Ay-Ziggy-Zoomba.com

The new answers have been posted. Some interesting stuff there.

As much as I like the idea of the Patriot Bowl, I'm glad there's a focus on keeping as many games at the Doyt as possible. Let's hope we can do both.

Also, the more I read about each of the construction projects, the more I realize just how much progress we're making all at once. We've got the Sebo going up, the turf being peeled off (and eventually being replaced), the new tennis courts going in and the track being replaced. I'm really excited to see all of the new facilities once they're completed.

Hopefully the intentions GChris voiced in his answers about the hockey/basketball/volleyball facilities were more than just lip-service, because that would be awesome.

I like the idea of asking the AD. Good questions and answers so far. Lots of projects going on at the same time. I think GC is VERY committed to having the best possible facilities comparable to the rest of the MAC and mid majors elsewhere. He understands it takes money to get things done.

Peregrinner wrote:As much as I like the idea of the Patriot Bowl, I'm glad there's a focus on keeping as many games at the Doyt as possible.

I sort of agree, but gosh I sure did enjoy the game in Cleveland.

I suppose the real issue is giving up a home date in order to play a game that may not make money. That, I concede is a real issue.

If we could have gotten the Cleveland game to the point where it cleared a profit like a game at Perry Stadium (and we aren't talking huge numbers here, I wouldn't think), then I'd have no problem at all with giving up another game in Bowling Green to play a "home" game in Cleveland -- assuming that's the only way to get the opponent.

In other words, if the Patriot Bowl would pay us to play Air Force like we could make playing them in Bowling Green, I'd say go ahead and do it in Cleveland.

I don't live in Bowling Green, so giving up the home date is not as big an issue for me as it is for a lot of fans who live right there in town.

Hopefully the intentions GChris voiced in his answers about the hockey/basketball/volleyball facilities were more than just lip-service, because that would be awesome.

It actually was a very interesting answer. It suggests they are at least considering a combined hockey/basketball building. I never gathered that from reading AZZ.com.

Schadenfreude wrote:

Peregrinner wrote:As much as I like the idea of the Patriot Bowl, I'm glad there's a focus on keeping as many games at the Doyt as possible.

I sort of agree, but gosh I sure did enjoy the game in Cleveland.

I suppose the real issue is giving up a home date in order to play a game that may not make money. That, I concede is a real issue.

If we could have gotten the Cleveland game to the point where it cleared a profit like a game at Perry Stadium (and we aren't talking huge numbers here, I wouldn't think), then I'd have no problem at all with giving up another game in Bowling Green to play a "home" game in Cleveland -- assuming that's the only way to get the opponent.

In other words, if the Patriot Bowl would pay us to play Air Force like we could make playing them in Bowling Green, I'd say go ahead and do it in Cleveland.

I don't live in Bowling Green, so giving up the home date is not as big an issue for me as it is for a lot of fans who live right there in town.

Hopefully the intentions GChris voiced in his answers about the hockey/basketball/volleyball facilities were more than just lip-service, because that would be awesome.

It actually was a very interesting answer. It suggests they are at least considering a combined hockey/basketball building. I never gathered that from reading AZZ.com.

My guess is a larger building housing seperate ice and basketball arenas as opposed to a combined basketball/hockey arena using the same playing area (did that make sense?). If we need both we may as well make it a single building.

BGFan wrote: My guess is a larger building housing seperate ice and basketball arenas as opposed to a combined basketball/hockey arena using the same playing area (did that make sense?). If we need both we may as well make it a single building.

That would certainly be interesting. You'd want to put some practice ice in there too, I'd think, so it'd make for a pretty large complex.

It seems I've read from multiple places that the combined hockey rink/basketball court places really don't save you much in the long run because of the costs of operation and switching from one floor to the other all the time. Perhaps, I'm mistaken on that, but it's what I recall. I don't like the joint arenas very well because they rarely seem to really "WORK" well for either sport. I don't care for the Schott for hockey, never seen a hoops game there, so I cannot speak to that.

hammb wrote:

BGFan wrote: My guess is a larger building housing seperate ice and basketball arenas as opposed to a combined basketball/hockey arena using the same playing area (did that make sense?). If we need both we may as well make it a single building.

That would certainly be interesting. You'd want to put some practice ice in there too, I'd think, so it'd make for a pretty large complex.

It seems I've read from multiple places that the combined hockey rink/basketball court places really don't save you much in the long run because of the costs of operation and switching from one floor to the other all the time. Perhaps, I'm mistaken on that, but it's what I recall. I don't like the joint arenas very well because they rarely seem to really "WORK" well for either sport. I don't care for the Schott for hockey, never seen a hoops game there, so I cannot speak to that.

It tends to make the ice soft and make the hardwood sweat, from what I understand. It also makes scheduling a bear. OSU's hockey team has, at times, had to play games in the old ice dink and they practice there almost exclusively. It's always best to practice on the ice that you play on since you learn the ideosynchracies of the playing area.

BGFan wrote: It's always best to practice on the ice that you play on since you learn the ideosynchracies of the playing area.

No doubt.

I'm just not really a fan of those combo facilities, but if the same building had 2 separate arenas I'd have no problems with that.

