The West Michigan Sports Commission (WMSC) is bolstering its team as it continues fundraising for the Meijer Sports Complex expansion, hiring fundraising expert Barbara Benda to fill a new position as director of development. The WMSC also hired Courtney Miner as event coordinator of the Meijer State Games of Michigan, the commission’s signature event that embodies the values of participation, sportsmanship and healthy living among Michigan residents.

The West Michigan Sports Commission (WMSC) announced two staff promotions this week – Katy Tigchelaar to Vice President of Operations from Director of Marketing and Events, and Julie Shields to Director of the State Games of Michigan from Event Coordinator.

The West Michigan Sports Commission (WMSC) announced today that a $1 million lead gift by Meijer toward the Meijer Sports Complex’s A Winning Streak for West Michigan expansion campaign was the catalyst to generate additional gifts, bringing the fundraising total to $5.8 million, or 53 percent of its $11 million goal. Based on funding to date, some elements of the project could begin in late 2023. The announcement was made at a private donor event at the Meijer Sports Complex.

West Michigan’s youth and amateur sports industry has not only bounced back from pre-COVID times, it has left the last few years of pandemic-related uncertainty in its dust. The West Michigan Sports Commission (WMSC) reported today that 2022 was its strongest year ever…