Jack Carle article...notice how much we spend in comparison

[Globetrotter]

http://www.sent-trib.com/bgsu-sports/ca ... e-03-22-13
"I doubt there is enough money to pay for two head coaches and additional staff.
Information from the U.S. Department of Education, compiled on bbstate.com (midmajority.com) shows that BG is last in the MAC in spending on men's basketball, in data from 2011. The total expenses for BG in the report is $1,145,144, which is 251st in the nation. Ohio tops the MAC schools at $2,162,046 and Akron is second at $1,924,397."

[factman]

I would like to see a comparison of athletic "administrative" costs in relation to other schools in the league. If I were to guess, that might a problem, in relation to money that is going to the individual sports.

[threestooges]

I would like to see a comparison of athletic "administrative" costs in relation to other schools in the league. If I were to guess, that might a problem, in relation to money that is going to the individual sports.

I don't know what the baseball coach is telling you, but my guess is BGSU is at the low end of the MAC in terms of administrative salaries.

[Roll Along!]

Just in taking a quick look at staff directories on the web of Akron, Ohio, Buffalo (used them because Witherspoon mentions they were understaffed when he was fired) and BGSU, here's what I see in terms of job titles like assistant or associate AD.

Akron - 8
Ohio - 13
Buffalo - 13
Bowling Green - 7

Doesn't seem out of line. And knowing how low our salaries are compared to most other MAC schools, I don't see how BG's administrative costs could be higher than other schools in the league. In fact, just take a few minutes and look at those staff directories as compared to BGSU's. BG's support staff is WAY smaller than those MAC schools.

[factman]

They may not be, but I was just asking. For example, we have at least two full time people managing/doing booking at the Stroh, where we had none at Anderson, as it was "run" by the staff. It just seems there have been a lot of administrative additions like this in the past few years,including the "fundraising" piece.
All you have to do is look at the number of non coaching positions in the directory on bgsufalcons.com in comparison to a few years ago.
It is just very frustrating how similar schools like Kent, Ohio and Miami, seem to be able to fund ALL of their sports at a much higher level and BG keeps hiding behind the $$$$$ problem. Don't these other schools have similar problems, and if not, why?

[mscarn]

It's not in Christopher's interests to have sports that are hamstrung by inadequate funding, particularly if the money is there and is just being misallocated.

Coaching salaries, recruiting budgets and overall program budgets correlate directly with winning. No AD in their right mind would prioritize spending money on people pushing paper around in an office over giving their teams what they need to succeed.

If we're not out to win, and Christopher honestly prioritizes the nebulous "student-athlete experience" over competing for championships, we either need to leave the league or put people in charge who care about the results on the field.

I'm all for athletes going to class and developing off the playing field, but this is not the local rec league. To paraphrase Dan Hawkins, "It's Division I!!"

[FalconTurf]

They may not be, but I was just asking. For example, we have at least two full time people managing/doing booking at the Stroh, where we had none at Anderson, as it was "run" by the staff. It just seems there have been a lot of administrative additions like this in the past few years,including the "fundraising" piece.
All you have to do is look at the number of non coaching positions in the directory on bgsufalcons.com in comparison to a few years ago.
It is just very frustrating how similar schools like Kent, Ohio and Miami, seem to be able to fund ALL of their sports at a much higher level and BG keeps hiding behind the $$$$$ problem. Don't these other schools have similar problems, and if not, why?

Ok Factman, you always make me think with your post, don't always agree, and have some relevant facts. This post is ridiculous.
First, AA did not have 2 full time people booking events because AA could not host events with around 1,000 chair back seats, no air conditioning, poor crowd control, poor dressing facilities for performers, poor concession/restroom flow in the lobby, lack of modern lighting, lack of moderns sound system, lack of modern wiring to support performers systems and many other flaws. Events are being held at the Stroh.
The reason we don't have money is the lack of ticket sales which results in advertisers paying less to get up on the video board or advertise in other ways. Compare average attendance and ticket costs. BG is a great deal but still the crowds are sparse. The only way to change this is to get more people to attend the big 4 that have a chance of increasing our profile to advertisers (m/w basketball, football and hockey).
I stopped by for the end of the 2nd baseball game Saturday. Did I see advertisements on the fence? Did I hear the pitching change sponsored by SBX or the pinch hitter sponsored Frickers? I hear timeouts, kickoffs and first downs advertised at other events.
Money is the key. Mr. Fundraiser may not have the best coaches in each program but those coaches are not paid as well as other programs and do not have the same support staff as other programs. As a FAN-atic I have purchased season tickets for football and men's basketball along with a modest Falcon Club membership. I buy tickets for at least 2 women's game and 2 hockey games a year also. Weeknight games are the only thing that make me question that decision. I will continue to support them and put a positive spin on the programs so others will follow and that's how we will fix the problem of baseball funding, swimming funding, tennis funding,.............

