Sept. 1, 1999
KALAMAZOO -- As Western Michigan prepares to meet fourth-ranked Florida this Saturday (Sept. 4), the Broncos have ensured themselves future meetings against nationally-ranked programs with the announcement of nonconference games for the years 2000 through 2004.
The Broncos will travel to the University of Michigan in the years 2001 and 2002 (and later in 2009, 2011), marking the first meeting against the Wolverines since the 1943 season. In addition, WMU has arranged a visit from top-10 power Virginia Tech for the 2002 season in return for road games against the Hoakies during the 2001 and 2004 campaigns. The future Big East school has never met Western Michigan.
"We are excited to add a high-caliber intrastate rival to our schedule such as Michigan," WMU Director of Athletics Kathy Beauregard said. "Virginia Tech gives us a chance to showcase the very best of college football in our own backyard."
Western Michigan renews its rivalry against Michigan State in 2003 (and again in 2007), traveling to East Lansing. The Broncos and Spartans have played each other four times since 1980, with the last meeting occurring in 1997.
The Broncos also face a pair of Big Ten opponents in the immediate future, traveling to Wisconsin and Iowa on back-to-back weekends next season. A trip to Illinois is planned for 2004. Indiana State rounds out WMU's nonconference schedule for next year. The contest marks the first of three visits to Waldo Stadium (2002 and 2004) for the Sycamores.
Media contact:Daniel Jankowski, 616 387-4122; daniel.jankowski@wmich.edu
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