Future of hockey

NWLB · Post by **NWLB** » Mon Jun 22, 2009 9:23 am

Having seen how he works, heard him speak, I believe it is entirely accurate to say that if we did not have Jack Vivian around, there would not be a BGSU hockey program beyond next year.

The man is more than a notable figure historically. He is an established authority in a very focused line of work. Beyond being a numbers man, he is a hockey man. He's laced skates, coached players, and strikes a bearing in-person that you simply can't miss. Plus he exudes a confidence that calms rooms of nervous boosters, regardless of from which group they come from. The local youth hockey fans, BGSU fans, they all sense the expertise and seem at ease trusting it. And above all, he brings that last thing, trust.

This is a man, who can walk into a room with even the alumni who might not have known him, or known him well, and they know they are talking to somebody who "gets it." He can talk hockey, history, business, all with equal authority. And right now, that group, the major donors, are the most skittish. What is more, he's gotten them organized, lord do they seem organized, and that will yield great things shortly.

Dr. Vivian likewise could sit in a room with a strong willed Dr. Cartwright, and talk shop. I think she, even above others, could sit in a room with him, and know there was a legitimate authority who could at once work with zeal for the program, but keep things level headed and focused. Vivian could give her chapter and verse, and a body of personal work in precisely what is required here.

Trust has to go both was, though we don't think that way for the most part. The administration must feel certain that sharp people, not prone to be blinded by zeal, are doing air-tight work towards making this work. Then of course, the other side is that a lot of donors, alumni, community, and otherwise, are worried about giving to what was perceived to be a shaky assurance that donations won't be in vain or directed outside of the want of the benefactors.

Vivian is the bridge, the common point of trust that this all hinges on.

BourbonFalcon · Post by **BourbonFalcon** » Mon Jun 22, 2009 11:05 am

http://www.bgsu.edu/offices/mc/news/2009/news67514.html

BG press release...fyi

pdt1081 · Post by **pdt1081** » Mon Jun 22, 2009 11:26 am

Drago wrote:Stall, Stall, Stall. Bottom line, if some big donors don't step up and fund the program, it's gone. They can do 100 studies, but it all comes down to raising $15 million or more. I don't think it will happen. Not trying to be negative, just realistic.

I'd almost wager money on an endowment of at least $20 million within 5 years.

NWLB · Post by **NWLB** » Mon Jun 22, 2009 11:27 am

pdt1081 wrote:
Drago wrote:Stall, Stall, Stall. Bottom line, if some big donors don't step up and fund the program, it's gone. They can do 100 studies, but it all comes down to raising $15 million or more. I don't think it will happen. Not trying to be negative, just realistic.
I'd almost wager money on an endowment of at least $20 million within 5 years.

Curiously, I consider that a wise bet.

Puckhead · Post by **Puckhead** » Mon Jun 22, 2009 10:53 pm

The Board of Trustees meeting is suppose to be Thursday/
Anyone got a place and time?

Falcon Commander · Post by **Falcon Commander** » Mon Jun 22, 2009 10:56 pm

anybody know who 'fathered' the Miami initiative, plan, direction and execution (the brains who took them from the outhouse to the Penthouse) ??????

NWLB · Post by **NWLB** » Mon Jun 22, 2009 11:19 pm

What I recall Vivian saying, was that although they have a building, it is costing them a couple million a year to service debt on the project. They basically have to do well, they are up against a wall. Of course, it is Miami, if they get into a pinch, they can just part with a really old bottle of wine from the Arena wine cellar.

TheKa · Post by **TheKa** » Mon Jun 22, 2009 11:47 pm

NWLB- He did indeed say that at the first meeting we all had with him. Which is why he said it would NOT be a good idea for BG to shoot for a new arena due to the fact that BG cannot afford the debt service.

Pdt- I think you're right...the endowment will be very large when it finally gets off the ground. Dr. Jack wants this team/program/arena to be in a position that it is self-sufficient and self-funded. He said that the arena needed to run like a business.

One of Dr. Jack's biggest things is going to a 50 minute ice time and 10 minutes to re-surface the ice. He also wants the arena to be in use from like 5am to 2am every day, much like Yost is.

