GREATER BUFFALO SPORTS HALL OF FAME TO ASSIST FOUR LOCAL AMATEUR GROUPS

The Greater Buffalo Sports Hall of Fame is donating a total of $5,000 to four local youth groups as part of its Amateur Sports Development Fund. The announcement was made jointly by GBSHOF Board president Brian Cavanaugh and the ASDF Committee Chair, Mike Buczkowski.

Receiving donations are the Elma, Marilla & Wales Lacrosse Association (Marilla), Cheektowaga Little Loop Athletic Association, Buffalo Envy All-Stars (Lackawanna) and the Junior Four with Coxswain team, which represented the West Side Rowing Club at the Junior World Rowing Championships in France this past summer.

“Each year we identify amateur sports groups from Western New York in need of financial assistance,” indicated Cavanaugh. “Mike and his committee reviewed the applications and did their due diligence and identified four outstanding groups.”

In addition to sending the Junior Fours to France, the money donated will help the other groups with equipment purchases and coaching assistance.

“This is a rewarding process to be a part of,” added Buczkowski, who is also the General Manager of the Buffalo Bisons. “When you assist children to reach their goals through athletic competition, you enhance the community. This is a tremendous thing the Greater Buffalo Sports Hall of Fame does each year and I am proud to be a part of it.”

The ASDF committee reviewed 14 applications for funds this year. Groups seeking financial assistance in 2010 can complete the ASDF application.

“We are so grateful that this money is available for us to use,” said Julie Antonio, president and co-owner of the Buffalo Envy All-Stars. “We’ll be able to purchase some equipment that will improve our ability to compete on the national level.”

This is the 16th year the Greater Buffalo Sports Hall of Fame has donated money to local sports groups. Over that time, the GBSHOF has donated a total of $60,000. For additional information, please call Mike Buczkowski at 716-846-2257.

An official announcement of the donations will come during the 19th Annual Greater Buffalo Sports Hall of Fame induction ceremony. That event will take place at 7 pm, October 29 at the Hyatt Regency Buffalo. Click here to order tickets. or call Melissa Gearhart at 716-855-4863. Complimentary valet parking will be provided.