SPONSORS

Western Michigan University is located in Kalamazoo, Michigan. It is home to two synchronized skating teams and one intercollegiate figure skating team that represent the university at competitions all over the United States. In addition to competitions, our skaters participate in ice shows, exhibitions, and community events to support other local organizations and skating clubs. 

Created in 1995, the synchronized skating program at WMU has a long-lasting tradition. In 2004, the sport was cut from varsity status and funding due to budget cuts throughout the University. This has had a substantial financial impact on the team, but not the dedication of the collegiate athletes. The team is in its seventeenth year as a club sport and is a successful student-run organization.

This season, the WMU Skating Club consists of Collegiate, Open Collegiate, and Intercollegiate teams. The Collegiate team, composed of full time WMU students, has a roster totaling 21 skaters. In recent seasons, the Collegiate team has earned three Midwestern Sectional medals  and two medals at the US Synchronized Skating Championships including the silver medal at the 2019 US Championships. The WMU Open Collegiate team was created in 2018 and is composed of 10 skaters this season. The 2019-2020 season brought great success to this team as they medaled at each competition, culminating in the pewter medal at the Midwestern Sectional Championships. The Intercollegiate team includes skaters who compete in Freestyle and Ice Dance events as individuals representing  the university. In the 2019-2020 season, this team earned 7th place in the Midwest.  In previous seasons, Western Michigan University has also rostered a Senior Team as well as an Adult team. In its existence, the Senior team has had the experience of representing Team USA in several international competitions. In its most memorable season, the Senior team placed 1st in the Jegvirag Cup in Miskolic, Hungary. The Adult team has also had success earning a number of sectional and national medals over the years. 

During the 2021-2022 season, the Collegiate team will be competing at six competitions in various venues around the country. These include local competitions in Michigan and Illinois, the Midwestern/Pacific Sectional Championships which will be hosted in  Kalamazoo, Michigan this season, and the National US Synchronized Skating Championships in Colorado Springs, Colorado. The Open Collegiate team will be competing at four competitions. These include the Kalamazoo Kick-Off Classic (Kalamazoo, MI), Dr. Richard Porter Classic (Ann Arbor, MI), Synchro Illinois (Evanston, IL), and the Midwestern Sectional Championships (Kalamazoo, MI). The Intercollegiate team will be competing at 3 various Midwest locations throughout their season including the 2021 Bronco Challenge Cup that will be held  in Battle Creek, MI.  The Intercollegiate team will compete at each competition in hopes to earn a spot  at  their first Intercollegiate National Championships. 

As a club sport at WMU, we receive minimal funding from the school. Our organization has high costs associated with travel, ice time, and coaching expenses. These costs are paid for by the skaters and by fundraising throughout the year. The Western Michigan University Synchronized Skating Teams would greatly value donations of any amount or items to support our club for the 2021-2022 season. All donations are tax exempt under our 501 (c) (3) tax code. 

Your support of our organization would be greatly appreciated! On behalf of Bronco Skating, we would like to say “Thank You” for helping us and contributing to the WMU community.

Sincerely,

 The Western Michigan University Skating Club