Dave Hackenberg column on Coach Dakich

[It's the Journey...]

The biggest problem with expanding Anderson Arena out into the field is the new admissions center that is going in the same spot. One of two things will have to happen; one, the center will have to be moved and a lot of time, money, and planning will have been wasted or two, both facilities will be smaller than we really need. Here is another problem with renovating Anderson Arena. I would guess it would have to be shut down for at least 12 months if a major addition is added. And it will need to be added because of ADA requirements and things like it. Where will the falcons play for this year? Volleyball could be mored to the field house and the portable bleachers already there could be used. But what about men's and women's basketball? The bleachers in the old men's gym (Eppler South for those who don't know) are long gone. The field house does not offer enough temporary seating. That leaves me with two possibilities. First, we move our home games to BGHS, hope the schedules will fit, and lose our student attendance. Or, buy/rent a portable floor and play our games in the Ice Arena. That will make us appreciate NOT having a combo facility. Ironically WVU did the same thing a few years ago while renovating (removing asbestos) from their arena. They rented a floor and loaded it along with everything else needed for a game onto a big truck, which was specially painted, and held games in arenas in Charleston and Wheeling. They didn't have a home game on campus the whole season. These logistical problems as well as parking at Anderson Arena are what pushes me toward a new facility in the south end zone of the stadium.

[HoopsFan]

At Kent, they basically just added the front to the building. I would think that they could do the same at AA. Build the structure and knock out the wall as the last event. Your elevator and new restrooms could be in the new section, the entrance moves to Ridge St, the Offices get moved to Ridge St, and the locker rooms expand to where the offices are now. You'd
be able to extend offices on the second floor of the West end of the arena, and gain second story offices in the East side.

Yeah, it would still be a dump, but it's OUR dump

I always heard that the Convo would go somwhere near the Ice Arena and Perry Field so that it could share parking lots. Maybe where the put the SEBO center? It might be great for the people with cars, but it's a long trek from West campus to Lot 6 (O.K. not quite) on a 15 degree night.

Hoopsfan

[It's the Journey...]

That project is not something that can be done over the summer. It will take a lot longer. And what about the admissions center that is already set to be built in that same space? I love our "dump" as you referred to it as, but this is a golden opportunity for the University to build a facility that can be used to generate some outside revenue as well. In addition to athletic events the University could host conventions, concerts, commencement, trade shows, and many other events to make money. That cannot be done currently and would not be able to be done in a renovated Anderson Arena. When I look at the big University picture there is a new convocation center on campus.

[HoopsFan]

That project is not something that can be done over the summer. It will take a lot longer. And what about the admissions center that is already set to be built in that same space? I love our "dump" as you referred to it as, but this is a golden opportunity for the University to build a facility that can be used to generate some outside revenue as well. In addition to athletic events the University could host conventions, concerts, commencement, trade shows, and many other events to make money. That cannot be done currently and would not be able to be done in a renovated Anderson Arena. When I look at the big University picture there is a new convocation center on campus.

Yeah, just hope your eyesight is still good enough to see it....

There was a Convo, with the same arguements, in the picture 20+ years ago and you see how beautiful it is today. Expanding AA could be done in about 3 years. We probably won't even have the money raised to build a Convo in that time and the structure would be another two years out.

However, since the master plan puts another building in the "greenspace" that everyone had to preserve, the point is moot....No wait. There's always the SOUTH end LOL

Hoops "maybe it could touch East Hall" Fan

[TG1996]

So they're building over the green area between AA and Ridge Street?

*sigh*

Maybe there's money in the budget to pave the rest of the campus, too. We can be Akron in no time!!!

[commonsense]

BG basketball will not receive an upgrade on anything until they start to win and fill the stands. Its almost fair to say that the women's team deserves a new facility before the men just because of the recent success they've had. When DD was winning in his prime AA was packed all the time and nobody was talking about a convo then, and if they were it was because it couldnt hold all the fans. Now everyone wants a new facility to get recruits. What gets recruits are wins and fans. If the team isnt winning and nobody is attending the games who's gonna wanna play for BG? I believe if you ask any kid before DD's departure to WVU why they chose BG to play basketball, it was because they were winning and the atmosphere of AA, not because the gym was nice. Perfect example...the football teams goes from rock bottom to the top over a 3-4 year period and boosters, alumni, and former players decide they deserve an upgrade and donate in order to achieve the Sebo Center. Where as very few former players for DD come around anymore as well as care for the guy personally.....I guess its just COMMON SENSE

[ZiggyZoomba]

When DD was winning in his prime AA was packed all the time and nobody was talking about a convo then, and if they were it was because it couldnt hold all the fans. Now everyone wants a new facility to get recruits.

