College Sports Established
1910
Location
Bowling Green, Ohio
College Name
Bowling Green State University
Collegiate History
1973 - Present / NCAA Division I
1921 - 1973 / University Division of the NCAA
Conference History
1952 - Present / MAC Conference
1942 - 1952 / Independent
1933 - 1942 / Ohio Athletic Conference
1931 - 1933 / Independent
1921 - 1931 / Northwest Ohio League
1919 - 1921 / Independent
Nickname
Falcons - Regarding college sports, few teams have a more unique nickname than the Bowling Green Falcons. But where did this unusual name come from? The answer lies in the university’s history and its connection to falconry.
The story of how Bowling Green State University got its nickname dates back to 1910 when two students at what was then known as the Ohio Normal College decided they wanted a mascot that would represent their school spirit. After much deliberation, they settled on an image of a falcon perched atop a shield with wings outstretched—the same logo used by BGSU today!
The choice of the mascot wasn't random either; there were several reasons why these two students chose this particular bird for their school's symbol. For one thing, falcons are powerful creatures known for their strength and speed—qualities that could symbolize athletic prowess and success on the field or court. Additionally, there is also some historical significance behind choosing such an animal: in medieval times, kings often kept trained birds like hawks or eagles (which are both types of falcons) as symbols of power and prestige during hunting expeditions called “falconry” – something that likely resonated with those early students who sought representation through athletics!
Today, BGSU proudly continues using its Falcon emblem across all sporting events; from football games played at Doyt Perry Stadium (named after legendary coach Doyt Perry), basketball matches held inside Anderson Arena (named after former president William Anderson), right down to volleyball tournaments hosted within Stroh Center (after long-time donor Robert Stroh). It is clear that no matter what happens on any given day - win or lose - one thing remains constant: The Falcon will always soar above them all!
NCAA Championships
Baseball 0
Men's Basketball 0
Women's Basketball 0
Football 0
Soccer 0
- 1919
- 1951
- 1961
- 2013
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The Bowling Green football team plays its first season
In 1919, the Bowling Green football team played its first season. At the time, the school was known as Bowling Green Normal College, and the team was made up of just 13 players. Despite the small roster size, the team managed to win its first game of the season, a 34-0 victory over Toledo’s Davis Business College. The team was ... -
The Bowling Green men’s basketball team wins the MAC championship
In 1951, the Bowling Green men’s basketball team won the MAC championship and advanced to the NCAA tournament. The team, led by head coach Harold Anderson, finished the regular season with a record of 16-7, including a 10-2 mark in conference play. In the MAC tournament, Bowling Green defeated Toledo in the semifinals and then knocked off Western Reserve in ... -
Legend Howard Komives
Howard Komives: Komives played for Bowling Green from 1961-1964 and is the program’s all-time leading scorer with 2,376 points. He was a three-time All-MAC selection and was drafted eighth overall in the 1964 NBA Draft. -
The Bowling Green football team wins the MAC championship and earns a trip to the Little Caesars Pizza Bowl.
In 2013, the Bowling Green football team won the MAC championship and earned a trip to the Little Caesars Pizza Bowl. The team, led by head coach Dave Clawson, finished the regular season with a record of 10-3, including a 7-1 mark in conference play. In the MAC championship game, Bowling Green faced off against Northern Illinois and emerged with ...
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History of the Falcons
Bowling Green's long-standing success can be attributed to its strong football program, which began with head coach Doyt Perry in 1951 and continued through his retirement after 30 years at the helm. During this period, Perry led BGSU to nine Mid-American Conference titles and seven bowl games, including five by-shutout victories! The team was ranked as high as #17 nationally during this era, making them one of only two teams from Ohio (alongside Ohio State) that could claim such an accomplishment since World War II ended!
In addition to football greatness, Bowling Green is known for its basketball program. It won three straight MAC championships from 1996-1998 under head coach Jim Larranaga who went on lead George Mason University’s Cinderella run into Final Four territory during 2006 NCAA Tournament play! This same year marked another milestone achievement when then-freshman guard Nate Miller became BGSU’s first-ever player drafted into NBA league action – something he accomplished while still playing collegiate ball at Falcon Stadium Arena, no less!
Last but certainly not least noteworthy is how far bowling green has come over its near century-plus existence within the collegiate athletics realm, having grown exponentially both athletically & academically alike, thanks primarily due to efforts put forth by countless coaches, student-athletes, staff members, administrators, alumni donors & fans whose collective contributions continue to make falcons proud point pride amongst midwest region universities today tomorrow beyond…
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