2013 Gymnastics guide
1 Day Date Meet Location Time
Sun. Dec. 6 at Michigan (Scrimmage) Crisler Arena 2 p.m. Sun. Jan. 10 at Pittsburgh/Maryland/Towson Fitzgerald Field House 2 p.m. Sun. Jan. 17 at Western Michigan/Bowling Green Reed Field House 1 p.m. Sun. Jan. 24 at Ball State/Illinois State Irving Gymnasium 1 p.m. Sat. Jan. 30 vs. NORTHERN ILLINOIS Convocation Center 4 p.m. Fri. Feb. 5 vs. CENTRAL MICHIGAN Convocation Center 6:30 p.m. Mon. Feb. 8 at Michigan/Maryland Crisler Arena 7 p.m. Sat. Feb. 13 at Bowling Green/SEMO Anderson Arena 6 p.m. Fri. Feb. 19 vs. WESTERN MICHIGAN Convocation Center 6:30 p.m. Sat. Feb. 27 at Ohio State/Pittsburgh St. John Arena 4 p.m. Fri. Mar. 4 at Kent State M.A.C. Center 7 p.m. Thu. Mar. 10 vs. CENTRAL MICHIGAN/SEMO Convocation Center 6:30 p.m. Sat. Mar. 19 MAC Championships Irving Gymnasium 2 p.m.
Home meets in BOLD CAPS All times are site times (as of Jan. 6, 2015)
2 Table of Contents & Quick Facts
TABLE OF CONTENTS EMU QUICK FACTS 2016 Gymnastics Cover...... 1 Location...... Ypsilanti, Mich. 2016 Schedule...... 2 Founded...... 1849 Table of Contents & Quick Facts...... 3 Enrollment...... 22,638 Nickname...... Eagles Athletic Department Directory...... 4 Colors...... Green and White Athletic Media Relations...... 5 Conference...... Mid-American (MAC) 2016 EMU Gymnastics Team Photo...... 6 Home Gymnasium...... Convocation Center 2016 EMU Gymnastics Roster...... 7 Capacity...... 8,784 2016 Season Preview...... 8 Administration VP/Director of Athletics...... Heather Lyke Seniors...... 9-10 Deputy Director of Athletics...... Christian Spears Juniors...... 11-16 Sr. Associate AD/Administration...... Erin Kido Sophomores...... 16-22 Sr. Associate AD/Administration...... Chris Hoppe Freshmen...... 23-26 Sr. Associate AD/Finance and Operations...... Mike Malach Head Coach Jay Santos...... 27 Associate AD/Compliance ...... Matt Jakobsze Associate AD/Development...... Dan McLean Asst. Coaches Jess Santos...... 28 Assistant AD/Media Relations...... Greg Steiner Vol. Coaches Shea Anderson/Brooke Parker...... 29 Assistant AD/Academics...... Dr. Taela Drummer The Mid-American Conference...... 30 Assistant AD/Equipment Operations...... Ben Herman Individual & Team Records...... 31-36 Faculty Athletic Representative...... Dr. Edward Sidlow 2015 Season Results...... 37 Administrative Assistant...... Lori Barron Gymnastics Coaching Information 2015 MAC Championship Results...... 38 Head Coach...... Jay Santos All-Time Coaching Records...... 39 Alma Mater, Year...... Massachusetts, 1995 Warner Gymnasium...... 40 Record at EMU (Years)...... 13-5 (2nd Season) Cartwright & Jacoby Awards...... 41 Office Phone Number...... 734.487.1082 Academic Performance...... 42 Assistant Coach...... Jessica Santos This is EMU...... 43-47 Alma Mater, Year...... West Virginia, 2005 Office Phone Number...... 734.487.0310 EMU Board of Regents...... 48 Volunteer Assistant Coach...... Shea Anderson Director of Athletics Heather Lyke...... 49-50 Office Phone Number...... 734.487.0310 Athletic Dept. Staff...... 51-61 Volunteer Assistant Coach...... Brooke Parker Athletic Dept. Staff & Head Coaches...... 62 Office Phone Number...... 734.487.0310 Convocation Center...... 63 Team Information 2015 Record...... 13-5 EMU Athletic Facilities...... 64-65 2014 MAC Record/Finish...... 3-3/4th Pepsi...... 66 Letterwinners Returning/Lost...... 9/5 The EMU Identity...... 67 Newcomers...... 5 Student-Athlete Support Services...... 68 NCAA Compliance...... 69 adidas...... 70 Eagles Pride...... 71 EMU Gymnastics on the Web 10.0 Club...... 72 EMU Athletic Hall of Fame...... 73 @EMUGym
#EMUEagles #EMUGYM
Over the past 11 years, some information that was once printed exclusively in EMU Athletics media guides has been moved to the depart- ment's official website, EMUEagles.com. Visit the gymnastics home page to find such infor- mation.
Credits Layout/Editor: Mark Panhorst Assistant Editors: Greg Steiner Sean Hostetter Katie Gonzales EMUEagles.com/gymnastics twitter.com/EMUGym facebook.com/emugymnastics Dan Whitaker
Photography: Randy Mascharka, Walt Middleton, EMU on Mobile Devices Steve King Fans using mobile devices can access news, scores and schedules on emueagles.com/mobile Information is current as of: Jan. 6, 2015
3 Athletics Department Directory
ATHLETIC DEPARTMENT PHONE DIRECTORY Mission, Vision & Core Values for EMU Athletics (All phone numbers area code 734) Mission of EMU Athletics • Our mission, above all else, is to guide, support, and inspire ADMINISTRATION our Student-Athletes in their comprehensive pursuit of Heather Lyke, Athletics Director...... 487.1050 excellence – academically, athletically and socially while Christian Spears, Deputy Director of Athletics...... 487.1050 maintaining a successful Division I-A athletics program. Christopher Hoppe, Sr. Assoc. AD/Admin...... 487.3263 Erin Kido, Sr. Assoc. AD/Admin...... 487.1050 Vision of EMU Athletics Mike Malach, Sr. Assoc. AD/Finance and Ops...... 487.7174 • Our vision is to become the premiere program in the Mid- American Conference both academically and athletically. Jennifer Brown, Assoc. AD/Sports Medicine...... 487.5183 Matthew Jakobsze, Assoc. AD/Compliance...... 487.7859 Core Values of EMU Athletics Dan McLean, Assoc. AD/Development...... 487.1050 Four values guide and govern our actions at all times and in Dr. Taela Drummer, Assoc. A.D./Academics ...... 487.1283 all our affairs. The values define “what we stand for” and “what Greg Steiner, Asst. AD/Media Relations...... 487.0317 we will not stand for.” They include: Ben Herman, Asst. A.D./Equipment Ops...... 487.0166 1. Respect Dr. Edward Sidlow, Faculty Athletics Rep...... 487.3113 We treat ourselves and those we serve with dignity, Jeff Czachowski, Ticket Manager...... 487.2282 kindness and respect. Adam Martin, Director of Operations...... 487.1050 2. Integrity GYMNASTICS STAFF We operate in a spirit of integrity at all times and know that doing the right thing is of utmost importance. Jay Santos, Head Coach...... 487.1082 Jessica Santos, Assistant Coach...... 487.0310 3. Passion Shea Anderson, Volunteer Assistant Coach...... 487.0310 We have a strong work ethic and are passionate about what Brooke Parker, Volunteer Assistant Coach...... 487.0310 we do. This is more than just a job to us.
4. Excellence HEAD COACHING STAFF Excellence is the cornerstone of all we do within our Kimi Olson, Volleyball...... 487.0291 department, on campus, within the local community, as well David Bolyard, Wrestling...... 487.0395 as on the regional and national levels. Bruce Cunningham, Men’s Golf...... 487.6703/2441 Chris Creighton, Football...... 487.2160 Melissa Gentile, Softball...... 487.1031 John Goodridge, Men’s X-Country/Track...... 487.2245 Kemp Savage, Women’s Rowing...... 487.6690 Scott Hall, Women’s Soccer...... 487.2144 Peter Linn, Swimming...... 487.0463 Sue Parks, Women’s Track/X-Country...... 487.0262 Rob Murphy, Men’s Basketball...... 487.0241 Ryan Ray, Women’s Tennis...... 487.2244 Buck Smith, Diving...... 487.3079 Mary Spilski, Cheerleading...... 761.2592 Ron McKeefery, Sports Performance...... 487.2152 Mark Van Ameyde, Baseball...... 487.1985 Tory Verdi, Women’s Basketball...... 487.0481 Pina Gentile, Women’s Golf...... 487.6435 Jenna Williams, Dance...... 248.470.9123
4 Athletic Media Relations
DIRECTIONS TO THE
CONVOCATION CENTER By air: Arriving at Detroit Metro Airport, take I-94 west to Michigan Avenue exit (exit 181B). Get in the far left lane and turn left on Hewitt Road. Head north on Hewitt for 2.5 miles, past Washtenaw Avenue. The arena is on the east side of the road. From North: U.S. 23 south to Washtenaw Avenue east (exit Greg Steiner Sean Hostetter Katie Gonzales Mark Panhorst Dan Whitaker 37A); take Washtenaw to Hewitt Road; turn left on Hewitt and proceed to the Convocation Assistant Athletic Director/Media Relations...... Greg Steiner Center. Office Phone...... 734.487.0317 From South: Cellular Phone...... 734.845.1132 U.S. 23 north to Washtenaw Avenue east (exit E-mail...... [email protected] 37A); take Washtenaw to Hewitt Road; turn Primary Sports Covered...... Football, Women’s Basketball, Golf and Website left on Hewitt and proceed to the Convocation Center. Assistant Director of Athletic Media Relations...... Sean Hostetter From East: Office Phone...... 734.487.0318 (A) Take I-94 west to Michigan Avenue exit (exit Cellular Phone...... 734.218.3417 181B). Get in the far left lane and turn left on E-mail...... [email protected] Hewitt Road. Head north on Hewitt for 2.5 miles, Primary Sports Covered...... Volleyball, Men’s Basketball and Tennis past Washtenaw Avenue. The arena is on the east side of the street. Athletic Media Relations Graduate Assistant...... Katie Gonzales (B) Take I-96 west to M-14 west. Follow M-14 to Office Phone...... 734.487.0318 U.S. 23 south. Go south to Washtenaw Avenue Cellular Phone...... 773.512.6079 east (exit 37A); take Washtenaw to Hewitt Road; E-mail...... [email protected] turn left on Hewitt and proceed to the Convoca- tion Center. Primary Sports Covered...... Soccer, Swimming & Diving, and Softball From West: Take I-94 east to Michigan Avenue exit (exit 181). Athletic Media Relations Graduate Assistant...... Mark Panhorst Turn left and get in the far left lane. Turn left on Office Phone...... 734.487.0318 Hewitt and head north on Hewitt approximately Cellular Phone...... 630.440.7971 2.5 miles, past Washtenaw. The arena is on the E-mail...... [email protected] east side of the road. Primary Sports Covered...... Cross Country, Gymnastics, and Track & Field CALL ON US Athletic Media Relations Assistant...... Dan Whitaker All University Numbers start with 734.487. Office Phone...... 734.487.0318 (The last four are listed below) Cellular Phone...... 734.478.8114 E-mail...... [email protected] Athletics Administrators Primary Sports Covered...... Baseball, Rowing, and Wrestling Athletic Director Heather Lyke...... 1050 Deputy Dir. of Ath. Christian Spears...... 1050 Address:...... 799 N. Hewitt Rd., Convocation Center, Ypsilanti, MI 48197 Sr. Assoc. A.D. Mike Malach...... 7174 Sr. Assoc. A.D. Chris Hoppe...... 3263 Assoc. A.D. Dr. Taela Drummer...... 1283 Assoc. A.D. Matt Jacobsze...... 7859 Assoc. A.D. Dan McLean...... 1050 Asst. A.D. Greg Steiner...... 0317 Secretary Lori Barron...... 1050
Athletics Equipment Staff Asst. A.D. Ben Herman...... 0166 Asst. Equip. Mgr. Wayne Smith.... 6478/1029
Facilities Staff Dir. of Operations Adam Martin...... 1050
Ticket Office Ticket Manager Jeff Czachowski...... 3823 5 2016 EMU Gymnastics Team
Left to Right: Sydney McEachern, Sydney Audet, Kimberly Ebeyer, Megan Marino, Megan Hultgren, Ken- dall Valentin, Lacey Rubin, Ciara Gresham, Natalie Gervais, Kaitlyn Ford, Kelsie Brooks, Rachel Slocum, Julia Schwartz, Carly Clark, Taylor Young, Kirsten Gendron, Catie Conrad
6 2016 Roster
Name Events Ht. Cl. Hometown-High School Sydney Audet AA 5-2 Fr. Sylvania, Ohio / Sylvania Northview Kelsie Brooks AA 5-4 Jr. Winston, Ga. / Alexander Carly Clark AA 5-3 Fr. White Lake, Mich. / Walled Lake Northern Catie Conrad AA 5-1 So. Brighton, Mich. / Brighton Kimberly Ebeyer VT,BB,FX 5-4 Sr. Greenwood, Ind. / Whiteland Community Kaityln Ford AA 5-7 Fr. Bartlett, Ill. / Bartlett Kirsten Gendron AA 5-1 So. Birch Run, Mich. / Frankenmuth Natalie Gervais AA 5-4 Jr. Winnipeg, Manitoba / Sturgeon Heights Ciara Gresham AA 5-5 Fr. Shiloh, Ill. / Belleville Megan Hultgren AA 5-3 Fr. Rockford, Ill. / Sacred Heart Classical Center Megan Marino AA 5-3 So. Girard, Ohio / Howland Sydney McEachern AA 5-1 Jr. Winnipeg, Manitoba / Kelvin Lacey Rubin UB,BB 5-4 Jr. Plainview, N.Y. / Plainview Old Bethpage John F. Kennedy Julia Schwartz AA 5-5 So. Gilbert, Ariz. / Mesquite Rachel Slocum VT,BB,FX 5-3 So. Holly Springs, N.C. / Holly Springs Kendall Valentin AA 5-4 So. Holmdel, N.J. / Holmdel
Head Coach: Jay Santos (Massachusetts, 1995) -- 2nd season Assistant Coach: Jessica Santos (West Virginia, 2005) -- 2nd season Volunteer Assistant: Shea Anderson (Iowa State, 2012) -- 2nd season Brooke Parker (Michigan, 2015) -- 1st season Student Manager: Bianca Jordaan
Sydney Audet Kelsie Brooks Carly Clark Catie Conrad Kimberly Ebeyer Kaitlyn Ford 5-2 • Freshman 5-4 • Junior 5-3 • Freshman 5-1 • Sophomore 5-4 • Senior 5-7 • Freshman
Kirsten Gendron Natalie Gervais Ciara Gresham Megan Hultgren Megan Marino Sydney McEachern 5-1 • Sophomore 5-4 • Junior 5-5 • Freshman 5-3 • Freshman 5-3 • Sophomore 5-1 • Junior
Lacey Rubin Julia Schwartz Rachel Slocum Kendall Valentin 5-4 • Junior 5-5 • Sophomore 5-3 • Sophomore 5-4 • Sophomore
7 2016 Season Preview
The 2016 season marks the second season under Head Coach Jay Santos, Megan Hultgren looks to be in the mix for lineup immediately, as she is very who led the Eagles to an impressive 13-5 (3-3 MAC) record in his first year. strong on beam. Freshman Katie Ford will provide additional depth as well. Assistant Coach Jess Santos and Volunteer Assistant Shea Anderson both Seniors return for their second year as well, while Brooke Parker makes her debut Floor: On floor, EMU will miss the big scores provided by anchor Chantelle as the second Volunteer Assistant for the Green and White. Loehner. This season, the squad will look to Sydney McEachern and Rachel Slocum to lead the floor lineup. McEachern, who was in the floor lineup for Key Returners: Despite the loss of Eagle veterans Anna Willette, Carrina Lo every meet, averaged a 9.73 on the year and had a season-high of 9.8 twice. Bello, Chantelle Loehner, Paulina Miller, and Nikki Paterson, the Eagles Slocum, who was also regularly in the lineup, earned six scores throughout return a squad full of talent. the season above 9.8. Freshman Ciara Gresham will look to make a big The Eagles’ top returner will be sophomore Kendall Valentin, who was impact on the floor lineup with her powerful tumbling as well. Sophomore Second Team All-MAC selection following her freshman year. She provides Kirsten Gendron has had a strong preseason and is expected to appear in the Green and White with high scoring on bars, beam, and vault. Junior the Eagle lineup as well. While Natalie Gervais and Julia Schwartz did not Sydney McEachern and sophomore Catie Conrad also look to contribute see any action on floor this past season, both look to contribute this season. on multiple events for the Eagles this season. Additionally, senior Kimberly Ebeyer provides a veteran presence, as she The 2016 Schedule: The Green and White open their regular season with has competition experience on vault, beam, and floor throughout her three a tri-meet on the road against Pittsburgh and Maryland Sunday, Jan. 10 in seasons as an Eagle. Junior Lacey Rubin provides a big score on bars and Fitzgerland Field House. Following their opening meet, the team begins their beam as well, while junior Natalie Gervais and sophomore Rachel Slocum Mid-American Conference season with a tri-meet against Western Michigan are high scoring returners on beam and floor, respectively. Both Valentin and and Bowling Green Sunday, Jan. 17 on the campus of WMU. Conrad may be seen in the all-around this season, as both have been working The Eagles then continue their season on the road, as the team will travel to improve their floor routines. to Muncie, Ind. for a meet with Ball State Sunday, Jan. 24, in Irving Gymna- sium. As Ball State will be hosting the 2016 MAC Championships, this event New Faces in the Gym: The will allow the Eagles to gain experience in the venue and familiarize them- Eagles welcome five new faces selves with their surroundings, to the 2016 squad: Sydney Au- which could be valuable at the det, Carly Clark, Kaitlyn Ford, end of the season . To close out Ciara Gresham, and Megan the month of January, the team Hultgren. begins their home schedule with a meet against Northern Vault: The Eagles will miss Illinois Saturday, Jan. 30, in the vault anchor Anna Willette, but Convocation Center. also bring back experienced The team then has a vaulters from last season. Both string of three meets in eight Valentin and sophomore Julia days, which will test the endur- Schwartz scored above 9.8 last ance and depth of the squad season. McEachern proved to as a whole. Following their be a consistent vaulter last sea- home opener, the squad opens son as well, as she competed February with another home in every meet with an average dual, this time against Central vault score of 9.7. Slocum, who Michigan Friday, Feb. 5, at 6:30 looks to debut a new 10.0 value vault this season, will be in the mix as well. p.m. The Eagles then return to Ann Arbor for a bout with the Wolverines, as Newcomer Ciara Gresham finished tenth on vault at JO Nationals this past well as the Terrapins, Monday, Feb. 8, at 7:00 p.m. To close out the three-meet season, and will give the Green and White another powerful vaulter capable stretch, the Green and White travel to Bowling Green for a meet against the of putting up a solid score. Other potential contributors on the event include Falcons, as well as Southeast Missouri State. The competition at Anderson Catie Conrad and junior Kelsie Brooks, who is returning from an injury this Arena will take place Saturday, Feb. 13, at 6:00 p.m. past season. Less than a week later, the team returns home for a competition against Western Michigan, which will take place Friday Feb. 19. To finish out Febru- Bars: The Green and White return a host of gymnasts with experience on ary, the Eagles travel to Columbus, Ohio for a bout against Ohio State and bars, highlighted by Kendall Valentin, Catie Conrad, and Lacey Rubin. Both Pittsburgh Saturday, Feb. 27, at 7:00 p.m. in St. John Arena. Conrad and Natalie Gervais have been working upgraded skills that will make To close out their season, the Green and White have two final regular a big impact on the bar lineup as a whole. McEachern and Brooks will look to season competitions before the conference championship. The Eagles con- make an impact as well, with both gymnasts having competition experience clude the away-portion of their schedule Friday, Mar. 4, with a meet against on the event. Freshman Megan Hultgren was a three-time level 10 state bars Kent State in the M.A.C. Center. The final opportunity for a tune-up before champion and will make an immediate impact on the Eagle lineup. Fellow the postseason comes as a competition at home with Central Michigan and freshman Carly Clark looks to be fighting for a lineup spot as well. Southeast Missouri State Friday, Mar. 11, at 6:30 p.m. The Eagles then travel back to Muncie, Ind. for the 2016 MAC Champion- Beam: The team will once again miss the consistency of beam anchor Anna ships, which is scheduled to begin Saturday, Mar. 19, at 2:00 p.m. in Irving Willette. However, the Eagles have built up depth on beam, as five returners Gymnasium. The Green and White look to capture their first MAC title since from last year all have competition experience on what is considered to be the 2007, and their second in program history. toughest event in gymnastics. The Green and White will look to Catie Conrad, who posted six scores of 9.7 or higher in the 2015 season, as well as Kimberly Ebeyer, who notched a season-high of 9.8. Additionally, Natalie Gervais scored above a 9.8 in four separate meets within the span of a month. Lacey Rubin is also capable of putting up big scores on the event, as she went on a streak lasting from Jan. 17 until the end of the season in which she scored above a 9.725 in nine meets. Finally, Kendall Valentin competed on beam in multiple meets as well, scoring a season-high 9.75 against Kent State, Feb. 7. Freshman 8 Seniors
9 Seniors
Kimberly Ebeyer Juniors 5-3, Senior All-Around Greenwood, Ind. (Whiteland) EMU: 2015: NACGC/W Academic All-American honoree for the 2015 season...Competed in 10 meets for the Green and White, primarily on the beam…Earned a third-place finish on the beam against UIC with a 9.750…Notched a 9.800 with a fifth-place finish on the beam when the Eagles broke the EMU school record against West- ern Michigan, Feb. 20… 2014: Named Academic All-MAC honorable mention...Was a focal point in the Eastern vault, beam and floor rota- tions for all 10 meets throughout the season…Recorded the highest score of her career, a 9.825 on beam at the Eagle Invitational (March 8)…Tallied a personal-best 9.775 on floor in the season-opening Kent State Quad (Jan. 17)…Marked a new career-high on vault with a 9.775 against Central Michigan (Feb. 7)… 2013: Competed in five events for the Eagles, primarily on the balance beam…In her colle- giate debut against Western Michigan (Jan. 20) received scores of 9.700 and 9.675 from the judges on vault and beam, respectively… High School: Attended Whiteland Community High School...A level 10 gymnast from Wright’s Gymnastics in Indiana...Personal: Full Name: Kimberly Nicole Ebeyer...Daughter of David and Jen- nifer Ebeyer...Has two brothers, Matthias and Isaac, and one sister, Sarah who is a gymnast at Ball State University...Major: Pre-Dental.
Kimberly Ebeyer Career Bests Vault Bars Beam Floor 9.775 ---- 9.825 9.775
10 Juniors
11 Juniors
Kelsie Brooks 5-4, Junior All-Around Winston, Ga. (Alexander)
EMU: 2015: Did not com- pete in the 2015 season due to injury... 2014: Competed in five meets in her debut season don- ning the Green and White…Posted a career-high 9.650 on vault in her first collegiate event versus Central Michigan (Feb. 7)…Recorded a personal- best 9.750 on bars at the Eagle Invitational (March 8), helping the Eagles to a season-high score of 194.900…Represented EMU at the MAC Champi- onships (March 22) on bars, posting a 9.700...High School: Qualified for Level 10 Georgia State and Region 8 in three separate years...Two-time NIT qualifier...NIT bars champion in 2013...Secured Level 9 Georgia State and Eastern qualifier status as a freshman...Personal: Full Name: Kelsie Elizabeth Brooks...Daughter of Kevin and Donna Brooks... Has one brother, Kevin Jr...Major: Exercise Science.
