David Kelly football memorabilia

Collection — Box: 1

Identifier: 31-3-1413

Staff Only

Scope and Contents

This collection consists of a Spaulding brand football signed by the 1959 University of Buffalo (UB) football team, as well as a 1959 football team press book. Many of the 1959 players and coaching staff were part of the 1958 Lambert Cup winning team. On the football, the signatures have faded over time, and some were retraced before being gifted to the University Archives. The football is branded with "Spaulding" and "Official Intercollegiate" markings. Visible signatures on the football include: Buddy Ralph, Bill Brogan, Gene Guerrie, Joe Oliverio, Skip Maue, Carly Keats, Ed Mooradian, Wes Wertman, Steve Salasny, Paul Szymendera, Ezan Bagdasarian, Jack Hartman, Tom MacDougall, Gerald Gergley, Ron Clayback, Gordie Burkaty, Nate Bliss, Bernie Fagan, Joe Cesari, John Sciera, Mike Valentic, Lucian Lodestro, Ted Rybak, Dave Hazell, Mike Rhodes, Ron La (Rocque), Bill Mac Joe (hardly visible), Sam Sanders (hardly visible), George Delaney, Bill Roof, John Herman, Joe Shifflet, Fred Kogut (hardly visible), Phil Bamford, Gene Reilly, Whitey (hardly visible), Muskie, John (hardly visible), Bob Yanchuck (hardly visible). Some writing on the football faint and cannot be determined. A Willie Evans signature is not visible on the football.

Dates

1959

Terms of Access and Use

The David Kelly football memorabilia is open to researchers.

Copyright

Copyright is held by The State University of New York at Buffalo. Copyright in other papers in the collection may be held by their authors, or the authors' heirs or assigns. Researchers must obtain the written permission of the holder(s) of copyright and the University Archives before publishing quotations from materials in the collection. Most papers may be copied in accordance with the library's usual procedures unless otherwise specified.

Biographical Note Historical Note

The history of collegiate sports at the University at Buffalo (formerly the University of Buffalo) began in 1894 when the football team played their inaugural season. By 1897, UB Football was 7-0 against collegiate foe. Although the entire UB athletics program was cancelled in 1904 due to a lack of financial support, personnel, and leadership, it was reinstated in 1915. All intercollegiate athletics were suspended for the duration of World War II. UB sport teams returned in 1946 and the football program continued to grow and flourish. In 1958, the University of Buffalo football team won the Lambert Cup, an annual award given to the best collegiate football team in the eastern United States, with a 8-1 win-loss record. That same year, team members turned down an invitation to appear in the Tangerine Bowl because two Black teammates, Willie Evans and Mike Wilson, would not be allowed to play alongside White players. In 1959, the team was ranked second in the Lambert Cup race. The football program has celebrated many accomplishments over the decades including winning the Mid-American Conference in 2008. On September 4th, 1993, the Bulls joined Division I for the first time since the establishment of the three subdivisions in 1973. September 28th, 2013 marked the Bulls bowl eligibility for the third time after their 41-12 win over Connecticut.

The In 1962, the University merged with the State Universty of New York (SUNY) system, changing the name from "University of Buffalo" to "University at Buffalo," (UB). In addition to the name change, UB transformed from a private university to a public university.

Extent

.79 Linear Feet (1 artifact box)

Language of Materials

English

Additional Description

Abstract

Football signed by the 1959 University of Buffalo (UB) football team.

Arrangement

Collection material is arranged by material type.

Acquisition Information

The David Kelly football memorabilia was gifted to University Archives by David Kelly in 2019 under accession #2019-030. David Kelly is the husband of Gail Paradise Kelly, noted faculty member in the Graduate School of Education.