Disturbing letter to editor

The history is there...follow as the tradition returns!
MACMAN

Post by MACMAN »

As much as a new coach can help, if he can not pay for travel and in general recruiting at the same rate as his competition then we could get Jerry York back and it would not do much.
We have I believe possibly reached a similar point to that when D1 football started getting divided up in to schools with tons of money and those with little. The difference is there are a lot less schools with hockey and may be we need to look at establishing a new league or moving down to d3 to be competitive.
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Post by theswingdoctor »

Gary Galley wrote a good letter to the president and the board, I received a copy of it by email. We need more people like that to step up.
As far as the football team going to another bowl game, I heard that BG lost around $600,000.00 for the last bowl game they played in. I also heard
that we were inviited to a bowl last year but since the coach was already fired, we didnt go. We need to cut back on our football program, we spent
a million dollars on lights and we didnt increase attendance. I thought that
was a main reason for the lights.
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Post by pdt1081 »

MACMAN wrote:As much as a new coach can help, if he can not pay for travel and in general recruiting at the same rate as his competition then we could get Jerry York back and it would not do much.
We have I believe possibly reached a similar point to that when D1 football started getting divided up in to schools with tons of money and those with little. The difference is there are a lot less schools with hockey and may be we need to look at establishing a new league or moving down to d3 to be competitive.
Recruiting is not a problem. We have the talent right now not just to compete against, but to defeat the top teams in the country. How many games have you watched that you left afterwards knowing that there wasn't a team in the country that could've beat us that night? There are games where we are just "on." Those are usually followed up by games where we play horribly and couldn't beat a high school team. All of that goes back to coaching. Scott Paluch can recruit. He is very, very good at that. Being a head coach isn't his forte. He is probably one of the best assistant coaches in hockey.
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Post by BGFan »

theswingdoctor wrote:Gary Galley wrote a good letter to the president and the board, I received a copy of it by email. We need more people like that to step up.
As far as the football team going to another bowl game, I heard that BG lost around $600,000.00 for the last bowl game they played in. I also heard
that we were inviited to a bowl last year but since the coach was already fired, we didnt go. We need to cut back on our football program, we spent
a million dollars on lights and we didnt increase attendance. I thought that
was a main reason for the lights.
Care to share the contents of the letter?
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Post by ShaneFalco »

pdt1081 wrote:All of that goes back to coaching. Scott Paluch can recruit. He is very, very good at that. Being a head coach isn't his forte. He is probably one of the best assistant coaches in hockey.
Completely agree with that statement.
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Post by theswingdoctor »

Subject: BGSU Hockey

To: Dr. Cartwright and the Board of Trustees,

It is hard to believe 25 years has passed, as the memory of driving down Wooster after arriving from Lake Placid, NCAA trophy in hand is so vivid in my mind. Sports Illustrated celebrated us, hockey history was made with a quadruple overtime win over Duluth. The town of Bowling Green and all its community were electric that wonderful evening. Forever tied together we would all be, or so we thought.

I had started hearing rumours of the hockey programs demise 2 months ago from a number of people in the hockey industry. I made a number of phone calls to address the validity of this rumour. How could something so ridiculous get this far? The other thing was why hasn't somebody from BG not stood up to address how crazy that idea would be. I believe I now know the answer, and I am stunned. Apparently the hockey program is indeed front and center on the chopping block. A program and a building rich in tradition,pride and history deleted. An arena that has developed 4 Olympic gold medallists, a World Champion figure skater , a Division 1 National Hockey Championship, 2 Hobey Baker winners, 4 Stanley Cup Champions, 5 NCAA appearances, 5 CCHA titles, over 20 NHL players, a NHL General Manger, and a NHL Head Coach. This is not to mention the High School success and youth programs at the facility that will all be forgotten. I fully recognize that the program has not had the success it once enjoyed regularly. Here is my take on that. Since the 1984 NCAA Championship the University of BG has let this program float along on its own with very little support. Low budgets and lack of enthusiasm for hockey from people in important positions have left what once was a hockey power with a jammed packed arena to bandaid program with 1800 fans a game. If anything gets left to float 25 years it will eventually sink. This program bailed out many of other programs, including football when it was bleeding at the seams. The Falcon Club raised big dollars for hockey, so much the University deemed it unfair, forcing the funds to be dispersed among other flailing programs. How much does football lose a year anyhow? I can tell you a lot more than hockey. Yet the new addition on that building was deemed to be a no brainer, please. I would also feel comfortable saying that there have been many more memorable events at that ice hockey arena than the football stadium since 1969. I understand BG is now raising funds to support basketball through tuition's. Great initiative, one I have not seen to help hockey at any time.

