BRONCOS IN HOCKEYADMINISTRATIONJoe Bonnett (1989-93)Assistant CoachBrent Brekke (1990-93)Assistant CoachColorado CollegeMiamiHOCKEY ALUMNIChris Brooks (1992-96)Head Coach Rio Valley Grande (CHL)Jim Culhane (1983-87)Head CoachScott Garrow (1988-92)Assistant CoachKeith Jones (1988-92)Commentator<strong>Western</strong> MichiganCornellVersus NetworkTom Newton (assistant coach, 1982-90)Assistant CoachMichigan StateBrian Renfrew (1991-95)Assistant CoachMichigan StateBronco Glenn Healy holds what every hockey player considers the pinnacle of their sport: Lord Stanley’s Cup. Healy was a member of the New York Rangers’ 1993-94 championshipteam, along with then President/G.M. Neil Smith.Brian Tulik (1987-92)DirectorKOHAMike Schafer (assistant coach, 1990-95)Head CoachCornellDerek Schooley (1990-94)Head CoachFrank Serratore (1977-79)Head CoachNeil Smith (1974-78)CommentatorRobert MorrisAir Force AcademyVersus Network88The Broncos in the photo above have moved on to play significant roles in the sports world. From left to right, John Saunders serves as studio host for ABC Sports. Coach Bill Nealguided the Bronco <strong>Hockey</strong> program during the transition from club to varsity status and then up to Division I. Neil Smith accomplished what many thought to be impossible: bringinga Stanley Cup to the New York Rangers. Other honors for Smith include being a recipient of the WMU Distinguished Alumni Award. Bernie Saunders, John’s younger brother, ranksin the top 20 on WMU’s all-time scoring charts and now works in world-wide marketing for Pfizer in New York City.www.wmubroncos.com • 3 NCAA TOURNAMENT APPEARANCES • www.wmubroncos.com • 1 CCHA TITLE
Harry W. Lawson Ice Arena, named in honor of the founding father of WMU <strong>Hockey</strong>, has been home to the Broncos sincethe 1974-75 season.Known as one of the loudest and rowdiest rinks in the CCHA, Lawson Arena has drawn numerous sellout crowds throughthe years, providing a distinct home-ice advantage. The “Lawson Lunatics” student section is 1,400 strong and resultsin long lines outside of Lawson hours prior to faceoff.Lawson underwent a $2.2 million renovation project during the summer of 2006, as improvements were made to theinterior areas located under the stands. New varsity locker rooms for home and visiting teams were added, along with avideo/team meeting room, expanded athletic training and equipment areas and new coaching quarters. The project wasmade possible through monies received from university commitment, auxiliary services and fund raising.The facility contains a 200’ x 85’ ice surface and has a seating capacity for 3,667 fans. The concourse opens high aboveice-level, allowing for excellent viewing from all areas.Lawson offers excellent sight lines with every seat in the arena having a backrest. The press box’s close proximity to theice provides media with a tremendous view of the game.Lawson also underwent a $250,000 face lift in 1997, as premium chairback seating and vinyl bleachers were installed.The most noticeable change was the new seating section above the Zamboni entrance.In 1998, Lawson received a new $1 million metal roof, matching the cost of renovations made in the summer of 1993when a new cooling system, floor, boards and glass were installed.Lawson has staged other events besides hockey games, including professional boxing matches, ice shows and concerts.From 1992-94, Lawson housed WMU men’s and women’s basketball games while University Arena was being renovated.The largest crowd to ever watch a game at Lawson Arena occurred on Oct. 31, 1987 when 5,168 spectators filled thearena beyond capacity to see the Broncos clash with CCHA rival Michigan State.LAWSON’S LEGACYUpsets and deadlocks are nothing new to ranked teams visitingLawson Arena. The Broncos are 39-33-12 (.464) versusranked squads over the past 13 seasons. Below is a listingof WMU’s wins and ties.#11 Michigan State T 2-2 11/1/<strong>10</strong>08#11 Notre Dame W 3-0 2/29/2008#5 Michigan State W 2-0 2/17/07#5 Michigan State W 4-3 2/16/07#3 Notre Dame W 3-2 1/19/07#6 Miami W 5-3 1/13/07#6 Michigan W 6-3 12/1/06#15 Northern Michigan W 3-2 11/18/06#3 Michigan State W 3-2 <strong>10</strong>/15/06#<strong>10</strong> Nebraska-Omaha W 6-3 2/25/06#<strong>10</strong> Nebraska-Omaha T 5-5 2/24/06#20 Northern Michigan T 2-2 1/28/06#20 Northern Michigan W 4-2 1/27/06#13 Michigan State W 5-3 11/19/05#4 Ohio State W 5-4 <strong>10</strong>/29/05#4 Ohio State W 5-1 <strong>10</strong>/28/05#13 Ohio State W 6-3 <strong>10</strong>/29/04#12 Ohio State W 4-1 2/20/04#14 Notre Dame W 6-4 12/6/03#14 Notre Dame W 8-6 12/5/03#8 Ferris State W 4-2 <strong>10</strong>/<strong>10</strong>/03#14 Miami W 4-1 1/18/03#14 Miami W 3-2 1/17/03#8 Michigan W 4-3 1/11/03#12 Ferris State W 4-1 11/16/02#<strong>10</strong> Northern Michigan W 4-0 2/9/02#<strong>10</strong> Northern Michigan W 5-3 2/8/02#13/15 Alaska Fairbanks T 2-2 1/18/02#6 Michigan State W 2-0 1/12/02#6 Nebraska-Omaha W 2-0 11/<strong>10</strong>/01#7 Maine T 2-2 <strong>10</strong>/27/01#7 Maine W 4-3 <strong>10</strong>/26/01#5 Michigan W 3-1 <strong>10</strong>/19/01#1 Michigan State W 4-2 2/16/01#8 Michigan T 4-4 1/20/01#11 Niagara W 2-1 2/18/00#7 Michigan State W 3-2 1/29/00#7 Michigan State T 2-2 1/28/00#13 Northern Michigan W 5-3 11/6/99#8 Michigan T 5-5 2/19/99#8 Michigan T 2-2 2/13/99#7 Notre Dame W 2-1 <strong>10</strong>/24/98#9 Miami W 2-0 2/21/98#8 Michigan State W 5-2 2/7/97#6 Michigan State W 3-2 1/31/97#6 Lake Superior State T 1-1 1/25/97#1 Michigan T 5-5 1/17/97#3 Miami W 7-6 12/7/96#5 Michigan State W 7-1 2/9/96#12 Bowling Green W 4-0 1/20/96#<strong>10</strong> Lake Superior State T 3-3 1/13/96#4 Michigan W 5-0 12/9/95LAWSON ICE ARENA89www.wmubroncos.com • 9 ALL-AMERICANS • www.wmubroncos.com • 3 HOBEY BAKER FINALISTS