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This is in the Sentinel-Tribune today.

http://www.sent-trib.com/stnew/index.ph ... &Itemid=40" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;

For the life of me I can't figure out why Christopher is doing this. Lock him up before another school steals him.

BGDrew wrote:For the life of me I can't figure out why Christopher is doing this. Lock him up before another school steals him.

Maybe the two wins through December has something to do with it? I know the story of this team can't be totally told through wins and losses, but what kind of message would that send, especially when you're trying to secure donors for the program.

GC says Williams will be in the mix for the search and I think that's fine. And do you really think another school (that would be more appealing to Williams than BG) is going to come out and make an unbelievable offer to a 2-10 interim coach, regardless of how great the players think he is to play for?

I agree with GC. They need to keep their options open and shop for the best solution. If they are serious about the commitment to hockey they owe it to the players and fans to find the best coach possible. A coach with a "name" and a "track record" could very quickly restore the credibility our program has been lacking in recent years. And, at the same time, still demand and receive a strong work ethic from the players.

The only way we should play in Toledo is if we play the Walleye, just like we played the golddiggers in a Home at home series.

Redwingtom wrote:I agree with GC. They need to keep their options open and shop for the best solution. If they are serious about the commitment to hockey they owe it to the players and fans to find the best coach possible. A coach with a "name" and a "track record" could very quickly restore the credibility our program has been lacking in recent years. And, at the same time, still demand and receive a strong work ethic from the players.

I'm fine with doing a search. Just do it now. The longer we go without a "permanent" head coach, the worse off we'll be recruiting. How do you convince someone to attend a school when they have no idea who they will be playing for?

I have to start by saying I'm absolutely INFURIATED by this article.

Drew, you asked why Christopher would say these things and do this?? I think the answer to that is simple. It's Christopher. You KNOW what happened last summer. Do you honestly think he wants what is best for this program? HARDLY! There's a reason why President Cartwright had to face 80 VERY angry Falcon alumni this summer and admit that she didn't have all of the facts. She faced the firing squad, she held her own, she did her research and got the CORRECT information and is now one of the biggest fundraisers the program has. That little lady is impressive...no doubt about that.

TG-you asked what message a 2-10 record shows the donors? As you admitted, the win-loss record does not reflect the product that is on the ice. Even in the article, Kevin Gordon states that we are overmatched against each and every opponent and frankly, we SHOULD have been blown out of most games this season if you're just looking at the stats on paper. Luckily, the games are played on ice. Secondly, I really wish everyone could've seen the biggest supporters of this team and people who will become the biggest donors COMPLETELY and TOTALLY supporting Coach Williams at the Brathaus in July. They are the ones who wanted him to give a speech. They are behind him. The chanting of "WILLY WILLY" still gives me chills...although I was chanting "RAZOR RAZOR" but that's neither here nor there.

Redwing- You stated that the program needed a "name" with a "track record." Well, we've tried that before. Paluch came in with the pedigree..and we all know how well that turned out. Secondly, this new coach could be the second coming of Scotty Bowman or Herb Brooks and with what the progam was left with, I honestly doubt that the record would be any different. Third, had you heard of Enrico Blasi before he became head coach at the NCAA runner-up Miami?? No, well he had graduated from Miami in 1994...and he's been head coach for 11 years. If you do the math, that doesn't make much of a "name." What about Tom Serratore at Bemidji State? He's a Bemidji alum and has been HC for 9 years. They have both been successful...and is that a "name?"

Lastly, Razor is EXACTLY the type of person and MAN that I want running this program now and in the future. His one sentence in that article tells you EVERYTHING you need to know about him. "I'm just going about my job and worrying about our team, our players and our staff, making sure we do well in the classroom, on the ice and in the community," Williams said. He's accessable and personable. Something that has not been seen in these parts and this program for a VERY VERY long 7 years!

I think the answer to all of this is simple. Christopher does NOT have the best interests of this program in mind.
GO FALCONS!!
Erika

I think Williams is doing a fine job.

I also think the AD is making the right decision.

