Project Falcon News Coverage

bgsufn · Post by **bgsufn** » Tue Oct 17, 2006 11:57 am

Hey all... just wanted to let you know that "Project Falcon" got some news coverage in my hometown Bryan Times. I thought it was a very well-written story.

A special homecoming weekend

By JOHN FRYMAN
Senior Sports Writer

It took just one e-mail message to brighten a very special homecoming weekend for Karl Smith and his 8-year-old son, Noah, who attended Saturday’s homecoming football game between Bowling Green State University and Eastern Michigan University at Doyt L. Perry Stadium.

Every year Karl Smith — a 1987 graduate of BGSU who resides just outside of Philadelphia — makes a trip back to his alma mater to attend a Falcons home football game with his son.

However, this year situations arose within the Smith family that complicated matters. Smith’s father recently passed away and a family illness occurred. That meant the annual father-son trip was a luxury they couldn’t afford this year.

But through the efforts of fellow alumnus Chris Malanga, a 1997 BGSU graduate, Smith and his son were able to go to the BGSU game. Malanga, a Bryan resident, learned about Smith’s situation through a posting on www.ay-ziggyzoomba.com — a website for BGSU fans.

“He (Smith) had posted messages frequently on the ayziggy-zoomba fanboard and he sometimes also writes a column on the website,” said Malanga. “He had written a column about how every year he and his son have come out for a game and it was something they have looked forward to as a father and son trip. This year, because of a couple of family situations, he was unable to make the trip back to his alma mater.”

Malanga was moved by Smith’s message describing how hard it was for him to tell his own son that he was unable to take him to Bowling Green for a football game this year. “I thought to myself, there’s got to be something that I can do,” he said.

Malanga then contacted Grant Cummings, the webmaster for the ay-ziggy-zoomba website and a fellow BGSU almunus. “I spoke to Grant (Cummings) about it and we started this little project called ‘Project Falcon,’” said Malanga. “We began fundraising to bring the Smiths to Bowling Green for homecoming weekend.”

Through the effort of Malanga and other BGSU alumni, they raised about $1,500 in donations to cover the cost for the trip. “It was a really neat project because we tried to keep it secret as much as we could,” said Malanga.

Once funding was secured, Malanga contacted Karl Smith at work to talk about “Project Falcon.” Smith asked how he could help out with the project.

“I told him that you can help by coming out to Bowling Green because ‘Project Falcon’ is for you and your son,” said Malanga. “He was emotionally stunned and overwhelmed by the generosity of his fellow alumni, many of whom know him through the website.”

Smith and his son were among the 14,000-plus fans who were in attendance for Saturday’s homecoming game which the Falcons won 24-21.

“It’s phenomenal, especially the way it all came about and it’s incredible,” admitted Smith, who was attending his first homecoming game in 15 years.

“With the family situation that we’ve faced, it looked like we were not going to make it back to Bowling Green for a game this year.

“What Chris and the alumni did for us, it’s nothing short of a dream come true,” he said, admitting that it was a big surprise when he found that the efforts of “Project Falcon” were for him. “I became speechless,” said Smith.

After learning about the trip to Bowling Green, the younger Smith gave his dad a big hug. “It was very touching,” said Smith. “My son definitely loves the Falcons and he just started playing tackle football this year. His coach had asked him and his teammates who their favorite college teams were, and my son said ‘Bowling Green State University.’”

For Karl and Noah Smith, the 2006 BGSU homecoming game will definitely have a special meaning that will live for the rest of their lives. “With everything that came about this weekend — you just can’t write stories like this,” said Smith. “Once we got on campus on Friday night, everything was right with the world. What Chris (Malanga) and Grant (Cummings) did, it all came together. You really get a sense for the kind of family feel that we have at Bowling Green.”

[email protected].

Thanks again to everyone who donated! It was great to see Karl and Noah this past weekend.

Falcon Fanatic · Post by **Falcon Fanatic** » Tue Oct 17, 2006 12:06 pm

Is it online to read? It was great to see them again. We all had SUCH a blast Saturday at the tailgate!!!

bgsufn · Post by **bgsufn** » Tue Oct 17, 2006 12:09 pm

Falcon Fanatic wrote:Is it online to read? It was great to see them again. We all had SUCH a blast Saturday at the tailgate!!!

You didn't see the image of the story? I put a scan of it in my first post. If not, I've put it at http://www.malanga.net/projectfalcon/BT ... Falcon.jpg for archive.

Sorry if it didn't work!

Falcon Fanatic · Post by **Falcon Fanatic** » Tue Oct 17, 2006 12:14 pm

No image, only the dreaded RED X!!! At work, that usually happens. Thanks for the link, but unfortunately, can't check that here EITHER. Will check at home tonight. Thanks again for all you did for this. It was fantastic!!!

bgsufn · Post by **bgsufn** » Tue Oct 17, 2006 12:28 pm

Falcon Fanatic wrote:No image, only the dreaded RED X!!! At work, that usually happens. Thanks for the link, but unfortunately, can't check that here EITHER. Will check at home tonight. Thanks again for all you did for this. It was fantastic!!!

I posted the text of the article along with the photo above. At least you don't have to wait until you get home to read it

Rightupinthere · Post by **Rightupinthere** » Tue Oct 17, 2006 12:46 pm

Nice article and great picture.

You guys are a lot more blurry in person.

Falconfreak90 · Post by **Falconfreak90** » Tue Oct 17, 2006 10:31 pm

Great stuff, Chris! It was a great day and one I didn't want to end.

Great seeing Karl and Noah.

Zom · Post by **Zom** » Wed Oct 18, 2006 9:16 am

It's a good thing '87 settled for "57". 53, man, that's MY number!