Falcon Insider with Derek van der Merwe: May 19
5/19/2025
Important news happening in and around Bowling Green Athletics compiled by Vice President for Athletics Strategy and 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.
Dear Falcon Family,
The Falcons are closing out another exciting academic year, and the momentum within our program is significant. We begin each all-staff meeting by reviewing our purpose statement:
“Falcon Forward! Fight for Victory! A relentless commitment to improvement, innovation, and success!”
We are fully committed to the process of improvement in everything we do — and this year, we got better.
I must first highlight the successful weekend we just completed, as our women's track and field program captured the 2025 MAC Outdoor Track and Field Championship, capping off a historic year for the Falcons. Head coach Lou Snelling did an outstanding job this season, earning MAC Coach of the Year honors for both the indoor and outdoor seasons, as BGSU swept the MAC Championships for the first time in program history. The Falcons last won a MAC outdoor title in 1981, the inaugural year for the women’s championship in our league.
This year, the Falcons recorded the highest cumulative grade point average in program history: 3.51. More than 138 student-athletes earned a 4.0 GPA, and over 250 achieved above a 3.5 GPA. Our team is striving for excellence and growth across all fronts: fan experience, student participation, fundraising, ticket sales, athletic success, and more.
Another key metric of progress is the NCAA Academic Progress Rate (APR), which measures retention and eligibility from year to year. In the most recent single-year report, over 12 teams posted a perfect score of 1000: Baseball, Men’s Basketball, Men’s Golf, Hockey, Women’s Basketball, Women’s Cross Country, Women’s Golf, Gymnastics, Women’s Soccer, Swimming and Diving, Women’s Tennis, and Volleyball. All our programs scored above 950, reflecting our unwavering commitment to academic excellence.
The most important measure of this mission is graduation. This spring, the Falcons celebrated 35 graduates representing 10 sports. These student-athletes completed majors in areas such as business, health sciences, sport management, nursing, criminal justice, biology, communication, economics, and law. Our student-athletes are truly students first and represent the broad mosaic of academic programs across campus.
Many of our graduates had the honor of hearing one of BGSU’s all-time greats, Orel Hershiser, deliver the commencement address. His message of resilience and persistence was both inspirational and moving. During the second ceremony on May 3, BGSU awarded Orel an honorary doctorate in leadership, recognizing his continued and unwavering support of the University. In his speech, Orel emphasized the values of sacrifice, effort, and attention to detail — a message we are embracing across all our athletic programs as we build championship-caliber teams.
Since my last communication, so many exciting developments have taken place in our department. Our women’s golf team enjoyed a historic season. The Falcons finished second at the MAC Championship — the best result in program history — in a league where Kent State has won all 26 titles. Under head coach Erin Fahey, BGSU has now posted its two best finishes ever, including fourth place in 2022. Addison Kartusch tied for second individually and helped lead the team into its first-ever postseason appearance, May 8–11 at Golfweek’s National Golf Invitational at Ak-Chin Southern Dunes Golf Club in Maricopa, Ariz., where the Falcons finished 10th.
We also celebrated a major moment in Falcon Football as Harold Fannin Jr. was selected in the 2025 NFL Draft by the Cleveland Browns in the third round (67th overall) — the earliest BGSU draft pick since Fred Sturt in 1973. The excitement across the BGSU and Ohio communities was electric, as Harold gets to stay in Orange and Brown. In addition, quarterback Connor Bazelak and cornerback Jordan Oladokun signed undrafted free agent deals with the Tampa Bay Buccaneers and Los Angeles Chargers, respectively. Also, defensive lineman Ali Saad was drafted in the first round, fourth overall, of the CFL Draft by the Saskatchewan Roughriders.
Our annual Ziggy’s Awards celebration was another huge success, highlighting all of our sports programs. For the second straight year, Falcon Media Sports Network played a pivotal role in coverage, further strengthening our partnership with this student-run organization. Wide receiver Finn Hogan and women’s soccer midfielder Jaden Frigerio brought the house down as co-hosts with a hilarious opening monologue and good-natured roast of all 18 sports.
