March 26, 2007
BGSU Women's Basketball
"I don't even know how to feel right now."rsd 1.8 lite download
- Kate Achterrsd 1.8 lite download
-Liz Honegger
"I've never experienced anything like this in sports."rsd 1.8 lite download
These are just a couple of the sound bites I picked up from members of the BGSU women's basketball team on the bus back from East Lansing following the 59-56 win over SEC tourney champion Vanderbilt in the second round of the NCAA Tournament. Needless to say, I echo the sentiments of both Liz and Kate, as someone who instantly went from the broadcaster of a 3-time champion, history making Division I basketball team, to an unemployed free agent in just a few ticks of the game clock at the Greensboro Colliseum on Saturday. I could work in this business for the rest of my life, make decent money, and never again call anything as big as the ride the Falcons took me on this season. I shudder to think my career could peak at 22, but if it has, that's fine. Some people wait a lifetime to broadcast events such as these, so I can't complain. It was that huge.rsd 1.8 lite download
The point is to just enjoy this to the fullest while the exhilarating run of the best team in the history of the Mid-American Conference is still fresh in our minds. The games will go on, but a season or a four year run like this will be tough to duplicate anytime soon. Granted, Ali, Liz, Carin, Megan, Amber, and Julie came within a game of the NCAA tournament their freshman year, and officially arrived as sophomores. But a repeat performance is unlikely, even as highly touted the eight incoming freshman for next year are. It seemed so appropriate that upon our return from Greensboro, the dark dreary Ohio winter we left behind had suddenly vanished, giving way to spring, a fitting end to a dream season and a fresh start for BGSU Basketball.rsd 1.8 lite download
Going into the NCAA tournament, it was well documented that the only hole on the resume of this team and coaching staff was a March Madness victory. After the first round win over Oklahoma State I bluntly stated on-air that beating the Cowgirls was the equivalent of going to the Final Four, and beating Vanderbilt would be the equivalent of winning a National Championship. For a school in the MAC, a league that is 7-28 in the tourney after BG's run, that had never sent a team to the Sweet 16, I didn't feel it was an overstatement. The feeling we all shared in the Breslin Center last Tuesday evening after the Vandy win leads me to believe I was, for a change, correct. That's not to say the Arizona State game didn't matter, didn't sting to lose it, or suggest that the coaching staff and players didn't work just as hard to try to beat the Sun Devils as they did the Commodores. But honestly after the second round, it was all bonus. Let's face it, as good as this team was, they weren't going to win the National Championship. We knew it would end in a loss eventually, with bitter-sweet tears of joy and some anguish from the seniors, which is exactly what took place.rsd 1.8 lite download
What I will remember most fondly from this run is not a particular game, but Curt Miller's press conference on Monday following practice a day after defeating Oklahoma State. He spoke of how much he enjoyed just getting at least one more chance to practice with this group of seniors and how he cherished every moment of the Falcons hour or so workout. With Ali and Liz by his side, it was as an emotional press conference that I've seen not involving Dick Vermeil. Right then I realized, it was so much more about guaranteeing yourself at least 40 more minutes with your best friends you've taken on the world with for the last four years, than it was advancing in the NCAA Tournament. Not that the latter wasn't important, as BGSU and tiny Marist College out of Poughkeepsie, New York raced into the Sweet 16 and simultaneously thumbed their noses at a system by the rich, for the rich. Call them Cinderella if you must, but the term "Mid-Major" need not apply.rsd 1.8 lite download
The 18 point loss to end the season wasn't the prettiest basketball BG has played, but it was still a celebration in appreciation of a group of women who represented their university as well as anyone could. We knew this moment would come, as the throngs of BG fans who drove nine hours and slept many fewer to get to Greensboro shouted "WE ARE….BG!" as the seconds ticked away, completely drowning out the cheers of victory from the much smaller Arizona State contingent. The clock may have struck midnight for Cinderella, but that didn't prevent a fairytale ending on the Coliseum floor.rsd 1.8 lite download
Once we returned to BG on Saturday night, Curt Miller thanked Brian Scullin and I for our work as we left the bus. Immediately, we both realized we were the ones who should be doling out thanks. The two of us would have been more than happy to get the chance to broadcast Division I basketball for a bad team, let alone a national power. The timing couldn't have been better, and we both are so grateful and fortunate that I don't even think it has sunk in yet that we've just finished calling three games in an NCAA Tournament. All of the folks at Bowling Green Radio Sports are forever in debt to this team and coaching staff, for the privilege to cover a program with so much integrity at such a high level. We all know what kind of talk the next couple of weeks will bring regarding coach's future at the school, and I'm sure all Falcon fans want what's best for Curt and his family, whatever he believes that is. Having said that, I have one thing to say to Penn State, Michigan, Louisville or anyone else...HANDS OFF OUR COACH!rsd 1.8 lite download
