New Museum Exhibit Explores the History of the Kalamazoo Wings

KALAMAZOO, Mich., Sept. 8, 2018 /PRNewswire-PRWeb/ -- A new exhibit at the Kalamazoo Valley Museum, Your Kalamazoo Wings! The First 45 Years, will inspire admiration for Kalamazoo's oldest professional sports team. The exhibit, open from Sept. 27, 2018, to March 31, 2019, was created so that fans could recall some of the league's most memorable moments and so that those who are still unfamiliar with the team have a chance to learn about its history. The Kalamazoo Wings are celebrating their 45th year in the community.

Along with learning more about the team's formation, the construction of the Wings Event Center, and early championship titles, visitors will also see how the culture of the game and the fan base has evolved. Did you know the Kalamazoo Wings invented the practice of turning the ice different colors for special events? The very first colored ice game took place in 1982 on St. Patrick's Day and has continued as their Green Ice Game ever since.

K-Wings fans will see rare artifacts on loan from former players and the K-Wings Hockey organization. Many of these relate to the Turner Cup Championship in 1979 and 1980, the Colonial Cup Championship, and to changes in the league over the years. The exhibit also exclusively acknowledges its strong fan base, including fan memorabilia borrowed from a former Slapshot mascot, AKA "Slappy." When the K-Wings played their first-ever game in Kalamazoo at their new Stadium on October 30, 1974, they played in front of 4,157 fans.

Those unfamiliar with hockey will learn the rules and terms of the game, more about the game, and its impact on the Kalamazoo community. Interviews with former players, staff, and fans of the team will add a personal dimension to the story that all visitors can relate to.

The Kalamazoo Valley Museum is operated by Kalamazoo Valley Community College and is governed by its Board of Trustees.

Media Contact:
Bill McElhone
Kalamazoo Valley Museum Director
269-373-7990, wgouldmcelh(at)kvcc.edu

SOURCE Kalamazoo Valley Community College