Kelsie Brooks Career Bests Vault Bars Beam Floor 9.650 9.750 ------
12 Natalie Gervais 5-4, Junior All-Around Winnipeg, Manitoba (Sturgeon Heights)
EMU: 2015: Named an NACGC/W Academic All-American for the 2015 season...Participated in nine meets for Eastern Michigan in the 2015 season on the beam...Capped off the regular season with a first-place finish on the beam against North- ern Illinois, earning a career-best 9.875 on the apparatus… Notched two second-place finishes on the beam for the Green and White...2014: Named a NACGC/W Academic All-American ... Competed on beam in every meet for EMU in her first sea- son as a collegiate gymnast…Posted a career-high 9.800 at the Michigan/Illinois Challenge (Feb. 1) as the Eagles recorded a team score of 194.800, their highest in 10 years...High School: Represented Team Canada at the 2013 World University Games in Kazan, Russia...Won the all-around, uneven bars and balance beam titles at the 2013 Edmond Financial Women’s Manitoba Championships while training at Springers Gymnastics Club... Was runner-up on beam at the 2013 Canadian National Cham- pionships..Finished runner-up in the all-around competition at the 2012 Western Canadian Championships...Personal: Full Name: Natalie Eve Gervais...Daughter of Jeffrey and Claudine Gervais...Double Major: Elementary Education & Mathemat- ics. Natalie Gervais Career Bests
Vault Bars Beam Floor ------9.875 ----
13 Juniors
Sydney McEachern 5-1, Junior All-Around Winnipeg, Manitoba (Kelvin)
EMU: 2015: NACGC/W Academic All-American honoree for the 2015 season...Was a primary con- tributor for the Eagles on the vault and floor, while making five ap- pearances on the uneven bars… Earned a second-place finish on the floor with a 9.800 and a third-place finish on the vault with a 9.725 against Temple… Nabbed a career-best 9.775 on the vault and a career-high 9.700 on the bars at the Michigan/Illinois Challenge, Jan. 31… Tied for second on the floor against Kent State with a career- best 9.800…2014: Named a NACGC/W Academic All-Amer- ican ... Competed on floor in a pair of meets for EMU in her first collegiate season...High School: Placed fifth and sixth on floor and vault, respectively, at the Canadian National Cham- pionships...Competed as Senior High Performance during her senior year...Won the all-around title at Provincials in 2012 and 2013...Took seventh at the 2013 L’internationale Gymnix...Fin- ished runner-up on floor at the Western Canadian Champion- ships...Member of Team Manitoba at the Canadian National Championships from 2007-12...Finished runner-up on floor at the Western Canadian Championships...Was an honor student at Kelvin High School...Personal: Full Name: Sydney Lynn McEachern...Daughter of Jeff and Bonnie McEachern...Major: Chemistry.
Sydney McEachern Career Bests Vault Bars Beam Floor 9.775 9.700 ---- 9.800
14 Lacey Rubin 5-5, Redshirt Sophomore All-Around Plainview, N.Y. (Plainview Old Bethpage John F. Kennedy)
EMU: 2015: Participated in every meet for the Green and White in the 2015 campaign on the beam and competed in nine meets on the uneven bars…Secured two uneven bars titles on the season with a 9.750 against Temple and a 9.825 against Bowling Green to help the Eagles surpass the 195-point barrier for the first time since the 2004 season… Nabbed a career-best 9.850 on the bars at the MSU Quad meet to tie for third overall against nationally-ranked opponents… Placed second on three occasions, once on the bars against NIU with a 9.800 and twice on the beam with a 9.800 against Bowling Green and a career-best 9.825 against UIC…Garnered six top-three finishes in 2015…Capped off the season with a 9.800 and a seventh-place finish on the vault at the Mid-Amer- ican Conference Championships…2014: Redshirted...High School: Qualified for Level 10 nationals her junior and senior seasons, placing 15th on the uneven bars her senior year...Ad- vanced to Level 10 regionals as a sophomore while competed in the Level 9 regional as a freshman...Personal: Full Name: Lacey Christine Rubin...Daughter of Keith and Judy Rubin...Has two sisters, Brittany and Carly...Major: Social Work.
Lacey Rubin Career Bests
Vault Bars Beam Floor ---- 9.825 9.825 ----
15 SophomoresSophomores
16 Sophomores
Catie Conrad Sophomores 5-1, Sophomore All-Around Brighton, Mich. (Brighton) EMU: 2015: Earned NACGC/W Academic All-American honors... Participated in all 11 meets for the Green and White in her debut season, primarily on the uneven bars and the beam…Earned one title, tying for first on the bars against Illinois-Chicago with a 9.775…Capped off her season with a career-best 9.825 on the bars at the Mid-American Conference Championships… Nabbed a career-high 9.725 on the vault at the Michigan/Illi- nois Challenge and a 9.750 on the beam at the Lindenwood Tri Meet...High School: Attended Brighton High School…Quali- fied for regionals six years in a row and the Junior Olympic National Invitaional Tournament three straight years...Finished runner-up on beam at the 2014 Junior Olympic National Invi- tational Tournament…Won the all-round at the 2014 Parkettes Invitational...Took first on bars and second in the all-around at the Arizona Sunrays Classic Rock Invitational...Placed second in the all-around at the 2014 Kalaharia meet...Won the 2013 Ju- nior Olympic NIT on bars…Was a member of National Honors Society and Senior Serve Volunteer group as well as a four-year honor roll student...Personal: Full Name: Catherine Lynn Con- rad...Daughter of Jonathan and Lynn Conrad...Has two broth- ers, Caleb and Collin...Major: Business.
Catie Conrad Career Bests Vault Bars Beam Floor 9.725 9.825 9.750 ----
17 Kirsten Gendron 5-1, Sophomore All-Around Birch Run, Mich. (Frankenmuth) EMU: 2015: Earned NACGC/W Academic All- American honors...Did not compete in the 2015 season...High School: At- tended Frankenmuth High School…Was a national qualifier as well as a 2012 Junior Olympic National Invitational Tournament qualifier, placing second on bars and third in all-around…Won the floor exercise at the 2012 level 10 state tournament...Competed at the level 10 nationals in 2011 after qualifying for the level 9 eastern nationals in 2010...Was an honor roll student throughout high school...Personal: Full Name: Kirsten Marie Gendron...Daughter of Guy and Jennifer Gendron...Has one sister, Mackenzie... Major: Biology.
18 Sophomores
Megan Marino 5-3, Sophomore All-Around Girard, Ohio (Howland)
EMU: 2015: Did not com- pete in the 2015 season… High School: Attended Howland High School…Was a four-time Level 10 region- al qualifier…Placed fifth on vault at the 2014 Ohio State Championship…Took second on the floor and third on beam, leading to a third-place all-around finish at the 2013 Ohio State Championship…Per- sonal: Full Name: Megan Elisabeth Marino...Daugh- ter of Kim and Chris Marino...Has two brothers, Nick and Ryan...Major: Social Work.
19 Julia Schwartz 5-5, Sophomore All-Around Gilbert, Ariz. (Mesquite)
EMU: 2015: Emerged as a staple on the vault for the Green and White in her first season as an Eagle…Participated in 11 meets for EMU…Placed second against Kent State with a 9.800 before securing a career-high 9.825 at the MSU Quad Meet for Eastern Michigan...High School: Attended Mesquite High School… Qualified for the Junior Olympic National Championships in 2013 and 2014…Captured the state championship with a 9.65 on beam…Four-time regional qualifier as a Level 10 gym- nast…Place in the top five all-around at every in-state meet from 2013-14..Posted a personal-best 38.4 all-around score at the 2014 Valley of the Sun Challenge, claiming the title as well as victories on beam and floor…Competed for Arizona Dy- namics Gymnastics, a club team that cracked the top-four at the state championships in 2013 and 2014…Served as presi- dent of the Advanced Dance team...Personal: Full Name: Julia Kathryn Schwartz...Daughter of Russell Schwartz and Gina Co- rona...Has one brother, Trevor...Major: Early Childhood Educa- tion Julia Schwartz Career Bests Vault Bars Beam Floor 9.825 ------
20 Sophomores
Rachel Slocum 5-3, Sophomore Vault, Floor Holly Spring, N.C. (Holly Springs)
EMU: 2015: Received NACGC/W Academic All-American honors for the 2015 season...Competed in every meet on the floor for the Eagles in her first season don- ning the Green and White…Placed second on two occasions, including notching identical career-high 9.875s against West- ern Michigan and at the Lindenwood Quad…Capped off the season, tying for seventh on the floor with a 9.850 at the Mid- American Conference Championships...High School: Attend- ed Holly Springs High School…Claimed the level 10 state vault championship in 2014…Qualified for the 2013 Junior Olympic national competition, finishing ninth on vault…Became a re- gional vault champion in 2013 as well...Personal: Full Name: Rachel Helena Slocum...Daughter of Marc and Maria Slocum... Has three sisters, Allison, Chelsea and Isabelle, and two broth- ers, Harrison and Benjamin...Major: Nursing.
Rachel Slocum Career Bests Vault Bars Beam Floor ------9.875
21 Kendall Valentin Freshmen 5-4, Sophomore All Around Holmdel, N.J. (Holmdel) EMU: 2015: Received NACGC/W Academic All-American honors for the season... Garnered All-MAC Second Team accolades for her ef- forts in the 2015 season... Currently holds three of the top 10 bars scores in EMU history...Competed in every meet for the Green and White in her collegiate debut season… Nabbed 13 top-three finishes, including tying for first on two oc- casions and nabbing a first-place finish on the uneven bars in the Eagles’ final meet of the 2015 campaign…Recorded a career-best 9.875 on the bars against NIU that not only solidified the title, but was also the seventh-highest score in EMU history…Capped off her freshman season ranked third in the conference on the bars and tied for 16th on the vault…Competed consistently on the vault, bars and beam for the Green and White in 2015 and held personal best scores of 9.850, 9.875 and 9.750, respectively, as well as carrying an average score of 9.778 on the vault and a 9.798 on the bars…Placed eighth on the vault with a 9.825 and 11th on the bars with a 9.800 at the Mid-American Conference Champion- ships...High School: Attended Homdel High School…Qualified for regional and state competition all four years of high school… Placed third in all-around competition at the 2013 New Jersey Region 7 competition before taking 20th at the Junior Olympic National Championship…Finished fourth in the all-around at the 2013 New Jersey State Championship…Personal: Full Name: Kendall Marie Valentin...Daughter of John and Marie Valentin... Has one brother, Justin...Major: Biology.
Kendall Valentin Career Bests
Vault Bars Beam Floor 9.850 9.875 9.750 ----
22 FreshmenFreshmen
23 Freshmen
Sydney Audet Carly Clark 5-2, Freshman 5-3, Freshman All-Around All-Around Sylvania, Ohio White Lake, Mich. (Sylvania Northview) (Walled Lake Northern)
EMU: 2016: One of EMU’s incoming EMU: 2016: One of EMU’s incoming recruits recruits
High School: Attended Sylvania High School: Attended Walled Lake Northview High School...A level 10 Northern High School...A level 10 gymnsat at New Heights Gymnas- gymnast at Oakland Gymnastics... tics...Region 5 level 9 all-around and vault champion in 2014, also Two-time level 10 regional qualifier in 2014 and 2015...Finished taking third on bars, fourth on beam, and fifth on floor...Took third fifth in the all-around at the 2015 Region Five Championships with on vault at Eastern Nationals in 2014...Was the fifth place all-around- a 37.125...Took home the vault title at the 2013 Eastern Gymnastics er at Ohio State Championships, also taking fifth on beam and floor, Championship with a score of 9.525. as well as sixth on bars and ninth on vault...Level 10 Regional Quali- fier...Placed ninth on vault and bars at the 2015 Region 5 Level 10 Personal: Full Name: Carly Rachel Clark...Daughter of Neale and Lori Championships, along with 17th in the all-around...Finished as the Clark...Has one brother, Connor, and two sisters, Caitlin and Corrina. all-around champion at the 2014 Level 9 IOI Chicago Style meet. Major: Biology Personal: Full Name: Sydney Anne Audet...Daughter of Todd and Michele Audet...Has one sister, Rachel.
Major: Education.
24 Freshmen
Kaitlyn Ford Ciara Gresham 5-7, Freshman 5-5, Freshman All-Around All-Around Bartlett, Ill. Shiloh, Ill. (Bartlett) (Belleville)
EMU: 2016: One of EMU’s incoming EMU: 2016: One of EMU’s incoming recruits recruits
High School: Attended Bartlett High High School: Attended Belleville School...A level 10 gymnast at Legacy East High School...A level 10 gymnast Elite Gymnastics...Took fifth place in at World Class Gymnastics Center...A the All-Around at level 10 Illinois State Championships in 2015...A six-time level 10 regional qualifier...Qualified to the National Invita- level 9 Eastern Qualifier in 2014. tional Tournament twice...Qualified to JO Nationals in 2015, where she took home three top-10 finishes, including 10th on vault, eighth Personal: Full Name: Kaitlyn Ann Ford...Daughter of Eric and Ann on floor, and 10th all-around...Claimed the state vault title in three Ford...Has one sister, Kerstin. consecutive seasons from 2013-2015...Also took home the state floor title in back-to-back seasons, 2014-15. Major: Pre-Pharmacy. Personal: Full Name: Ciara Gresham...Daughter of Todd and DaWa- nda Gresham...Has one sister, Kameron.
Major: Undecided.
25 Freshmen
Megan Hultgren 5-3, Freshman All-Around Rockford, Ill. (Sacred Heart Classical Center)
EMU: 2016: One of EMU’s incoming recruits
High School: Attended Sacred Heart Classical Center...Was a two-time JO Nationals qualifier in 2012 and 2013, where she placed third on beam...2014 qualifier to the National In- vitational Tournament, where she finished second on beam...A four- time level 10 regional qualifier...2013 Region Five beam champion... Three-time Illinois state bars champion in 2012, 2014, and 2015...Took home the beam title at the Illinois State Championships in 2014...As a level nine, she took home the beam and all-around titles at JO Nation- als in 2010.
Personal: Full Name: Megan Mary Hultgren...Daughter of Keith and Jennifer Hultgren...Has one brother, Jacob, and one sister, Katie.
Major: Exercise Science.
26 Coaching Staff
Jay Santos 2nd season (Massachusetts, ‘95) 13-5 Overall (3-3 MAC) Career Record Jay Santos was named the third Jam. Illinois placed five total scores on the all-time top-10 list, including Head Women’s Gymnastics Coach, June three of the top-four. On bars, Illinois achieved the third (49.400), fourth 17, 2014 by Eastern Michigan University (49.375), sixth (49.250) and seventh (49.225) best scores in program history. Vice President and Director of Athlet- In addition, Sunny Kato took home the NCAA Regional Championship on ics Heather Lyke. Santos will start his the uneven bars with a career high 9.925 second as the head man at EMU after In 2013, Santos mentored senior Alina Weinstein to three bars titles spending three seasons as associate while coaching Kato to two bars titles. On Feb. 16 against the University head coach at the University of Illinois. of Iowa, the Illini scored the fourth highest bars score in program history In his first with a 49.250. The Orange and Blue ranked No. 20 season leading nationally in the event, as both Weinstein and Kato the Eagles, San- finished in the Top-50. In addition, the Illini scored a tos was named 49.025 on bars at the Big Ten Championships along Mid-American the way to their season-high score of 196.475 and Conference their fourth place finish. Coach of the Year, guiding the team to an overall In 2012, Santos guided Weinstein and se- record of 13-5, and in the process tying the team- nior Kelsey Joannides to top-25 national rankings record for most regular season wins. In addition, the in the all-around. Altogether, Santos coached five team also posted their highest team score ever at different Illini to uneven bar titles for a total of 10 Western Michigan, Feb. 20, scoring a 195.575. individual bars titles, which ranked as the second In the postseason, the team finished fourth at most for an event on the team. The highest bars the Mid-American Conference Championships score of the season by the team came at the Big while placing three gymnasts on the All-MAC teams. Ten Championships when the Orange and Blue Anna Willette was elected to First Team All-MAC tallied a 49.100. while Chantelle Loehner and Kendall Valentin In his first season at Illinois, the Illini notched were nominated to Second Team All-MAC. Finally, their highest final ranking in school history, as they Carrina Lo Bello placed third in the all-around at concluded the season No. 11 in the country fol- the MAC Championships. In addition, both Willette lowing the squad’s second-ever appearance at the and Lo Bello qualified to the NCAA Regional meet NCAA Championships. After arriving in Champaign as all-arounders. Santos’ first season at the helm in the midst of preseason training, Santos made an was also marked by 13 Academic All-Americans, immediate impact on the Orange and Blue. Santos’ displaying his team’s commitment to excellence in bar team tallied two of the top-10 scores in school the classroom. history while two gymnasts placed in the top three Santos, who owns 15 years experience of coach- on the event at the Big Ten Championships under ing and competing at the Division I level, served as the associate head his guidance. The Illini also broke the school record for team score in his coach at the University of Illinois in Champaign, Ill from 2010-2014. The first year on staff. Bridgewater, Mass. native arrived at Illinois At Iowa State, Santos served as in 2010 following stints at Iowa State the recruiting coordinator and bars University and The Ohio State University. coach for the Cyclones. He helped guide At UI, he served as the head bars coach the Cyclones to four-consecutive NCAA while assisting and spotting on the other Regional appearances, a co-runner up events. He also had an integral role in finish at the 2007 Central Regional and recruiting, along with overseeing all second-place showing at the 2008 Big equipment-related matters. 12 Championships. Santos tutored three “We are thrilled to welcome Jay and his Big XII Conference bar champions and wife, Jessica, to Eastern Michigan Univer- six top-four conference finishers on the sity,” Lyke said. “Jay’s coaching background apparatus during his tenure at ISU. and competitive experiences along with Before his arrival in Ames, Santos his passion to positively impact our spent two seasons as an assistant coach gymnastics student-athletes make him at Ohio State. While at OSU, he coached an ideal person to lead our program. He bars and floor and was a major factor in has studied our program, student-athletes recruiting. He also coached five Buck- and is prepared to guide our team to great eyes to All-Big Ten honors. heights.” Prior to Ohio State, Santos spent “I could not be more excited to be the eight years coaching at Somersault next head coach at Eastern Michigan Gymnastics Center in Stoughton, Mass., University” added Santos. “I am looking serving as the women’s team director forward to the challenge of trying to im- and head coach for his last four years. At prove this program and take it to new heights. I can’t wait to get the team Somersault Gymnastics, he was responsible for all facets of the women’s back on campus to begin a new era for Eastern Michigan Gymnastics. I program and produced several Junior Olympic national and regional quali- would also like to thank Director of Athletics Heather Lyke for this amazing fiers, and many state champions. Santos served as a nationally-rated men’s opportunity.” gymnastics judge from 1997-2001, working numerous college dual meets During the 2014 season at Illinois, the 42-year old Santos helped the as well as Junior Olympic state and regional championships. Fighting Illini to their third trip to NCAA Championships in four seasons Santos graduated from the University of Massachusetts at Amherst, and their first consecutive trips in school history. The squad recorded a Mass. in 1995, earning a business degree in operations management. He 195.8 in Birmingham, its highest score ever in the NCAA semifinal session; competed for the men’s gymnastics team for four seasons and during his and as a result, the Orange and Blue tied the program’s best finish and final stay at UMass the Minutemen won the Eastern Collegiate Athletic Confer- national ranking of 11th. In addition, Illinois ended the season in the top ence (ECAC) team championship in 1995, and the New England regional 25 for the ninth consecutive year. championship from 1992-95. Individually, Santos was a three-time co- The 2014 Illini placed their name into the record book and rewrote captain for UMass. history more than any other squad in school history. They set a new team total record and the program’s first score above a 197 with a 197.1 at Gym
27 Coaching Staff
Jessica Santos Assistant Coach 2nd Season (West Virginia, ‘05) Now In her second sea- son at EMU, Jessica San- tos came to Ypsilanti after spending three seasons as a volunteer assistant coach at the University of Illinois to go along with previous coaching stops at Iowa State University, the University of Pittsburgh, and West Virginia University. In her first year at EMU, she helped Head Coach Jay Santos lead the team to an overall record of 13-5, while also posting the program’s highest team score ever. ninth-ranked beam performer in the country for a period Specifically, Santos primarily coaches beam and floor, in of time. Kent went on to place sixth and seventh at the Big addition to assisting on the other two as well. Behind 12 Championship and NCAA West Regional, respectively. Santos’ guidance, Chantelle Loehner, a floor specialist, Santos’ first season also saw the Cyclones earn their highest was named an All-MAC Second Team selection in her final team score (196.225) and team national ranking (No. 13) season as an Eagle. since 2007. During her time at Illinois, her duties included coordi- Santos joined Iowa State after spending three years at nating floor music and choreography along with assisting Pittsburgh from 2006-09, where she was named the 2007 on beam, floor and vault. Last season, Santos helped the NCAA Northeast Regional Co-Assistant Coach of the Year. Fighting Illini to their third trip to NCAA Championships She focused on vault and floor at Pitt and oversaw Dani in four seasons and their first back-to-back appearances in Bryan, who won the league vault crown in 2007. Santos school history. The squad recorded a 195.8 for its highest had four other gymnasts earn all-league recognition on score ever in the NCAA semifinal session, resulting in the vault during her tenure at Pittsburgh. She also served as program’s best finish and final national ranking of No. 11. the co-recruiting coordinator for the Panthers. Moreover, Santos helped coach Sarah Fielder, who took Before joining the Pittsburgh staff, Santos was a volunteer the beam title at the NCAA regional meet with a score of assistant at her alma mater, West Virginia, during the 2006 9.9. On floor, Giana O’Connor and Erin Buchanan earned season. In one season coaching the Mountaineers, she All-Big Ten Second Team accolades under her guidance. saw WVU take third in the East Atlantic Gymnastics League In addition, Illinois ended the season in the top 25 for the (EAGL) and place fifth at the NCAA Southeast Regional. ninth straight season. The 2014 Illini rewrote history more While competing at West Virginia, Santos put together than any other squad in school history. They set a new the third-highest all-around score (39.625) in program his- team total record and the program’s first score above a tory. Additionally, she was a First Team All-EAGL honoree 197 with a 197.1 at Gym Jam, March 8. Illinois placed five in the all-around and on bars in 2005. In 2004, she tied for total scores on the all-time top-10 list, including three of the league vault crown and was a second team all-league the top-four. recipient in the all-around and vault. Santos is the last In 2013, Santos assisted on both vault and floor, and her Mountaineer to score a 10.0, a feat she accomplished on impact became quite evident on Senior Day. On March vault in 2004. 10, the Illini posted a season-high 49.425 on floor, which was the fourth-highest team score in school history on the exercise. Illinois finished the season ranked 13th nationally on floor with a RQS of 49.235. In addition, the Orange and Blue walked away with nine individual floor titles in 2013. Amber See ranked 20th on floor while Alina Weinstein ranked fourth in the country. Weinstein ended the year as a First Team All-American on floor as she qualified for the floor finals at the NCAA Championships. Finally, Santos’ coaching on vault could not be overlooked, as Weinstein recorded the first perfect 10.0 on vault in Illini history. In her first year at Iowa State, Santos’ beam squad was ranked as high as No. 8 nationally, and Ashley Kent was the 28 Coaching Staff
Shea Anderson Brooke Parker Volunteer Assistant Volunteer Assistant 2nd Season 1st Season (Iowa State, ‘12) (Michigan, ‘15)
Now in her second season Eastern Michigan as volunteer assistant coach, Shea University Head Gymnas- Anderson helped guide the team tics Coach Jay Santos an- to an impressive record of 13-5 in nounced Tuesday, Sept. her first year. Additionally, the team managed to post a program-high 1, that Brooke Parker has team score of 195.575, besting the joined the staff as a volun- previous record set in 2004. Ander- teer assistant coach. Parker son primarily assists on beam and vault, which were two of the Eagles’ is a recently graduated gymnast from the University most consistent events last season. of Michigan who has experience with multiple col- Shea Anderson joined the EMU gymnastics coaching staff, Aug. 26, 2014. She was a former gymnast at Iowa State University, and legiate programs. will help coach the Eagles after spending two seasons as a graduate “I am thrilled to have Brooke join our staff this assistant strength coach at Creighton University. year,” stated Head Coach Jay Santos. “She has “I am thrilled to have Shea joining our coaching staff; she is an experience with two programs competing at the intelligent and extremely hard working young woman,” mentioned highest level in college as well as being an elite level EMU Head Gymnastics Coach Jay Santos. “Shea started as walk-on at Iowa State but was a solid contributor on multiple events and went gymnast in high school. Our athletes will greatly on to earn a scholarship. She understands the commitment it takes benefit from her competitive experiences and posi- to compete for a Division I university and I have no doubt that the tive attitude and I have no doubt she will help us girls at EMU will benefit from Shea’s knowledge and experience of raise the competitive level here at Eastern.” competing at a Big 12 University.” Parker brings with her championship experience While earning her master’s degree in exercise science from the University of Nebraska at Omaha, Anderson was a graduate assistant at multiple schools, on both the conference and strength coach at Creighton, where she oversaw women’s rowing and national level. She originally began her career at the cross country while also assisting with women’s soccer, volleyball, University of Alabama, where she was part of the softball as well as men’s and women’s basketball. squad that won the 2012 NCAA Team Champion- She got her start in strength and conditioning as an intern at South ship. Following her sophomore year at Alabama, she Dakota State University in 2012, following her graduation from Iowa State with a bachelor’s degree in kinesiology and health. With the transferred to Michigan for her final two seasons. Jackrabbits, she worked with both men’s and women’s basketball While at U-M, Parker won Big Ten Championships along with football and volleyball. in both 2014 and 2015. Additionally, she was elected As a Cyclone gymnast, Anderson was a four-year letterwinner, by her teammates as one of the team captains for competing in 44 meets throughout her career. In her final season at the 2015 season. Throughout her senior year, she Iowa State, she competed on the floor in 11 meets, while making the beam and vault rotations during the year as well. She shined against regularly participated in floor and vault, scoring the No. 1 ranked team in the country at the time, Nebraska, tying a season highs of 9.9 and 9.875, respectively. She also career-high on vault with a 9.850, while also recording a then season- contributed on uneven bars when the team had best 9.775 on floor. She eclipsed that mark on floor with a 9.800 injuries, earning a career-high 9.9. against Minnesota on Senior Night before closing out her career in Before beginning her collegiate career, Parker the vault, beam and floor lineups at both the Big 12 Championship and the NCAA Salt Lake Regional. primarily trained at Capital Gymnastics in Burke, After being a solid contributor in her first two seasons at Iowa Virginia. In 2008, she competed as a junior inter- State, Anderson had a breakout season in 2011. Appearing in every national elite, and ended up qualifying for the US meet on vault and floor, the Oakland, Iowa native earned the team’s National Championships. The following year, she Most Improved Gymnast award. She was the Cyclones’ top scorer in qualified as a senior international elite. She was multiple meets in various events, including a victory on vault with a career-high-tying 9.850 against Missouri. Anderson also performed invited to the National Team Training Camp, where at a high level on a bigger stage, setting a new personal best of 9.750 she also qualified to the American Classic and US on beam at the NCAA Regional in Ann Arbor. Classic. That year at the VISA Championships, Parker At ISU, Anderson excelled not only in the gym, but in the classroom finished 13th overall and 9th on uneven bars. as well. She was a two-time ISU Scholar-Athlete, made the Dean’s List once, and found herself on the Big 12 Commissioner’s Honor Roll three times. As a sophomore, she earned a spot on the Academic All-Big 12 Second Team before making the conference’s first team during her senior season.