It's always windy in Bowling Green, but seldom are the winds of change blowing through our small, picturesque campus so noticeable. That's just what the springtime brings. In about a month, a whole new crop of proud alums will be faced with much more daunting decisions than whether to go to Junction or Downtown on Friday night. We'll have a new men's basketball coach soon to try to right our struggling program, while football is marred in uncertainty with several new coaches and unproven players. (Not to mention a three game losing streak to the school up north L.) With lagging funds and facilities for a Division I school, perhaps there hasn't been a more trying time for BGSU athletics. But whatever the future holds, we will always have this women's basketball team. All it took was six athletes and four coaches to transform what was a fringe sport with a cult following into the toast of the town. Curt Miller condensed this whole column into one line while being interviewed in the locker room following the loss to Arizona State. "I just hope they realize how special this is, they'll be talking about this team in BG thirty years from now." Judging by the number of restaurant billboards in town that wished the Falcons well throughout their third consecutive MAC Tournament championship and NCAA run, I doubt any members of this team will have to pay for a meal again in Bowling Green for about thirty years.rsd 1.8 lite download
After an unforgettable three-week interruption to my last semester as a BGSU student, I returned to classes and work full time this week, delighted to share stories and memories of an unforgettable season with friends, classmates, professors, and alums. Everyone seems to have their own unique favorite moments from the past season and four years, and this time of year, wild stories of spring break excursions are always mixed in. As someone who spent all four years as a student following every move of BGSU Basketball during the MAC tournament that week, I've always condescendingly asked what makes partying on the beach more attractive than being in Cleveland. The response is invariably always weather related, and after a long snowy winter I understand. However, the way I've always seen it, is for eight months out of the year, Bowling Green has the best weather on earth. The other four, we're playing basketball.rsd 1.8 lite download
-Paul Bravermanrsd 1.8 lite download
Braverman just completed his fourth and final year as a broadcaster for WBGU-FM, the flagship home of BGSU Women's Basketball. Contact him at paulmb@bgsu.edu. rsd 1.8 lite download
Posted by Ziggyzoomba at 09:17 PM | Comments (0) rsd 1.8 lite download
October 02, 2006
It's Necessary....
Simply put, the upcoming Bowling Green-Ohio State football game is necessary. Since 2001, as you would figure, Ohio State has the best record of the state's eight Division 1-A teams. Bowling Green is second. It would be hard to imagine Florida and Florida State not playing in a season, so it only seems logical the two best football programs in Ohio play. And I don't necessarily mean the two best teams right now, I mean the two best programs in the state the last five years.rsd 1.8 lite download
Now that we have that out of the way, I can begin my rant. Up front, I am not from Ohio and I am not an Ohio State fan. My love for BG Falcon sports is exceeded by very few things. It certainly doesn't bother me that students at this school cheer for the Buckeyes. After all, it's the team they grew up with and Ohio State has one of, if not the most loyal and extensive fan bases anywhere. Their rabid fan base rivals that of an elite European soccer club, and just as a lover of college sports, I respect that kind of commitment and enthusiasm mightily.rsd 1.8 lite download
I just wish we had one tenth of that enthusiasm for Falcon sports.rsd 1.8 lite download
If we did, the athletic department wouldn't be receiving idle threats from the NCAA concerning BGSU falling below the minimum football attendance requirement for a Division 1-A program. How a team that compiled a 43-17 record between 2001 and 2005, went 8-3 against BCS conference teams (including 3-2 against the Big Ten) and won two bowl games in that same span can't draw an average of 15,000 fans per game is mind-boggling.rsd 1.8 lite download
What does bother me, are when BGSU students, who identify themselves as Falcon sports fans, place a higher premium on Ohio State than their own school, their own livelihood. Again, there is no problem with being an Ohio State fan and a Falcon fan. When you were born you didn't know you were going to BGSU, and if you lived anywhere within this state's border it's likely you were conditioned to be an OSU fan beginning at an early age. But seriously folks, this is your school. You made a conscious choice to attend BGSU because there was something it had that Ohio State didn't, something that made you want to come to this special place. Maybe I am just too rah-rah when it comes to supporting this "Mid-Major" school.. But upon coming to BG I was anticipating more people would embrace the Falcons and all the tradition they stand for. You only have a limited amount of time here, and although there are so many more important things than intercollegiate athletic teams that define a collegiate career, I feel that sports serve as a good metaphor for being proud of your university as a whole. rsd 1.8 lite download
