An entrepreneurial mind

[Rightupinthere]

So, I have this curse, you see. I was raised in a family of self-made people. Being raised in that environment curses me with the type of thinking which constantly looks to answer the question, "what's the better, more creative solution?"

The crisis with the hockey program is no different. The more I read from fans of other schools, the more I'm looking to answer the above solution. The simple-minded answer is to cut the program all together. When a person is simply looking at present numbers and not a comprehensive CBA, this happens. To be fair, I don't know what CBAs have been performed, but I truly doubt anything beyond a two dimensional analysis was even developed. I have already asked for all numbers. We'll see if I get a response.

The creative solution would be to, perhaps, start up a not-for-profit management company with the sole purpose of running not only the ice arena [as has been offered in the past, I'm sure] but the budgetary requirements of the varsity hockey program as well. The agreement would have to be crafted properly where the AD would still have a supervisory role from a compliance and student perspective, but the coaching, equipment, and travel would be under the auspices of the management company.

Let's think about this for a moment. Start-up money would be there, I imagine. Not only from BG related people but also fans of college hockey. Capital could easily be raised. Any extra cash would go into fixing up the barn. I'm not sure I would purchase the barn at the get-go, but perhaps lease it for a very minimal sum from the U.

I'm really nurturing this idea and may poor my ideas into a pro-forma balance sheet. I won't be able to have a very strong role in this project, but I could do some consultant work.

What do y'all think?

[ZiggyZoomba]

Start-up money would be there, I imagine. Not only from BG related people but also fans of college hockey. Capital could easily be raised. Any extra cash would go into fixing up the barn. I'm not sure I would purchase the barn at the get-go, but perhaps lease it for a very minimal sum from the U.

This sounds great, Mark... my only problem with your assumptions (and the assumptions of many) is that "Capital could easily be raised." Really?? If it's so easy to raise the money, why are we in the state we're in?

[MACMAN]

Exactly.
Capital could be raised to create a hockey endowment then as well, which would basically preform the exact same function.
What is needed to be known is
A what is the real total BGSU spends on hockey right now.
B. What are the top programs spending on hockey right now.
c. What kind of annual increase would need to be made to remain even those top schools.

this would illustrate how much money would need to managed to yield the return needed to fully fund the program at the competitive level we all want, top 4 ccha finishes every year.
So is that double what we spend now, 3x, 4x more 10x.

[BGFan]

Start-up money would be there, I imagine. Not only from BG related people but also fans of college hockey. Capital could easily be raised. Any extra cash would go into fixing up the barn. I'm not sure I would purchase the barn at the get-go, but perhaps lease it for a very minimal sum from the U.

This sounds great, Mark... my only problem with your assumptions (and the assumptions of many) is that "Capital could easily be raised." Really?? If it's so easy to raise the money, why are we in the state we're in?

Because some incompetent excuse for a fund raiser that the university hired went about the process of fund raising from some of the more prominent hockey alums in what can only be considered the worst way possible. From what I understand this person flat out told these alums that they "owed" the university since they got their start there. Their response to that stand was, to say the least, unflattering. If you're in a position of trying to raise funds, posturing yourself correctly is probably the most important component of success.

[BGFan]

I'm really nurturing this idea and may poor my ideas into a pro-forma balance sheet. I won't be able to have a very strong role in this project, but I could do some consultant work.

What do y'all think?

I didn't think the idea was a poor one?

[redskins4ever]

I think that many of us too often look to $$$ for the answer...

My friends played on State Championship hockey teams because that arena was there for them to play in as kids. I learned to skate there. I've seen at least 100 BG hockey games during my lifetime, and at one point or another the entire community has been in that building or has a member or friend that has been in there. There is a lot of pride for hockey in BG and I would hate to see it cut over night.

These repairs that we are talking about in terms of the room and gutters and lighting... is this more of a labor issue then anything? Typically the supplies are cheap, its the labor that kills you when doing these projects. Hell construction costs went through the floor last year after spiralling out of control for nearly 5 years.

Any thought of going to the BG community and finding people that would donate their time? We have plumbers and electricians who are BG Hockey Alums in BG. We have an alum who owns a construction firm in St. Louis. There is Steve Blakely in Perrysburg who is willing to pledge money.

To me this is no different then what happens out at Carter Park every spring to get the park ready for little league baseball, some TLC by the Community and the facility stays looking great.

[KeyWestParrot]

I think bake sales and car washes would be a tremendous asset to the program.

