With the Spring Semester upon us, BGSU Athletics had plenty of news that happened during Winter Break while students were away from campus.

Here are some of the biggest stories that went down:

Volleyball falls to Arizona in the NIVC Championship 

Back in December, BGSU volleyball’s incredible run in the 2024 NIVC ended after a five-set loss to Arizona. The Orange and Brown were up 2-1 before losing the fourth and fifth set to the Wildcats.

Despite the loss in the final, this was the deepest postseason run Bowling Green made in program history by date. The Falcons also had 10 aces in the match, which broke the program’s single-season aces record. Additionally, Alexis Mettille secured her spot in the BGVB record book, breaking the program records for single-season and career-hitting percentages.

The Falcons finished the season 25-10 and 16-2 in Mid-American Conference (MAC) play and won the MAC regular-season title.

Danijela Tomic leaves BGSU volleyball to become Cincinnati Bearcats head coach.

Just a week after the Falcons season ended, it was announced that head coach Danijela Tomic will depart Bowling Green after 13 years to take over as the head coach at the University of Cincinnati.

Tomic departed BG as the second-winningest coach in program history with a 236-161 record and collected a program-best seven MAC championships. She also earned MAC Coach of the Year three times (2017, 2020-21, 2024).

During her 13 seasons with the Falcons, Tomic led the program to seven postseason appearances. The NCAA Tournament three times (2012, 2020-21, and 2022), along with four NIVC runs (2017, 2018, 2019, and 2024).

“As I prepare to take the next step in my coaching journey, my heart is overflowing with love and gratitude for Bowling Green State University and the incredible Falcon community,” said Tomic following her departure. “Leading and building BGVB into a standard of championship culture has been one of the most rewarding experiences of my life.”

Football falls to Arkansas State 38-31 in 68 Ventures Bowl

One of the more disappointing results during the break, BGSU football was unable to bring home their first bowl win since 2015, losing to Arkansas State on Boxing Day.

The Falcons manage more total yards (475), passing yards (433), and yards per play (6.5) than the Red Wolves. But special teams made a huge difference in the outcome of the game, with BG kicker Zach Long making just one of his four field goal attempts, including one being blocked by Arkansas State.

“We had some very costly penalties, should have been off the field on third down and we weren’t because of a penalty that shouldn’t have occurred. A complete no-talent issue said BGSU football head coach Scot Loeffler postgame. “We jumped offsides two times in the red and didn’t play well on [special] teams, missed checks. That was completely outside of who we are. We have to evaluate that and we have to figure that out.”

Bowling Green finished the season 7-6 overall and 6-2 in MAC play, narrowly missing out on a MAC championship appearance.

Tight end Harold Fannin Jr. breaks not one, but two FBS records

In the loss against Arkansas State in the 68 Ventures Bowl, star junior tight-end Harold Fannin Jr. broke the FBS single-season tight end records for both receiving yards and receptions. In the game, Fannin had 17 catches for 213 receiving yards and a touchdown, which also broke the 68 Ventures Bowl record for receptions in a game.

The John Mackey Award finalist was also named the Most Valuable Player of the bowl game. He was named the 2024 MAC Offensive Player of the Year and the MAC’s Vern Smith Leadership Award (League Overall MVP).

Fannin, who declared for the 2025 NFL Draft, finished his multi-record-breaking season with 117 receptions for 1,555 yards and 10 touchdowns. He became the first BGSU’s first-ever Consensus All-American and is now first in the NCAA FBS Record Book as number one in all-time single-season receiving yards and in receptions by a tight end, along with other multiple records.

Men’s soccer’s Trace Terry was drafted by Seattle Sounders FC in the 2025 MLS SuperDraft

BGSU men’s soccer junior forward Trace Terry was selected by Major League Soccer’s (MLS) Seattle Sounders FC in the third round (76th overall) of the 2025 MLS SuperDraft.

The junior from Bellbrook, Ohio, became just the sixth Falcon in program history to be drafted.

Terry is coming off a season in which he was named a United Soccer Coaches All-American, scoring 12 goals and adding five assists. In the Top Drawer Soccer Midseason Top 100 list in mid-October, Terry was ranked the No. 16 player in the nation. 

He was also a part of the All-Missouri Valley Conference (MVC) First Team and MVC’s All-Tournament Team and was also awarded a spot in the United Soccer Coaches All-West Region First Team.

“We are thrilled for Trace and the incredible opportunity ahead of him,” said BGSU head coach Eric Nichols. “Seattle is gaining not only an exceptional player but also an outstanding individual. The most exciting part is that Trace’s best days are still to come, and we are thrilled to be a part of this journey with him.”

In his three seasons with the Falcons, Terry appeared in 51 games, made 36 starts, and scored 18 goals while posting 11 assists.

Javonte Campbell records men’s basketball’s first triple-double since 2007

In BGSU men’s basketball’s game against Aquinas College on Dec. 23, Javontae Campbell recorded 11 points, 11 rebounds and 10 assists for the program’s first triple-double since 2007.

Campbell’s triple-double was the second in the MAC this season (Buffalo’s Taylor Dunn) and was the 11th triple-double in the country this season.

“He’s a tough kid, and he can get you 30 (points) or he can get you a triple-double; there’s a lot of different ways he can beat you,” said BGSU head coach Todd Simon.

In that came against Aquinas College, Campbell became the first Falcon with double-digit assists since Samari Curtis, who had 10 against Norfolk State back on Dec. 14, 2022.

BGSU volleyball promotes Alex DelPiombo as head coach

Following the same day as the departure of Tomic (Dec. 23, 2024), the program announced the promotion of Alex DelPiombo as the next head coach of the BGSU volleyball program.

“I am deeply honored to be named the head coach of Bowling Green State University’s Volleyball program,” said DelPiombo in a press release. “I would like to thank President Rogers, Director of Athletics Derek van der Merwe, and Deputy Athletic Director Stacy Kosiak for their trust and support.”

DelPiombo joined the BGSU volleyball staff in 2016, and under Tomic, she posted a 186-91 overall record and a 125-32 mark in MAC play.  She was a part of the 2017, 2018, and 2024 regular-season titles and tournament championships in 2020-21 and 2022.