Community, University come together for Bronco football

KALAMAZOO—CommUniverCity Night—annually one of the biggest events in southwest Michigan—brings the Kalamazoo area and Western Michigan University communities together for an evening of football, fun and fireworks, featuring the Broncos' first home game of the season.

WMU takes on Eastern Illinois at 7 p.m. Saturday, Sept. 8, in this year's edition of CommUniverCity Night. Several times over the past 20 years, the event has drawn record crowds of more than 30,000 fans to Waldo Stadium. The celebration of community includes fireworks during halftime.

Preceding the game, from 4 to 6:30 p.m., more than 33 community businesses will host a tailgate at Corporate Village on the WMU baseball field. Admission is by invitation only.

Football luncheon Friday

For those who want to get a head start on the weekend festivities, WMU athletics and Discover Kalamazoo are sponsoring a noon luncheon Friday, Sept. 7, at the Radisson Plaza Hotel Ballroom in downtown Kalamazoo. Tickets are $25 per person or $200 for a table of eight and can be purchased until Thursday, Sept. 6, by contacting Stacy Thinnes at @email or (269) 387-3062.

Coach Bill Cubit and members of the 2012 Bronco football team will be at the luncheon, which includes performances by the Bronco Marching Band and Spirit Teams.

For game tickets, visit wmubroncos.com or call (888) 4-WMU-TIX.