WMU launches review of athletic programs
Oct. 3, 2003
KALAMAZOO -- Western Michigan University will begin a comprehensive review of sports sponsorship within its Division of Intercollegiate Athletics, school officials announced today.
WMU President Judith I. Bailey has appointed a Sports Sponsorship Review Committee and charged it with a review of current athletics programming. Specifically, the committee will evaluate current programming needs to ensure the division is prudent and fiscally responsive to the current economic environment facing the University and community. WMU currently sponsors 20 varsity sports programs, 11 for women and nine for men.
The eight-member committee appointed to review athletic programming consists of: Charles Elliott of Kalamazoo, who will serve as co-chairperson and community representative; Dr. Lewis Walker, professor emeritus of sociology, who will serve as co-chairperson; Dr. Donald Alexander, professor of economics; Dean Honsberger, associate vice president for budget and planning; Dr. Linda Law, associate professor of health, physical education and recreation and a member of the WMU Athletic Board; Dr. Gary Mathews, professor of social work, chairperson of the WMU Athletic Board and faculty athletic representative; Jan Van Der Kley, associate vice president for finance; and Kim Foster, "W" Club representative. Other University and intercollegiate athletics personnel will provide professional input on an advisory basis only.
The committee expects to forward a recommendation to Director of Athletics Kathy Beauregard by Dec. 1.
While committee meetings will be held in private, public forums will be conducted to allow input from WMU student-athletes, coaches, faculty, staff and alumni as well as community residents. Open public forums will be held from 6 to 8 p.m. Tuesday and Wednesday, Oct. 14-15, at the Fetzer Center.
WMU is a member of the Mid-American Athletic Conference and the Central Collegiate Hockey Association. The University is classified as a Division 1-A school by the National Collegiate Athletic Association.
Media contact: Matt Kurz, 269 387-8400, matt.kurz@wmich.edu