The World University Games, also known as Universiade, is an international athletic, educational, and cultural festival held every two years at different International cities since 1959, and organized by Federation Internationale du Sport Universitaire (FISU). In 1993, the World University Games was held in Buffalo, New York, at the University at Buffalo. It was the first time the Games were held in the United States. The Greater Buffalo Athletic Corporation (GBAC) was formed in 1988 to bid for the games for Buffalo, and was awarded to host the games in 1989 by FISU.

The World University games are the largest summer athletic event held bi-annually since 1923 in non-Olympic years. Usually university athletes compete in 12 different events while the Commission Pour L'Etude du Sport (CESU) and International Sports Higher Education Conference are held to bring together scholars in sport and physical education, and to promote its cultural literacy and exchange.

Druing the 1980s, Bruce A. Kolesnick worked in radio at Buffalo's WEBR, where he was host of "Weekend at Your Service." In 1986, he joined WBFO-FM—the local National Public Radio station, where he served a news director, and later, general manager.

In 1991, Kolesnick was appointed special assistant to UB's executive director of the World University Games. At the conclusion of the Games in 1993, Kolesnick joined the Office of Conference and Special Events (later known as the Office of University Events) as their associate director for marketing and programs.