[Rightupinthere]

Start-up money would be there, I imagine. Not only from BG related people but also fans of college hockey. Capital could easily be raised. Any extra cash would go into fixing up the barn. I'm not sure I would purchase the barn at the get-go, but perhaps lease it for a very minimal sum from the U.

This sounds great, Mark... my only problem with your assumptions (and the assumptions of many) is that "Capital could easily be raised." Really?? If it's so easy to raise the money, why are we in the state we're in?

I think there is a significant amount of money awaiting in the wings. It's just a matter of giving them the appropriate focus of giving.

This means a coaching change and a solid PLAN for the hockey program. A viable plan is something which is, in my opinion, is missing. When was the last time a business plan was put together for the hockey program AND ice arena. I'm not sure feasibility studies count.

[Warthog]

I keep hearing that there are people willing to donate but don't becuase of one thing or another. But once that one thing or another is changed, they will make this program-changing donation. Well, what will those people do if the program is cut? There won't be anything to donate to. If these peopel truly exist, they need to step up to the table now or accept the fact the program may be gone if they don't.

[BGDrew]

I keep hearing that there are people willing to donate but don't becuase of one thing or another. But once that one thing or another is changed, they will make this program-changing donation. Well, what will those people do if the program is cut? There won't be anything to donate to. If these peopel truly exist, they need to step up to the table now or accept the fact the program may be gone if they don't.

Actually the University needs to tell us where this money needs to go first, and we need to have a concrete yes or no about the team before any money is given.

[Warthog]

Drew, you just did it again. You said the donation won't be made until something else happens. That's my point. People just need to make the donation so the University knows the support is out there. All these people are making these supposed donations conditional. Well, the University can't make this a conditional decision. If the money's not there, then the program gets cut. Period. No 'well if we raise $2 Million by April 1 we'll reinstate it. It is black and white. No money, no program.

[BGDrew]

Drew, you just did it again. You said the donation won't be made until something else happens. That's my point. People just need to make the donation so the University knows the support is out there. All these people are making these supposed donations conditional. Well, the University can't make this a conditional decision. If the money's not there, then the program gets cut. Period. No 'well if we raise $2 Million by April 1 we'll reinstate it. It is black and white. No money, no program.

The money is there, but it'd be idiotic of us to give money to the university if they're just going to cut the program anyways. Sure, our couple thousand dollars that we donate is nice. However, a lot more money has been put up by former alumni and players. All the players and alumni want is a committment from the University to improve the Ice Arena and adequately fund the program. Basketball is getting it's new house, where's ours?

[It's the Journey...]

Some people just don't get it! This is not a one sport v. another sport issue. Anderson Arena is at least 5 is not 10 years older than the Ice Arena. We all know the Ice Arena needs fixed, but where is the money. Donation CANNOT be conditional and right now it seems like that is exactly what is happening. The AD is being told we will give you X as long as you do Y. That's just stupid! You want a commitment from the University and it is there. It is pretty clear that if there is enough money found one way or another Hockey will stay.

So put up, shut up, and save all of our athletic teams here at BG. This is a decision for the Athletic Director to make and yet there are people who are calling for his head! That is really going to help the cause! Maybe instead of giving him multiple reasons to not care about hockey's future you should focus on giving him a solution to the problem. If you continue to sit on the sidelines and the program ends enjoy looking in the mirror at one of the causes for its failure!

This is just dumb and i'm through with it. Stubbornness and an unwillingness to grasp reality has reached a whole new level in this discussion and right now I frankly don't care what happens. Until this group of "concerned POTENTIAL donors" gets organized and RESPECTFULLY comes to the department with a plan that is solid and well-funded they will keep hammering nails into the coffin. Have fun and good luck!

Finally, GO FALCONS!!!!!

[ShaneFalco]

Anderson Arena is at least 5 is not 10 years older than the Ice Arena.

I haven't been to Anderson Arean in a while, and I am not saying that they should not build a new arena, but other than being old, what is wrong with Anderson Arena? I think it is a solid venue.

[MACMAN]

I keep hearing that there are people willing to donate but don't becuase of one thing or another. But once that one thing or another is changed, they will make this program-changing donation. Well, what will those people do if the program is cut? There won't be anything to donate to. If these peopel truly exist, they need to step up to the table now or accept the fact the program may be gone if they don't.

Actually the University needs to tell us where this money needs to go first, and we need to have a concrete yes or no about the team before any money is given.

EXACTLY
Should the University choose to disclose what is spent on our hockey program annually. Release what that number has been for the 15 years. As well as what income generated from various items. We could see the black white, and then illustrate what other CCHA teams look like as comparisons this whole thing becomes very clear.