Disturbing letter to editor

[bgbill]

from the S-T, 1/31 ...
Sports Mailbag: Reader concerned about Ice Arena
Written by Sentinel Newsroom
Saturday, 31 January 2009
To the Editor:
Rumor has it that the Ice Arena and varsity hockey will be riding off into the sunset soon at BGSU.
If true, this truly tragic for the university and community. Tragic for the university that another men’s sport will be in the dumpster. Tragic for the community that I cannot think of any other building on the campus that has more use from folks here in our town and county.
I have heard nothing to dispel these rumors, should they be false. Therefore I would encourage all fans and supporters of BGSU varsity hockey, youth hockey, skating clubs, BG Bobcat hockey and curling to encourage those in position to make decisions not to end hockey or the life of the building.
Those who you may call would include: Gregory Christopher, athletics director, (419) 372-7052; Edward Whipple, vice-president of student affairs (419) 372-2147; or the office of the president at BGSU (419) 272-2211.
Not to call, is not to care and not to care will leave us all with our lives a little less enriched.

Mark Pape
Bowling Green

http://www.sent-trib.com/index.php?opti ... Itemid=102

[BGDrew]

If the University cuts hockey, I'm done with BG. It's as simple as that. If our AD is that blind to the fact that hockey outdraws basketball from a wide margin and has a much better pipeline to the NHL, I don't want anything to do with BGSU athletics anymore.

With that said, it's all rumors anyways.

[ffejfalcon]

Reading this made me sick to my stomach this morning...IMO hockey and BGSU are synonymous. It's a HUGE part of the BGSU history and this administration better seriously consider in the impact of what shutting down this program would mean. Hate to say it but I too, as a protest, would stop making any $ dontations for a long period of time.

I'm going to throw up now............

[Rightupinthere]

I think the rumors surround the new president. I, therefore, have a really tough time believing them.

Is there a link where I can find an annualized report of the AD? I would like to perform my own CBA of the ice arena.

[Fredrone]

Falcon hockey fans. This is not just rumor. Believe it! The future of the hockey program is on the table. Make your voice heard now. Call the numbers and let the University know your feelings. Kudos to Mark Pape for providing the numbers.

I assure you it has nothing to do with BGSU installing a new President. Ice Hockey isn't on her radar. It also shouldn't be very difficult for anyone to believe. The ice arena is a rundown facility, the program is suffering from waning fan support, the team is struggling to compete in the CCHA, and there is a financial crisis that is impacting every department on campus.

Again, this is not just a rumor. The BG hockey community needs to speak loudly and be prepared to dip into their pockets to save this program. [/i]

[Falcon Commander]

anyone got any email address for the decision makers???

[Falcon Frenzy]

I was going to ask for the same thing. I seem to remember someone posting Greg Christopher's e-mail address on the forum a long time ago but I am not sure in what thread. If anyone has the e-mail addresses, please post them!

This is truly disheartening to hear these rumors. I strongly feel that if BGSU does eliminate the hockey program this will be a travesty for both the University and for the community.

[Fredrone]

Greg Christopher's e-mail address is [email protected].

Dr. Whipple's e-mail address is [email protected].

I don't believe there is any value in e-mailing the President at this point, but for the record her e-mail address is [email protected]. I think we should make our feelings known to the leadership of the Falcon Club and have them begin spreading the word.

[Falcon Frenzy]

Thank you for posting the e-mails!

[sbkbghockey]

Even if these rumors are true I don't think they would be for a few years.
If the Unv. decided to end ice hockey I assume they'd use the money saved to fix up the ice arena since it is one of the few buildings that is used by the community as well.
I suspect BG club hockey would move up to ACHA DI and fill the hockey void of students and fans much like Kent State, Mich-Dearborn, etc.

[Falcon Fanatic]

I suspect BG club hockey would move up to ACHA DI and fill the hockey void of students and fans much like Kent State, Mich-Dearborn, etc.

GRRRRR!!!
You are making it sound like it'd be just fine if they did away with varsity hockey since we have a club team!!
THAT IS NOT ACCEPPTABLE....PERIOD!!!

[Bleeding Orange]

Disturbing, indeed. I think writing E-mails and making phone calls is somewhat constructive, but if they are all coming from the same handful of people I doubt they will have a great deal of impact. And, as the saying goes, actions speak louder than words.

It may take a great deal of effort, but I would think that most people in and around Bowling Green have a previous relationship with the hockey program, given it's extensive history. For whatever reason, many people that used to attend home games have decided to stay away for some time now, and perhaps it would be worth it to reach out to those people, as fans still engaged with the program, and let them know how important it is for them to come back now. The argument should be pretty easy particularly with those who are worried about losing their kids' 'home ice.'

