WMU picked third in MAC West Division
Western Michigan is projected to finish third in the Mid-American Conference West Division, according to a media preseason poll released July 23 at the MAC Football Preview held in Detroit.
The Broncos received 205 points in media balloting, including three first-place votes. Bowling Green (283), making the switch over from the East Division, earned the top nod from with Toledo right behind in second (266). The rest of the West has Northern Illinois (201) pegged for fourth, followed by Ball State (188), Central Michigan (118) and Eastern Michigan (55).

In the East Division, Marshall was picked as the overwhelming favorite, garnering 324 points and 43 first-place votes. Miami was picked second (257), followed by MAC newcomer Central Florida (248), Kent State (174), Akron (136), Ohio (111) and Buffalo (66).

The Broncos return 36 letterwinners from last year's squad which finished 5-6 overall and fourth in the MAC West. Three starters are back on offense, eight on defense. Gary Darnell's squad opens its 2002 campaign with a non-conference contest against Indiana State on Aug. 29 in Waldo Stadium.

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Broncos among national leaders in graduation rates
The Western Michigan University football team was recently recognized by the American Football Coaches Association (AFCA) for its success in graduating student-athletes.

In a survey conducted by the AFCA, Western Michigan was one of nine schools that posted a graduation rate of 90 percent or better over a five-year period. The survey focused on scholarship athletes who enrolled as freshmen or transfers during the 1996-97 academic year and included data collected from 80 Division I programs.

Northwestern University earned the AFCA's 2002 Academic Achievement Award with a 100 percent graduation rate. The eight other schools in the 90 percent group are Boston College, Duke University, the University of Notre Dame, the University of Nebraska, Pennsylvania State University, Rice University, Vanderbilt University and Western Michigan University.

"This recognition is a very positive reflection on Coach Darnell, the student-athletes in our football program, and this University," said Jeff Stone, WMU Associate Athletic Director who oversees academic services.

Last year, Western Michigan was one of 28 schools to receive honorable mention from the AFCA by posting a graduation rate of 70 percent or better over a five-year period beginning in 1995-96.

During the 2001-02 academic year, 51 Bronco players recorded semester GPA