Like I said before...he knows what he's doing, this is not just a job for him though, it's BG...
GO FALCONS!
Erika

BGFan · Post by **BGFan** » Tue Jun 23, 2009 9:09 am

TheKa wrote: He also wants the arena to be in use from like 5am to 2am every day, much like Yost is.

Erika

Gads...I've been saying that for years, now. If a proporer portion of the money that facility has brought into the university was put back into it as it should be it wouldn't be in the shape that it's in today.

There is what is considered a fairly good school of business on this campus. Seems like it would be a good thing to put them in charge of as a teaching tool on how to properly run a business.

Puckhead · Post by **Puckhead** » Tue Jun 23, 2009 1:33 pm

BGFan: Gads...I've been saying that for years, now. If a proporer portion of the money that facility has brought into the university was put back into it as it should be it wouldn't be in the shape that it's in today.

There is what is considered a fairly good school of business on this campus. Seems like it would be a good thing to put them in charge of as a teaching tool on how to properly run a business.
_________________
Part of Jack Vivian's plan for fiscal responsibility is for Arena income to stay in the Arena. Side Board advertising, program income, parking lot revenue, concessions, and Falcon Gear revenue.
His plan also calls for a few Sports Management grad students to work on how to properly run a business.
Intramural hockey or broom ball at 1:00am.
I have heard that hockey 101 and skating101 were PE credits, therefore billable to the Univ.; the return of these clases during the day will be a financial help.
Jack has the experiance to turn things around.
Another plan is for the endowment fund. If 200 of us small fry can pledge to donate $ 250 every year for 5 years; that's $ 250,000. That is almost
a scholarship. If Michigan, Ontario, and Minn. residents were given a waiver so that they could be charges tuition as if they were Ohio residents that would help immensely.
I look forward to when we have a go ahead to collecting pledges or money.
Give Jack, Ron Mason , Jerry York and the Developement Office some plans and artist rendering, I foresee money coming into our building and out program.

JoeFalcon · Post by **JoeFalcon** » Tue Jun 23, 2009 5:50 pm

We need a feasibility study on conducting a feasibility study. What office space will be used? Will the paper used be flimsy or one of those firm stock brands? Will the ideas generated be illustrated through bullet points or the highly underrated * icons?

But seriously, this is a positive step. Before you can solve a problem you have to recognize that there is a problem.

factman · Post by **factman** » Tue Jun 23, 2009 9:00 pm

If we had all of the money that this athletic administration has spent on studies, we wouldn't be in this financial shape. They have repeated enough drawings and studied past studies, and paid outrageous sums of money, when much of it could have been done locally at little or NO cost if they would have ask certain business to help. I really don't know why we have some of these administrators, because all they know how to do is pay to "have a study done" and then argue amongst themselves about the study, rather than having any working knowledge. Maybe if we quit hiring "fundraisers" and hired people who know how to work and even get their hands dirty, we would have enough money and we wouldn't have to fund raise! Would someone please go find us another Ken Schoeni or two!!

Falcon Commander · Post by **Falcon Commander** » Tue Jun 23, 2009 9:14 pm

BRAVO, FM!!

MACMAN · Post by **MACMAN** » Wed Jun 24, 2009 2:06 am

If Michigan, Ontario, and Minn. residents were given a waiver so that they could be charges tuition as if they were Ohio residents that would help immensely.
I look forward to when we have a go ahead to collecting pledges or money.
Give Jack, Ron Mason , Jerry York and the Developement Office some plans and artist rendering, I foresee money coming into our building and out program.[/quote]

Now that is very interesting indeed. Out east if you live in New England, any New england State you can go at instate prices to any New England State University ( and some others) If you live in the Maritime Provence's of Canada, it actually costs less than a student from out of state from in the USA,

http://www.go.umaine.edu/costs.htm
I would think we pull that off with Ontario and Quebec...why not.

NWLB · Post by **NWLB** » Wed Jun 24, 2009 9:30 am

I'VE GOT IT!

SLOT MACHINES AT THE ICE ARENA!

Future of hockey

Question . . .