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1934 Buffalo Bulls Tennis

by Scott Hollander
University at Buffalo Libraries

Team Photo

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 OpensUniversity 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.

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. (see “U. B. Tennis Team Closes Season Beating Cortland” Buffalo Courier-Express, 20 May 1934.)

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


  1. U.B. Netmen WinBuffalo Courier-Express Buffalo, NY, 14 April 1934.
  2. Canisius Netmen WinBuffalo Courier-Express Buffalo, NY, 19 April 1934.
  3. Tennis Team Defeats Hobart Raqueteers 3-2Buffalo Bee Buffalo, NY, 3 May 1934.
  4. State Teachers Netmen Win Over Niagara University, 5-1Buffalo Courier-Express Buffalo, NY, 6 May 1934.
  5. U.B. Team Team Defeats Hobart Raqueteers 4-1Buffalo Bee Buffalo, NY, 11 May 1934.
  6. Tennis Squad Downs BuffaloCornell Daily Sun Ithaca, NY, 14 May 1934.
  7. U.B. Raqueteers Wins From CanisiusBuffalo Bee Buffalo, NY, 18 May 1934.
  8. U. B. Tennis Team Closes Season Beating CortlandBuffalo Courier-Express Buffalo, NY, 20 May 1934.

U. B. Tennis Team Closes Season Beating CortlandU. 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