Eastern Michigan University DigitalCommons@EMU Alumni News University Archives 2005 The dE ge, Fall 2005 Eastern Michigan University Follow this and additional works at: http://commons.emich.edu/alumni_news Recommended Citation Eastern Michigan University, "The dE ge, Fall 2005" (2005). Alumni News. 195. http://commons.emich.edu/alumni_news/195 This Article is brought to you for free and open access by the University Archives at DigitalCommons@EMU. It has been accepted for inclusion in Alumni News by an authorized administrator of DigitalCommons@EMU. For more information, please contact [email protected]. Cllris Hoiles (left) and Carl Thomas ('00) bring pro insights to EMU athletes. L___ _______________________ -- Who we are Welcoming a chance to serve My goal: Strengthening EMU through the support of its alumni I first visited EMU as a high school junior from Novi in 1988 , with my best friend. After a campus cour, we both enrolled that day. That visit began my 17-year e relationship with EMU, from a prospective student co VolumeThe3, Issue Eda 1 b Fall 2005 Alumni Association president. I graduated in 1993 with a journalism degree and ADVANCEMENT STAFF Vice president of advancement during my time on campus, I was edicor of the Aurora (interim) yearbook, a writer for the Eastern Echo and served as Thomas R. Stevick Executive director of execurive vice president of my sorority, Sigma Kappa. alumni relations My EMU experience has provided me excellent Vicki Reaume ('91, '96) Director of alumni programs opportunities, lifelong friends and memories of college Amy (Schulz) Spooner life chat I wouldn't trade with anyone. Thousands of Assistant director of constituent relations you have similar feelings about Eastern Michigan. Ken Ruppel Years lacer, the University continues co provide me Assistant director of advancement activities with many gifts. Perhaps che most precious is my hus­ Christine Mikolajczak band, Eric, who I met when I was president of the Office supervisor EMU Greek Alumni Chapter. Eric was the president of I arr committed to making sure EMU Patti Cartwright remains a welcoming and stimulating Student assistants the Alumni Association when I mer him; his term on place for alumni and future students. Acadia Hahlbrock the Board ended when I began my term as president. Melanie Lebert Kevin Sanders I'm proud co be serving EMU and giving back co a place chat has given me so much. Emily Vincent I am committed co making sure EMU remains a welcoming and stimulating place for EDGE STAFF alumni as well as future students. I believe a key co the University's fucure success lies Editor with the supporr of its alwnni. Please consider donating your time, talents or treasures co Kevin Merrill ('86) Writer che Alumni Association. Your participation will further strengthen chis commitment co Kathleen Shields ('04) our alma macer. Lee's work cogecher co sustain its excellence. Photographers Richard Schwarze I look forward co rhe next rwo years and am honored co be serving as your president. Craig Watson Graphic artist Kristen Wimsatt Copy editors Vicki Reaume Amy (Schulz) Spooner Kathleen Shields Jennifer Rass ('93), president, EMU Alumni Association CONTACT US Address changes Direct address changes, du?licate copy information or requests to: Are you Eastern Michigan Universit) Office for Alumni Relations 1349 S. Huron St., Suite 2 digitally Ypsilanti, Ml 48197 helm, Telephone: 734.487.0250 on takes the preslden\ Fall tacutty connected? students and Fax: 734.487. 7009 meets with E-mail: [email protected] Stay informed about EMU Web: www.emich.edu/alumni news and events by Next issue: Winter 2006 subscribing to e-Edge, 111t1U&IS un,n1t1tJ•it<'•i,tetl\ffll our monthly electronic newsletter. Sign up at www. em ich .edu/a I um n i. 2 I EMU I Fall 2005 Cover story & features COVER STORY 4 Big-league perspective Chris Hoiles and Carl Thomas, cwo great former EMU athletes, are back on campus chis year and answering co a new name: coach. Boch enjoyed their rime as professional achleres, bur are finding satisfaction in their new roles: helping today's scudent-achleces achieve success on and off the field. 7 Faithful fan Marcus Adams was bored and looking for something co do one Saturday afternoon 24 years ago. So, he left his Ypsilanti apartment and rook a brief walk co nearby Rynearson Stadium co watch an EMU football game. He hasn't missed a home game since - a 124-game screak. 10 World travelers Are you ready for a vacation and inceresced in traveling with your fellow EMU supporters? The Office for Alumni Relations has launched a new Travel Society for alumni and friends who like co travel and enjoy the experience of being pare of a group of travelers. 