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May 23, 2007
Each week, Bowling Green State University Assistant Vice President/Director of Athletics Greg Christopher answers questions that have been submitted to BGSUFalcons.com. Here is the latest installment ...
In the first couple of weeks, several fans have written with questions tied to two subjects - football and facilities. I'll consolidate a few of the queries and take one of each over the next month or so.
Q: When will BG play in the Patriot Bowl?
Kurt
Berea, Ohio
The Patriot Bowl is a new regular-season series that matches up a MAC opponent with one of the service academies. Games will be played in early September, preferably over Labor Day Weekend, in Cleveland at Browns Stadium. The inaugural game pits Akron against Army this fall. My understanding from the Cleveland Sports Commission and the MAC office is that a three-year commitment exists, with hope that the series will continue long-term.
While on one hand, the Patriot Bowl presents a nice opportunity, I am hesitant to commit BGSU given the current structure. My reasons are two-fold:
Thus the short answer to your question is that BGSU has no immediate plans to participate in the Patriot Bowl.
Q: What is the construction project going on between the baseball and softball fields?
Jim
Findlay, Ohio
Our varsity tennis courts, known as Keefe Courts, are being moved from the south side of Stadium Drive to the north side. When finished, eight courts will be ready for play in late summer. The courts will be a nice boost for Penny Dean's team. Our old courts were in embarrassing condition, with many cracks and grass growing up between the cracks.
Q: There has been much speculation going around concerning the future of the hockey program. Can you set the record straight? Also, there has been a lot of speculation concerning the state of the hockey facilities. Can you shed any light on what the future holds for the ice arena?
Rick
Bowling Green, Ohio
Falcon Hockey has a rich tradition and BGSU is fully committed to the sport.
That said, progress is needed to restore the program's stature. Scott Paluch and our team are working to move things in the right direction. While last season was disappointing, the team's performance down the stretch was promising.
Two issues are critical to our future: a facility and operating resources. The venerable BGSU Ice Arena is outdated in several respects and needs a lot of work just to stay operational in the near future. We are narrowing the "facility fix" options for both hockey and basketball/volleyball right now and expect to determine a path this year.
Along with a facility deficiency, we need to improve hockey's operating budget. It's a challenge to compete for championships when resources for recruiting, travel and other support are at or near the bottom of the CCHA. We are working from the department/university angle to improve resources, but we also need the help of fans. Whether it's buying a couple of season tickets or joining the Falcon Club, there are a number of ways to back BGSU Hockey.
