Familiar Face Returns to Athletics Advancement Position

HOUGHTON, Mich. – Michigan Tech has hired Darcy Way, who played hockey and previously worked in athletic development for the Huskies, as an advancement officer. The 1982 graduate returns to Tech, with his primary role being to identify, cultivate, solicit and steward major gifts for athletics.

Way’s long association with Michigan Tech began in 1978, when he joined the hockey program as a goaltender. He returned to serve as director of alumni relations from 1990-98. He moved to a position of director of athletic development from 1998-2001 before leaving Michigan Tech when his family relocated to Eau Claire, Wis.

“I’ve been a Husky for more than 30 years, many of them spent in Houghton working for Michigan Tech,” said Way. “Even after we moved to Wisconsin and I worked in other areas, my heart and passion still were connected to Tech and especially the hockey program. When I was approached to consider the Michigan Tech job, I knew this was an opportunity to return to my roots, reconnect with fellow alumni and friends and work for a great athletic program and university. I couldn’t be happier being a part of the Tech team again.”

Since leaving Tech in 2001, Way worked in the development and marketing arena for non-profit organizations. He directed Momentum Chippewa Valley, a regional economic development organization. He also served as a development specialist for the Chippewa Valley Technical College. Way directed the Children’s Museum of Eau Claire where he was responsible for the overall leadership and management of the independent non-profit. Currently, he is the director of philanthropy at St. Joseph’s Hospital in Chippewa Falls.

“Darcy’s a great person to lead our development efforts,” said Michigan Tech athletic director Suzanne Sanregret. “He already has strong ties to Michigan Tech and our alumni. He’s been part of the Tech family for many years, and we’re happy to have him back working to continue the growth of our programs.”

Way has been active in civic affairs in the Eau Claire area, serving as president of the Eau Claire Kiwanis Club, president of the Chippewa Valley Fundraising Professionals and a member of the Board of the Museum of Science and Technology in Chippewa Falls. He is a current participant in Leadership Chippewa Falls and a graduate of Leadership Eau Claire. He was the first recipient of the Kiwanis Club’s Terry Sheridan Award.

At Michigan Tech, Way was an advisor of the Tech Student Foundation and a Theta Tau Fraternity corporation board member. He also received the Clair Donovan Award for outstanding service to Michigan Tech.

Way received his MBA degree from the University of Wisconsin-Eau Claire. His wife, Kimera, a former executive director of the Michigan Tech Fund, is president of the UW-Eau Claire Foundation. They have three daughters, Elizabeth, a nursing major at Northern Michigan University, and Anika and Emily, high school students at Memorial High School in Eau Claire.

"We're extremely pleased to have someone on board who has the unique combination of a strong passion for and history in Tech athletics, along with a long and successful track record in the field of major gift fundraising," said Eric Halonen, Tech's assistant vice president for advancement.

Way will primarily operate from his Eau Claire base and travel the country and Canada meeting with alumni and friends of the Michigan Tech athletic program. He will also regularly spend time on campus. Way will begin his duties March 30.