Future of BG Hockey Explored

MACMAN · Post by **MACMAN** » Wed Apr 22, 2009 8:44 am

Droping football is an option clearly, and participation in MAC is also clearly subject as well along with that.
December will be an interesting time on the boards here that is for sure. Things will be changing, how they change seems to be in part up to us and what we all do right now.
Where hockey is concerned the poster who made note of needing 20ish million is likely about dead on. could be 10 with donation momentum and fans in the rink etc.
Clearly I have said over and over again that I like SP, I have said some things about not liking whats been going on as of late as well. I do think that come Dec we will see that position change, I think we will see a house cleaning of sorts along with it, if it decided that hockey will stay. I can also say I believe some see what the University could be with some of the other proposed changes in athletics which would make BGSU a Hockey School again, like the souix and others. Clearly we could well again reach the top in college hockey with a scenario like that.
interesting times ahead, esp since we the fans have some control over some of it. I am willing to bet that with the economy as it is many of the companies in town that have been counted upon to purchase football tickets to keep ncaa D1 football attendance numbers up have already stated that they can not be counted upon to contribute at those levels again.
and from what I have heard from some parents they are encouraging kids to delay their college start, so those numbers will be interesting to see as well.
I know we have some folks in admission who are on the board and it would be interesting to read what they are seeing in admissions right now.

Drago · Post by **Drago** » Wed Apr 22, 2009 10:42 am

Please stop discussing anything having to do with Bowling Green dropping out the MAC or moving to a lower Division, dropping football, etc. That will never happen.

The article also said that the University would need an endowment of between $15-$20 Million to sustain the hockey program. That is a lot of season tickets. The article wasn't very encouraging in my opinion.

NWLB · Post by **NWLB** » Wed Apr 22, 2009 10:46 am

Drago wrote:Please stop discussing anything having to do with Bowling Green dropping out the MAC or moving to a lower Division, dropping football, etc. That will never happen.

The article also said that the University would need an endowment of between $15-$20 Million to sustain the hockey program. That is a lot of season tickets. The article wasn't very encouraging in my opinion.

$20 Million, I've heard that number recently from somebody.

I'd say stranger things have happened.

But will the University think outside of the box and let stranger things happen.

MACMAN · Post by **MACMAN** » Wed Apr 22, 2009 2:29 pm

Drago wrote:Please stop discussing anything having to do with Bowling Green dropping out the MAC or moving to a lower Division, dropping football, etc. That will never happen.

The article also said that the University would need an endowment of between $15-$20 Million to sustain the hockey program. That is a lot of season tickets. The article wasn't very encouraging in my opinion.

the article is illustrating more of the full extent of the problem and how it touches all the sports. Should BGSU choose to put the focus on hockey, it would be well rewarded the school is just to small support all the programs at the levels they are trying. Football would thrive playing in a better suited level, and would likely see increased fan base.
I do know the money will materialize for hockey, esp since money can now be directed directly at the program, and the University is now willing to work with those who will be the largest donors to the program who wanted guarantees about keeping the program, and restoring it back to being National Contenders and a CCHA power house.

Puckhead · Post by **Puckhead** » Wed Apr 22, 2009 2:57 pm

The Ad said that we need an endowment of $15M to sustain the hockey program. $ 15,000,000 x 5 % earnings = the $ 750,000 operating budget.

That provides the cash for the hockey program. Now let's talk about the $ 15 M that we need to renovate the ice arena correctly.

It sounds like it is up to the top 20 donors ( BG Hockey Alumni ), and us to come up with all the money, because it sure sounds like the University has no ability or interest in donating to the ice arena or the hockey program.

But shouldn't hockey season ticket sales enter into the equation regarding the $ 750,000 operating budget ( which probably should be $ 1M ). If we pre sell 2000 season tickets @ $ 10 x 20 games that's $ 400,000. If we put a better product on the ice and average 2500 paying customers ( no offense to the students that have pre paid in their student fees) we are now close to our goal. If you were to throw parking fees in there we are really close.

I have a split personality on this whole affair. For 15 years the Presidents and Athletic Directors and VP of Student Affairs have siphoned money off the hockey program and the ice arena. They have not provided the money to operate a winning program and not performed annual routine maintenance on the facility. Now they say "you donors - bail this out or else" Chupzpah

I like the idea of the joint State / local / private venture.
I am looking forward to being at the frozen Four in 2014.

rally · Post by **rally** » Wed Apr 22, 2009 8:13 pm

"... it sure sounds like the University has no ability or interest in donating to the ice arena or the hockey program."

Now wait a minute ... doesn't Student Services operate the Ice Arena? If the administration has no interest in supporting the facility, it's like building but not supporting the library or one of the residence halls. Construction of the Ice Arena was approved by the Board of Regents, built by the U, and as an Ohio taxpayer I expect it to be maintained by the U. If hockey supports it there's no need to allow classes or other activities unless there is a profit.

BGFalconfromCincy · Post by **BGFalconfromCincy** » Wed Apr 22, 2009 9:10 pm

rally wrote:"... it sure sounds like the University has no ability or interest in donating to the ice arena or the hockey program."

Now wait a minute ... doesn't Student Services operate the Ice Arena?

Rec Sports operates the Ice Arena

jg4242 · Post by **jg4242** » Thu Apr 23, 2009 1:15 am

Rec Sports is a division of Student Affairs, so the Ice Arena falls into Dr. Whipple's domain.