Future of hockey
I'm actually not very happy about this so-called "feasibility study". I don't really see a good reason to hire a consulting firm and spend even more money on determining if there is enough support to save this program. I'm afraid that Cartwright is just fishing for someone to give her an answer that will justify cutting the program. In the press release she said that she wanted to "professionally evaluate the interest in a fund-raising campaign". Really? Because there is any question regarding the amount of fan, alumni, and community support this program has?? I smell a rat.
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MACMAN
Could be, we will know the answers soon enough. My recent large fear is that of endowment...if the U gets 20m in an endowment, a return of 4% is 800k...but nothing is earning 4%, and with the direction the FED is headed, well things are going to worse and worse. Its as if Bush's brain was connected to jumper cables and the juice on how not to run a Free Nation is in over drive.
In watching this whole issue unfold, I thought I might be the only one who thought the process may be verging on analysis paralysis.
".... has engaged a national fund-raising consulting firm to conduct a feasibility study to gauge interest and capacity for a fund-raising campaign for renovation of the Ice Arena and endowments for the hockey program." ... oh brother, give me a break! Where did they find the $$ for this? Anyone hear of a cost figure? I know that it takes money to make money, but who is this consulting firm, what are the costs and what is their track record with university sports programs? I find it odd that the firm wasn't mentioned by name. Frankly, I don't trust this administration much farther than I can spit. I agree with jg4242, my gut feeling is that things just don't add up.
".... has engaged a national fund-raising consulting firm to conduct a feasibility study to gauge interest and capacity for a fund-raising campaign for renovation of the Ice Arena and endowments for the hockey program." ... oh brother, give me a break! Where did they find the $$ for this? Anyone hear of a cost figure? I know that it takes money to make money, but who is this consulting firm, what are the costs and what is their track record with university sports programs? I find it odd that the firm wasn't mentioned by name. Frankly, I don't trust this administration much farther than I can spit. I agree with jg4242, my gut feeling is that things just don't add up.
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transfer2BGSU
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rally wrote:In watching this whole issue unfold, I thought I might be the only one who thought the process may be verging on analysis paralysis.
".... has engaged a national fund-raising consulting firm to conduct a feasibility study to gauge interest and capacity for a fund-raising campaign for renovation of the Ice Arena and endowments for the hockey program." ... oh brother, give me a break! Where did they find the $$ for this? Anyone hear of a cost figure? I know that it takes money to make money, but who is this consulting firm, what are the costs and what is their track record with university sports programs? I find it odd that the firm wasn't mentioned by name. Frankly, I don't trust this administration much farther than I can spit. I agree with jg4242, my gut feeling is that things just don't add up.
So far, since the beginning of this situation, I've heard people complain about this and that. But one thing has still not happened - no one has stepped forward to say "I am willing to commit this to the future of Falcon Hockey".
I've heard a lot of "I'm not committing anything until I know X, Y, and Z" but it appears that no one has stepped forward and stated they will make the commitment if anything happens.
Money talks!
The administration is trying to figure out if its worth committing the Development staffers to a capital campaign for the Ice Hockey program and the Ice Arena. Why? Because no one has stepped forward to say "I am willing to commit this to the future of Falcon Hockey."
Talk all you want. But NOW is the time for ACTION.
Is there a big time benefactor for the hockey program that can start us with a $250,000 donation or higher? If so, you need to get him/her out there to make the public announcement. Once one announces, then I think you will find additional donors and the administration will need to start an endowment campaign. Until then......
"The name on the front of the jersey is more important than the name on the back" -Herb Brooks
Transfer, I get what your saying, but it is a circular argument.
The vibrations in the web are starting to give rise to a renewed feeling that the administration would rather the fuss over Hockey die down, which is has, and that they can bury it under a flock of studies.
The University says "pony up cash," which the people who can are saying "not until we can trust you," which after decades of neglect, requires BGSU to put up first.
It still seems like the University feels it is being troubled by having to deal with Hockey at all.
Maybe a protest event is in order. Remind the powers that be of the stink that hasn't been dealt with yet. Something PR unfriendly.
