Disturbing letter to editor

[TheKa]

I seriously cannot even begin to really respond to this thread because just the thought of losing one of the most beloved things in my life makes me want to cry or throw up or both.

TG- I'll take Falconboy is clueless for $50...

The US WON the Miracle on Ice in 1980...not 1984...the fact that Falconboy doesn't know the difference, just shows that his opinions mean very little.

I don't know if many of you know who Mark Pape is...let's just say he has been LONG connected to the program in various ways. For him to speak out, speaks VOLUMES to me...there are big concerns...they need to be addressed...NOW! Greg Christopher's silence speaks volumes.

The money is there and will be there to save this program if the Administration wants to save it. Don't fool yourselves into thinking that the NHL Alumni haven't been approached about giving money. Maybe if they were approached in the CORRECT manner about the CORRECT things, you would hear a little more. Last time I checked, fixing a parking lot will not fix a program.

Bigdog is again correct and as he has proven in the past. He is correct in saying Paluch is one of the most two-faced individuals I've ever met. And frankly, I don't buy the notion that Paluch loves this program. He has yet to prove that. If you LOVED a program like we all do, you'd do everything you could to make that program successful and to bring it back to where it should be. In this case, if Paluch loved this prgram, he'd do the right thing and admit that he's not what this program needs and step away. Quite frankly, each day that he's behind this bench with all that is going on proves to me that Scott Paluch doesn't love Falcon Hockey, he loves the money and himself.

Can whoever said that the team is not an academic achievement please show me some stats, because last I checked, other than women's basketball, the hockey team has one of the highest team GPA's of all of the teams at this university. Also, when was the last time that one of the "stars" of the hockey team was in the blotter for a crime other than running a redlight or speeding? Quite frankly, it's something I'm proud of. And don't anyone bring up the Sharpie-gate thing...that's not even worth mentioning, because sometimes things are not what they appear.

I'm off to get an Adult Beverage and possibly a xanax because I can't handle all of this speculation. It's making my head and heart hurt.
GO FALCONS!!
BEAT THE WILDKITTENS!!
Erika

[transfer2BGSU]

BGSU IS NOT CUTTING VARSITY HOCKEY!

YES THEY ARE!!!! Can't you read? This whole thread has been about how President Cartwright is going to kill the hockey program! If it's on the Internet it's the truth!!!!!

You know why she is going to cut the hockey program? Because she did the same thing at Kent State. I read it on another thread in this forum.

That's OK though. Because if they cut hockey, I think the Ice Arena building would be better for Gymnastics anyway. Think about it Matt. We could use the main arena for the meets. Have a shop to sell Gymnastics wear. Instead of the sheet of ice for curling, we could use that as a warm-up area (same for the other sheet in there. We could rename it for Marney (an idea, maybe for Brianne). Ample parking for the crowds we'll generate. Space to park the opposing squads bus. See? Now you're seeing what I'm thinking! And you and I both know, President Cartwright loves her gymnastics programs.

[sbkbghockey]

Some have said that it's all about winning a national championship.

Although another NCAA championship in hockey would be great it's much more than that. Just being competitive for the championship would be great for BG Hockey. Look at all the CCHA champs and CCHA playoff champs, NCAA tournament and frozen four appearances and we only have one. As long as we're close it's enough for the program to boom! Minnesota, North Dakota, Boston College, etc don't win every year, but they at lease get close every year and that's enough to bring in quality players, coaches, fan, and facilities.

[BgWaRrIoR]

I bet more people know about out women's basketball dynasty than know that BG won a NC in hockey 24 years ago.

So is that why women's basketball has the amazing attendance that it does??

Honestly, it really says something when 2,500 people show up to see a horrible team play hockey, but only 1,000 go to watch our amazing women's basketball team. That should tell you how people around here feel about hockey..................

[Falconfreak90]

Read the letter the other day and thought I would visit the Hockey forum to see what this was all about.

Personally, I would be fine with eliminating the hockey program. I know that's not a real popular thought around here, but that's how I feel. Never been a hockey fan, never been to one BG hockey game.

A school our size and with our resources just cannot support Div I football, basketball, and hockey. So I know the feeling from some of you would be to cut football or basketball then. But I defy you to find one major college or university that has cut one of those programs in order to save a less popular sport.

