Amy Folan’s Maroon & Gold Memo: Honoring Culture, Upping the Score(board) – Central Michigan University Athletics

By: Amy Folan, Zyzelewski Family Associate Vice President/Director of Athletics

Celebrating Native American culture, history and traditions 
Native American Heritage Month in November provides another opportunity for us to celebrate the heritage and culture of the indigenous population here at CMU. We accomplish this by working with one of our partners, the Saginaw Chippewa Indian Tribe, recognizing and celebrating all they do for CMU, our Athletics program and our community.  
 
As CMU Chippewas, all of us have opportunities to further our understanding of and respect for the history and traditions of the Saginaw Chippewa Indian Tribe.  
 
Our student-athletes are actively involved in many of these, including recently volunteering with the Saginaw Chippewa Indian Tribe’s after-school program and participating in an education session on Native American history and local tribes, presented by CMU’s Office of Indigenous Affairs. Our Student Athlete Advisory Committee will be visiting the Ziibiwing Center, which is something we’ve prioritized for our coaches and staff as well. There are plans to host a lunch and learn with the Office of Indigenous Affairs to continue the educational efforts for the department. 
 
We’re also excited to welcome members of the Saginaw Chippewa Indian Tribe for our Traditions Day football game on Nov. 24 in Kelly/Shorts Stadium, where the Onion Creek Drum will provide a song on behalf of the Saginaw Chippewa Indian Tribe, a staple for Traditions Day and an honor shared with all in attendance, prior to the game. 
 
I encourage everyone in the CMU Athletics community, including donors, fans and student-athlete families, to visit the Ziibiwing Center of Anishinabe Culture and Lifeways, located on Broadway south of the Soaring Eagle Casino and Resort. Its impressive exhibits portray the rich culture, heritage and history of the Anishinabek people of the Great Lakes. 
 
Thank you, Saginaw Chippewa Indian Tribe, for your ongoing partnership and support of CMU Athletics, and thank you to the Office of Indigenous Affairs for your dedication to educating our staff and student-athletes. 
 
Upping the score 
If you’ve been to Kelly/Shorts Stadium, you surely enjoyed the enhanced experience provided by the videoboard on the south end of the facility. Starting next month, you’ll get a similar experience when cheering on our CMU Chippewas in McGuirk Arena. 
 
A new scoreboard and ribbon board — which will be installed in time for CMU’s Dec. 16 fall commencement in the arena — will bring new technology that’s sure to elevate our fan experience for basketball, volleyball, gymnastics and wrestling. In fact, the new boards will be among the best in the Mid-American Conference. 
 
The new scoreboard is 35% larger than the current board, measuring 12 feet high and 50 feet wide. It will feature live video of on-court action, real-time game statistics and university messages. 
 
Beyond enhancing our fan experience, the state-of-the-art technology will benefit the CMU community during university events such as commencement ceremonies and concerts. We’re excited it will be operated primarily by CMU broadcasting students, whose employment through Athletics gives them real-world experience with some of the most advanced technology in the industry. 
 
Giving thanks 
As I take time to reflect during this season of thanks, I’m grateful for so many things. Topping this list are our amazing CMU Athletics staff, coaches, student-athletes, fans and supporters. All of you make Central Michigan the leader in the Mid-American Conference. Thank you! 
 
Fire Up Chips!