Buffalo State to Induct Five Into Athletics Hall of Fame
Wayne W. Woodburn ('83, Track and Cross Country), a member of the 1983 NCAA Division III Outdoor Track Championship 1600-meter relay team, and four others will be inducted Saturday into the Buffalo State Athletics Hall of Fame. Joining Woodburn in the Hall will be Ed Abrams ('51, Soccer, Track and Basketball), Jesse D. Green ('85, Football), Dave Hoch ('75, Basketball), and Richard H. Heller (Swimming & Diving Honorary).
Woodburn ran on Buffalo State's track and field and cross country teams from 1978 to 1983. His career culminated when he ran the third leg of the 4x400-meter relay that won the NCAA National Championship, one of just three national championships in school history. A two-time All-American, Woodburn also captured multiple SUNYAC and New York State championships and still holds a share of the school record in the indoor 4x400 relay. Since graduating from Buffalo State, Woodburn has worked as a certified social worker and counselor in the Bronx, where he was raised.
A standout wide receiver for the Bengals from 1982 through 1985, Green set six school records despite playing in an offense that relied primarily on the ground attack. During his four-year career, he grabbed 70 balls for 1,116 yards and scored eight touchdowns. Since his graduation, Green has served as a Rochester police officer and earned a first degree black belt in Tae Kwon Do in 1995.
Hoch was one of the stars of Buffalo State's basketball team in the early 1970s. From 1971 to 1975, he notched 961 points and grabbed 350 rebounds. As a senior, the team's co-captain, he led the team in scoring averaging 14.9 points-per-game, and was named All-SUNYAC and was the first recipient of the Wil Gragg Award. Since completing his degree at Buffalo State, Hoch has devoted 26 years of service to the Depew/Lancaster Boys and Girls Club, and has also been a high school and collegiate basketball referee for 23 years.
Abrams competed with Buffalo State's soccer, track and junior varsity basketball teams from 1947 through 1951. A two-year captain of the soccer team, Abrams twice earned All-New York State honors and was invited for a tryout with the United States Olympic Team following his freshman season. Abrams was also the co-recipient of the Outstanding Athlete Award encompassing four years of varsity participation. Abrams, who was praised by teammates for his leadership and sportsmanship, went on to be a teacher, coach and player on Long Island for more than 30 years before passing away in 1987.
Buffalo State's varsity swimming and diving coach for 12 seasons from 1965 through 1977, Heller also served as a professor in physical education and health and wellness for more than 30 years. As the school's swimming and diving coach, Heller led the Bengals to five consecutive SUNYAC Championships and was the first recipient of the SUNYAC Coach of the Year Award in 1975. He also mentored athletes to 18 individual and three relay All-America finishes.
Woodburn ran on Buffalo State's track and field and cross country teams from 1978 to 1983. His career culminated when he ran the third leg of the 4x400-meter relay that won the NCAA National Championship, one of just three national championships in school history. A two-time All-American, Woodburn also captured multiple SUNYAC and New York State championships and still holds a share of the school record in the indoor 4x400 relay. Since graduating from Buffalo State, Woodburn has worked as a certified social worker and counselor in the Bronx, where he was raised.
A standout wide receiver for the Bengals from 1982 through 1985, Green set six school records despite playing in an offense that relied primarily on the ground attack. During his four-year career, he grabbed 70 balls for 1,116 yards and scored eight touchdowns. Since his graduation, Green has served as a Rochester police officer and earned a first degree black belt in Tae Kwon Do in 1995.
Hoch was one of the stars of Buffalo State's basketball team in the early 1970s. From 1971 to 1975, he notched 961 points and grabbed 350 rebounds. As a senior, the team's co-captain, he led the team in scoring averaging 14.9 points-per-game, and was named All-SUNYAC and was the first recipient of the Wil Gragg Award. Since completing his degree at Buffalo State, Hoch has devoted 26 years of service to the Depew/Lancaster Boys and Girls Club, and has also been a high school and collegiate basketball referee for 23 years.
Abrams competed with Buffalo State's soccer, track and junior varsity basketball teams from 1947 through 1951. A two-year captain of the soccer team, Abrams twice earned All-New York State honors and was invited for a tryout with the United States Olympic Team following his freshman season. Abrams was also the co-recipient of the Outstanding Athlete Award encompassing four years of varsity participation. Abrams, who was praised by teammates for his leadership and sportsmanship, went on to be a teacher, coach and player on Long Island for more than 30 years before passing away in 1987.
Buffalo State's varsity swimming and diving coach for 12 seasons from 1965 through 1977, Heller also served as a professor in physical education and health and wellness for more than 30 years. As the school's swimming and diving coach, Heller led the Bengals to five consecutive SUNYAC Championships and was the first recipient of the SUNYAC Coach of the Year Award in 1975. He also mentored athletes to 18 individual and three relay All-America finishes.
Media Contact:
Jeffrey Ventura, Sports Information Director | 7168786030 | venturjm@buffalostate.edu