Falcon Insider with Derek van der Merwe: August 7
8/7/2024
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,
The Falcons are back in Bowling Green, preparing for the start of the 2024-2025 academic year and sports seasons. You can feel the energy and anticipation growing as we are just days away from the start of competition for our fall sports.
As we closed the 2023-2024 year and reviewed our final annual dashboard report, we identified a few important metrics to focus on in the 2024-2025 academic year. We raised over $3.2 million last fiscal year and continued to see a dramatic increase in the total number of donors to BGSU Athletics. Our total number of donors has grown from 1,203 in fiscal year 2022 to over 2,050 last year. As we see the overall growth in donors, we continue to see overall growth in fundraising. Additionally, we saw a substantial increase in overall attendance, ticket revenue, and student attendance at athletic events. The department reported around $1.6 million in ticket revenue, matching a 10-year-old watermark. Our total student attendance mark of 33,000 unique scans at athletic events from the 2022-2023 academic year was surpassed with 40,000 unique scans last year.
These metrics are important to us. As we start to roll out our strategic plan this fall, you will hear increasingly about our “Forward Falcons” strategic plan. This plan outlines our “relentless commitment to improvement, innovation, and success.” We continue to strive and look critically at all aspects of how we improve our program to ensure comprehensive success.
In recent weeks, I am sure you have seen much coverage about the NCAA’s ongoing settlement in the House v. NCAA lawsuit. While the terms of the settlement are still being finalized, this case will cause a substantial shift in how college sports will operate in the future. As part of this settlement, the NCAA and Division I universities will be required to pay around $2.8 billion in past damages. Reports indicate that the NCAA will pay $1.1 billion, the power five conferences (Big Ten, Big 12, ACC, SEC, Pac-12) will pay $1.65 billion, and the remaining Division I conferences will pay around $990 million. In addition to these paybacks, universities will be permitted to pay around $20 million annually directly to student-athletes and will open a new class of benefits that universities will be permitted to pay. As the NCAA continues to work on this settlement, we can only speculate on how this will impact our overall structure. However, I assure you that BGSU is a proud member of the football bowl subdivision (FBS) and looks forward to the new college football playoffs' opportunities. Also, we value our membership in the Mid-American Conference and its strong and unique brand and important geographic footprint. We will continue to work closely with our conference peers to assess the impact of this settlement on the future of all our sport programs.
As we ramp up for the start of the year, I want to draw your attention to a few important dates to mark on your calendars as “don’t miss” opportunities:
Business After Hours: On August 15, from 4:30-6:30, BGSU Athletics and the BG Chamber of Commerce Business Council will host its inaugural kickoff “Business After Hours at Doyt Perry Stadium” event. We would like to develop this into a premier annual event that starts each academic year, where BGSU’s important business partners have the opportunity to network with University, athletics, and community members and showcase local business partners. For the event, we will provide “Southern BBQ Cookout” food, interactive sports games, great business door prizes, and other activities. Please register today by clicking here.
Falcon Football Showcase in Canton, Ohio: Hall of Fame Village is proud to host the Falcon Football Showcase on Saturday, August 17, 2024. This event will feature Bowling Green State University (BGSU) Football's final Saturday summer training camp practice, providing a unique opportunity for BGSU donors, alumni, prospective students, and fans to engage with the Falcon Football program.
Held at Tom Benson Hall of Fame Stadium, the showcase promises a memorable experience with an insider's look into the 2024 football season. The open practice session, scheduled from 12:35 PM to 2:35 PM, invites all BGSU fans, including Football Season Ticket Holders, Falcon Club and Club Donors, and Football Alumni. Additionally, BGSU alumni in Northeast Ohio and prospective students from Cuyahoga County will attend. Please see more information by clicking here.
August 24: With the Football team in full “game week” prep for the August 29th season opener, all season ticket holders are encouraged to join us for our annual Season Ticket Holder Preseason Party, featuring an open practice, a performance by the BGSU Marching Band, led by Jon Waters, and remarks by Coach Loeffler and members of the Football team. Sneak a peek at the 2024 Falcons as they prepare for Fordham, their opponent on Thursday, August 29 at The Doyt. As a thank you for your continued, loyal support of Falcon Football, free lunch will also be provided for all season ticket holder families. Falcon Football season ticket holders should have received an email from the BGSU Ticket Office on this event. If you did not receive the email, please call 419-372-0000 or email tickets@bgsu.edu for more information.
