The Rocket Nation offers our condolences

http://www.bcsn.tv/news_article/show/390..._id=916754

Sad day for Falcon fans and Rockets, too. Very generous, giving individual.

Very generous indeed. Didn't get much for his 20mil.

(05-30-2014 03:33 PM)rockytop Wrote:  Very generous indeed. Didn't get much for his 20mil.

Look, I'm a Rocket fan first and foremost. But rockytop, I think it's in poor taste to be that crass.

The gift was left to two foundations. BGSU doesn't have access to those funds in their entirety all at once. They'll be paid out as an endowment.

But as for what BGSU has already gotten, let me give you two examples:

1.) The reason why it reads "Bill Frack Court" at the Stroh Center? Because the guy answered a call and drove up the next day. With a check. For $1 million. Think on this for a moment: The man took a phone call. He answered, and said he'd drive up from Findlay the next day. And when he showed up, he wrote out personal check for $1 million dollars.

So rockytop, if you know anyone who works in fundraising, ask them how often that sort of thing happens. From what I hear, it's kinda rare.

2.) Was there a hotter mens basketball team last year than Wichita State? Do you think there were many hotter assistant coaches than those on the WSU staff? Time will tell whether Jans can get it done at BGSU, but there is no way a never-been-to-the-NCAA-tournament-since-the-60s sort of struggling program like BGSU could land a hot commodity like a member of the WSU staff under normal conditions. But a visibly ill Bill Frack came through *again* with the funds for Jans' contract.

Believe me, I think UT's MBB is in VERY capable hands. But a few years back do you think there were many college AD's out there asking themselves "Man, how can we capture some of that UW-Green Bay magic in a bottle?" when Coach K was hired? Again, time will tell, but under normal circumstances, the #1 assistant at a high profile program doesn't show up at a doormat MAC school, amirite?

So those are a couple of examples of what that other school has to show for two *other* generous gifts from Bill Frack.

So rockytop, I guess you're right. BGSU hasn't gotten much for the $20mil. But that's because the $20mil hasn't really started paying out *yet.* That's just how those gifts work. But believe me, if that same thing landed in any other school's lap, it could well be a game-changer.

The man was a gentleman, through and through. All MAC schools should be so lucky to have fans that loyal, despite being wealthy enough to buy Big10 skyboxes.

anybody know what he did for a living to accumulate that kind of wealth? Also - did he play basketball at BG and is that why he donated so much to the MBB team?

(05-30-2014 10:55 PM)MotoRocket Wrote:  anybody know what he did for a living to accumulate that kind of wealth? Also - did he play basketball at BG and is that why he donated so much to the MBB team?

No connection to BGSU except as life long fan. Didn't attend college, IIRC, and acquired his wealth through investments according to a Sent- Trib article.

(05-30-2014 10:55 PM)MotoRocket Wrote:  anybody know what he did for a living to accumulate that kind of wealth? Also - did he play basketball at BG and is that why he donated so much to the MBB team?

There's a pretty good article in Thursday's Findlay Courier.

He was a BGSU fan since an early age. I've been told some of his wealth was inherited, and some was made through investments. He worked as a teacher.

2.) Was there a hotter mens basketball team last year than Wichita State? Do you think there were many hotter assistant coaches than those on the WSU staff? Time will tell whether Jans can get it done at BGSU, but there is no way a never-been-to-the-NCAA-tournament-since-the-60s sort of struggling program like BGSU could land a hot commodity like a member of the WSU staff under normal conditions. But a visibly ill Bill Frack came through *again* with the funds for Jans' contract.

Regarding Jans. If he were such a hot prospect why would he go to a school that hasn't had success in decades, has the smallest arena in the league, got a salary that's still mid-level MAC and has a fan base that is about half of the UT women? I certainly didn't hear of any major schools offering him a multi-million dollar job.

(05-31-2014 09:28 AM)DetroitRocket Wrote:  2.) Was there a hotter mens basketball team last year than Wichita State? Do you think there were many hotter assistant coaches than those on the WSU staff? Time will tell whether Jans can get it done at BGSU, but there is no way a never-been-to-the-NCAA-tournament-since-the-60s sort of struggling program like BGSU could land a hot commodity like a member of the WSU staff under normal conditions. But a visibly ill Bill Frack came through *again* with the funds for Jans' contract.

Regarding Jans. If he were such a hot prospect why would he go to a school that hasn't had success in decades, has the smallest arena in the league, got a salary that's still mid-level MAC and has a fan base that is about half of the UT women? I certainly didn't hear of any major schools offering him a multi-million dollar job.

Major schools don' t hire assistants. They hire established head coaches. Timing plays a big role for top assistants- Meyer and Saban come to mind. Hopefully, Jans is neither of those but he was ready to move and BG needed a head coach. Good opportunity for him. He may be another Orr or he could be another Saban. We have no idea how fortunate ee were to get Coack K, an established head coach from a school with a better, recent, hoops tradition. MAC schools usually do it the way BG is doing it.

