Buffalo State's swimming and diving teams will hold a ribbon-cutting ceremony for the inaugural use of the new timing system and scoreboard prior to their first home meet this Friday, October 25, against Geneseo at Kissinger Pool.

The ceremony will recognize a representative from the Pepsi-Cola Bottling Co. of Buffalo for its generous financial support that enabled the purchase of the new equipment.

"We want to take an opportunity to thank Pepsi for its generous donation of $25,000 toward the purchase of new scoreboards," said Athletics Director Jerry Boyes. "Over the past three years, we have been able to upgrade Kissinger Pool in an effort to show our commitment to the swimming and diving programs. Now, we look forward to watching the program continue to develop into one of the best in the SUNYAC."

Both pieces of equipment are on the most advanced systems on the market. The 73-square feet Daktronics scoreboard features six lines of lane, place and time digits, as well as a home and guest score, and event and heat display. The Colorado Springs timing system allows pre-programmed event sequencing, a meet management interface port for PC download, and memory capacity for more than 500 races.

Boyes will be joined by Vice President for Student Affairs Hal D. Payne and Vice President for Institutional Advancement Dr. Carmine Grande and Bengals' head coach Mike Switalski at the ceremony. The event will begin at 5:50 p.m. in Kissinger Pool and will be followed immediately by the meet against Geneseo.