Falcon Insider with Derek van der Merwe: May 30
5/30/2023
Important news happening in and around Bowling Green Athletics compiled by Director of Athletics & Recreation Derek van der Merwe. This Falcon Insider shares upcoming dates to remember and news to be aware of in regards to Bowling Green State University Athletics.
Falcon Family,
The Bowling Green State University Athletics Department concluded its last team competition on May 20 when our baseball program won an I-75 challenge game and a weekend series against Toledo 16-5. No better way to start this month’s communication than to talk about a great win against the Rockets. Immediately, our attention turns to preparing for student-athletes to return to campus and preparing for fall competitions.
I concluded our spring semester with an all-staff meeting on May 23 where I spoke to the entire department about a “commitment to process improvement”. I noted we will be defined by our relentless attention to detail and our persistent drive to improve the experience of our student-athletes and supporters, to enhance our engagement with our campus community, and to create a culture of excellence in our department. Our staff left that meeting and spent that afternoon planting trees, bushes, shrubs, and spreading mulch around Mickey Cochrane Stadium and Doyt Perry Stadium. This is a community of coaches and staff who understand how to work as a team to accomplish great things.
Late spring, we distributed a survey to our fans and supporters asking, “How can we improve your experience?” We are working on several important changes to our operations that we hope will enhance your engagement and experience. We are onboarding a new BGSU Athletics phone application that will allow our fans and students to have easier access to game day tickets, enhance fan experience, and improve our overall ability to communicate important updates and changes. We are looking critically at concessions and premium food service in all of our venues and exploring options to enhance overall quality and service. We are evaluating parking and traffic patterns and evaluating opportunities to improve. We are committing to improving our overall Falcon Club benefit structure so our most loyal supporters and fans truly see the benefits of their investment in our student-athletes.
To help kick–off our new vision for the Falcon Club, we will be hosting a “shareholder” Zoom meeting for all Falcon Club members on August 7 at 6:30 p.m. Falcon Club members will be receiving an invitation to this event in mid-July. This first ever “shareholder” meeting will be the first of what will become an annual commitment to host a meeting where individuals who invest in the success of our student-athletes will be given the opportunity to learn more about the vision, priorities, challenges, and opportunities facing BGSU Athletics. Also, participants will have the opportunity to submit questions and engage with coaches and staff in the department. If you are not a Falcon Club member, this is your opportunity to become an investor in the success of our athletic programs and student-athletes!
Another important initiative we are working on this summer is start of a partnership with the Geoffrey H. Radbill Center for College and Life Design. This groundbreaking program, modeled after the Life Design Lab at Stanford University, leverages design thinking principles to help students explore what they do and who they want to become while shaping their college and career journeys. Former football student-athlete Ed Petras (‘65) made a generous contribution to help support the hire of a staff member who will partner with the Life Design program to support mentorship, academic support, well-being, career planning and other programming. This partnership will be an important component in the recruitment and retention of our student-athletes moving forward.
I am excited to report we are in the final phase of design for the new premium space at the Slater Family Ice Center. We are excited to update you that this area will have four suites (two with 18 seats, and two with 12 seats), 44 club seats, 12 rail seats with 14-16 seats. The additional elements that will be part of this design include:
• A dedicated entry to ice arena on game days
• A new ticket office in the arena
• An elevator for access to the mezzanine of area
• New display areas to showcase the history and people of BGSU hockey
• A new external storefront for the primary entrance to the arena with a small plaza
Construction of the new space is expected to begin this fall for portions of the project and continue through next year. In the near future, we will begin the process of selling suites and seats in the new area and will be initiating a fundraising campaign for naming opportunities and other enhancements.
New for the 2023-2024 hockey season, we are installing around 330 chair back seats in Section C of the Slater Family Ice Arena. We are working to find innovative ways to enhance your comfort and overall experience in the arena. This pilot program in Section C will be the first phase as we assess the demand and scale for chair backs. See more information about these seats and your opportunity to purchase HERE.
Finally, one of the most important commitments we made this spring is the continued and prioritized engagement of students on the campus. We relaunched the Falcon Fanatics student group around the women’s basketball NIT tournament. We will be working with representatives of this group during the summer to map out a strategic plan of engagement for the 2023-24 academic year. Student engagement is one of our department's critical priorities entering this Fall. The current men’s ice hockey student group, Bleacher Creatures, will continue to exist. We are hoping to increase our partnership with representatives from that group and learn how can continue to improve the student experience at all of our venues.
Thank you for your continued support of Bowling Green Athletics and the Falcons!
Ay Ziggy,
Derek van der Merwe
BGSU's athletics program continued to display impressive results in the APR Institutional Report. Five Falcon programs posted perfect multi-year rates of 1,000. A total of 13 (of 17) teams had a perfect APR for the 2021-22 academic year. #AyZiggy ??????
