The unofficial online home for fans of the Western Michigan University Broncos. Part of Collegiate Sports Nation (CSN).

(01-04-2024 11:44 AM)MajorHoople Wrote:  

(01-01-2024 11:05 PM)BroncoMD Wrote:  [Thank for this analysis of the brand which is spot on. Obviously, I'm for the gold going back to Vegas gold and I've really warmed up to the idea of focusing on WMU versus the block W which Washington uses as I watch them in the bowl game. I'm also in favor of black versus gray as being a secondary color -- keeping brown the primary. Of course, using "Pacers" or "Trotters" might be a bit of a reach due to the fact that we've been known as the Broncos since day 1.

Actually we haven't "been known as Broncos since day 1."

We were the "Hilltoppers" (for obvious reasons) until a contest was held in 1939 to choose a new nickname.

The old one was deemed inappropriate because the campus had now spread across the lower valley (and also perhaps because Western Kentucky, who ironically was the opponent for the Waldo Stadium dedication game, was also the "Hilltoppers").

"Broncos" was submitted by the late, great John Gill, who was an assistant football coach at the time and later head coach, who became known as "Mr. Bronco" before his retirement as assistant AD in 1969.

Good catch, Major. I had totally forgotten about Hilltoppers. In any case, I still can't see us adopting a different nickname at this point.