29 Mid-American Conference
THIS IS THE MID-AMERICAN CONFERENCE peted at the NCAA Wrestling Championships and the MAC witnessed nine wrestlers named All- Providing leadership in education and diversity, the Mid-American Conference moves into its American – Joe Roth, Central Michigan (7th place at 133); Ian Miller, Kent State (4th place at 141); 69th year of service to the student-athlete. J’Den Cox, Missouri (1st place at 197); Drake Houdashelt, Missouri (5th place at 149); Dylan Peters, Since its inception in 1946, the Mid-American Conference has progressively grown and devel- Northern Iowa (6th place at 125); Joe Colon, Northern Iowa (3rd place at 133); Joey Lazor, Northern oped into one of the most aggressive Division I conferences in the country. One of only ten football Iowa (6th place at 141); Jeremy Johnson, Ohio (7th place at 285) and Jack Dechow, Old Dominion Bowl Subdivision (FBS) conferences, the MAC named Dr. Jon A. Steinbrecher as its eighth commis- (4th place at 184). sioner in March of 2009. In men’s cross country, Eastern Michigan claimed its 18th conference championship, while Mis- The league has grown its commitment to championships by expanding to six its number of neu- souri State won its first ever swimming & diving championship as an affiliate member. In men’s tral site post season events – football (Ford Field, Detroit), men’s and women’s basketball (Quicken tennis, Ball State won its second MAC title in four years. Loans Arena, Cleveland), softball (Firestone Stadium, Akron) and baseball (All Pro Freight Stadium, Akron won its third MAC indoor track and field title in the last four years. Akron sophomore Avon, Ohio). In addition, the SPIRE Academy (Geneva, Ohio) will also serve as the site for the 2015 Shawn Barber became the school’s first male individual national champion by winning the pole MAC men’s swimming & diving championship. vault. In men’s outdoor track and field, Eastern Michigan won its 22nd conference title in program In addition to growing its commitment to MAC championships, Steinbrecher has strategically history and junior Donald Scott garnered First Team All-American honors in the triple jump after positioned the MAC’s participation in hosting NCAA events and championships. The MAC will serve taking sixth in the nation. Kent State’s Matthias Tayala became the second MAC track and field stu- as the host for the 2015 NCAA Division I Men’s Basketball Midwest Regional and was recently award- dent-athlete crowned a national champion this year in the hammer throw during the 2014 NCAA ed the 2018 NCAA Division I Wrestling Championships as both events will take place at Quicken outdoor track and field championships. The 2014 track and field season was a historic one for the Loans Arena in Cleveland. The MAC has also hosted both the 2012 and 2014 NCAA Women’s Bowl- MAC with three national champions across men’s and women’s athletics. Akron’s Shawn Barber ing Championships under his direction. was the 2014 NCAA indoor track and field pole vault champion clearing 5.75m, Akron’s Annika In 2013, the MAC had five programs receive football bowl invitations: Bowling Green (Little Cae- Roloff was the 2014 NCAA outdoor track and field pole vault champion clearing 4.40m, while Kent sars Pizza Bowl), Northern Illinois (San Diego County Credit Union Poinsettia Bowl), Ball State (Go- State’s Matthias Tayala was the 2014 NCAA outdoor track and field hammer throw champion with a Daddy Bowl), Buffalo (Famous Idaho Potato Bowl) and Ohio (Beef ‘O’ Brady’s Bowl St. Petersburg). distance of 73.57m. The MAC had three programs with 10 or more wins (Northern Illinois 12-2; Ball State 10-3; Bowling Kent State won the program’s sixth consecutive and 20th overall conference title in men’s golf Green 10-4) which tied for third among FBS conferences (ACC, Big 12 and Conference USA), trailing and received its 27th NCAA appearance. Kent State senior Taylor Pendrith became just the second only the SEC and Pac-12. player in program history to represent Kent State in the NCAA finals in each of his four seasons, in- Last December Northern Illinois quarterback Jordan Lynch finished third overall in the Heisman cluding this year at Prairie Dunes Country Club in Hutchinson, Kansas. Kent State won its 11th MAC Trophy voting, the highest ever finish by a MAC student-athlete. Lynch was invited to the Heisman baseball tournament as the No. 3 seed and has won either the regular season or tournament title Trophy Award ceremony in New York City and became only the third MAC student-athlete to re- in 14 of the last 15 seasons. Earlier this summer the MAC witnessed 15 student-athletes selected in ceive an invitation to the ceremony – Marshall QB Chad Pennington (1999) and Marshall WR Randy the 2014 Major League Baseball Draft led by Central Michigan starting pitcher Jordan Foley, who Moss (1997). became the Chippewas highest draft pick in more than a decade when he was selected in the fifth Buffalo Bulls linebacker Khalil Mack was the fifth overall selection by the Oakland Raiders in the round by the New York Yankees. Also, Ball State senior outfielder Sean Godfrey (drafted by Atlanta) 2014 NFL Draft. Mack’s selection was the highest ever for the Buffalo program and the second- and Miami senior pitcher Seth Varner (drafted by Cincinnati) were named to the Louisville Slugger highest ever selection for a MAC student-athlete. This marked the second consecutive year for the All-America Third Team as chosen by Collegiate Baseball Newspaper. MAC to have its two highest ever selections in the NFL Draft. In the 2013 NFL Draft, Central Michi- Women’s athletics continued to shine for the MAC this past year. In women’s basketball, Akron gan offensive tackle Eric Fisher was selected as the first overall selection by the Kansas City Chiefs, won its first ever MAC tournament championship and a program record 23 wins during the 2013- making Fisher the first-ever football player from the MAC selected first overall in the NFL Draft. 14 season. A total of five MAC programs were invited to postseason tournaments (NCAA-Akron; In 2012, the MAC witnessed a record setting seven teams receive bowl invitations, including the WNIT-Ball State, Bowling Green, Central Michigan; WBI-Eastern Michigan). Bowling Green defeated first ever BCS Bowl invitation with Northern Illinois playing in the Discover Orange Bowl on Jan. 1, High Point, St. Bonaventure and Michigan in the WNIT before falling to Rutgers in the WNIT Quar- 2013. The MAC also had four football programs ranked in the top 25 of national polls – Northern terfinals. Illinois, Kent State, Toledo and Ohio—as the BCS Standings had two MAC programs in the Top 25 at In women’s soccer, Western Michigan earned the program’s first MAC title in ten years and went the end of the regular season with No. 15 Northern Illinois and No. 25 Kent State. The MAC also set on to defeat No. 8 Marquette, 1-0, in the NCAA College Cup First-Round before falling to Notre a conference record for the most wins against FBS opponents with 16 victories. Dame. In volleyball, Ohio claimed its eighth MAC title and fell to Michigan State in the NCAA First In the fall of 2013, the MAC announced the creation of newly created bowl games in Boca Raton, Round. Ohio’s Abby Gilleland and Kelly Lamberti, along with Toledo’s Lauren Rafdal, were named Fla., Nassau, Bahamas, Miami Beach, Fla., and Montgomery, Ala. for a six-year period (2014-2019). Division I All-American Honorable Mention. The creation of the Boca Raton, Bahamas and Miami Beach Bowls is the centerpiece of a joint agree- In women’s cross country, Miami claimed the MAC title for the third time in program history, ment between several FBS conferences and will be supported by several FBS conferences on a six- while Ohio’s Juli Accurso won her second consecutive Great Lakes Regional and earned All-America year rotating basis. honors at NCAA Regionals. In field hockey, Miami won the program’s second consecutive confer- The Boca Raton Bowl will be owned and operated by ESPN and will be played at FAU Stadium, an ence title, while the RedHawks program won the conference championship in women’s tennis for open air stadium which seats nearly 30,000 fans on the campus of Florida Atlantic University. The the second consecutive year and the fourth time in the last six years. Akron won its first ever MAC Bahamas Bowl will be played at Thomas A. Robinson Stadium. The Miami Beach Bowl will be played swimming & diving championship, while Central Michigan won its fifth consecutive MAC tourna- at Marlins Park. The Camellia Bowl, based in Montgomery, Ala., is owned and operated by ESPN and ment title in gymnastics. In women’s indoor track and field, Kent State won its fourth conference will be played in the Cramton Bowl, a 25,000 seat stadium. The MAC is also a partner with the San title in the last five years, while the Golden Flashes won the women’s outdoor track and field cham- Diego County Credit Union Poinsettia Bowl as a primary partner in 2017 and 2019, and a secondary pionship for the fourth consecutive year. Akron’s Annika Roloff was the 2014 NCAA outdoor track partner in 2014, 2015, 2016 and 2018 bowl seasons. The MAC will play the Mountain West in both and field pole vault champion clearing 4.40m. the 2017 and 2019 bowl seasons, played at Qualcomm Stadium in San Diego. Starting in the 2014 In women’s golf, Kent State won its 16th consecutive conference championship. Kent State fresh- season, the MAC will have a minimum five guaranteed bowl opportunities. The MAC has long-term man Wad Phaewchimplee became the second Golden Flash in history to win a NCAA Regional and primary contracts with the GoDaddy Bowl (based in Mobile, Ala.) through the 2017 season and was named All-American Honorable Mention by the Women’s Golf Coaches Association (WGCA). In Famous Idaho Potato Bowl (based in Boise, Ida.) through the 2019 season. softball, the Ohio Bobcats won their first-ever conference tournament championship and advance In its partnership with ESPN, the MAC is in the sixth year of its eight-year rights agreement to the NCAA tournament for the first time since 1995. Ball State softball senior left fielder Jennifer (through 2016-2017 academic years) for football, as well as men’s and women’s basketball. The deal Gilbert was named to the 2014 National Fastpitch Coaches Association NCAA Division I All-America is the most extensive in the history of the conference. The agreement calls for a minimum of 25 Second Team. events annually to be produced and aired on an ESPN platform including the men’s and women’s From two-time Super Bowl quarterback winning Ben Roethlisberger (Miami University), NFL basketball championships, a regular-season MAC presence on ESPN, the Marathon MAC Football Defensive MVP James Harrison (Kent State University), NFL Pro Bowlers (OT Joe Staley, TE Antonio Championship Game and a minimum of 11 regular-season football games. Gates, WR Antonio Brown), British Open winner Ben Curtis (Kent State University), World Series win- In men’s basketball, the MAC witnessed the No. 1 seed Western Michigan win its first MAC Men’s ning manager Bob Brenly (Ohio University) and Olympic bobsled team member Brock Kreitzburgh Basketball Tournament since 2004. The MAC had five programs invited to postseason tournaments (University of Toledo), the Mid-American Conference continues to excel in producing leaders in the (NCAA-Western Michigan; NIT-Toledo; CIT-Akron, Eastern Michigan and Ohio). Eastern Michigan world of athletics. advanced to the CIT Second Round, while Ohio advanced to the CIT Quarterfinals. Buffalo senior forward Javon McCrea was named Associated Press All-American Honorable Mention. History of the MAC During the 2013-14 academic year, the University of Akron men’s soccer team won its tenth MAC Based in Cleveland since July 1999 following a 15-year stay in Toledo, Ohio, the MAC has estab- championship and sixth in the last seven years. The Zips defeated Indiana in the 2013 NCAA first lished historic measurements in both football and men’s and women’s basketball since moving to round before falling to Marquette, which snapped a string of five consecutive NCAA Round of 16 Northeast Ohio. The MAC was founded as a five-school league on February 24, 1946 in Columbus, appearances. Akron witnessed senior Aodhan Quinn selected as one of 15 semifinalists for the Ohio with Ohio, Butler, Cincinnati, Wayne State and Western Reserve admitted as charter members. prestigious Hermann Trophy. MAC affiliate member West Virginia had junior Andy Bevin named The Mid-American Conference membership consists of 12 universities across five states (Illinois, to the Capital One Academic All-America First Team. The MAC had two student-athletes selected Indiana, Michigan, New York and Ohio). in the first round of the 2013 Major League Soccer Supplemental Draft – No. 3 overall Akron goal- In 1946 men’s basketball was the first competitive sport in the MAC, which now sponsors a total keeper David Meyes (Portland Timbers) and No. 12 overall West Virginia defender Eric Schoenle 23 sports. Women’s sports were brought into the conference’s structure in 1980. For men, there (Philadelphia Union). are 11 championships sponsored in football, basketball, baseball, cross country, soccer, swimming In wrestling, the MAC welcomed Missouri, Northern Iowa and Old Dominion as affiliate mem- and diving, indoor track and field, outdoor track and field, wrestling, golf and tennis. For women, bers over the last two seasons. Missouri won the 2014 conference tournament title for the second 12 championships are sponsored in basketball, softball, volleyball, cross country, field hockey, golf, consecutive year. True freshman J’Den Cox of Missouri won the 197 lb. national championship to soccer, swimming and diving, gymnastics, indoor track and field, outdoor track and field and ten- become the ninth MAC wrestler to win a national championship. A MAC record 43 wrestlers com- nis.
30 Individual & Team Records
Vault Bars Pos. Name Score Year Pos. Name Score Year 1. Natalie Hashimoto 10 2001 1. Natalie Hashimoto 9.95 2003 2. Natalie Hashimoto 9.975 2001 2. Natalie Hashimoto 9.9 2000 3. Natalie Hashimoto 9.95 2000 Lindsey Gamrod 9.9 2001 Natalie Hashimoto 9.95 2000 Leah Hashimoto 9.9 2003 Natalie Hashimoto 9.95 2001 Natalie Hashimoto 9.9 2003 Natalie Hashimoto 9.95 2002 Jennifer Charlebois 9.9 2005 Natalie Hashimoto 9.95 2003 7. Chrissy Jones 9.875 2001 8. Natalie Hashimoto 9.925 2001 Natalie Hashimoto 9.875 2002 Natalie Hashimoto 9.925 2001 Kendall Valentin 9.875 2015 Natalie Hashimoto 9.925 2002 10. Heather Shire 9.85 1997 Natalie Hashimoto 9.925 2003 Natalie Hashimoto 9.85 2001 12. Rachel Johnson 9.9 1997 Natalie Hashimoto 9.85 2002 Leah Hashimoto 9.9 2001 Natalie Hashimoto 9.85 2002 Leah Hashimoto 9.9 2001 Lucy Burgin 9.85 2003 Natalie Hashimoto 9.9 2001 Leah Hashimoto 9.85 2004 Natalie Hashimoto 9.9 2001 Kendall Valentin 9.85 2015 Natalie Hashimoto 9.9 2002 Kendall Valentin 9.85 2015 Leah Hashimoto 9.9 2003 Lacey Rubin 9.85 2015 Natalie Hashimoto 9.9 2003 19. Emily Cercado 9.825 2004 Natalie Hashimoto 9.9 2003 Jennifer Charlebois 9.825 2004 Natalie Hashimoto 9.9 2003 Jennifer Charlebois 9.825 2004 Leah Hashimoto 9.9 2004 Missy Thompson 9.825 2004 Leah Hashimoto 9.9 2004 Missy Thompson 9.825 2004 Tawna Bennett 9.9 2006 Anna Willette 9.825 2013 25. Natalie Hashimoto 9.875 2000 Ashley Quinton 9.825 2013 Natalie Hashimoto 9.875 2000 25. Ashley Quinton 9.825 2014 Leah Hashimoto 9.875 2001 Carrina Lo Bello 9.825 2015 Natalie Hashimoto 9.875 2001 Kendall Valentin 9.825 2015 Natalie Hashimoto 9.875 2001 Lacey Rubin 9.825 2015 Natalie Hashimoto 9.875 2002 Natalie Hashimoto 9.875 2002 Leah Hashimoto 9.875 2003 Natalie & Leah Natalie Hashimoto 9.875 2003 Leah Hashimoto 9.875 2004 Hashimoto Nikole Viltz 9.875 2011 Anna Willette 9.875 2013 Anna Willette 9.875 2013 Khadijah Hudson 9.875 2013 Anna Willette 9.875 2015
Kendall Valentin 31 Individual & Team Records
Beam Floor Exercise Pos. Name Score Year Pos. Name Score Year 1. Natalie Hashimoto 10 2000 1. Natalie Hashimoto 9.95 2000 2. Jenka Faes 9.9 2001 Sarah Wasilenko 9.95 2002 Natalie Hashimoto 9.9 2001 Leah Hashimoto 9.95 2003 Natalie Hashimoto 9.9 2001 Brooke Morari 9.95 2004 Jennifer Spindler 9.9 2003 Brooke Morari 9.95 2004 Natalie Hashimoto 9.9 2003 Brooke Morari 9.95 2004 Natalie Hashimoto 9.9 2003 7. Leah Hashimoto 9.925 2001 Rebecca Fuss 9.9 2004 Sarah Wasilenko 9.925 2001 9. Dana Stencel 9.875 2001 Sarah Wasilenko 9.925 2001 Sarah Wasilenko 9.875 2001 Natalie Hashimoto 9.925 2002 Leah Hashimoto 9.875 2004 Leah Hashimoto 9.925 2003 Jolene Worley 9.875 2007 Emily Koechel 9.925 2004 Natalie Gervais 9.875 2015 Leah Hashimoto 9.925 2004 14. Lisa Flemming 9.85 1994 Leah Hashimoto 9.925 2004 Jennifer Collum 9.85 1998 15. Sarah Wasilenko 9.9 2000 Jennifer Collum 9.85 1998 Kristen Totten 9.9 2001 Jennifer Collum 9.85 1999 Sarah Wasilenko 9.9 2001 Emily Rock 9.85 2000 Sarah Wasilenko 9.9 2001 Dana Stencel 9.85 2001 Leah Hashimoto 9.9 2002 Jennifer Spindler 9.85 2001 Natalie Hashimoto 9.9 2002 Jennifer Spindler 9.85 2001 Natalie Hashimoto 9.9 2002 Sarah Wasilenko 9.85 2001 Natalie Hashimoto 9.9 2002 Jennifer Spindler 9.85 2002 Sarah Wasilenko 9.9 2002 25. Natalie Hashimoto 9.85 2002 Sarah Wasilenko 9.9 2002 Jennifer Spindler 9.85 2004 Leah Hashimoto 9.9 2003 Missy Thompson 9.85 2004 Leah Hashimoto 9.9 2003 Tara Poche 9.85 2004 Leah Hashimoto 9.9 2003 Rebecca Fuss 9.85 2005 Leah Hashimoto 9.9 2003 Jolene Worley 9.85 2008 Leah Hashimoto 9.9 2003 Kaylin Milick 9.85 2010 Brooke Morari 9.9 2004 Anna Willette 9.85 2014 Brooke Morari 9.9 2004 Anna Willette 9.85 2015 Brooke Morari 9.9 2004 Carrina Lo Bello 9.85 2015 Emily Koechel 9.9 2004 Natalie Gervais 9.85 2015 Emily Koechel 9.9 2004 Leah Hashimoto 9.9 2004 Erin Grigg 9.9 2009 Chantelle Loehner 9.9 2015 Chantelle Loehner 9.9 2015
Natalie Gervais
32 Individual & Team Records
All-Around Pos. Name Score Year 1. Natalie Hashimoto 39.725 2000 2. Leah Hashimoto 39.475 2004 3. Natalie Hashimoto 39.45 2003 4. Natalie Hashimoto 39.425 2001 5. Natalie Hashimoto 39.375 2001 Natalie Hashimoto 39.375 2002 7. Natalie Hashimoto 39.35 2002 Natalie Hashimoto 39.35 2003 9. Natalie Hashimoto 39.325 2002 10. Natalie Hashimoto 39.3 2002 Leah Hashimoto 39.3 2004 12. Natalie Hashimoto 39.275 2001 Leah Hashimoto 39.275 2004 14. Natalie Hashimoto 39.25 2003 Leah Hashimoto 39.25 2004 16. Natalie Hashimoto 39.225 2001 Natalie Hashimoto 39.225 2002 18. Natalie Hashimoto 39.2 2001 Natalie Hashimoto 39.2 2003 20. Jolene Worley 39.175 2006 Jolene Worley 39.175 2007 Khadijah Hudson 39.175 2013 Anna Willette 39.175 2015 24. Natalie Hashimoto 39.15 2001 Natalie Hashimoto 39.15 2002 25. Anna Willette 39.15 2015 Carrina Lo Bello 39.15 2015 Anna Willette
Team Event Records
Vault: 49.350, at Missouri 3-2-03
Bars: 49.200, vs. Kent State, 2-25-01
Beam: 49.075, at 2001 MAC Championships, 3-24-01
Floor: 49.425, at 2002 MAC Championships, 3-23-02
Overall Score: 195.575, at Western Michigan 2-20-15
33 Individual & Team Records
Vault Team Score Team Score Pos. Opponent Score Date Pos. Opponent Score 1. Corvette Cup at Missouri 49.35 Mar. 2, 2003 1. at Western Michigan 195.575 2. vs Ball State 49.15 Mar. 15, 2003 Feb. 20, 2015 3. at Southeast Missouri State 49.075 Mar. 3, 2013 2. at MAC Championships 195.55 4. at Western Michigan 49.075 Feb. 20, 2015 Mar. 19, 2004 5. at Kent State 49.05 Feb. 26, 2006 3. at Northern Illinois 195.525 6. at William & Mary 49.05 Mar. 7, 2001 7. at Illinois State, Central Michian, UIC 49.025 Feb. 2, 2013 Mar. 15, 2015 8. at Bowling Green 49.025 Mar. 9, 2002 4. at MAC Championships 195.35 9. at MAC Championships 48.975 Mar. 24, 2001 Mar. 29, 2003 10. at Lindenwood, Illinois State, UIC 48.925 Feb. 28, 2015 5. vs Ball State 195.275
Bars Team Score Feb. 22, 2015 Pos. Opponent Score Date 6. at Bowling Green 195.25 1. at MAC Championships 49.2 Mar. 29, 2003 Mar. 9, 2002 2. vs Kent State 49.2 Feb. 25, 2001 7. vs Bowling Green 195.25 3. at Michigan State 49.025 Mar. 6, 2015 Jan. 24, 2015 4. at Northern Illinois 48.975 Mar. 15, 2015 8. at Michigan State 195.225 5. vs Bowling Green 48.925 Jan. 26, 2013 Mar. 6, 2015 6. at Illinois State, Central Michigan, UIC 48.925 Jan. 31, 2015 9. vs MSU, SEMO, Ohio State 195.2 7. at Western Michigan 48.875 Feb. 20, 2015 Mar. 13, 2004 8. at MAC Championships 48.85 Mar. 19, 2004 10. at Lindenwood, Illinois State, UIC 195.125 9. vs Ball State 48.85 Feb. 22, 2015 Feb. 28, 2015 10. at Bowling Green 48.825 Mar. 9, 2002 Beam Team Score Pos. Opponent Score Date 1. at MAC Championships 49.075 Mar. 24, 2001 2. vs Northern Illinois, Air Force, Temple 49.025 Mar. 8, 2014 3. vs MSU, SEMO, Ohio State 48.975 Mar. 13, 2004 4. at Northern Illinois 48.95 Mar. 15, 2015 5. vs Ball State 48.925 Feb. 22, 2015 6. at UNC, Radford, Illinois 48.925 Mar. 4, 2001 7. vs UIC 48.9 Feb. 15, 2015 8. vs Central Michigan 48.875 Feb. 14, 2004 9. vs Kent State 48.875 Jan. 18, 2003 10. at Bowling Green 48.85 Mar. 9, 2002
Floor Team Score Pos. Opponent Score Date 1. at MAC Championships 49.425 Mar. 23, 2002 2. at Southern Utah 49.375 Mar. 3, 2004 The 2015 squad currently owns six of the ten 3. at MAC Championships 49.35 Mar. 19, 2004 highest team scores in program history, high- 4. at Arizona State 49.325 Mar. 5, 2004 lighted by the top score at 195.575. 5. at Central Michigan 49.3 Feb. 11, 2001 6. vs Kent State 49.3 Feb. 25, 2001 7. vs Kent State, Alaska, Air Force 49.275 Mar. 9, 2013 8. vs Western Michigan 49.25 Feb. 20, 2004 9. at Kent State 49.2 Jan. 18, 2002 10. vs Western Michigan 49.15 Mar. 18, 2005 34 2007 MAC Champions
The Eagles celebrate the first MAC Championship in school history, protecting their home floor with a score of 194.525
2007 MAC Championship Results For the first time in 26 attempts, the Eastern Michigan Uni- Ypsilanti, Mich. • Convocation Center versity women’s gymnastics team was successful in their at- tempt at a Mid-American Conference championship, capturing 1. Eastern Michigan 194.525 the title at the Convocation Center, March 31, 2007. The Eagles 2. Kent State 194.275 posted a season-high team score of 194.525, edging second 3. Central Michigan 194.050 place Kent State University by less then three-tenths of a point. 4. Ball State 193.400 KSU, who lead EMU heading into the final rotation, scored a 5. Northern Illinois 192.950 194.275. The victory marked the second consecutive year the 6. Western Michigan 192.200 host team was crowned Mid-American Conference Champions. 7. Bowling Green 191.925 EMU was paced by its first all-around champion since Robin Loheide (1993) in junior Jolene Worley, who notched a season-high 39.175 for the event title. The Eagles as a team posted season-high marks on the bars (48.725), beam (48.350) and floor exercise (48.775). After a first rotation bye, the Eagles started on the beam where Worley’s 9.825 third place finish led the way. In the floor exercise program, EMU collected three top- 10 finishers. Mickayla Balow and Worley would tie for second place with a 9.800 and specialist Tawna Bennett registered a seventh-place tie with a season-high 9.775. On the vault portion of the 2007 championships, the Green and White were again led by Bennett, scoring a 9.800 and Worley, posting a 9.750, finishing in second and sixth place respectively. EMU also placed three gymnasts in the top ten in the final rotation of the evening in bars. Worley would post a 9.800 for EMU gymnast Jolene Worley (center) was named First Team All-MAC after- second place, sophomore Monica Lucas and senior captain winning the all-around title with a score of 39.175. Worley’s solid scores on all Rebecca Fuss tied for fifth, registering a 9.750, and sopho- four events helped lead the Green and White to the program’s first MAC title. more Duyen Zu Vuong coming in a tie for 10th with a 9.725.
