Bowling Green State University Athletics
Paul Krebs Press Conference
November 02, 2001 | General
Nov. 2, 2001
STATEMENT FROM BGSU ATHLETIC DIRECTOR PAUL KREBS
Yesterday, in Orlando, Florida, the MAC announced the addition of the University of Central Florida as the 14th member of the MAC. Central Florida was only admitted for the sport of football. From the outside this might appear to be a curious move, but rest assured this is a significant step forward for the MAC. We are able to add a 14th team to the league which will balance our football schedule, add a school from one of the largest markets in the country, a school that wants to be in the MAC, and a school that was courted by, and turned down anotherconference. This is a major step forward for our league, our national image, and our place in Division IA football. And make no mistake, we are committed to Division IA football.
Our league continues to get better and better. In the past several years we have added a national TV contract, a second bowl game, men's and women'sbasketball tournaments at Gund Arena, and now a 14th member for football.
The league explored several options on how to balance the alignment and where to add Central Florida. We still needed an alignment that worked geographically for travel costs. We were also concerned about competitive balance, and needed an alignment that worked for all sports, not just football. For these reasons, BGSU will be moved to the West. President Ribeau and I discussed the situation at great length. Where appropriate, we sought the input and advice of coaches.
The impact on us here at BGSU is significant. Beginning with next year, all of our teams that compete in a divisional format (football, both basketballs, volleyball, softball, and baseball) will move to the West Division. While some may question the move, we are committed to the move and look forward to competing in the West Division while retaining our close ties to those sister schools in the State of Ohio. From a pure travel standpoint, there is less travel involved in being a member of the West. We are closer in proximtiy to the West Division schools.
Change is often difficult, but change we must if our league is to continue to grow and be all we can be. It is too easy to live in the past and talk about the good old days when the MAC was mainly Ohio schools. For far too long, this league has not gotten the credit it deserves in Division I athletics and these moves and changes will help us. One has to only look at the SWC, WAC, and Big 8 as leagues that have changed dramatically. Some of the changes were made for the better, but for some of these schools an unwillingness to change has greatly altered their ability to be competitive.
Some of our fans will be upset about the move. There will be concern about losing touch with our big rivalries and the concern about the impact on attendance. The reality is, in most sports, who we played had little bearing on our attendance. Fans came out to watch and support the Falcons, and winning and exciting teams will bring out the fans.
The two possible exceptions to this are the sports of men's basketball and football. We have worked to maintain our traditional ties with the Ohio schools in our men's basketball schedule and future schedules will reflect this philosophy. Many of our future crossover games against the East will be against our sister schools from Ohio. Additionally, we are assured of playing several home games a year against these Ohio schools.
In the sport of football, we can talk about the tradition rivalries, the old days, and great crowds. The facts do not support this argument. In analyzing football attendance since 1985, the most significant factors in large crowds were the Falcons' record, the quality of the opponent, the weather, Homecoming, Family Weekend, night games, and playing Toledo. Our future football schedules will also reflect a continued relationship with our sister MAC schools from Ohio. Most years, 5 if not 6, of our 8 league games will be played in the State of Ohio.
I thought it important that you receive this information in a timely manner. Further, I wanted all of you know the details related to the move, and the reasons for the move. I am excited about the future of our league, the leadership of our league and University, and about this change.