The vibrations in the web are starting to give rise to a renewed feeling that the administration would rather the fuss over Hockey die down, which is has, and that they can bury it under a flock of studies.
The University says "pony up cash," which the people who can are saying "not until we can trust you," which after decades of neglect, requires BGSU to put up first.
It still seems like the University feels it is being troubled by having to deal with Hockey at all.
Maybe a protest event is in order. Remind the powers that be of the stink that hasn't been dealt with yet. Something PR unfriendly.
NWLB
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transfer2BGSU
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I'm not saying write the check NOW. I'm saying step forward and let the University know that you are willing to write the check and what the amount will be.NWLB wrote: The University says "pony up cash," which the people who can are saying "not until we can trust you," which after decades of neglect, requires BGSU to put up first..
The last time they went fund raising for the Ice Arena (earlier this year), they could not even get a commitment of $50,000. And you wonder why they spent their money elsewhere?
"The name on the front of the jersey is more important than the name on the back" -Herb Brooks
I'm still not sure about the earlier effort. I've heard from people who saw the presentations, who have very real want for things to work, that they say the University botched it. To date, I've not heard any positive mention of the early effort. The comments have been such that it seems they did more damage going out and doing it the way they did, than any good. As you ask why I wonder why the University spends their money elsewhere, I say it is because they've found every excuse to do so.transfer2BGSU wrote:I'm not saying write the check NOW. I'm saying step forward and let the University know that you are willing to write the check and what the amount will be.NWLB wrote: The University says "pony up cash," which the people who can are saying "not until we can trust you," which after decades of neglect, requires BGSU to put up first..
The last time they went fund raising for the Ice Arena (earlier this year), they could not even get a commitment of $50,000. And you wonder why they spent their money elsewhere?
There is a ring of consistency from too many groups separated by space and time, to not believe the highly critical reviews of that early effort. And others wonder why the donors won't pony up the money? I don't blame them.
NWLB
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falconfan1
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The use of a fund raiasing study firm to gauge interest in hockey does several things. When these independent people meet with potential donors/supporters, they can gather information on how best to reach these donors/how they might be approached- this speaks to how some of them may have been approached before. They, of course, can also gauge willingness to give. They can gauge potential size and circumstances of gifting (such a pledge time duration that works for them) and so on. They can gauge the level of feeling/attachment to the program and University.
I believe the study, along with the very important work of Jack Vivian's group, lays out a path or plan that can be followed to update the arena, endow parts of the program etc. The study is not a way to delay things or justify anything. It is part of producing a workable plan that donors can then choose to participate in to make the plans a reality.
As posted elsewhere, we need some commitments- after key possible donors/folks hear/read the plan/report from the Vivian group. If the fund raising study indicates that there are no donors willing to step up with lead gifts then that would certainly be a very bad sign. I am sure there are many people capable of helping at a fairly high level even in this tough time. I understand that things at the arena etc could have been maintained/handled better over the past 20 plus years. But nobody who was at BG in a command spot then is here now. "We" are all here now.
Everybody can read about the state budget situation, the budget for higher education. We can all read about steps taken by universities from Ohio to Kent to OSU to BG. This is a tough time. We all have to work together. Can we find some of the type of folks who gave some of the lead gifts for the Stroh Center? I think many of them simply approached their gifts as something they wanted to do to help the University in a broad way. There weren't many plans etc for that building done when some of those commitments were made. For at least one of the gifts, there was simply the donor's desire to improve the University as a whole without even a drawing or a location. Is the person/company out there who wants to lead the way? Can we name our refurbished arena with a gift?
I think the University has realized that hockey fund raising is different- as in approach to donors is not the same as in some other fundraising for several reasons so we better find out the best way to reach folks. I just hope we don't get into a situation where we get supporters "frozen" in place due to mistakes- some real, some perceived- made in the past. We can't change the past. We can learn from it.
