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A True Blue tradition: Interlocking UB kicks off fall semester

Thousands of first-year students gather to form the interlocking UB at Broadview Stadium Friday night. Photo: Douglas Levere

By UBNOW STAFF

Published August 24, 2026

The 2026-27 academic year is underway and UB is welcoming 6,750 first-year and transfer students. They come from 40 states, including Utah, South Dakota and Hawaii, and 52 countries, such as Azerbaijan, Brazil, Jamaica, Nigeria, Papua New Guinea, and Vietnam.

Many of those students took part in one of UB’s biggest traditions — the interlocking UB formed on the field at Broadview Stadium Friday night by thousands of first-year students. Established in 2005, the interlocking UB has become one of the marquee events of Welcome Weekend, serving as the unofficial kick-off to the UB experience.

Zoom image: First-year students embrace the horns up sign as they wait eagerly to participate in creating the interlocking UB. Photo: Meredith Forrest Kulwicki

Photo: Meredith Forrest Kulwicki

First-year students embrace the horns up sign as they wait eagerly to participate in creating the interlocking UB. Photo: Meredith Forrest Kulwicki

“The fact that we’re all here together shows that we’re all one. Regardless of our backgrounds, we’re all in the same spot, starting at the same time and growing together, says Skyler Richardson, a first-year student studying political science.

“It’s amazing. I feel like I’m part of something bigger than myself and that I can contribute to it, which really means a lot to me," adds Brennan Elder, a first-year student studying civil engineering. "My uncle went here, so it’s kind of a legacy thing for me. It just feels great to be a part of it.”

For the eighth consecutive year, UB anticipates achieving its enrollment goal of 30,000 students, including more than 7,600 living in residence halls.

UB President Caroline Attardo Genco, PhD, took part in several Welcome Weekend festivities, including greeting new students at residence halls on the North and South campuses during move-in day on Thursday.

She also addressed UB’s incoming class during a convocation on Friday evening at Broadview Stadium.

Other Welcome Weekend highlights included the annual Festival of Culture Uniting Students (FOCUS) on Thursday.

Stay tuned to UBNow this week for a recap of the convocation and a photo gallery capturing the excitement of Welcome Weekend 2026.

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