CLEVELAND -- Western Michigan football's Tyson Lee has been named the recipient of the 2024-25 1-MAC Student-Athlete Award. The 1-MAC Award is presented to those that have shown tremendous impact and excellence in inclusion efforts.
 
Lee, a graduate student, serves as the Co-Vice President of Western Michigan's Student-Athlete Advisory Committee (SAAC). IN this role, he has supported all student-athletes while promoting inclusive leadership.
 
"If you know Tyson, you know this award is more than deserving for him," said Julian Jones, WMU Senior Associate Athletic Director for Broncos Empowered and Championship Culture. "Tyson has been a leader, mentor, and advocate for his peers, using his platform to create meaningful impact both on our campus and in the Kalamazoo community. His passion, authenticity, and commitment to building inclusive spaces truly represent the best of what it means to be a Bronco and embody everything we strive to accomplish through our Broncos EmPOWERed programming."
 
At WMU, Lee is also involved with the Black Cultivated Athletes (BCA) - an affinity group created to empower, educate and amplify the voices of Black student-athletes. His leadership in BCA has helped foster belonging, increase awareness around the unique challenge's Black student-athletes often navigate in collegiate athletics.
 
"Receiving the 1-MAC Student Athlete Award is an honor that means so much to me," said Lee. "This recognition pushes me to keep striving to make a difference on campus and in the Kalamazoo community. I'm thankful to Julian Jones and our athletics department for their belief in me and the constant support of my growth as a leader on and off the field. Most of all, I owe this moment to my parents. Everything I stand for comes from the values they instilled in me through their love, guidance, and sacrifices. I carry their lessons with me every day as I work to use my platform for positive change."
 
In the Kalamazoo Community, Lee played an instrumental role in launching the Kazoo All-Stars Empowerd Mentorship Program. The program pairs Western Michigan student-athletes with middle school students from underserved communities. The program connects collegiate athletes with Kalamazoo Public School students through mentorship, sports, and life skills activities.
 
Lee is the first WMU student-athlete to be honored with the 1-MAC Award. Western Michigan Vice President/Director of Athletics Dan Bartholomae won the administrator award for 2023-24, while Jones won it in 2022-23.
 
Western Michigan earned the 1-MAC Institution Award for 2024-25.