toledoblade.com --

BOWLING GREEN - Luckily for the staff members who supplied Greg Christopher's family with Bowling Green State University gear yesterday, they came stocked.

First of all, there were many open hands to satisfy: the new BGSU athletic director brought his wife, their three children and his parents with him from West Lafayette, Ind., to be introduced at the Ice Arena.

Second, the group wanted everything: hats, T-shirts, pins, polos. As the festivities wrapped up, Christopher's mother, Joyce, wiped away proud tears, and his children (Zachary, 10, Megan, 8, and Allison, 6) dug through the pile of orange and brown goodies.

"By all accounts, this is a terrific opportunity, and I am honored," Christopher said.

The school's 12th athletic director, Christopher will start July 24. He displayed a likable personality in his comments yesterday, perhaps one reason he has had fund-raising success. Christopher's work at Purdue for the last nine years with the John Purdue Club, the athletic department's primary fund-raising entity, was crucial to him getting his first top job.

"[Fund-raising] is the ability to build relationships," Christopher said.

"You've got to connect with the people but then you also have to have the vision of the university."

Christopher received his bachelor's and master's degrees at rival Miami University. He walked on to the football team his freshman year but had to quit because of multiple concussions. Christopher started his career in media then turned to the fields of marketing and fund-raising.

As the associate athletic director of external relations, Christopher was involved in raising money to develop indoor golf and tennis training centers, an aquatic center and to renovate Purdue's football stadium.

"What comes across right away is his energy and passion for collegiate athletics, which to me is the No. 1 attribute that Greg's going to bring with him," BGSU hockey coach Scott Paluch said. "Our athletic department and a lot of our programs are doing so well, so it's a great time for Greg to come in and bring that enthusiasm."

Christopher replaces Paul Krebs, who left after seven years at BGSU for the University of New Mexico. Krebs spearheaded the funding for $8.7 million Sebo Athletic Center, currently being constructed at Perry Stadium. BGSU officials hope Christopher can maintain Krebs' success.

"You're looking for somebody who will continue to build on what Paul has done," BGSU vice president of student affairs Ed Whipple said. "This wasn't the time to hire somebody who was going to go into a different direction.

Greg has many of the skills that are really going to allow him to continue some of those things that Paul started."

Christopher briefly mentioned priorities of facility improvement, attendance and adding a women's sport in the next few years. But first he wants to have one-on-one meetings with each athletic department employee.

"Resources are critical, and I think Bowling Green is in a solid foundation, but there's no doubt that more resources are necessary," Christopher said.

"I know that the university is committed to those resources, to taking the athletic department to the next level, but it is also incumbent upon this department to go out and increase the resources. And, from my conversations with trustees and other alums, I think they are excited about that opportunity."

Contact Maureen Fulton at:
mfulton@theblade.com
or 419-724-6160.

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