— BGSU Athletics (@BGathletics) May 2, 2023
???MIC'D UP??
— BGSU Athletics (@BGathletics) May 11, 2023
Sophie Weber was Mic'd Up for the final @BGSUSoftball home game of 2023 -- Check it out!
#AyZiggy | ???? pic.twitter.com/GYpLGJeOxy
Upcoming Dates to Remember
• Football single-game and flex plans go on sale (June 1)
• NCAA T&F Outdoor Championships in Austin Texas (June 10)
• Hockey season tickets open to public (June 12)
• 14th Annual Gridiron Classic at Toledo Country Club to benefit BGSU Football (June 19)
• Early bird deadline to purchase BGSU at Michigan tickets through the BGSU ticket office (June 28)
• Deadline to join Falcon Club in order to receive FC season calendar (June 30)
• Volleyball single-game tickets and group tickets go on sale (July 10)
• Hockey and volleyball season ticket deadline to renew (July 31)
• Football Premium Seating Tasting Event (August 12): All 2023 season ticket holders in our suites, Stadium Club and upgraded Sebo Party Deck will be welcomed to a private event with our new catering partners to sample our new menus for the 2023 season while watching a closed team practice. If you would like to see our new layout of the Sebo Party Deck and taste our upgraded food options for the upcoming season. An invitation and RSVP will be sent in the coming weeks.
• Football Season Ticket Holder Welcome Event & Open Practice (August 19): All 2023 season ticket holders will be welcomed to enjoy a preseason practice and lunch with the team. Get insights from Coach Loeffler and team captains, a chance to win door prizes, as well as a performance from the BGSU Marching Band! This event is open ONLY to BGSU Football season ticket holders, so make sure you secure your seats today! An invitation and RSVP will be sent in the coming weeks.
News and Notes
Department
Academic Success: The Bowling Green athletics program continued to display impressive results in the Academic Progress Rate (APR) Institutional Report released by the NCAA today (May 2). Five Falcon programs posted perfect multi-year rates of 1,000. A total of 13 (of 17) teams had a perfect APR for the 2021-22 academic year. Bowling Green's men's golf, men's ice hockey, women's basketball, women's golf and women's volleyball programs posted perfect multi-year scores of 1,000 and 10-of-17 had a score of at least 990. BGSU led the MAC with 13 teams with a perfect APR score for the 2021-22 academic year and its five teams with a perfect multi-year rate was tied for third.
Orange Wave: BGSU Athletics has started a new initiative to support and thank local business. On Fridays, our coaches, and staff “WEAR ORANGE” and visit a local business that supports the FALCONS. This initiative will grow, and we are going to ask you to join us occasionally, to help us grow the “ORANGE WAVE” and give back to our community. We are looking forward to you joining our coaches and staff in recognizing our community partners.
Department Re-Organization: The Bowling Green State University Athletics Department has completed an administrative reorganization that will better position Falcon Athletics for continued and enhanced success within the areas supporting revenue generation The reorganization will transition Marketing & Brand Enhancement which also includes Creative under the direct oversight of Dan Meyer, Senior Associate AD for Resource Development. Meyer, currently has direct oversight of the Falcon Club, Ticket Sales and Operations which also supports the Falcon Club and he serves as the liaison with Falcon Sports Properties. Merging two key components of revenue generation, engagement, and fan experience under the same administrative structure.
• Read more about the reorganization by clicking here.
BGSUFalcons.com: Bowling Green will release a redesign of BGSUFalcons.com on June 6 as part of the new NextGen sites that our web provider SideArm Sports is rolling out.
Hall of Fame: Mickey Cochrane will be inducted into the MAC Hall of Fame. He is the 11th Falcon all-time to be inducted into the MAC Hall of Fame. The ceremony will take place on June 1 at the Metropolitan at The 9 in Cleveland. Dave Wottle will be inducted into the USTFCCCA Collegiate Hall of Fame. Wottle is part of a 14-person class and will be enshrined on Sept. 14, 2023, at the Hult Center for the Performing Arts in Eugene, Ore.
