KALAMAZOO, Mich. — Western Michigan University Vice President and Director of Athletics Dan Bartholomae has been named a finalist for Sports Business Journal's Athletic Director of the Year, one of the industry's most prestigious honors recognizing excellence and innovation in sports leadership. One of five nominees, Bartholomae is the only Athletic Director nominated that does not oversee a Power Four Conference program. 

Selected by the SBJ editorial team, the award celebrates visionary leaders who are shaping the future of college athletics. In just four years at the helm, Bartholomae has transformed Western Michigan into one of the most successful and nationally relevant athletic departments among its peers.   

The 2025 year marked a historic milestone for Bronco Athletics under Bartholomae's leadership. Western Michigan captured its first NCAA National Championship in men's ice hockey — the University's first national title since 1966 and just the third in school history. Later that same year, WMU Football secured a Mid-American Conference Championship and a Myrtle Beach Bowl victory, making Western Michigan just the third institution in NCAA history to win both an FBS conference title and a Division I men's ice hockey national championship in the same year. 

"Dan has built a culture of teamwork and excellence that is worthy of awards, so it is exciting for all of us Broncos to see him receive this recognition," said WMU President Russ Kavalhuna. He leads coaches and staff who live out our passion for WMU, delivering life-changing education to our students, all while winning in competition." 

"Since Dan arrived, Bronco athletics has reached new heights—in competition, in the classroom and in our community. He has led Western Michigan to a national championship, dozens of conference titles, and milestone seasons that have raised our visibility and made Broncos proud. Just as importantly, he never loses sight of our purpose: developing student-athletes as leaders and learners who will thrive long after graduation." 

Bartholomae's leadership has been defined not only by championship success, but by bold, intentional decision-making guided by the department's strategic vision, Broncos Reign. He has prioritized hiring and retaining coaches who embody a commitment to comprehensive excellence—on the field, in the classroom, and in the community. His hiring of Lance Taylor in December 2022 exemplifies that approach, positioning the Broncos for sustained success and culminating in a championship season and one of the most dominant bowl performances in program history. 

That success extended across multiple programs, highlighting the depth and consistency of excellence across Bronco Athletics. Every fall program that had the opportunity to compete in a conference championship game did so — including women's soccer, men's soccer, football, and volleyball — resulting in four conference championships. Women's Soccer captured its third consecutive MAC regular season championship, second straight MAC Tournament title, and second consecutive NCAA Tournament appearance. Men's Soccer made conference history as the first No. 6 seed to win the Missouri Valley Conference Tournament before earning an NCAA Tournament victory over Clemson. Volleyball advanced to its conference championship match for the third consecutive season after winning back-to-back titles. 

Beyond competitive success, Bartholomae continues to lead transformative growth for the department and the Kalamazoo community. In 2025, Western Michigan broke ground on the $515 million Kalamazoo Event Center — a state-of-the-art facility that will serve as the future home for men's and women's basketball and Bronco hockey, positioning WMU among the premier athletic programs in the country. 

A comprehensive study conducted by Huron Consulting further demonstrated the department's impact, revealing that WMU Athletics generates approximately $107 million annually in economic value for the region, with more than 225,000 visitors attending athletic events each year. 

Bartholomae has also driven significant momentum in philanthropic support and capital investment, elevating the long-term trajectory of Bronco Athletics. Donations to the athletic department increased by 40 percent in 2025 alone and through FY25 had grown by 256 percent since his arrival in 2022. This year, the department has already broken the department's record for annual giving.  Aside from philanthropic giving, he has also overseen a growth of $13M in new external operating revenues since 2022.  

This surge in support has translated directly into enhanced operational resources for programs and the advancement of transformational capital initiatives, including the recently announced renovation of football's athletic training and strength and conditioning facilities. These investments reflect both a growing belief in the department's vision and Bartholomae's ability to align donors around a shared commitment to comprehensive excellence. 

Bartholomae has made academic excellence a defining pillar of Bronco Athletics. Western Michigan student-athletes achieved record-setting success in the classroom, posting a 3.38 GPA in the spring and a 3.41 GPA in the fall semester. One in four student-athletes earned a perfect 4.0, while 58 graduated during spring commencement — contributing to an overall student-athlete graduation rate of 89 percent. Seven programs earned a perfect 1,000 APR score, with 11 programs surpassing the national average, underscoring a department-wide commitment to developing leaders who excel well beyond their playing careers. 

That commitment extends beyond campus and into the community. In 2025, Bronco student-athletes contributed 6,178 hours of community service across 76 organizations, reinforcing WMU's deep connection to Kalamazoo and the surrounding region. For its effort, WMU was recognized as one of three finalists for the NACDA Fiesta Bowl 2025 Community Service Award.  

Bartholomae joins an elite group of finalists that includes Scott Dolson (Indiana), Mark Harlan (Utah), Kirby Hocutt (Texas Tech), and Candice Storey Lee (Vanderbilt). The winner will be announced at the Sports Business Awards ceremony in New York City on May 20, 2026.