Reception with President Cartwright in NYC
Posted: Fri Jun 19, 2009 12:57 pm
On Wednesday evening I attended a reception in New York City with BGSU President Carol Cartwright and other prominent alumni who live in the New York metropolitan area. After her speech I asked her if she could comment about the rumors facing the elimination of the ice hockey program. I was impressed with her knowledge about the situation. She mentioned what a financial commitment it would take to save the program. The University is currently conducting studies to see if a fundraising program would be feasible to help save the program. She is expecting those reports back in the next couple weeks. She also mentioned how difficult it is to fund a men’s ice hockey in today’s economic climate. She discussed how Miami-Ohio and Notre Dame were faced with the same difficulties within the past few years. I also had a long conversation with her husband Phil Cartwright and he was glad that I brought the subject matter up but he also stressed the huge financial commitment needed. But I must also mention that at least three-fourths of the people in that room had no knowledge about the men’s ice hockey situation. I hope I “stirred the pot” a bit last night and I definitely got people talking. Bottom line is I feel that the administration is aware of the sensitivity of the situation but I also fear that there is that sense of a “lack of commitment” on their end.
Well done!!