An entrepreneurial mind

[sbkbghockey]

Anderson Arena is at least 5 is not 10 years older than the Ice Arena.

I haven't been to Anderson Arean in a while, and I am not saying that they should not build a new arena, but other than being old, what is wrong with Anderson Arena? I think it is a solid venue.

Anderson Arena looks like an old version of my high school gym (and a lot of other people think so too)

Basically the problem i see now about raising money is all the big donors saying they'd like to see the unv. contribute and show some effort too. Which hasn't happened since the 1980s. If BGSU put money into the program a little at the time for renovations and updates overtime then maybe we wouldn't be in this mess!!! I think thats what big donors to hky are questioning, if they put their money in to save the program now, will the unv. just let things go and in 20 years beg for more money just to keep the program going!

In college athletics there's a constant facilities arms race between schools. (much like whats goin on with bb or the turf on the fb field.) but the unv. hasn't done anything in the last 20 years to stay competitive in hockey.

[1992alum]

IMHO the "potential" donors are between the proverbial rock and a hard place.....if they don't give the money, the program goes......if they give the money, will they get the "guarantee" that the program won't be back on the chopping block next year or the year after. Would you want to donate a large sum of money to only have the program be disbanded 12 or 24 months later? There needs to be some solid discussions between the "bigger" donors and the AD before ANY decisions are made.

Once a Falcon, Always a Falcon!

[Rightupinthere]

Stubbornness and an unwillingness to grasp reality has reached a whole new level in this discussion and right now I frankly don't care what happens. Until this group of "concerned POTENTIAL donors" gets organized and RESPECTFULLY comes to the department with a plan that is solid and well-funded they will keep hammering nails into the coffin. Have fun and good luck!

Finally, GO FALCONS!!!!!

Come back from the ledge.

I've asked for numbers from the AD. We'll see if I get them. You nor I know what is going on behind the scenes. I think there's a creative solution. There normally is and THAT'S REALITY.

I was making discussion - which is what this forum is about. If you don't like it, don't read it. Hit your ignore button.

[redskins4ever]

Its called a Contigency Gift - You put up $X for Y Project, and so long as 75% of the money is pledged, then the university gets the money, if not, no donation.

This isn't rocket science, and donors every day place restrictions on their donations, who they may go to, and what they may used for.

[sbkbghockey]

IMHO the "potential" donors are between the proverbial rock and a hard place.....if they don't give the money, the program goes......if they give the money, will they get the "guarantee" that the program won't be back on the chopping block next year or the year after. Would you want to donate a large sum of money to only have the program be disbanded 12 or 24 months later? There needs to be some solid discussions between the "bigger" donors and the AD before ANY decisions are made.

Once a Falcon, Always a Falcon!

"Once a Falcon, Always a Faclcon- unless Hockey is cancelled!!!"

[BG84]

Basically the problem i see now about raising money is all the big donors saying they'd like to see the unv. contribute and show some effort too. Which hasn't happened since the 1980s. If BGSU put money into the program a little at the time for renovations and updates overtime then maybe we wouldn't be in this mess!!! I think thats what big donors to hky are questioning, if they put their money in to save the program now, will the unv. just let things go and in 20 years beg for more money just to keep the program going!

Money has been put into the program since 1984. Stands were added to the north end, the locker room was renovated/expanded, and new boards and glass were installed. I don't know the sources of the money, but it's not true that the team and facility have been ignored.

[KeyWestParrot]

As someone who has worked in the trades I can tell you that this building needs some major repairs. I think it would be safe to say that 10-15 million could easily be pumped into the arena just to bring it up to todays standards.

We know we will never see a new arena built so we might as well plan on a major overhaul of the existing facility. Before they cut the program out I think it should be stressed that a complete study along with a cost should be done for the ice arena.

At that point the university can give the program a set amount of time to raise the money needed to make renovations possible. I think if a timetable of around 5-7 years were given the alum would respond. I don't find it impossible that at least 15-20 million could be raised if given the time with a solid plan.

[Rightupinthere]

Once a Falcon, Always a Falcon!

"Once a Falcon, Always a Faclcon- unless Hockey is cancelled!!!"

Earlier this week I emailed Grant telling him that if the hatchet was to fall on the hockey program, I wanted to resign as a mod and have my account deleted.

I felt passionate, angry, and betrayed. Strange reaction from a non-emotional person such as myself.

I have taken a SERIOUS step backwards to look at things more pragmatically. I'm now trying to figure out a plan to save both program and ice arena. Doing so would also assist the AD and U's present budgetary issues.

I'll be extremely disappointed if hockey is eliminated, but I simply cannot turn my back on my alma mater.

I just can't.

[TG1996]

I'll be extremely disappointed if hockey is eliminated, but I simply cannot turn my back on my alma mater.

