Sports & Recreation

My Town Kalamazoo: Growlers kick off mascot naming contest

Submitted by Christa Graban, Producer

Thursday, February 27th, 2014, 2:19pm

My Town Kalamazoo: Growlers kick off mascot naming contest

KALAMAZOO, Mich.—The community gave the Kalamazoo Growlers their name; now the minor league baseball team is tapping fans again to name the new mascot.

The Meijer #NameYourMascot competition is underway. Everyone is encouraged to submit their best name idea for the newest member of the Growler’s family by filling out the online contest form here or through social media by using the Meijer #NameYourMascot hashtag or mentioning the Growlers on Twitter (@kzoogrowlers).

The team will hold a vote to determine the winner, who receive the following benefits:

Mascot lawn mowing services for a day
Mascot driveway snow removal appearance
Mascot Valentine’s Day flower delivery to your sweetheart
Mascot birthday party appearance
$100 Meijer shopping spree with the new mascot

The mascot’s new name will be announced during an official unveiling event later this spring.

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Submitted by Christa Graban, Producer

Tuesday, February 11th, 2014, 7:00am

USA Curling Championship will return to Kalamazoo

KALAMAZOO, Mich.—A sport playing out on the ice in Sochi will be coming to Kalamazoo next year.

The city is opening up its home ice to the 2015 USA Curling Men’s and Women’s National Championships. The competition will take place Feb. 14-22 at Wings Stadium.

USA Curling decided to bring the event back to Wings Stadium after a successful run there in 2010.

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Submitted by Christa Graban, Producer

Monday, February 3rd, 2014, 12:52pm

Runners to get dirty for clean water during Mud Run

KALAMAZOO, Mich.-- Snow is on the ground but Kalamazoo is already getting ready for lots of mud during its third annual Mud Run.

More than 2,000 runners are expected to splash in the mud during the event on Saturday, June 7 at Kalamazoo Community Church. This year, organizers are making the Mud Run a single loop 5K course with up to 20 unique obstacles. Teams can be any size and awards will be handed out to the top fund-raising competitors and best costumes.

The Kalamazoo Mud Run is open to runners age 12 and up. Children ages 6-12 can take part in a shorter Kid’s Mud Run. To register, visit the Kalamazoo Mud Run page here.

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Submitted by Christa Graban, Producer

Tuesday, January 21st, 2014, 10:05am

Traditional Bowhunters Expo comes to Kalamazoo Jan. 24-26

KALAMAZOO, Mich.—Embrace your inner Katniss this weekend when the Traditional Bowhunters Expo comes to Kalamazoo.

This is the 19th year for the expo, which features nearly 100 of the nation’s top traditional bow hunting bowyers, dealers and crafters. The expo runs Jan. 24-26 at the Kalamazoo County Fairgrounds.

“If you’re a hardcore traditional archery person, you wouldn’t want to miss it,” says show organizer Sharon Brumm. “There’s traditional archery equipment, wood arrows, many custom-built bows and self bows, which is a bow made from one piece of wood. There are leather goods, wool hunting clothing, broadhead displays, and so much more.”

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Submitted by Christa Graban, Producer

Wednesday, January 15th, 2014, 4:22pm

Ottawa Hills hosts Floyd Mayweather Classic Jan. 18

GRAND RAPIDS, Mich.-- Ottawa Hills High School will host Saginaw Arthur Hill this Saturday, Jan. 18 as part of the Floyd Mayweather Classic.

Five games will play out on the basketball court, starting with Lansing Sexton vs. River Rouge at noon. Kalamazoo Central will take on Lansing Eastern at 2 p.m., followed by East English Village vs. Flint Southwestern at 4 p.m. and the Muskegon Big Reds vs. Chicago Orr at 6 p.m. Ottawa Hills will close out the classic at 8 p.m.

Tickets to the Floyd Mayweather Classic are $10 and are good for all five games. Children age 5 and under are free. Tickets are available at the door or at the Ottawa Hills Athletic Office Wednesday through Friday, from 12 p.m. and 3 p.m. OK Conference, Golden Age and Grand Rapids Public Schools staff passes will not be accepted at the event.

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Submitted by Cheri Mikowski, WZZM Receptionist & Community Blogger

Friday, December 20th, 2013, 7:00am

KALAMAZOO, Mich.--Wings Stadium will come alive on Friday, Dec. 20 and Saturday, Dec. 21 as the Kalamazoo Wings take on the Toledo Walleye in a back-to-back games.

Be on the lookout for Red Wings legend Darren McCarty, who will be in the house signing autographs and interacting with fans!

Wings Stadium is located at 3600 Vanrick. Each game begins at 7:30 p.m. For more information, call (269) 345-1125 or visit www.discoverkalamazoo.com for event listings.

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Submitted by Christa Graban, Producer

Monday, November 18th, 2013, 2:29pm

New baseball team's name pays homage to city's beer culture

KALAMAZOO, Mich.— Kalamazoo’s new baseball team now has a name.

The Kalamazoo Growlers will play their first game at Homer Stryker Field next year. The Growlers announced their name Friday, following an online contest. The new name pays homage to the city’s rich history of craft beer breweries.

More than 3,000 votes were cast for the five finalists, which also included the Cabbies, the Clutch, the Kangaroos and the Krakens. Kalamazoo native Joe Weinstein, who came up with the Growlers’ name, will get season tickets for life.

The Kalamazoo Growlers are part of the Northwoods League, which recruits top college players from North America. Western Michigan University’s Brent Sunde and Jared Kujawa will play on the team, which will be managed by former Ohio University head coach Joe Carbone.

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