Donation to the Stroh Center for Marketing Games

[gmartin]

Even though I am disappointed with the direction our basketball (men's and women's) program is going I am seriously thinking about making a 6 digit donation to the Stroh Center in general. I would like my donation to go directly to an outside video board. I would like the video board to be used to show upcoming events at the Stroh Center that you can read while walking/driving by the Stroh on Wooster St. I want it to be a two sided video board displaying announcements and schedules on each side. I DON'T want something that you would see at the BGHS or at CVS or Walgreens. I want this to be about the size of our football video board. Any thoughts? Surprised the university hasn't placed a video board at any of it's athletic venues to promote upcoming events.

[BillyLP]

Even though I am disappointed with the direction our basketball (men's and women's) program is going I am seriously thinking about making a 6 digit donation to the Stroh Center in general. I would like my donation to go directly to an outside video board. I would like the video board to be used to show upcoming events at the Stroh Center that you can read while walking/driving by the Stroh on Wooster St. I want it to be a two sided video board displaying announcements and schedules on each side. I DON'T want something that you would see at the BGHS or at CVS or Walgreens. I want this to be about the size of our football video board. Any thoughts? Surprised the university hasn't placed a video board at any of it's athletic venues to promote upcoming events.

It's an interesting thought. I haven't been back to BG in several years, but I'm surprised that there isn't any kind of video signage outside of the Stroh that would promote games or at least say "GAME TONIGHT." I'm pretty sure my grad school's new arena has a functioning one up now, and the building isn't even done yet.

[hammb]

I love the thought of a video board to advertise upcoming events at the Stroh. I don't think the events advertised on the board would have to be limited to events taking place at the Stroh either...things like Literacy in the Park (takes place in the Fieldhouse), RV shows at the Doyt, etc... It would be awesome to have something that keeps the public abreast of what's going on around campus.

[Clubber]

I thought you were pulling all financial support because they didn't fire Roos? I think any donation made to BG athletics is a waste at this point. They can't even fund their programs.

[Schadenfreude]

I thought you were pulling all financial support because they didn't fire Roos? I think any donation made to BG athletics is a waste at this point. They can't even fund their programs.

Come on, man. All good athletic programs have private support.

[bgbill]

One of the best looking marquees I've seen is the one at North Dakota for the Ralph Engelstad Arena.

[Clubber]

I thought you were pulling all financial support because they didn't fire Roos? I think any donation made to BG athletics is a waste at this point. They can't even fund their programs.

Come on, man. All good athletic programs have private support.

I'm not saying people shouldn't donate to college athletic departments... I'm saying I wouldn't donate any money to BGSU. They ask several coaches to fundraise to make their budget and then don't even give those coaches the scholarships to have a chance to win. It's your money do what you want....I just won't be donating any of mine until I see a change in philosophy.

[footballguy51]

I thought you were pulling all financial support because they didn't fire Roos? I think any donation made to BG athletics is a waste at this point. They can't even fund their programs.

Come on, man. All good athletic programs have private support.

I'm not saying people shouldn't donate to college athletic departments... I'm saying I wouldn't donate any money to BGSU. They ask several coaches to fundraise to make their budget and then don't even give those coaches the scholarships to have a chance to win. It's your money do what you want....I just won't be donating any of mine until I see a change in philosophy.

Baseball is a dying sport. Star Trek: Deep Space 9 predicted it. Get over it.

[gmartin]

I don't want to get off topic here because I really do want to make a donation and have it go towards an outdoor video/marque message board, however, since It was brought up, Clubber, would you rather have BG have a baseball team with only 10 full scholarships and 3 partial scholarships or have no BG baseball team like some colleges.

[Clubber]

I could care less either way. Used to really enjoy following the baseball program. I think if they were fully funded they'd compete for titles. That's more than can be said for most of the BG programs. At this point though I'd be okay if they cut it. Not real big into underfunding a once outstanding program just to say we still field a team.

Carry on with your marquee discussion...my larger point was that I wouldn't donate money until I saw the University commit to athletics. Being last in the MAC in funding with an extra "revenue" sport to support isn't exactly being committed in my opinion.

[Schadenfreude]

It would be interesting to use this thread to discuss what we would try to get done if we had had the moolah to make a six figure donation to the athletic department.

I've long thought LED lighting running along the top of each side Perry Stadium -- perhaps with some low-profile scoreboards or message boards -- would look really cool and really brighten the place up. I'm certain the department has much bigger priorities, but pro ballparks often have this kind of thing, and I think it would look cool at our yard.

[mbenecke]

It would be interesting to use this thread to discuss what we would try to get done if we had had the moolah to make a six figure donation to the athletic department.

I've long thought LED lighting running along the top of each side Perry Stadium -- perhaps with some low-profile scoreboards or message boards -- would look really cool and really brighten the place up. I'm certain the department has much bigger priorities, but pro ballparks often have this kind of thing, and I think it would look cool at our yard.

I agree with that. It would be a small thing, but perhaps very beneficial. It could contain stats, scores around the conference, and other good stuff. Of course, it would also be another outlet for marketing and running ads.

[Falconwriter]

I could care less either way. Used to really enjoy following the baseball program. I think if they were fully funded they'd compete for titles. That's more than can be said for most of the BG programs. At this point though I'd be okay if they cut it. Not real big into underfunding a once outstanding program just to say we still field a team.

Carry on with your marquee discussion...my larger point was that I wouldn't donate money until I saw the University commit to athletics. Being last in the MAC in funding with an extra "revenue" sport to support isn't exactly being committed in my opinion.

Well, it's a damn good thing you aren't in charge, then. Don't need your negativity, because fundraising with you in charge would be a total bust.

I'll proudly say that I have NOT given up on BG athletics (any of them) and, in fact, have endowed a baseball scholarship in memory of my late husband, who loved the game as much as I did. When I'm gone, the endowment will grow via my estate, and the scholarship will go to a deserving student (or students), hopefully for many, many decades to come.

See, actually DOING SOMETHING about the issue of under-funded sports is much better than complaining about it on a sports site.

[threestooges]

...I think any donation made to BG athletics is a waste at this point. They can't even fund their programs.

Ummmm, wouldn't this be the very reason TO donate to BG athletics? If they can't afford to fully fund all of their programs, and there was someone with available money AND an interest in BG athletics, wouldn't that be the perfect reason to help them out?

I know you personally couldn't care less, as you've said multiple times, but I wanted to throw the question out there for the people who (like me) DO care, and (unlike me) currently have the financial wherewithal to make a sizable donation and make a difference to BGSU's athletes and coaches.

[threestooges]

I could care less either way. Used to really enjoy following the baseball program. I think if they were fully funded they'd compete for titles. That's more than can be said for most of the BG programs. At this point though I'd be okay if they cut it. Not real big into underfunding a once outstanding program just to say we still field a team.

Carry on with your marquee discussion...my larger point was that I wouldn't donate money until I saw the University commit to athletics. Being last in the MAC in funding with an extra "revenue" sport to support isn't exactly being committed in my opinion.

Well, it's a damn good thing you aren't in charge, then. Don't need your negativity, because fundraising with you in charge would be a total bust.

I'll proudly say that I have NOT given up on BG athletics (any of them) and, in fact, have endowed a baseball scholarship in memory of my late husband, who loved the game as much as I did. When I'm gone, the endowment will grow via my estate, and the scholarship will go to a deserving student (or students), hopefully for many, many decades to come.

See, actually DOING SOMETHING about the issue of under-funded sports is much better than complaining about it on a sports site.

I replied before I read this post. Your reply was much better than mine. And as a BG fan, thanks for all you have done and are doing for the program.