Falcon Insider with Derek van der Merwe: July 2
7/2/2024
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,
It is hard to imagine, but it is already the Fourth of July. I hope you and your family have an enjoyable week celebrating our nation’s Independence Day! Outside of my office at Doyt Perry Stadium this morning, our volleyball team was on the field participating in a strength and conditioning session in preparation for their first game (scrimmage) on August 24, which is 54 days away. Our first home football game is only 58 days away. Many of our teams are back on campus, getting ready for the fall semester.
June was an exciting month for the Athletics Department because we had the opportunity to meet all the new freshmen visiting campus during University orientations. The University is expected to have close to double-digit growth in enrollment this fall. Building on this growth, we are continuing to define our strategies to engage and enhance the student experience on campus through intercollegiate athletics. Last year, we had unprecedented student attendance at events. During this summer’s orientations, we have had around 1,500 students sign up to join our Falcons Fanatics student organization. Providing these students with a meaningful campus experience through athletics engagement is a critical part of our overall strategic vision.
The Slater Family Ice Arena renovations are on track this summer, and we anticipate the project to be completed by August 22. While our first regular season game in the newly renovated Slater Family Ice Arena will be on October 26, the grand opening celebration event will occur at the second CCHA game on Saturday, November 2. This project has incorporated several different features to improve the overall fan experience. A new mezzanine has been created on the south side of the building that includes club and private suite seating. These seats will have access to a private bar and club area where food and beverages will be available. Starting on July 15, the first public sale of these seats will open. Call the BGSU Ticket Office at 419-372-0000 for more information. Also included in this project are new standard and production-style lighting that will improve the overall game day experience. The entry and lobby area have been renovated to improve the overall experience when first entering the facility and to accommodate spaces for the display of memorabilia from our proud history. In addition, restrooms throughout the facility have been upgraded. All these changes are important steps that will continue to help differentiate us in the CCHA and contribute to the growth of the program.
On June 25, we started a new era of softball at BGSU with the hiring of Head Coach Michelle Gardner. Coach Gardner has had an accomplished career as a student-athlete and head coach. She has served as a head coach at the University of Nevada and Indiana University. She has also served as an assistant coach at Bowling Green State University, Arizona State University, and Florida State University. She has made NCAA tournament appearances and was in the College World Series with Arizona State. A former Big Ten Player of the Year award winner, she was co-captain as a student-athlete at the University of Michigan. Most recently, she has served as the associate head coach at Coastal Carolina, which has had a pair of 30-win seasons over the last two years. Coach Gardner is an outstanding addition to our staff, and we are excited about the direction of this program.
We enjoyed another successful Women’s Football Clinic, an important fundraiser benefiting the daily nutrition of the football program. The attendees had the opportunity to run through various drills led by players and coaches and see what a day in the life of a football student-athlete is like. After touring our facility, the participants enjoyed a wonderful social time. We had amazing community support from a bevy of local businesses that donated various prizes and giveaways as part of the post-clinic social hour. For those who were unable to attend but still want to support football’s nutrition, you can make a gift by clicking here.
On June 17, BGSU Athletics hosted its annual Gridiron Golf Outing at Toledo Country Club. Over 100 golfers from the region played in this annual event to raise funds to support the football student-athlete experience. This golf outing and dinner event has become football’s premier fundraising event each year. Over $230K was raised this year. Next year’s event has already been scheduled for June 16, 2025. Be sure to reserve this date to participate in this premier event.
Lastly, make sure you tune into FS1 on Saturday, July 6 for a feature on Bowling Green alum Orel Hershiser and our BGSU baseball program. It will air during the MLB on FS1 pregame show before the Red Sox vs. Yankees game. The pregame show starts at 12 p.m. with the feature having an estimated air time of 12:25 p.m.
Sincerely,
Derek van der Merwe
Ay Ziggy
Recap: BGSU Football Women's Clinic ??
— Noelle Blumel (@thef1rstnoelle_) June 22, 2024
Keep watching to see me attempt football drills for the first time ??
Big shout out to co-founders Amie Loeffler and Stephanie Paris for letting me get in on the action and making this all happen for the BG community! pic.twitter.com/MyTvtMXlTJ
A new era of Bowling Green softball started today! Excited to have veteran Coach, All American, Big Ten Player of the Year Michelle Gardner join our team. Great things happening at BGSU because of great people and a great community! #AyZiggy @Coach_MGardner @BGSUSoftball @bgsu… pic.twitter.com/qjODGB15sd
— Derek van der Merwe (@vandermerwe63) June 25, 2024
1?? 0?? 0?? DAYS until BGSU Homecoming! ??
