Bowling Green Baseball is Back After Alumni/Donors Raise $1.5 Million

The coronavirus pandemic put (and continues to put) financial stress on individuals and businesses all across the country. Schools and universities are no different and, in the case of Bowling Green University, they dropped the baseball program on May 15th as a way to relieve financial issues.

Alumni and donors came to the rescue, however, raising $1.5 million for the program over the next three years. The school announced the news with a huge orange-and-white “We’re Back” graphic on their athletics page, accompanied by a statement.

After very positive and productive dialogue with alumni and former student-athletes nationwide, Bowling Green State University is pleased to reinstate its baseball program effective immediately. In just days, our passionate baseball alumni and donors have committed $1.5 million over the next three years. During this time, the University, in partnership with a select group of baseball alumni, will pursue a long-term funding solution to sustain and support the program.

BGSU is grateful for its alumni and friends who have stepped up during this difficult time to ensure their alma mater is positioned to thrive on the other side of the current COVID-19 crisis. We are inspired by the efforts of our baseball alumni, and we look forward to continuing to cultivate and reinvigorate all BGSU alumni. We are excited for Opening Day in the spring. Ay Ziggy Zoomba!

(via Bowling Green)

According to the Toledo Blade, $500k will be used to fund the team annually over the next three years. During the three-year window, the school and former players will look for a long-term solution.

“I definitely did not think it was going to happen,” junior infielder Dylan Dohanos told the Blade. “They definitely defeated the odds.”

Bowling Green athletic director Bob Moosbrugger held a virtual press conference earlier today, noting the school is “inspired by the efforts of the baseball alumni.” He continued for over 20 minutes, talking about how they came to reinstatement and fielding questions from reporters. You can see the entire press conference below.

The Falcons were 2-11 this spring before their season was cut short by COVID-19.