The "Orange Army" campaign is a department initiative to enhance engagement and communication with alumni and BGSU faithful and connect them directly with the mission of building successful sport programs.      

If you have donated any size in the last year to the Athletics Department, you are already an important part of this army.  However, we still need you to participate in this campaign by helping us to identify friends, family, and alumni who may not be part of the army but should be!    

Falcon faithful will be asked to participate by making a contribution of any size and/or referring others to join in giving to the Athletics fund of their choice by June 30.  This campaign has a goal of 4,000 unique donors at any amount by June 30.   

"President Rodney Rogers has talked all year about the growth and momentum of Bowling Green State University in the last few years.  This momentum has been defined by an increased participation by BGSU faithful around the country who are taking action to support the success of this University," said Vice President for Athletics Strategy Derek van der Merwe.   "The BGSU Athletics Department is directly meeting the changing landscape of college athletics challenges head on by continuing to expand the community of supporters who wrap themselves around each one of our sport programs.  In the last two years, we have doubled unique donors to our programs.  It is time to take another step and engage another generation of Falcon faithful."    

For BGSU Athletics to build on the University's momentum, we need everyone working together, pushing relentlessly toward improvement, innovation, and success. In other words, we need the 'Orange Army' to unite in every possible way and be a part of our success." 

Falcons are strongly encouraged to renew, or start, their annual Falcon Club membership by making a contribution of any amount to the "Orange Army" during the University-wide BGSU One Day, April 2-3.  Gifts can be made starting March 1, as the University opens its "early giving" window for One Day contributions.  Any contribution to the Falcon Club between March 1 and the 36-hour One Day event in April can set up your Falcon Club membership for the upcoming year, making for a great alignment between these two critical initiatives.  Minimum Falcon Club membership remains just $120 annually or $10 per month. 

Referrals will be reported throughout the campaign as new donors join the campaign.  Those who enlist as many as five new contributors to the campaign will receive an exclusive "Orange Army" campaign t-shirt and will be invited to private campaign dinner hosted by the Director of Athletics. 

"With the generous help of our fans, past supporters, NEW supporters, letter winners, and members of the greater Bowling Green community, we will continue to be an asset to this University. A fully committed Orange Army is critical to the future of BGSU Athletics," says van der Merwe. 
 
BGSU Athletics continues to effectively compete in a highly competitive Division I-FBS landscape. BGSU is one of 16 FBS programs with both football and men's hockey.  What makes us unique is our fan base and its loyalty to our growth and mission.  The goal for this year's annual fund campaign is to help the athletics department navigate the financial ramifications brought on by changes across the landscape of college athletics, while positioning all Falcon student-athletes for future success. 

"Supporters of Falcon Athletics have a unique opportunity to set up their membership for the upcoming Falcon Club year AND participate in BGSU One Day with one transaction starting March 1st," said Senior Associate Athletic Director Dan Meyer.  "What an exciting way to kick off our Orange Army campaign, while supporting this critical University initiative!" 

For more information on the Orange Army, supporters are encouraged to contact Falcon Club Coordinator Lindsay Klemm at lklemm@bgsu.edu, or Assistant AD for Ticket Sales & Annual Giving Will O'Leary at woleary@bgsu.edu.