Beautiful sightseeing in Prague, visiting Petra's hometown and two wins for the Falcons in the Czech Republic!#AyZiggy || #BGVB23 || #BGWarriors || #DreamBig || #BGVBEuro23 pic.twitter.com/DNWgsFF87A
— BGSU Volleyball (@BGSUVolleyball) May 15, 2023
We're back with another Falcon Friday National Police Week Edition. @vandermerwe63 | @bgsu | @BGPD_OH pic.twitter.com/48KCG8lbzm
— BGSU Athletics (@BGathletics) May 19, 2023
CSC Academic All-District
• Baseball - Kyle Gurney - More Info
• Women's At-Large - Kayla Davis (Golf), Taylor Jensen (Gymnastics) - More Info
• Men's At-Large - Alex Barber (Hockey), Nathan Burke (Hockey), Darin Hudak (Golf), Ryan O'Hara (Hockey) and Austen Swankler (Hockey) - More Info
MAC Medal of Excellence
• BGSU's Zaresha Neal (women's track) and Gage Schenk (baseball) have been selected by the MAC for the 2023 MAC Medal of Excellence Award.
• The Medal of Excellence is an award presented annually to one male and one female student-athlete from the graduating class of each of the 12 Conference member institutions. To be honored with the Medal of Excellence Award, student-athletes had to participate on the varsity level in a conference sponsored sport and shown evidence of academic success with a minimum 3.50 accumulative grade-point average, exhibited athletics excellence, leadership and service. Selection of the recipients was made by each MAC institution.
Wear Orange on Fridays for Falcon Friday!
• Make sure you support Bowling Green Athletics by wearing Orange on Fridays!
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— BGSU Football (@BG_Football) May 2, 2023
An extended look at the #NFLDraft experience with @KarlBrooks5 and his family as they join the @Packers' Family.#GoPackGo x #ToTheMoon ???? pic.twitter.com/8vjjrTpP2f
The ?????? ???????? ???? Podcast is back!
— BGSU Football (@BG_Football) May 15, 2023
S2/E2 features the dynamic duo of Odieu Hiliare (@0jstay1k) & Abdul-Fatai Ibrahim (@_85Abdul)
The podcast is now available on Apple Podcasts and Spotify???
MORE INFO: https://t.co/8MtxBIVPZ4
PODCAST: https://t.co/0IlbQo09Mf pic.twitter.com/0sl6zuRr52
Former @FHSAthletic standout and now MAC champion ?? Zaresha Neal has elevated herself to one of the most decorated throwers in @BGathletics ???? history through balance, coordination, and dedication. ?? pic.twitter.com/vTIGto2haV
— BCSN (@BCSNsports) May 24, 2023
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— BGSU XC/Track (@BG_XCTrack) May 27, 2023
For the second consecutive season, Zaresha Neal has qualified for the NCAA Outdoor Championship! The senior finishes 10th in the discus with a mark of 53.10m and will compete in Texas on June 10! pic.twitter.com/8HDX07HupW
Football
• The Bowling Green football program has added nine transfers.
• Offensive lineman Chris Akporoghene (Tulsa/Tennessee), defensive lineman Evan Branch-Haynes (Arizona), defensive lineman Chace Davis (UTSA), wide receiver Finn Hogan (Central Michigan), defensive back Jordan Jackson (Stony Brook), defensive back Steve Lubischer (Boston College), inside linebacker Davian Mayo (Memphis) and wide receiver Jaylon Tillman (Grand Valley State) have signed letters of acceptance to BGSU.
• Also, cornerback Davon Ferguson (Baltimore, Md.) returns to Bowling Green after spending spring practice with Georgia Southern.
Track and Field
• Zaresha Neal (shot put/discus), Mateya Haintz (hammer throw) and Brianna Richard (triple jump) competed at Regionals.
• Neal advances to the NCAA Outdoor Championship in the discus, placing No. 10 at regionals in Jacksonville (53.10m).
• BGSU made a fourth-place team finish at the MAC Championship (best since 1998), 91 team points (most since 1999).
• Zaresha Neal won the shot put and discus, giving her five career MAC titles.
• Mateya Haintz won the hammer throw, her first career MAC title.
• This is the first year in program history the Falcons have won three throwing titles.
• Freshman Kylee Cubbison won the 1500, passing several runners in the final stretch to win.
• BGSU's total of four individual titles is the most at a single MAC Championship in school history.
• Brianna Richard was second in triple jump, ranks second in school history.
Women’s Basketball
• Maggie Lucas and Nick DiPillo join Fred Chmiels’ staff as assistant coaches bringing with him a wealth of knowledge and experience at both the collegiate and professional levels. Coach Chmiel will round out the staff in the coming weeks.
Volleyball
• Returns from foreign tour in May to Berlin, Prague, Czech Republic, Poland, Vienna.
• Relive the experience by reading the travel blog.
Baseball
• DJ Newman was named MAC Freshman Pitcher of the Year and first-team All-MAC as a DH
• Kyle Gurney was named second-team All-MAC as a catcher
• Nathan Archer was named to the MAC All-Defenseive Team (OF) and second-team All-MAC
• Archer is set to play in the Cape Cod League this summer.
