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Ok, I have heard it from many of you and I have even got PM's from some on this subject. Here are just some examples of the stuff that I have been talking about.
1. Disrespecting players & being a Coward- The senior class last year was unable to continue the long time tradition of senior speeches becuase the coaches were scared what their own players were going to say about them.
2. Lying & being a Coward- Its a fact that players are going to miss games, there are some that miss more than others. The ones that miss alot go up and ask what they can work on to get in the lineup. Coach says "nothing you are playing good, but remember that pass you gave 2 days ago in practice that missed the persons tape, thats why you are sitting out." Miss one pass in a week of practice and you don't play. Wonder why everyone on the team holds their sticks a little tighter when they play.
3. Favortisim- Some players get to chose their sticks whatever it is and some have use whatever coach tells them to. Sticks are a very personal preference in hockey.
4. Ignorance- We do body fat testing and work out all summer, when you work out all summer muscle weighs more than fat. You are going to gain weight. At the end even though your body fat has decreased greatly you gain weight. Coach will be mad at you and yell at you becuase you weigh to much. The only way to not gain weight in the summer is to not work out. But coach tells you to go as hard as possible in the weight room. Wonder why the strength coach quit.
5. Lack of respect- Last year we had a great asst. Coach in dumont. Fogs and Pooch wouldn't tell him what was going on ever. He would have to ask me and other players what sets we were doing or other key info. He was there gopher to get food for them. Wonder why he left.
6. Favortisim- Players get stuck with whatever numbers are left when they come into BG. When a couple players asked for a change, the coach said no we aren't changing any numbers anymore. Then next season two jerseys had to be custom made becuase the numbers they requested didn't even exist and a couple other people got to change their numbers.
7. Demeaning players- For the first couple years, for most road trips we would leave on the Thursdayafter practice. Everyone had to bring their baggage to the rink in thoughts that they were going. Everyone knew before hand who wasn't making the trip. Its is whoever out of 6 people coach dislikes at that particular time. The when the lineup was announced the players not going had to take all their baggage they packed and go home infront of the other players. The went on till someone spoke up about it.
8. Lying directly to players- A player went up to the coach and asked why he wasn't playing in the second game of a weekend series. They gave examples and the player said I don't remember any of that could you show me on the tape on Monday. Then on Monday, the coach was unable to show any examples of the reasons he gave the player two days before for why he was sitting out.
I could go on much more but my hands are getting tired from typing. These are just a couple of examples. Just ask yourself whether or not you would want your kid playing for these guys.

bigdog, thank your for the examples. Now we are getting somewhere.

Thank you from me, also. Some of this stuff is tough to swallow, but is quite eye opening.

Ok, this is my first foray into this. I have been reading this from the beginning. I have held off because I honestly don't feel I'm qualified to comment on what's going on. I do thank Bigdog for citing some examples for his concern with the program. I know that everyone is not going to be pleased all the time. That's life, that's how it works, pretty much. I guess you have to make the best of the situation you are in. My wife and I are HUGE Falcon hockey fans. We have season tickets and we are at every home game. I was in school during the "Good" times. In fact I was a Sophomore when we won the national championship. I used to play cards in my dorm with Gino Cavellini, Scott Hoyt and Kerry Kennedy. Times change. We all want what's best for the program. We all want what's best for the kids. I will love Falcon Hockey however the team is doing, or whomever is the coach. I'm here to support each and every one. I love Bowling Green....period! I'm a Falcon, and always will be a Falcon. And I do play the game. I've been playing organized hockey for 17 years now...not at the College level, but I know enough to understand some of Bigdogs concerns. The stick issue interests me. Bigdog, could you explain to me how it works? Do the players have to buy their sticks, or does the University have a contract with a certain company? And I do know how important a stick is to each individual. You wouldn't believe how important it is to have a stick that "feels" right. I broke one of my composites on Sunday night and my back-up stick was the identical make to my main stick. When I grabbed it from the bench, it felt completely foreign to me. It just didn't have the "feel". And it can throw your game off completely. Just thought I might be able to add some insight into what he is talking about. I'm sure more discussion about the situation is on the way, and I will sit here and watch what transpires. I may not agree or disagree with everything that is said, but it is discussion, and that's what this forum is for. By the way, did everybody know that Ben Assenmacher is playing for the Findlay Freedom? In fact he and his brother are both playing. Findlay has started the season in the North Eastern Hockey League with 2 wins. They will usually play on Sunday afternoons at "The Cube", (formerly the Hancock Recreation Center). They have a website at findlayfreedom.com, although sometimes it's up and sometimes it's not. You can find their schedule at, http://www.aleaguehockey.com/. That's it folks. Thanks for listening.

GO FALCONS!!!!!!

yes I will explain the stick issue. There is a contract, not sure now what it is with sticks but it used to be Bauer and Nike. Everyone tries out every companies sticks over the summer and then puts what he would like from each company. Most of this doesn't matter becuase there are only a few people who get to go outside the contract and use the stick they want. There are many times that players wanted sticks from many other companies and then were stuck with using possibly their last choice becuase it looks better cause there was a contract. The most ignorant thing that Pooch did with the stick issue was trying to make players usea two piece. He claimed that our team didn't have good enough hands to use the one piece sticks. If a player hates the stick that they are using then they are going to have worse hands no matter what. This is however just one example, not the biggest by far but it is pretty important to a player to have the stick they want to use to play the best.