35 Award Winners
MAC Gymnast of the Year MAC Champions (Beam) Name Year NCAA Regional Qualifiers Name Score Year Jolene Worley 2008 Name Event Year J.J. Cullom 9.850 1998 Natalie Hashimoto 2002 Carrina Lo Bello All-Around 2015 Kim Miller 9.850 1996 Natalie Hashimoto 2001 Anna Willette All-Around 2015 Robin Loheide 9.700 1993 Kim Miller 1997 Anna Willette Beam 2014 Sharon McNie 9.35 1986 Khadijah Hudson Floor 2013 MAC Senior of the Year Nikole Viltz Vault 2011 MAC Champions (Floor) Name Year Nikole Viltz Beam 2010 Name Score Year Jolene Worley 2008 Kaylyn Millick All-Around 2010 Sara Wasilenko 9.900 2002 Natalie Hashimoto 2003 Erin Grigg All-Around 2009 Leah Hashimoto 9.900 2002 Kim Miller 1997 Maureen Moss Beam 2009 Natalie Hashitmoto 9.900 2002 Jodi Fosberg 1995 Jolene Worley All-Around 2008 Regan Maurer 9.775 1996 Robin Loeheide 1993 Jolene Worley All-Around 2007 Robin Loheide 9.675 1993 Allyson Newman 1992 Rebecca Fuss All-Around 2006 Allyson Newman 9.35 1989 Brooke Morari Floor 2004 Sonya McGhee 9.15 1981 MAC Freshman of the Year Laura Holensworth Vault 2003 Name Year Natalie Hashimoto All-Around 2003 MAC Champions (All-Around) Zu Vuong 2006 Leah Hashimoto Floor 2003 Name Score Year Jolene Worley 2005 Natalie Hashimoto All-Around 2002 Jolene Worley 39.175 2007 Rebecca Fuss 2004 Natalie Hashimoto All-Around 2001 Robin Loheide 38.800 1993 Natalie Hashimoto 2000 Natalie Hashimoto All-Around 2000 Allyson Newman 37.95 1992 J.J. Cullom 1997 Jennifer Culloum All-Around 1999 Allyson Newman 37.40 1991 Jennifer Culloum All-Around 1998 Sharon McNie 37.15 1986 MAC All-Tournament Team Jennifer Culloum All-Around 1997 Sharon McNie 36.60 1985 Name Year Kim Miller All-Around 1996 Sonya McGhee 35.25 1981 Jolene Worley 2007 Regan Maurer All-Around 1995 Zu Vuong 2006 Robin Loeheide All-Around 1993 Academic All-MAC Sara Wasilenko 2002 Allyson Newman All-Around 1992 Name Year Leah Hashimoto 2002 Allyson Newman All-Around 1991 Kimberly Ebeyer 2015 Natalie Hashimoto 2000, ‘01,02 Dawn Hintz All-Around 1989 Natalie Gervais 2015 J.J. Cullom 1998 Dawn Hintz All-Around 1986 Carrina Lo Bello 2015 Reagan Maurer 1996 Sharon McNie All-Around 1985 Chantelle Loehner 2015 Kristi Mowi 1995 Sharon McNie All-Around 1984 Sydney McEachern 2015 Kim Miller 1994, ‘96, ‘97 Sonya McGhee All-Around 1983 Paulina Miller 2015 Robin Loheide 1993 Nikki Paterson 2015 Jamie Nieman 1992 NCAA National Qualifiers Anna Willette 2015 Robin Loheide 1992, ‘93 Name Event Year Anna Willette 2014 Allyson Newman 1989, ‘90, ‘91, ‘92 Robin Loeheide All-Around 1993 Anna Willette 2013 Chris Deitrick 1988 Nikole Viltz 2011 Dawn Hintz 1987 MAC Champions (Vault) Erin Grigg 2010 Sharon McNie 1985-87 Name Score Year Erin Grigg 2009 Linda Geordano 1983 Chris Deitrick 9.25 1988 Jolene Worley 2008 Cari Christensen 1982 Sharon McNie 9.40 1986 Zu Vuong 2008 Sonya McGhee 1981, ‘83 Sharon McNie 9.35 1985 Zu Vuong 2007 Cari Christiansen 8.85 1982 Rebecca Fuss 2006 All-MAC (Regular Season)* Rebecca Fuss 2005 Name (Team) Year MAC Champions (Bars) Emily Koechel 2005 Chantelle Loehner (Second) 2015 Name Score Year Laura Holensworth 2005 Anna Willette (First) 2015 Allyson Newman 9.60 1992 Leah Hashimoto 2004 Kendall Valentin (Second) 2015 Sharon McNie 9.40 1987 Leah Hashimoto 2003 Anna Willette (First) 2014 Sonya McGhee 8.90 1983 Natalie Hashimoto 2003 Anna Willette (Second) 2013 Regan Maurer 1997 Khadijah Hudson (Second) 2013 Lisa Fleming 1996 Heather Shire 1996 *Regular season All-MAC selections started Sheryl Kayser 1988 in 2013 36 2015 Results
Overall: 13-5 (.722) MAC: 3-3 (.500) Home: 5-0 Away: 3-3 Neutral: 5-2 DATE OPPONENT LOCATION RESULT SCORE JAN. 9 TEMPLE CONVOCATION CENTER W 193.925-187.200 Jan. 17 at Central Michigan* Mount Pleasant, Mich. L 194.575-195.875 Jan. 17 Seattle Pacific Mount Pleasant, Mich. W 194.575-187.250 JAN. 24 BOWLING GREEN* CONVOCATION CENTER W 195.250-192.425
MICHIGAN/ILLINOIS CHALLENGE Jan. 31 at Illinois State Normal, Ill. W 194.650-189.650 Jan. 31 Illinois-Chicago Normal, Ill. W 194.650-189.925 Jan. 31 Central Michigan Normal, Ill. W 194.650-194.000
Feb. 7 KENT STATE* CONVOCATION CENTER W 194.700-193.800 Feb. 15 ILLINOIS-CHICAGO CONVOCATION CENTER W 194.675-192.425 Feb. 20 at Western Michigan* Kalamazoo, Mich. L 195.575-196.175 FEB. 22 BALL STATE* CONVOCATION CENTER W 195.275-193.875
LINDENWOOD QUAD MEET Feb. 28 at Lindenwood St. Charles, MO. W 195.125-194.000 Feb. 28 Illinois-Chicago St. Charles, MO. W 195.125-191.300 Feb. 28 Illinois State St. Charles, MO. W 195.125-194.125
MICHIGAN STATE QUAD MEET Mar. 6 at No. 23 Michigan State East Lansing, Mich. W 195.225-194.350 Mar. 6 No. 19 Arizona East Lansing, Mich. L 195.225-195.450 Mar. 6 Bowling Green East Lansing, Mich. L 195.225-195.250
Mar. 15 at Northern Illinois* Dekalb, Ill. L 195.525-195.800
MID-AMERICAN CONFERENCE CHAMPIONSHIP (MAC CENTER, KENT, OHIO) March 21 MAC Championship Kent, Ohio 4th 195.075
April 4 at NCAA Regional Columbus, Ohio NTS Lo Bello (39.025, AA) Willette (38.200, AA) * Mid-American Conference meet
37 2015 MAC Championship Results
2015 MAC Championship Results 2015 Freshman of the Year Kent, Ohio • MAC Center Rachel Stypinski, Kent State & Kelsey Hood, Western Michigan
2015 Specialist of the Year 1. Kent State Rachel Stypinski, Kent State 196.375 2015 Senior Gymnast of the Year Halle Moraw, Central Michigan
2015 Gymnast of the Year Halle Moraw, Central Michigan
2. Central Michigan 2015 Coach of the Year 196.275 Jay Santos, Eastern Michigan
2015 Regular Season Champions Central Michigan (5-1 MAC record)
2015 First Team All-MAC 3. Western Michigan Alyssa Nocella, Bowling Green 195.525 Kylie Fagan, Central Michigan Halle Moraw, Central Michigan Anna Willette, Eastern Michigan Rachel Stypinski, Kent State Jessi Buis, Western Michigan
2015 Second Team All-MAC 4. Eastern Michigan Denasiha Christian, Ball State 195.075 Laura Mitchell, Bowling Green Taylor Bolender, Central Michigan Karlee Teet, Central Michigan Chantelle Loehner, Eastern Michigan Kendall Valentin, Eastern Michigan Kelsey Hood, Western Michigan 5. Bowling Green Jessie Peszek, Western Michigan 193.575 2015 All-Tournament Team Denasiha Christian, Ball State Jessica Leko, Ball State Taylor Bolender, Central Michigan Kylie Fagan, Central Michigan 6t. Ball State Halle Moraw, Central Michigan 193.200 Taylor Noonan, Central Michigan Lauren Feeley, Bowling Green Skyelee Lamano, Kent State Rebecca Osmer, Kent State Rachel Stypinski, Kent State Anna Corbett, Western Michigan 6t. Northern Illinois Kayla Weber, Western Michigan 193.200
38 All-Time Coaching Records
Jay Santos 2nd season 13-5 Career Record Year Record MAC Champ. Finish 2015 13-5, 3-3 MAC 4th
Steve Wilce 32 seasons 228-222 (85-99 MAC) Career Record Year Record MAC Champ. Finish Year Record MAC Champ. Finish 2014 6-9, 2-4 MAC 6th 1998 2-5; 1-5 MAC 6th 2013 5-10, 0-6 MAC 6th 1997 6-2; 6-1 MAC 3rd 2012 10-9, 2-4 MAC t-5th 1996 8-4; 5-1 MAC 4th 2011 4-10, 2-4 MAC 6th 1995 8-3; 5-2 MAC 3rd 2010 7-9, 2-4 MAC 3rd 1994 7-5; 1-3 MAC 4th 2009 6-10, 3-3 MAC 5th 1993 4-2; 2-3 MAC 2nd 2008 11-5, 3-3 MAC 2nd 1992 8-2; 5-0 MAC 2nd 2007 10-8, 3-3 MAC 1st 1991 11-2; 4-1 MAC 5th 2006 8-7, 3-3 MAC 4th 1990 13-2; 5-2 MAC 3rd 2005 9-8; 3-3 MAC 6th 1989 11-3; 4-2 MAC 5th 2004 4-11 2-4 MAC 3rd 1988 4-9; 0-4 MAC 5th 2003 6-10, 2-4 MAC 3rd 1987 7-6; 3-2 MAC 3rd 2002 15-9, 3-3 MAC 4th 1986 8-5; 2-3 MAC 4th 2001 10-6; 4-2 MAC 3rd 1985 2-14; 1-4 MAC 4th 2000 5-7; 1-5 MAC 6th 1984 2-18; 1-4 MAC 5th 1999 4-6; 2-4 MAC 6th 1983 7-6, 3-2 MAC 3rd
Albert David 6 seasons 43-40 Career Record Year Record MAC Champ. Finish 1982 10-5 2nd 1981 8-7 3rd 1980 8-6 -- 1979 7-7 -- 1978 6-9 -- 1977 4-6 --
39 Warner Gymnasium
Warner Gymnasium is the current pratice home of the EMU Gymnastics Program. Warner opened in 1964, and is named after Joseph E. Warner, a member of the Michigan House of Representatives who was influential in the funding of the facility. Warner is located within the Bowen Field House Complex. It also houses a coaches offices, training room, weight room and classroom space. Over the years, Warner Gymnasium served as the home for EMU gymnas- tics meets; however, home meets now take place in the Convocation Center. In 2009, the Eagles upgraded their facility by adding a new foam pit, en- abling them to work more difficult skills in a safe manner.
>> The Eagles added a new foam pit to Warner Gym- nasium in 2009, enhanc- ing their ability to practice tumbling, bar dismounts, and more difficult skills in a safe manner.
40 Cartwright Award & Jacoby Trophy
Cartwright Award The Mid-American Conference announced Aug. 29, 2014, the presentation of the Cartwright Award to Eastern Michigan University for its program excellence in academics, athletics and citizenship during the 2013-14 school year. The Cartwright Award is an institutional award presented annually to one university in the MAC. A committee with representation from all 12 institutions selected the Cartwright Award winner from nominations submitted based upon the criteria of excellence in academics, athletics and citizenship. The award began in 2008-09, and this is the first time EMU has received the honor.
Jacoby Trophy
Eastern Michigan University was awarded with the Jacoby Trophy as the top women’s athletic program in the Mid-American Conference at the MAC Honors Dinner in Cleveland Wednesday night, May 27, 2015. The Eagles earned the honor for the first time in the 33-year history of this prestigious award. EMU’s previous best finish was third in the 1990-91, 2001-02, 2010-11 and 2013-14 seasons.
The 2016 Eagles pose with the Jacoby Trophy.
41 Academic Performance
The Eastern Michigan University gymnastics team Gymnast GPA Major proved yet again to be successful in the classroom, Anna Willette 3.52 Speech Language Pathology as an incredible thirteen Eagles were tabbed as Aca- Bianca Jordaan 3.55 Psychology demic All-Americans by the National Association of Carrina Lo Bello 3.70 Speech Language Pathology Collegiate Gymnastics Coaches/Women (NACGC/W), Catie Conrad 4.00 Business Chantelle Loehner 3.96 Social Work Aug. 3. All five graduated seniors, as well as eight ad- Kendall Valentin 3.93 Biology ditional gymnasts earned the distinction. Out of all Kimberly Ebeyer 3.50 Psychology the collegiate gymnastics teams, EMU ranked 10th in Kirsten Gendron 3.54 Biology the nation with a team grade point average of 3.56. Natalie Gervais 3.95 Elementary Education & Mathematics The thirteen Eagles named NACGC/W Academic Nikki Paterson 3.95 Geography/Tourism All-Americans are: Anna Willette, Bianca Jordaan, Paulina Miller 3.85 Biology Rachel Slocum 3.75 Nursing Carrina Lo Bello, Catie Conrad, Chantelle Loehner, Sydney McEachern 3.97 Chemistry Kendall Valentin, Kimberly Ebeyer, Kirsten Gen- *Bold denotes returning student-athletes* dron, Natalie Gervais, Nikki Paterson, Paulina Miller, Rachel Slocum, and Sydney McEachern. A single Eagle was one of 91 gymnasts across the country that held a perfect 4.00 grade point average. Catie Conrad, a 2015 freshman, finished her first year with a 4.00 GPA as a business major. The NACGC/W seeks to actively manage and develop the sport of women’s gymnastics at the collegiate level and works with the NCAA and USA Gymnastics in order to pro- vide the best possible experience for student-ath- letes.
42
EASTERN MICHIGAN UNIVERSITY Eastern Michigan University Welch Hall and Ypsilanti Water Tower
43 Eastern Michigan University
Where We’re Located Eastern Michigan University is located in historic Ypsilanti, about 10 miles east of Ann Arbor, 40 miles west of Detroit and just 20 minutes from Detroit Metropolitan Airport. It is an area rich in academic, research, technological and recreational resources. The University also has sites in Livonia, Jackson, Traverse City, Flint, Detroit and Monroe. EMU’s 800 plus-acre campus of scenic flora and wooded areas includes 18 miles of walkways and jog- ging trails and has 122 buildings throughout the academic and athletic campuses. Eagle Crest – Eastern Michigan’s conference center, golf course and resort – is located on the banks of nearby Ford Lake. Ypsilanti plays a leading role in industry and education. The city and the University have forged close ties that have lasted more than 160 years.
What Makes Us Unique In 1849, the Senate and House of Representatives of the State of Michigan formally paved the way for the establishment of Michigan State Normal School, with the exclusive purposes of instructing persons in the art of teaching; providing a good common school education; and giving instruction in the mechanic arts, husbandry, agricultural chemistry and the laws of the United States. Since its inception, Eastern Michigan, first as a Normal School, then as a College and finally as a Uni- versity, has grown and developed to respond to the ever-changing needs of society. Over the years, EMU has educated thousands of sons and daughters of Michigan, the nation, and the world. The university currently serves 23,000 students who are pursuing undergraduate, graduate, specialist, doctoral and certificate degrees in the arts, sciences and professions. In all, more than 200 majors, minors and concentrations are delivered through the University’s Colleges of Arts and Sciences; Business; Educa- tion; Health and Human Services; Technology, and its graduate school. Eastern Michigan’s exceptional faculty, students and alumni include CEOs from major businesses, a National Student Teacher of the Year, National Teacher of the Year, numerous Fulbright Scholars and Milken Family Foundation National Educators award winners, and several Michigan Teachers of the Year. EMU is regularly recognized by national publications for its excellence, diversity, and commitment to applied education. Our Students Faculty/Staff EMU’s Economic Impact With nearly 23,000 students, EMU provides a rich Eastern Michigan University employs nearly 700 Since its founding in 1849, Eastern Michigan has learning environment for the campus community. full-time faculty and 1,000 staff members. Ninety- provided quality services to the residents of Ypsilanti, The University currently has approximately 18,000 four percent of EMU professors have doctoral de- Washtenaw County, the State of Michigan and other undergraduates and 5,000 graduate students. grees or terminal degrees in their field. The student states and nations. Our students represent 45 states and 93 foreign to faculty ratio is 19:1. EMU’s total impact on the Michigan economy of countries. Faculty work closely with students, and many an estimated $3.7 billion annually reflects a return Of undergraduate students, 72 percent are full- involve students in their research. Recently, the of more than $42 for each dollar received from the time and 57 percent are women. The most popular University celebrated its 30th annual Undergraduate state. The University’s total impact on the Michigan majors are education, business, social sciences and Symposium; a benchmark program for undergradu- economy results in a contribution of $166 million history, science and engineering, English, and the ate research. in state tax revenue. Thus, EMU’s impact on state health professions. EMU’s undergraduate population government tax revenue is $1.87 in taxes for each is approximately 65 percent white; 21 percent black; dollar received from the state. 2 percent international; 2.5 percent Asian-American; Community Outreach Eastern Michigan is making an impact nationally 2 percent Hispanic, 0.5 percent Native-American, and 7 percent not answered (i.e. elected not to respond by channeling its academic research as a means of to this inquiry). solving real world problems. EMU currently has 14 Eastern Michigan offers a number of special research institutes and centers that focus on com- academic programs to help students succeed. These munity building and civic engagement, quality, com- include the Honors College; the Holman Success munity and regional development, small business Center; distance learning; accelerated format development, geospatial education, textiles, export programs; online, weekend and evening programs assistance and product development. and courses; American Humanics certification; EMU is well-known for merging theory and Study Abroad Tours; a specialized master’s degree practice for the benefit of the community. Applied program for corporations offered onsite; a double research leads to new knowledge, new jobs and new master’s degree; online technologies for education business. Annually, the university receives about and training. $15 million in revenues for sponsored research and With more than 200 academic and social community service activities. organizations, an extensive intramural sports program, 21 NCAA Division I-A sports and numerous The Alumni Association cultural activities from which to choose, EMU Representing more than 142,000 alumni and students have diverse opportunities to become friends, the Alumni Association sponsors social involved in campus life. Students’ on-campus and service-related programs for more than 20 housing choices range from traditional dormitory- geographically-based and special-interest alumni style rooms to apartments and include living/ chapters. learning center options. 44 Education First
Mission Statement TIMELINE Eastern Michigan University is com- mitted to excellence in teaching through March 28, 1849: State Legislature passed Act No. 138 entitled traditional and innovative approaches, the “An Act to Establish a State Normal School.” extension of knowledge through basic and Oct. 5, 1852: Official dedication of Michigan State Normal applied research, and creative and artistic School. expression. March 29, 1853: Michigan State Normal School opens, offering two programs of study, a “classical course” and an Building on a proud tradition of na- “English course.” tional leadership in the preparation of teach- 1854: Michigan State Normal School holds first commence- ers, we maximize educational opportunities ment, with three graduates. and personal and professional growth for Sept. 1881: The student newspaper, The Normal News, is students from diverse backgrounds through founded as a monthly. an array of baccalaureate, master’s and doctoral programs. 1890: MSNS is the first Michigan institution to establish a We strive to provide a student-focused learning environment that enhances the lives of students department of geography. and positively impacts the community. We extend our commitment beyond the campus boundaries Oct. 22, 1896: Theodore Roosevelt visits Michigan State to the wider community through service initiatives, and public and private partnerships of mutual Normal School. interest addressing local, regional, national and international opportunities and challenges. Sept. 15, 1897: The student newspaper is renamed The Normal College News, published twice a month. Our History 1897: MSNS is the first U.S. teacher’s college to become a Founded in 1849, when the state of Michigan was just 12 years old, Michigan State Normal School four-year institution. was designated by the state legislature as the first institution to educate teachers to serve the public April 28, 1899: Michigan State Normal School is renamed schools. The University thus began, somewhat humbly, as the sixth teacher education institution in the Michigan State Normal College. nation. A campus that today comprises more than 800 acres was once a four-acre plot with one building 1900: Student athletes unofficially adopt the nickname and two programs of study – a classical course and an English Course. Normalites. Athletes could wear either a “Y” for Ypsilanti or The school’s name changed several times – to Michigan State Normal College in 1899; to Eastern an “N” for Normal. Michigan College in 1956; and finally to Eastern Michigan University in 1959. During its first 100 years, 1915: MSNC is the first U.S. teacher’s college to establish the institution certified thousands of teachers and developed the broad-based curricula that ultimately training for teachers of the disabled. prepared it for university status. Oct. 24, 1929: Athletic teams are named the Hurons. Within that new university, three colleges emerged: Education, Arts and Sciences and the Graduate July 1, 1956: Michigan State Normal College becomes Eastern School. The University has since expanded three more times, adding the College of Business in 1964, the Michigan College. College of Health and Human Services in 1975, and the College of Technology in 1980. More recently July 6, 1956: The student newspaper is renamed The Eastern ,Eastern Michigan has developed Extended Programs and numerous community-focused institutes. Echo, a weekly publication. The university has enhanced its learning environment through structural initiatives during the past June 1, 1959: Eastern Michigan College is renamed Eastern Michigan University. several years. Recent construction includes the Terrestrial and Aquatic Research Facility (1998), the Convocation Center (1998), the Bruce T. Halle Library (1998), the John W. Porter College of Education 1959: The College of Education is established. Building (1999), the Everett L. Marshall College of Health and Human Services Building (2000), the Vil- 1959: The College of Arts and Sciences is established. lage residence hall (2001), University House (2003), new Student Center (2006), and the new Science Oct. 13, 1960: Senator John F. Kennedy visits Eastern Michi- Complex (2010). gan University 1964: The College of Business is established. Fast Facts The City of Ypsilanti 1975: The College of Health and Human Services is estab- Founded: 1849 - Michigan State Normal School Ypsilanti is a city in Washtenaw County with lished. Enrollment: Fifth-largest state institution in Michigan a population of 22,362. Originally a trading post 1980: The College of Technology is established. Undergraduates: 18,569 established in 1809 by Gabriel Godfroy, a French- 1990: Eastern Michigan University begins the first phase of Graduates: 4,772 Canadian fur trader from Montreal, a permanent a $213-million investment in campus renovations. Gender: settlement was established on the east side of the Undergraduates: 59% female; 41% male Jan. 30, 1991: The Board of Regents approve changing the Graduates: 65% female; 35% male Huron River in 1823 by Major Thomas Woodruff. Huron name and logo. Michigan residents: 88 percent It was incorporated into the Territory of Michigan May 22, 1991: Board of Regents approve new EMU logo and President: Kim Schatzel as the village Woodruff’s Grove. A separate com- nickname - the Eagles. Board of Regents: Eight-member board, munity a short distance away on the west side of Sept. 9, 1994: The mascot “Swoop” is officially adopted. appointed by governor the river was established in 1825 under the name Nov. 28, 1995: Groundbreaking for the Bruce T. Halle Library Faculty: 689 full time is held. Faculty holding Ph.D.: 93 percent “Ypsilanti”, after Demetrius Ypsilanti, a hero in the Student/Faculty Ratio: 19:1 Greek War of Independence. Woodruff’s Grove Oct. 30, 1996: President Bill Clinton visits EMU to present a New Freshmen Average GPA: 3.1 changed its name to Ypsilanti in 1829, and the speech on women in the business community. New Freshmen Average ACT: 21 two communities eventually merged. Sept. 20, 1997: A “beaming ceremony” is hosted to celebrate New Freshmen Average SAT: 1,014 Henry Ford and the automotive industry came construction of the new Convocation Center. Academic programs: 423 majors, minors and to Ypsilanti in the 1930s and beautiful Ford Lake June 1, 1998: The official opening of the $41-million Bruce concentrations, plus 167 graduate degrees and T. Halle Library is held. certificate programs was created to generate hydroelectric power for Oct. 9, 1998: Official dedication of the Bruce T. Halle Library Doctoral programs: 2 - Educational Leadership; the manufacturing plants. During World War II, takes place. Clinical Psychology Ypsilanti became home to the Willow Run Bomber Campus Buildings: 122 Plant, a factory that would employ 100,000 work- Jan. 1, 1999: Eastern Michigan University begins a year-long celebration of its sesquicentennial. Campus Size: 880 acres ers. Athletic Affiliation: NCAA Division FBS (1-A) May 2000: President Bill Clinton delivers the commence- NCAA Conference: Mid-American Conference ment address at Eastern Michigan University’s Convocation Mascot: Eagles Center. Colors: Green and White Sept. 21, 2004: A ground breaking Ceremony is held for the New $37.5-million EMU Student Center. 2014-15 Tuition and Fees* May 14, 2008: Dr. Susan Martin is appointed the 22nd In-state and Ohio, 30 credit hours: $10,417 president of EMU by a unanimous vote of the EMU Board Out-of-State, 30 credit hours: $24,896 of Regents. Room and Board, 18 meals weekly: $8,069 *subject to change July 7, 2008: Dr. Susan Martin begins her role as EMU President. 45 Eastern Michigan University
Facilities Our 803-acre campus of scenic flora and wooded areas includes 18 miles of walkways and jogging trails, and has 128 buildings, the Lake House and Rynearson Stadium located on the south side of Huron River. Eagle Crest – our conference center, golf course and resort – is located on the banks of nearby Ford Lake. Most recent additions include the Terrestrial and Aquatic Research Facility (1998); the Convocation Center (1998); the Bruce T. Halle Library (1998); the John W. Porter Building, housing the College of Educa- tion (1999); the environmentally sustainable Everett L. Marshall Building, housing the College of Health and Human Services (2000); the renovation of Boone Hall (2000), housing our Extended Programs offices; and The Village (2001), a spacious, apartment-style residence facility. There are currently 11 residence halls and three apartment complexes with 583 units housing more than 4,000 students. The EMU Student ray arrold P -H Center also opened in November of 2006. College of Arts and Science
Everett L. Marshall College of Health and Human Services
The Bruce T. Halle Library The $41-million Bruce T. Halle Library represents the latest technological trends in libraries, integrat- ing traditional print with emerging electronic sources. The 218,000-square-foot facility has 520 computer workstations; 300,000 volumes of open-shelf books; 800,000 volumes in an automated retrieval collection; 3,000 network connection ports; a 100-seat auditorium with seats wired for laptop computers; a 70-seat teleconferencing room; a 130-station computing commons with six learning labs (electronic classrooms); a distance learning lab; a television studio; the Paradox Cafe; individual and group study areas and self- direction stations.
