Falcon Insider with Derek van der Merwe: Jan. 10
1/10/2024
Important news happening in and around Bowling Green Athletics compiled by Director of Athletics 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:
I would like to start this Falcon Insider by wishing you and your families the very best for 2024. Our students returned to campus this week, and Bowling Green State University is off and running with the spring semester.
The month of December was an important milestone for my family and I as I passed the one-year anniversary of serving as Bowling Green State University’s Athletics Director. This year has been a tremendous blessing to say the least. The campus, local community, and alumni around the country have been kind, generous, and welcoming. We have appreciated the many relationships that have grown and blossomed because of our connection to this community. We are humbled repeatedly by how many of you care about this special place we now call home. Thank you so much for all you have done to welcome us to this community.
On December 26, our football program competed in the Quick Lane Bowl for the second year in a row. Also, for a second year in a row our bowl game earned the number one ranking for the most viewed regular and postseason Mid-American Conference football game of the year. In addition, the 28,521 fans in attendance at the bowl was the second highest attended bowl game for any MAC university. We felt it was important for our team and our program to return to Detroit and compete for another victory. Ford Field is the location of the MAC Championship football game each year. Our goal is to win a conference championship on that field. Head coach Scot Loeffler has made great strides to develop this program and position it for success. Our home overall attendance and student attendance this last fall were the highest they have been since the 2015 season. We are making great progress on and off the field to build a program that competes at the top of the conference.
On December 20, we hired the new head women’s soccer coach Chris Fox. Chris joins us from Morehead State University in Kentucky. When he took over the program in 2022, it had only won 18 games over the previous five seasons. In two short years, he led the program to a second-place finish in the regular season of the Ohio Valley Conference and won the conference tournament, advancing to the NCAA tournament. The team overall record of 9-6-5 in the fall of 2023 was the team’s best mark since 2015. Our women’s soccer program has had tremendous success over the last 10 years. It was important to the team and to me that we hire someone who knows what a winning program looks like and knows how to maintain excellence on and off the pitch. Prior to Morehead, Chris was an associate head coach at High Point University where in 2021 the Panthers won the Big South Conference and advanced to the NCAA tournament. The period he was at High Point is considered the most successful period for their women’s soccer program in school history. It is an honor to welcome Chris, his wife, Emily, a former student-athlete, and their two daughters to Bowling Green.
We have started the 2024 new year with some big wins in men’s and women’s basketball. Our men’s basketball team was on an eight-game win streak until its game against league leader Akron last week. The team sits at 11-4 and we are excited to see what this team can achieve in the coming weeks as we play some great games against a few of the top teams in the conference. Our women’s basketball team sits at 8-4 after competing in one of the toughest preseason basketball seasons in the country, playing four teams that competed in the NCAA tournament last year, two Final Four teams and top three nationally ranked programs South Carolina (1), Iowa (3) and Indiana (14).
This month we have a few exciting events coming up that I would like to draw your attention to. This Thursday (January 11), former Arizona softball head coach Mike Candrea will visit campus to meet athletics staff and participate in a couple of open sessions. Mike was a coach for 40 seasons, of which 36 seasons were at the University of Arizona. During his tenure he went to the College World Series 24 times and earned eight NCAA national championships with his teams. He finished his career at the University of Arizona as the nation’s winningest softball coach. His eight national championships put him in an elite category of coaches across all Division I sports who have won numerous national championships. Mike is one of the most respected coaches who I have worked with during my tenure as an administrator. On Thursday, he will be joining a couple of coach meetings and will also be participating in an open public session in the Maurer Center at 2:30 p.m. On Thursday night at 5:30 p.m., he will be delivering the keynote address at the BGSU Softball First Pitch Dinner at the Bowen Thompson Student Union’s Lenhart Grand Ballroom. For more information about the event, please click the following link: 2024 Softball First Pitch Dinner - Bowling Green State University (bgsu.edu)
BGSU Men’s Basketball will celebrate our annual “Bill Frack Day” on Saturday, Jan. 20 vs. Western Michigan. We will continue to celebrate the life and legacy of Bill Frack, because of his unique gift to the Findlay-Hancock County Community Foundation, benefiting the Bowling Green State University men's basketball program and community needs in Hancock County. The gift, originally announced in 2011, had nearly doubled to about $20 million at Bill’s passing in 2014.
This annual day of celebration brings together Bill’s friends, colleagues and Findlay connections who were so meaningful in Bill’s life, and who he brought together as a part of his love for BGSU Men’s Basketball. We are forever indebted to Bill as a program, and keep his memory alive, now adding an “Alumni Day” component to the celebration, bringing back many of Bill’s beloved former players back to campus for this special day.
As a further tribute to Bill’s Findlay roots, we have created a special discounted ticket price for Findlay-area fans who wish to be a part of the celebration. That link can be accessed HERE.
Another exciting event this month is our Baseball First Pitch Dinner on Sat., Jan. 27. BGSU Hall of Famer and Major League Baseball legend Orel Hershiser will be the keynote speaker. Orel's unwavering dedication to shaping our baseball program's future success has been remarkable. He epitomizes the Falcon spirit and is one of our most impactful and influential alumni. The First Pitch Dinner is set for 5:30-7:30 p.m. in the Bowen-Thompson Student Union Lenhard Grand Ballroom. Those interested in attending can register for the event here.
