Buffalo’s
Got Game

In those days, the city blocks surrounding the new waterfront arena featured little else for visitors to enjoy. But as the MAAC  helped secure seven additional NCAA Men’s Basketball Tournaments and Frozen Four Championships between 2003 and 2019, Ensor slowly saw a change take place. The debut of new attractions at Canalside, the openings of the Marriott HarborCenter and Courtyard by Marriott, and a variety of new restaurants and breweries provide visitors with a host of options to enjoy the city just steps from the arena. 

These developments have helped Buffalo build and maintain a competitive edge for securing future athletic tournaments downtown, Ensor said. 

“I’ve been so impressed with what’s gone on down there and it just keeps getting better and better. It’s great to see the progress they’re making,” Ensor said. “Buffalo is easy to get to. You can jump on a flight and be here in 45 minutes. It has great hotels and is affordable. It has entertainment around the arena for the off-days. You’re going to have a great time when you’re in Buffalo.”

Sports commission staff didn’t hesitate to offer assistance with securing hotel room blocks and arranging other logistical details on short notice, Murphy said. And the commission went above and beyond by assembling nearly 200 Buffalo-themed gift bags filled with goodies like sponge candy and a “Melted Snow” water bottle to ensure every attendee left with a positive experience and memories of the destination.

“The event that these teams were going to are once-in-a-lifetime events. The Sports Commission identifies that and respects it … We put our heads together and they figured out how to make the event in Buffalo so special,” Murphy said. “If you bring a team into town, that’s the first call you should be making. The Sports Commission can help with everything.”

Day also sees that “Whatever It Takes” mentality embodied in the Buffalo Niagara Sports Commission. 

“I’m very grateful to have the Buffalo Sports Commission in the city. They open their arms up every time we have an invitational coming up,” he said. They’re incredible - they don’t ask for anything in return. They are always there to lend a hand in times of need.” 

That hospitality combined with close proximity of downtown hotels and restaurants to the Flickinger Center is why STAR and Buffalo have succeeded as a tournament host time and again. Day loves to provide visiting teams with ideas for exploring Buffalo’s cool neighborhoods, nearby beaches and Niagara Falls in between swim meets. 

“We get a lot of emails saying ‘Thanks for providing this incredible environment and great opportunity for us. Our team had a great time,’” Day said. “We keep doing it so well that the word of mouth is getting out that Buffalo is going to host a great event. That’s what you want at the end of the day.” 

That organizing group strives to provide every visiting team with an extraordinary experience, Schell said, from having the Stanley Cup on view during the tournament to providing suggestions to visit Buffalo’s redeveloped waterfront, Niagara Falls and even the nearby Hockey Hall of Fame in Toronto. 

“It’s a community effort. It’s everyone doing their part to make an event that children will remember for the rest of their lives,” Schell said. “We understand that this is a national championship and we understand what USA Hockey wants. They want it done right.”