Editor: Ken Dickie, Volunteer Alumni & Events Coordinator [email protected] #7 So. Ronnie Attard #6 So. Scooter Brickey #20 Jr. Jamie Rome #18 Sr. Brett Van Os #23 Sr. Paul Washe #19 Sr. Lukas Samuelsson #30 So. Brandon Bussi #25 Jr. Jared Kucharek #13 Jr. Drew Worrad #14 So. Jason Polin #21 Sr. Josh Passolt #11 Jr. Rhett Kingston #1 Sr. Austin Cain #12 Jr. Cole Gallant #26 Sr. Ethen Frank #3 Jr. Michael Joyaux #2 Sr. Kale Bennett Coach’s Comments • Bronco Notes • Bronco Team Statistics • 2020-21 NCHC Bronco Hockey Schedule Active Player Stats • Active Hockey Administrators Reflecting on past years, my comments in the May newsletter would typi- cally be focused on our voluntary conditioning program for returning and incoming team members, plans for the Friends and Alumni Weekend gathering and golf tournament, the upcoming 2020-21 hockey schedule, etc. Unfortunately, with the onset of the COVID-19 pandemic, those top- ics relate to things that are either in a state of indecision or have been Pat Ferschweiler postponed; thus, limiting my remarks. Andy Murray As discussed in a press release of May 11, 2020, the landscape of athletics at Western will be changing in the coming year(s). With an estimated loss of $45 million in revenues as a result of COVID-19, Intercollegiate Athletics will be facing a 20 percent reduction in its operating budget. This dilemma is not unique to West- ern; rather, it is common at most Division I institutions. Tim Herrmann As the University trims $6 million dollars from the athletic budget, each of the 16 varsity sports at Western will be facing a cut to their budgets. It is important to note that none of the present 16 varsity sports will be eliminated. As described in the press release, in athletics the losses resulting from COVID-19 are compounded by expected losses from other revenue sources such as the NCAA, conference affilia- tions and sport specific activities like our Friends and Alumni Weekend celebration. JJ Crew Athletic Director Kathy Beauregard stated that, now in her 23rd year, this 20 per- cent cut is the largest her department has taken. It has led to very large voluntary salary reductions for herself, the administrative staff and WMU coaches. To read the complete article and view specifics related to cuts in salary, etc., please go to: https://www.mlive.com/broncos/2020/05/western-michigan-cuts-more-than Dave Killip -6m-from-athletics-budget.html Generally, I am reluctant to talk about giving and gifts in support of our program; however, today the need is greater than ever before. As an alum and/or fan, your support has always been a key to the success of Justin Penna Bronco Hockey. Whether at Lawson Arena, through your participation in the an- nual Friends and Alumni Weekend, membership in the Blue Line Club, and/or fi- nancial gifts to the Mike Gary Athletic Fund, I thank you for your support and en- courage your continuing support. In these difficult times, the importance of your involvement and support is greater than ever. Zeljka Vidic I recognize that this is a difficult time for all of you. However, given our present circumstances and, if your situation permits, I would like to encourage you to sup- port our student-athletes by making a sport specific (Bronco Hockey) gift to the Mike Gary Athletic Fund. If this is something you wish to do, the following link will take you to the Mike Gary Athletic Fund page where you can make your donation to hockey. Lynn Ross https://wmualumni.org/garyfund As mentioned in a previous newsletter, it was necessary for us to postpone the 2020 Friends and Alumni Weekend celebration until July 23 & 24, 2021. So, please reserve this weekend on your calendar. Ken Dickie (Continued next page) Andy Murray Pat Ferschweiler J.J. Crew Dave Killip [email protected] [email protected] [email protected] [email protected] Ph.: 269-387-3053 Ph.: 816-838-3980 Ph.: 714-271-2759 Ph.: 269-548-9253 Lynn Ross Ken Dickie [email protected] [email protected] O.: 269-387-3049 Ph.: 269-330-2070 (Cont.) (Coach’s Comments cont.) For many years the Friends and Alumni Weekend has been a great opportunity for al- ums and friends to get together, to reminisce and perhaps embellish on memories, while supporting Bronco Hockey. Be assured that, if possible, our intent is to continue this tradition in 2021 with a celebration that is bigger and stronger than ever before. Stay tuned! The players, coaches and staff will all miss the excitement of “The Weekend,” the re- newal of friendships and the opportunity to personally say thank you for your support of Bronco Hockey. Instead, we are all working hard to prepare a 2020-21 team that will be worthy of your enthusiastic support. To