I reflect the feelings of the entire department when I share how genuinely excited, we are to welcome the 1984 BGSU Hockey team back to campus to be recognized on the 40th anniversary of its NCAA Championship. A great turnout from this team is expected for the special weekend we have planned on February 23-24, as the Falcons host Michigan Tech at Slater Family Ice Arena.
Join us to celebrate our 1984 team. Here is the weekend game schedule:
Friday, February 23: BGSU vs. Michigan Tech at 7:07 pm (Slater Family Ice Arena)
Saturday, February 24: BGSU vs. Michigan Tech at 7:07 pm (Slater Family Ice Arena)
Plans for recognizing the team and staff are being designed for Saturday night throughout the game. We recognize that our fans will want to connect with the players and coaches in a meaningful and personal way, so stay tuned as we unveil the plans that will include in-game recognitions as well as opportunities to meet the team and coaches around the game.
A lot is happening in BGSU athletics. Last Sunday it was tremendous to welcome our gymnastics program back with its opening meet against Illinois State. We have moved all home meets to the Stroh Center and the environment did not disappoint. Kathryn Weilbacher won the all-around and Isabella Rivelli won on bars. Gymnastics hosts NIU on Saturday at the Stroh Center at 12 p.m. Emily McNicol with swim & dive won the 100 backstroke at Marshall, which is her fifth win of the year and leads all Falcon in that category. Indoor track & field is also ramping up. Tiana Mulligan (600m) and Bianca Staples (high jump) each notched their name in the BGSU record book with top-5 finishes at the season-opening Tom Wright Open. BGSU hosts an indoor track meet on Friday at Perry Field House. The Falcon Early Bird starts at 4 p.m. with field events. The track events start at 5 p.m.
Thank you for your continued support of the Falcons. I am excited about 2024! The 'best is yet to come,' and I am looking forward to the journey with this Falcon Family.
- Derek van der Merwe
The 2023 Quick Lane Bowl had 2.23 million viewers, making it the most WATCHED bowl game in the MAC!
— BGSU Football (@BG_Football) January 3, 2024
????#ToTheMoon ???? pic.twitter.com/R4VEVOms7p
BGSU announces that Hall of Fame coach Mike Candrea will be the Keynote Speaker at @BGSUSoftball's ?????????? ?????????? ???????????? on January 11, 2024.
— BGSU Athletics (@BGSU_Athletics) November 29, 2023
Coach Candrea won 8 NCAA titles for Arizona Softball & led Team USA to the Gold Medal ?? at the 2004 Olympic Games ??
Starting the year off right with @BGSUMBB and a thrilling OVERTIME WIN! 1-0 in the MAC! #AYZIGGY | #MACtion pic.twitter.com/u7SwVXNKFY
— Bowling Green State University (@bgsu) January 3, 2024
Exciting day in the Stroh! Opening weekend of @BGSUGymnastics ! Best of luck today and this season! #ayziggy ???? pic.twitter.com/C4Oz03mFTU
— Derek van der Merwe (@vandermerwe63) January 7, 2024
Chris Fox has been named head women's soccer coach -- Welcome to the Falcon Family!#AyZiggy | ??????
— BGSU Athletics (@BGSU_Athletics) December 20, 2023
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Congratulations to Freshmen Cole Moore for being named CCHA Rookie of the Month!!??
— BGSU Hockey (@BGSUHKY) January 3, 2024
Great Job Cole!
??https://t.co/DyRwzTkHsK#AyZiggy pic.twitter.com/eb8E6V4VzO
Dates to Remember
• Jan. 11 – Softball's “First Pitch Dinner” (Bowen Thompson Student Union Lenhard Grand Ballroom) – For more information or to register – Click here
• Jan. 20 – Men’s Basketball vs Western Michigan – Bill Frack Game/Alumni Day (Any Registration information?
• Jan. 27 – Baseball's “First Pitch Dinner” – 5:30 – 7:30 PM; Bowen-Thompson Student Union - For more information or to register – Click here
• Jan. 27 – Women’s Basketball vs Kent State – Alumni Game/WNIT Banner Reveal – Bowling Green Women’s Basketball invites all former players, coaches, and staff who were involved with this program’s amazing history to return to campus. There will be several opportunities to reconnect with the past and with the future of BG Women’s Basketball. We will also recognize the tremendous accomplishments of the 2022-23 team that made the incredible run to the semifinal game of the WNIT with the official banner reveal, pregame. Contact Audra Clark, Women’s Basketball Video Coordinator, clarkag@bgsu.edu, for details.
• Feb. 26 – Falcon Club Spring Sports Luncheon – To Register, Click here
• May 17 – BGSU baseball vs. Toledo at Fifth Third Field
It felt great to be back at it ?????
