BGSU needs to win us back

[BGSU33]

I was having this discussion with some co-workers earlier today, and I think BGSU needs to make a real concerted effort to get this mess corrected and straightened out, and further, BGSU owes it to its alums, fans and students to so. And I'm not referring to simply letting Orr's contract run out and say we're now making a change. The fact of the matter is, the damage has already been done, and letting a contract expire isn't simply going to fix it. This is going to take time and effort and it needs to start now because it's not going to be a quick fix. BG has a real challenge on its hands.

What has unfolded the last five years, especially this past season, was pathetic. I was thoroughly disgusted with the product and overall performance of this program the last five years, but after this past season, I was downright embarrassed. I am embarrassed about what this once-proud and strong program has become, but more so, I am embarrassed about our administration during that time as well. Yes, I have heard the reasons why Orr wasn't let go last year. The university had made cuts, we hired a new AD, etc. But by keeping Orr another year to possibly save face by not making a change then, it was like a backhand to the face to those who support this program. In doing what may have seemed the right thing to do at that point, BGSU really severed some ties and caused some scar tissue with supporters and that isn't just going to go away because it's now going to hire a new head coach. BGSU needs to dedicate itself to making it a real priority to fix what it essentially allowed to unfold.

I am proud to be a Falcon, but I am embarrassed this is my basketball program. I may not being someone who has my name slapped on the side of the arena, or painted on the court, or written across the practice facility. But I am an alum, someone who bleeds for BG, who volunteered as a student assistant with the team when back in college, who made a tons of road trips over the years when I moved away, who attended as many home games as possible, and donated money and bought tickets to support my school. But no more. For the last several years I talked out of my backside about how I wouldn't buy any more tickets or go to any more games until things were fixed and improved, but year after year I came back. But when BG brought Orr back another year in what we all knew was going to be a disaster - and it was - I pulled the plug. I was done investing my time, money and effort into something that wasn't giving back in return. And you know what, it felt good. No, not the losses, but the fact that I wasn't (literally) buying into or supporting what was going on.

My disconnect with the team in terms of not buy tickets and not going to games never meant I didn't want BG to succeed. I did, and ALWAYS will. But this program needs to win me back. I will always be a fan, but for me to be invested the way I had been for the last 20 years is going to take a concerted effort in return from my school. I hope it comes through.

[factman]

This is BS. If you need a little pat on the butt ! The point is, it is over and the the main person responsible for the problem is no longer at BGSU (thank goodness). If you never want to buy tickets again, don't, but don't keep dragging down the future with this "they owe me" BS!
Let's get on board, and help the AD and new coach push the basketball program to the top, and stop all this whining stuff.

[Falconfreak90]

It needed to happen a couple years ago. Let's give Kingston the chance to see what he can do and who he can bring in. I am tired of seeing BG at the bottom of the standings every year. Nowhere to go but up!

[MarkL]

33, the coach and AD who hired and retained him are gone. Kingston has been given a clean slate. You should view the program the same way.

[FalconTurf]

Some will move on with the program and some will leave. The athletic department will invite all but ultimately, as happens after every era, new fans will replace old fans and the program will move along. I hope all the old fans see value in the program but ultimately we must move forward. I hate hearing some old fan still referring to the Don Nehlen era when thing aren't going well at the Doyt but there are people that never move forward. I love the idea that as bad as things may seem today the hope of a new start holds so much promise. Go Falcons!

[transfer2BGSU]

Funniest post I've ever read on this board.

Even funnier than most Globetrotter posts.

[Globetrotter]

Funniest post I've ever read on this board.

Even funnier than most Globetrotter posts.

You seem like a good guy.

[Globetrotter]

The team doesn't have to win me back. I am ridiculously excited just to see what may come of Jehvon Clarke and Richaun Holmes before they graduate. I am excited for the time that I shape my nights around getting in front of my computer and watching the games and go out of my way to come up for games.

[BGFalconfromCincy]

Only thing the program needs to "win me back on" is actually going to the games. I'm about a half hour from BG, so going to games is doable, I just want to see a winning and competitive product.

[vwfalcon]

Do you even understand how irresponsible and crooked the decision to fire Orr while continuing to pay him a large amount of money while other faculty was being cut would have looked? Think of it this way, by not buying him out, some other faculty member was able to keep their job and provide for their family for at least a little longer. If you wanted him out so bad, why didn't you pony up the dough to get rid of him? Christopher or Kingston, there was no way Orr was being retained after this season by either guy unless he would have made a run and won a conference title or tourney title and there was an automatic extension clause in his contract. The man is gone now, so what more does this program owe you now? You got the end result you desired, so why not give the new guy (both AD and coach) a fresh start and support them right out the chute. Truthfully it is going to take better fan support to improve this program anyway. What recruit wants to play in an empty arena? By fans not showing up we are only hurting ourselves in the future.

[Globetrotter]

Do you even understand how irresponsible and crooked the decision to fire Orr while continuing to pay him a large amount of money while other faculty was being cut would have looked? Think of it this way, by not buying him out, some other faculty member was able to keep their job and provide for their family for at least a little longer. If you wanted him out so bad, why didn't you pony up the dough to get rid of him? Christopher or Kingston, there was no way Orr was being retained after this season by either guy unless he would have made a run and won a conference title or tourney title and there was an automatic extension clause in his contract. The man is gone now, so what more does this program owe you now? You got the end result you desired, so why not give the new guy (both AD and coach) a fresh start and support them right out the chute. Truthfully it is going to take better fan support to improve this program anyway. What recruit wants to play in an empty arena? By fans not showing up we are only hurting ourselves in the future.

He isn't faculty. And it's standard practice to fire before the last year. It should have been budgeted for and planned for.

[Flipper]

Clarke isn't going to amount to much as a floor leader until he starts caring about winning vs losing.

I'm excited about the future here...I want to hear and see what the Stroh is like when it's filled with fans cheering for an exciting and dynamic basketball team.

[Globetrotter]

Clarke isn't going to amount to much as a floor leader until he starts caring about winning vs losing.

I'm excited about the future here...I want to hear and see what the Stroh is like when it's filled with fans cheering for an exciting and dynamic basketball team.

ME too. Will you sit with me?

Maybe Transfer can too.

[hammb]

Clarke isn't going to amount to much as a floor leader until he starts caring about winning vs losing.

I'm excited about the future here...I want to hear and see what the Stroh is like when it's filled with fans cheering for an exciting and dynamic basketball team.

ME too. Will you sit with me?

Maybe Transfer can too.

If you can get me seats next to Transfer I'll gladly sit with you guys!

The atmosphere at the UT game was pretty awesome. If we could build a consistent winner I think it'd be like that for every game, and I'd be a very happy camper.

[Globetrotter]

Clarke isn't going to amount to much as a floor leader until he starts caring about winning vs losing.

I'm excited about the future here...I want to hear and see what the Stroh is like when it's filled with fans cheering for an exciting and dynamic basketball team.

ME too. Will you sit with me?

Maybe Transfer can too.

If you can get me seats next to Transfer I'll gladly sit with you guys!

The atmosphere at the UT game was pretty awesome. If we could build a consistent winner I think it'd be like that for every game, and I'd be a very happy camper.

Where does transfer sit?