Bartholomae Accomplishments

Dan Bartholomae, Vice President and Director of Athletics

Finished as the winningest athletics program in the Mid-American Conference (MAC) the last two years (2023-24 and 2024-25) by finishing first in the MAC Learfield Directors’ Cup—the only two times in WMU history.
Sent nine programs to the NCAA post-season in 2024-25, a school record.
First-ever national championship in men’s ice hockey, the first WMU national championship in 60 years and the only NCAA Division I championship in Michigan in 2024-25.
- In three years, Bartholomae has overseen the program’s first-ever NCAA tournament win (2022), first-ever Penrose Cup Championship (2025) and first-ever NCHC Tournament Championship (2025).
Won 28 conference championships in three years, a school record, and sent 28 programs to the NCAA postseason.
In 2024, WMU became the only school in MAC history to send all fall programs to the postseason in the same season.

Student-athletes hold an 89% NCAA graduation success rate.
In 2023 and for the first time in school history, WMU simultaneously placed first in all three MAC academic awards: first for athlete retention rate, highest graduation rate, and highest GPAs and Academic Progress Rate (APR) scores.
In 2024, student-athletes earned a near-perfect overall APR score of 990 (1000 max) while setting the school record for the most programs (11) with perfect APR scores.
Over the course of the last four years, student-athletes set five GPA records, including the fall 2024 (3.38), spring 2023 (3.39) and spring 2024 (3.43) semesters as well as the entire 2023-24 academic year (3.4). In fall 2024, a record 96 students, or 25% of all student-athletes, earned a 4.0 GPA.

WMU’s general fund support of Intercollegiate Athletics’ is $3.4 million below the median of the MAC, yet the department produced $19.5 million in additional revenue—more than any other MAC competitor.
For each $1 invested in WMU Athletics, the department returns $5.10 in value to WMU and the community.
Raised $27.6 million in new philanthropy, averaging $6.9 million per year since arrival. The total philanthropic support for each of the last four years was greater than any year before his arrival and, in sum, generated 217% more philanthropic support than the four years before his arrival. The total number of donors has also increased 60%.
Secured the largest single naming rights gift in WMU history: a $5 million gift to support football.
Net revenue from sponsorships has increased 34%. In FY23, WMU had the highest sponsorship revenue in the MAC.
In FY24, WMU had the highest ticket revenue in the MAC while only having five home football games.
Earned $2 million in new annual, diversified revenues, like media rights; Name, Image and Likeness (NIL) collaborations; naming philanthropy; alcohol agreements; and retail.

Student-Athlete Development

Developed Broncos emPOWERed, a stand-alone life skills and student-athlete development program centered on holistic and leadership development. This first comprehensive program in the MAC develops student-athletes beyond academic support and coaching. Athletes receive career preparation, financial management, inclusive excellence, and personal and leadership development. Students also receive dedicated mental-health counseling, nutrition assistance, and sexual violence prevention and bystander training.
Supported students by developing WMU’s first Name, Image and Likeness (NIL) collective, anchored by a recurring seven-figure gift. The collective produces revenues that go directly to students and enhance WMU’s recruiting power.

WMU Community Engagement

Enhanced WMU engagement in football by partnering with the Western Student Association, the student government body, and the University to relocate student tailgating, enhancing student-focused in-game activations and offering an annual big-name pregame concert for students at no cost to attend.
Assisted the Lawson Lunatics in establishing an official registered student organization (RSO) and engaged its leadership in the development of the WMU Athletic Performance Center downtown.
Student-athletes have led the way in service to the community for three years running. In 2025, athletes contributed approximately 6,700 hours of service with 100% participation, placing first in the MAC and fifth in the nation. In 2024, approximately 5,000 hours with 100% participation placed WMU first in the MAC, 16th in the nation. In 2023, 3,200 hours of service, placing WMU first in the MAC and 10th in the nation. Each year of the last three years set school records.
Increased student football attendance by 52% in 2023, placing first in the MAC and 13th nationally for year-over-year attendance increase.
Grew student attendance for men’s basketball by 39% since FY21.
Grew student hockey attendance by 19%, setting new records for single-game student attendance in 2023 and 2024.

Attendance Growth

Expansive growth in philanthropy and diversified revenue have paved the way for significant and externally funded facility upgrades.

In addition to the ongoing construction of the country’s finest hockey and basketball performance and competition facility at the Kalamazoo Event Center, other upgrades include:
Women’s basketball unveiled a fully renovated locker room in 2023, made possible through donor support and providing modern amenities and a championship-level environment.
Locker-room enhancements were completed for gymnastics, women’s track and field, and men’s tennis, creating more functional and modernized spaces for student-athletes.
WMU volleyball debuted a new state-of-the-art Taraflex floor, enhancing performance and safety.
Gymnastics also benefited from updates to its practice facility, including new equipment and an improved training environment.
The Bergeron Golf Performance Center, opened in 2024, serves as the new home for WMU women’s golf, featuring cutting-edge technology and year-round training capabilities.
Waldo Stadium and the Seelye Indoor Facility both received new turf installations and updated Bronco branding, elevating two of WMU’s primary training and competition venues.

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