help us accomplish that and in lieu of this year’s “Weekend,” I hope you will consider supporting our student-athletes with a hockey specific gift to the Mike Gary Athletic Fund. Now back to hockey and the 2020-21 season, the NCHC has released the league sched- ule based on our usual early November start date (see the schedule in this newsletter). However, with these unusual times, the league is considering what a schedule might look like if the start date is delayed until after Thanksgiving or possibly after January 1, 2021. Starting any time later than early November and concluding the schedule on the estab- lished dates for the Frozen Four, would impact the scheduling of nonleague games and possibly the architecture of conference playoffs throughout NCAA D-I hockey. As you can imagine, there is much that needs to be decided. With respect to our voluntary conditioning program, our returning and incoming players all received a detailed program for weight training and dryland conditioning focused on maintaining and improving strength and quickness. Knowing the players, those returning and the quality of the young men we have recruited, I am confident that, although not under the watchful guidance of our strength and conditioning coach Tim Herrmann, we will see a group of well-conditioned athletes when we all return to campus. A copy of a typical monthly conditioning program can be seen in the newsletter. In the absence of ongoing hockey camps and tournaments, our staff remains in close contact with our incoming players, commits and potential recruits whose birth years range from 1999-2004. In normal times, I would share my comments about Bronco Hockey, present and future, with you collectively and individually at the Friends and Alumni Weekend. However, that is not possible this year. So, I will share those with you in the June newsletter. Tune in! Until then, I hope you and your loved ones stay safe. Remember, it is always a great day to be a member of the Bronco Hockey Family . GO BRONCOS!! Respectfully, Andy Murray, Head Coach WMU Bronco Hockey For an NCHC interview with Coach Murray and Captain Paul Washe please copy and paste the following link: https://nchc.tv/videos/4726 (Cont.) In any other year “the boys” would be on campus, taking classes and participating in the voluntary strength and conditioning pro- gram under the watchful eye of coach Tim Herrmann. However, the changes brought about by the COVID-19 pandemic have affected the nature, but not the goals, of this voluntary program. The goals still focus on each player determining “how good they want to be” and working to strengthen mind over body. The difference is, rather than the time coach Herrmann would typically spend working with the players in on-campus facilities to improve strength, speed and endurance, he now provides on-line guidance using programs designed to focus on die- tary recommendations for fueling their bodies to maximize the gains they will realize from specific monthly strength and conditioning programs. I thought you might be interested in seeing what our players are receiving and working to accomplish. As alums and fans we can all probably benefit from the dietary recommendation provided; however, for the physical activity my recommendation might be “don’t try this at home!” Dietary recommendations are like a restaurant menu with pictures: The Athlete’s Plates are a collaboration between the United States Olympic Committee Sport Dieticians and the University of Colorado (UCCS) Sports Nutrition Graduate Program. For educational use only. Print and use front and back as one handout. (Cont.) STRENGTH & CONDITIONING (CONT.): This is the physical side of the daily program for May, 2020. If desired, you can go on Twitter and view videos that instruct the players on the fine points of each exercise. However, for alums and fans, attempt these activities at your own risk, but imagine and enjoy! How would you do? NCHC: SENIOR SPOTLIGHT: A four-time member of the #NCHCHockey Aca- demic All-Conference Team, he graduated from WMU on April 25! After his hockey career ends, he plans to put his engineering degree to use. #WeWillReign (Cont.) (Continued) NCHC: BRONCO FINAL STATS: Congratulations to Hugh McGing and Brandon Bussi POSTPONMENT! Fri. Nov. 6 DENVER Sat. Nov. 7 DENVER Fri. Nov. 13 OMAHA Sat. Nov. 14 OMAHA Fri. Nov.20 COLORADO COLLEGE Sat. Nov 21 COLORADO COLLEGE Fri. Dec. 11 MINNESOTA DULUTH Sat. Dec. 12 MINNESOTA DULUTH Fri. Jan. 8 MIAMI Sun.Jan 9 MIAMI Fri. Jan. 15 ST. CLOUD Sat. Jan. 16 ST. CLOUD Fri. Jan. 22 COLORADO COLLEGE Sat. Jan. 23 COLORADO COLLEGE Fri. Jan. 29 OMAHA Sat. Jan.30 OMAHA Our plan is to bring both these events Fri.