A challenge: How can YOU help BGSU improve?

[falconfan1999]

We all like to chime in on this site about how we think our fine U. is doing. We all have criticisms and complaints when things are going the way we want them to or when we can't get that recruit that we really need. So my challenge to all of you is this? What can you do to make BGSU more attractive to potential recruits? How can you sell the university to potential studs? How can you help the teams reach that next level? How can you help improve the quality of BGSU?

I have thought about this after much time.... and I have come up with several ways that I help BGSU and the community.
1. I am a season ticket holder for football
2. I come to at least one basketball and/or hockey contest per season
3. I have a BGSU MBNA credit card that "donates" a percentage back to BGSU.
4. My wife donates money to the band program annually.
5. My wife and I attend professional conferences at the university.
6. Whenever possible, we always try to eat at places that support the university.
7. I wear BGSU apparel whenever possible around potential students.
8. We have a BGSU flag hanging from our house

etc, etc...

but recently, I have contacted several coaches about trying to help them to recruit my part of Ohio. I am a teacher, so I see athletic contests all the time. I also know a thing or two about kids. I feel that this is a natural connection to helping the university to reach out to some kids who could really blossom as Falcons. While I am certainly not a recruiter, I can help those who are doing the recruiting to make contact with some kids who they might not know about. Maybe we can help to improve the recruiting for our parts of the world, while helping BGSU to make do with their tight recruiting budgets.

What are you going to do?

[Jacobs4Heisman]

I think something along these lines would make a great editorial in the BG News and the Sentinel-Tribune. I think a lot of the people that frequent this site are already doing many of the same things as you. If you could reach this out to the more fringe BG community, I think it could do a lot of good.

We all need to do everything we can to help out BG, whenever we are able. The people are what differentiate BGSU from all the other choices out there. I think the school has made so much progress since I came here in 2000. My dad (an alum) comes back out for a game every now and then, and he can't believe how far we've come.

I think another thing we can all do easily, is just talk to people about BGSU more often. Brag about the university, all the success the sports teams have had, and how much fun you had while you were there. When you are at an away game, strike up conversations with opposing fans. Be cordial, and share with them some history and traditions of BGSU. When you see fans of other teams, invite them to have a beer with you, or ask about their school's traditions. Represent your university with class and respect, and our reputation does nothing but improve.

[TG1996]

Agreed. Not everyone can give the same amount of money, time or resources to help the university, but finding ways in your daily life or areas of expertise to pass along the word of BGSU is invaluable. I think the people at work are tired of hearing my BG stories (get ready, the McLeod era has just begun! ), but I'm not gonna stop.

BGSUsports.com (and "family") has some ideas churning to keep passing the "stories and tradition" along, too!

[falconfan1]

1999 and jacobs, those are fine posts. I am with you all the way and you make my night as I read this stuff. As far as the recruiting help, just identifying athletes as you observe and forwarding names to the appropriate coach makes good sense. Of course, any actual contact with potential student-athlets as a "representative of BG athletic interests" should always be avoided. I always review my NCAA contact/regulations info I receive from our compliance office every year. I have actually called this office to make sure I understand the rules.

But I really enjoy talking up BG with regular HS students and parents I run across. BG is well regarded right now as you guys post above.

One other thing we can all do is get a BGSU license plate when we renew our plates. These dollars are very beneficial for our University, is a small outlay and spreads the BG name/logo.

Go Falcons!

[falconfan1999]

Isn't anyone else up to the task at hand?

[The Niz]

I am currently brainstorming ideas on how to recruit students. We need to hit the incoming freshman hard. Hook them while they're young, and hope that the idea sticks with them and they carry on the same work through their years here. I don't know about any of you, but I see very few underclassmen at sporting events and there is no reason for that. Get the youngins to the games every year. I had a friend (goofyeuph) show the true glory that is BG hockey my freshman year and I havn't missed any but four or five games since then.

One of my ideas is to either have a table in the union or a table right outside the union with a BG trivia type setup with t-shirts that say something along the lines of I'm a Falcon Fanatic on them for the people who do well with the trivia.

[BGSUCane]

Bring in more Florida recruits, or nothing but recruits from the south

[BGDrew]

I've said it before, and I'll sadly probably say it for a long time: This University does not believe in bringing young students to games. Things were great my Frosh and for the better part, my Sophomore year. Now we're lucky if they even advertise on campus that games are going on.

Like Big Tobacco says: Hook 'em when they're young.

[jeebus]

the best way to get students there is other students. i do my part...get tailgaters together and party then go to the game. alot of students on their way in dont even know we have football (ok not quite but few of em respect the program) but they DO know there's parties on saturday. if that party leads to a game then they'll go. that being said schedule the games later and you'll get more students because it becomes a party. i guess what i'm saying is BUILD THE COLLEGE FOOTBALL ATMOSPHERE. that's how you'll get students into the stadium. make it fun and one last thing.....win games. nobody wants to get drunk (sorry but ya guys are alums...you know) and go watch a losing battle.

[Falcon Fanatic]

One of my ideas is to either have a table in the union or a table right outside the union with a BG trivia type setup with t-shirts that say something along the lines of I'm a Falcon Fanatic on them for the people who do well with the trivia.

Excuse me, but I am the Falcon Fanatic around here!

These are all great ideas too, btw!! I have the Falcon license plate, and my desk corner of my classroom has an insane amount of BG/orange stuff. I wear orange every Friday (and on other big game days). I have a huge reputation at work for my love of BG!! I will keep doing my part to spread the good word!!!!

[FalconFanatic]

When I left last year I made sure that my spot was filled by an incoming freshman. Whenever I was at home over breaks and my sisters friends were over I always talked up BG over the other ohio schools. Because of my efforts I am personally responsible for at least 3 new incoming freshman this past year.

[Falcon Fanatic]

When I left last year I made sure that my spot was filled by an incoming freshman. Whenever I was at home over breaks and my sisters friends were over I always talked up BG over the other ohio schools. Because of my efforts I am personally responsible for at least 3 new incoming freshman this past year.

Good for you!! Keep up the good work and please continue it!!!! Now get them to BB and hockey!!!

[falconfan1999]

When I left last year I made sure that my spot was filled by an incoming freshman. Whenever I was at home over breaks and my sisters friends were over I always talked up BG over the other ohio schools. Because of my efforts I am personally responsible for at least 3 new incoming freshman this past year.

Right on!! Keep up coming in! We alumni need to bring some of our fellow alums with us to more functions!