— BGSU Gymnastics (@BGSUGymnastics) January 8, 2024
Roll Along ???? pic.twitter.com/ThaJ9QgiEN
Singing our Alma Mater after a win ?? #AYZIGGY
— Bowling Green State University (@bgsu) January 10, 2024
See you tomorrow night in the Stroh as @BGSUWBB hosts Eastern Michigan! pic.twitter.com/0mNrraRghP
First day of school for Kate!#AyZiggy || #BGVB24 || #BGWarriors || #DreamBig pic.twitter.com/uKydfxpyIH
— BGSU Volleyball (@BGSUVolleyball) January 8, 2024
Through the lens of #1 South Carolina coming to the Stroh Center against @BGSUWBB pic.twitter.com/bRVmZLuwq9
— Falcon Media Sports Network (@BG_FMSN) December 20, 2023
28,521!
— Bowling Green State University (@bgsu) December 27, 2023
28,521 fans attended the @quicklanebowl today!
We brought a sea of orange to Ford Field. Thank you to the spirit teams, @BGSUFMB10 and everyone who supported @BG_Football today and this season. ?? #AyZiggy pic.twitter.com/b4nWtF5ije
???????????? ???????????????? ?@DavonFerguson7 will be playing in the @TropicalBowlUSA ??
— BGSU Football (@BG_Football) January 9, 2024
Go Get 'Em Ferg!!! ??
Bowl Week in Orlando is Jan. 18-20 ??#ToTheMoon ???? pic.twitter.com/7UQ03pAbZS
Football
• BGSU finished tied for No. 1 in the nation with 28 takeaways. Clemson and Cal shared the top spot with the Falcons.
• National champion Michigan only had five offensive turnovers in 2023 and three of those were forced by the Falcons on Sept. 16 when Bowling Green forced a career-high three interceptions for J.J. McCarthy.
• Bowling Green played in its second-straight bowl game under head coach Scot Loeffler when the Falcons played Minnesota in the Quick Lane Bowl. There were 2.23 million viewers of the Quick Lane Bowl, making it the most viewed MAC bowl.
• Bowling Green placed 15 on the Academic All-MAC team. The 15 Falcons tie the program record set last year, which broke the previous record set in 2021. In Scot Loeffler’s five-year tenure, BGSU has five of its top six outputs in program history for representation on the Academic All-MAC team.
Women’s Basketball
• The women’s basketball team is 8-4 overall and 2-0 in the MAC. BGSU's four losses have come to teams that have a combined record of 49-6, including three nationally ranked teams.
• Freshman Paige Kohler exploded for 28 points, the highest total of her young career, as the women’s basketball team picked up the first MAC victory of the Fred Chmiel Era with a 65-64 win at Central Michigan Wednesday night.
• Three BGSU freshmen saw action at Central Michigan, and all three made big contributions in the road win. That trio –Kohler, Keiryn McGuff and Taya Ellis – combined for 38 of the Falcons' 65 points on the night. McGuff had career-best totals of six points and seven rebounds, while Ellis had four points and five boards. Both players blocked two shots in the win.
• BGSU allowed CMU to make just one field goal during the entire fourth quarter on Wednesday night. After a layup by the Chippewas gave the hosts a 60-51 lead with 8:20 left in the game, the BG defense forced Central to go 0-for-16 from the field during the remainder of the contest.
Women’s Swimming
• In the Falcons' first competition of 2024 they came away with three event wins at Marshall.
• Natalia Mayorga added another event win to add to her team lead with 6. (Win was in the 3-Meter).
• Emily McNicol added another event win in the 100 Backstroke raising her season total to 5 which leads all swimmers.
Gymnastics
• Kathryn Weilbacher opened the 2024 season against Illinois State by winning the All-Around with a score of 39.225. It was her second All-Around win of her career.
• Isabella Rivelli also picked up a win against Illinois State on bars with a 9.825.
Men’s Basketball
• BGSU recently had an eight-game winning streak, which was the longest winning streak for the program since 2019-20.
• Ended December with a MAC-best 9-3 record.
• Bowling Green’s 11-4 start is the best to start a season through 15 games since 2014-15 (11-4).
• 10 wins by Jan. 2 is the fastest to 10 wins by date since 2000-02 (Dec. 29).
• One of four teams in the nation with 5 different 20-point scorers this season.
• Coach Simon became seventh straight BGSU men's basketball coach to win their MAC debut and ninth all-time.
Ice Hockey
• Goalie Cole Moore was named CCHA Rookie of the Month for December on Jan. 3.
• Moore recorded a .914 save percentage and a 2.75 goals against average during the month.
Indoor Track & Field
• Tianna Mulligan ran a 1:35.47 in the 600m at the Tom Wright Open, which placed her second all-time in school history.
• Bianca Staples jumped 5’8.5 in the high jump for a PR, which puts her fifth all-time.
Volleyball
• Had four Falcons named to CSC Academic All-District Team
• Nine Falcons named Academic All-MAC. The Falcons have had at least nine in five straight seasons and at least seven in eight straight seasons.
• Added Transfer Outside Hitter Marija Tabak from Salt Lake Community College. She received All-Conference and All-Region honors in 2023.
Baseball
• Team had 3.51 cumulative GPA for the fall with 30 athletes with at least a 3.0 GPA.
