Sports - The Eastern Echo

The wall of a baseball stadium from outside. Text in the top center reads "Oestrike Stadium." One entrance is visible with a hanging sign that reads "Center Entrance."

Eagles strengthen coaching staff with appointment of Steve Merriman

By Ruby Brannon · Sunday, Aug. 2, 2026

Eastern Michigan University has officially appointed veteran coach Steve Merriman as the new pitching coach for the Eagles' baseball program. Bringing a high-caliber pedigree from his previous tenure with the Texas Tech Red Raiders, Merriman is expected to leverage his extensive experience in player development to elevate the team's performance on the mound.

Thank you, Sue Parks: The completion of a championship circle

By Ruby Brannon · Friday, July 31, 2026

Sue Parks has announced her retirement following a distinguished 32-year coaching career, including two decades of championship-winning leadership at her alma mater, Eastern Michigan University. Her departure marks the culmination of a legendary family legacy that saw her transition the Eagles from the bottom of the conference to a combined program powerhouse

Women's lacrosse player takes off after securing ball in faceoff. A referee stands in the foreground obscuring two other lacrosse players, with a member of the opposing team off to the side mid-run.

Seven EMU athletes earn prestigious academic all-district recognition

By Ruby Brannon · Friday, July 31, 2026

Eastern Michigan University continues to demonstrate its commitment to academic excellence, as evidenced by seven student-athletes recently earning CSC Academic All-District At-Large honors. This achievement highlights the university's success in fostering a culture where athletic performance and rigorous scholarship coexist and thrive.

EMU Rowing shines in post-season academic honors

By Ruby Brannon · Thursday, July 30, 2026

The Eastern Michigan University athletic department celebrated a landmark academic season in 2025-26, highlighted by the women’s rowing team placing 14 student-athletes on the inaugural Academic All-MAC list. Beyond the water, seven Eagles across five different sports programs earned prestigious CSC Academic All-District At-Large honors for their combined excellence in the classroom and in competition

Ray Glory-Ejoyokah set to represent EMU at USATF U20 Championships

By Ruby Brannon · Wednesday, July 29, 2026

Eastern Michigan University freshman Ray Glory-Ejoyokah is set to compete in the discus throw at the USATF U20 Outdoor Championships this summer. Following a historic debut season that saw him climb to fourth on the program's all-time performance list, Glory-Ejoyokah now aims to secure a spot on the 2026 World Athletics U20 Championship team.

Josh Brewer named Golfweek National Coach of the Year

By Ruby Brannon · Wednesday, July 29, 2026

Josh Brewer has been named the 2025-26 Golfweek Women’s National Coach of the Year following a historic season that saw Eastern Michigan University’s women’s golf program rise from a national rank of 226th to the NCAA match play quarterfinals. This prestigious honor marks the first time an EMU coach has received the national title, capping a transformative two-year period supported by unprecedented institutional investment and record-breaking team performances.

EMU's player, in a white jersey, dribbling the ball with a Ball State player, in a red jersey, coming in from the side

The 2026 Eastern Michigan Women's soccer season preview

By Ruby Brannon · Wednesday, July 29, 2026

Entering its 31st varsity season, the Eastern Michigan women’s soccer program is led by third-year head coach Taylor Clarke and features a 2026 schedule highlighted by matches against three teams that competed in the 2025 NCAA Tournament. The roster combines veteran leadership from leading scorer Olivia Sipsock and goalkeeper Ella Holland with a fresh influx of talent from a six-player signing class and four transfers.

Janae Leovao: Golfweek All-American

By Ruby Brannon · Monday, July 27, 2026

Janae Leovao, a standout senior transfer from Long Beach State, has quickly established herself as a cornerstone of the Eastern Michigan University women’s golf program after earning prestigious Golfweek and WGCA All-American honors. Bringing a top-tier national ranking and a history of NCAA Regional success to Ypsilanti, she competes alongside her twin sister, Jasmine, under the leadership of Golfweek National Coach of the Year, Heather Brewer.

Trevor Beerman takes the reins of EMU Baseball

By Ruby Brannon · Monday, July 27, 2026

Eastern Michigan University Athletics has officially elevated Trevor Beerman to full-time head baseball coach following a successful stint as the program's interim leader during the 2026 season. Beerman’s permanent appointment comes after a turbulent coaching search that saw an initial candidate, Mike Ott, back out of the position shortly after accepting it.

Three baseball players of the same team huddle while spectators watch from the stands in the background.

Classroom champions: EMU Baseball lands 11 on academic All-MAC List

By Ruby Brannon · Monday, July 27, 2026

The Eastern Michigan University baseball team placed 11 student-athletes on the 2026 Academic All-MAC Team, marking the program’s highest selection total since 2021. This achievement highlights a record-breaking semester for the athletic department, with the baseball team leading all EMU men’s programs with a 3.545 cumulative GPA.

