Western Michigan Football, Michigan

Images of Sports

by Mark Fricke

From its beginnings as a small teaching college in Kalamazoo to becoming a major program in a state full of major college football programs, Western Michigan University boasts a unique and storied gridiron history. Celebrating 100 years of football action, the Western Michigan University Broncos have faced some of the greatest names in sports, including the Four Horsemen of Notre Dame, the Michigan Wolverines, and their arch nemesis from Central Michigan. Year after year, the Broncos have risen to the challenge. Starting life as the Hilltoppers, Western Michigan University saw many great moments, including a record-setting 62-yard field goal by the legendary George Gipp. The powerful 1922 team went undefeated and unscored upon. As the program grew, they put many celebrated players of their own into national prominence, including Jason Babin, Pro Bowl star John Offerdahl, and Super Bowl player Tom Nutten.

128 pages, Paperback

First published August 28, 2006