15 Homecoming 2005 Ic's rime again co return co campus, connect with old friends and faculty and relive campus memories. Homecoming 2005 feacures more than 60 events co help you reconnect wich EMU, from oozeball and spirit stations co tailgates and T-shire exchanges. 25 Full-court press Charles Ramsey is recurning home. Ramsey, an Ypsilanti native, Eastern Michigan University graduate and former EMU assistant basketball coach, is the new head coach of the men's basketball program. DEPARTMENTS I II I II I Photo Gallery Class Notes Calendar EMU I Fall 2005 I 3 hris Hoiles and Carl Thomas, cwo gceat former EMU athletes, are back on campus this year and answering co a new name: coach. Hoiles just finished his first year as an assisrant baseball coach, his first paid colle­ giate coaching job. He left Eastern Michigan as a junior co enter the 1986 Major League Thomas, left, and Ho· s treasure their pro-playing ays, but are Baseball draft and eventually spent 10 seasons stressing the rol I academics as a catcher with the Baltimore Orioles. to EMU'\ s dent-athletes. Thomas ('00) recently signed on as an assistant men's basketball coach, his second collegiate coaching position. His EMU colle­ giate-playing career ended with a Sweet 16 appearance in the 1991 NCAA Tournament. Within a few months, he was playing in che Hoiles, Thomas NBA for the Sacramento Kings, che first of four reams he would play for over a seven-year period. Boch greacly enjoyed their time as a pro­ fessional athlete, from the travel perks and return to EMU pay co fan adulation. Bur both are finding joy, coo, in their new roles: helping today's scu­ dent-achleces achieve success on and off che Coaches use experience gained at the field. The transition from player to coach, professional level to help today's however, hasn't been easy. "You have no control over a game. You can't student-athletes perform on, off the field. get om there and rake care of siwations," Hoiles is Charles Ramsey ('92), who in March was named head coach of said. "As a coach, you watch the kids go through situations and you che men's ceam. Hoiles is under Roger Coryell ('71), who earned know what co do because you been through it, but chey haven't. three varsity letters ac EMU. Coryell was che scarring pitcher in Watching chem struggle sometimes in certain siwacions - chat's che 1970 NAIA National Championship game, the lone nation­ probably the hardest part forme. I have co stay in the dugout and not al cicle for che EMU baseball program. do anything about it." Thomas and Hoiles have simple advice for scudenc-achleces. Added Thomas: "There are a lot of situations where you want co "Your mind will be a lot clearer if your books are caken care say, 'No, you have co do ic like this.' Bue like when raising a child, of," Thomas said. "If you wane ro be free on che court or on the you have co lee chem go through an experience on their own co gee diamond, you need co have no worries in che classroom, and ic will che most from it." show on the playing field or on the court. You will be chat much Boch are working under EMU alumni as well. Thomas' boss better of a player, and you will be that much better of an athlete 4 I EMU I Fall 2005 COVER STORY because you won't have that worry." home runs (19 in Such advice, though, is getting drowned 1986). He contin­ The ultimate student ID out by the seductive lure of the big leagues. ues to hold che cards: Hailes ( 1993 "I never thought about being a pro when EMU career home­ Pinnacle #186) and I was at Eastern," Thomas said. "Nowadays, run record with 34. Thomas (1999 Sky Sox guys are chinking about playing in the He was drafted by #107) made it on to sports' collector cards. NBA or the NFL, and they lose focus of just che Tigers but even­ getting better and enjoying the sport," tually ended up in Thomas said. the Orioles' organi­ "Today's student-athlete coo often chinks zation. His most about making ic to the pros before finishing outstanding season a degree," Hoiles said. "When I came here, I came in 1993, when wasn't looking ro gee drafted. I came here ro he was voted the make myself a better player in hopes of put­ team's Mose Valu­ ting myself in a position to be drafted. Kids able Player, bitting nowadays, I think they're actually coming .310 with 29 home here because they know they can gee clrafrecl. runs and 82 RBI. And they don't really cake the time co make TI1omas' first big­ themselves beccer.