I'm mostly just brainstorming here, but hopefully this makes sense to somebody. I wish I was still in the area.

[It's the Journey...]

I wish I was still in the area as well BO. Here is my idea, and please pardon me if I step on some toes. It is unintentional. I would love to see more community involvement in revitalizing the arena and less moaning that the University needs to get off their asses and fix the arena from the community! I'm not trying to point a finger at anyone because the fact is BGSU has let the place go, as it has with many of it's facilities. A preventative maintenance program would be costly at first but would work wonders for the University as a whole.

I would like to see the community create something like a holding company to purchasse the ice arena from the University. The contract would be written in a way that doesn't change much of the personel and allows the University to use the facility for classes, and both varsity and club hockey. The holding company takes on all upkeep and debt of the facility but can contract with the University to have maintenance provided.

Now this holding company's purpose is to find and apply for outside grants to fund the rehabilitation and expansion of the building. Grants from the state and federal governments as well as private industry should be open. Perhaps the feds can be hit up to help the building be more "green" with the use of solar power. I mean the roof is just asking for that to happen. Maybe an agreement with Bose is signed to allow them to study sound in a colder enfivironment. The possibilities go on and on. Many of these studies could be conducted by professors and students at BGSU. Isn't that the height of cooperation?

The details would have to be worked out but I can see money coming in to make the ice arena viable for the next 40 years for both the Univesity and community. I see a facility with 2 full sheets of ice, curling, private function areas, locker rooms, and more. I see a facility that hosts tournaments, skating competitions, ice shows, other concerts. This building could be a second concert venue for the Univesity and community. The possibilities are endless.

All it takes is someone to quit complaining that the University does nothing to support hockey in BG, which is bulls***, and start doing something more than writing an ambigous letter to the editor in the Sentinel-Tribune!

[sbkbghockey]

I wish I was still in the area as well BO. Here is my idea, and please pardon me if I step on some toes. It is unintentional. I would love to see more community involvement in revitalizing the arena and less moaning that the University needs to get off their asses and fix the arena from the community! I'm not trying to point a finger at anyone because the fact is BGSU has let the place go, as it has with many of it's facilities. A preventative maintenance program would be costly at first but would work wonders for the University as a whole.

I would like to see the community create something like a holding company to purchasse the ice arena from the University. The contract would be written in a way that doesn't change much of the personel and allows the University to use the facility for classes, and both varsity and club hockey. The holding company takes on all upkeep and debt of the facility but can contract with the University to have maintenance provided.

Now this holding company's purpose is to find and apply for outside grants to fund the rehabilitation and expansion of the building. Grants from the state and federal governments as well as private industry should be open. Perhaps the feds can be hit up to help the building be more "green" with the use of solar power. I mean the roof is just asking for that to happen. Maybe an agreement with Bose is signed to allow them to study sound in a colder enfivironment. The possibilities go on and on. Many of these studies could be conducted by professors and students at BGSU. Isn't that the height of cooperation?

The details would have to be worked out but I can see money coming in to make the ice arena viable for the next 40 years for both the Univesity and community. I see a facility with 2 full sheets of ice, curling, private function areas, locker rooms, and more. I see a facility that hosts tournaments, skating competitions, ice shows, other concerts. This building could be a second concert venue for the Univesity and community. The possibilities are endless.

All it takes is someone to quit complaining that the University does nothing to support hockey in BG, which is bulls***, and start doing something more than writing an ambigous letter to the editor in the Sentinel-Tribune!

That's a wonderful Idea and I'd love to see that happen although I doubt it will. Going Green is the only viable way to build or upgrade ice arenas., especially with todays economy. Green building would cut down on some of the money (and it takes a lot) to run and maintain an ice arena.

I've heard rumors the past few years that BG wants to build an ice rink. I think somewhere on the NW side of town. Although from what I've heard the main reason is for public use and for high school hockey to give BGHS a main ice and probably a few other High school team as Tamo is pretty congested.

GRRRRR!!!
You are making it sound like it'd be just fine if they did away with varsity hockey since we have a club team!!
THAT IS NOT ACCEPPTABLE....PERIOD!!!

DONT PUT WORDS IN MY MOUTH!! It's NOT fine rumor is true, loosing the varsity program would be bad for BG in many ways. I was merely pointing out what has happened at many schools over the past 10-20 years.

[Falcon Fanatic]

DONT PUT WORDS IN MY MOUTH!! It's NOT fine rumor is true, loosing the varsity program would be bad for BG in many ways. I was merely pointing out what has happened at many schools over the past 10-20 years.

Sorry, didn't mean it to come across that way, probably any more than your post did!! This whole subject has me off the deep end!!! I just want to scream!!!