KALAMAZOO, Mich. -- Eleven Western Michigan athletic programs ranked among the top 10 in their respective sport according to Helper Helper, while WMU has been named a Top 5 Finalist for the Fiesta Bowl Community Service Award. 

As a whole, Western Michigan Athletics ranked fifth in the nation and No. 1 in the Mid-American Conference. The Bronco student-athletes had 100 percent participation and attended 129 community service events, supporting 61 organization. Combined, WMU student-athletes racked up 6,699 community service hours. 

"Our department takes great pride in the meaningful connections our student-athletes build within our community," said Julian Jones, Senior Associate Athletic Director for Broncos Empowered and Championship Culture. "Being ranked fifth overall in the third of Broncos EmPOWERed is a powerful reflection of how much our student-athletes, coaches, and staff value civic engagement. This recognition is a significant accomplishment and reinforces our commitment to servant leadership—a core pillar of Broncos EmPOWERed and the holistic development of our student-athletes. Being named a Top 10 finalist for the Fiesta Bowl Community Service Award further underscores the impact our Broncos are making beyond their sport."

The WMU softball team was ranked No. 1 in its sport for service hours, while track and field and cross country, along with the Bronco Golf team were ranked second in their sports. The golf team also ranked fifth overall nationally among all women's sports. 

Western Michigan's volleyball team was ranked third in the sport, the National Championship Bronco Hockey team was fourth. Men's Basketball ranked sixth, while gymnastics was seventh in its sport. Women's basketball ranked eighth, while the men's soccer team was ninth and followed by the men's tennis team in 10th.