KALAMAZOO, MI – Vice President/Director of Athletics Dan Bartholomae and the Western Michigan University (WMU) Department of Athletics are proud to announce a remarkable $1.5 million donation from Jeff (HCOB B.B.A. '75) and Stephanie Bergeron to support the construction of the Jeff and Stephanie Bergeron Golf Performance Center, to be located within the Donald "J" Seelye Athletic Center.  This historic gift marks a significant milestone for the department as the largest single donation to a women's athletic program in WMU history.

"On behalf of the entire University Community, we are humbled and honored to receive this historic support of our Women's Golf Program.  This gift – which will allow for the immediate construction of the Jeff and Stephanie Bergeron Golf Performance Center – provides a transformative opportunity for our athletic program", said Bartholomae.  "We all extend our gratitude to Jeff and Stephanie for their support of our ambitious departmental vision, and I extend my thanks to Vice President & Executive Director of the WMU Foundation Kristen DeVries and her team for their continued support of our development efforts".

The Jeff and Stephanie Bergeron Golf Performance Center will serve as a state-of-the-art facility dedicated to enhancing the training, performance, and overall experience of the Bronco Women's Golf Team. The project will include the following key features:

1. Chip and Putt Space: Spanning over an impressive 1,200 square feet, this cutting-edge surface will replicate fairways, greens, and rough terrain.  A tempered glass entry and windows offer connectivity to the indoor turf field and will allow for natural light to flood the space.  In-venue access to the newly constructed nutrition center will ensure comprehensive support for the team's physical development.
2. Hitting Lab: The Hitting Lab will feature the TruGolf Screen System with a Trackman 4 simulator solution. This advanced technology will enable precise shot analysis and immediate cloud data access for every student-athlete, facilitating skill refinement and data-driven improvement within simulated competitive conditions.
3. Golf Putting Lab: Within this dedicated training space, a generously sized 8' x 20' putting area will feature the 2023 ZEN Green Stage Surface, the world's most advanced indoor playing surface.  This moving floor provides for a variety of putting simulations, including double breaks. The inclusion of SAM PuttLab Analysis Technology will provide invaluable insights and feedback for the golfers as they simulate competitive conditions within the space.
4. Locker Room: The project will include a renovation to the existing locker room. This space will offer a comfortable environment for team members to prepare for practice and securely store their gear and equipment. High-impact graphics will adorn the locker room, instilling pride and a sense of belonging among the athletes.

"To have a facility of this magnitude dedicated to the women's golf program will be a tremendous boost to team camaraderie and competitive spirit. It provides us with the optimal environment to focus on various aspects of the game and enhance our skills, particularly in putting and chipping," said Head Coach Kim Moore. "The generosity of Jeff and Stephanie Bergeron in bringing this facility to life affords our student-athletes the invaluable opportunity to practice on-campus year-round. This is a monumental advantage for our program as we strive to evolve into a championship-caliber team"

Sophomore Women's Golf student-athlete Megha Vallabhanni expressed her excitement about the new practice facility, stating, "In hearing about and seeing the plans for our new practice facility, I couldn't be more excited. It is set to be one of the best, if not the best, among our peers. This presents a truly special opportunity, and I am incredibly thankful for the donation and support of the Bergeron family."

Jeff Bergeron is a graduate of the Haworth College of Business with a Bachelor of Business Administration in Accounting.  He and Stephanie are enthusiastic supporters of the WMU Women's Golf Program, having served as a sponsor of the Annual WMU-Hosted Rio Grande Invitational tournament in Rio Grande, Ariz. 

 "Stephanie and I are firm believers in empowering the best and we are thrilled to contribute to the championship aspirations of the WMU Department of Athletics and the WMU Women's Golf Program. By supporting these incredible student-athletes, we are investing in winners on and off the course," said Jeff Bergeron.  Added Stephanie, "Here's to fostering a culture of excellence and celebrating the unstoppable spirit of these exceptional women.  We are proud to be affiliated with this facility that will provide first-class resources towards their training and preparation."

In January of 2023, WMU Athletics announced a strategic plan that highlighted facility development as a key goal and prioritized the development of an ongoing Facility Master Plan process.  In support of projects tied directly to this plan, the Athletic Department and the WMU Foundation have raised over $3 million exclusively for its women's athletic programs.

"We are proud to celebrate this unprecedented support towards our Department of Athletics and sincerely thank Jeff and Stephanie Bergeron for their historic gift", added Vice President & Executive Director of the WMU Foundation Kristen DeVries.  "We look forward to watching the golf program thrive as a result of these improved resources."