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The Western Michigan Broncos are a National Collegiate Athletic Association (NCAA) Division I program representing Western Michigan University (WMU) in college athletics. They compete in the Mid-American Conference in men's baseball, basketball, football (within the Football Bowl Subdivision), and tennis; and women's basketball, cross-country, golf, gymnastics, soccer, softball, track and field, and volleyball. The men's ice hockey team competes in the National Collegiate Hockey Conference and the men's soccer team competes in the Missouri Valley Conference. The Broncos also have a flight team, the SkyBroncos, who have won the National Intercollegiate Flying Association (NIFA) National Championship award five times.
| Western Michigan Broncos | |
|---|---|
 | |
| University | Western Michigan University |
| Conference | MAC (primary) NCHC (men's hockey) MVC (men's soccer) |
| NCAA | Division I (FBS) |
| Athletic director | Dan Bartholomae |
| Location | Kalamazoo, Michigan |
| Varsity teams | 16 |
| Football stadium | Waldo Stadium |
| Basketball arena | University Arena |
| Ice hockey arena | Lawson Arena |
| Baseball stadium | Hyames Field |
| Softball stadium | Ebert Field |
| Soccer stadium | WMU Soccer Complex |
| Mascot | Buster Bronco |
| Nickname | Broncos |
| Colors | Brown and gold[1] |
| Website | wmubroncos |
 | |
The Broncos have won two NCAA national championships. The men's cross country team won the NCAA title in 1964 and 1965. WMU finished as national runners up in 1955 for baseball and 1958 for men's cross country.
The facilities include Waldo Stadium (football), University Arena (men's and women's basketball, volleyball), Lawson Arena (hockey), Hyames Field (baseball), Ebert Field (softball), Sorensen Courts/West Hills Athletic Club (men's and women's tennis), and Kanley Track (women's track and field). The soccer teams compete at the WMU Soccer Complex located near the Parkview Campus.
The school's primary rival is Central Michigan University.
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WMU athletic teams were once known as the Hilltoppers, a reference to the school's location on top of Prospect Hill, but changed their nickname in 1939 to the Broncos to avoid confusion with teams of other schools such as the Western Kentucky Hilltoppers.[2] John Gill, an assistant coach on the football team who later served as head coach, coined the new athletic nickname after approval for the name change was granted by the school's athletic board. In 2011, WMU commissioned artist Revere La Noue to create a 6,500-square-foot building wrap representing the Broncos for the 2011 ArtPrize competition. WMU president John Dunn has said that the work, "Epic Broncos", captures the "history and pride of being a Bronco".[3]
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A member of the West Division of the Mid-American Conference, Western Michigan sponsors teams in 6 men's and 9 women's NCAA sanctioned sports.[4]
| Men's sports | Women's sports |
|---|---|
| Baseball | Basketball |
| Basketball | Cross country |
| Football | Golf |
| Ice hockey[v 1] | Gymnastics |
| Soccer | Soccer |
| Tennis | Softball |
| Tennis | |
| Track & field† | |
| Volleyball | |
| † – Track and field includes both indoor and outdoor. | |
- Notes
- The hockey team competes as a member of the National Collegiate Hockey Conference.
Baseball
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The baseball team has represented WMU since its first season in 1911, compiling an overall record of 1,822–1349–23 (.574) through 2012.[5] They have appeared in the College World Series six times, most recently in 1963. In the 1955 College World Series, WMU finished as the NCAA runner-up, losing to Wake Forest 7–6 in the championship game.[5]
WMU has won 15 Mid-American Conference championships, including 13 of 19 from 1949 to 1967 and most recently, the conference tournament in 2016.
The Broncos are coached by Billy Gernon.
Basketball
Football
Hockey
Soccer (men's)
The men's soccer team won the MAC tournament championship in 2003 and 2022. They are coached by Chad Wiseman. A famous former player is Rob Friend, who transferred to the University of California, Santa Barbara's Men's Soccer program. He plays in Major League Soccer (MLS) for the LA Galaxy, as well as the Canadian National Team.
The Broncos moved men's soccer to the Missouri Valley Conference in 2023, following the MAC discontinuing sponsorship of men's soccer after the 2022 season.
Soccer (women's)
On November 9, 2013, Western Michigan women's soccer team won the Mid-American Conference tournament championship and a trip to the NCAA tournament. The MAC Championship is the second for the program, coming 10 years from the first one in 2003.
