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Bowling Green State University Athletics
BGSU Announces Ice Arena Study And Review Of Athletic Programs
March 31, 2009 | Ice Hockey
March 31, 2009
BOWLING GREEN, OHIO - Bowling Green State University President Carol A. Cartwright announced today the outline of a plan to decide the future of the BGSU Ice Arena and to explore options facing the University's Intercollegiate Athletics Department.
According to Cartwright, a community and campus working group will be formed to explore operational, usage and facility-improvement solutions for the 43-year old Ice Arena. In addition, a national consultant in intercollegiate athletics will be retained to help BGSU map the future of its athletic program.
Cartwright has assigned Dr. Edward G. Whipple, BGSU vice president for student affairs, to lead the arena effort and Greg Christopher, director of intercollegiate athletics, to head the athletics review. Student affairs currently oversees the operation of the Ice Arena.
"Clearly the hockey program is the piece that links these reviews," Cartwright said. "I'll be counting on both efforts to provide guidance on the future of BGSU Hockey."
Jack Vivian, BGSU's first hockey coach, will head the arena working group. Vivian is a long-time, national consultant on ice arena operations.
"The BGSU Ice Arena is an important part of our campus and the Bowling Green community," Cartwright said. "Like many of our buildings, the Ice Arena is facing serious challenges. For the arena to be viable, all interested parties-the campus, BG community and hockey alumni-must step forward to help make the building sustainable for the long term."
According to Whipple, the working group is being formed and will begin meeting soon. Cartwright has asked for a preliminary report by mid-May.
"President Cartwright has asked us to move this process forward," Whipple said. "We have already begun assembling the right people and have enlisted the help of an industry expert with BGSU ties in Jack Vivian."
The University's feasibility study of future options for its intercollegiate athletics program will follow the same timeline, according to Christopher.
"As I outlined just a couple of weeks ago, the changing external landscape has forced our department to make some hard choices," Christopher said. "We are at a crossroads and have some fundamental decisions to make about the future of Intercollegiate Athletics at BGSU. Dr. Cartwright has asked that we frame all options for the University to consider."
In the coming weeks, the University will work with NACDA Consulting, an Indianapolis-based firm, to collect benchmark data, assess donor and fan sustainability, develop institutional funding model comparisons, and ultimately, frame the options facing BGSU's leadership.
"While the reductions we made for next year were difficult, we realize more challenges are ahead," added Christopher. "It's critical that we have candid conversations on what the options are and what is ultimately best for BGSU. The process needs to be thorough and timely. We'll get help from both outside and within the university on benchmark and industry data. Input from our key donors and alumni will be sought, and we'll enlist a small working group to frame the options we have."