Senator William T. Stachowski, a standout college student athlete in his days at Holy Cross University, assisted with bringing the NCAA tournament’s first and second round games to Buffalo’s HSBC Arena by providing funding for the seed money to the local organizing committee. During a break in the tournament, Senator Stachowski was joined by John J. Hurley, President of Canisius College, and former Mayor of Buffalo and Canisius basketball legend, Tony Masiello, to present a check for $25,000 for the local organization and coordination to help fund NCAA's March Madness in Buffalo. The tournament was a called a huge success by organizers, local hotels, restaurants and businesses catering to the sold-out weekend of nationally televised college basketball.