John Lambert took over the role of Interim Director of Athletics on March 14, guiding the department during the transition to a new athletic director.

Lambert, who serves as a senior associate athletic director, leads the University at Buffalo Athletics Development effort after several successful years overseeing the External Relations operation for the Division.

Lambert, who joined the University in 1996, spent 5 highly successful years with the Buffalo Bisons, then Triple A affiliate of the Cleveland Indians. He has had a highly-decorated career in marketing earning numerous NACMA and SUNY/CUAD awards including being named Division I-A Marketer of the Year by NACMA, the National Association of Collegiate Marketing Administrators in 2001.

In 2003, he was recognized with a Premiere’s Award nomination, presented annually in Canada by the Government of Ontario to college graduates in recognition for outstanding career accomplishments and contributions to the community.  During his tenure in External Relations, Lambert was instrumental in the department¹s move to Division I-A and the Mid American Conference and meeting the 1998 and 2006 NCAA football attendance requirement.

In his current role, Lambert provides leadership to a growing base to provide private funding to the Division of Athletics.

Recent successes include the development in 2009 of a Bulls Legacy Program in support of endowed scholarships within Athletics. Since its inception, this program has secured an additional $ 1,000,000 to the overall athletics endowment.

 In addition to growing the athletics fund drive campaign, 2010 saw recent completed fundraising capital projects include the Michael F. Rielly Training Center and the Edward L. Wright Practice Facility. In 2011, the Brinkworth/McNally Football Alumni Team Meeting room was completed along with various other enhancements to the football stadium complex. Scheduled for completion in the fall of 2011 will be a fully renovated $400,000 refurbishment of the Alumni Arena Wrestling complex.

A graduate of Niagara College, Canada, Lambert also holds a BS in Business Management from Empire State College. He is also a graduate of the Sports Management Institute Executive Training Program.

Lambert holds several board positions including The Greater Buffalo Sports Hall of Fame and The Buffalo Niagara Sports Commission Advisory Board. 

Lambert is an active member of CASE (Council for Advancement and Support of Education) and NAADD (the National Association of Athletic Development Directors).

Lambert resides in Amherst, NY with his wife Kelly and daughter Lindsey and son Dylan.