Interim AD Named

[professorjackson]

"'Bowling Green State University provides educational experiences inside and outside the classroom that enhance the lives of students, faculty and staff. Students are prepared for lifelong career growth, lives of engaged citizenship and leadership in a global society. Within our learning community, we build a welcoming, safe and diverse environment where the creative ideas and achievements of all can benefit others throughout Ohio, the nation and the world.'

How is athletics not central to this mission?"

I guess the debate is over the word "central." Intramural athletics are much more likely to provide students with educational experiences than intercollegiate athletics are (the 500 or so intercollegiate athlete excepted, of course. I'm sure they learn a lot). What do non-athletes learn from intercollegiate athletes? How to be spectators and complain about things they can't change?

[pdt1081]

What do non-athletes learn from intercollegiate athletes? How to be spectators and complain about things they can't change?

I learned a lot as a non-athlete. But then again, most of my time spent with the hockey team was also as a non-BGSU student.

[Lord_Byron]

What do non-athletes learn from intercollegiate athletes? How to be spectators and complain about things they can't change?

I learned a lot as a non-athlete. But then again, most of my time spent with the hockey team was also as a non-BGSU student.

It exposes students to another form of entertainment/culture that helps to build a well rounded citizen. What do students learn from having student performed dramas or musicals? Art shows? Guest lectures?

They're just all part of the education. It's what makes a community a community.

[Flipper]

I think the term "failed bowl game" is far more pejorative than inartful. The person or persons within the faculty who coined it would likely take great offense if one were to apply such a narrow definition to their duties at BGSU.

Re what is and isn't central to the University's mission.... I guess that's a lot like "shared governance". It's open to debate and interpretation. I think arguing that intercollegiate athletics aren't central to a University's mission is arguing with the marketplace....colleges are adding athletic programs, (Lourdes College in Sylvania now has basketball golf and volleyball teams, Siena Heights in Adrian has a football team now!) FCS schools are investing major dollars to move up to the BCS division. It would seem that collectively, Universities have decided that intercollegiate athletics are "central" to their mission.


Should athletics be the tail that wags the dog? No....it'sthejourney is correct in stating that balance is important. Athletics, Academics and other areas of student life need to coexist under the umbrella of BGSU with an understanding that they're all essential to the University. I think if you look at the history of athletics at BGSU...low pay for coaches compared to the peer group, substandard facilities for both revenue and non revenue sports...you could easily argue that intercollegiate athletics haven't been given enough resources given their importance to the University.

[factman]

[It's the Journey...]

No....it'sthejourney is correct

I'm going to frame this and hang it on my wall in the new house...

[hammb]

I have to agree with what Flipper said.

And I've often stated on here that if somebody wanted to they could make a case that BG (and other MAC level schools) should drop athletics given the inability to compete on a national scale and properly fund the programs.

However, at the same time I think you could also formulate a pretty sound argument that athletics do more to market the university and build prestige than academics could ever hope to. Let's face it, outside of the Ivy League, MIT, and a few other select schools we're more likely to know of their existence due to athletics than anything that happens in the Academic realm. Who the hell knew about Appalachian State before they knocked off UM? Probably nobody, but shortly thereafter everybody knew they were Hot, Hot, HOT!

[footballguy51]

I have to agree with what Flipper said.

And I've often stated on here that if somebody wanted to they could make a case that BG (and other MAC level schools) should drop athletics given the inability to compete on a national scale and properly fund the programs.

However, at the same time I think you could also formulate a pretty sound argument that athletics do more to market the university and build prestige than academics could ever hope to. Let's face it, outside of the Ivy League, MIT, and a few other select schools we're more likely to know of their existence due to athletics than anything that happens in the Academic realm. Who the hell knew about Appalachian State before they knocked off UM? Probably nobody, but shortly thereafter everybody knew they were Hot, Hot, HOT!

And more to that point, I believe I heard on the news that Floriday Gulf Coast saw a record number of applications following March Madness.

[transfer2BGSU]

And more to that point, I believe I heard on the news that Florida Gulf Coast saw a record number of applications following March Madness.

And that record number of applications means.....absolutely nothing in the long run except more work trying to find the students that really want to attend FGCU and trying to weed out those that applied on a whim and have no real interest in attending.

Northern Illinois saw a record number of applications back in 2004 or 2005. They ended up with their smallest incoming freshman class that year.

[Globetrotter]

And more to that point, I believe I heard on the news that Florida Gulf Coast saw a record number of applications following March Madness.

And that record number of applications means.....absolutely nothing in the long run except more work trying to find the students that really want to attend FGCU and trying to weed out those that applied on a whim and have no real interest in attending.

Northern Illinois saw a record number of applications back in 2004 or 2005. They ended up with their smallest incoming freshman class that year.

So in your opinion a record number of applications is a bad thing.....This is equivalent to a cupcake maker saying that frosting is bad for cupcakes because it complicates the process.

In regards to athletics at the University. IMO it's athletics over academics which unifies us and distinguishes us as Falcons, Buckeyes, Redhawks...whatevs. I don't ever talk to any BG people on a daily basis outside of this board. This board is my only connection to the University still. That has to say something.

[It's the Journey...]

In your analogy you presume the cupcakes have already been made. A record number of applicants may look good but it is better to look at the percentage of those applicants that actually enroll. Those are the students who will be paying to attend. The applicants who apply, are accepted, processed, and do not attend are a waste of the resources it took to get them admitted.

[Globetrotter]

In your analogy you presume the cupcakes have already been made. A record number of applicants may look good but it is better to look at the percentage of those applicants that actually enroll. Those are the students who will be paying to attend. The applicants who apply, are accepted, processed, and do not attend are a waste of the resources it took to get them admitted.

This is the equivalent of not asking out the pretty girl at the bar because you might get turned down. BG should love having as many applicants who want to apply.

[Flipper]

I think it's more like you don't talk to the pretty girl because 37 unattractive girls forced you to talk to them first.

[transfer2BGSU]

I think it's more like you don't talk to the pretty girl because 37 unattractive girls forced you to talk to them first.

Number 38 turned out pretty good for you!

[footballguy51]

When people apply, they pay an application fee. That fee is supposed to cover the cost of processing the application, hence it isn't a waste of resources.