Message from WMAA President, Pat Kitchen

2023 Athletic Banquet prior to doors opening (left) and 2023 Purple Blanket Award winners (right)

We are well into spring and the fall/winter academic term is over for another year!

In this issue of The Scoop, Christine Stapleton provides a recap of the Western Athletics season, highlighting championship wins, academic and service achievements of student-athletes and the annual awards celebration. Along with Western Mustangs Athletic Alumni (WMAA) colleagues, I had the privilege to participate in the Western Ring Ceremony to welcome graduating Mustangs into the athletic alumni community. It was wonderful to hear how meaningful their student-athlete experience was throughout their time at Western – a sentiment we can all relate to! We were happy to tell them they can stay engaged as alumni. Once a Mustang, always a Mustang!

Over the season, we opened the John P. Metras Museum during basketball and volleyball double headers. I spent time volunteering in the museum and enjoyed meeting alumni, young athletes and the parents and families of current players. The next time you’re on campus, I encourage you to visit the museum and walk the corridor where the walls are adorned with plaques for Western Mustangs Hall of Fame inductees.

At the women’s volleyball games, I witnessed a memorable Mustang moment when Peg Fairs (Duncan) (BA'59) and Fran Eberhard (Wigston) (BA'57,MA'79), both multi-sport alumni athletes, formed the loudest cheering squad! Never missing a game, the current players know them and often will visit them afterwards. I encourage you to come to a Western game and join them as we cheer on our exceptional student-athletes. Read the stories of other outstanding athletic alumni, Dinnie Greenway, Paul Jenkins and Kate Current in this issue of The Scoop. 

At the Alumni Summit in March, I was happy to represent the WMAA, joining alumni relations staff and other alumni group leaders. It was a great opportunity to receive updates on alumni activity, share strategies and profile the WMAA.  

Looking ahead, please register for the WMAA virtual AGM on June 19 when we will receive committee annual reports, thank outgoing board members, and welcome new board members as we look ahead to the next year. Our signature event, the Western Mustangs Sports Hall of Fame Dinner, will occur this fall during Homecoming weekend. Please mark Friday, September 22, 2023 in your calendar.

I wish you a great summer of rest and relaxation.