Bowling Green State University Athletics
Ask The AD -- May 14, 2008
May 14, 2008 | General
May 14, 2008
BOWLING GREEN, Ohio (BGSUFalcons.com) - Bowling Green State University Assistant Vice President/Director of Athletics Greg Christopher answers a few of the many questions that have been submitted to BGSUFalcons.com. Here is the latest installment ...
Q: We noticed at the women's basketball banquet that ticket prices for next year have increased dramatically. What's going on?
Christine in Bowling Green
A: As women's basketball has developed over time, the revenue piece is becoming more important to keep in mind with the expense side of the balance sheet. We're sensitive to BGSU's fans when setting ticket prices, but we also know they ultimately will increase with time. At $78 for a season ticket in our best locations ($6 per game), I believe BGSU women's basketball is still a terrific deal.
Q: What is the status of the Stroh Center project and the Ice Arena renovation?
Bill in Cleveland
A: Both are moving forward as we expected. On the fundraising front, we have $10 million in commitments for the Stroh Center. We need to raise $14 million toward the overall $36 million budget. Meetings with the Stroh Center architects take place every other week and the programming and site configuration discussions are nearly complete. The architects will begin preliminary design work within the next few months.
The Ice Arena architects will be selected in coming weeks and they'll begin their efforts looking toward an initial phase of work in the summer of 2009. Once the architects are on board, we'll be positioned to focus on major gift fundraising efforts for the Ice Arena renovation.
Q: I noticed that Steller Field's center field batter's eye has been broken all season. Why hasn't it been repaired?
Allen in Rossford
A: The batter's eye wind screen was damaged in an early spring storm by heavy winds. While it doesn't look great in its current condition, the backdrop is still serviceable as a batter's eye. We made the decision to get through this season, after which we'll tear down the entire apparatus and start from scratch with a new batter's eye and a few other planned improvements at baseball.
Q: While most of BGSU's teams wear Adidas apparel, I see that men's basketball wears Nike uniforms and shoes. Why is men's basketball separate?
David in Columbus
A: Bowling Green has an exclusive apparel/footwear contract with Adidas for all sports except men's basketball. Having men's basketball carved out separately pre-dates me and we've changed the contract to time up its expiration with the Adidas deal. As both wind down, we'll bid the department's needs competitively and see which partner(s) can provide the best long-term apparel/footwear partnership.
Q: With so many facility needs on the academic side of campus, how can you justify the Stroh Center? It seems ridiculous to build a new arena when we need improvements in classrooms, updated dorms, etc.
Justin in Bowling Green
A: There are several facets to how the Stroh Center became a reality now as opposed to 10 years ago or a few years from now. Here are a few highlights...
- First, keep in mind that BGSU has discussed a new convocation center for 20 years. Over two decades, various plans, designs, sites and funding models were studied and talked about. This wasn't something that appeared in a vacuum, but rather an important need for campus that moved through BGSU's leadership in a thoughtful and deliberate manner.
- When the project moved from talk to reality in December, the convocation center was just part of $250 million in capital projects that will take place on BGSU's campus in the near future. The Stroh Center is $36 million of that total, with other priorities being the Wolfe Center, residence and dining hall improvements and a renovation of the student health center. As new Provost Shirley Baugher completes the academic strategic planning process in the coming months, new capital priorities for academic affairs will emerge and move to the front of the priority list.
- Finally, I disagree with the thought that the Stroh Center is "just a basketball arena" as described by some. Almost 500,000 people a year will go through the Stroh Center's doors annually. Some for basketball games, but many others for graduation ceremonies, Boys State, concerts, high school games, admissions tours and a myriad of other events. For some, the building may be their only impression of BGSU. While it's difficult to measure, a first-class facility that will serve literally and figuratively as the front porch of Bowling Green State University will make an impact.
