Bring Back the Glory

Help carry on BGSU's tradition of excellence

The BGSU Ice Arena and Falcon Hockey have been treasured parts of the University and northwest Ohio community for more than 40 years. Ice hockey brought national attention to Bowling Green when Falcon players Ken Morrow and Mark Wells played on the “Miracle on Ice” team that defeated the formerly unbeatable Soviet Union at the 1980 Winter Olympics in Lake Placid, N.Y. And, just four years later, a stellar Falcon squad brought home a coveted NCAA championship by beating the University of Minnesota-Duluth 5-4 in four overtimes.

Add to this BG’s international reputation for world-class figure skating thanks to hometown hero and Olympic gold medalist Scott Hamilton, and two-time U.S. national champion Alissa Czisny ’09, and it becomes clear that BGSU has a tradition of excellence on the ice that’s well worth preserving.

The Bring Back the Glory campaign has made great strides, building upon State of Ohio and University funding to make several long-overdue upgrades and enhancements to the BGSU Ice Arena. A state-of-the-art ice plant and new sheets of ice, along with new lighting and PA systems, are now operational.

In addition, a renovated skate shop, main lobby and lounge are all examples of how leadership gifts have made a difference.

Now, it is time to complete the campaign by investing in the hockey team that has represented BGSU so well and in the facility that houses it all. Now is the time to support a talented coach that is committed to recruiting student-athletes who want to win. Now is the time to support the young men who give it their all on the ice, in the classroom and in the community in the finest tradition of Falcon Athletics. Now is the time to show our competitors that the University, the Bowling Green community, engaged alumni and enthusiastic fans are committed to Division I hockey.

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Campaign committee

Scott Hamilton, honorary chair, Bowling Green native and Olympic gold medalist in figure skating 
Garry Galley, co-chair, member of BGSU’s 1984 National Championship team 
Mike Pikul, co-chair, member of BGSU’s 1984 National Championship team

Rob Blake, a former Falcon and current defenseman for the San Jose Sharks
Tom Blakely, co-owner of Blakely Care Center in Bowling Green
Alissa Czisny, the 2009 national figure skating champion and recent BGSU graduate 
Steve Green, a Bowling Green realtor with A.A. Green Realty and Mecca Management 
Mike Marsh, a Bowling Green attorney and former University Trustee 
Jack Vivian, the Falcons’ first varsity hockey coach 
Van Wright, alumnus and Assistant to the Vice President of University Advancement at BGSU

Falcon pride

Chris Bergeron, Head Coach
"The Bring Back the Glory campaign has been the main fundraising focus for our hockey program's resurgence. It is very exciting to see that we are close to our final goal. We need everyone's continued support to help us get there. The hockey program's strength - both on and off the ice - has always been the people associated with it. We are going to make those people proud...it is not a matter of 'if' but 'when'."

Scott Hamilton
"There isn't a building in the history of Bowling Green that has brought as much pride, action, and excitement to this town as the BGSU Ice Arena. The very first steps toward my Olympic Gold Medal happened there. It was brand new and the excitement around the facility was amazing. I was sick as a child and the skating activity improved my health. I learned all the basics of how to skate there, as well as many other things. I learned how to entertain in the semi-annual Ice Horizons ice shows. I developed my love of hockey. Raised money for cancer research. Became everything I am today. And many others can say the same. The rink has given so many memories to the people of Bowling Green and all Ohio. We need to bring it back to its days of glory! Please get involved!"

Alissa Czisny
"The BG ice arena has made such an impact on my life and my career. I began skating at the ice arena before I was two years old, because the arena provided an outlet for using up some of my energy. The ice arena became like a second home to my sister and me as we were growing up. We spent much of our time there, practicing our skills and chasing our dreams. The ice arena provided us with a place to learn life lessons from skating in a safe and friendly environment. If it weren't for the BG ice arena, I would never have started skating, and I would never have become the national champion. I am so thankful for all the opportunities and experiences that I have had through my skating career, and I am thankful to the BG ice arena for helping to start my skating career."

Michael Jones '00
“BG Hockey has not only been a long standing tradition for people, it’s been their life! The passion that comes with such a program is second to none. I’m proud to say I had the opportunity to represent the best hockey program in the country!”

Craig Desjarlais '00
“I remember looking around the dressing room, feeling so much pride to be a Falcon, and not wanting to take off my jersey. I remember sharing a special moment with all my fellow senior teammates in the locker room, as we all realized we had just played our last game as members of the BGSU Hockey Team. It was an empty feeling. I wanted to go back in time, start all over again as a freshman. I never wanted those four years to end.”

News archive

Remaining CCHA teams will move to WCHA
August 25, 2011 - After two rounds of talks, the WCHA is ready to accept five CCHA schools into the conference, sources have indicated to CHN.

BGSU Ice Arena undergoing renovations in summer 2011
June 15, 2011 - The lobby at the BGSU Ice Arena will undergo a face-lift this summer. The project will include a new skate rental/skate shop area, full concession stand and staff offices. The renovation will begin in early July and is scheduled to be completed in September. However, the main sheet of ice will remain open for use during the renovation.

Gift to BGSU hockey honors Scott Hamilton
December 17, 2009 - BGSU announced today that Hamilton, in partnership with the Pioneer Fund, has donated $500,000 to the University's "Bring Back the Glory!" campaign to endow the Scott Hamilton Hockey Scholarship.

Vivian donates lead gift to BGSU hockey campaign
November 14, 2009 - Jack Vivian was the first varsity coach of the Falcons when they took to the ice in 1967. November 14, he became the first person to make a major donation to the new fundraising campaign to support hockey and the University’s ice arena.

BGSU Names Committee To Lead Hockey/Ice Arena Fundraising Campaign
October 8, 2009 - The names are synonymous with the Bowling Green State University Ice Arena and Falcon Hockey – Scott Hamilton, Garry Galley, and Mike Pikul. The University announced today that the three have agreed to lead a $5 million fundraising campaign to support the program and arena they love.

BGSU to launch fundraising campaign for hockey
September 11, 2009 - Bowling Green State University announced today that its hockey program will continue to be a part of the University’s tradition and culture.

BGSU commits $2.5 million to ice arena renovations
July 30, 2009 - Bowling Green State University President Carol Cartwright announced today that the University will commit $2.5 million in capital improvement funds toward the renovation of its ice arena.

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