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I talked briefly with Greg Christopher at a meeting about the Stroh Center regarding his plans in terms of hockey. I asked him if there was a plan for a new ice hockey arena considering how similar the situations are with Anderson and the Ice Arena. He said they determined that the Ice Arena was more "saveable" than Anderson, and concluded that about 8 million dollars in renovations would help modernize the building significantly. He also said that the idea of a new arena had been discussed, but the lack of large donors was a problem. I then asked if they had talked to some of the more significant alumni to get that big Stroh-sized donation that would get the ball rolling (I mentioned Rob Blake specifically as an example). He said they had, but they had not been able to get much enthusiasm for a major 7 figure donation for a new arena, but, should they get such a donation, that would open the door for the possibility of a new arena.

I did not ask him about the possibility of cutting hockey in the future, but he seemed very supportive of the hockey program. I got the feeling that he would do everything in his power to keep the program going

murphdogg wrote:I talked briefly with Greg Christopher at a meeting about the Stroh Center regarding his plans in terms of hockey. I asked him if there was a plan for a new ice hockey arena considering how similar the situations are with Anderson and the Ice Arena. He said they determined that the Ice Arena was more "saveable" than Anderson, and concluded that about 8 million dollars in renovations would help modernize the building significantly. He also said that the idea of a new arena had been discussed, but the lack of large donors was a problem. I then asked if they had talked to some of the more significant alumni to get that big Stroh-sized donation that would get the ball rolling (I mentioned Rob Blake specifically as an example). He said they had, but they had not been able to get much enthusiasm for a major 7 figure donation for a new arena, but, should they get such a donation, that would open the door for the possibility of a new arena.

I did not ask him about the possibility of cutting hockey in the future, but he seemed very supportive of the hockey program. I got the feeling that he would do everything in his power to keep the program going

Yay! that's some positive news!

Did he mention any new timeline for renovations?

All he said was that it was mostly due to the economy, but I think the donations haven't been coming in very much recently. He described a "gift pyramid" to me as how donations usually work. There are a small number of people at the top who donate sizable portions of money (someone like Kerm Stroh). This starts the ball rolling, and they work their way down to smaller, more numerous donors. He definitely sounded like he was committed to getting the renovations as soon as economically feasible, so I think we should have them started in fairly short order.

Humm .... "the donations haven't been coming in very much recently." Am I the only one who has been waiting for a plan and a request? Although I'd be a bottom feeder on the gift pyramid, I think there are many of us who are waiting to see some concrete ideas, timelines and corresponding pledge drives. Though I've never seen it, there's a brick with my name somewhere in weight/training room. That was a project that was needed, doable, and organized. I'll open the checkbook for a specific arena renovation plan, but am very wary of "black hole" donations to the athletic dept. in general.

I've been thinking too, that perhaps the Ice Arena renovation discussion is a bit too hockey focused. Have the figure skaters chimed in ... how about the open skaters, the curlers, and the community in general? I'm not in a position to know, but I hope they're also active behind the scenes. We're all in this together. And if someone with the name recognition of Scott Hamilton endorsed a fund drive the effort would draw broad-based support from the hockey community as well as those who can't name a former Falcon NHL'er.

why do you have to be asked to give?

If you want to give, give, and earmark it specifically for the ice arena.

redskins4ever wrote:why do you have to be asked to give?

If you want to give, give, and earmark it specifically for the ice arena.

Because from year to year, the ability to do so seems to shift in detail. Plus the department flip-flops between allowing it, and strongly discouraging it.

The lack of clarity on how to give for the purpose you have in mind, remains a major issue at BGSU.

rally wrote:Humm .... "the donations haven't been coming in very much recently." Am I the only one who has been waiting for a plan and a request? Although I'd be a bottom feeder on the gift pyramid, I think there are many of us who are waiting to see some concrete ideas, timelines and corresponding pledge drives. Though I've never seen it, there's a brick with my name somewhere in weight/training room. That was a project that was needed, doable, and organized. I'll open the checkbook for a specific arena renovation plan, but am very wary of "black hole" donations to the athletic dept. in general.

I've been thinking too, that perhaps the Ice Arena renovation discussion is a bit too hockey focused. Have the figure skaters chimed in ... how about the open skaters, the curlers, and the community in general? I'm not in a position to know, but I hope they're also active behind the scenes. We're all in this together. And if someone with the name recognition of Scott Hamilton endorsed a fund drive the effort would draw broad-based support from the hockey community as well as those who can't name a former Falcon NHL'er.

I think that's spot on, If the unv. gets a large donation and sets a plan for renovations, I think even more lower level donors will pop up to help!!

I really hope that this is a blessing in disguise. Now that the renovations have been delayed and the rumors circulating about cutting hockey have created urgency among the fans, hopefully, a few big donors will step up and provide gifts that will allow for a new state-of-the-art ice arena. I am keeping my fingers crossed that this is the silver lining in what now appears to be a complete mess of uncertainty.

Can somebody plug www.SaveBGhockey.org on the facebook group? No, I don't have an account, and no, I don't want to start one.

Sure thing, I'll post it if it hasn't been.

NWLB wrote:

redskins4ever wrote:why do you have to be asked to give?

If you want to give, give, and earmark it specifically for the ice arena.

Because from year to year, the ability to do so seems to shift in detail. Plus the department flip-flops between allowing it, and strongly discouraging it.

The lack of clarity on how to give for the purpose you have in mind, remains a major issue at BGSU.

Thats the problem with BGSU... lack of leadership, lack of organization, and the fact that they make life to difficult is why groups struggle to raise money.

When the University figures out how to work together, all departments, all groups, is when the university will turn a corner... until then they will continue to wallow in muck.

Beggars can't be choosers when a university is cash poor.