Stroh Center thoughts by a Stroh- 1 year later.

always a falcon · Post by **always a falcon** » Sun Mar 02, 2008 9:59 pm

I have no clue how to post this singly without all the comments. so here is all of it.

To all of you who have offered thanks to our family- You are most welcome. It is because of wonderful BGSU fans and people that this is becoming a reality.

Some of you may have read how it all started. My Dad was a radio announcer for our VERY local station. Our regional basketball tourneys were at BGSU so he started coming to AA about 45 years ago. A guy with his 8 year old daughter who was his scorekeeper and clipboard carrier. So Dad and I came and did the games. In between sessions, people like Ken Schoeni and Glenn Sharpe would come to befriend us and feed us pizza in the training room and just be the most kind and wonderful people you could ask to meet.

I worked with my dad in basketball until I got to be a cheerleader in high school and then took to the sidelines. I was never so proud as when MY high school got to come to BGSU to play for the first time. It was already home.

When it was time for me to pick a college, both of those men sat down with me and told me there was no better place to go to school. I wanted a Journalism degree and BG had a journalism school and I knew many wonderful people already who I could turn to if I needed anything. Thus Stroh #1 matriculates.

Dad continued on in radio for some time. I never got behind the mic again, but FF1 did some games with him when he would go home to Wapak with me. And Dad's love affair with BG continued as he saw how much FF1 and I loved the place and the quality of the education I got.

His association continued up to being a trustee and chair of the Board. Everywhere he went, he found people at BG who truly cared about students and the place and the job that they did- whether it was cleaning or teaching.

Most of that can be attributed to Dr. Ribeau. The man inspired my dad and Dad respects him more than anyone. Who wouldn't want to do what they could to make things better when the vision of the leader is so clear and strong?

To everyone who attended or supported or attends and supports or will attend and will support BGSU- thank you. You never know when the most innocent acts of simple human kindness will reap a multitude of rewards down the line.

Someone told me yesterday - in jest- "well there goes your inheritence!" I told them, "no it is just another place to call home." There was never a second of hesitation when Dad told us he wanted to do this. My younger sister is a BG grad, FF1 is a BG man through and through, and both of our sons and daughters in law are BGSU grads. BG is what we do and what we love.

We are very proud of both Dad and Mom for doing this. And we thank you for your kind words. Yesterday was a GREAT day. Cn't wait to get it built and listen to it roar!

Always a Falcon
Tracey Stroh Wright

jacojdm · Post by **jacojdm** » Sun Mar 02, 2008 10:55 pm

Tracey, Van, Alex, everyone....Thank you for making our home an even better place.

VDub26Falcon · Post by **VDub26Falcon** » Sun Mar 02, 2008 11:00 pm

Thank you so much for your words to help the rest of us know just what BG means to you! Your family is an inspiration to all of us who think "There is nothing we can do to help our alma mater" when in fact, there is something we can all do. Whether it is attending games or even making whatever small contributions we can, there is something all of us can do.

I, for one, will make whatever contribution I can towards this project and maybe they'll do brick pavers or something for this great project and maybe my name will get to be on one of them. So again, thank you to you and your family for this wonderful gift to the alma mater that all of us love so much!!!

Peregrinner · Post by **Peregrinner** » Sun Mar 02, 2008 11:08 pm

It didn't really hit me until the intermission of the WBB game when I was standing by the band stand. What an incredible gift to BGSU! I admire so much everything that your family does for this University. You all represent what it truly means to bleed orange and brown. I am so glad to be connected in at least a symbolic way to your family (through Alex & Kristen).

And I suppose if we're handing out thank-yous, this is the time to thank you for letting me sit with you at the MAC tournament a couple years ago.

TG1996 · Post by **TG1996** » Mon Mar 03, 2008 12:08 am

As I said before, AAF, your family is a group of absofabulistic Falcons!!! Thank you!

Jacobs4Heisman · Post by **Jacobs4Heisman** » Mon Mar 03, 2008 12:33 am

I echo what's already been said. The Falcon family can't thank your family enough.

hammb · Post by **hammb** » Mon Mar 03, 2008 8:33 am

What more can be said? Thanks to you and your entire family for this generous gift.

I cannot wait to see how this project develops and to be there for both the last game at Anderson and then the first game at the Stroh Center. This is a great time to be a Falcon fan!

BGSUE · Post by **BGSUE** » Mon Mar 03, 2008 8:42 am

THANKS

Falconfreak90 · Post by **Falconfreak90** » Mon Mar 03, 2008 9:39 am

Absolutely. This is an awesome gift. THANK YOU. Only a FALCON forever....

Warthog · Post by **Warthog** » Mon Mar 03, 2008 10:23 am

AAF, A heartfelt thank you to you and your family.

Falcon30 · Post by **Falcon30** » Mon Mar 03, 2008 10:31 am

I honestly feel like I know a bit of a celebrity. Congrats and thanks.

Flipper · Post by **Flipper** » Mon Mar 03, 2008 10:31 am

Thank you...for your contributions to BGSU and for sharing your sentiments about our University....

bgsufalcon24 · Post by **bgsufalcon24** » Mon Mar 03, 2008 1:41 pm

Once again, thank you and your entire family for your contributions.

Falconboy · Post by **Falconboy** » Mon Mar 03, 2008 5:12 pm

Thanks again Stroh family. I can't wait to see the Stroh Center built. I hope they do this thing right and make this the best home court possible for BGSU basketball.

FalconTurf · Post by **FalconTurf** » Mon Mar 03, 2008 6:04 pm

AAF, you have a wonderful family story that will be part of the legend of the Stroh Center. Every project at BGSU needs such a story. I hope that in some way this story can be displalyed in the new facility for all to enjoy the love your family has for BGSU.

Congratulations and thank you to your family. May this arena and your story hold the same place in future Falcon hearts as Anderson Arena has for many of us through the years.