And there appears to be donors willing to support the other sports. Mr Sebo made a commitment to the football program with his donation for the Sebo Center. The Stroh's made a commitment with their donation for the new basketball arena. And there were/are many others donating to help complete those facilities. Is anyone making those kind of donations like those for the hockey program?

Actually Id rather see football and basketball go and bring in a womens hockey team, bring back mens gymnastics and add womens LAX

You must be on crack. I'm convinced. Those sports you want to add will add millions to BG's athletic department.

I don't want to see ANY BG sports get the axe. Men's sports have been cut most recently and you want to add two more women's sports?

This is a very emotional discussion because of what the hockey program means to the BGSU community and BG community as well. Scott Paluch has done nothing with this once proud program...except run it into the ground.

[pdt1081]

Another thing to remember is that BG was real good in hockey way back when the nation was following hockey more. The '84 Olympics were huge for US hockey when we won.

You obviously know nothing about the BG Hockey team, or hockey in general. For one, we had 2 players on the 1980 Olympic team that won the gold medal. And secondly, BG hockey was the most popular team in the area for almost an entire DECADE before that. Add in the fact that hockey as a sport has grown and expanded all over the world in popularity. Look at the size of the Youth Hockey clubs. There are more kids playing hockey now than ever.

The coach's offices and lounge area as well as the locker room renovations were funded in large part be hockey alums. They matched what was raised in private donations. Go into the lounge and look around, you'll find their names there.

And the University's contribution to the project was???

[bgsufalcon24]

I bet more people know about out women's basketball dynasty than know that BG won a NC in hockey 24 years ago.

So is that why women's basketball has the amazing attendance that it does??

Honestly, it really says something when 2,500 people show up to see a horrible team play hockey, but only 1,000 go to watch our amazing women's basketball team. That should tell you how people around here feel about hockey..................

Actually, all it tells me is two other things. That hockey plays better teams and teams that people actually recognize, thus generating interest, and that BG sports fans are biased against women's sports.

If the men's basketball team was 18-2 and 7-0 in the MAC, AA would be sold out every night. Period.

[Warthog]

puckster,

Yes, the hockey program plays against some biggies, but ask many students about Lake Superior St, Ferrris St, Nebraska-Omaha and they probably will say 'who the hell is that?' They play those schools, big and small, because there are so few teams that play Div I hockey, that they have play each other. You think OSU, UM, MSU, ND would be coming to BG to play if they had other options?

That's a baseless argument because hockey fans know the schools that they play.

But Rick, just the way you phrased that gets to my point. "hockey fans". There just aren't enough of them. Yes, I know you and all the others here know who those schools are, but the majority of the students don't. And I would venture to say that there are a lot more that only recognize OSU, UM, MSU for their 'brand' and have no idea if there hockey teams are even any good.

Here's another thought regarding fans. It would be interesting to see what the breadth of the fan base is. That is, how many different fans come to hockey games vs basketball games. I know hockey has a serious hard core nucleus of fans. But how many casual fans that come out a couple times a season to see a game. And compare that to basketball. I have know idea what the results would be, but I think it would be interesting study of the fan base.

[Freddie]

The '84 Olympics were huge for US hockey when we won.

Now taking bids for who wants to handle this one... starting at $50. Do I hear $50? Can I get a $75?

Jumping on Falconboy for being mis-informed is as cruel and senseless as stealing a parapalegic's wheelchair, and I refuse to participate.

[Warthog]

if we put a good product on the ice once again, people will pay more to see it.

And if we put a good product on the court, men's basketball will outdraw hockey...

[Rightupinthere]

There's a whole bunch of bat s**t crazy going on in this thread.

It's entertaining to say the least.

Everybody, breath. Put down the bottle of jack and the 300-06. No, you can keep the pack of Lucky Strikes filterless.

This is a rumor. It's an ADMITTED RUMOR. Greg Christopher isn't stupid. The blow-back from alumni would be HUGE if he cut hockey. Significant sums of money were being pulled off the table [Stroh and SEBO funding] in order to get rid of Brandon. Do you think these same donors would still have the money out if GC was going to cut hockey?

This fails the reasonable person test. Use logic and not emotion.

