Good News!

[BGDrew]

When academic programs can nurture the kind of relationships that athletics do, then we will see the donations pour out. However, the university sees the importance of this building and it's use in the community. The Ice Arena was built in 1967 and has had a majority of it's minimal renovations done with private, donor money.

Once we're able to get the Ice Arena to a point where it can sustain itself financially, then we can focus on the team being able to do the same.

[Bleeding Orange]

“I am confident that the funds necessary to ensure the future of the arena and BGSU hockey can be raised. I want to make it very clear that we want this effort to succeed.” ~ President Carol Cartwright

Enough said.

And because this money is coming from funds specifically marked for facilities, it isn't impacting hiring decisions. And no matter what facilities needs there may be on campus, it is hard to deny that the Ice Arena is: a) A university building, and b) has not seen any significant attention since the early 1980's. It doesn't matter what is happening with the overall budget (and I don't intend to minimize those problems at all), but it is well past time for something like this to happen. Especially with a significant chunk of state dollars hanging in the balance.

[VDub26Falcon]

[FalconTurf]

I think the academic side of campus needs to get on board with athletics (althought the main objective of BGSU is academic - I agree completely). The biggest problem with the students recruited to BG for purely academic pursuits is that they start heading home Thursday night through Friday afternoon and sometimes don't return until Monday morning. When students are looking for a university they are looking for a total package. Academic pursuits must be balanced with recreation, entertainment and part-time job opportunities (which are the result of an active & engaged campus life). When students leave every weekend for the other opportunities the atmosphere and thus ability to recruit students is hurt. At the same time are these Monday - Thursday only students loyal contributing alums.

Fans at athletic events are fertile ground to share the academic pursuits of the university. Using a video board or tailgating event to share the academic pride of the university enhances the whole university. The academic side of campus must sell itself and realize the students need more than classes from Monday at 8:00 am until 3:00 pm Friday. Students can only share with family and friends about the great academic programs at BGSU so much. They must have recreation facilities, living facilities, events and friends who stay the weekend round out the total experience.

BGSU hockey was the event that rallied my hallway freshman year in the late 80's. These became the guys you talked to about athletics, social life and ACADEMICS because you had established a bond of sorts with them.

[pdt1081]

This is good news, not great news. Remember before, when $4 million was contributed by the University? Now the contribution is down to $2.5 million. The president's email that dforde posted said she hoped this would jump start the fund raising. So now we have a fund raising campaign? What's the money going to? What's the goal? How can you tell the alumni that you are confident the money can be raised for the hockey team, yet you aren't confident enough to make a formal announcement about the longevity of the hockey program? After all, the longevity of the hockey program is the ultimate goal here.