John W. Porter College of Education
The EMU Student Center Since Nov. 6, 2006, EMU Student Center has become the new vibrant hub of activity on EMU’s main Sill Hall campus in Ypsilanti, MI. In fact, in April 2007, it was voted the “Best Place to Hang Between Classes” by College of Technology Eastern Echo readers. From the wide range of eatery choices to the fireplace lounges, there’s so much more in between: EMU Bookstore, Chase Bank, wireless Internet access*, a 24/7 computer lab, two art galleries, meeting/conference/banquet rooms, a dining room stage, and an auditorium for movies, live performances and guest lectures. Additionally, students will find many EMU student services, programs and organization offices all under one roof. When you view it altogether, EMU Student Center lives up to its slogan: Centered on You!
Gary M. Owen College of Business 46 Education First
Eastern Michigan University Ypsilanti, Michigan 48197 emich.edu
Admissions 734.487.3060 800.GO-TO-EMU Alumni Relations 487.0250
Colleges Arts and Sciences 487.4344 Business 487.4140 Education 487.1414 Health & Human Services 487.0077 Technology 487.0354
Continuing Education 487.0407 800.777.3521 EMU Foundation 484.1322 Financial Aid Office 487.0455 Housing & Dining 487.1300 President’s Office 487.2211 Public Safety 487.0892 Registration 487.2300 Switchboard 487.1849 University Communications 487.4400 47 Board of Regents
The Board of Regents is the governing body of Eastern Beth Fitzsimmons, Ph.D. Michigan University. Its current format was created when Beth Fitzsimmons was appointed by Governor Rick Snyder in February 2011 to replace the State of Michigan ratified a new constitution, Jan. 6, Mohamed Okdie. She is appointed for a term expiring Dec. 31, 2016. She serves as chair 1964. The Board comprises eight regents who are appointed of the Student Affairs committee. Dr. Fitzsimmons founded Information Strategists, LLC, in 1987, a company that provides information services for high tech companies. to eight-year terms by the governor. The current EMU Re- Clients include scientists, engineers, marketing specialists and executives of major U.S. gents are Mike Morris, chair; Mary Treder Lang, vice chair; corporations. She earned a degree in chemistry from Simmons College, an MLS from Dennis Beagen; Michelle Crumm; Beth Fitzsimmons; the University of Albany and in 2001 she earned her doctorate in public policy, special- Mike Hawks; James F. Stapleton; and James Webb. izing in information policy, from George Mason University. From 2003-2008, she was Beth appointed by the President and chaired the U.S. National Commission on Libraries and Fitzsimmons Information Science (NCLIS). From 1996-1999, Dr. Fitzsimmons was involved with sev- eral projects at the U.S. Patent and Trademark Office. Prior to that, she was associated with CENDI; an Executive Branch interagency working group composed of the scientific Mike Morris, Chair and technical (STI) managers from the Departments of Commerce, Energy, Defense, Health and Human Services, Mike Morris was appointed by Governor Rick Snyder in February 2011 to replace and NASA. Dr. Fitzsimmons served as the information specialist for 10 years at Aerodyne Research, Inc., and also Gary Hawks, whose term had expired. He is appointed for a term expiring Dec. 31, has served as the Chairman of the Depository Library Council to the U.S. Public Printer (1993-94) and received the 2018. He is the retired chairman and chief executive officer of American Electric Pow- Public Printer’s Distinguished Service Award. Dr. Fitzsimmons has served on the Advisory Board of the School of er (AEP). From 1997 to 2003, Morris was chairman, president and CEO of Northeast Library and Information Science (SILS) at the University of North Carolina (Chapel Hill), on the Advisory Board of Utilities System. Before joining Northeast Utilities, he was president and CEO of Con- the College of Computing and Information (CCI) at the University of Albany and was appointed to the Knowledge sumers Energy, principal subsidiary of CMS Energy, and president of CMS Marketing, Trust. A member of the American Chemical Society for over 25 years, she has served on the ACS Committee of Services and Trading. He was previously president of Colorado Interstate Gas Co. Patent and Related Matters (CPRM) for 5 years. Locally, she has served as President of the Rotary Club of Ann Arbor and executive vice president of marketing, transportation and gas supply for ANR (2010-11), on the Boards of the Ann Arbor YMCA, University of Michigan Libraries, and the Library of Michigan Pipeline Co., both subsidiaries of El Paso Energy. Morris was the founder and presi- Foundation. She currently serves as chair of the Educational Policies Committee and chair of the Student Affairs Mike Morris dent of ANR Gathering Co., one of the first gas marketing companies in the United Committee. Chair States. Morris is past chairman of the Edison Electric Institute, Institute of Nuclear Power Operations and Nuclear Electric Insurance Limited. He also serves on the U.S. Department of Energy’s Electricity Advisory Board, the National Governors Association’s Task Force on Electricity Infrastructure, Business Roundtable (chairing the Business Roundtable’s Sustainable Growth Initiative). He serves Michael Hawks as a director of the boards of Alcoa, Battelle and The Hartford Financial Services Group, Inc. Morris graduated Michael Hawks was appointed by Governor Rick Snyder in February 2011 to re- from Eastern Michigan University with both bachelors and masters degrees in biology. He served on the Board place Phil Incarnati, whose term had expired. He is appointed for a term expir- of Regents at Eastern Michigan University from 1997-2004. He is currently serving a new term through 2018. In ing Dec. 31, 2018. He serves as chair of the Athletic Affairs committee and vice 1995 he received the university’s Distinguished Alumnus Award. During his graduate years, he was commander chair of the Finance and Investment committee. In addition, he serves on the of the ROTC Brigade. Morris received a law degree, cum laude, from the Detroit College of Law and is a member Eagle Administrative Services Board. Hawks was born in Ann Arbor, Michigan of the Michigan Bar Association. He previously served as chair of the Finance, Audit and Investment Committee and grew up in Ypsilanti Township. He graduated from Ypsilanti High School and currently serves as a member of the Education Achievement Authority, vice chair of the Educational Policies where he excelled in football and received a full athletic scholarship from East- Committee, chair of the Personnel and Compensation Committee and is the chair of the Board. ern Michigan University. Hawks earned a varsity letter as a true freshman and Michael Hawks went on to be the team’s starting noseguard the next three seasons. While at EMU, he earned a BA in Business Administration and subsequently earned an MA in Higher Education Administration from Michigan State University. After completing his higher educa- Mary Treder Lang, Vice Chair tion, he served as Chief of Staff for the Majority Floor Leader in the Michigan House of Representatives and Mary Treder Lang was appointed to the Board of Regents by Governor Rick Snyder in on the Staff of the Speaker of the House. He currently serves as a director of Governmental Consultant December of 2012 to fill the seat vacated by former Chairman, Roy Wilbanks, with a Services Inc. (GCSI) in Lansing, Michigan. GCSI is a multi-client Lobbying firm that is consistently recognized term ending in December of 2020. After earning a Bachelor of Science Degree in Ac- as Michigan’s number one rated firm. Hawks individually has consistently been voted among the 10 best counting and Marketing from the University of Dayton, Treder Lang began her career lobbyists in the state by independent political surveys of Capitol insiders. at KPMG, located in Detroit where she specialized in financial institutions, non-for- profits and mergers, and acquisitions. Following her time at KPMG, she spent five years in various management positions at SBC/Ameritech. She spent considerable time in the Computer Security District and became a recognized computer security Mary Treder Lang expert amongst the Bell Operating Companies. She ultimately left SBC/Ameritech James F. Stapleton Vice Chair to establish a new Midwest Office for LINX Technologies, assuming the position Jim Stapleton was appointed by Governor Jennifer Granholm in January of 2007 to of North American (NA) Sales Director. LINX Technologies was acquired by Mosler, replace Karen Valvo. Stapleton was reappointed by Governor Granholm in January Inc. and there she held various senior management positions providing coverage throughout North America. 2009 to his own eight-year term that expires December 31, 2016. Stapleton is Presi- After her time spent with Mosler, Inc, she began working for Siemens, Inc. where she held various positions rang- dent and CEO of B&R Consultants. From 2001 through July of 2004 (while continuing ing from NA Sales Director, Sales Manager, and District Manager (first woman), to lastly becoming the Senior to fully own and operate B&R), Stapleton assumed the responsibilities of Senior Vice Executive-Government for Siemens Building Technologies, Inc. She eventually transitioned her career to Accretive President of Business Affairs of the Detroit Tigers, making him (for a good majority Solutions where she was a Business Development Manager. In December of 2008, Treder Lang chose to begin her of his tenure) the highest ranking African-American within the business operations own business, Mary Treder Lang, CPA. In October 2011 she joined Baker Tilly in Michigan as Director of Business of a Major League Baseball franchise. In July of 2004, Stapleton left Major League Development. Mary Treder Lang has held many different leadership positions throughout the years. Her posi- James F. Baseball to participate in a group that, in June of 2005, purchased the Minnesota tions have ranged from senior level positions with employers, to executive positions on Board of Directors, to Stapleton Vikings. He is the former president of the Think Twice Foundation, an organization voluntary Treasurer for many organizations. She is active in the Michigan Women’s Foundation as a Power of 100 comprised of African and Jewish American Community Leaders that raised more Women Leadership Advisory Cabinet Member, Women’s Forum and the East Side Club. In September 2011 she than $1 million and provided more than 200 units of new and/or refurbished hous- was appointed by Governor Rick Snyder to the Michigan State Parks and Outdoor Recreation Blue Ribbon Panel. ing for Detroit residents. He is also a past chairman of the Detroit Chapter of the Urban League. Stapleton has also In October 2012 she received the American Institute of Certified Public Accountants Emerging Leader Award given served on several profit and not-for-profit boards, including the Fellowship of Christian Athletes, Wayne State by the Michigan Association of Certified Public Accountants (MACPA) for the first time in the State of Michigan. In University’s Shiffman Medical Library Board of Visitors, Ontario Michigan Rail, and the Board of Directors of Detroit addition, she is active in her community as a member of the St. Paul’s Catholic Church, the Fraternal Order of Police Commerce Bank. He currently serves on the Personnel and Compensation Committee and is chair of the Faculty (FOP), the Rotary Club, the Mother’s Club for Grosse Pointe South High School, the League of Women Voters, the Affairs Committee. Grosse Pointe Chamber, the Detroit Regional Chamber, the Detroit Economic Club, a Volunteer Council Member of the Detroit Symphony Orchestra (DSO), Past Commodore of the Grosse Pointe Yacht Club and a Board member of the MACPA. She is also active in philanthropic efforts for the March of Dimes, Leukemia Lymphoma Society, James Webb American Cancer Society and Michigan Women’s Foundation. Regent Treder Lang is currently on the Personnel James Webb was appointed by Governor Rick Snyder in December 2012 to replace and Compensation Committee, and is the chair of the Finance and Investment Committee. the vacated seat of Thomas Sidlik. He is appointed for a term expiring December 2020. Webb received an A.A. in Business Administration from College of the Sequoias in 1968, a B.B.A. in Management from Eastern Michigan University in 1971, and an M.B.A. in Finance from EMU in 1976. Webb worked for the United States Fidelity & Guaranty Dennis Beagen Company from 1971 to 1974 as a Property Underwriter, from 1974 to 1976 he worked Dennis Beagen was appointed by Governor Rick Snyder in December 2014 to as a Corporate Insurance Analyst for Masco Corporation, he was an Assistant Insurance replace Floyd Clack, whose term expired. Beagen is communications professor Manager for The Budd Company, and from 1977 to 1981 he worked as an Assistant Risk at Eastern Michigan University where he previously served as acting associate Manager for Republic Steel Corp. Webb is currently the Chairman of Aon Risk Services, provost, interim dean of continuing education, professor of communication, James Webb Inc. of Michigan. In addition to his work experience, Webb has been very active in the department head of the Department of Communication, and executive asso- EMU community. In 1988 he received the Alumnus Achievement Award, and in 1989 ciate to provost for advancement. He earned a bachelor’s degree from Eastern he was Chair of the Campaign for Champions. He was an original member of the Foun- Michigan University, a master’s degree from the University of Michigan, and an dation Board, served as treasurer from 1993 to 1995, vice chair from 1995 to 1997, chair from 1997 to 1999, and in ABD from Wayne State University. He is appointed for a term expiring Dec. 2022. 1999 he became an Emeritus member. He received the Dr. John W. Porter Distinguished Service Award in 1992, was a Dennis Beagen member of the President Search Committee in 2005, Ethos week Supporter from 2007 to 2012 as well as Ethos Week Speaker in 2007, and was on the College of Business Dean Search Committee in 2012. Webb has also been involved in numerous Not-for-Profit activities. He is a member of the Greater Detroit Chamber of Commerce, Farmington Hills Police Benevolent Association, Michigan Property & Casualty Association, and was a Director of the Detroit Michelle Crumm Athletic Club. He is also active in Rainbow Connection (Brooks Patterson’s Charity Grants Wishes for Terminally Ill Michelle Crumm was appointed by Governor Rick Snyder in December 2014 to Children) and the City of Cleveland/Operation Improvement Task Force. In addition to the Not-for-Profit activities, replace Francine Parker, whose term expired. Crumm is CEO of Present Value and he is involved in the Boards of FDI Insurance Limited (Ireland) and FCE Reinsurance Limited (Ireland). Regent Webb is co-founder and chief business officer of Adaptive MaterialsInc. She also worked currently the EMU Foundation Board of Trustees representative and is a member of the Joint Oversight Committee, in auditing at both Kellogg Co. and Plante and Moran. Crumm was named 2011 the Eagle Administrative Services Board and Chair of the Audit Committee. Executive of the Year from AnnArbor.com, Most Influential Women by Crain’s De- troit Business, one of Enterprising Women’s Women of the Year and Entrepreneur of the Year by Ernst and Young. Crumm earned a bachelor’s degree from Purdue University and an MBA from the University of Michigan. Se is appointed for a 48 Michelle Crumm term expiring Dec. 2022. Heather Lyke
The 13th athletic director in and conditioning coaches, athletic training Eastern Michigan history, Lyke was staff and sports medicine staff. In 2013, she selected from a pool of more than developed the first ever student-athlete 80 candidates. She also is the first internship program within the Department woman to hold the full-time AD of Athletics. position at EMU. On a national level, Lyke has been active “I am honored and excited to be within the NCAA and Big Ten Conference named the Director of Athletics at committee structure as a member of the Eastern Michigan University,” said NCAA Division I Men’s Lacrosse Committee Lyke at her hiring press conference. and Big Ten Sports Management Committee “This is a tremendous opportunity and previously served on the NCAA Softball to become a part of a dynamic Rules Committee and the NCAA Amateurism leadership team. I am eager to Committee. serve and build great relationships Her previous roles at OSU included associate with President Martin and the athletic director for sport administration University leadership, the faculty, (2002-12) and associate athletic director for our student-athletes, coaches and sport administration, compliance and camp staff, alumni and donors, and the operations (1998-02). Prior to Ohio State, Lyke greater Ypsilanti and Michigan was at the University of Cincinnati for two community. Eastern Michigan has years, serving as the assistant athletic director a rich history of athletic success for compliance as well as the senior woman and academic achievement. I administrator. Lyke began her athletics look forward to being part of administrative career at the NCAA national the continued success of Eastern office as an intern in the enforcement and Michigan University as we help student-athlete reinstatement department. shape the next generation of Lyke also has worked for the Big Ten Network leaders and achieve even greater as a color analyst for softball games. Lyke grew up in Canton, Ohio, and attended Heather Lyke accomplishments.” At OSU, she was a member of the the University of Michigan on a softball EMU Vice President/Director of Athletic athletic department’s executive scholarship. While at U-M, she was a four- Heather Lyke is in her third year at Eastern team and was responsible for the assessment, year letter winner as a first baseman, two- Michigan University, having been named design and development of the department’s time team captain, Big Ten champion and EMU’s Vice President/Director of Athletics on strategic plan. She directly oversaw 10 of Academic All-Big Ten honoree as a member July 1, 2013. Lyke came to Ypsilanti with more OSU’s 36 athletic programs and managed/ of its softball team. She earned a Bachelor’s than 17 years of experience in intercollegiate supervised 31 full-time coaches and staff. of Science in Education from University of athletics administration – 15 of which were at She also had oversight over all facets of the Michigan and a Juris Doctorate from the The Ohio State University. athletic councils involving budget oversight, University of Akron School of Law. She was Lyke’s first year at Eastern Michigan was a revenue generation and facilities as well as admitted to the Ohio Bar in 1995. successful one, as the Eagles won three Mid- the golf course operations. Additionally, she Lyke and her husband, David Catalano, American Conference team championships supervised the sport performance division of have three children, Elle, Sophie and Eli. and 24 individual MAC titles in track and the department, which includes the strength swimming. EMU also produced 64 All- MAC student-athletes to go along with 41 THE HEATHER LYKE FILE Academic All-MAC honorees. Name: Heather Lyke In the classroom, EMU student-athletes Born: Canton, Ohio continued to showcase their success in the High School: Glen Oak H.S. - Graduated in 1988 College: University of Michigan - Bachelor’s degree in education - 1992 classroom, ending the Winter 2014 semester University of Akron Law School - Juris Doctorate - 1995 with a 3.145 grade point average. It marked Family: Husband, David Catalano; Children, Elle, Sophie and Eli the ninth consecutive semester that the Eagles had surpassed the 3.0 plateau as a COLLEGIATE WORK EXPERIENCE department. YEAR SCHOOL JOB TITLE Lyke also developed and installed the 2013-Pres. Eastern Michigan University Vice President/Director of Athletics mantra of Eagles Unite. More than just a 2013 Ohio State University Senior Associate AD catchy slogan, it was a campaign of support 2009-12 Big Ten Network Softball Color Analyst that pervade through all of EMU 21 varsity 2002-12 Ohio State University Associate AD/Sport Administration sports. The campaign extended beyond 1998-02 Ohio State University Associate AD/ Sport Administration, Compliance and Camp Operations student-athletes; it strongly encouraged the 1996-98 University of Cincinnati Assistant Athletic Director for Compliance/SWA athletic department staff, fans, alumni and 1995-96 National Collegiate Athletic Association Enforcement Intern students to show their support as well. 1989-92 University of Michigan Four-year letterwinner in softball 49 EMU VP/Director of Athletics
EMU’s MAC Championships Reese Trophy - Men’s All-Sports Champion 1987-88, 1990-91, 1995-96, 2008-09
Cartwright Award - Overall Excellence 2013-14
Baseball 1975, ’76, ’78, ’81, ’82, 2003, 2007
Football 1987
Men’s Basketball 1988, ’91, ’96, ’98
Women’s Basketball 2004, 2012
Men’s Cross Country 1973, ’74, ’86, ’90, ’91, ’92, ’93, ’94, 2000, 2001, 2005, Female Athletic Directors in the FBS 2006, 2007, 2008, 2010, 2011, 2012, 2013, 2014
Sandy Barbour - Penn State Men’s Golf Kathy Beauregard - Western Michigan 2007, 2008 Lynn Hickey - Texas-San Antonio Heather Lyke - Eastern Michigan Men’s Outdoor Track & Field Debbie Yow - North Carolina State 1974, ’77, ’78, ’82, ’83, ’84, ’86, ’87, ’88, ’89, ’90, Tina Kunzer-Murphy - UNLV ’91, ’92, ’94, ’97, ’98, ’99, 2001, 2002, 2007, 2010, 2014
EMU Athletic Directors Through the Years Women’s Outdoor Track & Field 1982, ’87, ’88, ’89, ’90, ’91, ’92, ’93, ’95,’97, 2003 Wilbur Bowen - 1903-28 Joseph McCulloch 1931-47 Men’s Indoor Track & Field Elton Rynearson 1948-63 1996, ’97, ’98, ’99, 2000, 2001, 2002, 2003, 2004, Dr. Keith Bowen - 1963-66 2006, 2007, 2008, 2010, 2013 F.L. “Frosty” Ferzacca - 1966-73 Dr. Albert E. Smith - 1975-76 Alex Agase - 1977-82 Women’s Indoor Track & Field Paul Shoults - 1982-86 1997, 2000, 2011 Gene Smith - 1986-93 Tim Weiser - 1993-97 Men’s Swimming and Diving Carole Huston (Interim) 1997-99 1978, ’80, ’81, ’82, ’83, ’84, ’85, ’86, ’87, ’88, ’89, Dr. David Diles - 1999-05 ’90, ’91, ’92, ’93, ’94, ’95, ’96, ’98, 2000, 2001, Bob England (Interim) - 2005-06 2002, 2003, 2004, 2005, 2007, 2008, 2009, 2010, Dr. Derrick Gragg - 2006-13 2012, 2013 Dr. Melody Reifel Werner (Interim) - April 2013-July 2013 Heather Lyke - 2013-Present Women’s Gymnastics EMU National Championships 2007 Women’s Swimming and Diving 1972- NCAA DII Men's Swimming and Diving 2006, 2007 1972 – NCAA DII Outdoor Track and Field 1971- NAIA Men's Swimming and Diving Women’s Tennis 1971- NAIA Men's Indoor Track and Field 1998, 2001 1971 – NAIA Men's Outdoor Track and Field 1970 - NAIA Baseball Women’s Soccer 1970 – NCAA DII Men's Cross Country 1999, 2003, 2013 1970 - NAIA Men's Cross Country 1970 – NAIA Men's Swimming and Diving Softball 1970 – NAIA Men's Indoor Track and Field 2007 1970 – NAIA Men's Outdoor Track and Field 1969 – NAIA Men's Swimming and Diving Wrestling 1969 – NAIA Men's Indoor Track and Field 1996 1968 – NAIA Men's Swimming and Diving 1967 – NAIA Men's Cross Country 50 1966 – NAIA Men's Cross Country EMU Support Staff Jennifer Brown Associate Athletic Director/Sports Medicine
Jennifer Brown is in her first year as the Associate key stakeholder in the NU AOD policy revision last year. She has been active in Athletics Director for Sports Medicine for the professional organizations at the state, district, and national levels, most recently Eastern Michigan University athletic department. serving as the Planning Committee Chair for the Great Lakes Athletic Trainers’ In her role, Brown will be based in the Association Annual Meeting and Symposium. Brown has also presented at Convocation Center athletic training facility numerous sports medicine conferences. and responsible for the daily sports medicine Prior to the return to her alma mater, Brown served as an athletic trainer operation for EMU’s 21 varsity sports programs. at the University of Colorado (2000-01), the University of Nebraska at Omaha She will supervise four assistant athletic trainers, (2001-03) and Northern Illinois University (2003-04). numerous graduate and student athletic A native of Machesney Park, Ill., Brown graduated from Northwestern in 1999 trainers, and also have primary responsibilities with a bachelor’s degree in human development and psychological services with the school’s football team. before going on to earn her master’s degree in fitness and wellness management Brown arrived in Ypsilanti following an 11-year tenure in the Northwestern from the University of Nebraska at Omaha in 2003. University Athletics Department where she most recently served as the Associate She is a NATABOC Certified Athletic Trainer, licensed athletic trainer in Illinois, Athletics Trainer. At NU, Brown worked directly with the Wildcats’ football team. Michigan and Nebraska, and is an American Heart Association Healthcare While in Evanston, Brown was a member of the University’s Alcohol and Other Provider. Drug Collaborative Team and Biennial Review Committee as well as being a
Dr. Talea Drummer Associate Athletic Director/Student-Athlete Support Services
Dr. Talea Drummer is in her first year as the Associ- She has also worked with the men’s basketball team at Kent State until August of ate Athletics Director for Student-Athlete Support 2012 when a new position was developed which allowed her position to expand. Services for the EMU athletic department. Drummer oversaw the academic initiatives for the area such as the Graduate Aca- In her new role, Drummer will be part of the demic Internship program and developed the organizational specialists program department’s executive staff with oversight of and position. academic services for all of EMU’s 21 Division I Prior to Kent State, Drummer worked as a First Year Adviser at her undergraduate sports. Drummer will guide development and alma mater, Miami University, where she oversaw the daily operations and advised implementation of programs and services that freshmen that lived in her residence hall which was themed RedHawk Traditions: support academic achievement and integrity as History, Traditions & Athletics and housed a number of Miami’s student-athletes. well as contribute to the personal growth and Drummer earned her bachelor’s degree in Family Studies from Miami University career development of EMU student-athletes. in 2006 and her master’s degree in College Student Personnel from the University Before coming to Ypsilanti, Drummer worked as the Assistant Athletic Director of Louisville in 2008. of Student-Athlete Success/Director of Football Academics at Kent State University In 2014, Drummer earned her Doctorate of Philosophy in Higher Education where she was responsible for overseeing academics and eligibility for the Golden Administration & Student Personnel. Drummer’s research focus was studying Flashes’ football team working directly with student-athletes, coaches and admin- sophomore student-athletes and their unique needs. She also participated in the istrators. She helped implement and supervise academic programming for at-risk 2013-2014 Dean’s Advisory Council for the College of Education, Health and Hu- student-athletes. man Services.
