Bruce Madej to Retire June 2014

This announcement came through last night and I’m sad to see it.  Like Jon Falk, U-M is losing another legend who’s not only been great to me personally, but also a legacy to a bygone era.  Here’s to hoping Bruce puts together a memoir of his days at #1000SSS sometime soon.  

But as Bruce posted on Twitter, “it is not over yet! #GOBLUE.”   Cheers to that, and cheers to Bruce.

Full release via media relations:

Long Time U-M PR Man Bruce Madej To Retire In 2014

ANN ARBOR, Mich. –Bruce Madej, the longest serving Sports Information Director in the history of the University of Michigan Athletic Department (1982-2010) and now U-M’s Associate Athletic Director for Special Projects, announced (Wednesday, August 7) his retirement effective June 30, 2014. At that time, Madej will complete 34 years of service to Michigan Athletics. 

“I have had the privilege to be an integral part of many of the greatest moments in Michigan Athletic history, yet those achievements rank a distant second to the friendships and the relationships I have been able to build and maintain with student-athletes, coaches, department team members, ‘M’ letter winners, alums, supporters, fans and the media through the years,” said Madej. “I have been especially blessed with those who have been close to me on a daily basis—my family and the outstanding group of public relations and publication experts – who made this career and lifestyle so rewarding.”

Read on after the jump

“Bruce has been a part of Michigan Athletics history for over 30 years,” said Director of Athletics Dave Brandon. “His contributions are many and we look forward to celebrating his well-deserved retirement in 2014.”

Madej first came to Michigan in 1978 as an Assistant Sports Information Director. After a brief stint with the American Power Boat Association as Director of Public Relations and Marketing for Offshore Racing, he returned to U-M in July of 1982 as the Sports Information Director and remained as the head of that department until October, 2010 when he took over as Associate Athletic Director for Special Projects.

Madej now handles numerous social media, feature writing and other special projects for the department and the Director of Athletics. His latest project is working with design groups to develop written and interactive content for the technology at Crisler Center.  Currently, he is also involved with the design and content team for the Schembechler Hall renovation.

As SID and Media Relations Director, not only was Madej the head of public relations and spokesperson for the U-M Athletic Department, he also was responsible for the Michigan Athletic Department’s cutting edge technology and new media.

U-M was one of the first university athletic departments to:

— Use computer stats as the official in-game and post-game statistics for college football (mid 1980’s);

— Create a dedicated athletic web site (1994);

— Report results for an NCAA Championship using the internet and computer results (1996, women’s swimming)

— Allow ‘bloggers’ into the press box for athletic events (2005);

–Sell tickets via internet to a bowl game (Capital One Bowl, 2002 vs. Tennessee)

–Develop ‘Twitter’ accounts for individual athletic teams (2009).

In 1989, Madej accepted responsibility for promotions and marketing and was named Assistant Athletic Director by then Director of Intercollegiate Athletics Bo Schembechler.  He worked with Stu Mayer of Olympia Entertainment to bring the Michigan-Michigan State ice hockey game to Joe Louis Arena and later worked with Tom Wilson and John Ciszewski of The Palace to have Michigan play Notre Dame in Auburn Hills. Along with U-M Athletic Director Jack Weidenbach, Madej worked to create the WCHA/CCHA Ice Hockey Classic between U-M, Michigan State, Wisconsin and Minnesota.

In September of 2003, Madej was promoted to Associate Athletic Director by Athletic Director Bill Martin.

He was rewarded for his dedication to the athletic department in 2001, receiving an honorary ‘M’ from the Letterwinners M Club.

Madej also co-authored the book ‘Michigan: Champions of the West’ with Rob Toonkel, Mike Pearson and Greg Kinney in 1997.

Last year, he was honored with The Champions Award by Wolverines for Life, the University of Michigan’s initiative to promote life-saving organ and tissue donation, helping forge the very successful relationship between the group and U-M Athletics.

A native of Dearborn, Michigan, Madej graduated from Western Michigan University in 1974 and from the University of Detroit High School in 1970. He was a sports writer for both The Ypsilanti Press and The Ann Arbor News before joining Michigan.

He and his wife Suzette (Mannlein) have three children, Mike (married to Libby Bryant), John and William. They also have one grandchild, Eli.