KALAMAZOO, Mich.-- "Row the Boat," the three-word mantra that became the catch phrase for Western Michigan University football success, will become the legal intellectual property of former Head Coach P.J. Fleck. At the same time, WMU will be able to use the phase for certain non-commercial purposes.
“From a facility aspect we are still evaluating plans on how to celebrate the past four years while embracing our future with Coach (Tim) Lester,” Western Michigan Director of Athletics Kathy Beauregard said.
Recent conversations between the university and . . .
“From a facility aspect we are still evaluating plans on how to celebrate the past four years while embracing our future with Coach (Tim) Lester,” Western Michigan Director of Athletics Kathy Beauregard said.
Recent conversations between the university and . . .
. . . Fleck's agent have led to an agreement in which Fleck – now head coach at the University of Minnesota -- will legally assume ownership of the phrase and be able to use or transfer it at will. The motivational phrase, as Fleck has noted publicly, is one that is highly personal and grew out of the way he and his family coped with the loss of an infant son.
As part of the agreement and to honor Bronco football accomplishments and his time with the team, Fleck will make a yearly gift of $10,000 to support a scholarship to be awarded to a Bronco football player. The Fleck Family Football Scholarship will be awarded each year beginning in fall 2017.
Western Michigan University will retain the right to use "Row the Boat" in its football materials and displays, recognizing and celebrating Fleck's tenure at WMU and the teams he coached. Fleck was named Bronco head coach in 2012. Over the next four years, the Broncos football program built itself into the 2016 team that boasted a 13-0 season record, won the Mid-American Conference championship and made a New Year's Cotton Bowl appearance against the University of Wisconsin. Fleck is now head coach at the University of Minnesota.
“Coach Fleck has a contract obligation to Western Michigan for $600,000," Beauregard said. "This amount is being analyzed for how it may be used in any changes to the Bill Brown Alumni Center and Waldo Stadium. This agreement today allows us to celebrate the accomplishments of our student-athletes over the past four years.”
The Fleck scholarship gift follows and builds upon an earlier $50,000 gift commitment Fleck made to WMU. The gift was made as part of a larger capital campaign drive to renovate the Waldo Stadium coaches offices as part of stadium renovations completed in preparation for the Broncos' 2016 season.
As part of the agreement and to honor Bronco football accomplishments and his time with the team, Fleck will make a yearly gift of $10,000 to support a scholarship to be awarded to a Bronco football player. The Fleck Family Football Scholarship will be awarded each year beginning in fall 2017.
Western Michigan University will retain the right to use "Row the Boat" in its football materials and displays, recognizing and celebrating Fleck's tenure at WMU and the teams he coached. Fleck was named Bronco head coach in 2012. Over the next four years, the Broncos football program built itself into the 2016 team that boasted a 13-0 season record, won the Mid-American Conference championship and made a New Year's Cotton Bowl appearance against the University of Wisconsin. Fleck is now head coach at the University of Minnesota.
“Coach Fleck has a contract obligation to Western Michigan for $600,000," Beauregard said. "This amount is being analyzed for how it may be used in any changes to the Bill Brown Alumni Center and Waldo Stadium. This agreement today allows us to celebrate the accomplishments of our student-athletes over the past four years.”
The Fleck scholarship gift follows and builds upon an earlier $50,000 gift commitment Fleck made to WMU. The gift was made as part of a larger capital campaign drive to renovate the Waldo Stadium coaches offices as part of stadium renovations completed in preparation for the Broncos' 2016 season.
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