|
WMU Home > About WMU > WMU News
Football Broncos picked to take MAC championshipSept. 4, 2007 KALAMAZOO--Western Michigan University Bronco football has been chosen in preseason polls as the team most likely to capture the 2007 Mid-American Conference West Division title, as well as the MAC Championship. The results of this year's MAC News Media Association poll were announced as a kick off to MAC Football Media Day, which was held July 25, at Ford Field in Detroit. The WMU Broncos received 175 total points and 15 first-place votes in the poll, claiming the top spot over divisional in-state rival Central Michigan University. WMU and Central Michigan also finished first and second, respectively, in voting for the team most likely to win the MAC Championship game, which pits the winners of the conference's East and West Divisions. Ohio University was picked to win the East Division and was third in balloting to win the conference championship. Since head football coach Bill Cubit took over in 2005, WMU's team has gone 15-9 and made their first bowl appearance in 18 years. Last year, the Broncos went undefeated at home (5-0) for the ninth time in program history. "When Bill Cubit came back to Western at the end of 2004, he had an uphill climb," says Mat Kanan, director of athletic media relations at WMU. "He instilled discipline back into the program and the kids who bought into his process are the product of his tutelage. "He is building a winning program on the field, in the classroom and in the community. The turnaround hasn't just been on the scoreboard, it has also been in the mentality of everyone associated with the program under him." WMU will open this season's home lineup on Saturday, Sept. 8, when the Broncos host a Big Ten team for the first time in the history of Waldo Stadium. The game against Indiana University starts at 8 p.m. and will be televised on ESPNU. It will be preceded by one of the biggest annual events in West Michigan, CommUniverCity Night, which is known for drawing record-breaking crowds. WMU will play two of its five West Division games at home, hosting Ball State University on Saturday, Oct. 20 (Homecoming), and Central Michigan on Tuesday, Nov. 6. The Broncos also host their only two interdivisional games. The University of Akron will visit Waldo Stadium on Saturday, Oct. 6, and Temple University comes to Kalamazoo on Saturday, Nov. 24. For additional information or to purchase tickets, visit www.wmubroncos.com. Media contact: Mat Kanan, (269) 387-4125, mat.kanan@wmich.edu WMU News |