Softball
The Bronco softball team has appeared in three Women's College World Series, in 1980, 1981 and 1982 (NCAA).[6]
Volleyball
The volleyball team has been competing at Western Michigan University since 1965. In that span, the team has won 10 MAC regular season championships (1982, 1983, 1984, 1985, 1986, 1987, 1988, 2000, 2008 and 2023) and 7 MAC tournament championships (1982, 1987, 1988, 1989, 2000, 2014 and 2023). Through the 2022 season, WMU's all-time overall record is 1064–778–9 (.577) and conference record is 426–222 (.657).
The Broncos are coached by Colleen Munson. In her eighteen years at WMU, she has compiled a 349–220 (.613) record.
WMU won the MAC regular season championship the first eight seasons it was in existence without losing a match, compiling an 86–0 record.
In 2013, the Broncos went undefeated in the league (18–0) and went on to win the tournament championship. They defeated No.7 seeded Auburn in the first round of the 2023 NCAA Division I women's volleyball tournament and will take on No. 2 Louisville.
NCAA tournament results
| Season | Round | Seed | Rival | Result |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1982 | First round (28 teams) | – | at No. 12 BYU | L 3–0 (15–10, 15–7, 15–7) |
| 1983 | First round (28 teams) | – | vs. No. 7 Nebraska | W 3–1 (9–15, 15–12, 15–12, 15–8) |
| 1983 | Regional semifinal (16 teams) | – | at No. 10 Purdue | W 3–2 (15–3, 9–15, 15–9, 14–16, 15–10) |
| 1983 | Regional final (8 teams) | – | at No. 3 UCLA | L 3–0 (15–6, 15–8, 15–12) |
| 1984 | First round (28 teams) | – | at No. 12 Illinois State | W 3–1 (15–13, 9–15, 15–8, 17–15) |
| 1984 | Regional semifinal (16 teams) | – | at No. 7 Nebraska | L 1–3 (12–15, 10–15, 15–8, 7–15) |
| 1985 | First round (28 teams) | – | at No. 10 Illinois | L, 1–3 (9–15, 11–15, 15–12, 12–15) |
| 1986 | First round (32 teams) | – | at No. 19 Colorado State | W, 3–0 (16–14, 15–2, 15–12) |
| 1986 | Regional semifinal (16 teams) | – | at No. 12 Illinois | L, 0–3 (5–15, 10–15, 4–15) |
| 1987 | First round (32 teams) | – | at Oklahoma | W, 3–0 (15–3, 15–8, 15–9) |
| 1987 | Regional semifinal (16 teams) | – | at No. 7 Illinois | L, 2–3 (11–15, 15–9, 7–15, 15–12, 10–15) |
| 1988 | First round (32 teams) | – | at No. 7 Texas | L, 0–3 (10–15, 14–16, 3–15) |
| 2000 | First round (64 teams) | – | vs. Northern Iowa | L, 1–3 (14–16, 15–8, 7–15, 8–15) |
| 2008 | First round (64 teams) | – | at Dayton | W, 3–1 (21–25, 26–24, 25–23, 25–18) |
| 2008 | Second round (32 teams) | – | vs. No. 16 Tulane | W, 3–2 (20–25, 25–21, 13–25, 25–19, 15–12) |
| 2008 | Regional semifinals (16 teams) | – | at No. 1 Penn State | L, 0–3 (17–25, 12–25, 19–25) |
| 2011 | First round (64 teams) | – | vs. No. 11 Washington | L, 1–3 (13–25, 25–20, 22–25, 25–16) |
| 2014 | First round (64 teams) | – | vs. No. 4 Wisconsin | L, 0–3 (9–24, 24–26, 10–25) |
| 2023 | First round (64 teams) | – | vs. No. 7 Auburn | W 3–0 (25–18, 25–17, 25–19) |
| 2023 | Second round (32 teams) | – | at No. 2 Louisville | L 3–0 (26–24, 25–18, 25–22) |
Other varsity sports
The men's cross country team won the NCAA Division I championship in 1964 and 1965,[7] and finished as national runners up in 1958.
The women's gymnastics team won the MAC championship in 2006 and 2013.
