1934 Buffalo Bulls Tennis
by Scott Hollander
University at Buffalo Libraries
Source: 1934 Buffalonian Yearbook
U.B. Tennis Makes its Official Debut 80 Years Ago
Although “club” tennis was played at the University at Buffalo for several years prior, the U.B. Athletic Council granted tennis “varsity” status during the 1933-1934 academic year.
The team made it’s official debut during the spring of 1934. (see “Tennis Season Opens” University of Buffalo Alumni Council Bulletin, 1 March 1934)
Dr. Robert Riegel of the U.B. School of Business Administration was the coach. William Smith, a student from the Dental school, served as team captain.
Hobart vs. Buffalo, 1934
The U.B. squad played teams from Canisius College, Hobart, Brockport and Cornell. Buffalo ended its first season successfully with seven victories in nine matches.
Canisius College ended the 1934 season with the same 7-2 record and seemingly shared the Western New York tennis championship title with the University of Buffalo tennis team.
Dr. Robert Riegel would go on to coach the Buffalo tennis team for three year (1934, 1935, 1936) before giving way to Wallace Van Lier in 1937.
1934 Buffalo Tennis Season
| Date | Home Team | Score | Visiting Team | W-L-T | Location |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 4/13/19341 | Buffalo | 4 – 1 | State Teachers Emergency College | W | Buffalo, NY |
| 4/18/19342 | Canisius College | 4 – 1 | Buffalo | L | Buffalo, NY |
| 4/27/19343 | Hobart | 2 – 3 | Buffalo | W | Geneva, NY |
| 5/2/19344 | Buffalo | 3 – 2 | State Teachers College | W | Buffalo, NY |
| 5/5/1934 | Fredonia Normal | Buffalo | W | Fredonia, NY | |
| 5/9/19345 | Buffalo | 4 – 1 | Hobart | W | Buffalo, NY |
| 5/12/19346 | Cornell University | 9 – 0 | Buffalo | L | Ithaca, NY |
| 5/16/19347 | Buffalo | 3 – 2 | Canisius College | W | Buffalo, NY |
| 5/19/19348 | Buffalo | 4 – 3 | Cortland Normal | W | Buffalo, NY |
FINAL RECORD: 7-2
Coach: Dr. Robert Riegel
- “U.B. Netmen Win” Buffalo Courier-Express Buffalo, NY, 14 April 1934.
- “Canisius Netmen Win” Buffalo Courier-Express Buffalo, NY, 19 April 1934.
- “Tennis Team Defeats Hobart Raqueteers 3-2” Buffalo Bee Buffalo, NY, 3 May 1934.
- “State Teachers Netmen Win Over Niagara University, 5-1” Buffalo Courier-Express Buffalo, NY, 6 May 1934.
- “U.B. Team Team Defeats Hobart Raqueteers 4-1” Buffalo Bee Buffalo, NY, 11 May 1934.
- “Tennis Squad Downs Buffalo” Cornell Daily Sun Ithaca, NY, 14 May 1934.
- “U.B. Raqueteers Wins From Canisius” Buffalo Bee Buffalo, NY, 18 May 1934.
- “U. B. Tennis Team Closes Season Beating Cortland” Buffalo Courier-Express Buffalo, NY, 20 May 1934.
U. B. Tennis Team Closes Season Beating Cortland
University of Buffalo tennis team closed its season yesterday afternoon with a record of seven victories in nine matches by defeating Cortland Normal, 4-3, here.
The visitors are coached by Leon Kronman, former city champion, who also stars in No. 1 post.
The summaries:
Kronman (C) defeated Smith (B). 6-1, 6-3.
Wertz (B) defeated Storist (C). 1-6, 6-2, 6-2.
Murray (B) defeated Cousins (C). 9-7, 6-0.
Sands (B) defeated Riley (C). 6-3, 7-5.
McDonald (B) defeated Scofield (C). 6-2. 6-2.
Kronman and Strosit (C) defeated Wertz and Smith (B). 6-3. 4-6, 6-1.
Cousins and Scofield (C) defeated Stinson and Oldman (B), 6-3, 5-7, 7-5.
— Buffalo Courier-Express, May 20, 1934