Western Michigan University Athletic Director Beauregard says head football coach P.J. Fleck had “some opportunities” that would have taken him away from the school.
Beauregard says there are plans in place for all sports to prepare for the possible departure of a head coach. She says the school has been able to secure money from boosters to help keep Fleck as the Broncos’ head football coach. But Beaureard says if the team has another strong football season there will certainly be more interest. “They’re gonna be knocking on our door.”
Beauregard sat down with WMUK's Gordon Evans and Battle Creek Enquirer Sports Columnist Bill Broderick.
The schedule for the coming season includes games at Northwestern and Illinois. Beauregard says the Broncos are willing to play “the best.” She says the payouts from football games at schools from the so-called “power five” conferences are an important part of the athletic department’s budget.
Beauregard says the college football playoff system has also changed how teams schedule their non-conference games. She says schools are looking closer at having a strong schedule to impress the committee that selects the four teams that compete for the national championship.
The Mid-American Conference’s Men’s and Women’s Basketball tournament will begin March 7th. The quarterfinals for both tournaments will be played in Cleveland beginning March 9th. Beauregard says while having both tournaments at the same arena over a week leads to some unusual start times, the advantages outweigh any problems. Beauregard says it’s been a great event for the MAC’s men’s and women’s basketball teams.
Asked about responding to the February 20th shootings in Kalamazoo, Beauregard says sports can be part of the healing process for the community. The victims of the shooting have been remembered at home athletic events over the past week. Football coach P.J. Fleck says he wants to do something as well. Beauregard says the details have not been decided yet, but could happen during the CommUniverCity event during the first home game of the football season.
But Beauregard says “we’ve been involved in this too many times.” That includes playing the first game against Northern Illinois University after a fatal shooting on their campus in Dekalb.
