those 12 games and how I can get our kids ready to compete at the highest level.” With the departure of quarterback Zach Maynard last spring, Quinn named sophomore Jerry Davis as the Bulls’ new starter on Aug. 27 after competing with redshirt freshman quarterback Alex Dennison for the starting job. “Jerry has experience,” Quinn said. “He played in some games a year ago and since I took the job of head coach I’ve been evaluating every young man at every position. I felt very strongly that Jerry is ready to take the reins and lead us out on Thursday against Rhode Island.” To aid Davis in understanding and managing Quinn’s up-tempo spread offense, he will have a bevy of talented wide receivers at his disposal, as well as four dynamic tailbacks in the backfield. • see FOOTBALL | page 11
Clinton Hodnett / The Spectrum
Jeff Quinn’s plan to bring champion football to UB faces its first challenge Thursday night when they take on Rhode Island.
C u di at Co v e n t r y C i rc l e
Cuding Edge Kid Cudi rocked Backyard Bash
JAMESON BUTLER Arts Editor
Trash, smoke and rhymes were abundant in the air outside of Alumni Arena as the kid from Cleveland put on one of the best live shows that has come to UB in years. Kid Cudi, born Scott Ramon
Seguro Mescudi, helped the Student Association get fans excited for the upcoming football season at Tuesday night’s Backyard Bash. If the people who were in attendance weren’t amped for the football season before the show, they are now. Before Kid Cudi could take the stage, UB athletes paraded
Left: Kid Cudi controlled the crowd as he took the stage at this year’s Backyard Bash. - Photo by Clinton Hodnett / The Spectrum
Weather: wednesday: 88°/ 68° sunny | thursday: 88°/ 69° mostly sunny | friday: 78°/ 56° thunderstorms
Inside:
>> Bashes past
across the stage in an effort to increase attendance at sporting events. This came to no avail as the underage and rowdy crowd started to boo the cheerleaders who were emceeing the event. Backyard Bash may have been intended to be a pep rally to get students stoked about the upcoming season, but a decent amount of the audience seemed to be drunk high school kids who just came to see Cudi. Tensions are bound to boil over when an intoxicated crowd gets jammed into a small area for an extended period of time.
2009
Asher Roth 2008
All Time Low
2007
Smash Mouth 2006
• see CUDI | page 5 opinion — 3
arts & life — 5
The Gin Blossoms
classifieds — 15
sports — 16