There’s also rising excitement around BGSU Ice Hockey. Head coach Dennis Williams has delivered a powerhouse first recruiting class — currently ranked No. 1 in the nation by Neutral Zone Scouting. The Falcons signed nine elite student-athletes from all three major Canadian Hockey League circuits (WHL, OHL, QMJHL). With this outstanding group joining a strong core of returners, the 2025–26 season promises to be unforgettable. Season tickets went on sale May 13 — don’t miss a moment!
We’re also thrilled to announce the return of one of our most popular events — the third annual Football Women's Clinic, hosted by head football coach Eddie George and our BGSU football student-athletes. Join us on June 6 at Doyt Perry Stadium for an evening of fun, football, and connection. The event kicks off with check-in at 5:30 p.m., followed by the clinic from 6–8 p.m., and concludes with hors d'oeuvres, refreshments, and an auction beginning at 8 p.m.
Participants will enjoy interactive sessions with our football student-athletes and coaches, including schematic instruction, position-specific drills, a walkthrough of a game plan, and insights into the daily life of a BGSU football player. Following the clinic, we’ll come together for a social featuring food, drinks, giveaways, and a silent auction. All proceeds from the event will support the nutritional needs of our student-athletes throughout the year.
Registration includes a Women's Clinic t-shirt and a $50 gift to the BGSU Football Program. For more information or questions, please contact Lindsay Klemm at lklemm@bgsu.edu or 419-372-3589. Click here to register.
As we move forward, the momentum is full steam ahead as we are on pace for surpassing 500 new football season ticket holders. Join the momentum today and be here for the home opener as Eddie George makes his debut as the Falcons Head Coach and Urban Meyer returns to campus with an NFF Hall of Fame On-Campus Salute, presented by Fidelity Investments®! Secure your season tickets today by clicking here.
Ay Ziggy,
Derek van der Merwe
We already know he looks GREAT in ??????
— BGSU Football (@BG_Football) April 26, 2025
Harold Fannin Jr. is selected by the @Browns in the third round (67 overall) of the @NFL Draft ??#AyZiggy pic.twitter.com/Ua3bvSeUy3
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— BGSU Hockey (@BGSUHKY) April 28, 2025
BGSU welcomes the nation's No. 1 recruiting class for the 2025-26 season ??
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Congrats to our Head Track & Field/XC Coach Lou Snelling for being @MACSports Coach of the Year! Coach Snelling has done something that has never been done in @bgsu history: win both indoor and outdoor championships in the same year! So proud! @BGSU_Athletics @BGSUXCTF pic.twitter.com/nlzKSCxpBd
— Derek van der Merwe (@vandermerwe63) May 18, 2025
PARTY LIKE IT'S 1981!
— MACtion (@MACSports) May 17, 2025
THE BOWLING GREEN FALCONS ARE YOUR OUTDOOR TRACK & FIELD CHAMPIONS FOR THE FIRST TIME SINCE '81! @BGSU_Athletics | @BGSUXCTF | #MACtion pic.twitter.com/g0Edy6Hjfv
Congratulations and THANK YOU to this year’s senior class!#AyZiggy pic.twitter.com/W1wqtvqS7y
— BGSU Baseball (@BGSU_Baseball) May 17, 2025
For #BGSU senior Gavin Ganun, strict discipline and time management are key to balancing his role as a Division I student-athlete following a rigorous pre-medicine degree path.
— Bowling Green State University (@bgsu) May 9, 2025
Ganun is one of the Falcons' leading hitters this year, posting a .314 batting average as the season… pic.twitter.com/DrnCvjXVbK
Deeply committed to his alma mater, Paul J. Hooker ’75 is continuing his legacy of support for Bowling Green State University with a transformational $3 million donation to enhance the University’s commitment to the arts, athletics and top-ranked student experience. #AlwaysBG… pic.twitter.com/gb2X8kQjnu
— Bowling Green State University (@bgsu) May 2, 2025
The one and only @OrelHershiser is back to throw the first pitch for his college team @BGSU_Baseball ?? #AYZIGGY #AlwaysBG pic.twitter.com/DAvyJbgbkV
— Bowling Green State University (@bgsu) May 2, 2025
Academic excellence! Highest GPA in athletics history!!! pic.twitter.com/wgh5qYKrqL
— BGSU Athletics (@BGSU_Athletics) May 16, 2025
A historic semester for BGSU Athletics since we started tracking ??????#AyZiggy ???? pic.twitter.com/p4dKS8i2wX
— BGSU Athletics (@BGSU_Athletics) May 16, 2025
Please welcome Angie Hull to BGSU as our new Deputy Athletics Director and Senior Woman Administrator!
