CLEVELAND -- The Western Michigan Department of Intercollegiate Athletics has been named the recipient of the 1-MAC Institution Award for 2024-25 by the Mid-American Conference.
 
WMU earns the award for the first time as an institution, with WMU Football's Tyson Lee was named the 1-MAC Student-Athlete Award-winner for 2024-25. Vice President/Director of Athletics Dan Bartholomae won the 1-MAC Administrator Award in 2023-24 and Senior Associate Athletic Director for Broncos Empowered and Championship Culture Julian Jones won it in 2022-23.
 
"Receiving the 1-MAC Institutional Award is a powerful affirmation of the vision and work that began when AD Dan Bartholomae created the Broncos EmPOWERed area to fully embrace inclusive excellence," said Jones. "At Western Michigan, we believe diversity, equity, inclusion, and belonging are not optional—they are essential to the student-athlete experience. We are especially thankful for our campus partners who collaborate with us every step of the way, as their support has been vital to our success. This recognition reflects the dedication of our staff, coaches, student-athletes, and partners who have brought that vision to life and continue to lead the way within our conference."
 
WMU Athletics has established itself as a model for inclusive excellence through its intentional strategy, visible leadership and collaborative spirit. At the heart of this work is the department's strategic goal, Broncos United, which outlines a comprehensive and actionable plan to build a culture of belonging. The department's approach centers not only on representation, but on transformation—elevating voices, creating access, and fostering a community where every student-athlete and staff member feels seen, heard, and valued.
 
Western Michigan's support and investment in student-athlete affinity groups has been one of the most visible and impactful examples.
- Black Cultivated Athletes (BCA) - provides a space for Black student-athletes to build community and navigate shared experiences.
- P.R.I.D.E - fostering support and visibility for LGBQT+ athletes and allies.
- W.I.S.E. (Women in Sports Empowerment) - supporting women in athletics through advocacy and mentorship.
- International Athlete Alliance - helping international student-athletes navigate cultural adjustment and community connection.
 
WMU's DEIB Task Force has also made impact through its ongoing Lunch & Learn educational series that has tackled a variety of topics from domestic violence awareness, invisible disabilities, the significance of racial identity, and the lived experiences of Asian Pacific Islander communities. Broncos have also been in attendance at the MACtion Summit and the Black Student-Athlete Summit.