Treasured UB Memories

Life at UB didn’t always work the way it does today. From handwritten registration forms and typewritten class notes to payphones and print periodicals, the day-to-day dealings of the campus community were once far less “instant” than they are now. See what surprises you—or perhaps even jogs a True Blue memory.

For more than 40 years, students have embraced Oozefest as an un-official rite of passage. This muddy tradition has become a cornerstone of True Blue pride and spirit. Read more about the history behind this beloved game.

In its 30th season, UB Center for Arts has fostered a vibrant community celebrating collaboration and creation while hosting unforgettable performances and events from Maya Angelou to their annual “Spring into Art”. Read more about how the CFA has grown into a kaleidoscope of artistic expression.

Many UB Bulls can look back and remember their first piece of gear. Whether it's a hoodie, T-shirt, or hat, these blue and white items have brought us together for over a century as a sign of spirit and pride. Read more about this treasured tradition.

Have you ever wondered where UB’s signature blue and white colors came from? There is a surprising history to our color scheme that includes ribbons, pins, and lapis lazuli. Read more about our blue-and-white origin story.

Have you ever wondered what it was like to dorm at UB 20 years ago? What about 70? Believe it or not, candy and cigarettes were the only refreshments allowed in the main lounge of one of the early residence halls! Read more about campus dwellings through the decades.

UB’s Bronze Bison is more than just a photo spot—it’s a symbol of UB’s essence (though a bison is not, technically, a buffalo). Discover how this larger-than-life mascot has ties to Buffalo’s old Central Terminal and how it found its roaming grounds at Coventry Loop. Read more about everyone’s favorite statue.

Fall of 1923 ushered in UB’s first homecoming. As students, alumni, faculty and staff rallied behind UB’s football team, a high-spirited tradition was born. Read more about a century of festivities. 

Opened in 1967, Ridge Lea provided much-needed space while plans for the North Campus took shape three miles away. The campus included classrooms, labs, offices, a library, food service, lounge and recreational space, and plenty of parking. Learn more about this unique space that even inspired a whimsical Groundhog Day tradition.

In 1975, shortly after students first took up residence in the Ellicott Complex, an unusual recreational facility opened. Known simply as the Bubble, the spacious inflatable dome housed courts for basketball, volleyball, badminton, tennis and more. Read more about this blast from the past. 

Shovels are a ubiquitous presence in Buffalo, but this one has a purpose far more special than removing snow. It has played a role in groundbreaking ceremonies for buildings across UB’s campuses for more than a century—a tradition that continues to this day. Read more about this honored object. 

Take a trip down memory lane through the pages of The Buffalonian, UB’s yearbook. Explore decades of history dating back to the early 1900s and see what campus life looked like back then. 

University Archives collects and maintains historically valuable records and other items spanning UB’s 177-year history. From people to sports to buildings, you never know what (or who) you’ll discover!