Sisterhood of BGSU hockey players ‘ and coaches’ daughters

The seven daughters of former hockey players and athletic coaches at BGSU have maintained their fathers’ BGSU bonds. The complete responses to our questions follow:

Your Name: Shaylynn Galley
Hometown: Boston
Major: Communications Major/Marketing Minor
Graduation Year: 2012

What activities/organizations are you involved in?

Alpha Xi Delta Sorority

Why did you choose BGSU?

I grew up in the state because of my dad’s career and have always had a love for the country. When he retired, we moved back to Ottawa where my family lives. When it came time for me to decide where I wanted to apply in the fall I asked my dad if it was possible for me to go back down there for school. That summer we ended up going to BGSU for the annual golf outing. It was also my first time in BG. I fell in love with the campus, the school, the town. I knew it was where I wanted to be.

Favorite place on campus:
I must say that I love being in the rink. I work in the BGSU hockey office so I’m there a lot. But when I’m there I feel like I’m a part of my dad’s legacy. I would love to be able to go back and experience the run of the ’84 team. I hear stories all the time and it sounded like such an incredible thing to be a part of.

Best memory at BGSU:
My favourite memory happened in the last couple months at school With the announcement of the potential elimination of the hockey program, Stephanie Wilson, Melissa and Jennifer Pikul and I came together to figure out how we could spread awareness and show support. We came up with a T-shirt design. The demand for the T-shirts skyrocketed and so many people have reached out to show support. It means so much to know that we are making a difference. In my last couple weeks many people have reached out to us saying how proud they are of us and all that we are doing. But the most important part is how proud we are making our dads. That by far is my best memory. It will be a tough one to beat.

Your Name: Caroline Palmisano (full name: Caroline Elizabeth Wolf Palmisano)

Hometown: Born in Bowling Green, now I live in St. Helena, California.

Major: Tourism/Event Planning
Graduation Year: Spring 2011



What activities/organizations are you involved in?

I pledged my mom’s sorority and am an Alpha Phi. I am a Student Tour Guide, a member of Centennial Anniversary Commission and the Student Sub-Committee for the Centennial. Last year I was a member of the Homecoming Kick-off committee.



Why did you choose BGSU?

I wanted to go back "home" for school. Stephanie Wilson and I made a pact ever since we were little that we were going to go to school in BG and be roommates. And 14 years later we stuck to our pact! Plus I have so much history with the campus, between my mom and my dad it just felt like the right thing.

Favorite place on campus:
I love old campus. Especially in the fall when all the leaves are changing. it's such a pretty spot. With the old buildings it really shows what our school is all about.



Best memory at BGSU:
It's so hard to choose. Between going to practice with my dad and "helping" coach, and helping my mom work in admissions. I pretty much grew up on campus! I was always wearing my BGSU cheerleading uniform to every sporting event. We were diehard Falcon Fanatics! I loved riding the bus with the soccer team when they had away games. It was fun to have 20 older brothers. Also my freshman year (2 years ago) I pledged my mom's sorority. She was an Alpha Phi at BGSU and she surprised me and initiated me. It was such a neat thing to share together. Now we're mother and daughter and sisters! haha 



Other comments:
Sarah Swegan (Gary Swegan's daughter) hung around with us a lot as well! Barbara Powers, Stephanie Wilson and myself were all best friends through life and were together 24/7 and we are still very close and were roommates this past year!

Your Name: Jennifer Pikul
Hometown: St. Catharines, Ontario
Major: Interior design with a minor in dance
Graduation Year: 2012

What activities/organizations are you involved in?

American Society of Interior Designers, University Dance Alliance

Why did you choose BGSU?

My dad went here and my sister was here when I started. It was a comfortable transition for me. My dad’s host family is still here in BG and I am very close with them.

Favorite place on campus:
My favorite place is the hockey alumni office/players lounge. It is always calm and quiet there. I feel content and at home. I can relax and not have to worry about anything.

Best memory at BGSU:
The year of the 20th anniversary of the National Championship. I loved the atmosphere that was in the rink that night at the game with all the players for the ’84 team. It was packed and the best experience I have had in Bowling Green.

Your Name: Melissa Pikul
Hometown: Kelowna, BC, Canada
Major: International Business, French minor
Graduation Year: December 2009

What activities/organizations are you involved in?

A member of Delta Sigma Pi & Phi Sigma Pi

Why did you choose BGSU?

I grew up coming back to the town and fell in love with the campus. When it came time to start considering universities, BG was always at the top of my list. The business program was highly recommended and that sealed the deal for me.