The Broncos track and field sprint medley relay team is currently[when?] ranked #1 in the NCAA.[8]
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For the 2010–11 season, WMU was awarded the Cartwright Award, given to one MAC program each season for excellence in academics, athletics and citizenship.[9] For the season, WMU won the Jacoby Trophy (most successful women's program) and finished second for the Reese Trophy (most successful men's program).[9]
NCAA Division I National Championships
- Cross Country (Men's) (2)
- 1964 • 1965
NCAA Division I National Runners-up
- Baseball (1)
- Cross Country (Men's) (1)
- 1958
MAC championships
- Baseball (15 championships)
- Regular season (14): 1989 • 1967 • 1966 • 1963 • 1962 • 1961 • 1959 • 1958 • 1957 • 1955 • 1952 • 1951 • 1950 • 1949
- Tournament (1): 2016
- Basketball (Men's) (13)
- Regular season (11): 2013–14 (West Division) • 2012–13 (West Division) • 2010–11 (West Division) • 2008–09 (West Division) • 2007–08 (West Division) • 2004–05 (West Division) • 2003–04 (West Division) • 1997–98 (West Division) • 1980–81 • 1975–76 • 1951–52
- Tournament (2): 2014 • 2004
- Basketball (Women's) (3)
- Regular season (1): 1999–2000 (West Division)
- Tournament (2): 2003 • 1985
- Cross Country (Men's) (14)
- MAC Championships: 1980 • 1979 • 1977 • 1976 • 1970 • 1968 • 1966 • 1963 • 1961 • 1960 • 1959 • 1958 • 1957 • 1948
- Cross Country (Women's) (4)
- MAC Championships: 1993 • 1986 • 1985 • 1984
- Football (5)
- Regular season: 2000 (West Division) • 1999 (West Division) • 1988 • 1966 • 2015 (Co-West Division) • 2016
- MAC Championship: 2016
- Golf (Men's) (1)
- MAC Championships: 1949
- Gymnastics (4)
- Regular season (3): 2006 • 1987 • 1986
- Tournament (1): 2006
- Soccer (Men's) (1)
- Regular season: None
- Tournament (1): 2003
- Soccer (Women's) (1)
- Regular season: None
- Tournament (2): 2003, 2015
- Softball (4)
- Regular season (3): 2006 • 1984 (Western Division) • 1983 (Western Division)
- Tournament (1): 2003
- Swimming and Diving (Men's) (2)
- Regular season: 1964 • 1963
- MAC Championships: None
- Tennis (Men's) (30)
- Regular season (22): 2015, 2009 • 2008 • 2007 • 2004 • 2000 • 1999 • 1981 • 1965 • 1964 • 1963 • 1962 • 1961 • 1960 • 1959 • 1958 • 1957 • 1956 • 1955 • 1954 • 1952 • 1950
- Tournament (8): 2016, 2010 • 2009 • 2008 • 2007 • 2006 • 2004 • 2001
- Tennis (Women's) (15)
- Regular season (11): 2008 • 2007 • 2006 • 2005 • 2001 • 2000 • 1999 • 1997 • 1995 • 1990 • 1984
- Tournament (4): 2007 • 2006 • 2000 • 1999
- Track and Field (Men's) (18)
- Regular season: 1996 • 1995 • 1985 • 1980 • 1976 • 1971 • 1970 • 1969 • 1968 • 1966 • 1965 • 1964 • 1963 • 1962 • 1961 • 1960 • 1959 • 1958
- Tournament: None
- Track and Field (Women's) (2)
- Regular season: 1987 • 1985
- Tournament: None
- Volleyball (15)
- Regular season (11): 2009 (West Division) • 2008 (West Division) • 2007 (West Division) • 2000 (West Division) • 1988 • 1987 • 1986 • 1985 • 1984 • 1983 • 1982
- Tournament (4): 2000 • 1989 • 1988 • 1987
CCHA tournament championships
- Ice Hockey (Men's) (2)
- 1986, 2012
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Synchronized skating
Although the sport of synchronized skating is not an official NCAA sport Western Michigan is home to an internationally competitive synchronized skating team, who have medalled at competitions around the world. The Bronco's synchronized skating program consists of a senior team, which competes internationally as well as a collegiate level team which is competitive among the top university and collegiate teams from around the United States. The team lost their athletic funding and Varsity status along with Men's Cross Country and Track & Field in the 2003–2004 competitive season, and became a Club sport.
Rugby
Founded in 1990, Western Michigan plays college rugby in the Mid-American Conference of Division 1AA.[10] The Broncos reached the MAC semifinals in 2014.[11] Recently, the men's rugby team qualified for the D1AA XV's Fall Playoff Nationals in 2017 [12] and 2018.[13] The Broncos play their home matches at Versluis Dickinson park in Kalamazoo, and are led by head coach Mark Allen.
Championships
United States Collegiate Ski and Snowboard Association (USCSSA) Championships
- Snowboard Team (Combined Men's and Women's)
- 2005
American Collegiate Hockey Association (ACHA) Division 2 Championships
- Ice Hockey (Men's)
- 1996
National Intercollegiate Flying Association (NIFA) National Championships
- 1947
- 1948
- 1983
- 1998
- 2002
United States Figure Skating Association (USFSA) National Championships
- Synchronized Skating – Collegiate division
- 2004
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