Vivians donate $250,000 to BG Ice Arena

11/15/2009

BOWLING GREEN - Jack Vivian was Bowling Green State University's first hockey coach when the program started in 1967.

He and his wife, Elaine, recently extended their ties to the program by donating $250,000 in support of BG Ice Arena. The contribution was made public at a reception yesterday in honor of the 1969 and 1984 Falcon teams prior to the game against Alaska.

"Jack Vivian established hockey at BGSU and has been a tremendous supporter over the years," BGSU president Carol Cartwright said. "I don't think anyone is surprised that he was the first to step forward with a gift for the campaign."

The university commenced the fund-raising push "Bring Back the Glory Campaign" in October in an effort to raise $5 million to "endow scholarships for the program and enhance the Ice Arena."

"I can not imagine BGSU and the community without hockey," Jack Vivian said. "That is why Elaine and I want to continue to support the program and work in concert with the university, former players, and the community to restore the arena."

Vivian, the CEO of JRV Consulting, a firm that specializes in ice arena construction and management, played a major role in the formation of the Central Collegiate Hockey Association and was the league's first commissioner.

BG native and Olympic gold medalist in figure skating Scott Hamilton serves as the campaign's honorary chairman. Garry Galley and Mike Pikul, who were members of the Falcons' 1984 national championship team, are co-chairs for campaign.

Four million dollars appropriated by the state and the university will assist in the project, according to Cartwright.

- Donald Emmons