— BGSU Athletics (@BGSU_Athletics) May 15, 2025
A proven leader with a passion for student-athlete success, Angie brings experience, vision and energy to Falcon Athletics. #AyZiggy ????https://t.co/dzsJU60GWR
Please welcome David Cutri as our new Senior Associate Athletics Director for Financial Strategy!
— BGSU Athletics (@BGSU_Athletics) May 15, 2025
David brings a wealth of experience in both private industry and higher ed—ready to help drive innovation, efficiency and growth in Falcon Athletics! https://t.co/hRBELwKqk9
??Read All About It! Martin Named to MAC All-Freshman Team...#ayziggy ????https://t.co/TWh29I0WfN
— BGSU Softball (@BGSUSoftball) May 6, 2025
Administrator Jim Elsasser to retire after 30 Years with BGSU Athletics.
— BGSU Athletics (@BGSU_Athletics) May 13, 2025
"His knowledge, commitment, and love for this university and its people is hard to match." - Vice President for Athletics Strategy Derek van der Merwe.#AyZiggy ????https://t.co/5wSEGWwyVX
The best color combo to exist pic.twitter.com/euVehO8Cnb
— Bowling Green State University (@bgsu) May 14, 2025
Saturday was a special night where @CoachUrbanMeyer joined @EddieGeorge2727 for a special donor event in Dublin, Ohio.
— BGSU Football (@BG_Football) May 12, 2025
Special things are happening at BG and you can join our Orange Army and be a part of it too????
?? https://t.co/1To7JhjC1k pic.twitter.com/FgAmarWqI9
We are so grateful to Paul J. Hooker ’75 for a transformational $3 million gift to enhance @BGSU's top ranked student experience, including support of @BGSUFMB10, Club Sports and @BGSU_Baseball, all with rich and celebrated histories at Bowling Green. https://t.co/EXA12e5Hsq pic.twitter.com/CL2l82Qy04
— Rodney K. Rogers (@Pres_Rogers) May 14, 2025
As the Eddie George era is set to begin this fall, @BG_Football will have a new culture and offensive identity ??
— Falcon Media Sports Network (@BG_FMSN) May 14, 2025
Recently, @artie_abrego and Kevin Hutchinson had the chance to sit down with new offensive coordinator Travis Partridge ?? https://t.co/ZEqqjeEPmy
BGSU places four on the Academic All-MAC team!!!
— BGSU Tennis (@BGSUTennis) May 16, 2025
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Liut is a distinguished member of the BGSU hockey class of 1977, the 1977 CCHA Player of the Year, in the BGSU Athletic Hall of Fame Class of 1983, two-time NHL All Star, and was a player for the St. Louis Blues & Hartford Whalers.#TheZiggys
— Falcon Media Sports Network (@BG_FMSN) April 23, 2025
?? Curt Lydy pic.twitter.com/Kj357DjVyD
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— BGSU Football (@BG_Football) May 15, 2025
???????? 6? - Come spend your evening with @EddieGeorge2727 and our Falcon team for the third-annual Women's Clinic??
REGISTER TODAY: https://t.co/zAXrX2yxOx@HeismanTrophy x #GUTS pic.twitter.com/7BC0jESZDr
Former Falcon HC @CoachUrbanMeyer will return to BG and be honored during our Aug. 28 home game vs. Lafayette as part of the @NFFNetwork's Hall of Fame On-Campus Salute, Presented by Fidelity Investments®
— BGSU Football (@BG_Football) May 7, 2025
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Info to Remember
Football Ticket Options
- Football Season tickets on sale for renewals and new season tickets - Football | Bowling Green State University . Fans can take advantage of our early bird pricing which ends on Friday, May 23. After May 23, pricing will increase.Can’t make all 6 Falcon Football home games? Take advantage of the Falcon Football Mini Pack! The three games include the home opener against Lafayette, Homecoming vs. Liberty, and Central Michigan (Falcon Family Weekend). - Falcon Football Mini Pack | Bowling Green State University
- Fans interested in booking a premium space for football can fill out the interest form. Limited inventory is available! - Request More Info
Volleyball Ticket Options
- Volleyball Season Tickets are now on sale! Volleyball | Bowling Green State University. The deadline to renew season tickets is Friday, June 20.
