This afternoon in my e-mail, I received the Alumni Association’s “E-Ziggy-Zoomba” newsletter. Normally, I give it a quick glance, realize that most of the headlines are either sports or donaton related and move along. Today’s was different. Included was a story about the passing of former university president William T. Jerome III on March 10. He was 88.

Certainly a sad day for the Falcon community and one that I hope gets a good bit of attention from the university and local media. The obituary posted by the alumni association (which I can’t find an outside link to anywhere and therefore should be step one of “good bit of attention”) is quite impressive.

The BG News has a story posted, I hope someone takes the opportunity to write a deeper piece. I don’t know if it’s the kind of thing college papers go for, but the resources are right there, many in the building which bears his name.

The Sentinel-Tribune also has an obituary posted.

The Blade wrote a nice piece about Dr. Jerome on Thursday.

A few of the highlights of his pre-BG career:

-Graduated Magna Cum Laude from Colgate
-Attended Yale Law School
-Served military intelligence during WWII
-Attended Harvard Graduate School of Business Administration for his Master’s Degree
-Received Doctorate from Harvard

In 1963, he was named the sixth president at Bowling Green State University, at the age of 43 (maybe 44). The size of the student body and faculty both doubled during his tenure, and nine Masters programs were created. In an indirect connection to BGSU, in 1970, Jerome became a consultant and vice president at Florida International University, which was formed by BG alumnus Charles E. Perry, and saw legendary coach Doyt Perry serve as athletic director and golf coach in the 1970’s. Of course, Jerome also had the library named in his honor in 1982. (See top right corner of this site.)

Pretty cool, huh? Yeah, his life gets much more interesting.

Jerome’s father was a second cousin of Winston Churchill. Yes, that Winston Churchill. He was a nationally-known attorney, serving as District Attorney in New York City for a time. (Insert Law & Order sound effect here.)

There’s also a likely link between Jerome’s mother, Hope Colgate Jerome, and the man for whom Colgate University and the toothpaste are named.

Don’t think I’ll be letting the research stop here.

Roll along, you BG warrior…

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Yesterday was one of those days in BGSU history, and more specifically BGSU Basketball history, that I’m happy to have been around for. Unfortunately, I missed the games yesterday, wasn’t even in BG at all because of house hunting… but I FELT yesterday and the importance of it.

The gift from the Stroh family is insanely generous. $8M to BGSU… the majority of that earmarked for the new convocation center which will serve as the new home court for our basketball and volleyball programs. The next House that Roars. Kerm Stroh and his wife, Mary Lou and their entire family are great people. I’ve met many of them, consider some of them friends… and I have to say, I’m not at all surprised by this gift.

A few years ago, I was up in the press box area of Anderson Arena talking to Todd Walker before a basketball game. Kerm was up there and knew who I was. He started asking questions about what it costs to run ay-ziggy-zoomba.com and if there was any way he could help. He hinted at buying me a server if I wanted/needed it… I turned him down, but what a generous offer from a man I’d never met.

I started thinking yesterday, if I had $8 million dollars I could give away, what would I do with it? I’d do exactly what Kerm and the Stroh family have done. That’s what makes this so amazing… they’re US… They’re Falcon die-hards! I see them at all the games, home and away, that I get to. I’ve seen them there forever. They’re Falcon fans…

I truly think this gift came at the most opportune time. I think we’re on the cusp of something big here at BGSU with our mens basketball program. I don’t think this gift would have had the same impact had it been made a year ago. I think the program is in a completely different spot and moving in a completely different direction than it was 12 months ago. The status quo wasn’t working. Change brings more change and the snowball is now rolling down the hill at the golf course.
Something big is happening. Maybe not this season, but we’re on the verge. I’ve never been more excited to be a Falcon… I’ve been living and breathing BGSU Men’s Basketball for over 30 years now and I’ve never been more excited.

Thank you to the whole Stroh family and everyone in the administration at BGSU who worked to make this happen. Things are happening. I can feel it.

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