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Broncos saving green by going green

July 30, 2009

KALAMAZOO--Western Michigan University has joined a rapidly growing number of universities that are presenting media sports guides exclusively in electronic form via the Web and eliminating traditional print copies.

WMU's athletic department is eliminating print versions of media guides for its 16 varsity sports in favor of improvements to online versions. The 2009 Bronco Football Information Guide is available as a PDF file beginning today through wmubroncos.com, and guides for other fall sports will follow soon.

Factors that contributed to the decision included significant cost savings, rapid growth in the popularity of online resources, and a desire to be more environmentally responsible and contribute to the University's sustainability initiative, according to Athletic Director Kathy Beauregard.

Eliminating printed guides is expected to produce annual savings of about $60,000 in printing costs. Elimination of postage and shipping costs for distributing paper guides will save several thousand additional dollars.

"Our online information guides will have an interactive component they have not had in the past," says Mat Kanan, athletic media relations director. "We are also making the fan experience more interactive through videos, blogs, diaries and other behind-the-scenes access to Bronco athletics."

WMU athletics launched its own Twitter and Facebook accounts earlier this summer, and six head coaches at WMU have their own Twitter pages, all of which can be accessed through wmubroncos.com.

WMU is the third Mid-American Conference program to eliminate printed guides this year, joining Ball State and Bowling Green State universities.

For more information, contact Mat Kanan at mat.kanan@wmich.edu or (269) 387-4125.

Media contact: Thom Myers, (269) 387-8400, thom.myers@wmich.edu

WMU News
Office of University Relations
Western Michigan University
Kalamazoo MI 49008-5433 USA
(269) 387-8400
www.wmich.edu/news