If Williams is the right man for the job, he will continue to prove it. There is NO reason to sign him to a multi-year contract as head coach right now or even in April. Greg Christopher is doing his job searching for the BEST possible coach for the program... in which he is including the current coach of the program. I don't see what is so controversial.

Can't wait to see the team back in the Ice Arena late January.

This is very controversial! Especially if you are pissed the last coach didn't work out. Or if you are pissed that the attempts to demonize Dr. Cartwright failed. Or if you are pissed off at the actions, or lack thereof of the last few University Presidents and Athletic Directors. Of if you are pissed off that the department is not being run in the "way it used to be" run. As you can see, there are lots of reason why this is a horrible course of action and only leads to one logical conclusion; Greg Christopher hates hockey and is doing everything possible behind the scenes to make the program fail so he can divert that money to other sports.

I'm sure there are those who don't agree with me and will let me know about it either publicly or in private. But at this point I really don't give a damn!

This team is improving every week. They may not be winning, but they are getting better and Coach Williams is a big part of that. However, i'm not ready to rush out and give him a contract just yet. I would be more pissed if no other options were looked at. That would be a clear example of the AD NOT doing his job. He is running an 18 sport department, not just the hockey program. Sometimes that point is lost.

The simple fact is God could be running this department and it wouldn't be done the right way according to many on here. They tried to completely discredit Dr. Cartwright and had to eat humble pie. Now they are going after Greg Christopher. It must be nice to be close to BG and "know" all of the behind the scenes dealings that are going on. Maybe if some information were passed on to those who are not close more support would be found. It seems as thought he is taking the brunt of decision that were not made by AD's Krebs, Zwerline (sp?), Gregory; or by Presidents Ribeau, Olscamp, and others. If Paul Olscamp were truly the ultimate supporter of hockey many claim him to be the Ice Arena wouldn't be in the condition it is in today. The administration is dealing with issues that SHOULD have been dealt with 20+ years ago as if it is all their fault. What a load of crap!

We need to grow up, work with those who ARE making the decisions, call them out publicly when necessary, move on to solidify the future of BGSU hockey, athletics, and the University as a whole!



And for those who may bring up a perceived bias of mine at some point, this is EXACTLY how I would react if we were talking about Gymnastics and not Hockey!

Williams has the support of the team, the donors, and the alumni.

The longer you go without a legitimate head coach the longer you let recruits think that things aren't settled.

As far as how GC factors into this whole thing? I don't really have a dog in the fight so I'm not going to say much about it. I do think at times he might be a little over his head since he has no experience with a hockey team under his watch. Maybe we need to create a position to oversee the hockey program?

I will say that there isn't a prouder bunch than those who are members of the hockey family.

And Journey? Move on man. You hate this forum so stay out. It's simple.

BGDrew wrote: And Journey? Move on man. You hate this forum so stay out. It's simple.

The man did just have a baby. And he lives in a house full of women. All of that estrogen, combined with the prodigious amount that he produces can only lead to insanity in one form or another.

BGDrew wrote:Williams has the support of the team, the donors, and the alumni.

The longer you go without a legitimate head coach the longer you let recruits think that things aren't settled.

As far as how GC factors into this whole thing? I don't really have a dog in the fight so I'm not going to say much about it. I do think at times he might be a little over his head since he has no experience with a hockey team under his watch. Maybe we need to create a position to oversee the hockey program?

I will say that there isn't a prouder bunch than those who are members of the hockey family.

And Journey? Move on man. You hate this forum so stay out. It's simple.

Why would we, in a budget crisis, even consider adding another layer or bureaucracy that isn't necessary? The man is dong his job. Unless there is someone that wants to come forward publicly with proof that he is trying to undermine the process then we all need to work with him. He is one of the decision makers and alienating him does no good whatsoever.

Dude! If you knew me you would know I don't hate this forum at all. I hate how this has become a witch hunt first with Cartwright and now with Christopher. I'll be in and comment on what I want, as much as I want if that is what it takes to keep both sides present in this debate.