Actually, that's not true. There's been active conversation of a new building every season for as long as I can remember. To say it's not talked about when we're winning is wrong. The facility basketball is played in at BGSU has been inadequate for years and years and it has always been talked about on here at least (and I know in an official capacity it has been as well). I can remember 5 years ago discussions on the size of a new arena, there was a poll... 5000, 8000, or 11,000 seats.

[orangeandbrown]

When I was in college in the 80s Anderson Arena was a sub-par MAC facility.

[jacojdm]

Maybe there's money in the budget to pave the rest of the campus, too. We can be Akron in no time!!!

Have you been to UA lately? They've remodeled, and closed Buchtel through campus. I think we're on pace to be less green than Akron.

[falconfan1]

jaco, I am very impressed with Akron's efforts and the leadership of their president. I am also very, very impressed with BG's efforts and the leadership of our president. They are manifested in different ways, but I believe both institutions have made great progress over the last 10 years- as total institutions.

factm and bleed o, hang in there. I am also very impressed with our AD and what I perceive as an ability to envision goals and work toward meeting them- in a reasonably timely manner. Witness his workmanlike roll up the sleeves effort on the Sebo Center/football locker room funding matter and nearly instant reaction to our field issue. I believe his ability to work across the entire University through the VP Student Affairs etc will be a huge plus. I believe when he speaks of facilities plans etc, he means just that. I believe he recognizes our facilities position and, more importantly, will do something about it.

Just my opinion.

In other words, ladies and gentlemen, just like the Sebo Center, eventually we will have to all step up (in whatever ways we can) to push us forward on a convocation center type project. It will take the whole BG "village".

Meanwhile, I will be supporting all our teams and coaches. While we may pass through tough times, all of us Falcons who have been around for awhile know our history and our ability to turn things around. We can also be very, very proud of our athletic dept. off the field and in the classroom. And, asour AD has stated, that emphasis won't change.

Go Falcons!

[commonsense]

When DD was winning in his prime AA was packed all the time and nobody was talking about a convo then, and if they were it was because it couldnt hold all the fans. Now everyone wants a new facility to get recruits.

Actually, that's not true. There's been active conversation of a new building every season for as long as I can remember. To say it's not talked about when we're winning is wrong. The facility basketball is played in at BGSU has been inadequate for years and years and it has always been talked about on here at least (and I know in an official capacity it has been as well). I can remember 5 years ago discussions on the size of a new arena, there was a poll... 5000, 8000, or 11,000 seats.

I should have made myself more clear. AA was not talked about as a disadvantage in terms of recruiting, injuries, and ultimately an excuse for losses. Sports Illustrated had a picture of a Kent St. player shooting in front of our student section, and some guy rated AA as one of the top places in the country to watch a basketball game in 2000. I realize what you are saying about there always being "talk" of a new arena, and I agree with you. I was implying (and actually stated) that the talk was about the idea of building a new arena to house more fans, not because AA couldn't attract recruits.

[transfer2BGSU]

The biggest problem with expanding Anderson Arena out into the field is the new admissions center that is going in the same spot.

Nothing is set in stone about the location of the new enrollment services building. If that is the location, it is going to be a few years before it is built because we would like to see the Wolfe Fine Arts Building and the Library renovation be completed before we move into that location. Some people feel that location is not appropriate for us to be and others feel that a new Student Health Center could be built behind the current one and then the Enrollment Services Building would be the current health center facility. Oh some of the stories I have heard.....

Or, buy/rent a portable floor and play our games in the ...

...Grand Ball of the Bowen-Thompson Student Union (just like the women played in the ballroom at the Moon Palace Resort and Spa in Cancun)

[tim94064]

Sure seems like the decision was made long ago to move forward with a new facility....

The present parking situation is a huge problem. Just think if they renovated Anderson and added seating to 7000..... Last night their was 2000, and fans had to park north of the music building, and some parked at the ice arena lot......

Not too many 70 year olds are going to face that, it also discourages fans from outside the community, knowing our parking situation.

[BleedOrange]

I need to get you zubdogs straightened out on a couple of things:

1) It was well established long ago that renovating AA was out of the question because newer construction regulations for accessability made it ridiculously expensive.

2) If and when we get a new facility, it will have little to do with the success of our hoops program at the time (unless it explodes). NIU and Eastern Michigan both got new facilities in the midst of average programs. Convocation centers are long term investment decisions based on larger, longer term considerations than how the basketball team happens to be doing at the time.

Anyway, I expect to see neither a renovation NOR a new facility in my lifetime.