KALAMAZOO, Mich.- The Western Michigan University Division of Intercollegiate Athletics and the Varsity "W" Club Board of Directors have chosen James (Jim) McIntyre as the Person of the Year.

A reception will be held in the Aerobics Room on the first floor of the Student Recreation Center before the Saturday, Feb. 18, 2017 men's basketball game against Eastern Michigan. The reception will be held between 2:30 - 3:30 p.m. and tip-off against the Eagles in University Arena is scheduled at 4 p.m.

Please call Allison Frontczak, 269.387.3343 or email allison.r.frontczak@wmich.edu  if you wish to attend with the number of attendees for the reception and number of basketball tickets needed. Tickets will be distributed at the reception.

The W-Club's Mission is to foster support of WMU's athletic program from former letter winners; to provide assistance in the promotion of WMU athletic programs; to provide a forum for issues related to the athletic programs and the W Club; and to carry out other functions as requested by the Director of Athletics.

Jim's association with Western Michigan University and the Athletic Department began in 1969 as a freshman student-athlete on the men's swimming team under Coach Ed Gabel. He won a varsity letter the following year and was named a Mike Gary Scholar Athlete in 1970-71. He continued to compete for the Broncos and graduated in 1973 with a bachelor's degree in business administration. He went on to complete his MBA at WMU in 1977.   

Following graduation, Jim began his long career in commercial banking in Kalamazoo with several area commercial banks.     

Jim's volunteer efforts with WMU began in 1982 with the Bronco Athletic Association. He has been an active member of the W Club for approximately 30 years and has served on the W Club Board for over 20 year including five as president. He has also been a volunteer for the Mike Gary Athletic Fund for almost 30 years, serving as its chair in 2005. Jim and Joanna have been season ticket holders for more than 20 years in football, hockey and men's basketball. Through his fundraising efforts, Jim has helped raise over $200,000 for the WMU foundation.

In addition to his athletic department volunteer activities at Western Michigan, Jim has worked as a volunteer for WMUK. He also serves on the Sigma Chi Fraternity's Housing Corporation Board at WMU. Previously, he served on the boards of the Arts Council of Greater Kalamazoo, the Kalamazoo County Family YMCA and the Kalamazoo Downtown Development Authority (past chair).  He is a member and past president of the Rotary Club of Kalamazoo and currently serves as the Treasurer of the Kalamazoo Symphony Orchestra.

Now semi-retired, Jim has worked with not for profit businesses and with for profit businesses as an independent business consultant. Most recently he has worked extensively with L.D. Docsa Associates in Kalamazoo as a business representative.    

Jim is married to Joanna, another Bronco with undergraduate and graduate degrees in social work. Jim and Jo have two grown sons, James and his wife Mari, and David.