[murphdogg]

Who cares if fans know the teams?!?!?! Yes, there are some teams with funny sounding names like Ferris State and Lake Superior State, but true fans go to the games no matter who is playing. And while we're on the subject, women's b-ball played teams like Lipscomb, St. Francis College, and Winston Salem, and the men's team took on powerhouses like Savannah State, Central Arkansas and Towson, so this argument has no merit

[bgsufalcon24]

Who cares if fans know the teams?!?!?! Yes, there are some teams with funny sounding names like Ferris State and Lake Superior State, but true fans go to the games no matter who is playing. And while we're on the subject, women's b-ball played teams like Lipscomb, St. Francis College, and Winston Salem, and the men's team took on powerhouses like Savannah State, Central Arkansas and Towson, so this argument has no merit

Uh, no, you're flat out wrong on this one.

1.You say that true fans shouldn't care who BG plays on a given night. That is probably the one true part of your argument, but what you didn't point out is that these "true" fans only comprise at best 25% of Bowling Green's fanbase. A lot of BG sports fans only go to the games when a big name team is in town. The examples are endless. Michigan, Michigan State, or Ohio State in hockey. Look at the football game vs Minnesota this year. The game was sold out and there were scalpers outside the Doyt. I've NEVER seen that in four years here. Was it coincidence that Minnesota was the biggest name team we've played at home in that same four year stretch? I think not. Another example was the women's basketball game vs Notre Dame in 2007. We had a huge, LOUD crowd for that game. Did we ever have crowds like that for any generic, largely unknown OOC opponent that year? No. Hockey draws better than men's and women's basketball because they play more well-known, prestigious opponents.

2.You said that hockey plays bad teams or non-recognized teams just like other BG sports. Yes, and your point is? You've basically discredited your own argument by bringing up teams like LSSU and Ferris. Compare the crowds we have at those games with teams like Miami, Michigan, and ND. The games against Michigan and MSU are always a big deal and are always sold out or close to it. Same with Ohio State, assuming it isn't held over a break like this year. Now Lake Superior is a bit of an outlier since we faced them in the playoffs last year, and even though we never get big crowds for them we do get lots of noise whenever they come in. We NEVER, EVER get crowds or noise when Ferris comes in. Or NMU, or WMU, unless they decide to start a fight with us. In hockey, moreso than other BG sports, it is so blatantly obvious that the opponent matters, and in some cases its the only thing that matters. 75% of BG fans will watch BG vs Michigan. They WON'T watch BG vs Ferris State.

Oh, and 1 other thing. We've got these huge threads over the poor attendance for men's basketball over in that forum. I can explain that problem in one fell swoop. What big-name, or semi-big-name opponents have the Falcons faced in OOC play at home over the last four years?

Crickets...

My point exactly. There's no reason to get excited about Towson, or Savannah State, or the latest great entry, Canisius. CANISIUS for a BRACKET BUSTER GAME?!! Are you effing serious?!! Until all BG sports start scheduling some real recognizable opponents in basketball, unless if the men's team starts winning like crazy, they won't touch hockey in attendance because of hockey playing teams like Mich, MSU, ND, and OSU every year. And that's the final word.

[murphdogg]

To be fair, Bowling Green didn't schedule Canisius, they were scheduled for them. And your argument doesn't make sense for a few reasons.

1. The difference in attendance is not very big. Attendance for two games vs. Ohio State: 1,781 and 2,435. Two weeks ago vs Lake Superior State: 2,178 and 2,174. Not a huge difference there.

2. Bigger name programs bring more visiting fans with them. I would say that there were a sizable number of Michigan and Notre Dame fans at those games vs a handful of LSSU fans two weekends ago, and that was probably only because they wanted to get out of Sault Ste. Marie.

There is definitely a little bit of a difference in terms of attendance depending on the opponent, but it is not a major factor. Every BG home game basketball game I have been to there has been roughly a similar size crowd, whether it was the Detroit beatdown or the nationally televised game against Akron

[bghockeyfan]

1. The difference in attendance is not very big. Attendance for two games vs. Ohio State: 1,781 and 2,435. Two weeks ago vs Lake Superior State: 2,178 and 2,174. Not a huge difference there.

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Fool. The Ohio State series was on Christmas break, when students were not on campus and had to pay $70 to come back early to stay in their OWN room. That's the reason that the Lake State series outdrew OSU. Period.