[hammb]

The reason we don't have money is the lack of ticket sales which results in advertisers paying less to get up on the video board or advertise in other ways. Compare average attendance and ticket costs. BG is a great deal but still the crowds are sparse.

I still maintain that our tickets aren't the great deal so many die hard BG fans think they are. Sure, on the landscape of Division 1 athletics it's cheaper than many places, but for the area? We rip people off.

I can go see a Walleye game in a brand new arena for only about $2 more than a BG Hockey game. I can go see the Hens play for cheaper than any BG sporting event. The cheapest season tickets to the Rockets are $10 cheaper than the cheapest at the Doyt. Both plans come with free parking (about damn time BG), but UT still is a better deal considering you also get $24 in food vouchers and $20 in Rocket Store vouchers. UT Hoops is similar with the cheapest season tickets at $59 (compared to $169 for the cheapest in the Stroh), and again the UT tickets give you free parking (Stroh does not), and all those food & Rocket Store vouchers.

Individually the cheapest seats to the Stroh are $14, the cheapest to see the Rockets are $6. Now I definitely believe the Stroh center is a better gameday experience, but the Rockets just put a ton of money into their arena as well, and they're less than half price. The BEST seats at Savage are only $10!

We need to get rid of this notion that BG sports is such a huge bargain...it's not. Our arch rivals play in the same league as us and are 30 miles up the road...they're drawing from the same general population to get attendance. And our prices are not only NOT a great deal, they're not even really competitive with them! Take away your love of BG and think about being a family of 4 that you just want to take your kids to a game. Are you going to go to Savage where you can get your group in the door for under $30? Or are you going to go to the Stroh where it's going to cost you $40+? Are you going to get season tickets to the Doyt for an extra $40 over the season for your family, or are you going to the Glass Bowl where you save $40 and also come away with $100 in food vouchers and $80 in clothing vouchers?

And you wanna know what else is cool? You give somebody a $20 clothing voucher and they probably end up buying a $50 hoodie, still spending $30 in your store. You get their butts in the stadium and they probably buy a beer, some pop, hot dogs, pretzels, etc...all spending money in YOUR stadium.

BG has a lot of issues that fuel the lack of attendance. Ticket pricing/value/marketing is one of those issues, IMO. I like BG sports, but I only go BECAUSE of my connection to the university. When compared with other local sporting event pricing it isn't a good deal at all. Only hockey is a cheaper alternative than its direct competition.

[BGFalconfromCincy]

Christopher taking the Xavier AD job makes some sense as to why Orr was retained. No need to have an outgoing AD hire a basketball coach he won't be around for. You are going to want to hire a new AD before a basketball coach, so had we gotten rid of Orr you are behind the eight ball and hiring his replacement, unless you are with someone like Stone being your interim coach for a year. A new person will want their own coach, especially when the current has one year left on their deal, I'm sure they'll come in with a list of people

[Globetrotter]

There is always an assistant that wants to move up

[HoopsFan]

Okay, I'll say it BRAVO HAMMB! I said it in another post about students. Why is the Stroh Center such a "premier" place that all seats are reserved and $10 with very few packages? Why can we go up the road and get into Savage for $5-7? Next year, how about $99 season ticket prices and $6 GA tix? Reserve 102-104 and 113-115 or whatever and GA the rest.

I like concession vouchers and free parking, too.

HoopsFan

[It's the Journey...]

We could GA the entire arena and pass out free concession vouchers at the door and it would not make a bit of difference in the attendance. A quality product on the floor WILL put butts in the seats, not gimicks.

I have no problem beefing up the administration in Stroh Center if that brings in additional revenue through concerts and other events. The building needs to be in use as many days out of the year as possible. Honestly, the University should have an office that does nothing but fill our venues like Stroh Center, the Ice Arena, Kobacker, Donnel, and so on when not being used for University events. Those additional dollars will make a HUGE difference in what we can and cannot do.

[factman]

I don't disagree with your logic at all, but it seems to me that the same person should be able to "manage" the arena and book events if you find the right person.

[It's the Journey...]

On the surface, yes. But I would want one person to be dedicated to event management once the event hits the door. That person can make sure the facility is set and address any issues in real time. That is a full time job with multiple nights getting out late and mornings getting in early. The second person is making calls to bring in events, going out to visit with potential events, being the marketing face of the facility. I see the job as too big for one person if you are going to commit to doing it right. I believe we have made that commitment with Stroh Center. I just want to see that expanded to any and all revenue generating facilities on campus.

[mscarn]

There is always an assistant that wants to move up