Hockey Ticket Options
- Hockey season tickets on sale; current season ticket holders can renew. Click here to buy tickets.
Dates to Remember
- May 21-25 – MAC Baseball Championship (Avon)
- June 2 - Football Single-Game Tickets Go on Sale
- June 6 - Football Women's Clinic - Sign Up Today
- June 16 - 16th Annual Gridiron Classic - Sign Up Today
Join @EddieGeorge2727 at the 16th annual Gridiron Classic on June 16! Golf, dinner and auction event to benefit the BGSU Football Program.
— BGSU Football (@BG_Football) March 26, 2025
SIGN UP: https://t.co/yoDvSCkfK8 pic.twitter.com/JtMeXriQfC
One last catch at The Stell for our seniors, but not with teammates this time. The fathers joined the Falcons!#AyZiggy pic.twitter.com/ceNK1xmOSi
— BGSU Baseball (@BGSU_Baseball) May 17, 2025
Good morning ... we are still vibing on the @Browns taking Harold Fannin Jr. (@fannin_jr) in the third round last night!
— BGSU Football (@BG_Football) April 26, 2025
ABC's POV of the pick with the @CollegeGameDay crew highlights the special bound Harold shared with his late sister, Haria. ?? pic.twitter.com/J3lNC4bMnl
From Bowling Green to Browns town, Harold Fannin Jr. makes it official ???@crosscountrymtg | #DawgPound pic.twitter.com/9DEREdAn90
— Cleveland Browns (@Browns) May 16, 2025
We were proud to honor @MLB and @BGSU_Baseball legend @OrelHershiser with an honorary doctorate in leadership studies. Hershiser ‘25 (Hon.) has embodied grit and determination throughout his baseball and entrepreneurial career, and we are so glad to welcome him home! pic.twitter.com/2PNLOg2Q0U
— Rodney K. Rogers (@Pres_Rogers) May 4, 2025
FOOTBALL
- Bowling Green junior tight end Harold Fannin Jr. (Canton, Ohio) was selected by the Cleveland Browns during the third round of the National Football Draft. Fannin was the 67th overall pick and the first tight end from Bowling Green since Greg Meczka was selected by the San Diego Chargers in the 15th round of the 1974 NFL Draft.
- Fannin is the first Falcon drafted by the Browns since 1989 when defensive back Kyle Kramer was taken in the fifth round. Fannin is the 11th Falcon all-time to be drafted by the Cleveland Browns. Fannin is also the highest Falcon drafted since 1973 when Fred Sturt was taking 59th overall by the St. Louis Cardinals.
- CB Jordan Oladokun signed an undrafted free agent deal with the Los Angeles Chargers and QB Connor Bazelak signed an undrafted free agent deal with the Tampa Bay Buccaneers. DL Ali Saad attended Rookie Mini-Camp with the 49ers and DL Chase Davis attended camp with the Kansas City Chiefs.
- Saad was drafted No. 4 overall in the CFL Draft by the Saskatchewan Roughriders.
- Bowling Green State University and the National Football Foundation (NFF) & College Football Hall of Fame will jointly honor 2025 College Football Hall of Fame electee Coach Urban Meyer with an NFF Hall of Fame On-Campus Salute, presented by Fidelity Investments®. The Salute will take place on Thurs., Aug. 28, during the Falcons' season-opening home game against Lafayette.
- Meyer's salute will also serve as the first football game of head coach Eddie George's (inducted into the CFB HOF in 2011) Bowling Green tenure. Buy your football tickets today.
TRACK & FIELD
- BGSU won the 2025 MAC Outdoor Championship. It is the first outdoor championship for BGSU since winning the first in 1981.
- Head coach Lou Snelling was named MAC Coach of the Year. He also won MAC Coach of the Year for the indoor season.
