Swing, Serve, and Support Buffalo State Students at the 27th Annual Golf and Pickleball Scholarship Classic

The Buffalo State Foundation will hold its 27th annual Golf and Pickleball Scholarship Classic-formerly the Golf and Tennis Scholarship Classic-on Tuesday, September 24, at the Orchard Park Country Club. The classic offers alumni, faculty, staff, and community members the chance to have fun while directly contributing to student success.

Over the years, support from this event has provided financial assistance and academic scholarships to hundreds of students. This year's event will highlight Buffalo State's arts and hospitality, STEM, and education programs through competition tees on the golf course. Golfers can meet and greet students, faculty, and staff from these key areas, while pickleball participants will score points for them and learn more about Buffalo State with student emcee Evan Harrington. Lunch and dinner are provided.

While golf has been a staple of the event since its inception, pickleball is a new addition. Paul Herlan, '85, had played golf and tennis in the tournament many times before becoming this year's volunteer pickleball coordinator. Herlan had participated in pickleball clinics in Rochester and at Buffalo's Saturn Club, so when a friend on the Foundation Board mentioned that this year's classic would feature pickleball, he was all in.

"There's a reason pickleball is such a fast-growing sport," Herlan said. "It's easier for people to learn [than tennis]. We can bring new players up to speed so they can play games quickly. Plus, tennis players jump on the court and pick it right up."

Herlan said the most complicated part of pickleball is the scoring, but not to worry-he will be there to guide new players.

"We found that most of the participants had migrated to golf," added Jeremy Hudson, vice president of Hudson Advisor Services and classic chair for the past two years. "With pickleball being as popular as it is now, we figured we'd switch, offer a lower participation cost, and hopefully appeal to a wider demographic."

In addition to playing golf and pickleball, attendees will have the chance to interact with current Buffalo State students, who will share current projects and recent accomplishments.

"It's important for participants to see where the money is going and how it's helping students," Hudson said. "That impact shows through students' stories when they come on the course. Reading it on a sign is okay, reading it in a pamphlet is okay, but you don't get that message across without students there and seeing those smiling faces."

Hudson emphasized the importance of events like the classic to continue to provide critical support to Buffalo State students.

"This is invaluable for the school and the students," he said. "We have such a gem of a city campus-the Burchfield Penney Art Center, the Buffalo AKG Art Museum, the Buffalo History Museum, local restaurants in the Elmwood Village-it's such a rich culture we have here for students. To continue to create an environment for them to learn and thrive is the ultimate goal of the foundation and its events."

"This is one of our two major fundraising events of the year," said Jim Finnerty, vice president for institutional advancement and external affairs. "In addition to raising critical financial support for our student scholarships, this event is a great opportunity for our corporate partners from across the community to meet our students and build relationships with our faculty and staff. This year, we look forward to showcasing students in the arts, applied STEM and education programs."

"Come one, come all, with experience or without," Harlan encouraged. "We'll coach you up and make sure you have fun."

To learn more and to register online, please visit giving.buffalostate.edu/scholarshipclassic. Golf foursomes are $1,600; pickleball tickets are $250 per player or $400 for two players. Faculty and staff tickets are $250 for golf or pickleball. For more information, please call (877) 236-4252 or email Elizabeth Grady, director of development events for Institutional Advancement.

Photo by Jesse Steffan-Colucci, Buffalo State photographer.