Ay-Ziggy-Zoomba.com

The men's basketball program will receive one of the largest individual donations in University history before Wednesday's game against Ohio University.

Set to be announced at a 6:15 p.m. press conference from Anderson Arena tomorrow night, the donor and the official size of the donation will be announced at that time.

*aside by Grant* Seriously... this is going to change our program!

Awesome!!!! Can't wait!

Awesome!. Can you say if it is by a former player?

Grant I know IT professionals make good money but this is more then generous for you to give....

Over an 8 million donation for the men's program. Largest donation in MAC history for an individual team. Money will be used for increased salaries, better recruiting (no we are not paying our athletes), additions to the Stroh Center as well as get big time programs / payouts to come to the Stroh. Can't wait to hear who it is.

Thats awesome. But How big of a game changer is that? I have no real idea so its a real question. We just upgraded our facilities. We seemingly like our coach. I like the idea of payouts but I dont know much about how the payouts are for college basketball.

With a gift this size, it could be used for many things....

Endowing scholarships for the team

Providing additional $$$$ for coaching salaries

Providing additional $$$$ for coaches to use so they can recruit nationwide (it costs some serious money to fly somewhere, rent a car, pay for a hotel room, etc...)

Yes, we will be upgrading to the Stroh Center for next year, but the money could be used to upgrade a nice locker room into something even better.

As gmartin mentioned, maybe even used to pay some better guarantees to get some of the teams that are afraid to come in and play us.

Less than 24 hours from now, we'll know (just how much Grant donated )

Why would they need to endow scholarships?

Globetrotter wrote:Why would they need to endow scholarships?

You're then able to take the money from the budget used to pay for those scholarships and re-allocate them to other needs.

tiznow wrote:Awesome!. Can you say if it is by a former player?

You'll find out tomorrow. I will only say that I was floored by the amount and the donor. Floored! This is more than huge, this is a real program changer.

All those in attendance tomorrow should take the time to personally thank the donor. I'll be going to the press conference and will pass along any comments you would like.

Globetrotter wrote:Why would they need to endow scholarships?

The money has to come from somewhere.

Many of the big time schools have endowed scholarships.

And just ask the hockey folks what one part of the "Bring Back the Glory" campaign is for.

Ask the former Men's Track and Field, Men's Swimming and Diving, and Men's Tennis athletes what endowed scholarships would have done for their programs.

While membership in the MAC says you have to play men's basketball (and a list of other sports), you do not have to provide scholarships to be a part of the MAC. But lets be realistic....no scholarships and what type of players are going to want to attend BGSU and play for us? We could join the Ivy League and possibly be competitive......

With the budget cuts coming from the state, that means less money to go around. Meanwhile, we still have to pay bills for electric, phones, etc.... Anderson Arena is still going to be used next year (gymnastics will be using the facility).

Even if we only endow five scholarships, then we only have to worry about how we are going to fund the remaining eight allowed under NCAA rules. And of course, if we continue to encourage the players to take classes in the summer, we need additional monies to pay for those classes as well.

But remember - this money will be used as the donor wishes it to be used. They may not want any of the money to be used for scholarships. The donor could place restrictions on its use. Hopefully endowing some scholarships will be a part of their desires.

Less than 23 hours.......

ZiggyZoomba wrote:This is more than huge, this is a real program changer.

Michael Huger? Um... definitely not Howard Chambers...

Count me in as a thankee. So excited to hear about this one!

Wonder if this will lead to a "trickle down" to other sports? Either with more donors stepping up, as we seemed to see with past major donations, or helping make MBB more self-sufficient will free up some budgeting for other teams.

Either way, very cool.

Globetrotter wrote:Why would they need to endow scholarships?

Take a look at what Kent State has to offer in the way of endowed scholarships -

http://www.supportgoldenflashes.com/End ... jor_Gifts/

Maybe GC can return some of the scholarships and budget cuts he has TAKEN from other sports in the past year, and start to redeem himself!

factman wrote:Maybe GC can return some of the scholarships and budget cuts he has TAKEN from other sports in the past year, and start to redeem himself!

Redeem himself... Yeah... er.. maybe.

Sorry Factman, but you're barking up the wrong tree here. I know the story behind this donation and the donor and I know, were it not for the efforts of Greg Christopher and Maryellen Gillespie, we would not be getting this massive gift to the BGSU Athletic Department.

If you have a personal gripe with him, challenge him to a fight or get over it. I'm sick of hearing you airing your dirty laundry here every time something good happens.