KALAMAZOO, Mich. – Western Michigan University is in the national spotlight and ‘College GameDay’ is in Kalamazoo ahead of Saturday’s game.
The school held a pep rally Friday evening in Bronson Park to get students and fans pumped up.
Everything was going great, with the exception of rain and lightning forcing the rally to end early. Even Mother Nature couldn’t dampen the spirit of the Broncos, though.
“It’s amazing, we’re nationally ranked for the first time,” says Britnee Jeffries, a Broncos fan. “We’re finally getting the recognition that we’ve been wanting.”
Undefeated and nationally ranked, the Broncos and their fans are in uncharted territory.
“I was born and raised here and there’s been a lot of community support for all this.” said lifetime Broncos fan Bill Smyser.
Friday night’s pep rally drawing hundreds to show their support.
“I’ve never seen anything like it,” says Chris Burns, a Broncos fan. “This community has just rallied around the Broncos. And we’re just really excited for the game this weekend.”
Excitement levels are not the only thing that’s high. Western Michigan merchandise is reaching record sales.
“It has just spiked out of this world. ESPN GameDay shirts, we got them in Wednesday,” Says Dennis Brooks, who works in the WMU Bookstore. “And since this afternoon we’ve sold 2,000 shirts.”
The Broncos having such a great year is big for the team, the school and the Kalamazoo community.
Kick off for Saturday’s game is 3:30 p.m., and coverage for ‘College GameDay’ begins at 9 a.m.
