The battle for the Victory Cannon takes place each year when the Broncos meet their instate rivals the Central Michigan Chippewas. The atmosphere for this game is always spirited, and you can cut the tension in the stadium with a knife when these two instate rivals get together. The fans step up their cheering and tailgating skills up 5 levels for this game, so if you can only make it to one Broncos game, this is the one to be at.
In addition to having a healthy rivalry with fellow MAC school Central Michigan, there is also a fierce competition between Western and Eastern Michigan as well. All three Michigan-based MAC schools compete for the Michigan MAC Trophy, which gives yearly bragging rights to whoever performs the best in the matchups between these three instate rivals.
Broncos Tailgate Guide
Atmosphere
Tailgating kicks off bright and early at Western Michigan with the lots surround the stadium opening up four hours before kickoff. There is plenty of space to tailgate here at Western Michigan. You’ll find 16 tailgating lots surrounding Waldo Stadium all packed to the brim with Broncos fans dressed from head to toe in brown and gold.
WMU has some of the loosest tailgating rules in the NCAA which turns the entire campus into one giant party on game day, most notably Lot 105 by Health and Human Services. The rowdy party atmosphere isn’t just confined to the students. The alumni, parents, and locals all come out to party hard before cheering on the Broncos creating one of the craziest game day atmospheres not only in the MAC but the entire Midwest.
To add to the party atmosphere, there are two DJ’s set up playing the latest pop, dance, electronic, hip-hop, and all other kinds of music. Local bands and rap artists will also set up impromptu mini-concerts in the parking lots to pump the crowd up and push their album sales. Najee “Rocky” Hubbard one of the up and coming local rappers has a song called “Brown and Yellow” that he frequently performs on game day at the tailgates; it’s a student favorite and gets a fair amount of local radio play. Come prepared to party hard when attending a Western Michigan tailgate since you’ll find plenty of room to set up a tailgate and join in on the raucous atmosphere Kalamazoo has to offer.
The tailgate DJs do an incredible job of adding to the party atmosphere you’ll find at Western Michigan. The DJs here, much like the fans, love to party so come prepared to get down during your trip to Kalamazoo.
Lot 105 is the official student tailgate lot at Western Michigan, so if you’re looking to tailgate with fellow students than there is no better place to do so than Lot 105. Come prepared to let loose and join in on the game day fun when tailgating with your fellow students.
Where to tailgate
Lots 1, 88, 102, 103, and 104All around Waldo Stadium you’ll find a slew of tailgate lots filled with Broncos fans. The tailgating lots at Western Michigan offer the perfect place for you and your friends to set up a tailgate party featuring grills, tents, and much more.
Lot 105Lot 105 is the official student tailgate lot at Western Michigan, so if you’re looking to tailgate with fellow students than there is no better place to do so than Lot 105. Come prepared to let loose and join in on the game day fun when tailgating with your fellow students
Broncos Stadium Guide
In Game
The raucous party atmosphere from the Western Michigan tailgate carries over to the game. You’ll find a fun and unique atmosphere inside Waldo Stadium where the stands are packed full of Broncos fans cheering on their team.
When former head coach P.J Fleck took the reigns of the Broncos program, he immediately began instituting new gameday traditions that set the atmosphere inside Waldo Stadium apart from anywhere else in the MAC or all of college football. One of the most notable additions is DJ ILL MIXX. The DJ here at Western Michigan has been outfitted with additional wiring and speaker systems by the athletic department so that he can match the same level of noise as the band. DJ ILL MIXX helps carry over the party atmosphere from the parking lots and puts a unique twist on the game day atmosphere found inside of Waldo Stadium.
Another one of Coach Fleck’s additions to Broncos game day traditions is The Row, which starts off the fourth quarter. When he first arrived at Western Michigan Coach Fleck instituted the “Row the Boat” mantra meaning everyone works together to achieve the team’s goals. During The Row, fans hop to their feet and the band and the DJ drop what sounds like a pounding rap song, the crowd turns to their right and begins to chant along ROW ROW ROW while performing a rowing motion. Make sure to join in on this one of a kind gameday tradition to truly feel a part of the crowd when attending a Western Michigan game.
To bring all of Coach Fleck’s new traditions to a head at the end of the game the Alma Mater is played, followed by one of the players jumping up into the band to lead them in the fight song. Win or Lose, the player, is lifted by his teammates up into the band pit where he grabs an oar and uses it to act as the conductor of the WMU band.
Come prepared to party hard and cheer loud throughout the game when making the visit to Kalamazoo to watch the Broncos.
The eight-story tall Seelye Center houses all of the Western Michigan football operations and is also home to the Seelye club seats, which offer an excellent view of the field from the northeast end zone. If not sitting in the Seelye club seats at the very least take a minute to look at the list of All-Americans listed on the Seelye Center to pay tribute to some of the greatest Broncos of all-time including Greg Jennings and John Offerdahl.
The hills located on both sides of the main grandstand at Waldo Stadium offer a great place for fans to hang out during the game. Regardless of whether you’re sunbathing during the early fall or making snowballs late in the season the hills always offer a fun place to take in a Broncos game.
Under head coach P.J. Fleck the Row the Boat mantra has become a popular part of Broncos game day. Each game fans start off the fourth quarter by chanting ROW ROW ROW and performing a rowing motion.
The Bronco Marching Band put on an outstanding show throughout the game keeping the atmosphere electrified throughout the game. Things get kicked off with the pregame show and only get better from there, so make sure to get to your seat early to get the most out of your Broncos game day experience.
Buster Bronco has been the official Western Michigan mascot since 1988 and has been entertaining Broncos fans ever since. You’ll never know what Buster will do next, so keep an eye out for him throughout the game.
Fight on, fight on for Western; Take the ball, make a score, win the game. Onward for the Brown and Gold; Push ‘em back, push ‘em back, bring us fame. Fight on, fight on for Western; Over one, over all, we will reign. Fight, Broncos fight! Fight with all your might. Western win this game!
Brown and Gold
Western Michigan alma mater
Western we sing to you, Brown and Gold, Western we bring to you, faith untold. You challenge and inspire; your hope is our desire. We sing to you our Alma Mater, Brown and Gold.
Delivering an exceptional spot for locals to cheer on their favorite team while enjoying craft beer, craft & specialty cocktails, a glass of wine and one-of-a-kind cuisine, Harvey’s on the Mall is quickly becoming the choice place for a great time in Kalamazoo.
A place to meet friends, both old and new, share stories, all without the distraction of television. O'Duffy's is Kalamazoo's only real pub, family-owned, real food, real beer, and really wonderful people.
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