I should probably have clarified that by "donors" in my previous post, I meant people outside the big money folks that have stepped up or been rumored to step up. That circle of people would donate if they named Moe Ankney head coach, as long as the hockey program was sticking around. I meant more of the on the fence donors that might be looking for a reason to donate to the hockey program, but don't see more than a boxscore.

Trust me, I'm well aware of the strides this team has made from the first few weeks of the season and even with all the losses, I never expected them to at least be "in" just about every game this year. I'm not saying Williams ISN'T the answer, but what answer would make everyone happy? I think it's agreed you have to give the next coach a few years to shore things up. With everything Williams has shown, does he really deserve a three-year deal based on 15 games worth of resume?

Whatever. Go hockey.

It's the Journey... wrote:

BGDrew wrote:As far as how GC factors into this whole thing? I don't really have a dog in the fight so I'm not going to say much about it. I do think at times he might be a little over his head since he has no experience with a hockey team under his watch. Maybe we need to create a position to oversee the hockey program?

I will say that there isn't a prouder bunch than those who are members of the hockey family.

And Journey? Move on man. You hate this forum so stay out. It's simple.

Why would we, in a budget crisis, even consider adding another layer or bureaucracy that isn't necessary? The man is dong his job. Unless there is someone that wants to come forward publicly with proof that he is trying to undermine the process then we all need to work with him. He is one of the decision makers and alienating him does no good whatsoever.

Dude! If you knew me you would know I don't hate this forum at all. I hate how this has become a witch hunt first with Cartwright and now with Christopher. I'll be in and comment on what I want, as much as I want if that is what it takes to keep both sides present in this debate.

We're just going to have to agree to disagree I guess. There's more than a few positions and budgets that are still bloated given the economic issues right now. I think a giant hurdle has been the fact that the Ice Arena is not operated by the athletic department and instead falls under Recreation and Wellness.

I think hockey does a wonderful job staying within their budgetary constraints and even has less paid coaches than some of our non-revenue sports. All the hockey people want from our athletic department is the same kind of support that they have given the football and basketball teams over the past 5-10 years. The millions of dollars (not including the Sebo which was needed) spent on renovating the football stadium while our arena crew tried to fix holes in the wall with chicken wire and spackle was a slap in the face to a lot of people.

We definitely saw an influx of money to the general budget of the athletic department when Mr. Christopher was hired. Hell, it's what the guy does best. But, hockey has been told time and time again to just keep waiting and they'd get their fundraising campaign only for them to be canceled again, and again, and again until the program was setup in the chopping block. It doesn't matter who's fault it is that it happened but the current administration is in a position to fix the issue and a lot of what's been coming out recently sounds like the same song-and-dance many saw for 10 years. They're tired of waiting and frankly, don't have a lot of trust for any of the administration members. That kind of issue isn't fixed overnight. Continue to give the financial and operational support and you will see a return on your investment.

Willy is one of our own. He holds 2 degrees from BGSU and is the kind of model coach you want representing your program. He is vocal in the community, is strict about academic goals (he's already suspended one player for missing class this year), and demands that his players respect the history of BGSU hockey. You can't give a man a butterknife and expect him to cut down a sequoia. Stability is something that has been missing here for a long time. Dennis gives you that.

(/soapbox)

BGDrew wrote:
Willy is one of our own. He holds 2 degrees from BGSU and is the kind of model coach you want representing your program. He is vocal in the community, is strict about academic goals (he's already suspended one player for missing class this year), and demands that his players respect the history of BGSU hockey. You can't give a man a butterknife and expect him to cut down a sequoia. Stability is something that has been missing here for a long time. Dennis gives you that.

(/soapbox)

+1

I agree Williams is taking the program towards the right direction... I am also hoping he continues to do so, and can record some more W's before the season is over. If the program can stay competitive with teams, and get more wins... it would be hard not to keep him in charge longer. Having said that... while he is the interim coach, the program will see if there is someone else out there that can do better. My gut tells me he will be here next year, although... being tied for last place in the CCHA does not help his case, even with the great strides the team is making that don't show up in the standings.