BGSU Volleyball Home Opener and Dream BiG Event: Join the women’s volleyball program for a full day on Saturday, August 24 as they host Oakland for in an exhibition match. Match time is set for noon. Following the match, we invite all fans and supporters of BGSU Volleyball to come out for fun and fellowship with the third annual Dream BiG fundraiser being held in Schmidthorst Heritage Hall. Doors open at 5 p.m. with appetizers and silent auction. The program begins at 6 p.m. Featured speaker will be two-time BGSU graduate and Falcon volleyball alumna Hannah Best. To register for the event, click here.
Homecoming- Phil Vassar: Homecoming is always a great reason to return to campus. As part of its 2024 Homecoming celebration, Bowling Green State University invites the community to enjoy a free pre-game concert featuring country music star Phil Vassar starting at 2:30 p.m. on Saturday, Sept. 28, at Doyt L. Perry Stadium. Phil Vassar's reign of signature songs include 10 No. 1 singles, and 27 Top 40 hits
Phil is set to hype-up fans for the Homecoming football matchup against Old Dominion, the free 90-minute concert will take place in Tailgate Park just south of The Doyt. Following the concert, the community is invited to watch the Falcons take on the Monarchs with kickoff set for 5 p.m. and a free fireworks show after the game. For more information about Phil Vassar and the concert, access the following link: (Include Link)
Falcon Club Tent: Last year we saw the return of the Falcon Club tent in the south end zone on Football game days, and this year we are making the experience even better for our Falcon Club members. We have upgraded the current tent to a fully framed structure, furnished with 8-foot banquet tables and 24-inch round cocktail tables. Falcon Club families will enjoy early entry opportunities two hours prior to kickoff through Gate 1 in the south end zone. Get there early to witness the team’s “Warrior Walk” into the stadium! Dry snacks will be complimentary in the tent all game long, with discount food & beverage coupons provided for members at check-in, redeemable at all concessions stands. TVs will be showing games across the country during pregame, and then providing live feeds of the Falcon game. Bring the kids for pregame cornhole, and football skill games on the grass in the south end zone, then get right up close to the action on the rail behind the end zone for the best view of the game! Your membership in the Falcon Club has its privileges!
Kids Club: Membership for the Future Falcon Kids Club for 2024-25 is officially open. The Future Falcon Kids Club is the official BGSU Athletics fan club for kids. The objective of the Future Falcon Kids Club is to give kids an opportunity to enjoy BGSU athletic programs in a unique way. Sign your child or children up (ages 0-12) for a membership that lasts from August 2024 - July 2025. Membership is only $30 and your child receives free admission to every home game for the Falcons. Memberships for the Future Falcon Kids Club can be purchased online by clicking here.
Finally, in late July, BGSU head gymnastics coach Kerri Turner decided to leave her coaching role and become a full-time administrator in the department. She will serve the department as the assistant athletics director for student-athletes services. Throughout her 17 years of service to BGSU, Kerri has been an advocate for student-athlete development in and out of the classroom. Her holistic commitment to the development of student-athletes is what made her team one of the top academic achievement programs in our department. We are excited to have her translate that focus and vision across all our sport programs.
I am looking forward to seeing you this year at one of our many events and competitions. Please reach out if I can do anything for you. Ay Ziggy!
Sincerely,
Derek van der Merwe
We are 10 days out from Business After Hours at Doyt Perry Stadium.
— BGSU Athletics (@BGSU_Athletics) August 5, 2024
Join over 40 businesses who have already signed up/RSVP'd for August 15th. Make sure you join them by submitting your RSVP by August 13 ??
?? https://t.co/LaYbEiOgOG pic.twitter.com/L0qpksJYF5
You’re not going to want to miss @philvassar this #BGSUHomecoming ??
— Bowling Green State University (@bgsu) August 1, 2024
An award-winning artist and songwriter, @philvassar has 10 No. 1 singles and 27 Top 40 country music hits; known for smash songs he wrote for legends like @OfficialJackson, @TheTimMcGraw and @jodeemessina!… pic.twitter.com/lg2UZJVY3f
That’s a wrap! The 2024 summer camp season is over! Thank you to all the campers who attended our camps and clinics! We loved having you with us & helping you develop your ??skills. Thank you Lil’ Falcons for closing the camp with the best fight song-Ay Ziggy Zoomba!?????? pic.twitter.com/KdVdc6t03n
— Danijela Tomic (@CoachTomic) July 31, 2024
Join us for a FREE concert featuring the incredible Phil Vassar during #BGSUHomecoming on Sept. 28! ?? ??? ?? ??