I was also involved with a number of alumni players asked to raise $500K plus dollars to create a more positive environment for the hockey program moving forward with BGSU over the next 20-30 years. Well it has only been 10 and you are contemplating ditching it, nice. It would not surprise me one bit if those guys don't come looking for some answers and possibly some, if not all of their money back. Here is one better, we were also recruited to raise $4 million over the past year. I recently found out that this notion of cutting BG Hockey was on the table last budget meeting a year ago prior to the money being sought after for the arena improvements. I sure Rob Blake would have been ecstatic to see his name on a building with no team in it.

I would have thought that the University of Bowling Green would recognize that it would be worth while to pick something up that has offered many so much, show it some support and watch it retake its roots rather than kick it down some more. The programs tradition and pride is still there. It needs a shot of adrenalin, a new approach to reconnect the town, students, alumni and faculty. It was there not that long ago and can be there again with the proper plan in place. The easy way out always looks good on paper. Draw from the many talented alumni that the program aided over many years for ideas and potential solutions before blind siding it. There are solid hockey people out there with great credentials. The economy is tough, I understand. Don't use that as an excuse to take out a piece of history at BGSU. Build it back, put 3500 in the seats and your breaking even. With 20K students and the town of Bowling Green and its surrounding towns that is achievable.

My daughter presently attends BGSU and many other Alumni players' kids and relatives as well. My son was recently offered a scholarship in 2011 to play for the Falcons and was so excited to possibly attend a school rich in hockey tradition. So many people have invested in this program not only financially but more importantly with their heart and soul. To even contemplate removing it turns my stomach. Show some positive interest in making it better and you will see everyone get on board. That is the way I was schooled when I attended and BGSU an amazingly it brought a huge amount of recognition to the school. A real Falcon never quits, NEVER.




Garry Galley - BGSU Hall Of Fame (Player)
BGSU Hall of Fame (1984 NCAA Champions)
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Post by toddpav »

^^And thats how its done right there, folks.
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Post by TG1996 »

Thank you for sharing that.

And thank you a billion times more to Mr. Galley for writing it. It hits so many of the key points.
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Post by pdt1081 »

Thank you, Mr Galley, for your years of support!

=D> =D> =D> =D> =D>

Anybody be able to get Mr Galley's permission to print that in the newspaper? With his blessing, it should be printed. Along with any other alumni that wright letters.
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Post by toddpav »