Bryan Fink Assistant Sports Performance Coach
Bryan Fink is in his second year as the Assis- he was in charge of overseeing, developing and implementing all workouts tant Sports Performance at Eastern Michigan for each athletic team, including the Stars’ summer workouts. In addition, Fink University. Fink joined the EMU Sports Per- oversaw the weight room and other sport performance facilities in order to formance staff in 2013-14 after serving as the maximize efficiency. Head Strength and Conditioning Coach at Briar Prior to joining North High School, Fink served in an internship role for Cliff University. two seasons with Heelan High School in Sioux City. While working at Heelan, Fink ran the strength and conditioning efforts he received his first hands-on experience coaching student-athletes about for Briar Cliff from 2011-14. During his three proper sports performance and weight lifting technique. seasons at BCU, Fink designed and imple- On top of his professional experience, the Wayne, Neb. native earned his mented the performance programs for all 18 Certified Strength and Conditioning Specialist (CSCS)certification through varsity sports for the Sioux City, Iowa-based institution, in addition to head- the National Strength and Conditioning Association in January of 2011. Fink ing up all pre- and postseason speed, agility and conditioning programs for is also a Sports Performance Director (SPD) certified by Velocity Sports Per- Briar Cliff’s football, basketball and volleyball programs. Fink was in charge formance and is certified in Under Armour Combine 360 Training and Testing. of all operations within the weight room at BCU, including maintaining and Fink graduated from Morningside College in Sioux City where he was a improving the weight room by purchasing and organizing all sport perfor- four-year letterwinner on a three-time national tournament qualifying men’s mance equipment. basketball team. He earned a bachelor of arts degree in business administra- Before joining the Briar Cliff staff, Fink ran the Sioux City North High School tion in 2009, before garnering a master’s degree in exercise science from strength and conditioning program for two years. During his time at North, Wayne State College (Neb.) in 2013. 51 EMU Support Staff Fred Hale Assistant Sports Performance Coach
Fred Hale is in his second year as the Hale attended Mercyhurst University where he graduated with a Assistant Sports Performance at Eastern Bachelor’s of Science in Exercise Science in 2011. The 26-year-old went Michigan University. Hale joined the EMU on to earn his master’s in exercise science in 2012 from Mercyhurst Sports Performance staff after serving as a while working with the rowing team. In the 2011-12 season, the rowing sports performance coach at Power Train team won the Dad Vail Regatta, which is the largest collegiate regatta Sports Institute for one year. in the United States. Prior to his time at Power Train Sports A native of Cleveland, Ohio, Hale was a three-sport athlete participat- Institute, Hale was an intern for the Buf- ing in football, wrestling and track and field while garnering all-state falo Bills before spending a year with the honors in football and wrestling at Mentor High School. Hale went on University of Tennessee, working primarily with the football, baseball to play football and wrestle at Mercyhurst University where he earned and track and field teams. all-conference and All-American honors.
Becky Heckart Eagles Pride Fund Director Becky Heckart is in her first year as the Eagles assistant on a US Senatorial Campaign which raised more than 10 million Pride Fund Director for the Eastern Michigan dollars. Prior to her stint with the US Senatorial Campaign, the Almont, Mich. University athletic department. native spent five years at Oxford Academy of Dance and Performing Arts and In her role as the Eagles Pride Fund Direc- Amber’s Dance Academy. tor she will lead efforts in the development A graduate of Central Michigan University, Heckart spent five years as of an annual giving program to support all the Annual Giving Supervisor and two years as a graduate assistant in the EMU student-athletes and directly assist head athletics marketing department. coaches in sport specific fundraising efforts. Heckart graduated from Central Michigan University in 2007 with a degree Heckart will also play a lead role in athletics in interpersonal and public communication before earning her master’s events and donor stewardship. degree in sport administration from CMU in 2009. Heckart comes to Ypsilanti following an eight-month tenure as the finance
Andrew Hensley Assistant Director of Facilities and Operations Andrew Hensley is in his first year as the As- sistant Director of Facilities and Operations for the EMU athletic department.
52 EMU Support Staff Ben Herman Assistant Athletic Director/Equipment Operations
Ben Herman is in his first year as the Assistant Athletics Prior to his time at San Diego State, Herman did a two year stint as the Assistant Equip- Director for Equipment Operations for the EMU athletic ment Manager at the University of San Diego where his primary equipment responsibilities department. where related to football. While at USD, he coordinated a staff of student workers in execut- Before coming to Ypsilanti, Herman worked as the ing equipment operations and stadium set up for the team’s practices, home contests and Assistant Director for Athletic Equipment Services road trips. at San Diego State University where he was respon- A 2006 graduate of the Ohio State University with a bachelor’s degree in sociology, sible for budgeting, purchasing, and issuing athletic Herman spent three years as a student equipment manager for the Buckeyes where he equipment for baseball, football, volleyball, lacrosse, helped organize and distribute equipment and apparel for OSU’s 36 varsity sports, while swimming, water polo, tennis and golf. Herman was also assisting the football equipment staff in preparation for practice, games and yearly also responsible for a staff of employees and students bowl trips. workers while developing updated policies and proce- Upon graduation from Ohio State, Herman served as the Assistant Equipment Manager dures for the equipment room. at SDSU for one year before doing a full season internship with the San Francisco 49ers, as- During his tenure at SDSU, Herman helped guide the transition to ACS, an inventory sisting the team with practice set up, laundry and preparation for home and road contests. system for tracking equipment and apparel. Herman’s other duties included: coordinating Herman spent game days with the 49ers representing the team as a member of the NFL logos and branding for team and staff apparel, fitting athletes with helmets, shoulder pads blue crew, game ball staff. and footwear, as well as managing school contracts with athletic equipment vendors. Dur- A certified member of the Athletic Equipment Managers Association (AEMA), Herman ing the spring semesters, Herman enjoyed his time collaborating with Head Coach Tony served as the 2013 AEMA District IX Chairperson and was an Assistant Coordinator for the Gwynn and the SDSU baseball program, managing the team’s Nike promotional budget 2014 NCAA Men’s Basketball Tournament at Viejas Arena in San Diego, Calif. and designing innovative custom uniforms. A native of Toledo, Herman and his wife, Jamie, have one son, Oliver (2).
Chris Hoppe Senior Associate Athletic Director/Administration Chris Hoppe is in his fifth year as a member tion and leadership at UW. of the Eastern Michigan University athletics A native of Rhinelander, Wisc., Hoppe began his professional career department and his third as the Senior As- as a court commissioner for Oneida and Vilas County Circuit Courts in sociate Athletic Director for Administration. 2003-04. In his role Hoppe serves as the sport ad- Upon returning to the University of Wisconsin-Madison in 2004 for his ministrator for baseball, rowing, soccer, Ph.D work, Hoppe began his career in collegiate athletics as an athletic swimming, tennis and volleyball. He also compliance intern for the Badgers in 2005-06. oversees the equipment, sports medicine, In 2006, Hoppe joined the San Diego State University Aztecs as a and sports performance staffs. student-athlete eligibility/student services coordinator. The 36-year-old Hoppe earned two de- From San Diego State, Hoppe was named the Assistant Athletics Di- grees from the University of Wisconsin-Madison and is currently work- rector for compliance and sport supervisor at Robert Morris University in ing on a third. He completed his undergraduate degree, with honors, in 2008, a post he held until joining EMU as the Associate Athletic Director English literature in 2000 and earned his Juris Doctorate in the spring of for Compliance in the summer of 2011. 2003. Hoppe has also been working on a Ph.D in postsecondary educa- Hoppe remains a member of the Wisconsin State Bar Association.
Sean Hostetter Assistant Director of Athletic Media Relations Sean Hostetter is in his third year full-time tern for the Quad Cities River Bandits, the single-A affiliate of the St. Louis with the Eastern Michigan University Athletic Cardinals in 2010. He was in charge of the organization of the press box, Media Relations Office serving as a graduate as well as distributing statistics to media, coaches, and broadcasters, and assistant before taking on the role of Assis- producing game notes for all media outlets. He also was a webmaster of the tant Director of Athletic Media Relations in River Bandits website and a columnist for the Bandits’ monthly gameday Jan. 2013. program, “Play Ball.” Hostetter also served as one-of-three River Bandits Hostetter’s responsibilities include the radio broadcasters during the season. handling of all publicity and publications for Additionally, Hostetter held the title of Broadcasting & Media Relations the men’s basketball, volleyball and tennis Intern in the summer of 2009 while he worked for the Burlington Roy- teams. In addition to those tasks, Hostetter als, the rookie-A affiliate of the Kansas City Royals. He was the solo radio will coordinate the department’s social media efforts. broadcaster, while serving as the main media contact for the team. Prior to coming to EMU, Hostetter spent the 2010-11 season as the As- A 2009 graduate of Albion College, Hostetter earned a Bachelor of Arts sistant Sports Information Director at Brevard College in North Carolina. degree in Communication Studies and Political Science. While at Albion, he There he was the primary contact for the Tornados’ soccer, cross country, served as a sports information student assistant. Hostetter earned a Master women’s basketball, softball, and track & field teams. He also was the ana- of Science in Sport Management from Eastern Michigan in 2013. lyst on the men’s basketball radio broadcasts. He currently resides in Farmington, Mich. and is a member of the College A native of Livonia, Mich., Hostetter served as the Media Relations In- of Sports Information Directors of America (CoSIDA). 53 EMU Support Staff Garrett Hotchkiss Academic Counselor
Garrett Hotchkiss is in his ninth year as science from Central Michigan University in 2001. He completed his an Academic Counselor for the athletic master’s degree in sports administration from Xavier University in 2005. department at Eastern Michigan Univer- Prior to his time here at EMU, Hotchkiss worked as a research assistant sity. Hotchkiss joined the Student Athlete in the Government Affairs office in Washington D.C. for Corning Incor- Support Services staff full time in 2007 after porated. He also worked as a game day operations coordinator at the spending 2006 as a Compliance Assistant University of Cincinnati and graduate assistant for both the men’s and and Learning Specialist within the EMU women’s soccer teams at the College of Mount St. Joseph in Cincinnati, athletic department. Ohio, during his time as a graduate student. Hotchkiss is currently responsible for pro- viding academic support and monitoring student-athletes academic progress in the sports of golf, cross country, track, wrestling and tennis. The 37-year-old Hotchkiss earned a bachelor’s degree in political
Matt Jakobsze Associate Athletic Director/Compliance
Matt Jakobsze is in his third year as the Associate Athletic Director Executive Staff, assisted in drafting the National College Hockey Conference’s Bylaws, responded to multiple for Compliance for the Eastern Michigan University athletic depart- compliance reviews, and coordinated a Title IX review. ment. Jakobsze joined the Omaha Athletic Department after serving as the Compliance Coordinator at Mid- At EMU, Jakobsze serves as a member of the athletic department’s American Conference member Northern Illinois University. While at NIU, Jakobsze served as the primary liaison Executive Staff. Jakobsze directs and manages all operations as- for monitoring daily operations for eligibility, recruiting, personnel, and education. In addition, he supported sociated with the Athletic Department’s Compliance Office, with the Assistant Athletics Director of Compliance and Student Services areas of financial aid, legislation, and responsibility for legislation, governance, and policy. Jakobsze playing seasons, and assisted student-athletes’ personal growth through the CHAMPS/Life Skills Program. serves as EMU’s liaison to the NCAA and Mid-American Conference Prior to serving as the Compliance Coordinator at NIU, Jakobsze started the Huskie Athletic Compliance offices for NCAA rules interpretations and other matters. Jakobsze’s Office’s externship program while attending Northern Illinois University’s College of Law. specific duties include dealings with agents, and issues regarding A 2008 magna cum laude graduate of Dominican University, Jakobsze majored in psychology and political amateurism, promotions, donation requests, financial aid, waivers, science and was a Northern Athletics Conference Scholar-Athlete. While at Dominican, Jakobsze captained and investigations. the men’s soccer team, and led the Stars to regular and conference tournament championships in 2006 and Jakobsze joined Eastern Michigan after serving as the Assistant 2007, NCAA Tournament appearances in 2006 and 2007, as well as to the Elite Eight of the NCAA Tournament Athletic Director for Compliance at the University of Nebraska in 2006. Omaha. His day-to-day duties included managing all aspects the Athletic Department’s compliance program, In 2011, Jakobsze received his Juris Doctor cum laude from Northern Illinois University’s College of Law. and serving as the primary liaison for coaches, student-athletes, boosters, and the university community. While at NIU, Jakobsze was a Lead Articles Editor of the Northern Illinois University Law Review, President of In this role, Jakobsze acted as the primary administrator for all educational outreach efforts, coordinated the College of Law’s Sports & Entertainment Law Society, and represented NIU in the Jessup International Law the department’s financial aid program, and oversaw recruiting, and playing seasons. In addition, Jakobsze Moot Court Competition. He has published three articles, including an award winning comment discussing oversaw the eligibility processing of student-athletes, and coordinated interactions between coaches, current Major League Soccer, collective bargaining, and the antitrust implications of diverging ownership interests. and prospective student-athletes, the Summit League, and the NCAA. Jakobsze also supervised the athletic In addition to serving on the Communications Committee of the National Association for Athletics Compli- compliance office internship programs. ance (NAAC), Jakobsze is licensed to practice law in the state of Illinois and is a member of the Sports Lawyers While at Omaha, Jakobsze oversaw the second year of the University’s NCAA Division I Reclassification Association. process and transition to the Summit League conference. Jakobsze also served on the athletic director’s
Erin Kido Senior Associate Athletic Director/Administration
Erin Kido is in her second year as the Senior Associate the NCAA Degree Completion Consultants Task Force, which annually awards nearly Athletics Director for Administration for the Eastern $1 million in scholarships to former student-athletes who completed their eligibility, Michigan University athletic department. Kido came but did not complete graduation requirements. She was recently selected to serve as to EMU following a seven-year tenure in the Xavier the chair of the MAC’s Infractions Committee. Kido previously served on the Board of University Athletics Department where she most Directors and the Legislation and Governance Committee of the National Association for recently served as the Associate Athletics Director Athletics Compliance (NAAC), NCAA Legislative Council, NCAA Recruiting and Athletics and Senior Woman Administrator. Personnel Issues Cabinet and NCAA Subcommittee for Legislative Relief. At Xavier, Kido was primarily responsible for coordi- Prior to arriving at Xavier in 2007, Kido served as the Director of Compliance for the nating all facets of the Musketeers’ comprehensive University of Oklahoma Department of Athletics. While at Oklahoma, she played an athletics compliance program and overseeing all of integral role in building a strong, comprehensive compliance program that included the department’s student-athlete welfare priorities, broad-based rules education, as well as effective and efficient monitoring systems. including sports medicine, strength and conditioning, academic support services, In addition to her compliance experience at OU, Kido was the Compliance Graduate gender equity and diversity. She was the athletics department’s liaison to the Offices of Assistant at The Ohio State University. She joined the Ohio State staff after serving as the Admissions, Financial Aid and Residence Life and also served as the sport administrator Championships and Marketing Assistant with the West Coast Conference and working for the baseball and men’s and women’s cross country and track and field programs. as a student assistant in the UCLA Department of Intercollegiate Athletics. Kido is also extensively engaged in intercollegiate athletics nationally. She currently A native of San Jose, Calif., Kido graduated from UCLA in 2002 with a bachelor’s represents the Mid-American Conference on the NCAA Student-Athlete Experience degree in physiological science before going on to earn her master’s degree in sport Committee, which has oversight responsibility of nonacademic operating bylaws that and exercise management from Ohio State in 2005. 54impact the overall student-athlete intercollegiate experience. She is also a member of Kido and her husband, Jared, have a daughter, Sydney. EMU Support Staff
Mike Malach Senior Associate Athletic Director/Finance and Operations
Mike Malach is in his 19th year as a member facilities, game operations and sports oversight. of the Eastern Michigan University athletics A 1990 graduate of Carroll University in Waukesha, Wisc., Malach department and his third as the as the Se- went on to earn a master’s degree from Eastern Kentucky Univer- nior Associate Athletic Director for Finance sity in 1992. After completing his M.A., he joined the University of and Operations. Wisconsin-Stevens Point as an assistant athletics director from 1992- In his role, Malach oversees the depart- 95. ment’s budget and financial planning, Malach then became a systems engineer with Office Technology event management, facilities and game Company in March 1995 before moving to Cape Girardeau, Mo., as operations staff, IT services and is the a member of the Southeast Missouri staff in January 1996. liaison to the Convocation Center. A native of Denmark, Wisc., Malach attended Denmark High School The 48-year-old Malach joined the EMU staff in September 1998 and was a member of the 1985 boys basketball team that won the after a two-year stint as the athletics business manager at Southeast Class B state championship. He also participated in baseball and Missouri State University. He was responsible for the development football as a prep. and control of the entire athletics budget at Southeast Missouri and Malach lives in Milan, Mich. with his wife, Joan, and their son, Brevin he assumed the same responsibilities at Eastern, as well as overseeing (18) and daughter, Elaina (10). Adam Martin Director of Operations/Assistant Facilities Coordinator
Adam Martin is in his sixth year with the ment, custodial, outside contractors and other various campus departments. Eastern Michigan University Athletic Facilities Martin is also responsible for game management of NCAA Division I-A department, and his fourth as the Director of football, Division I-A men’s and women’s basketball and all other Olympic Facilities and Operations. sports. He also assists in the coordination of athletic facilities scheduling As the Director of Operations, Martin is with coaches and administration in accordance with department scheduling responsible for the daily supervision of all policies. athletic facilities at EMU including facility A native of Albion, Mich., Martin was a four sport athlete as a member of scheduling, maintenance and preparation, the soccer, baseball, basketball and swimming and diving teams. and assisting in the planning, management Martin earned his bachelor’s degree in sports management in 2008 from and execution of all athletic events, campus Siena Heights University, playing soccer for the Saints before earning his events and external events. Martin hires, trains and supervises all event master’s degree from Eastern Michigan in 2009. management staff along with graduate assistants and student staff. He also Martin resides in Ypsilanti, Mich. with his wife, Tracy, and their daughters, assists with various capital, facility maintenance and renovation. Natalie Marie and Peyton. Additionally, Martin also serves as the secondary liaison to all campus- operating units which include: physical plant, public safety, facility manage-
Ron McKeefery Director of Sports Performance
Ron McKeefery is in his second year as a member of the program is best exemplified by the fact that South Florida was 10-0 in overtime during his tenure. Eastern Michigan University athletics department. The 2008 The Missouri native owns a Bachelor of Arts in Biology from Ottawa University in Ottawa, Kan., Under Armour Collegiate Strength and Conditioning Coach and a Master of Arts in Adult Education from South Florida. McKeefery earned all-conference honors of the Year, McKeefery has served as a strength and condi- in both football and track at Ottawa and was also a two-time Academic All-American. tioning coach at both the collegiate and professional level. After spending one season as a coach with Ottawa, McKeefery worked as an intern with the McKeefery spent the 2013 season working with the NFL’s Kansas City Royals in Major League Baseball. He also worked with the Tampa Bay Buccaneers during Cincinnati Bengals after serving as the head strength and the 1999 season, a year in which the Bucs played in the NFC Championship Game. McKeefery also conditioning coach at the University of South Florida and spent the 2000 season as the head strength and conditioning coach with the Berlin Thunder of NFL the University of Tennessee. In total, he has coached 31 NFL Europe. draft picks, including First Round Draft Pick and Pro Bowlers In addition, he has lectured for the National Strength and Conditioning Association, Collegiate Mike Jenkins and Jason Pierre-Paul, along with Cordarrelle Strength and Conditioning Association, and numerous major universities. McKeefery has been Patterson and Ja’Wuan James. Additionally, he has coached published in the National Strength and Conditioning Journal, American Football Monthly and Stack numerous all-conference, All-Americans and NFL free agents selections. Magazine. Before heading to Cincinnati, McKeefery was the football head strength and conditioning coach He is a Certified Strength and Conditioning Specialist w/Distinction (CSCS*D) and Coach Prac- at Tennessee for three seasons. He was also the human performance coordinator for the United titioner under the National Strength and Conditioning Association (NSCA) as well as a Strength States Army Special Forces, 160th Special Operations Aviation Regiment, in Fort Campbell, Ky. and Conditioning Coach Certified (SCCC) under the Collegiate Strength and Conditioning Coaches McKeefery got his collegiate start at the University of South Florida, where he served as assistant Association (CSCCA). He also served as the state NSCA Director for Florida (North) and is certified athletic director for strength and conditioning and the head strength and conditioning coach from by both the National Strength & Conditioning Association (NSCA) and the Collegiate Strength & 2000-10. Conditioning Coaches Association (CSCCA). A key member of the South Florida coaching staff, McKeefery’s tenure with the Bulls coincided In 2013, McKeefery received the prestigious title of Master Strength & Conditioning Coach at with that program’s rise from Division I-AA to perennial Big East Conference contender. In addition the annual conference for the Collegiate Strength and Conditioning Coaches Association. to six consecutive bowl games and 16 NFL draft picks, the success of his strength and conditioning 55 EMU Support Staff Dan McLean Associate Athletic Director/Development
Dan McLean is in his second year as the Associate day-to-day operations of the Bulldog Foundation, including the annual fund, major Athletic Director for Development for the Eastern gifts and sports clubs. McLean led fundraising efforts that raised more than $7 million Michigan University athletic department. McLean annually for Fresno State Athletics as a part of the $200 million University “Campaign came to EMU after working as a Major Gifts Officer for Fresno State.” for the Mountaineer Athletic Club at West Virginia McLean previously served as an athletic development assistant at Fresno State University. from 2008-09. In between his different appointments at Fresno State, he served as the McLean joined the Mountaineer Athletic Club staff regional director of development at Oregon State University’s Beaver Athletic Student in August 2012. He was responsible for securing high- Fund from July 2009–Aug. 2010. While at OSU, McLean was involved with fundraising end annual gifts and funds for major capital projects, efforts that raised more than $10.5 million annually for OSU athletics. He also was as well as endowing student-athlete scholarships. directly responsible for implementing two new giving programs: “110% Beavers” and While working for the MAC, he was a part of a team “Next Level Beavers,” which resulted in more than 1,400 donors increasing their dona- raising more than $23 million annually for WVU Athletics as a part of the $750 million tion and over 800 new donors generating upwards of $1.1 million in new revenue. “A State of Minds” campaign for West Virginia University. During his two years, McLean McLean received his bachelor’s degree in applied arts from Central Michigan was accountable for more than $1.8 million in annual gift, major gift and planned giving University in 2004 and his master’s degree in sport administration from Wayne State revenue. University in 2007. A native of Canton, Mich., McLean came to WVU after spending two years at Fresno He and his wife, Lindsay, have two children, Moxon and Emilia, and two dogs, Darby State, serving as the director of major gifts before ascending to the assistant athletic and Whopper. director for development position in July 2011. In that position, McLean managed the Angela Mierzwiak Assistant Athletic Trainer
Angela Mierzwiak is in her third year as an also worked directly with volleyball and women’s basketball and Assistant Athletic Trainer at Eastern Michi- assisted with men’s basketball, baseball, men’s and women’s cross gan University. Mierzwiak, who served country, men’s and women’s golf, and men’s and women’s tennis. as EMU’s Interim Director for Sports A native of Petersburg, Mich., Mierzwiak is a 2006 graduate of Medicine and worked directly with the the University of Michigan with a Bachelor’s of Science in Athletic football team during the fall of 2014, had Training. been the Director of Sports Medicine/ Mierzwiak also is a 2010 graduate of Grand Valley State University, Head Athletic Trainer at the University where she earned a Master’s of Education in Higher Education. While of Arkansas-Fort Smith for two seasons. attending Grand Valley State, she worked in the sports medicine She serves as the primary athletic trainer for the EMU women’s department as a graduate assistant certified athletic trainer for men’s gymnastics and track and field teams while overseeing softball. and women’s cross country, track and field and football. The 31-year-old Mierzwiak joined UAFS in 2010-11 as the assistant Mierzwiak is a certified athletic trainer licensed by the State of athletic trainer before being promoted the following season. She Michigan and is a member of the National Athletic Trainers Associa- oversaw the entire sports medicine department and its staff. She tion.