— Bowling Green State University (@bgsu) July 29, 2024
An award-winning artist and songwriter, @philvassar has 10 No. 1 singles and 27 Top 40 country music hits. Known for smash songs he wrote for legends like… pic.twitter.com/5ceWdw3x1q
Practice #1 ?? pic.twitter.com/A3Ud2Sndvc
— BGSU Football (@BG_Football) July 29, 2024
Falcons in the Community ?? A great day for a great cause ???? #AyZiggy pic.twitter.com/GQh6ApE7L8
— BGSU Women’s Basketball (@BGSUWBB) July 26, 2024
We’re trying to win natties everyone must be on point ???? #CFB25 #NCAA25 #BGSU #Sports #VideoGames pic.twitter.com/yKM9mI15GI
— Bowling Green State University (@bgsu) July 22, 2024
New kits?
— BGSU Women’s Soccer (@BGSU_WSoccer) August 2, 2024
New kits????#AyZiggy | ?????? pic.twitter.com/nrJRux2c8z
Gallery: FB: MAC Kickoff 2024 - Canton
A great start to the season for ???????? ?????? ??#MACKickoff x @ProFootballHOF pic.twitter.com/PDhDYYomjW
— BGSU Football (@BG_Football) July 19, 2024
Game day in Pisek, Czech Republic. pic.twitter.com/egjXmntnVi
— Todd Simon (@CoachTsimon) August 6, 2024
New season. New threads.
— BGSU Volleyball (@BGSUVolleyball) August 5, 2024
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Had a special guest at practice to close out the summer! Thanks for stopping by, @aa_boston ????#AyZiggy pic.twitter.com/kRGpJVmQPi
— BGSU Women’s Basketball (@BGSUWBB) August 2, 2024
A warning to Bowling Green community: @BGSUHKY alum are back in town for the annual golf outing! Proud traditions! Proud alumni! #AyZiggy @bgsu @BGSU_Athletics ???? pic.twitter.com/T1dZQ6O0mR
— Derek van der Merwe (@vandermerwe63) July 20, 2024
.@BG_Football cornerback Jordan Oladokun explains how BG’s defense is preparing for the start of the season ?? pic.twitter.com/iFcyhN76v7
— Falcon Media Sports Network (@BG_FMSN) July 19, 2024
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— BGSU Football (@BG_Football) August 5, 2024
Bowling Green will travel to Cincinnati and host Liberty in 2025. #ToTheMoon ????
?? https://t.co/0qyPRXI9cs pic.twitter.com/o6YXQLzG0v
Falcon Fridays is back! First stop @bgsudining!
— BGSU Athletics (@BGSU_Athletics) August 2, 2024
Thank you for all that you do for us?? pic.twitter.com/8j9nE7lNdC
Bowling Green announces a partnership with @INFLUXERAPP, providing Falcon student-athletes the opportunity to monetize their name, image and likeness (NIL) via high-quality, personalized merchandise that allows fans to support in style. ????
— BGSU Athletics (@BGSU_Athletics) August 1, 2024
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"?????????????????? ???????? ..." - Joe DeLamielleure@ProFootballHOF member Joe DeLamielleure (OL, @Browns & @BuffaloBills) was onsite in Canton during MAC Kickoff and bestowed some wisdom on @A_Hawkins54 ??#ToTheMoon ???? pic.twitter.com/8vYK2hNbHJ
— BGSU Football (@BG_Football) July 30, 2024
Our swimmers and divers are getting it done in the classroom!! ??????#ScholarAthletes | #GoFalcons pic.twitter.com/KbbLHTZ8l2
— BGSU Swim and Dive (@BGSU_SwimDive) June 3, 2024
Former BGSU Forward Josh Nodler signs with the Jacksonville Icemen of the ECHL ??
