Athletics Hall of Fame Inducts Six New Members in Class of 2024
Six legendary athletes were inducted into the Buffalo State Athletics Hall of Fame Class of 2024 in a ceremony at the Campbell Student Union on September 13. The group includes six-time All-American Connor Mergler (Swimming, ’18); national champion triple jumper Ben Ezike (Track and Field, ’17); All-Americans Gabrianna Boldinski (Soccer, ’16) and Kevin Carr (Hockey, ’14); and Mike Doherty (Football, ’14) and Staci McElroy (Basketball, ’14).
Mergler was the most accomplished swimmer in school history earning six All-America certificates while winning 10 individual SUNYAC titles during his outstanding four-year career as a freestyler. He was named SUNYAC Outstanding Swimmer of the Championship Meet three times and was twice named SUNYAC Male Swimmer of the Year. He also finished his career as the school record holder in the 50, 100 and 200 free, the 100 back, the 200, 400 and 800 free relays and the 400 medley relay.
Ezike transferred from Division I University of Rhode Island and made the most of his two seasons at Buffalo State, capturing the indoor and outdoor triple jump national championships during the 2016 season. He also captured SUNYAC Championships during the 2016 and 2017 outdoor seasons.
Boldinski is Buffalo State's first-ever All-American in women's soccer earning second team honors from the National Soccer Coaches Association of America during her senior season in 2015. In that year, she was also named SUNYAC Defensive Player of the Year and was a three-time All-SUNYAC Selection during her four-year career. The defender finished with eight goals in 74 career games played.
Carr was a four-year starting goalie with the Bengals' men's hockey team and culminated his career as a third team All-American as a senior in 2013-14. A four-time All-SUNYAC selection, he was twice named SUNYAC Goalie of the Year. Carr finished his career with the school records for shutouts in a career (9), saves in a career (3,225), wins in a career (45), and games played in a season (27) and career (104). Since graduating, Carr has played professionally in the ECHL, SPHL, the Austrian League and most recently in the British Elite Ice Hockey League.
Doherty was a three-time All-Region and All-Conference honoree, as a wide receiver and kick returner with the Bengals' football team. He finished his career with 176 receptions for 3,107 yards and 21 touchdowns in 41 games. He also scored two touchdowns on kick returns. He holds the school records for most all-purpose yards in a game (419), season (1,877) and career (5,554), most career kick returns (97) and most career kick return yards (2,261).
McElroy ranks fourth in the history of the Bengals' women's basketball team in both scoring (1,412 points) and rebounds (691) in 105 career games. A four-time All-SUNYAC selection, she was named first team three times and was named SUNYAC Rookie of the Year in 2010. McElroy added 134 assists, 47 blocks and 167 steals.
Acrobatics and Tumbling to Host NCATA Division III Championships
Buffalo State has been selected to host the National Collegiate Acrobatics & Tumbling Association (NCATA) Division III Championships April 10-12 at the Sports Arena. NCATA was founded by athletic directors, senior women’s administrators, and compliance officers with the mission of bringing the sport of acrobatics and tumbling through NCAA emerging sport status to become a fully sanctioned NCAA championship sport. The Buffalo State acrobatics and tumbling team, led by head coach Alia Stark, will have four dual competitions and host one tri-match in its second year of competition. The sport debuted at Buffalo State in 2024. The 2025 season begins with the Gannon Tri-Meet in Erie, Pennsylvania, on February 14.
Women’s Wrestling Makes Program Debut
The Buffalo State women’s wrestling team made its program debut by traveling to Alfred State on November 10 for the Pioneer Open. Freshman Brooke Tarshis posted the best finish for the Bengals, placing second in the 131 bracket. A week later, the 17-member squad made history with its first team victory, a 25-15 win over Maine Maritime Academy at the Western New England Duals. Buffalo State hosted its first home match at the Sports Arena on November 23 against Alfred State. Alex Conti, an inductee of the Western New York Wrestling and Chautauqua Sports halls of fame, serves as the team’s interim head coach. Conti recently retired after 29 years as a physical education teacher in the Fredonia Central School District, including many years as a wrestling coach. He was instrumental in establishing the girls wrestling program at Fredonia High School.
Green Recognized as Finalist For Western New York Collegiate Player of The Year
Sincere Green of the Buffalo State football team was named a finalist for the Western New York Collegiate Player of the Year. The award from Vipsanius Sports and Entertainment honors a Western New York high school alumnus who has excelled at the collegiate level. Shaun Dolac of the University at Buffalo earned the 2024 award. Green, a junior linebacker who earned All-Liberty League honors for the second straight season, led the league with 17 tackles for loss and was fifth in total tackles with 78.
Six Gridders Named to Liberty League All-Conference Team
The Liberty League, by vote by the conference’s seven head coaches, awarded all-conference status to six members of the Buffalo State football team. Senior offensive lineman Alex Westcott was tabbed as a First Team selection for the third straight season, while junior linebacker Sincere Green also earned First Team honors. Senior linebacker Kenneth Mosley and sophomore defensive back Basiaka Butcher were Second Team selections and junior defensive back Justin Brown and freshman linebacker Quadir McEachin earned Honorable Mention.
Four From Women’s Volleyball Tabbed All-SUNYAC, Roberts Named Coach of The Year
The State University of New York Athletic Conference 2024 women’s volleyball all-conference team included four Buffalo State team members: sophomore outside hitter Ella Wittman was a First Team selection; junior setter Karlie Shaffer earned Second Team honors; and senior outside hitter Samantha Coakley and sophomore middle hitter Kate Rutigliano were named to the Third Team. In addition, head coach Maria Roberts was named SUNYAC Women’s Volleyball Coach of the Year, becoming the first coach in program history to capture that award. She led the Bengals to a 20-10 overall record (8-1 SUNYAC) which was their highest win total since the team won 25 games back in 2014. Buffalo State suffered just one loss in conference play and reached the SUNYAC Championship for the first time since 2013.
Three From Women’s Soccer Earn All-SUNYAC, Kilmer Named Rookie of The Year
The State University of New York Athletic Conference 2024 women’s soccer all-conference team included three Buffalo State team members: freshman forward Olivia Kilmer earned Second Team honors while also being tabbed as SUNYAC Rookie of the Year; junior defender Kaylee Valentic also earned Second Team accolades; and junior midfielder Ryan Berman was named to the Third Team. The Bengals finished the season with a record of 8-10 (5-4 SUNYAC) on the year en route to their first postseason berth since 2016.