BOWLING GREEN, Ohio – Bowling Green State University Athletics will host a special panel discussion titled "The Significance of College Football in America" on Thurs., Aug. 28, at 1:30 p.m. in the Bowen-Thompson Student Union's Lenhart Grand Ballroom. The event will take place just hours before BGSU's home opener against Lafayette at Doyt Perry Stadium, which marks the debut of Eddie George, the Mike and Jan Wilcox Bowling Green Football Head Coach. 
 

The panel brings together some of the most respected voices in college football, including the return of Urban Meyer, who launched his head coaching career at BGSU and led the Falcons to national prominence. Meyer will be also honored during the game that evening as part of the National Football Foundation's Hall of Fame On-Campus Salute. Meyer will be officially inducted into the College Football Hall of Fame this December.  
 

Joining Meyer on the panel are several influential leaders in the sport. Former Ohio State head coach John Cooper, who coached Eddie George during his Heisman Trophy-winning career, will share his perspective on the game's evolution. Lt. General Richard Clark, the Executive Director of the College Football Playoff, played college football at the Air Force Academy and later served as AFA's Superintendent from 2020-24, which is equivalent to a school's president. Lt. General Clark was named executive director of the College Football Playoff in November 2023 to replace the retiring Bill Hancock. Clark officially began his leadership role with the CFP in June 2024 after a distinguished 38-year career in the Air Force. 
 
Also participating is Lt. Gov. Jim Tressel, who won five national championships in the state of Ohio—four at Youngstown State and one at Ohio State—before serving as president of Youngstown State University. Since February 2025, Tressel has served the state of Ohio as its Lieutenant Governor. Additional speakers may be announced closer to the event. The panel will be moderated by longtime local broadcaster Jerry Anderson. 

"College football has long been a force that unites people, campuses, and communities across the country," said BGSU Vice President for Athletics Strategy Derek van der Merwe. "To welcome back some of the most respected leaders in the sport—including those with deep roots here at Bowling Green—is an extraordinary moment for our University and our fans. This panel is not just a celebration of our history, but also a powerful conversation about the role college football continues to play in shaping our culture and inspiring future generations. We are honored to host this event as we kick off a new era of Falcon Football and celebrate Coach Urban Meyer for his induction into the College Football Hall of Fame." 

Mid-American Conference Commissioner Dr. Jon Steinbrecher will also be in attendance for both the panel and that evening's game to honor Coach Meyer's career celebration.  

Doors for the panel will open at 12:30 p.m. for BGSU students, Falcon Club donors, and corporate partners. Falcon Club members and corporate partners will receive a direct email invitation with RSVP information, and the event is complimentary. However, seating is limited to the first 300 Falcon Club members and corporate partners who RSVP. Doors will open for the general public at 1 p.m. for any remaining available seats. The panel will begin promptly at 1:30 p.m. Fans who wish to join the Falcon Club to receive invitations like this may do so online by clicking here. Parking is free for guests who register their vehicle license plate at the check-in table on the day of the event anyone attending this exclusive event, located in Lot 7 (Sections B, C & D only), Lot E, F & 4, and any other lot around the Student Union (excluding Lot 7 Section A) on the day of the event. Click here to view the map. You will need to register your vehicle at the check-in table, located in the Student Union outside of the Ballroom, by scanning the QR code.    

Later that evening, Bowling Green hosts Lafayette at 6 p.m. at Doyt L. Perry Stadium. The contest not only opens the Falcons' 107th season of football, but also ushers in a new era under head coach Eddie George, one of the most iconic names in the history of the sport. The day promises to be a powerful celebration of the game's past, present, and future. 
 
Fans can still purchase tickets for the season opener by clicking here, or call the BGSU Ticket Office at 877-BGSU TICKET (877-2478-8425).