Defiance Barnstorming Tour Report (long but lots of info!)

[bgsufn]

Hey all... I was in attendance at the BGSU Barnstorming Tour in Defiance tonight. Thought I'd give you a report. There were about 50-75 people there.

As I was walking around, Greg Christopher came up and introduced himself to me. We talked for about 10 minutes. Great guy with a real vision for BGSU athletics. We talked about several things, including the schedule, facilities, etc. Some notes:

• Getting six home games is a priority. There are six home games scheduled for 2009, 2010, 2011 and 2012. He doesn't think there will be six in 2008 due to previous contracts.
• I asked how much the MAC office has to do with scheduling, and he said previously that they had a lot to do with it, but "not anymore!"
• Minnesota is coming to the Doyt in 2008.
• We're nearing finalization of a home-and-home with Indiana.
• At the Doyt, drainage system is currently going in, turf will go in shortly.
• Turf is coming to the fieldhouse, but not until May, 2008.

Then, the buffet opened and I got my food (which was very good). Lo and behold, who sits down next to me, but Gregg Brandon. We had a very nice conversation, he, I and another guy. Some notes:

• If the season started tomorrow, Sheehan would be starting QB.
• Turner needs to complete more than 56 percent of passes; sometimes just makes bad decisions.
• Sheehan is the better passer, but he's "not ready to throw Turner under the bus."
• Freddie Barnes will be a WR. Turner will feature in some running plays, if not the QB.
• They are definitely going to be better this year.
• Friday games are better than mid-week but he's not a big fan of them.
• The scheduled game @ Wyoming next year... they are trying to back it up to another year.
• Omar lost 10 million by not staying at BG... would have been a first or second rounder.
• "Omar leaving really hurt us last year."

Then they started the formal part of the program. GChris welcomed everyone and said that they wanted to come to the fans, so that fans will feel good about coming to campus. He mentioned that there are higher graduation rates and GPAs for student athletes than the rest of the student body. He said he wanted to make three basic points:

1. Thank you to Falcon Club members... very important because we have the smallest operating budget in MAC. "That needs to improve."
2. Come to campus for a game.
3. Wear BG colors/gear. "I'm sick of seeing Ohio State jerseys!"

Then baseball coach Danny Schmitz stood up:

• My 17th year of coaching.
• "We do a great job in the classroom!" - 23 of 34 players have 3.0+ GPA
• Good returning players.
• Outstanding freshman class coming in.

Next was Gregg Brandon:

• Sebo is a big time facility - "long time coming"
• "Huge step facility wise!"
• FieldTurf is a tremendous edition to Doyt
• "These are necessities for a D1 program!"
• To have a field that you can kick a FG in rain is important.
• 70 percent FB grad rate, honored by NCAA
• Important to have home field advantage - "We have to get that back... just like GameDay game"
• Last year was tough... played lots of kids and tough schedule
• Schedule not going to get easier

Pooch had to leave (wife got tickets to Riverdance ), so Mike Hodgson (hockey player) spoke:

• 6 freshmen coming in
• Good goaltender coming in
• More than 1/2 of team back
• Looking forward to season
• Play in tough league

Then Louis Orr (damn is he tall!!):

• Good to be back in Ohio
• "It's a good time to be at BG!"
• Home court advantage... talked to Charlie Coles and no one likes to play there when its full.
• If you win at home, you win MAC and get to tourney (referenced 18-0 home record in Stacey's senior year).
• 11 returning players, they know how to work hard
• Sebo is great addition
• No tougher thing than to be a student athlete... the more support you can give them the better.

Finally, Curt Miller spoke:

• "It has been a wonderful era for women's basketball."
• "It was nothing less than a dream season."
• What made it special was fans
• He expected crowds at E. Lansing, but told ladies not to expect the same at Sweet 16. But there was "nothing like seeing a sea of orange in Greensboro!"
• During era, 43-1 vs MAC
• Longest home streak in MAC
• There is a great home-court advantage... "Say what you want about Anderson Arena, but there is no better place to play!"
• 8 incoming frosh
• Best class in country on paper, "Now they need to prove it!"
• Womens basketball has been to NCAAs 9 out of last 20 years.
• 12 20-win seasons in last 20 years
• #15 in country @ the end of season
• He's a firm believer in having team stay on court following the game... "We want our program to be touchable by fans."
• Featured home game next year is vs. Notre Dame
• Also planning a doubleheader with men

Then there was a question-and-answer time. Lots of good questions asked. One asked of GChris was about why Toledo gets "big-time" teams to go to the Glass Bowl and we don't get then to Doyt. He said he thinks it's more important to get six games at the Doyt instead of selling our soul for 2-1s to get a big-name opponent and getting caught underwater like we have been.