Chris Creighton, dressed in green, running with his team, who are wearing black jerseys

Eastern Michigan football to begin fall season with two co-defensive coordinators

By Darrell Justice · Thursday, July 16, 2026

Eastern Michigan University football is set to begin the fall season with two defensive coordinators, Tate Omli and Kasey Teegardin.

Indoor track and field equipment in gray, green, and white fills the space, with athletes standing off to the sides of most of the competition areas.

Track and field: Season finale in Lexington

By Ruby Brannon · Sunday, June 7, 2026

Eastern Michigan University's track and field program concluded its 2026 outdoor season following a series of competitive performances at the NCAA East Preliminary Round in Lexington, Kentucky. Nine Eagles represented the university, achieving several marks that now rank among the top ten in program history across both track and field disciplines.

Football field with gray turf reads "Eastern" on either end zone. Empty bleachers and goalposts surround the field.

EMU athletics shatters department GPA records

By Ruby Brannon · Saturday, June 6, 2026

Eastern Michigan University student-athletes have reached an unprecedented academic milestone, posting a department-record cumulative grade-point average (GPA) of 3.517 during the Winter 2026 semester. This historic achievement marks the seventh consecutive semester of record-breaking performance and signifies the first time in department history that every athletic program maintained a cumulative GPA above 3.0.

Women's lacrosse players of different teams run on the field near while one tries to knock the ball out of the other's stick.

EMU Lacrosse sets program record with 21 Academic All-MAC selections

By Ruby Brannon · Saturday, June 6, 2026

Eastern Michigan University's lacrosse program has established a new benchmark for collegiate excellence by placing a program-record 21 student-athletes on the 2026 Academic All-MAC list. This achievement marks the third consecutive year the Eagles have led the Mid-American Conference in academic honorees, coinciding with the most successful competitive season in the program's history.

Baseball player mid-jog at home base at outdoor game. A large group of teammates stand in the background, watching another player who is out of frame.

Diamond scholars: Five Eastern Michigan Baseball players earn prestigious CSC Academic All-District honors

By Ruby Brannon · Saturday, June 6, 2026

Eastern Michigan University’s baseball program recently celebrated a significant academic achievement as five key players were named to the 2026 CSC Academic All-District team. This recognition underscores the balance of rigorous classroom standards and high-level athletic performance maintained by the Eagles’ roster.

Jeff Westmeyer named Eastern Michigan’s 11th Head tennis coach: A proven program builder returns to the MAC

By Ruby Brannon · Saturday, June 6, 2026

Jeff Westmeyer has been appointed as the 11th head tennis coach at Eastern Michigan University, bringing a storied legacy of national success from the University of Findlay to the Eagles' program. A two-time conference Coach of the Year with deep roots in the Mid-American Conference, Westmeyer aims to transform EMU into a powerhouse through a focus on competitive ferocity, academic excellence, and comprehensive player development.

Janae Leovao makes history as Eastern Michigan’s first WGCA All-American

By Ruby Brannon · Friday, June 5, 2026

Janae Leovao has made history as the first Eastern Michigan University golfer to be named a WGCA All-American, marking a transformative season for both the individual and the program. Her leadership and record-breaking statistics propelled the Eagles to the NCAA Championship semifinals, cementing her legacy as one of the most decorated athletes in EMU history.

The hiring of Mike Ott and the new era of EMU Baseball

By Ruby Brannon · Tuesday, June 2, 2026

As the 2026 college baseball head coach carousel spins with high-profile shifts at programs like NC State and Houston, Eastern Michigan University has made a calculated bet on a proven program builder to revitalize its storied tradition. After a period of uncertainty that left the dugout vacant as the transfer portal opened, the Eagles have landed Mike Ott, the winningest coach in Kalamazoo College history, to steer the program back to prominence.

Eastern Michigan soars with Inaugural MAC Institutional Sportsmanship award

By Ruby Brannon · Sunday, May 31, 2026

Eastern Michigan University has achieved a historic milestone by receiving its first-ever Mid-American Conference (MAC) Institutional Sportsmanship Award. Voted on by peer institutions, this honor recognizes the university’s commitment to integrity, respect, and competitive excellence across its entire athletic department.

Mariana Vega crouches on golf course to think while gazing off into the distance.

From 219th to the Final Four: The storybook season of Eastern Michigan Women's golf

By Ruby Brannon · Saturday, May 30, 2026

The Eastern Michigan University (EMU) women’s golf team completed a historic 2025-26 season by reaching the NCAA Match Play semifinals, marking a meteoric rise from being ranked 219th just two years prior. This "Cinderella" story was fueled by significant alumni investment and strategic coaching, culminating in a monumental upset of fourth-seeded Texas before falling to top-seeded Stanford.