KALAMAZOO, Mich. – Western Michigan University Director of Athletics Dan Bartholomae announced today the receipt of two transformative gifts to renovate and expand the current WMU Women's Basketball Locker Room located in University Arena. Thanks to the generosity of the Allkins Family and Randy and Wendi Verlin, the locker room project will move into design and development as fundraising efforts continue in order to complete the $1.3M project.
"What an exciting day for our women's basketball program, and the ongoing efforts we have made to celebrate the 50th Anniversary of Title IX," said Bartholomae. "The Allkins Family and Randy and Wendi Verlin have supported an ambitious plan we created to provide a championship experience within our women's basketball facility. These gifts provide us tremendous momentum towards reaching our funding goals, and we hope they inspire others to contribute to these fantastic women".
"Many coaches will tell you that Championships typically start in the locker room and having a state-of-the-art facility will most certainly play a vital role in that process. So, when we received word about these generous gifts for our new locker room, to say that we were ecstatic would be a huge understatement," said head women's basketball Coach Shane Clipfell. "The generosity of the Allkins and Verlin families will not only transform our ability to recruit quality student-athletes to our program, but will also have a long-lasting impact on the student athlete experience."
The renovation would expand the square footage of the existing space by nearly 50% and add a new team lounge area and nutrition station. Customized and personalized state-of the art lockers will be added to an expanded locker room space, with digital signage, upgraded finishes and improved lighting. Upgraded finishes, new furniture, audio/video technology and graphics in the locker room, team room and wet area will round out the project, which will provide the Broncos one of the finest team locker rooms among the Mid-American Conference.
"It means the world to us to be able to make an impact on the student athlete experience of the Bronco Women's Basketball team. As a multi-generational family of Broncos, we are grateful for what Western Michigan University has done for us. We have seen how hard these young women work and how deserving they are of a first-class space like this one to become stronger athletes and teammates. Thank you to Western Michigan University Athletics for the opportunity for the Allkins Family to make this difference," said the Allkins Family.
"We are honored and excited to be able to help with this project. We have been proud Broncos since we graduated from Western and are proud parents of three strong and successful young women who grew up loving sports. We thrilled to give back to our university, especially to a program as deserving as women's basketball." Said Randy and Wendi Verlin.
With a total fundraising goal of $1.3 million, fundraising efforts continue, and construction will commence upon completion of fundraising goals.
Those wishing to make a donation to the women's basketball program can do so online or by contacting the Bronco Athletic Fund via email at broncoathleticfund@wmich.edu or by phone at (269) 387-8776.