All in all it was a great night. They had a raffle, silent auction and autograph session. I got a poster with autographs of all the coaches and players there and also got Coach Brandon and Corey Partridge to sign my mini-helmet. Coach said it would be a collector's item as the LT-logo is being phased out (sorry MACMAN!). Oh, BTW Spart, Corey is a great kid (but we both already knew that!).

If you have questions, ask away or PM me. Thanks for reading... sorry it was so long but I took copious notes!

If you get a chance... go to one of these... they are fun!

[falconfan1999]

Coach Brandon couldn't be in Huron last night. By the way, you are right, Coach Orr is TALL! I think he's 6'8" or 6'9"!

[TG1996]

We're nearing finalization of a home-and-home with Indiana.

F**K YEAH!!!

Great report, Chris. I think it's FALCON AWESOME that this many big names are on the road for this tour. I only wish I could make it back for one. (The Tiffin one would have been great to have on one of my days off for personal reasons.)

ROLL ALONG!!!

[BGSU33]

Great report bgsufn!!! Thanks for sharing all of that information.

[Tricky_Falcon]

Thanks for the report, it's much appreciated. I wish they were making their way down to Columbus.

[BGSU33]

We're nearing finalization of a home-and-home with Indiana.

F**K YEAH!!!

I also love the sound of that! I'm actually surprised BG and IU have never played in football before. I also like that Indiana has played or will be playing at MAC schools recently like Toledo, CMU, BSU & WMU. I hope we see BG added to the list soon too.

[Flipper]

The entire Big 10 recruits Ohio hard so there's an incentive for them to come here and play. Good to see GC is using that leverage to keep things on a one for one basis.

I'm really warming up to the way GC is handling things....

[BGFalconfromCincy]

Great report bgsufn. I hope GC comes through next year and has this event in the SW corner of the state.

Liked seeing what Coach Miller said about doubleheaders with the men's team, have always been a fan of thoughs

[h2oville rocket]

Nothing tougher than being a student athlete? Did he really say that? Kind of a slap in the face to students working full time and going to school full time while supporting a family. Having been a student-athlete (albeit a non-scholarship one who didn't work that hard at it) I can tell you there are LOTS of harder things.

Otherwise I think you all got a steal by landing Mr. Orr-the more I hear about him the more I get the impression that he is a stand-up guy and good coach.

[1987alum]

Chris:

Great info. Thanks for all the awesome detail.

Still waiting for GC to answer my selfish question ...

Just reading this stuff gets me excited about next year. I like how GC put out a challenge to the fans - come to campus for a game and wear BG gear. Damn straight!

[bgsufn]

Still waiting for GC to answer my selfish question ...

You know Karl, I should have asked him that when I had him aside. Sorry I did not think of it at the time. Duh!

[1987alum]

Still waiting for GC to answer my selfish question ...

You know Karl, I should have asked him that when I had him aside. Sorry I did not think of it at the time. Duh!

No sweat. I submitted it via the Web site. I'm just being patient.

[JoeFalcon]

Thanks for the excellent report, Chris!

Brandon's comments are encouraging. Like many, I was extremely dissappointed with the way last season turned out, and what mystified me the most was how the passing game collapsed the way it did. We went from one of the most proficient, explosive attacks in the nation to 6 yard dump-off passes and a 56% completion percentage. Everyone knew losing Omar and the recievers would have an impact, but this was really a case of "You don't know what you have till it's gone."

He recognizes the problem and is committed to finding a way back to where the Bowling Green passing game should be.

[Warthog]

Wow, excellent reporting!

Two comments -

'Brandon - got to have a field you can kick a FG on in the rain'. Good to see him say it like that instead of 'we have to have a kicker who can make that kick'

Orr- 11 returning players. Not according to the roster on bgsufalcons.com. Chris Knight is gone and only ten players are returning.

[Falconfreak90]

Great report, Chris! Thanks!

I love the part of GC being sick of seeing OSU jerseys. No kidding. LOL

Last night walking back to the car after the Indians game, some dude comes up behind Dana and me and says "Cool coat!". I was wearing the BG coat from Steve and Barry's. Then he says "I'm a die hard Bucks fan and here is my car license plate" and proceeds to show me his cell phone pic of his plate. Was that for real???

I told him to come up to the parking garage and see the Falconfreak Mobile...cuz my BG license plate is much better.

Next Thursday is the Cleveland Tour stop...I can't wait.

GO FALCONS!!