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Western Michigan Goes All In On Recruitment!
We caught up with the Western Michigan University Water Ski & Wakeboard Vice President, Allie Steele, to discuss the team’s multifaceted recruitment and growth push that is spearheaded by the promotional video shown below!
What are you doing to improve the team?
Ski Schools for Water Ski Trips
Our President is all about learning to ski the right way, and plans lots of Water Ski trips. We went to Alabama in Winter, Boarding School for Spring break, and a few team members are headed back to Orlando in a few weeks to ski with Freddie Winter this time. We’re trying to get as much ski time possible, and really learn how to improve our form for bigger scores.
Ski Friends!
Our friends in Alabama, the Auburn team and their former coach, have invited the team back down for the summer. We’re excited to visit friends, and enjoy the Bama heat.
Hosting Events and Making Connections
We hosted Midwest Winter Conference, and we are seizing any opportunity to make connections and form friendships. We love making water ski friends that share our passion, and each connection also opens doors for the WMU team that we have not had in the past.
Practice, Practice, Practice
I have a boat at my lake for the team to use, and our captain, Kyle, has brought his family boat to our practice lake for the team to use before our summer lease starts. It has been great to get some early season ski time, even with the cold.
What will the team be doing this summer?
Summer Clinics
We’re organizing summer clinics with team, lead by pro Cale Burdick, and AWSA skier, “Rosie’s dad” who formerly skied at Michigan State University. Both spoke at this year’s Winter Conference in Kalamazoo. They’ve helped us to make connections with more local AWSA members, which is great for everyone.
Ski Every Day!
The team plans to go out on the lake every day this summer, with our alumnus and mentor, David Huisman. He lives on the practice lake, his duplex is the acting boathouse.
Attend Summer Tournaments & Make Connections
We’re encouraging AWSA tournament attendance for team members, as well as new recruits, and we are headed to some summer ski-with-pros sessions that are hosted by some boat manufactures and take place near us.
Weekend Team Bonding Lake House Trips
For team bonding, to help keep the team tight, we schedule various lake house trips with the team on weekends throughout the summer.
How is the team bringing in new members?
Boat on campus
We brought the boat on campus last week to remind fellow Broncos that summer is coming, and it is best spent on the water.
Recruit women with women
We are really pushing hard on recruitment of women to bolster our women’s team. We try to have a strong female presence at all recruiting events, to help encourage others to join. We are also looking to add a Women’s Captain to the board, to help prioritize the growth of our women’s team.
Participate in freshman orientations
We will also be participating in all 12 summer orientations for first year students, in an effort to recruit new students, and get a head start for fall.
Who supports the team?
Sponsors Near and Far
We’re sponsored by Gull Lake Marine, who supplies our lovely Malibu, Lady Liberty. Additionally, Epic Wetsuits and Red Bull are always supporting our team by sending us team love with free and discounted gear!
Ski Equipment Through Collegiate Discount Programs
We are also planning another collegiate pro order from HO, as they continue to support collegiate skiing with their collegiate discount program. The team ordered 6 skis in fall, but we have had a lot of growth, and more team members are interested in purchasing their own equipment!
What prompted the video?
We wanted to get more exposure, and a tool for recruitment. I asked a videographer friend, William Ingalls, to join us as 15 Broncos made the 10 hour drive to Swerve Water Sports for the Purdue Spring Fest. With less than ideal weather conditions we thought he would be miserable, but as we turned to check on him in the pouring rain, he was taking a lake shower; at that moment we knew we had the right guy to capture all the feelings of tourney life.
The Western Michigan University Water Ski & Wakeboard Team promotional video
Call for Team News
If your team missed out this week, make sure you check out the post on how to submit your past, current, or future team news and updates to future editions of Team News Tuesday!
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