I just can't.

Agreed.

[rc_ziggy84]

As most of you know, I'm not a BG alum, but I might as well be. BGSU hockey and that ice arena have been a part of my life ever since I can remember. My grandmother started taking me to games since I was about 5 years old.. great seats too. section C, front row right above the stairs. I, like most of you, remember and cherish the days when that barn was packed and rockin. There was no other place I'd rather have watched a hockey game. To see how far this program has fallen in the last 20 years is a major bummer.
Add into that the fact that I played hockey on that ice for a number of years.

I can't even fathom the thought that the university would cut the program, but obviously that's a very likely scenario. It really pains me to see that the school has abandoned the program. They've given it no support. Historically (imho) this sport is where we've had the most success historically. I don't have the stats to back that, and it could be that I'm biased b/c hockey's my favorite sport. It sure seems like it though. My point is that things don't have to be this way, but we have such gosh awful leadership at BGSU (save Greg Christopher, I do like him).

I'm finally in a position where I can give, and would be willing to give to keep the program going. But how can I trust that the money will actually go to support the program? The university has done such a good job in showing they don't care about hockey. On the other hand, you look at Miami, Ohio St, and Notre Dame who used to be laughing stocks in the CCHA and what happened? The university jumped behind these hockey programs, supported them, and now look at their success! I'm sure these programs are now generating revenue instead of draining it. (not that that would be an issue at any of these schools).

I hope this stream of thoughts has been at least somewhat cohesive. I would be totally up for joining in some kind of support effort, braining storming, giving time or whatever. Hopefully we can show the university that while they don't give a rats butt about hockey, there are many people who do.

I've always been of the school of though, as RUIT mentioned, that there's always gotta be a way. I'm willing to be a part of the solution, whatever that role may be.

[Falcon Fanatic]

Money has been put into the program since 1984. Stands were added to the north end, the locker room was renovated/expanded, and new boards and glass were installed. I don't know the sources of the money, but it's not true that the team and facility have been ignored.

The expansion that included the new coach's offices, the Alumni lounge, and updates in the locker room was paid for by PRIVATE DONATIONS ONLY!! I was on the committee that did the fund raising for it. We sold bricks, along with naming rights to the offices, etc... We raised around $750,000 if I recall correctly. Again....ALL PRIVATE DONATIONS!! I don't believe that the University put ONE CENT into it. I'm not sure who paid for the other stuff, but I'm sure the U paid for some of it, somewhere along the line.

Overall...yes, the building needs have been ignored for far too long. The fact that the first phase of improvements involved almost all infastructure, things no one would see, tells you that the "behind the scenes" stuff (roof, compressors, etc...) is the FIRST priority and has been neglected to the point that it is FIRST on the list of things that need to be taken care of!!!

[MooneyRich86]

Everyone on this board is great and are generating greeat ideas but now
we need to act. We need to make phone calls to the Ad and letters to
Cartwright and Trustees. There are plenty of cuts in all sports that can be
made to close the supposed 750K gap in athletics without dropping hockey.
I don't see us cutting back on multiple trips south for baseball and softball
and golf !! Are they really needed ? Just like the hockey team doesn't need
to play in Xmas tournaments or travel far for non-league games in the short term. I'm sure at this time all sports can get better deals from all
of the manufacturers. If BG says there will be a 6 to 10 million dollar gap
in the budget the majority of it is OUTSIDE of athletics. I'm sure Christopher
can find a way to close his budget gap. We do not need all the personnel in all the sports and all the assistants and now "director of operations" for
the major sports. Smaller travel parties especially for football alone will
save hundreds of thousands of dollars.

[BGDrew]

Everyone on this board is great and are generating greeat ideas but now
we need to act. We need to make phone calls to the Ad and letters to
Cartwright and Trustees. There are plenty of cuts in all sports that can be
made to close the supposed 750K gap in athletics without dropping hockey.
I don't see us cutting back on multiple trips south for baseball and softball
and golf !! Are they really needed ? Just like the hockey team doesn't need
to play in Xmas tournaments or travel far for non-league games in the short term. I'm sure at this time all sports can get better deals from all
of the manufacturers. If BG says there will be a 6 to 10 million dollar gap
in the budget the majority of it is OUTSIDE of athletics. I'm sure Christopher
can find a way to close his budget gap. We do not need all the personnel in all the sports and all the assistants and now "director of operations" for
the major sports. Smaller travel parties especially for football alone will
save hundreds of thousands of dollars.

And these are the sort of ideas we need to be discussing, NOT CUTTING ANY SPORT!

[toddpav]

What about the fact that the football teams spends the night before their home games in a hotel? I wonder what that costs.... thats ridiculous too. Small things.... cutting those smaller things could add up to big savings.