First, he again avoids football scheduling questions other than the Patriot Bowl which he makes sound like a losing proposition.

Second, from his perspective on hockey it almost sounds to me, or could be implied that hockey is on the blocks. I hope I'm wrong, but I'd also sure like to know why we don't name the freakin' building already. Olympic Arena, Championship Arena, York Arena, anything other than the Ice Arena.

I don't know for sure, but he doesn't sound like he has his direction of where he's taking our program yet and its been a year. What's the freakin' plan Christopher? Whether it's Paluch, Anderson Arena, the football program and I'm truly worried that we're turning into Eastern Michigan. Yeah, I'm in a bad mood today and I'm tired of spin.

Louis Orr bring back the pride to BG Men's Athletics.

ZuluWarrior wrote:Second, from his perspective on hockey it almost sounds to me, or could be implied that hockey is on the blocks.

I could have swore he said, "Falcon Hockey has a rich tradition and BGSU is fully committed to the sport."

That's really interesting. What in his comments could be construed that hockey is on the blocks. I can't imagine what he could have said to be more reassuring.

As for Eastern, they won 8 MAC Championships last year. How many did we win?

That's really interesting. What in his comments could be construed that hockey is on the blocks. I can't imagine what he could have said to be more reassuring.
_______________________________________________________________________
Falcon Hockey has a rich tradition and BGSU is fully committed to the sport.

[b]That said, progress is needed to restore the program's stature. Scott Paluch and our team are working to move things in the right direction. While last season was disappointing, the team's performance down the stretch was promising.

[size=18]Two issues are critical to our future: a facility and operating resources. The venerable BGSU Ice Arena is outdated in several respects and needs a lot of work just to stay operational in the near future. We are narrowing the "facility fix" options for both hockey and basketball/volleyball right now and expect to determine a path this year.

Along with a facility deficiency, we need to improve hockey's operating budget. It's a challenge to compete for championships when resources for recruiting, travel and other support are at or near the bottom of the CCHA. We are working from the department/university angle to improve resources, but we also need the help of fans. Whether it's buying a couple of season tickets or joining the Falcon Club, there are a number of ways to back BGSU Hockey.[/size][/b]
Maybe I'm reading between the lines but aside from the opening line it sounds like the program has BIG issues.

_______________________________________________________________________
As for Eastern, they won 8 MAC Championships last year. How many did we win?
_______________________________________________________________________
I'm sorry and your point is??? Again, I'm talking the sports that matter to a university's prestige and finances: Football, Basketball and in our case hockey.

ZuluWarrior wrote:Yeah, I'm in a bad mood today and I'm tired of spin.

And I'm in a pretty damn good mood and tired of the NEGATIVE spin on everything.

I often find a lot of conversation regarding the schedule and the number of home dates. Although I live in Cleveland the Wisconsin game (and a 3/4 empty Cleveland Stadium) wasn't the answer. Trips back to BG and walking around the campus are just as important/enjoyable as the game. That said, I believe that not only the quantity of home games but the quality of opponents is just as important. I would rather BG play Minn/Michigan State/Boston College on the road (and watch on ESPN2) than seeing BG play Buffalo or Temple at home. Lately it seems like the only quality home games @home are Toledo and Miami. Although the timing of shitty homes games isn't bad since I have a 21 month old and a 8 month old and I'd have a tough time justifying a road trip in '07.

ZuluWarrior wrote:That's really interesting. What in his comments could be construed that hockey is on the blocks. I can't imagine what he could have said to be more reassuring.
_______________________________________________________________________
Falcon Hockey has a rich tradition and BGSU is fully committed to the sport.

That said, progress is needed to restore the program's stature. Scott Paluch and our team are working to move things in the right direction. While last season was disappointing, the team's performance down the stretch was promising.

Two issues are critical to our future: a facility and operating resources. The venerable BGSU Ice Arena is outdated in several respects and needs a lot of work just to stay operational in the near future. We are narrowing the "facility fix" options for both hockey and basketball/volleyball right now and expect to determine a path this year.

Along with a facility deficiency, we need to improve hockey's operating budget. It's a challenge to compete for championships when resources for recruiting, travel and other support are at or near the bottom of the CCHA. We are working from the department/university angle to improve resources, but we also need the help of fans. Whether it's buying a couple of season tickets or joining the Falcon Club, there are a number of ways to back BGSU Hockey.
----
Maybe I'm reading between the lines but aside from the opening line it sounds like the program has BIG issues.

_______________________________________________________________________
As for Eastern, they won 8 MAC Championships last year. How many did we win?
_______________________________________________________________________
I'm sorry and your point is??? Again, I'm talking the sports that matter to a university's prestige and finances: Football, Basketball and in our case hockey.

Zulu:

Sounds like an honest answer - we need to do better financially with hockey, that simple.

Sounds like an honest answer - we need to do better financially with hockey, that simple.[/quote]

.......and football, and basketball, and baseball, and soccer and..............! the list goes on.
For those of you that don't know, Kent puts about $4 million more yearly into the athletic programs than BGSU does. It is time for the administration to make the comittment to athletics for us to be competitive.