BGSU’s men’s and women’s basketball teams hosted the third annual Hoops Night on Tuesday, where the Bowling Green community and BGSU students celebrated the upcoming basketball season.
“An incredible evening, couldn’t ask for a better night,” said women’s basketball head coach Fred Chmiel. “Had the (Falcon Fanatics) out, the men’s team, women’s team out, some students. So, we’re looking forward to the season.”
After two seasons of being held at the Stroh Center, Sunday marked the first time Hoops Night has been held outside and outside in its short history, as it took place around the BGSU letters at the heart of campus.
“Every year we try to do some more unique things and bringing it outdoors by the letters by the union, just another way to keep being unique and try to keep it fresh,” said men’s basketball head coach Todd Simon. “Every year, we’ve kinda added to it, and I think the buzz and environment continues to be unique and unique to BG.”
The event included both the 2025-26 BGSU men’s and women’s basketball teams in attendance, and the newest addition to the Stroh Center pregame festivities—a siren which will be cranked by a Bowling Green student before every game—and a packet handed out to the attendees, which includes the men’s and women’s team rosters plus the home schedule for the season.
The festivities included several games, which included knockout, a three-point contest and scoring competition between teams of three, involving students and players/coaches from both teams.
“Anytime you can get all these student athletes in one place, especially our basketball teams, you’re going to have huge personalities here,” said Jackson Heebsh, a third-year fashion merchandizing major and Falcon Fanatic. “They do a great job of getting the fans involved.”
The final component of the night was teaching the new students the chants of the Stroh Center and continuing the encouragement of coming to the Stroh to support the teams.
“Obviously, we’ve got a lot of new people in the building, so, you know, it’s nice to give them a nice warm welcome to BG; it’s really fun,” said Heebsh.
Men’s basketball will officially start their season on Nov. 3 against Texas State at the Stroh Center. However, the team will have an exhibition game at Michigan State on Oct. 23 and at Dayton on Oct. 27.
Women’s basketball will also start their season on Nov. 3 in Lafayette, Louisiana, against Louisiana. They will play Wooster in an exhibition on Oct. 24 at the Stroh Center.
