Athletics

Bowling Green State University Athletics has officially launched its Ballers and Bosses campaign as part of BGSU One Day, setting a goal of raising $1 million to support Falcon student-athletes. The initiative focuses on preparing student-athletes not only to compete and achieve success in their sport, but also to access programs and services that help them transition into leaders — or “bosses” — in the professional world. The annual campaign highlights the department’s mission of preparing student-athletes to be Built for the Game, Ready for Life.

As one of the premier academic athletic departments in the Mid-American Conference, Bowling Green State University continues to set the standard for success in the classroom and in competition. BGSU recently earned the conference’s Institutional Award as the top athletic department in the league academically and recorded the highest cumulative GPA in program history at 3.51, while Falcon teams consistently compete for championships across all sports.

Through the Ballers and Bosses campaign, alumni, fans and supporters have the opportunity to make an impact ahead of BGSU One Day. Contributions provide vital resources that help student-athletes maximize their experiences at Bowling Green, supporting both their competitive goals and their academic and career development.

The $1 million Ballers and Bosses campaign goal is further evidence of the momentum building at Bowling Green State University, especially considering that just four years ago the athletics fundraising goal for BGSU One Day was $300,000.

BGSU sponsors seven men’s and 11 women’s programs competing across three conferences: the Mid-American Conference (MAC), Missouri Valley Conference (MVC) and Central Collegiate Hockey Association (CCHA).

Donations to the Falcon Club Scholarship and Success Fund and sport enhancement funds directly support areas that benefit BGSU student-athletes, including:

• Enhancing nutritional opportunities • Equipment upgrades • Recruiting opportunities • Summer academic opportunities

“I feel incredibly fortunate to be part of such an exciting and forward-moving University, as Bowling Green State University continues to earn national recognition across nearly every measure that matters,” said Derek van der Merwe, Vice President for Athletics Strategy. “This year, BGSU posted a banner run of rankings — recognized as No. 1 among Ohio’s public universities for learning facilities, career preparation, and learning opportunities, and designated a Best Business School in the Midwest while also being a leader in supporting veterans and military-affiliated students.

“We are committed to advancing this Athletics Department in every dimension as well — academically, competitively, and personally. Our mission is to shape champions for life, and the work our student-athletes, coaches, and staff are doing each day is a testament to that purpose. BGSU One Day provides an opportunity to make another significant step forward to engage more contributors to our programs. It is time to take that step in support of another generation of Falcons.”