Sam Olson Assistant Director of Compliance, Monitoring
Sam Olson joined Eastern Michigan University Bellarmine, Olson helped conduct NCAA legislative research utilizing the Legisla- as the Assistant Compliance Director/Monitoring tive Services Database (LSDBi) and issued recommendations on a variety of issues in January 2014. As a member of the Compliance relating to Division I/II athletic program and student-athletes. Olson also developed staff, Olson is responsible for initial eligibility, re- a Title IX Gender Equity Plan for the Athletics Department upon analysis of overall cruiting, and student-athlete benefits. Olson also athletics budget, recruiting expenses, travel expenses, equipment expenses, coach- oversees playing and practice seasons, wherein he ing agreements/contracts, academic support services and the sports information administers the department’s practice monitoring department. system and evaluation of countable athletic activi- Before joining the collegiate ranks, Olson worked six years at various levels of ties. the judicial system. He was a legal intern for the Child Protection Section Office Prior to joining Eastern Michigan University, of the Attorney General for the District of Columbia in 2006 before serving as a Olson spent 2012 and 2013 at the University of Louisville as a compliance intern law clerk for two years at Thomas & Delaney, PC in Grand Blanc, Mich. From there while earning his master’s degree in sports administration. While working at Lou- he went to the Ingham County Prosecutor’s Office and on to the Genesee County isville, he designed and implemented a student-athlete employment monitoring Probate Court. and auditing policy for the office. He also helped evaluate official transcripts of In 2013, Olson received his masters in sports administration from the University potential student-athletes to monitor and determine initial eligibility while moni- of Louisville. In 2010, Olson received his law degree from Michigan State University, toring the Academic Progress Rate data for 23 Division I varsity sports. after securing his undergraduate degree in English in 2006 from the University of In 2013, Olson also interned at Bellarmine University in Louisville, Ky. While at Michigan. 56 EMU Support Staff Tony Orlando Assistant Athletic Director /Marketing
Tony Orlando is in his third year as a member for the AA affiliate of the Oakland Athletics, the Midland RockHounds. of the Eastern Michigan University athletics The RockHounds also owned a soccer club, the West Texas Sockers. As department and the first as the assistant ath- the director of game entertainment, presentation and promotions, he letic director. Orlando joined EMU in August oversaw all aspects of the video board operation for both franchises, as 2013 after working two seasons as the Direc- well as the gameday management and promotions for each home event. tor of Athletic Marketing and Promotions at He also played a role in the organizations branding/theme, which led to Eastern Illinois University. two all-time attendance records and a Franchise of the Year award in his The 29-year-old Orlando joined EIU in 2011. three seasons with the ball club located in Midland, Texas. His duties included the coordination of The Algonac, Mich. native is a graduate of Central Michigan University, marketing and promotions for each of the Panthers’ 21 Division I athletic earning a bachelor’s degree in sport management and journalism in 2009. programs. He also was responsible for social media strategy, purchasing Orlando and his wife, Emily, live in Ypsilanti with their two dogs, Coconut media-buys, organizing football tailgating and the oversight of the spirit and Bella, and cat, Huck. squads, Panther Pack Kids Club and the Panther Nation student fan club. Prior to joining the Panthers, Orlando worked in minor league baseball
Ann O’Sullivan Academic Counselor
Ann O’Sullivan is in her 13th year as O’Sullivan earned a bachelor’s degree in recreation and parks an academic counselor for the athletics managements with an emphasis in therapeutic recreation from department at Eastern Michigan Univer- Central Michigan University in 1987. She earned her master’s sity. degree in sport management from EMU in 2011. O’Sullivan joined the SASS staff after While an undergrad at CMU, O’Sullivan helped CMU win two spending six years as an assistant coach Mid-American Conference softball championships (1983 and 1986) for the EMU softball team. She is current- and one league basketball title (1982-83). She played on CMU ly responsible for providing academic softball teams that qualified for three NCAA regional appearances. support and monitoring student-athletes in the sports of men’s O’Sullivan has a son, Brian (20). and women’s basketball, baseball, softball, soccer and volleyball.
Dr. Michael Paciorek Faculty Compliance Associate
Dr. Michael Paciorek, a Professor of Physical Paralympic Games in Barcelona, Spain. He has worked with the United States Education in the EMU College of Health and Hu- Olympic Committee as Co-Coordinator for disabled athlete participation at the man Services, joined the Office of Compliance in 1990 and 1991 U.S. Olympic Festivals. January 2006 as Faculty Compliance Associate. Additionally, he spent 14 years in the United States Army Reserves rising to the Paciorek is a 1975 graduate of St. Bonaventure rank of Major. University where he earned a B.S. degree in Physi- Paciorek has written extensively in professional journals and his book Disability cal Education while also playing on the varsity Sport & Recreation is in its third edition. Since arriving at Eastern Michigan in 1981, baseball and ice hockey squads. He received a Paciorek was the Physical Education Program Coordinator while teaching classes in Master’s degree in adapted physical education adapted physical education, motor learning and development and disability sport. from The George Washington University in 1977 In 1999 he served as President of the Michigan Association for Health, Physical and a Ph.D. from Peabody College of Vanderbilt University in 1981. Education, Recreation and Dance (MAHPERD). He received the 1994 EMU Alumni He taught adapted physical education in the Norfolk, VA Public Schools from Association Distinguished Teaching Award and in 2000 he received the Eastern 1976-1979. Paciorek is known for his work in the field of disability sport having Michigan University Distinguished Faculty Award for Service. served on the Special Olympics Michigan Board of Directors for 12 years. He was Paciorek and his wife Karen, a Professor of early Childhood Education at EMU, a member of the United States Disabled Sports Team that competed in the 1992 have two sons; Clark (30) and Clay (27).
57 EMU Support Staff
Aaron Short Assistant Sports Performance Coach
Aaron Short was recently named as an assistant as women’s lacrosse, men’s soccer and tennis. He coached a pair of Horizon League sports performance coach for the Eastern Michi- Championship winning teams along with a women’s basketball squad which won gan University sports performance department. . the Women’s Basketball Invitational. Since joining EMU in Sept. of 2013, Short has Additionally, Short spent three years as a strength and conditioning coach at been responsible for most of the Eagles’ varsity Rochester Community and Technical College. During his time there, he spent eight Olympic sports performance programs, oversee- months as a volunteer coach before being promoted to the head of the deparment ing baseball, cross country, cheerleading, gym- in Aug. 2009. With Rochester Community and Technical College he led teams to nastics, softball, men’s and women’s swimming, two NJCAA North Star Bowls, while helping coordinate the football program’s women’s track and field and wrestling. In addition, comprehensive speed and strength program. Short helps run the sports performance programs In addition, Short served as an intern for the strength and conditioning team with the EMU football, men’s basketball and women’s basketball teams, including at the University of Minnesota where he worked with the football team and their coordination of Eastern’s football Pro Day. Along with his sport duties, Short is in speed and agility program. charge of the department’s social media and technology efforts. Along with his work experience, Short has his C.S.C.S. certification from the Prior to joining EMU’s sports performance efforts, Short worked in the University National Strength and Conditioning Association, as well as his RSCC. He is a certi- of Detroit Mercy’s strength and conditioning department where he most recently fied PN1 by Precision Nutrition and he is listed as a Level One Sports Performance served as the Interim Director of Strength and Conditioning. Short joined Detroit as Coach by the USAW. a strength and conditioning assistant in Aug. 2011 before being promoted to the Short graduated from Goshen College with a Bachelor of Arts degree in physical assistant director of the program in March 2012. In April 2013, he was named as education in 2001 before earning his Master of Science degree in exercise physiol- the interim director, a position he held for three months. At Detroit, Short oversaw ogy from Eastern Michigan in April of 2015. the strength and conditioning programs for men’s and women’s basketball, as well Dr. Edward Sidlow Faculty Athletic Representative
Dr. Edward Sidlow, a political science 1979. professor at Eastern Michigan University, During his 40-year career, he has served as an instructor or professor was named faculty athletics representative at Ohio State (1975-78), Ohio Wesleyan University (1978), Arizona State in Aug. of 2013. University (1978-79), Miami University (1979-85), Northwestern Univer- In this position, Sidlow serves as a liaison sity (1985-89), Loyola University Chicago (1989-95) and Eastern Michigan between the university administration and University (1995-present). intercollegiate athletics, working to main- He has published numerous articles and books, including: America at tain the campus’ academic integrity and a Odds, Freshman Orientation: House Style and Home Style, and Challeng- balance between academics and athletics ing the Incumbent. His work has also appeared in such journals as Policy for all student-athletes. He also represents EMU at Mid-American Confer- Studies Review, Journal of Law and Politics, Journal of General Education, ence and NCAA meetings and approves eligibility certifications, waivers Western Political Quarterly, News for Teachers of Political Science, and Col- and violations. lege Teaching. A native of Detroit, Mich., Sidlow completed his bachelor’s degree in Sidlow, the recipient of numerous teaching awards throughout his 1974 at Eastern Michigan. He earned his master’s degree from Ohio State career, is frequently called on by print and broadcast media for political University in 1977 and completed his doctorate degree at Ohio State in commentary and analysis. Katie Skinner Assistant Athletic Trainer Katie Skinner is in her third year as sharing responsibilities for track, golf and cheerleading. She also an assistant athletic trainer at Eastern served as an adjunct professor in the kinesiology department. Michigan University. Skinner had A native of Stow, Ohio, Skinner is a 2010 graduate of the Uni- previously been the Assistant Athletic versity of Toledo with a Bachelor’s of Science in Athletic Training. Trainer at Anderson University (S.C.) for Skinner went on to complete her Master of Science in Exercise the 2012-13 athletic season. Physiology at EMU in 2012. While earning her degree, she worked She will serve as the primary athletic as a graduate assistant athletic trainer for the women’s volleyball trainer for the EMU women’s basketball and women’s crew programs. team while overseeing women’s tennis and women’s golf. Skinner is a certified athletic trainer licensed by the State of The 28-year-old Skinner worked directly with the Trojans’ Michigan and is a member of the National Athletic Trainers As- women’s soccer, men’s basketball and baseball teams along with sociation.
58 EMU Support Staff
Wayne Smith Assistant Equipment Manager
Wayne Smith is in his eighth year as a The 30-year-old Smith is responsible for the day-to-day equip- full-time member of the Eastern Michi- ment needs of the EMU’s men’s and women’s basketball, volleyball gan University athletics department. and EMU’s Olympic sports teams. Smith joined the EMU staff as an under Smith is a member of the Athletic Equipment Managers As- graduate in 2004-05 and was elevated sociation (AEMA). to full-time in 2008. He recently married his wife, Kristal, on July 25, 2015.
Christian Spears Deputy Director of Athletics
Christian Spears is in his second year as the Deputy Additionally, Spears directly supervised the following administrative areas for NIU: Director of Athletics for Eastern Michigan University. Academics, Compliance, Life Skills, Strength and Conditioning, Sport Psychology, Football Spears arrived in Ypsilanti following a five-year tenure Operations and Equipment. Moreover, he coordinated the department’s Academic Progress in the Northern Illinois University Athletics Department. Rate (APR) and Graduation Success Rate (GSR). He was also the sport AD for football, men’s A part of the the athletic department’s Executive basketball, baseball, cross country and track and field. Leadership Team, Spears oversees the External Division In addition to his duties at Northern Illinois, Spears served as president of the National including development, marketing, corporate partner- Association for Athletics Compliance (NAAC) in 2012-13 and on the NAAC Board of Directors ship efforts, fan experience and media relations. He also from 2008-14. leads strategies to increase ticket sales, merchandise Prior to joining NIU, Spears served for six years at Southern Illinois University, where he and other revenue streams. In addition, Spears assists was the Assistant Athletic Director. Spears came to SIU in fall of 2003 from Harvard University. with the administration of the football program and is Spears began his career as a graduate student working in the athletic marketing office responsible for football scheduling. at Long Beach State University; he then served as the Big Ten Minority Intern for Ohio State Before coming to EMU, Spears served as the Deputy Director of Athletics and as the sport University working in their athletic compliance office while he matriculated through the administrator for the NIU football team. He also served as the acting director of athletics for Moritz College of Law at Ohio State. nearly five months while NIU conducted a national search for their new Director of Athletics Spears is a graduate of the University of Washington, where he majored in political science. following the football team’s Orange Bowl appearance in 2013. He obtained a Master’s Degree in Public Administration from Long Beach State University While in DeKalb, Spears’ responsibilities included serving as the primary liaison between in 1998 and he received his Juris Doctorate from The Ohio State University, Moritz College several campus units and Intercollegiate Athletics, including Academic Affairs and Student of Law in 2002. Affairs as well as the Office of General Counsel. Christian and his wife, Julia, have three children, Rainier, Kai and Skyla. Greg Steiner Assistant Athletic Director /Media Relations
Greg Steiner is in his 14th year with the Eastern Championship games, eight MAC Basketball Tournaments and the previous nine Michigan University Athletic Media Relations Of- MAC Baseball Tournaments. fice and his fourth as the Assistant Athletic Direc- The 34-year-old Steiner worked as a student athletic media relations director tor for Media Relations. From Dec. 2004 until Oct. at Eastern Michigan for three years. A 2003 graduate of EMU, he graduated cum 2012, he was the office’s assistant director. laude with a bachelor’s degree in marketing. He serves as the primary contact for the football During his tenure as a student assistant, Steiner was responsible for the de- women’s basketball and golf teams, while aiding velopment of the athletics department Web site, as well as most of the office’s in game-day help with nearly all 21 sports. publications. During his tenure in Ypsilanti, Steiner has directly Steiner worked four years (2001-05) for WOHL television in Lima, Ohio, as vid- promoted numerous Academic All-Americans, eographer and co-host of “The Friday Night Frenzy” and “The Ottawa Oil Pre-Game worked with seven Mid-American Conference championship teams and instituted Show,” a local high school sports show. He completed an internship at Bluffton an aggressive approach to web development to provide better online coverage University during the summer of 2002, where he assisted with the day-to-day of Eagle athletic events. operations of the sports information office. In addition, he has worked as an announcer for radio and television broadcasts A native of Bluffton, Ohio, Steiner graduated from Bluffton High School in 1999. of EMU sporting events, and he was part of the media relations staff at the 2008 He is a member of the College of Sports Information Directors of America (CoSIDA). NCAA Men’s Basketball Regional, the 2009 Final Four and the 2015 NCAA Men’s Steiner and his wife, Cathy, live in Milan. Basketball Midwest Regional. Steiner has also overseen the statistics crew for the past seven MAC Football 59 EMU Support Staff Bill Tuscany Associate Head Athletic Trainer
Bill Tuscany is in his 30th year as a member dition to his athletic training duties at Lewis, Tuscany was the director of the of the Eastern Michigan University sports Emergency Medical Service, an associate professor in physical education medicine staff, having been promoted to and from 1981-86 he was the chairman of the physical education depart- associate head athletic trainer in Sept. 2001. ment. In 1993 Tuscany was elected to the Lewis University Hall of Fame. Tuscany works in the Bowen Field House Tuscany was also a Board of Certification Examiner from 1978 until Athletic Training Room where he oversees the 2009 at which time the exam was computerized. Tuscany is in his 40th Olympic sports. In addition, Tuscany serves as year as a certified member of the National Athletic Trainers’ Association a lecturer and preceptor in EMU’s accredited (NATA) and is a recipient of the 25 year award. He is also a member of the athletic training curriculum. A 1973 Eastern Michigan Athletic Trainers’ Society, and the Great Lakes Athletic Trainers Michigan University graduate, Tuscany earned his master’s degree from Association. He is a licensed Athletic Trainer by the State of Michigan. EMU in 1976. He is a charter member of the Athletic Training Chapter of The 64-year-old Tuscany and his wife, Carol, have a daughter, Sarah the Eastern Michigan Alumni Association. (33). Before joining the EMU athletics department, Tuscany was the head athletics trainer at Lewis University in Romeoville, Ill., from 1976-86. In ad-
Brad Watson Assistant Athletic Trainer Brad Watson is in his third year as an management in 2013. assistant athletic trainer at Eastern A native of Bellevue, Ohio, Watson is a 2011 graduate of Michigan University. He serves as Ohio State University with a Bachelor’s of Science in Athletic the primary athletic trainer for the Training. As an Ohio State undergraduate, Watson assisted with EMU men’s basketball and men’s golf the football, men’s basketball, wrestling and women’s lacrosse teams while overseeing volleyball and teams. He also spent time aiding Worthington Kilbourne High rowing. School, Ohio Wesleyan University, the Ohio High School Ath- The 26-year-old Watson joined EMU letic Association and various Ohio State sports camps. in 2011 as a graduate assistant athletic trainer. He worked Watson is a certified athletic trainer licensed by the State of directly with the baseball and wrestling teams during his first Michigan and is a member of the National Athletic Trainers two years in Ypsilanti, and earned a master’s degree in sport Association and the College Athletic Trainer’s Society.
Heidi Wegmueller General Manager - IMG College/EMU
Heidi Wegmueller is in her second year as relations campaigns, initiatives and events. From 2007-11, she was a Senior the General Manager of Eastern Michigan Account Executive that managed the day-to-day relationships, activation IMG Sports Marketing. Wegmueller arrived in strategy and execution for the world’s largest working sports organization’s Ypsilanti following a short stay working with most prestigious and valued partners. Badger Sports Properties at the University of Wegmueller earned her bachelor’s degree in sports management and Wisconsin. communications from the University of Michigan in 2003 and received her She had previous experience at the Division master’s degree in international mass communication from Lynn University I level having worked at Bradley University in 2006. While studying at Michigan, Wegmueller also worked as a tennis in Peoria, Ill., serving as the Assistant Athletic teaching professional at Huron Valley Tennis Club (1999-2000) and U-Move Director for External Affairs (2012) and the As- at the University of Michigan (2000-02). She began her affiliation with the sociate Athletic Director for External Affairs (2013-14). golf community in 2002 while serving as an intern for the Golf Association Before joining the college ranks, Wegmueller worked for The Professional of Michigan and followed with a 2003 internship with the United States Golf Golfers’ Association (PGA) of America for eight years. During her first four years Association, serving as the tournament director for the 2003 Special Olympics (2003-07), Wegmueller was a Public Relations Coordinator, planning and orga- Golf National Invitational Tournament. nizing the public and media relations efforts for The PGA’s high-profile public 60 Corey Whitney Academic Counselor Corey Whitney is in his fifth year as in Arizona, Whitney has also lived in Louisiana, New York, a member of the Eastern Michigan Ohio, and Oregon before returning to his native Michigan University athletics department. in 2006 to be closer to family. Whitney joined the Student Athlete Whitney arrived at EMU in 2007 and worked as a grounds Support Services staff in the Fall of supervisor for the Physical Plant on campus. Prior to coming 2011 as an Academic Counselor. The to EMU, Whitney enjoyed a successful career in golf course 42-year-old Whitney spent four years management working at a number of Top-100 courses in the United States Coast Guard across the country. Whitney is a certified Master Gardener before earning his degree from Finger Lakes Community and has also volunteered with Hospice and animal rescue College in 1999. Whitney earned his bachelor’s degree organizations. from Arizona State University in 2005. In addition to living His wife Amy, is a pharmacist.
