sports-features

An Eastern Michigan football player wearing black and green flashes the "MACcoon" chain during the Eagles' Homecoming matchup against Louisiana Lafayette on Sept. 20, 2025.

The MACcoon chain: how a YouTube comment birthed Eastern Michigan football’s newest tradition

By Caleb Henderson · Thursday, Sept. 3, 2026

Eastern Michigan football's latest tradition, the MACcoon turnover chain, all stems from a YouTube comment, a viral tweet, merchandise from the Sickos Committee, and a desire to be unique from Head Coach Chris Creighton and defensive back Bryce Llewellyn.

#81, in a green jersey, jumps to catch the football

National spotlight shines on Ypsilanti: Five Eagles named to major preseason watch lists

By Ruby Brannon · Monday, Aug. 24, 2026

Five Eastern Michigan University football players have earned prestigious preseason recognition, with Dennis Strey Jr. named to the Wuerffel Trophy watch list, Devereaux to the Shrine Bowl 1000, Gallegos to the Rimington Trophy list, Llewellyn to the Bronko Nagurski Trophy list, and Long to the John Mackey Award list.

EMU Jones Natatorium 2027 closure spells uncertainty for women's swim and dive program

By Ruby Brannon · Friday, Aug. 14, 2026

Eastern Michigan University has announced the permanent closure of Jones Natatorium on May 9, 2027, placing the university’s women’s swimming and diving program in jeopardy of discontinuation.

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.

Scholars in spikes: Eastern Michigan’s Track & field program sets a new academic standard

By Ruby Brannon · Wednesday, Aug. 12, 2026

The Eastern Michigan University track and field program has demonstrated exceptional academic performance, earning 12 CSC Academic All-District honors and placing 29 student-athletes on the Outdoor Academic All-MAC list,. These accolades are further bolstered by the program receiving USTFCCCA All-Academic honors, highlighting a culture of elite scholarly achievement alongside national athletic competition.

Eastern Michigan University women's player, in a white jersey, dribbling the ball with a Arkansas State player, in a black jersey, gaining on her.

Eagles reach new heights: A recap of the historic 2025-26 season

By Ruby Brannon · Wednesday, Aug. 12, 2026

The 2025-26 Eastern Michigan University athletics season marked a transformative era defined by a historic third-place national finish for women’s golf and record-breaking academic performance across all programs. This year of "historic firsts" saw the department achieve its highest-ever cumulative GPA while earning national coaching honors and Olympic medals.

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

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.

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.

EMU player #23 Hill, jumping to take a shot.

Meet EMU's MAC Freshman of the Year, car enthusiast and basketball guard Peyton Hill

By Lilly Kujawski · Friday, May 29, 2026

Peyton Hill, a freshman basketball player at Eastern Michigan University, wins MAC title 'Freshman of the Year'.

EMU Women's golf historic run to NCAA semifinals

By Ruby Brannon · Tuesday, May 26, 2026

The Eastern Michigan University women’s golf team has authored a stunning Cinderella story by advancing to the NCAA Match Play semifinals after a historic upset of No. 4 Texas. Making their debut appearance in the national tournament, the Eagles have become the first non-Power 4 program to reach the semifinals since the match play format was established in 2015.

A collage shows Michael Pfieffer pitching the ball in a baseball game in one photo, and Annika Wozney passes the ball to a teammate at a lacrosse game in another photo.

Michael Pfeiffer, Annika Wozney named 2026 MAC medal of excellence honorees

By Ruby Brannon · Monday, May 25, 2026

The Mid-American Conference has selected Michael Pfeiffer and Annika Wozney as Eastern Michigan University’s recipients of the 2026 Medal of Excellence, a prestigious honor recognizing graduating seniors for their combined achievements in academics, athletics, and leadership.