BUFFALO, NY – Four University at Buffalo orthopaedic surgeons in University Sports Medicine have raised almost $200,000 to name the newly renovated athletic training facility in Alumni Arena on the North Campus. The state-of-the-art facility will be named the Michael F. Rielly Athletic Training Center in honor of Mike Rielly who was head athletic trainer at UB for almost 26 years.
Major donors to the project are Robert J. Smolinski, MD ’83; Marc S. Fineberg, MD; William M. Wind Jr., BS ’93, MD ’97 and John J. Leddy, MD ’85. Additional gifts towards the product were donated in honor of Mike by 17 other medical professionals affiliated with UB/MD Orthopaedics.
Dr. Smolinski, clinical associate professor of orthopaedic surgery, is director of University Sports Medicine. He spearheaded the fundraising initiative. Dr. Fineberg is chief of sports medicine and clinical assistant professor of orthopaedic surgery. Dr. Wind Jr. is clinical assistant professor of orthopaedic surgery. Dr. Leddy is associate director of University Sports Medicine and clinical assistant professor of orthopaedics.
In 2008 Rielly was inducted into the Dr. and Mrs. Edmond J. Gicewicz Family UB Athletics Hall of Fame. During his tenure, budgets were tight, but according to Bill Dando, former Bulls football coach, Rielly served with distinction and never at the expense of cutting corners, while putting his athletes’ health and welfare at the forefront. In support of his induction, many UB Hall of Famers extolled Rielly’s “human” side, noting that he was always there no matter the time or inconvenience, and the one who became a true confidant.
“Mike Rielly was an incredibly dedicated trainer for the whole university,” said Dr. Smolinski. “He put the athletes first and put a lot of blood, sweat and tears into the program early in our Division I infancy. It’s fitting to name this facility in his honor.”
"We are grateful to Doctors Smolinski, Fineberg, Wind and Leddy, as well as the others who contributed, for having a vision to help student-athletes," said athletic director, Warde Manuel. "This is a deserving honor for Mike Rielly and a great show of financial support to our athletic program."
Besides naming the facility, funds will provide for additional exam rooms, offices for trainers and expansion of rehabilitation and treatment areas.
The University at Buffalo is a premier research-intensive public university, the largest and most comprehensive campus in the State University of New York. UB’s more than 28,000 students pursue their academic interests through more than 300 undergraduate, graduate and professional degree programs. Founded in 1846, the University at Buffalo is a member of the Association of American Universities.