61 EMU Support Staff/Head Coaches
Administrative Assistants Eastern Michigan University
Lori Barron Bobbie Bowling Athletics Senior Account Secretary Specialist Head Coaches Eastern Michigan University
David Bolyard Bruce Cunningham Chris Creighton Melissa Gentile Pina Gentile John Goodridge Wrestling Men’s Golf Football Softball Women’s Golf Men’s XC/Track
Scott Hall Peter Linn Rob Murphy Kimi Olson Sue Parks Ryan Ray Soccer Swimming Men’s Basketball Volleyball Women’s XC/Track Tennis
Jay Santos Kemp Savage Buck Smith Mark Van Ameyde Tory Verdi Gymnastics Rowing Diving Baseball Women’s Basketball 62 Convocation Center
The Eastern Michigan University Convocation tions, high school commencements, trade shows, Center, in its 17th season as the crown jewel of job fairs, conventions, charity and community EMU athletics, opened up a new era of excitement awareness events as well as a circus. on the west campus of EMU in the fall of 1998. The 204,316-square-foot facility features three The state-of-the-art, $29-million facility is the user-friendly levels — arena, concourse and office result of a decade-long effort to improve and up- — and three seating configurations to maximize grade University facilities and followed closely the crowd capacity and space usage. The largest opening of the $41-million Bruce T. Halle Library seating capacity is for center-stage entertainment on the main campus. activities, with 9,500 seats available. The capacity Construction of the Convocation Center began for basketball games is approximately 8,800. in the spring of 1997 and culminated with its dedi- EMU’s athletic administration is located on the cation game, Dec. 9, 1998, with a men’s basketball office level, along with offices for the EMU -foot game against the University of Michigan in front ball, men’s and women’s basketball and volleyball of a crowd of 7,647. coaching staffs. The EMU Athletic Media Relations Since its opening, the Convocation Center has Office, as well as offices for the Convocation- Cen served as home court for the Eagles’ men’s and ter staff, are located on the office level. women’s basketball and volleyball teams. The The main athletic training room and office EMU wrestling and women’s gymnastics teams space for EMU’s sports medicine staff is located on now call the venue home as well. the arena level as are strength and conditioning The Convocation Center has also served as the facilities and equipment rooms. site for four Mid-American Conference Champi- In the summer of 2012, the Convocation Center onships. EMU hosted the 2000 and 2007 MAC received a major face-lift, as a YESCO four-sided Gymnastics Championship and the 2002 and ceiling hung display sign, featuring video boards 2009 MAC Wrestling Championship. The arena on all four sides, was installed above center court has been the host site for seven first-round MAC in the arena. Women’s Basketball Tournament games, four The fixture features four 10MM full color video first-round MAC Volleyball Tournament games boards, with each board’s active area measuring and four first-round game for the men’s basket- 15.7-foot wide by 11.5-foot tall. In addition, the ball squad. The building also played the host for system also features three ribbon displays on the the EMU women’s basketball team’s upset of the west and east sides and under the scoreboard. TALE OF THE TAPE University of Michigan in the First Round of the The arena will also showcase an integrated light THE CONVOCATION CENTER 2011 Women’s National Invitational Tournament emitting diode (LED) courtside scorer’s table. (WNIT). There is no doubt that the Convocation Center Cost - $29.6 million The Convocation Center also played host to has become a special place for athletic events, the 2008 WNBA’s Eastern Conference Finals and but there is a warm spot in the hearts of Eastern Square Feet - 204,316 the WNBA Championship, as the Detroit Shock Michigan fans for Bowen Field House, the home utilized the facility for the playoffs. for men’s and women’s basketball games for 43 Seating Capacity (Basketball) - 8,784 Along with their commitment to EMU Athlet- years. Seating Capacity (Other Events) - 9,512 ics, the Convocation Center staff has brought Bowen was built in 1955 at a cost of $1.25 mil- some of the finest entertainers in the world to lion. The facility has 79,529 square feet of floor Ypsilanti. The Convo has hosted concerts by the space and includes an eight-laps-to-the-mile Building Time Frame - Black Crowes, Indigo Girls, Godsmack, Smash- indoor track. An additional 9,394 square feet, Construction Started: 1996 mouth, Ludacris, Bob Dillion, Toby Keith, Match- along with new permanent seating, a new court Dedication: December 12, 1998 box Twenty, Goo Goo Dolls, Dave Chapelle, John and upgrading of the facility was completed in Mayer and Jay-Z. 1982 at a cost of $506,938. Design/Build Team - The Convocation Center is also the site for Bowen still serves as home to EMU’s track teams Barton-Malow Company EMU’s spring and winter commencement cer- and also serves as a practice facility for many of emonies. Among other events that have taken Eastern’s varsity squads. Architects - place include numerous youth sporting competi- Rossetti Associates of Birmingham/ The Argos Group 63 64 65 66 The EMU Identity
NOT ALWAYS THE EAGLES Since the 1991 season, Eastern Michigan University athletic teams have gone by the nickname “Eagles.” The Eagles name was officially adopted on May 22, 1991, when the EMU Board of Regents voted to replace the existing Huron nickname and logo with the new one. EMU originally went by the nicknames “Normalites” and “Men from Ypsi” and various other titles down through the years before “Hurons” was adopted in 1929. The “Hurons” first came into being as the result of a contest sponsored by the Men’s Union in 1929. On Oct. 31 of that year, a three-person committee, composed of Dr. Clyde Ford, Dr. Elmer Lyman and Professor Bert Peet, selected the name “Hurons” from the many entries in the contest. The name was submitted by two students, Gretchen Borst and George Hanner. Hanner was working at the Huron Hotel at the time of the contest and was no doubt as much influenced by his place of employment as by the Huron Indian tribe. The runner-up name in that contest was Pioneers. EMU began investigating the appropriateness of its Huron Indian logo after the Michigan Department of Civil Rights issued a report in October 1988 suggesting that all schools using such logos drop them. The report indicated that the use of Native American names, logos and mascots for athletic teams promoted racial stereotypes. At that time, four colleges, 62 high schools and 33 junior high/middle schools in Michigan used Indian logos or names. The EMU Board of Regents voted to replace the Huron name with Eagles, taken from three recommendations from a committee charged with supplying a new nickname. The other two final names submitted were Green Hornets and Express.
Eastern Eagles Fight Song EMU Alma Mater Go Green “Eastern Eagles, hats off to you! Eastern, sacred Alma Mater to Go Green, roll up the Fight, fight, fight for ole EMU. your name we shall be true. score. Look to the sky, the Eagles Go Green, let’s get some will fly, Ever marching on to vic- more. the bravest we’ll defy. tory, we’ll stand by to see you Raise a cheer for old Green ... Rah,rah, rah!” through, and White. Let’s show them we came “Hold that line for ole Green Softly floating on the breeze, here to fight. and White. verdant green with white of Go Green, vic’try we’ll Sons and daughters show your snow, claim. might. Go Green, let’s win this So, FIGHT, FIGHT! for ole EMU This our banner we will carry in game. and vic-tor-y!” our hearts whe’er we go. We’ll always fight for old EMU. Come on and let’s go Green!
EMU OLYMPIANS THROUGH THE YEARS EMU has had a track representative at the summer Olympic Games since Hayes Jones in 1960. The Eagles have had 17 representatives in 52 years, 14 men and three women.
Some of EMU’s Prominent Alumni
• Charlie Batch, Lional Dalton, Jason Jones, • Bruce T. Halle -- Founder and CEO of Discount Tire Co. • Rodney Slater -- Former U.S. Secretary of Transportation T.J. Lang, Barry Stokes, Kevin Walter – professional football players • John Heffron -- Winner of NBC’s Last Comic • Shirley Spork -- Co-founder of the LPGA Standing in 2004 • Ron Campbell – President, Tampa Bay Lightning • Bob Welch -- Cy Young Award winner • Greg Mathis –Judge and later TV personality • Fred Cofield, Earle Higgins, Harvey Marlatt, George Gervin, Grant Long, Derrick Dial, • Lloyd Olds - Designed the zebra shirt worn by referees Earl Boykins, Carl Thomas, Charles Thomas – professional basketball players • Dean Rockwell – Olympic team wrestling coach in 1964
• General John G. Coburn -- One-of-eight • Rocky Roe -- Major League Baseball umpire four-star generals in the United States • Jack Roush -- CEO and owner of Roush Racing • Hayes Jones -- Olympic gold medalist 67 Student-Athlete Support
Student-Athlete Support Services Academic, personal and professional support are essential to college success. At EMU, Student-Athlete Support Services (SASS) helps student-athletes reach their full potential. Our philosophy is to offer an academic support program, integrated with the University, that will assist all student-athletes with their transition into college. This all-encompassing support continues throughout each student-athlete’s collegiate career, until the day he or she receives a diploma, lands a job or enters graduate school. Being proactive rather than reactive, our staff does not wait for an academic crisis to occur. We gather important background information and build an aca- demic profile on each student-athlete, assessing his or her needs in advance. Services provided through SASS include the following: programs that focus on student-athletes’ special needs, monitoring academic performance, pro- viding learning assistance, assisting with registration procedures, assisting in monitoring athletic eligibility, providing priority registration and making sure Sports Performance/Strength and Conditioning that athletes are advised about current NCAA, MAC and university rules and Our Sports Performance Program applies a complete approach to scientifi- regulations. cally and practically progress each individual athlete. Our purpose is to improve Freshmen and transfer student-athletes encounter a major transition when all components that will aid in achieving maximal athletic performance while making the switch from high school or community college to a university. reducing the occurrence of injury. We incorporate athletic based, free weight, These students, while adjusting to their new routines, receive extra attention multi-joint, and multi-directional movements which vary from a diverse col- and support. lection of strength and conditioning disciplines to prepare each athlete for the College is not easy. But with hard work and dedication from both the student- general and specific demands of their sport. Standards that will be implemented athlete and the support staff, the student-athlete can have a successful college at all times are: Integrity, Attention to Detail, Quality before Quantity, and Execu- experience. tion before Innovation. The success of Eastern’s student-athletes hinges on their willingness to seek Assuming quality thought and effort have been put into a sports performance assistance from SASS as well as other university student services. SASS staff program, all else being equal, the program feels that these three components members continually refer student-athletes to the Admissions Office, Academic are usually separating an elite level program from the average. Advising Center, Career Services Center, Health Services, the Records Office, Incorporating Daily Competitions – The ability for athletes to compete in an Financial Aid and The Holman Learning Center. Faculty members also provide every day setting is critical to the success of team and individual sports. Anything assistance to student-athletes through advising in course selection and provid- from team relay’s, to 1 on 1 tug of wars, to using a dumbbell weight heavier than ing additional help with courses when requested. the previous week. I simply make the statement to my teams, “WIN THE DAY.” Work harder – beat your last weeks sets/reps/weight/time, COMPETE! There is competitive nature in all mankind. Sometimes it takes a little extra effort on the coaching end to see it. Fill your team with competitors and your program will take care of itself. Physical and Mental Sport Transfer – Training to the specifics of the sport, and style that the head coaches are teaching is an essential way to succeed at any level. Find out what the sport coaches are looking to achieve and speak their same language. You are an addition to their staff, hop on board and cater your philosophy to their needs. Giving each athlete specific examples of on field/on court experiences where success can either be earned or an opportunity can be Athletic Training and Sports Medicine lost. Being able to make athlete’s understand the importance of mental tough- The Eastern Michigan University Sports Medicine Department has a long his- ness that is needed in the weight room and how it transfers over to their sport. tory and reputation for excellence in the health care of student-athletes and the The pain, the physical and mental struggles they endure in each training session education of athletic training students. Founding practitioners Gary Strickland, is setting them up for success for their competitive season. Fight for every rep Ron Venis and Dr. Wally Roeser envisioned a goal of first-class prevention, man- just as you would for any rebound, blocked shot, interception, or stolen base. agement and rehabilitation of athletic injuries for all student-athletes. Although Make references back to their closest contests that might have been decided the department continues to grow, its primary mission remains the same. The by one play – (or one rep). student-athletes participating in intercollegiate athletics receive comprehensive Positive Influential Environment – Do athletes leave the weight room looking health care from an expansive sports medicine team. to return for more or dreading the next time they have to mope through one The Eastern Michigan University Sports Medicine staff is led by Dr. Tara Master- of the most silent hours of their day? Each session, from the minute the first Hunter, Dr. Zoe Foster, Dr. David Alvarez, Dr. George Pujalte, Dr. Wally Roeser, athlete walks in, to the last grueling minute they are dragging out, fill the room Dr. Bruce Miller, Dr. Don Wurtzel and head athletic trainer Steve Nordwall. Ad- with ENERGY!!! Push them through their toughest moments and coach every ditionally, the staff consists of two primary care sports medicine fellows, three rep. Show each and every athlete that you care about their progress. Stay vo- full-time staff athletic trainers, two full-time athletic training clinical educators, cal, provide positive feedback as well as constructive criticism, play that latest five graduate assistant athletic trainers and the team dentist. Our sports medi- hip-hop track and find a way to create a positive training environment. cine staff works in conjunction with various medical professionals within the community who provide nutritional, dental, vision and other specialized services for our student-athletes. At Eastern Michigan University, the philosophy of the Sports Medicine staff is two-fold: To provide a high standard of medical care through effective pre- ventive and management programs, and to facilitate an effective post-injury rehabilitation process for a safe return to competition. In all cases, the ultimate well-being of each student-athlete is considered our number one priority, not only while they compete at Eastern Michigan University, but during their lifetime as well. The Sports Medicine staff operates out of three campus athletic training facili- ties in the Convocation Center, Bowen Field House and the Rynearson Stadium 68 team building. NCAA Compliance
FIVE RULES TO REMEMBER • Do not visit a prospect’s school to acquire films or transcripts in an attempt to evaluate 1. FANS HAVE RESPONSIBILITIES the prospect’s academic or athletics As an individual who is a season ticket eligibility; holder, a member of an Eastern Michigan • Do not have contact with a prospect (or University booster organization (e.g., Eagles the prospect’s relatives or friends) during Pride, E-Gridiron Group), has made financial any of their visits to EMU’s campus; contributions to EMU, or been involved in • Do not contact student-athletes enrolled promoting EMU’s athletic program, you are in other four-year institutions regarding the considered a “Booster” and are required to possibility of transferring to EMU. adhere to an atmosphere of compliance. As a booster, your conduct reflects on the integrity Even though there are many rules prohibiting of the entire university. your involvement with prospects and the Once you support EMU Athletics, you retain recruiting process, as a booster you are that identity as a booster forever - the rules permitted to do the following: still apply! This is true even if the individual no • Notify EMU coaching staff about noteworthy WHAT IS NCAA COMPLIANCE? longer contributes to, or is involved with, EMU’s prospects in your area; Eastern Michigan University is athletics program. • Attend a prospect’s athletics event on your committed to operating its intercollegiate own initiative, as long as you do not have athletics program with the highest 2. DON’T GIVE BENEFITS OR INDUCEMENTS contact with the prospect (or the prospect’s degree of integrity, sportsmanship, and Student-athletes can only receive benefits parents or coach); professionalism, and we urge you to that other students in the general population • Continue existing friendships, provided you conduct yourself accordingly. can receive. An extra benefit is any special do not solicit the prospect’s enrollment. The Eastern Michigan University Office arrangement by an EMU employee or booster of Athletics Compliance is committed to to provide a current or prospective student- Please note, a prospective student-athlete a comprehensive compliance program athlete (or the athlete’s relatives or friends) a (prospect) is a student who has started classes that ensures institutional control over the benefit not expressly authorized by the NCAA. for the 9th grade (7th grade for Basketball). department of athletics. Examples of impermissible benefits include, but Students enrolled in preparatory schools and Our goal is to educate student-athletes, are not limited to: two-year colleges are also considered prospects. prospective student-athletes, institutional An individual remains a prospect even after he/ employees, community members, • Gifts of cash, clothing, equipment or any she signs a National Letter of Intent. and boosters about the importance other tangible item; If you know of a talented athlete, please let of adhering to NCAA, Mid-American • A special discount, payment arrangement or the coaching staff know, and we’ll do the rest! Conference, and institutional rules. credit on any purchase or service; A successful athletic department • Loan of money or co-signing of loans; 4. KNOW THE CONSEQUENCES! depends on the willingness of coaches, • A vehicle, use of a vehicle, or any EMU is responsible for the actions of its administrators, staff, student-athletes, transportation expenses; boosters. If a booster recruits or provides and boosters to be aware of NCAA, MAC, • Free or reduced-cost services, purchases impermissible benefits to a current or and institutional rules. or rentals; prospective student-athlete (or the athlete’s All of us at Eastern Michigan • Entertainment on- or off -campus; or relatives or friends), EMU may be subject to University appreciate your support. • Free or reduced-cost rent or housing. penalties from the NCAA and Mid-American Your commitment to rules compliance is Conference. When a violation occurs, regardless necessary to ensure that the University, The best way to support EMU student-athletes of the intention, it can: its student-athletes, and coaches remain is by donating to Eagles Pride! • Jeopardize the eligibility of prospective and in good standing. Our success is due to current student-athletes; support from individuals who are cautious 3. LEAVE THE RECRUITING TO US! • Result in the EMU athletics program being and knowledgeable of NCAA rules. Help You’re passionate about your EMU Athletics penalized by the NCAA and/or the us win with integrity! programs and you want everyone to know it! Mid-American Conference; and But remember, only EMU coaches and athletic • Cause you to lose benefits or privileges QUESTIONS? department staff members are permitted to associated with the athletics department The information on this page contains be involved in the recruiting process. Boosters (i.e., booster membership, ticket privileges). only a small portion of the existing should be aware of the following: NCAA rules and regulations. If you have • Do not contact a prospective student- 5. ASK BEFORE YOU ACT! any questions about any NCAA, MAC, or athlete (or members of the prospect’s The NCAA Rules are not limited to the above, institutional rules, please family) by letter, telephone, e-mail, text, and they are often misunderstood. If you have ASK BEFORE YOU ACT! online (Facebook, Twitter), or in-person (on- any doubt or questions, please contact the or off-campus) for the purpose of soliciting Office of Athletic Compliance. We strongly EMU Compliance Office their participation in EMU’s athletic programs. encourage open communication between fans, Matthew Jakobsze • Do not contact a prospect’s coach, principal, supporters, and the EMU Athletic Department. Associate Athletic Director for Compliance or counselor in an attempt to evaluate the Remember, our success is due to support 734.487.1050 prospect; from individuals who are cautious and [email protected] • Do not become involved in making knowledgeable of NCAA rules. Help us win @EMUCompliance arrangements for a prospect (or the with integrity! EMUEagles.com/Compliance prospect’s relatives or friends) to receive money or financial aid of any kind;
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Mission Eagles Pride is the newly created fundraising arm of the Eastern Michigan University Department of Athletics. Eagles Pride is dedicated to providing financial support for the educational, personal and athletic enhancement of more than 500 EMU student-athletes in 21 varsity sports. At the same time, we will focus on providing superior customer service to our fans, alumni and donors.
Importance EMU Athletics is often the window through which the entire University is viewed and many times considered the front porch of the institution. The successes and accomplishments of our athletic programs serve as a tremendous recruiting tool for enrollment and a catalyst for philanthropy to all areas of EMU.
Impact As a member of Eagles Pride you will be a difference maker for EMU student-athletes and their goals on the field, in the classroom and in their lives after EMU. On the chart below ahead you will find our levels of giving, areas of impact, ways to give, associated benefits and more. Your investment is Eagles Pride!
How to Make a Gift Online: EMUEagles.com/GiveNow By Phone: 734.487.8236 By Mail: 799 N. Hewitt Road Room 309C Ypsilanti, MI 48197
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The Eastern Michigan University alumni varsity letterwinners club, E-Club, sponsors the EMU Athletic Hall of Fame. This year’s class will mark the 39th anniversary of the E-Club Athletic Hall of Fame.
1976 1984 1994 2002 2008 Charles Eugene Beatty* William Barrett Terry Collins William “Audie” Cole Joy (Inniss) Johnson James “Bingo” Brown* James Bell Donna Donakowski Rena (Cox) McBroom Lindell Reason William E. Foy* Wardell Gilliam* F.L. “Frosty” Earl Jones Jeff Reaume* George W. Marshall* Gordon Minty Ferzacca* Lanny Mills Sarah Willis Lloyd W. Olds* Bernard Otto* Kevin “Rocky” Miller J.E. Morcombe* Chuck Wilson Elton J. Rynearson, Sr.* Robert Sims Jim Pietrzak Edwin Shadford* 1985 C.P. Steimle* Ron Rice 2009 Raymond L. Stites* John Banaszak Mary Smith* Denise Allen Doug Cossey* 1995 Charlie Batch 1977 Hasely Crawford John Clay 2003 Jerry Cerulla C. Dale Curtiss* Michael H. Jones* Bob Crosby Sherry (Anderson) Boughton Angela (Springer) Johnson Charles Hanneman* Richard Moseley Kerry Keating Sharon (Brown) Calhoun Sharon McNie Charles “Whitey” Hlad* Charles Paige James Matthews Marsha (Barker) Crosby Gary Patton Hayes W. Jones Jean Siterlet* Lucy Parker Jim Dutcher Gary Strickland Harry Ockerman* Larry Radcliff Garry Grady Dean Rockwell* 1986 Paul McMullen 2010 Olin Sanders* Jean S. Cione* 1996 Joel Smith Clement Chukwu Paul Shoemaker* David Ellis Jim Applegate Dawn (Godfrey) Heck Bruce Howell John C. Fountain 2004 Laurie Hubbard 1978 Ron Johnson Kennedy McIntosh* Melissa (Drouillard) Bater JoAnne (LeFevre) McBroom William E. Crouch* Richard G. Raymond Randy Mills Roxanne (Munch) Hildred Lewis Daniel Webster Kirksey Bill Tipton Andrea (Bowman) Osika Bronkema John R. Martin Robert K. Middlekauff Jeff Peck Roger Coryell Barry Stokes Thomas V. Quinn* 1987 Mark Dailey Kenneth “Red” Simmons* Glenn Davis 1997 Earl Dixon 2011 Andrew Vanyo* Marvin Johnson Walter Gerald Brown* Mireille (Sankatsing) Smith Ingrid (Boyce) Benn James A. Walsh* Bob Rowland* Ed Engle* Jim Streeter Howard Booth William C. Zepp* William J. Stephens Glenn Gulliver Traci (Parsons) McMullen Jack Weiss Earle Higgins 2005 Linda Milholland 1979 Duane Root Tommy Asinga Jamie Nieto Louis Batterson* 1988 Eugene Thomas Dan Boisture* Norm Parker* James Bibbs Norbert S. Badar Claudia Wasik Ben Braun John Schmidt Merrill Hershey* Clarence Chapman Hamilton Morningstar* Harvey Marlatt Sherm J. Collins 1998 Dr. Waldomar Roeser 2012 George Muellich* Clare Ebersole Marc Dingman Danny Schmitz Erik Henriksen Ron Oestrike Stanley McConnor Grant Long Sara Seegers Ivory Westly Hood Arthur D. Walker* Bob Welch* Loita “Blink” Molineaux* Harold Simons Brian Tolbert Frank “Buck” Weeber* Nanette Push Sharon (Rose) Schwartz 1989 Ron Saunders* 2006 Jerry Umin 1980 Gary Bastien Pat Sheridan Nikki (Stubbs) Douglas Ruth Boughner* William M. Cave* Tom Smith Greg Howe 2013 Leighton Boyd* Ron Gulyas Carole Huston Dennis Betts Kenneth “Beef” Matheson* Ann (Meachum) Lohner 1999 Dazel Jules Earl Boykins Ferris G. Newman* Bob Owchinko Ron Adams Peter Linn JoyAnn Clarke Bob Parks Harry Werbin* Jim Harkema Bob Lints Wondella Devers Kelly Hebler Gary Tyson Derrick Dial 1981 1990 Dave Kieft Eugene Smith Delmar Allman* Ken Bruchanski Leroy Potter* 2007 Donald Stewart Rha W. Arnold* Dottie Denise Davis Mark Smith Al Jagutis Charles E. Forsythe* Jeffrey E. Dils Jeff Washington Marci Kelley 2014 James R. Martin* Frank Reaume Mark Leonard Boaz Kisang Cheboiywo David L. Pureifory* Virgil E. Windom 2000 Tamyka McCord Kathy Hart Abe Rosenkrantz* Duane Zemper Wilbur P. Bowen* Stan Vinson Fred LaPlante Clarence B. Sabbath* Jack Brusewitz Doug Willer Tom Michael Shirley G. Spork 1991 Chris Hoiles Lorenzo M. Neely James Brodie* Denise (Kaercher) Leipold Allyson Newman 1982 Tom Fagan Jim Nelson Brett Petersmark Garion H. Campbell* Jim Grant* Jenny Romatowski Clifford D. Crane* Jeff Huxley Wayne Seiler 2015 Marvin R. Mittlestat* James Ross Joe Codrington Albert H. Pingel Claude Snarey* 2001 Tracy Deeter Earl N. Riskey* Angie Fielder George Harrison Charles J. Shonta 1992 Jon Gates Paul Scicluna* Fred D. Trosko* Cleon Gilliam Bob Jennings L.J. Shelton Jay Jones Mauri Jormakka* Stephanie Smiley 1983 Susan “Sue” Parks George Mead* Barry Susterka Roger Arnett* Mike Strickland John “Rocky” Roe Santee Brockman* Leo Turner* Rodney Slater Ralph Gilden *Deceased Augusta “Gussie” Harris* 1993 Kenneth Hawk* Joe Brodie Charles Lappeus* Laurie Ann Byrd Neville “Tex” Walker* Oswald Gaynier* George Wendt* George Gervin Nick Manych*
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