Favorite place on campus:
As cliché as it seems, it is the hockey rink. There are so many great memories there from working in the office with the coaches to hanging out with Jenn, Shay and Steph, as well as the infamous University of Michigan vs. BGSU game. The energy and the atmosphere are amazing and I love the feeling I get when I leave a home game after a great win. I highly recommend everyone go to at least one game a season. They’re amazing.

Best memory at BGSU:
I don’t know if I can choose just one. I have met so many amazing people and I could not imagine where I would be in life if I didn’t choose BGSU. I remember coming back for the 20-year celebration of the championship and meeting everyone. During one of the days there was an autograph session at the rink and it was lined up out the front of the building. I remember thinking to myself, ‘Who on earth would want my dad’s autograph? He’s just my dad!’ But it’s that kind of pride and that kind of love that the BG community has for the school that makes me so proud to be a part of BG, no matter how small. It’s sad that so many people overlook the BG community when they think of the school. They’re such a huge part, and I think it’s time that they got some attention they deserve. So I guess that’s one of my favorite memories. Along with having some of the hockey players as residents when I was an RA my sophomore year. They were definitely some interesting times we had then.

Other comments:
I want to make you aware of the T-shirt sale Jennifer, Shaylynn, Stephanie and I are doing. All money collected is going toward the hockey program through the hockey fund. The shirts are $10 each, $15 if you want them shipped. They are orange and say “Falcon Hockey” on the front and “Never Give Up, Never Surrender” on the back (which is the motto of the 1984 team). The group of daughters brainstormed ways to help with the financial situation. They’ve raised $1,000 to date and plan to make more once school resumes in the fall. To order, email save_falcon_hockey@hotmail.com. And a possible Web site in the fall.

Your Name: Barbara Powers
Hometown: Bowling Green, Ohio
Major: Exercise Science
Graduation Year: May 2011

What activities/organizations are you involved in?
Bowling Green Cross Country/Track & Field
Impact Ministries
Centennial Anniversary Commission

Why did you choose BGSU?

I chose BGSU mainly because of Cami Wells and the rest of the track and cross country team. Cami has had such a positive influence on my life and is truly a role model. I also love the way the town and the university are connected with each other.

Favorite place on campus:
I love the student union and its huge windows. It’s a great place to stop in between classes, see friends, get Starbucks, nap on the third floor and study.

Best memory at BGSU:
The last couple years have been filled with memories. Some of the best memories have come from my teammates and spending time with the other “alumni daughters” I love going to sporting events and grabbing pizza at Pisanellos – best pizza in town.

Your Name: Stephanie Wilson
Hometown: Bowling Green, Ohio, currently residing in Pittsford, NY
Major: Tourism and Event Planning
Graduation Year: 2011

What activities/organizations are you involved in?

Centennial Anniversary Commission, BGSU Ice Arena Student Supervisor, Athletics Marketing and Promotions Department, Group Lessons for Learn to Skate Coach

Why did you choose BGSU?
To be completely honest, these girls are the reason that I went to Bowling Green. I have known Barbara, Caroline and Katie since I was born and recently have gotten extremely close to Shay, Melissa and Jenn. I can’t imagine going to school and not being with these girls. In the last two years we have truly become a sisterhood and have been brought together in a way that only the seven of us will ever know.

Favorite place on campus:
If anyone knows me well enough, they will know that the Ice Arena is my favorite place on campus. I grew up in that rink and it is more of my childhood than any other house I have ever lived in. I spend almost every single day in that ice arena and I love every minute of it.

Best memory at BGSU:
Probably move-in day of my sophomore year. It was the first year that the seven of us were all in the same place at the same time. I went out to dinner with the Pikuls and the Galleys and I was moving in with Barbara and Caroline and I’ve never seen my family as a whole happier.

Other comments:
I also want to note that although Ryan David will not be attending BGSU anymore, he was been with us the last two years as well. His dad played with my dad at Bowling Green and we have a huge bond with their family as well. He’s like having another brother.

Your Name: Katie Flanagan
Hometown: Chicago, Illinois
Major: Finance
Graduation Year: 2011

What activities/organizations are you involved in?
University Honors Program
The National Society for Leadership and Success
Kappa Kappa Gamma

Favorite place on campus:
My favorite place on campus would have to be the hockey rink because I can remembers as a child going to all the hockey games with my mom and sister, sitting on the top row and cheering for my dad.

Best memory at BGSU:
My best memory of BG is Greek week this past year because my sister, Megan, came to visit me, and I was able to show her around campus and show her things she would need to know for when she came to BG in the fall. We had a lot of fun and participated in Greek philanthropies.

Other comments:
I am very excited that my little sister Megan is attending BGSU in the fall.