(05-31-2014 10:47 AM)H2Oville Rocket Wrote:  

(05-31-2014 09:28 AM)DetroitRocket Wrote:  2.) Was there a hotter mens basketball team last year than Wichita State? Do you think there were many hotter assistant coaches than those on the WSU staff? Time will tell whether Jans can get it done at BGSU, but there is no way a never-been-to-the-NCAA-tournament-since-the-60s sort of struggling program like BGSU could land a hot commodity like a member of the WSU staff under normal conditions. But a visibly ill Bill Frack came through *again* with the funds for Jans' contract.

Regarding Jans. If he were such a hot prospect why would he go to a school that hasn't had success in decades, has the smallest arena in the league, got a salary that's still mid-level MAC and has a fan base that is about half of the UT women? I certainly didn't hear of any major schools offering him a multi-million dollar job.

Major schools don' t hire assistants. They hire established head coaches. Timing plays a big role for top assistants- Meyer and Saban come to mind. Hopefully, Jans is neither of those but he was ready to move and BG needed a head coach. Good opportunity for him. He may be another Orr or he could be another Saban. We have no idea how fortunate ee were to get Coack K, an established head coach from a school with a better, recent, hoops tradition. MAC schools usually do it the way BG is doing it.

Marquette hired Steve Wojciechowski, assistant at Duke this year. And there have been others. My main points, however, were the first four: a school that hasn't had success in decades, has the smallest arena in the league, a salary that's still mid-level in the MAC and a fan base that is about half of the UT women. BG made a huge mistake building a 4,400 seat arena. If Jans is successful he'll be gone in two years.

(05-31-2014 03:24 PM)DetroitRocket Wrote:  

(05-31-2014 10:47 AM)H2Oville Rocket Wrote:  

(05-31-2014 09:28 AM)DetroitRocket Wrote:  2.) Was there a hotter mens basketball team last year than Wichita State? Do you think there were many hotter assistant coaches than those on the WSU staff? Time will tell whether Jans can get it done at BGSU, but there is no way a never-been-to-the-NCAA-tournament-since-the-60s sort of struggling program like BGSU could land a hot commodity like a member of the WSU staff under normal conditions. But a visibly ill Bill Frack came through *again* with the funds for Jans' contract.

Regarding Jans. If he were such a hot prospect why would he go to a school that hasn't had success in decades, has the smallest arena in the league, got a salary that's still mid-level MAC and has a fan base that is about half of the UT women? I certainly didn't hear of any major schools offering him a multi-million dollar job.

Major schools don' t hire assistants. They hire established head coaches. Timing plays a big role for top assistants- Meyer and Saban come to mind. Hopefully, Jans is neither of those but he was ready to move and BG needed a head coach. Good opportunity for him. He may be another Orr or he could be another Saban. We have no idea how fortunate ee were to get Coack K, an established head coach from a school with a better, recent, hoops tradition. MAC schools usually do it the way BG is doing it.

Marquette hired Steve Wojciechowski, assistant at Duke this year. And there have been others. My main points, however, were the first four: a school that hasn't had success in decades, has the smallest arena in the league, a salary that's still mid-level in the MAC and a fan base that is about half of the UT women. BG made a huge mistake building a 4,400 seat arena. If Jans is successful he'll be gone in two years.

Marquette a major hoops school? But yeah, you're right, BG probably overbuilt Stroh.

My turn to be crass........bgsucks didn't get much for $ 20 million......

UT hired a supposedly top assistant from a supposedly top basketball program called Notre Dame and all Toledo got was a coach that worked more on scoring off the court and a bunch of losses.

DR, continual your slamming of the size of the Stroh is just plain idiotic. I posted awhile back the average attendance figures for the entire MAC and only like 2 or 3 schools average more fans than what the Stroh seats.

And BG has NEVER averaged that many fans for basketball in my entire lifetime. AA was NEVER regularly filled to its capacity.

The size of the building is fine. Drop it.

Anyway. Thanks to those who posted the kind words. And redglare, that was an awesome post. Thanks. +3.

I have a feeling there will be more coming to BGSU once his will is read.

(05-30-2014 10:55 PM)MotoRocket Wrote:  anybody know what he did for a living to accumulate that kind of wealth? Also - did he play basketball at BG and is that why he donated so much to the MBB team?

His father took a job at BGSU back in the 1940's I believe. That was when he passion for Falcon basketball started. If you ever talked with him, he would talk about players from the 40's-50's-and-60's and you could just see him watching them all over again.

He enrolled at the university when he graduated from high school and then left college to join the Army. When he returned from his stint in the Army, he enrolled at Findlay University and graduated with a degree in education.

He never married (smart man) and while I do not know if he inherited much money, he did invest his money. Evidently pretty well. The value of the gift was $10 Million just a few years ago and now its doubled.

The night of the BG-UT game at BG, I was very worried about his health. He appeared to be having some trouble that evening. But he was right back for the next home game. But some of us just had the feeling that this might be his last year with us. So sad indeed.

