KALAMAZOO, Mich. – Western Michigan is proud to announce its 2020-21 Athletic Board and Faculty Athletics Representative (FAR).

The Division of Intercollegiate Athletics provides reports to the Athletic Board on aspects such as overall athletics budget, ticket sales, team schedules and number of missed class days. The Athletic Board's role is an advisory one focused on collecting and receiving information to ensure proper reporting and offer recommendations to the Director of Intercollegiate Athletics and University President.

The chairperson of the Athletics Board also serves as the FAR to the NCAA, the Mid-American Conference and the National Collegiate Hockey Conference. This year's FAR will be Dr. Luchara Wallace.

"I am truly honored to serve at the WMU Faculty Athletics Representative," Wallace said. "It is so important for faculty to be able to contribute to student-athlete success and support the often delicate balance of being a student and an athlete. I believe the work of the Athletic Board will become even more crucial this year as we oversee an academic year that will be like none other."

The FAR provides information to the Western Michigan President and faculty senate as well as giving oversight to the academic integrity of the athletics program. The FAR serves as an advocate for student-athlete well-being. The NCAA requires each of its member institutions to appoint an FAR, who must be on the faculty or administrative staff and may not hold a position in the athletics department.

On Western Michigan's campus, Wallace serves as an associate professor of special education and as the Director of the Walker Institute. Renamed in 2000 in honor of Dr. Lewis Walker, Western Michigan University's first African American Ph.D. faculty member, the Institute is devoted to the same race and ethnic relations, and social justice through applied research and community service projects, as Dr. Walker.

2020-21 Western Michigan Athletic Board
Dr. Luchara Wallace; Chair & FAR
Dr. JoAnn Atkin; Faculty
Dr. Suzan Ayers; Administrator
Mr. Nate Bolton; W Club
Dr. Colin Cook; Faculty
Dr. Susan Stapleton; Faculty
Dr. Mercedes Tubino-Blanco; Faulty       
Ex-Officio Members: Kathy Beauregard, Elizabeth Knips, Keanah Smith, Jeff Stone & Amy Washington

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