Here's the email I just sent to Dr. Cartwright,

Dr. Cartwright,
I'm sure your email inbox is full of emails just like this one; inquiring about the current and future state of the men's varsity hockey program at BGSU. I, too, would like to voice my concern in that matter.
To preface what I am about to say, I would like you to know that I and others know that you and your administration are in a tough spot. The economy is easy for no one, and I know BGSU is feeling the crunch now more than ever. With declining enrollment, crumbling facilities, and bloated faculty, the money is tough to find. I graduated from BGSU with my B.S. in Technology in the VCT program in 2006. I stayed at BGSU to pursue my M.Ed (graduated December 2008) and decided to teach at the University during my graduate studied. I have taught there the past 2 years, so I feel I have a good grasp at a lot of what is going on in and around the campus. I could not have chosen a better career path. The path of education and making a difference in students' lives is rewarding for everyone.
However, in these tough financial times, it is important to not make rash decisions and apply "band-aid" fixes. Cutting the hockey program, or any other sport would be a quick fix to a bigger problem. For years, this University has allowed its facilities to fall well below the level needed to maintain an up-to-date and current look for students, past, present, and future. Our residence halls are in dire need of updates, as well as many other academic buildings on campus. Hannah, University, Mosely and South Halls are the oldest buildings on campus, and often the most overlooked for renovation. What is it going to take to make the administration see these failures in management? Where has the foresight been that we have so boldly trusted them with?
Faculty members are another story. The idea of tenure is a great idea, when properly watched and maintained by academic supervisors and deans. No longer should ridiculous and outlandish salaries be paid to people who teach 6 credit hours a semester and fill the rest of their time with "research." I think our University has lost sight of our common goal to educate students and help them excel in and out of the classroom. In my college, our Associate Dean made slightly under $100k, to which I am amazed because I hardly saw any hard work come out of her office, and I worked with the Associate Dean closely in during my graduate studies. There are many other professors on campus sharing similar circumstances; making outlandish pay for not so great teaching and research. What about establishing a post-tenure review process? I know that has been brought up before and not looked so kindly on by the faculty, but the reality of the situation warrants serious consideration into that matter.
Kent State recently cancelled all sabbaticals for the next academic year. Has BGSU considered doing the same? I mean to take nothing away from the professors who have given their time and service to this University. However, many are just riding the easy train to retirement, and leaving other people to pick up the pieces behind them. The best instruction I have seen on this campus comes from the instructors, who make well below what professors make. For the most part, instructors do double the work with half the recognition. This cannot be allowed to continue.
I'm sure the hockey program hasn't seen much profit in the last few years, if any. However, the tradition that precedes Bowling Green's name IS hockey. Through and through, BGSU is known for its hockey program nationally and internationally. The community can and will rally around hockey as one of the main reasons that can unite this University with their town. No other sport can do that on campus. If hockey were to be cut, the financial impact would not only be on the University, but on local businesses and the community as well. While the budget might get better for a short period of time, local businesses would lose money from out of town visitors here for the hockey games. The CCHA would lose a charter member of their conference. Bowling Green would lose their tradition. Their genuine tie to the athletic world. As a falcon club member, I will do everything in my power to help this program to survive. I do not believe that the hockey program should be forced to pay the ultimate price in their demise because of the poor fiscal and general management of this University at the hands of careless and lacking past administrators.
I know you like to focus on academics, and are generally more open to academics than athletics. So I urge you to please take a close look at the academic situation here on campus. It is certainly not good, and far worse than any athletic program could ever hope to be. I know you are aware of all of the situations outlined above, and I can only voice how I feel about them. I thank you for taking the time to read this, and wish you the best with your decisions.
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Post by AZIce »

Gary Galley might have just gone to the top of my list of favorite Falcons, replacing Dave Ellett, who I knew when I was a bantam playing in BG.

Has anyone thought about contacting Jack Vivian? Last I knew he was running JRV consulting. He is basically the founder of the program as well as Miami's program. The guy has probably forgotten more about arena construction and management than most of our current administrators will ever know. He also basically, along with Red, revived Michigan's program in the early 90's. He was the guy that took over running Yost arena when it was a dump and losing money and turned it around by using student interns and grad students to staff and manage the place. He got the renovations to Yost passed and completed under budget. I should know, I was one of those interns. He was also instrumental in getting the USNDP into Ann Arbor, which basically Red then turned into a UM farm/feeder system. It amazes me that this Unversity has access to people like this and instead of calling on them for help and ideas, would rather just cut the program. Well that's the freaking easy way and really solves nothing in the long run. Do they cut football next year after it loses money?

Guys like Jack, Paul Olscamp, Jack Gregory, Jim Ruehl, Ron Mason and Jerry York they never looked for easy ways out. They looked for ways to put the program on top....and they succeeded, too bad those that were left to care for it have let all their hard work go down the drain.
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Post by It's the Journey... »

I had a really long, nasty post typed but it will not do any good; so I erased it. We have let this whole discussion and issue become clouded. What is really important is not who the coach is, or if he is liked. It isn't important what the past few season have been like. It isn't important what our administrators are perceived to be or not to be. Only one thing is important here, the continuation of BGSU Falcon Hockey. To that end I have a proposition. I propose we let those who have to make this decision make it. I propose we come to them with an offer to not only save Falcon hockey, but to make it stable for decades to come. Right now is not the time to make demands, it is the time to ask what can be done to help. I would like to find that one thing that is so non-political that all sides will come together and we can actually move forward and not continue to spin our wheels. So here it is.

Let's offer to raise a set amount of private money that will go towards an Ice Arena renovation, endowment of ALL scholarships for Hockey, and an endowment for the continuing maintenance of the Ice Arena and all of it's programs. In return we should not ask for a change in staff, or things like that. We should ask for one thing. The one thing to bring us together would working to rename the Ice Arena after Terry Flanagan (I apologize for the spelling is it is not correct). I did not get the chance to meet the man, but what I have heard of him convinces me this is the right thing to do. In my opinion, we need to find out how much money is needed, if we can get a match from the University once the money is raised, and what kind of a time frame we are working with.