— Bowling Green State University (@bgsu) June 18, 2024
Save the date: Sept. 26-29 ??: https://t.co/vnjpWyR9wO
#BGSUHomecoming pic.twitter.com/RtDDuG14nN
Freddie & Frieda got the moves ???? Happy #NationalMascotDay! pic.twitter.com/2YWBTbMEga
— Bowling Green State University Alumni Association (@FalconAlumni) June 17, 2024
A Look At the Slater Family Ice Arena Renovation Project
A few of the sights & sounds from today's press conference, as Michelle Gardner returns to BGSU! #AyZiggy pic.twitter.com/FCXqgNOJxJ
— BGSU Athletics (@BGSU_Athletics) June 25, 2024
We’re BACK ?? … Even had some surprise guests attend practice today ?? @aa_boston & @v5axton , thank you for making the trip up! #AyZiggy pic.twitter.com/Ep0FtyCWDs
— BGSU Women’s Basketball (@BGSUWBB) June 24, 2024
Great time at Toledo country club getting to meet Bowling Green’s Football sponsors??@BG_Football #Ayziggy pic.twitter.com/ERgLTAxyrG
— Martreece Dillard DE (@itsmjdillard) June 17, 2024
2024 BGSU Football GridIron is in the books! A great day where we successfully supported the success of our student-athletes! #AyZiggy @BG_Football @BGSU_Athletics @bgsu pic.twitter.com/UQN3dGX71z
— Derek van der Merwe (@vandermerwe63) June 18, 2024
Gallery: FB: 2024 Gridiron Classic
From averaging 120 students a game to 263 last season. Students, help us reach 300 this year! pic.twitter.com/vngr0pGonH
— Falcon Fanatics (@FalconFanatics1) June 26, 2024
Great evening with @BG_Football alumni and generous supporters in Atlanta, GA! We continue to build the future of OUR program with Falcons around the country. @BGSU_Athletics @bgsu pic.twitter.com/yta49eyzfg
— Scot Loeffler (@CoachLoefflerBG) June 26, 2024
We officially welcomed @Coach_MGardner (back) to BGSU today, as the 10th head coach in BGSU softball history!#AyZiggy ?????? pic.twitter.com/fUyb66LH4D
— BGSU Athletics (@BGSU_Athletics) June 25, 2024
Great night with @OrelHershiser and our great alumni at the Dodgers game! So many proud, proud Falcons in LA! When @Pres_Rogers talks about the “momentum” at BGSU, he is talking about all the people — past and present— who are making @bgsu @BGSU_Athletics great! @CoachHallock5… pic.twitter.com/W7jtt5SPhp
— Derek van der Merwe (@vandermerwe63) June 23, 2024
Great evening with some of BGSU’s best at Rob Blake’s home in Manhattan Beach, CA! The Falcons have amazing and accomplished alums who are industry leaders! We are building something special @bgsu— with our past as the foundation! #momentum @BGSU_Athletics @BGSUHKY pic.twitter.com/nOhjIDUnLU
— Derek van der Merwe (@vandermerwe63) June 24, 2024
#WakeUpFlying Special day with some Special Athletes full of passion and enthusiasm#TheHumanTouchAlwaysWins pic.twitter.com/CLTC0PLY4F
— Coach Brian White (@CoachBWhite7) June 19, 2024
?????????????????????????????? to former BGSU head coach @CoachUrbanMeyer on being named to the @cfbhall ballot for the Class of 2025 ??
— BGSU Football (@BG_Football) June 3, 2024
Coach Meyer started his head coaching career at BGSU from 2001-02. #AyZiggy ???? pic.twitter.com/495FnEQ0DY
?????????????????????????????? to former BGSU All-American Andre Young on being named to the @cfbhall ballot for the Class of 2025 ?? #AyZiggy ???? pic.twitter.com/F3D735VHov
— BGSU Football (@BG_Football) June 3, 2024
We’re proud of you, @CurtMillerWBB. pic.twitter.com/0IhFTa4Vh3
— Los Angeles Sparks (@LASparks) May 30, 2024
Congratulations once again to Curt Miller, who is now officially a member of the @MACSports Hall of Fame!#AyZiggy pic.twitter.com/eJ0t3nYOzA
— BGSU Athletics (@BGSU_Athletics) May 31, 2024
Old school meets new school ??
— Falcon Media Sports Network (@BG_FMSN) June 12, 2024
Yesterday, @BG_Football embraced their storied tradition, revealing a new set of jerseys for the upcoming season.
FMSN's @RhysPatrykus has more:https://t.co/MTyxt6CTL8
Congrats to the 10 Falcons named AHCA All-American Scholars!????
— BGSU Hockey (@BGSUHKY) June 20, 2024
??https://t.co/ul3GAWLxet pic.twitter.com/XljNK8sqvM
It was awesome having BGSU Hall of Fame member and CFB Legend Andre Young at workouts today!!!
— BGSU Football (@BG_Football) June 21, 2024
Andre, who is on the @NFFNetwork ballot for the CFB Hall of Fame this summer, is an Akron native and currently lives in the Atlanta area. #OhioBuilt ?? pic.twitter.com/rGFtpno3Pj
Dates to Remember
- NOW – Football and volleyball season and single-game tickets are on sale. Hockey season ticket holders may now renew tickets. Visit BGSUFalcons.com or call 419-372-0000 for more information. You can also purchase season tickets by clicking here. Purchase Football Tickets By Clicking Here. Purchase Volleyball Tickets By Clicking Here.