Can we find a lady or gentleman like the lead donor at Miami? After a plan- rather like the Vivian group's plan but with a need to fully replace a one sided ice rink that was never going to work long term- was developed there in reponse to very real concerns about any future for the program at all, a person stepped forward. He had to be the person to lead the way. I am sure he had many concerns as he made his decision on the gift. But when he committed and all could see things were moving forward and in the right general direction, many other larger donors came on board. Folowed by others and so on.
Now is our time to help the program as the study is completed. Of course, the season tickets and Falcon Club/hockey designation sends a clear message of current support for everyone at BG to see. That is crucial IMO.
We can talk forever about things that were wrongly handled etc. I am pretty sure that won't get us a well funded and competitive hockey program. It will take donors. The lead folks for Stroh Center didn't say- at least as a reason not to give: Why didn't you do this or that to Anderson Arena? Why didn't we fix it up/maintain it better in the 80's etc? They could have said that and been dead on right. But they stepped up and gave for the project- some before there even was a project. Without the donors there is no Stroh Center.
I bet there are some hockey supporters and fans who can help in a good sized way. Maybe, unlike the single lead gift at Miami, it is three or four larger gifts taken together that jump start us at BG. Hopefully, they will indicate this possibility/probability to the fund raising study folks. This is the turning point; the time of opportunity.
Go Falcons!
I believe the study, along with the very important work of Jack Vivian's group, lays out a path or plan that can be followed to update the arena, endow parts of the program etc. The study is not a way to delay things or justify anything. It is part of producing a workable plan that donors can then choose to participate in to make the plans a reality.
As posted elsewhere, we need some commitments- after key possible donors/folks hear/read the plan/report from the Vivian group. If the fund raising study indicates that there are no donors willing to step up with lead gifts then that would certainly be a very bad sign. I am sure there are many people capable of helping at a fairly high level even in this tough time. I understand that things at the arena etc could have been maintained/handled better over the past 20 plus years. But nobody who was at BG in a command spot then is here now. "We" are all here now.
Everybody can read about the state budget situation, the budget for higher education. We can all read about steps taken by universities from Ohio to Kent to OSU to BG. This is a tough time. We all have to work together. Can we find some of the type of folks who gave some of the lead gifts for the Stroh Center? I think many of them simply approached their gifts as something they wanted to do to help the University in a broad way. There weren't many plans etc for that building done when some of those commitments were made. For at least one of the gifts, there was simply the donor's desire to improve the University as a whole without even a drawing or a location. Is the person/company out there who wants to lead the way? Can we name our refurbished arena with a gift?
I think the University has realized that hockey fund raising is different- as in approach to donors is not the same as in some other fundraising for several reasons so we better find out the best way to reach folks. I just hope we don't get into a situation where we get supporters "frozen" in place due to mistakes- some real, some perceived- made in the past. We can't change the past. We can learn from it.
Can we find a lady or gentleman like the lead donor at Miami? After a plan- rather like the Vivian group's plan but with a need to fully replace a one sided ice rink that was never going to work long term- was developed there in reponse to very real concerns about any future for the program at all, a person stepped forward. He had to be the person to lead the way. I am sure he had many concerns as he made his decision on the gift. But when he committed and all could see things were moving forward and in the right general direction, many other larger donors came on board. Folowed by others and so on.
Now is our time to help the program as the study is completed. Of course, the season tickets and Falcon Club/hockey designation sends a clear message of current support for everyone at BG to see. That is crucial IMO.
We can talk forever about things that were wrongly handled etc. I am pretty sure that won't get us a well funded and competitive hockey program. It will take donors. The lead folks for Stroh Center didn't say- at least as a reason not to give: Why didn't you do this or that to Anderson Arena? Why didn't we fix it up/maintain it better in the 80's etc? They could have said that and been dead on right. But they stepped up and gave for the project- some before there even was a project. Without the donors there is no Stroh Center.
I bet there are some hockey supporters and fans who can help in a good sized way. Maybe, unlike the single lead gift at Miami, it is three or four larger gifts taken together that jump start us at BG. Hopefully, they will indicate this possibility/probability to the fund raising study folks. This is the turning point; the time of opportunity.
Go Falcons!