- After never finishing higher than fourth at the meet in Snelling's tenure, including ninth in 2024 and dead last in his first season back in 2012, the Falcons' 130 points were the most they had ever scored at the Championships and ahead of Eastern Michigan (115) and defending champion Kent State (113.5).
- BGSU won four individual MAC titles, including: Sabrina Imes (Triple Jump), Kylee Cubbison (1500m), Trista Fintel (Hammer Throw, Shot Put).
BASEBALL
- BGSU has tallied 33 wins this year, marking back-to-back 30-win series for the first time since 2001-02.
- On May 3, the Falcons clinched their spot in the MAC Tournament, giving BGSU back-to-back MAC Tournament appearances for the first time since 2014-15.
- Garrett Wright has reached in 50 of his 52 games played this season.
- Garrett Wright tied the program record for doubles in a season on May 17 with four doubles during the NIU series.
- Connar Penrod has 12 saves on the season, setting a new single-season saves record for the program for a player as the first Falcon ever with double-digit saves.
- Penrod’s ninth save marked the 13th of the year for BGSU, setting a new single-season saves record for the program as a team. As a team, the Falcons now have 17 total saves.
- For his career, Penrod now has 12 saves which ties him for fourth all-time in program history.
SOFTBALL
- The Falcons ended the 2025 season with a shutout win, downing Robert Morris, 3-0, at Meserve field.
- BGSU topped the overall and MAC win totals for the previous two years combined. The 2025 team went 16-36 overall, after going 6-38 in 2024 and 9-41 in ‘23.
- In MAC play, BGSU was 7-19, after going a combined 5-51 in the previous two years.
- Addie Martin was named to the MAC’s All-Freshman Team.
- Martin became the first player in program history to hit at least 12 homers and steal at least 12 bases in the same season.
ICE HOCKEY
- Dalton Norris has been named captain of the 2025-26 BGSU Hockey team. Click here to read more.
- Bowling Green State University head hockey coach Dennis Williams has announced the addition of 10 new student-athletes for the 2025-26 season. The class includes high-end talent from all three major Canadian Hockey League circuits (WHL, OHL, QMJHL), and has been ranked No. 1 among all NCAA Division I programs by Neutral Zone Scouting. Click her to read more about the class.
WOMEN'S GOLF
- Bowling Green earned a runner-up finish at the Mid-American Conference Championship, the highest finish in program history.
- The Falcons own the top two finishes in program history in the four years they have been coached by alum Erin Fahey. BGSU's previous best finish was fourth in 2022.
- Addison Kartusch led the Falcons with a tie for second individually, finishing at 3-over par at the MAC Championship
- Kartusch also led all competitors with 39 total pars across the three-round event.
- Bowling Green was invited to the National Golf Invitational in Maricopa, Ariz., which is the first postseason appearance in program history.
- Ava O'Sullivan earned All-MAC second team honors and concluded the season with a scoring average of 75.4 — tied for the second lowest in school history. The only lower mark belongs to O'Sullivan herself, who posted a 75.18 average last season.
- O'Sullivan earned also was named second-team All-MAC last season.
- Sammie Dolce was named the MAC Sportswoman of the Year, an award voted on by all student-athletes competing at the championship.
MEN'S GOLF
- Evan Johnson led BGSU at the MAC Championship at -1, finishing tied for No. 6.
- Johnson was especially sharp on Par 3s, thing for the tournament lead with a scoring average of 2.92 (-1).
- Darin Hudak finished at +9 and tied for No. 26
WOMEN'S TENNIS
- BGSU placed four on the Academic All-MAC team, which includes Tia Clemens, Isabelle Baker, Brynn Chaffee and Leticia Fonseca.
VOLLEYBALL
- Bowling Green State University middle blocker Jessica Andrews has been selected to the Team Canada roster in this year's Volleyball Nations League.
- Andrews is one of 10 NCAA student-athletes picked to play in the VNL this year, joining two players from Pitt and one from each of Charlotte, Florida, Illinois, Miami (FL), Oregon, Texas A&M and Washington State.
- In total, 18 countries are represented with 30-player rosters, creating a pool of just 540 athletes selected to participate. A vast majority of the athletes selected consist of current professional players.
- Andrews is the first Falcon and believed to be the first MAC player selected to compete.