Thanks for posting some examples on some things that have actually gone on in the past. There is a lot of truth to what bigdog has been saying. Although I still believe it is not a reason to get rid of a coach or can be blamed for all the losing, he is speaking the truth and starting up some good conversation. I think these are little thigs that can be changed. Another thing that comes to mind is the facial hair and length of hair issues, I think there are some litle things that the coaching staff worries about too much rather than just worrying about the performance on the ice. Sure you want to look respectable and represent your team as best as possible but we as players dont want to look stupid either so why would anyone want to grow a long beard or hair past there butt, things we shouldnt have to worry about, I think in the end players would do it just because they werent supposed to, a way to get back at coach. Great points

You are not a player falconalumn. If you are than talk about something that only the boys would know, because you do not sound like any guy i played with at BG, thats for damn sure. say something that can prove to me and bigdog that you were a player.

hair we go. almost all hockey players grow beards for playoffs, every level, it brings the team together. It's just accepted. Paluch said no beards. Hair length. You will notice that BG players have short hair even though long is the style nowadays. However, there is one star player who doesn't have to cut his hair. Now that really gets under the other players' skin. It's a stupid rule and he even more stupidly will let a certain player break it. Everything else bigdog says is true too and it's still going on. Also Paluch talks to the players like they are children even though many of them are in their early 20s. They hate him for this. During practices he will get all excited and tongue tied and can't remember player's names - even the captains!!! Really impressive don't you think? I don't know if he's a good technical coach or a bad technical coach, but if your players hate you, the team is NEVER going to get anywhere no matter how much talent you bring in. Anybody remember Notre Dame from two years ago? Look what a difference a coaching change has made there in just two years. I'll shut up now.

Here is one thing I wish Pooch would enforce: Players must never remove their shirts at Ziggy's while dancing, or anytime for that matter. It happened way too many times when I was in school two years ago.

Heyman and FreddietheFalconBG

Tempers in check boys! Keep it calm....they will hear you better.

Thanks for posting some examples on some things that have actually gone on in the past. There is a lot of truth to what bigdog has been saying. Although I still believe it is not a reason to get rid of a coach or can be blamed for all the losing, he is speaking the truth and starting up some good conversation. I think these are little thigs that can be changed. Another thing that comes to mind is the facial hair and length of hair issues, I think there are some litle things that the coaching staff worries about too much rather than just worrying about the performance on the ice. Sure you want to look respectable and represent your team as best as possible but we as players dont want to look stupid either so why would anyone want to grow a long beard or hair past there butt, things we shouldnt have to worry about, I think in the end players would do it just because they werent supposed to, a way to get back at coach. Great points

I've been told by the players to tone it down on this forum and so I will out of respect to them and the bs they had to put up with during their college hockey career. So sorry guys, I didn't mean to get you guys into trouble. I take total credit for my postings. So I'll start over...listen or don't, it's entirely up to you.

FalconAlum- you say you were a player, I remember a story I heard from some of the players a year or so back. Let me know if you remember it, since you(I guess) were there too. In your above remarks, "but we as players don't want to look stupid." So how about this for looking stupid. Pooch would ask all the guys to look clean cut and to where a suit and tie on the days they flew out for a game. However, when the team gathered together to depart for a road game, they had a coach stand before them in nothing but a pair of wrinkled dockers and a shirt that was tucked out of his pants with a black BG wind jacket to go over it. I guess the key was to look professional when they arrived to another school to play, tell me something FalconAlum, did you players feel more stupid b/c some of your teammates had long hair and a beard (but suited up nice) or feel stupid about having a coach looking half ass? Just curious if this ever crossed your mind as you watched your coach board the plane.

correct me if I'm off on this story bigdog and freddiethefalcon??? Just an example of poor class and double standards.

I have never gotten why the players have to wear suits to the away games??? They have to put on their suits to come out and talk to their parents and then board the bus and then they all change on the bus into their running suits??? Although I am sure all the fans of the female persuasion don't mind walking by the bus only to see the players stripping down to their boxes. All the other visiting teams wear running suits, why not BG?

I am curious, I would like to hear more examples of coaching style or how the lack there of . (again without the name calling and cursing.) I know what I have observed, tell us what should be different.

you want me to prove I am a player. hmmmmmmmmmmm what is something only us players would know....... how about you quiz me about something because I would love to answer whatever you ask. I dont really want to talk about other people on here I was going to maybe name the words to the sweep song but those are not appropriate for this chat room, so go ahead, you or bigdog, ask me anything and i will prove it to you.

blueliners_bg wrote:I have never gotten why the players have to wear suits to the away games??? They have to put on their suits to come out and talk to their parents and then board the bus and then they all change on the bus into their running suits??? Although I am sure all the fans of the female persuasion don't mind walking by the bus only to see the players stripping down to their boxes. All the other visiting teams wear running suits, why not BG?

I am curious, I would like to hear more examples of coaching style or how the lack there of . (again without the name calling and cursing.) I know what I have observed, tell us what should be different.

I don't have a good answer as to why BG has to wear suits to the road games.
I can tell you that I've seen other teams do suits, although I can't speak to whether they do them for all road games, or just happened to do them for the games they came the building I worked at. BC and Northeastern have both come to the arena with suits on. BC has also been in warmups (different game). Northeastern had a different coach back when I saw them so it could have been his policy.
True, the majority do wear their warmups to road games, but suits at the NCAA level are not unheard of.

From what I understand they've lightened up a bit on the hair issue. I know that both Spratt and Matsu have their hair pretty long right now.

As far as I'm concerned I could care less about how long a player has his hair or whether he has a beard and/or moustache, as long as he leaves it all out on the ice. Besides, look at the photo of Bob Dobek in the Hall of Fame.....he looks pretty badass, like he'd just as soon go through you as opposed to around you. Within reason, a player should have his own image because it's how he perceives himself and how he wants others to perceive him.