Open letter from Greg Christopher

Falcon Frenzy · Post by **Falcon Frenzy** » Tue Mar 17, 2009 3:45 pm

Awesome news!

toddpav · Post by **toddpav** » Tue Mar 17, 2009 3:48 pm

Best news I've heard in the past few weeks! Just means that we have a challenge ahead of us next year with no surprises. We just need a clear and concise mission/goal to focus on so we can obtain it in a timely and efficient manner!

GO FALCON HOCKEY!

NWLB · Post by **NWLB** » Tue Mar 17, 2009 6:53 pm

I had come to very much appreciate much of GC's work here. The creeping fuss about hockey had left me worried I would be gravely disappointed.

However, that was an exceptionally well crafted letter, which spoke directly to specific concerns and provided relief from the panic that could have set-in.

He made it clear we would have a partner to work with now, not an adversary.

The fight has only begun, but at least it seems that all parties will be working alongside each other.

KeyWestParrot · Post by **KeyWestParrot** » Tue Mar 17, 2009 7:04 pm

I'll play devil's advocate....as I posted on another thread.

I hate to say this but I wouldn't put too much faith in the one year extension. I am afraid that the following year we will be facing the same issue and will be a year to year situation.

I point to this section of Christopher's letter he sent out that worries me:

Over the last few weeks, we have developed various potential budget reduction models and studied their potential impact on our department. Rather than eliminating any sports, in the coming year budget cuts will be made throughout the athletics department. This will significantly affect all 18 of our sports and support areas.

Fans may remember that two years ago we went through an extensive strategic planning process for the future of BGSU Athletics. Unfortunately, that plan is no longer sustainable given how the overall financial landscape has changed.

In the coming months, we will focus on the budget direction for fiscal year 2011 and beyond. As we head into new budget territory, BGSU undoubtedly will face more tough choices concerning competitive Division 1 Athletics.

The very last sentence tells me that hockey will be on the chopping block again next year and every year for as long as we can see. I just don't see a whole lot of hope for the hockey program.

I hope I'm wrong.

FindlayFalcon · Post by **FindlayFalcon** » Tue Mar 17, 2009 7:31 pm

KeyWestParrot wrote:I'll play devil's advocate....as I posted on another thread.

I hate to say this but I wouldn't put too much faith in the one year extension. I am afraid that the following year we will be facing the same issue and will be a year to year situation.

I point to this section of Christopher's letter he sent out that worries me:

Over the last few weeks, we have developed various potential budget reduction models and studied their potential impact on our department. Rather than eliminating any sports, in the coming year budget cuts will be made throughout the athletics department. This will significantly affect all 18 of our sports and support areas.

Fans may remember that two years ago we went through an extensive strategic planning process for the future of BGSU Athletics. Unfortunately, that plan is no longer sustainable given how the overall financial landscape has changed.

In the coming months, we will focus on the budget direction for fiscal year 2011 and beyond. As we head into new budget territory, BGSU undoubtedly will face more tough choices concerning competitive Division 1 Athletics.

The very last sentence tells me that hockey will be on the chopping block again next year and every year for as long as we can see. I just don't see a whole lot of hope for the hockey program.

I hope I'm wrong.

That sentence about 2011 left me wondering too.

pdt1081 · Post by **pdt1081** » Tue Mar 17, 2009 10:01 pm

KeyWestParrot wrote:
In the coming months, we will focus on the budget direction for fiscal year 2011 and beyond. As we head into new budget territory, BGSU undoubtedly will face more tough choices concerning competitive Division 1 Athletics.

The very last sentence tells me that hockey will be on the chopping block again next year and every year for as long as we can see. I just don't see a whole lot of hope for the hockey program.

I hope I'm wrong.

Hockey is and can remain competitive with the way things are right now. Shutting Michigan out in Yost is proof of that. Imagine what this program is capable of with the proper support. Hockey will not be on the chopping block next year. My read of it is "non-competitive" sports.

Falconfreak90 · Post by **Falconfreak90** » Tue Mar 17, 2009 11:14 pm

Imagine what the program could do with a new coach.

Winning would take care of quite a few woes.

It's great that GC stepped up and addressed issues....this cannot be easy in any way in these times. It is what it is...I plan on stepping up and donating more this year, as much as possible. I don't want any sports cut.

toddpav · Post by **toddpav** » Tue Mar 17, 2009 11:51 pm

Look, hockey still isn't safe. This is a very optimistic victory for the hockey program. We still need to push JUST AS HARD as we were going to to save the hockey program for 2011. Regardless of what GC said, we still need to focus our efforts on securing funding for years/decades to come.

