Public radio from Western Michigan University 102.1 NPR News | 89.9 Classical WMUK
Play Live Radio
Next Up:
0:00
0:00
0:00 0:00
Available On Air Stations

WMU Broncos To Start A Shortened Season Next Month

Football players crouch in green turf in the foreground. Fans are visible at a distance in the stands, as well as cheerleaders with pink pom-poms.
Courtesy photo
/
WMU/Mike Lanka

Western Michigan football will be back in November, with restrictions due to COVID-19. The Broncos will participate in a six-game season and will fight for a chance to play in the Mid-American Conference title game.

Director of Athletics Kathy Beauregard says the safety of the athletes and staff is the school’s first priority. She says it helps that Western has a medical facility on-campus.

"We’re lucky that we have Sindecuse where it’s all being done directly with their assistance. Some MAC schools don’t have health centers on campus or even hospitals in town that are able to provide,” she said.

Beauregard says the university had to cancel some high-dollar games because of the virus. Playing even a short season "does give us an opportunity to have revenue," she added, "but at the same time we were never going to sacrifice the student athletes and staff."

For now, fans will not be able to attend games in-person. The Broncos will face the Akron Zip in their first regular season matchup on November 4th.