Not sure why this ridiculousness about the seating capacity of the Stroh Center is coming up again. When we sell it out for five year straight in the post-Jans era after making it to the tourney, then we can discuss if we made it too small or if we need to raise the price of admission. Right now, I think it's just the right size.

(06-02-2014 02:39 PM)Pulltown Falcon Wrote:  

(05-30-2014 10:55 PM)MotoRocket Wrote:  anybody know what he did for a living to accumulate that kind of wealth? Also - did he play basketball at BG and is that why he donated so much to the MBB team?

His father took a job at BGSU back in the 1940's I believe. That was when he passion for Falcon basketball started. If you ever talked with him, he would talk about players from the 40's-50's-and-60's and you could just see him watching them all over again.

He enrolled at the university when he graduated from high school and then left college to join the Army. When he returned from his stint in the Army, he enrolled at Findlay University and graduated with a degree in education.

He never married (smart man) and while I do not know if he inherited much money, he did invest his money. Evidently pretty well. The value of the gift was $10 Million just a few years ago and now its doubled.

The night of the BG-UT game at BG, I was very worried about his health. He appeared to be having some trouble that evening. But he was right back for the next home game. But some of us just had the feeling that this might be his last year with us. So sad indeed.

Not sure why this ridiculousness about the seating capacity of the Stroh Center is coming up again. When we sell it out for five year straight in the post-Jans era after making it to the tourney, then we can discuss if we made it too small or if we need to raise the price of admission. Right now, I think it's just the right size.

We're arguing that it's too BIG? I figured about 1,500 was right.

(06-02-2014 03:31 PM)H2Oville Rocket Wrote:  

(06-02-2014 02:39 PM)Pulltown Falcon Wrote:  

(05-30-2014 10:55 PM)MotoRocket Wrote:  anybody know what he did for a living to accumulate that kind of wealth? Also - did he play basketball at BG and is that why he donated so much to the MBB team?

His father took a job at BGSU back in the 1940's I believe. That was when he passion for Falcon basketball started. If you ever talked with him, he would talk about players from the 40's-50's-and-60's and you could just see him watching them all over again.

He enrolled at the university when he graduated from high school and then left college to join the Army. When he returned from his stint in the Army, he enrolled at Findlay University and graduated with a degree in education.

He never married (smart man) and while I do not know if he inherited much money, he did invest his money. Evidently pretty well. The value of the gift was $10 Million just a few years ago and now its doubled.

The night of the BG-UT game at BG, I was very worried about his health. He appeared to be having some trouble that evening. But he was right back for the next home game. But some of us just had the feeling that this might be his last year with us. So sad indeed.

Not sure why this ridiculousness about the seating capacity of the Stroh Center is coming up again. When we sell it out for five year straight in the post-Jans era after making it to the tourney, then we can discuss if we made it too small or if we need to raise the price of admission. Right now, I think it's just the right size.

We're arguing that it's too BIG? I figured about 1,500 was right.

WWAAAAAYYYYYYYYYY TTTOOOOOO BBBBIIIIIIIGGGGGGGGG!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

A few things in this thread:

1. I'm sorry to hear about Bill Frack's passing. He was a very generous person and his generosity will continue well after his death.
2. Marquette is a major basketball program. Anybody who says otherwise doesn't know jack about college basketball.
3. Not all assistant coaching jobs are the same. You may share the same title, but an assistant at Duke and an assistant at Wichita State are apples and oranges. You take an assistant job at Duke, Kentucky, Kansas, Florida, UNC, etc with the mentality that the step is a major head coaching position.
4. I think BG made a very good hire with Jans. He knows how to recruit and coach a mid-major to the top, which is something major assistants (like Gene Cross) have never done.

One confounding part of the $1 million dollar Bill Frack donation is the fact that BG needed that just to get the coach they wanted. I sense that things are not good down there finiancially for athletics. Attendance is not good overall in MBB, WBB and FB. Not sure on Hockey. That being said, you have to have great respect for Mr. Frack's loyalty to BG. A person in that position could make numerous significant donations. You have to believe that he was given that chance from numerous requests. RIP Mr. Frack.

(06-03-2014 07:50 AM)Rocket Pirate Wrote:  A few things in this thread:

1. I'm sorry to hear about Bill Frack's passing. He was a very generous person and his generosity will continue well after his death.
2. Marquette is a major basketball program. Anybody who says otherwise doesn't know jack about college basketball.
3. Not all assistant coaching jobs are the same. You may share the same title, but an assistant at Duke and an assistant at Wichita State are apples and oranges. You take an assistant job at Duke, Kentucky, Kansas, Florida, UNC, etc with the mentality that the step is a major head coaching position.
4. I think BG made a very good hire with Jans. He knows how to recruit and coach a mid-major to thce top, which is something major assistants (like Gene Cross) have never done.

Oh, I know jack about college basketball. Guess we' ll have to disagree over definition of " major".