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Article from April 15 Western Herald! [go to the Herald...]

Article from April 15 Gazette!  [go to Gazette...]

BBT Speaks Out at Trustees Meeting!   Other budget cuts dominated the WMU Trustees meeting on April 16, but Track & Field supporters were able to speak out:

• Jamie Hence (85-88) represented the 13 Track & Field Hall of Famers who have requested that their plaques be taken down in University Arena.  He handed the Trustees signed letters from each of the thirteen. Jamie Hence is a manager of large insurance company who graduated from Western after receiving All-American Honors in both track and football. Upon graduating he became both a track and football coach at Western before entering the insurance business. He spoke about the negative impact that the decision will have on Western's ability to recruit and retain African-American men as well as the negative effect it will have on recruiting dual sport athletes, particularly football. He also expressed recruiting concerns for the women's track program given recruits will be leery about attending Western out of concern that this program might also be cut or not valued by the university.

• Brad Kirk who was a Cross Country All-American and Track Academic All-American and who also received his MBA with honors from Western also addressed the Board of Trustees. He did a financial analysis of Western's athletic budget and reiterated that it cost more money to eliminate our sports than to save them.

• Laura Livingstone-McNelis read an empassioned letter from Eric Teutsch (82-85). Eric Teutsch was Track All-American and now heads up one of three divisions of Stryker in Kalamazoo. Eric waited two-and-one-half hours to present before having to leave for another speech engagement he had. Eric letter spoke about the community impact that the track program has made to Kalamazoo. Eric was born in Kalamazoo, attended Loy Norrix High School, went to Western, and immediately started working at Stryker where he has been employed now for 19 years. BBT President, Peter Livingstone-McNelis also spoke.

On the Radio! Peter Livingstone-McNelis was again guest on the "Boomer and the Bear show"; on April 17 and that half-hour was dedicated to talking about event leading up to and including the Board of Trustees meeting  as well as the increased momentum that this movement is experiencing. In addition, Peter was on WKZO 590 AM on April 20 and spoke for about 15 minutes about our reinstatement efforts and Jah Kings benefit concert. Lastly, Peter has been asked to be on the Ryan McGuire Show 1660 AM on April 26 at 10:30 AM.

Congratulations to Leo Calkins, June Cotton, and Dr. Ray V. who tried their hand at guessing the athletes in the Gazette Ad.   HERE ARE THE ANSWERS!

New Addition to WMU History Page! [more...]

News for April 15, 2004

Hall of Famers Speak Out!!  The Monday Kalamazoo Gazette featured pictures of Track & Field Hall of Famers.  This was a paid advertisement by BBT.  Most of the Hall of Famers have asked the University to remove their plaques that currently hang in University Arena.

Bring Back Track to Speak at Trustees Meeting!   We are on the agenda of the Trustees meeting of April 16.  The message is "We are not going away!"

New Website in testing!  We hope to have an updated website in a few weeks.  Here is a preview of the new look.

Save our Sports 5K!! This race is tentatively scheduled for October 16. If you would like to be a part of this event, contact us!

BBT Incorporating! As part of becoming a 501c-3 organization we will be incorporating.  If you would like to serve as a board member or be involved in writing the articles of incorporation, contact us!

News for April 11, 2004

Support the Effort to Reinstate WMU Track & Field and Syncronized Skating!  Sign up now

Hits to our website have totalled over 20,000 in the past two months!

You may have heard us on 92.3FM!  Peter Livingstone-McNelis and Coach Dales have been guests on the Zoo Press Box the past two weeks.  The sports radio show with "Boomer and the Bear" runs from 9 a.m.-11 a.m. every Saturday. 

501c-3 Status in the Works!  Establishment of our non-profit/tax exempt status is well underway!

Full page Ad in Kalamazoo Gazette! This ad celebrates the 90 year history of WMU Cross Country and Track & Field.  Many of the participants have had a lasting effect on our community.   Many came from SW Michigan, settled in Kalamazoo, raised families, and added quality to our lives through their service as educators, legal and medical professionals, engineers, bankers, and businessmen.  Bring Back Track hopes to find a way to preserve this educational opportunity in SW Michigan for young athletes who wish to pursue their love of Track & Field (or Synchronized Skating).  In the long term it will increase the quality of our lives in the Kalamazoo Area by retaining the type of people attracted to these programs. [See who they are!!!]

Benefit Concert featuring Jah Kings!  James McNutt and Alex Washington are joining up to present a fundraising concert at Planet Rock. Alex Washington is the leader of the Jah Kings and an Olympic Trial semifinalist from WMU in the 110H.  James McNutt is owner of Planet Rock and also a WMU T&F Alumnus.   The concert is planned for May 2 at 5:00 p.m. Map to Planet Rock 1.5 miles W - 191 Angell St, Battle Creek, MI - (269) 962-2121

Skaters Finish Up Fantastic Season!! Did you know that about one third of the Dean's List for Fall 2003 consisted of Synchronized Skaters? [More Syncronized Skating Pictures!]

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