My hopes for next year:
1. We sell out 10 games or more
2. Increase attendance to games by at least 40%
3. We increase our visibility throughout the community and the nation (read: we need to attract our alumni)
4. Maintain a positive attitude regardless of how our season plays out. Attendance was decent this year when we were winning, which was not a lot. However, we need to show our support through rain and shine.

We need to tread lightly. Something still doesn't seem kosher about how this all played out... but either way, good for the hockey team. I can't wait for next season!

BGFan · Post by **BGFan** » Wed Mar 18, 2009 9:00 am

Trust me when I say that this fight is far from over. There have been people for years who have wanted the program to "go away" and they're still out there. Even during the "hey day" of hockey there were those that didn't like the status and attention it garnered, believing that basketball and football should be the main focus of the athletic department.

At this point the program has been granted nothing more than a reprieve due, in large part, to the bad press that this has garnered. Those of us who care need to take advantage of it.

murphdogg · Post by **murphdogg** » Wed Mar 18, 2009 3:14 pm

toddpav wrote:Look, hockey still isn't safe. This is a very optimistic victory for the hockey program. We still need to push JUST AS HARD as we were going to to save the hockey program for 2011. Regardless of what GC said, we still need to focus our efforts on securing funding for years/decades to come.

My hopes for next year:
1. We sell out 10 games or more
2. Increase attendance to games by at least 40%
3. We increase our visibility throughout the community and the nation (read: we need to attract our alumni)
4. Maintain a positive attitude regardless of how our season plays out. Attendance was decent this year when we were winning, which was not a lot. However, we need to show our support through rain and shine.

We need to tread lightly. Something still doesn't seem kosher about how this all played out... but either way, good for the hockey team. I can't wait for next season!

How about we start by getting 1 sellout?

MACMAN · Post by **MACMAN** » Wed Mar 18, 2009 4:00 pm

My plan
1. Purchase our season tickets
2. 2 extra seats so that we can bring friends with the hopes of getting them hooked!
3. Work at getting some of our friends to get tickets as well
4. When we can not use our tickets doing our best to get them to people who can (wish the school had a program where if you could not use your tickets you get them to kids or people who would use them...like a take a kid to the game program via the public schools

My thought is that people need to do what they can to make a visible statement about hockey, as mentioned that is being at the games. Next people who can afford to give money on TOP of going to games, or due to being to far from the arena to make games should try to donate (noting the desire to have the funds go to hockey) at least an amount equal to season tickets, more is great but we are in hard times and anything is better than nothing.
Last I have seen this in other posts but I will say it as well, now is not the time to attack the coach and seek a new one. We must put all that aside, hard as that might be for some of us, and get behind this team, our team, our FALCONS 100%.

rood · Post by **rood** » Wed Mar 18, 2009 4:57 pm

I agree that one of the most important things is increased visible support of the team. It will be hard to justify cutting a program that has regular crowds of 3000+. I haven't talked to the wife about it yet, but I would like to buy season tickets even though we can only make 8-10 games a year. If we get the season tickets I'll start a thread offering my unused tickets to anyone that can be sure to get them used. Pay me, don't pay me, buy me a beer when I make it to town. I'm looking at the money spent as a donation to the team and if we can get more people to the games hopefully they'll buy their own tickets for the next game. Aside from the big money donors we need to do everything we can to build the fan base.

bgsufalcon24 · Post by **bgsufalcon24** » Wed Mar 18, 2009 6:26 pm

toddpav wrote:
My hopes for next year:
1. We sell out 10 games or more
2. Increase attendance to games by at least 40%
3. We increase our visibility throughout the community and the nation (read: we need to attract our alumni)
4. Maintain a positive attitude regardless of how our season plays out. Attendance was decent this year when we were winning, which was not a lot. However, we need to show our support through rain and shine.

5. FIRE THE COACH!!!

Kudos to GC for coming out and saying what we needed to hear for the longest time, that hockey isn't going anywhere next year, and that nobody wants it to go away ever. He does make mention of the fact that our AD overall is not sustainable in the long run though, which is a good challenge to our donors to get the money flowing in. As a graduating student I'm not sure I can contribute much, but its better than nothing.

Freddie · Post by **Freddie** » Wed Mar 18, 2009 8:34 pm

I don't think we ought to continue beating the "fire the coach" drum anymore. He's under contract thru the end of 09-10...the school has no money to buy him out. Like it or not, he's our guy for now.

rood · Post by **rood** » Wed Mar 18, 2009 8:48 pm

Freddie wrote:I don't think we ought to continue beating the "fire the coach" drum anymore. He's under contract thru the end of 09-10...the school has no money to buy him out. Like it or not, he's our guy for now.

Hear, hear!

It will be cheaper to just let his contract run out.