- July 6 - Fox Sports feature on BGSU baseball and Orel Hershiser on FS1. It will air between 12 and 1 p.m.
- Aug. 16 - Firefly Nights
- Aug. 23 - Men's soccer season opener vs. Wright State
- Aug. 29 - Football season opener vs. Fordham (Orange Wave)
- Aug. 30-Sept. 1 - Volleyball Hampton Inn Invitational
- Sept. 23 - Fall Sports Luncheon
- Sept. 28 - Homecoming vs. Old Dominion
- Oct. 18 - Hall of Fame Weekend
- Oct. 18-19 - Family Weekend
Jess has been chosen to compete with Volleyball Canada at the Women Final Six Pan American Cup this week in the Dominican Republic!#AyZiggy || #BGVB24 || #BGWarriors || #DreamBiG pic.twitter.com/lw3BHHpRCd
— BGSU Volleyball (@BGSUVolleyball) June 22, 2024
Had a great time at the @BG_Football Women’s Clinic tonight! Thanks to @CoachLoefflerBG and staff for a fun event. #AyZiggy ?? pic.twitter.com/jkdxB7kcnq
— Jamie Hall (@JamieKocherHall) June 21, 2024
We couldn't be more excited to officially welcome Kate Larbes to the Falcon Family! #AyZiggyhttps://t.co/IHgx6P9eZv
— BGSU Women’s Soccer (@BGSU_WSoccer) June 11, 2024
WOMEN’S SOCCER
- Kate Larbes, who was a star player under Chris Fox at Morehead State, has been named to Fox’s coaching staff here at BGSU.
SWIM & DIVE
- The BGSU Swim and Dive program were announced as a Spring Team Scholar All-America recipient. To qualify for this prestigious recognition, teams had to earn a cumulative grade point average of 3.0 during the Spring 2024 semester. For Bowling Green, the Falcons posted a team GPA of 3.69. BGSU was one of six teams in the MAC to be named, ranking behind only Miami (OH) (3.70), Buffalo (3.71), Eastern Michigan (3.77). In total, 722 teams from 417 institutions were selected to the Scholar All-America Team for the Spring 2024 semester. The teams, representing a total of 17,162 student-athletes, were chosen based on their outstanding academic performance during the specified semester.
SOFTBALL
- Michelle Gardner was hired as the 10th head coach in softball program history. You can watch the introductory press conference by clicking here.
- A total of 10 Falcons were named to the Academic All-MAC Team. That total tied BGSU for third in the conference.
- The Academic All-MAC Team announcement came soon after five BGSU student-athletes had been named to the Academic All-District Team, selected by College Sports Communicators.
BASEBALL
- Nathan Archer named All-Region first team (First since 2010 to be first-team, first since 2013 to be named at all)
- Garrett Wright named Freshman All-American second team by Perfect Game
- Five players named CSC Academic All-District
- Team Records Part I – Click Here
- Team Records Part II – Click Here
- Nathan Archer Single-Season Records – Click Here
TRACK & FIELD
- Matyea Haintz and Bianca Staples competed in the NCAA East Regional in Lexington. Haintz finished 16th in the hammer throw 194' 1" (59.17m) and Bianca Staples finished 27th in the triple jump 41' 3" (12.57m).
- Track and Field landed 22 athletes on the Academic All-MAC team, second highest in the conference right behind Kent State with 29 athletes.
TENNIS
- Three Falcons on the tennis squad named to Academic All-MAC team, Leticia Fonseca, Hannah Neuman, and Lucy Furness
ICE HOCKEY
- 10 Falcons Named to the AHCA All-American Scholars (Jake Blake, Jaden Grant, Breck McKinley, Cole Moore, Josh Nodler, Brett Pfoh, Brody Waters, Ryan O'Hara, Brandon Santa Juana, and Quinn Emerson
- Three of head coach Dennis Williams’ players for the Everett Silvertips were drafted in the recent 2024 NFL Draft. Julius Miettinen was taken in the second round by the Seattle Kraken, Tarin Smith was drafted in the third round by the Anaheim Ducks and Eric Jamieson was taken by the Calgary Flames in the sixth round.
WOMEN’S GOLF
- The Women's Golf Coaches Association (WGCA) named six Falcons to the WGCA All-American Scholar squad. Kayla Davis, Sammie Dolce, Makenna Jones, Olivia Steen, Ava O'Sullivan and Mallory Swartz all earned the accolades
- Ava O’Sullivan was a standard bearer at the U.S. Women’s Open.
- Incoming freshman Addison Kartusch won the Women’s Match Play at St. Charles Country Club
- Makenna Jones won the 109th Cincinnati Metropolitan Championship with scores of 76, 69 and 74.
