BUFFALO, N.Y. – The Buffalo State softball team will honor former Buffalo State head coach Sandra Hollander when the Bengals open SUNYAC play this weekend on Saturday against Oswego. Saturday's Sandra Hollander Memorial doubleheader will begin at 12 p.m., with the second game approximately a half hour after the completion of the opener. Fans are encouraged to wear dark blue in support of those involved in a fight against colorectal cancer.  
 
Hollander impacted the experiences of thousands of Buffalo State students over the 27 years in which she worked as a coach, athletic trainer, and administrator at the college. She never allowed her six-year battle with cancer to interfere with her goal of changing the lives of so many people, including current Buffalo State Head Coach Jamie Brown, a starting outfielder for Buffalo State under Hollander from 1996-99.  

"Coach Hollander impacted so many lives, especially mine," Brown remarked. "She was tough and expected a lot from her athletes, but always relayed the message 'Don't Waste a Today'. Her goals were to always push her athletes to excel and never let up until they reached their potential. Her legacy remains and I think of her every time I go to practice or step on the field. She has built a program with the foundation of grit and resiliency. We are forever indebted to her and admire her strength and courage."

Hollander enjoyed great success as the head coach of Buffalo State from 1989 until her passing in 2012. She ranks in the Top-25 among all-time Division III coaches in victories with an overall record of 562-342-2, while claiming three SUNYAC titles and making eight trips to the NCAA Division III playoffs. She was inducted into the Western New York Softball Hall of Fame in 2005, the Buffalo State Athletics Hall of Fame in 2012, and the Greater Buffalo Sports Hall of Fame in 2017. The SUNYAC also renamed its 'Coaching Staff of the Year' award in honor of Hollander.

On Monday, Buffalo State will also host Cortland in a doubleheader, beginning at 3 p.m. The Red Dragons will be participating in a Strikeout Cancer game. The team will wear shirts in support of the Strikeout Cancer Foundation, the late Sandra Hollander, and countless others who have been impacted by cancer.
 
We ask that you visit the American Cancer Society or Strikeout Cancer websites to make donations or for more information about how you can support others in their fights to defeat cancer.