All of this speculation and rumor spreading is doing NOTHING to address the real issue. If we keep pissing around like we have been Falcon Hockey may be nothing more than a display along side BGSU wrestling, Lacrosse, etc.

That's all I've got. I guess I will either be ignored or flamed like hell.
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MACMAN

Post by MACMAN »

pdt1081 wrote:
MACMAN wrote:As much as a new coach can help, if he can not pay for travel and in general recruiting at the same rate as his competition then we could get Jerry York back and it would not do much.
We have I believe possibly reached a similar point to that when D1 football started getting divided up in to schools with tons of money and those with little. The difference is there are a lot less schools with hockey and may be we need to look at establishing a new league or moving down to d3 to be competitive.
Recruiting is not a problem. We have the talent right now not just to compete against, but to defeat the top teams in the country. How many games have you watched that you left afterwards knowing that there wasn't a team in the country that could've beat us that night? There are games where we are just "on." Those are usually followed up by games where we play horribly and couldn't beat a high school team. All of that goes back to coaching. Scott Paluch can recruit. He is very, very good at that. Being a head coach isn't his forte. He is probably one of the best assistant coaches in hockey.
Yes and in removing my emotional attachement to program, I can step back see some of the reality, that reality being that just our football program can and does often play with and upset some really big schools that invest what tens of millions in their football programs annualy, our hockey program is now and has been in similar boat for a long time. I dont see how when we get out spent 10 to one we can compete, I dont see how when a BC guy or MI guy is sitting in the stands every weekend to watch some kid in canada or NE a phone call compares. Hockey has changed, and we have been and are being out spent HUGELY. I hope the Univ would release the numbers as to what BGSU spends vs our competition, I would love to be wrong on this, but I know Im not, I also know there are about 15 other D1 programs int he same boat.
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Post by Chimie »

Gary Galley's letter made me cry.
6500 miles couldn't stop me from cheering on my Falcons!
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Post by Bleeding Orange »

It's the Journey... wrote:I had a really long, nasty post typed but it will not do any good; so I erased it. We have let this whole discussion and issue become clouded. What is really important is not who the coach is, or if he is liked. It isn't important what the past few season have been like. It isn't important what our administrators are perceived to be or not to be. Only one thing is important here, the continuation of BGSU Falcon Hockey. To that end I have a proposition. I propose we let those who have to make this decision make it. I propose we come to them with an offer to not only save Falcon hockey, but to make it stable for decades to come. Right now is not the time to make demands, it is the time to ask what can be done to help. I would like to find that one thing that is so non-political that all sides will come together and we can actually move forward and not continue to spin our wheels. So here it is.

Let's offer to raise a set amount of private money that will go towards an Ice Arena renovation, endowment of ALL scholarships for Hockey, and an endowment for the continuing maintenance of the Ice Arena and all of it's programs. In return we should not ask for a change in staff, or things like that. We should ask for one thing. The one thing to bring us together would working to rename the Ice Arena after Terry Flanagan (I apologize for the spelling is it is not correct). I did not get the chance to meet the man, but what I have heard of him convinces me this is the right thing to do. In my opinion, we need to find out how much money is needed, if we can get a match from the University once the money is raised, and what kind of a time frame we are working with.

All of this speculation and rumor spreading is doing NOTHING to address the real issue. If we keep pissing around like we have been Falcon Hockey may be nothing more than a display along side BGSU wrestling, Lacrosse, etc.

That's all I've got. I guess I will either be ignored or flamed like hell.
I won't ignore you, but I will flame you - for the usual reasons, not because of this post. :P

You've said it very well right here. I understand the emotion of some people over this issue, and very much so. But to start calling for the AD's head? Really? Way to be constructive...

I don't know if the situation is truly as dire as some are making it out to be. Granted, the fact that we are even having this conversation is a pretty good indication that, at the very, very least, things are not good in Falcon Hockeyland right now. But, everyone needs to keep their heads about themselves and try to think of meaningful ways to get involved. The letters, phone calls, and Facebook groups are all very nice (I want to say cute...but I'm really not trying to be a jerk), but at the end of the day, the fundamental issue behind everything that is wrong with Bowling Green Hockey right now is:

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