A degree from this institution means a lot. It distinguishes you amongst your competitors and peers. Students, although you may be die-hard Buckeyes at heart, your affiliation with Ohio State is unofficial. You may define yourself as an OSU fan until death, but the mark of a BGSU education is so much more defining. With each waning credit hour completed, I fear many students on campus aren't fully embracing the short time they have here. Sure, it is only natural to be looking ahead at this point in our lives as we prepare for our budding careers. It's necessary to plan ahead to be successful. However, I consider it a tragedy to pass through this school and not take advantage of every opportunity to enjoy what it has to offer. As I said, with a BGSU education you will most definitely command respect. I'd just like to see more people reciprocate that respect to our athletic programs, because they most definitely deserve it. rsd 1.8 lite download
It really does sadden me to hear students say they will be rooting for Ohio State to beat Bowling Green this Saturday. The explanation I usually get is "It's more important for Ohio State to win because they compete for National Championships. When Bowling Green loses this game, they can still win the MAC." rsd 1.8 lite download
Now I fully understand this point of view, and it makes sense. MAC teams have not been put in a position by college football to compete for national championships, and Big Ten teams have. However, you tell those men in orange and brown that winning the MAC is "less important," and observe the fire in their eyes. Every single one of them, ignoring the fact no one outside of ay-ziggy-zoomba.com will pick them to even keep this game close against OSU, will go to bed Friday night thinking a victory is entirely possible. Call them crazy, but that kind of confidence is the real mark of a winner. Ohio State expects to win every game, which is part of what makes them so intimidating. So hey, why not us? Even if you're rooting for the Bucks, bear in mind the Falcons are still playing for you, as they are saddled with the pressure of representing the entire university on that field. Please show them you appreciate that. rsd 1.8 lite download
I fully realize how unlikely a victory is for the Falcons, and I also realize how likely it is OSU will win in a runaway. But I just can't pick against BG. The kind of commitment a Buckeye has for Ohio State is my attitude ten-fold for the Falcons, if that helps explain where I'm coming from. From what I've observed in three and a half years, the majority of BGSU sports fans do not feel as strongly as I, and I guess I'm venting because I'm a little disappointed.rsd 1.8 lite download
When I bring up this sensitive issue, the response is invariably the same.rsd 1.8 lite download
"You don't understand how important Ohio State football is to Ohio because you're not from here."rsd 1.8 lite download
This is always the ultimate justification for choosing the Buckeyes over BG. And its complete bull. No I'm not from Ohio, but I, like you, had my favorite big name local team where I grew up with a rabid fan base of its own. But when I got to BGSU the allure of the Falcons was just too much. I'm still a huge fan of my original team but the Falcons will be number one from here on out, so if I can do it, so can you. (Believe it or not actual Ohioans have done this too!) And don't tell me that OSU football here is unlike anywhere else. The ego of that statement is absolutely infuriating. Until you've been to USC, Texas, Auburn, or every other site of a Division I-A college football team for that matter, no one has grounds to make that statement. It's another faulty argument I am sick of hearing. rsd 1.8 lite download
I am not suggesting anyone leave the Buckeyes behind, I know the tradition is important. I am just simply asking our student body to embrace the tradition at Bowling Green with the same passion it exudes for Ohio State. rsd 1.8 lite download
Die-hard Buckeye fans I'm sure find it laughable that I consider BG-OSU the same type of match-up as Florida-Florida State. But I have just not been conditioned to think OSU playing a non-BCS conference school automatically equals a victory. It's funny, us media types constantly yap about how much the overall quality of the MAC has improved and how much the MAC has closed the gap between it and BCS conference schools. Yet we still constantly write-off MAC teams almost immediately when they play BCS conference programs, and then act completely shocked when one them pulls off an "upset." (See Akron 20, N.C. State 17 on 9/9, or Western Michigan 17, Virginia 10 two weeks later). Maybe it's true, maybe I "just don't understand OSU Football." But as I watch the Falcons and Buckeyes run onto the field at Ohio Stadium Saturday, I won't see the MAC versus the Big Ten, or "David against Goliath," as I'm sure every media type in the Horseshoe will crack out the holiest of all sports clichés. The only thing I will see are the two most consistently successful college football programs in Ohio this decade. Predict a lopsided score if you must, but to me that's a pretty good match-up. It's just necessary.
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Paul M. Braverman
Assistant Sports Director/Play-by-play Announcer
Bowling Green Radio Sports Organization
88.1 FM WBGU, Bowling Green, Ohio
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Posted by Ziggyzoomba at 09:33 PM | Comments (0) rsd 1.8 lite download