— BGSU Hockey (@BGSUHKY) August 1, 2024
???https://t.co/FFEdNLCs8V #AyZiggy pic.twitter.com/X6N41CH3zS
.@BGSUMBB has announced their European Tour ?? @TKavaleczSports has the details of the tour in the story below ?? https://t.co/ctcHkes7Bq
— Falcon Media Sports Network (@BG_FMSN) July 31, 2024
Dates to Remember
- Aug. 15 - Women's soccer season opener vs. Detroit Mercy
- Aug. 16 - Firefly Nights
- Aug. 23 - Men's soccer season opener vs. Wright State
- Aug. 24 - Football Season Ticket Holder Party
- Aug. 24 - Volleyball Dream BiG Event. Register by clicking here.
- Aug. 29 - Football season opener vs. Fordham (Orange Wave)
- Aug. 30-Sept. 1 - Volleyball Hampton Inn Invitational
- Sept. 21 - Pregame Alumni Tailgate at Texas A&M. Register by clicking here.
- Sept. 23 - Fall Sports Luncheon
- Sept. 28 - Homecoming vs. Old Dominion
- Oct. 18 - Hall of Fame Weekend
- Oct. 18-19 - Family Weekend
In the Perry Field House, volunteers wearing aqua and purple hair nets lined each side of 16 tables, scooping rice, sealing bags of food. “Use your hands to bless somebody else.”@BGSUVolleyball https://t.co/4B2zFJzi0d
— The Blade (@toledonews) July 26, 2024
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— BGSU Football (@BG_Football) July 23, 2024
Congratulations to Tegan Friemering, 13, and Ida Falck, 12, on their winning drawings ??
MORE INFO:https://t.co/x1HfLiFLHD pic.twitter.com/M9vYMNRMuY
You asked for orange unis…so we’re bringing them back ??????
— BGSU Football (@BG_Football) July 11, 2024
Tradition ?? New Look pic.twitter.com/JMvibATIRR
FOOTBALL
- CB Jordan Oladokun has been named a nominee for the AllState AFCA Good Works Team. Click here for more information.
- QB Connor Bazelak enters 2024 No. 6 among all active quarterbacks with 9,301 career passing yards.
- His 883 completions are ranked No. 3 among active players, and he needs 117 to become the 41st player in FBS history to reach 1,000 career completions.
- Football has added two new opponents for the 2025 season. BGSU will head to Cincinnati on Sept. 6 and host Liberty on Sept. 13.
BASEBALL
- Nathan Archer drafted in the 12th round by the Chicago White Sox, making him the first BGSU draft pick since 2015
- Archer is the highest BGSU draft pick since 2005 (Nolan Reimold, 2nd Round), Orioles)
- Head coach Kyle Hallock, the 2024 MAC Coach of the Year, received an extension through 2029.
VOLLEYBALL
- Received AVCA Academic Award for the 24th -straight year, which is tied for the second-longest active streak in DI behind only Indiana State (26)
- It was volleyball’s 25th overall award, third in DI behind only Indiana State and Morehead State (26 each)
- Opening Tournament at BGSU, Hampton Inn Invitational being held August 30 – September 1st. The Falcons will be taking on Cincinnati, Chicago State, and Illinois throughout the weekend. For schedule information, click here. For ticket information, click here.
MEN'S BASKETBALL
- BGSU alum Daeqwon Plowden signed a two-way contract with the Golden State Warriors where he averaged 16.6 points in Summer League (Shot 54 percent from the field, 48 percent from three).
- The Falcons will go on a European Tour from July 31-August 8
- Stops: Munich (including Dachau), Nuremburg, Prague
WOMEN’S BASKETBALL
- Head coach Fred Chmiel has made several additions to his staff. John Nicolais was named assistant coach. Nicolais joins the Falcons after spending the last 11 seasons on the staff at Youngstown State. He was the interim head coach at YSU in 2023-24.
- Additionally, Ethan Gelfand has been named the program’s director of operations. Gelfand has a wealth of experience in the field, having spent five years as the director of operations at Central Michigan before an eight-year stint in the same role at Penn State.
- The initial matchups in the second installment of the MAC-Sun Belt Challenge were announced, and the Falcons will face Southern Miss on Nov. 4 at the Stroh Center.
WOMEN’S GOLF
- The BGSU women’s golf team was honored by the WGCA with the ninth-best team GPA in the nation.
- The entire women’s golf roster for BGSU has a cumulative GPA of 3.50 or higher with Makenna Jones and Samantha Dolce leading the way with perfect 4.0 GPAs. Also, four Falcons have a 3.8 GPA or better.
