sports-features

A green football helmet featuring a grey stylized block E sits perched atop an equipment table.

Sacramento State joins the MAC as football expansion hits the West Coast

By Ruby Brannon · Wednesday, Feb. 25, 2026

California State University, Sacramento, will join the Mid-American Conference as a football-only member beginning July 1, 2026, expanding the conference to the West Coast.

The Leovao sisters stand and smile for the photo together and hold a fluffy eagle stuffed animal between them.

Eagles dominate the links: Leovao sisters and Robby Turnbull sweep MAC weekly honors

By Ruby Brannon · Monday, Feb. 23, 2026

Eastern Michigan University golf is building historic momentum after the Leovao sisters swept MAC Women’s Golfer of the Week honors and freshman Robby Turnbull earned Men’s Golfer of the Week, fueled by record-setting performances against nationally ranked competition. As the women prepare to co-host the GameAbove Invitational with University of Southern California in California and the men head to Texas for the All-American Collegiate, both programs are poised to continue a season defined by national climbs and program-best achievements.

An Eastern Michigan lacrosse player in a white jersey with a green number 9 stands holding her crosse against her body while looking to the left.

Eagles ascend: 5 Eastern Michigan student-athletes named MAC weekly honorees

By Ruby Brannon · Wednesday, Feb. 18, 2026

Eastern Michigan University dominated the Mid-American Conference weekly awards, with five athletes across lacrosse and tennis earning honors after standout performances on the field and court. Led by a lacrosse sweep and a breakout showing from the freshman tennis duo, the Eagles’ latest accolades signal a rising standard of excellence as both programs continue their strong 2026 campaigns.

EMU alumna Jasmine Jones to compete in Winter 2026 Olympics

By AnnaBelle Favre · Wednesday, Feb. 18, 2026

Eastern Michigan University track and field alumna, Jasmine Jones, speaks with The Echo about what it is like to compete as an Olympian.

'Keys to the car': Trevor Beerman and new faces lead EMU baseball into 2026

By Ruby Brannon · Wednesday, Feb. 18, 2026

With upgraded facilities at Oestrike Stadium, a challenging non-conference slate and aspirations for the Mid-American Conference baseball tournament, the Eagles aim to turn early adversity into momentum for a championship push for Eastern Michigan University.

Gray cement sidewalks and structures surround the black gate, closed in front of a football stadium on a partly cloudy day. A metal statue of a basketball player holding a ball above its head is positioned in the middle of the walkway.

Winning pedigree, new-wave talent: EMU football adds Erik Campbell and Zac Sias to coaching staff

By Ruby Brannon · Monday, Feb. 2, 2026

Eastern Michigan University football strengthens its coaching staff with the addition of veteran wide receivers coach Erik “Soup” Campbell and rising defensive specialist Zac Sias.

EMU Baseball adds pro expertise: Seth Caddell joins as assistant coach, recruiting coordinator

By Ruby Brannon · Monday, Feb. 2, 2026

Eastern Michigan baseball reinforced its commitment to elite-level development ahead of the 2026 season by hiring former professional player and coach Seth Caddell as assistant coach and recruiting coordinator.

Motor City MACtion: Eagles set to trade The Factory for Ford Field

By Ruby Brannon · Sunday, Jan. 25, 2026

Eastern Michigan University and Central Michigan University have moved their historic Mid-American Conference rivalry to Ford Field for the 2026 and 2027 seasons, transforming a century-old matchup into a marquee Motor City MACtion event. By shifting the series to an NFL venue in Detroit, both programs aim to elevate the rivalry, reconnect with alumni and spotlight the MAC on a major stage.

Noah Kim runs across a green and gray football field in a black jersey, holding the football. In the background, other players stand on the field, and fans sit in the bleachers.

7 years in, NCAA green lights quarterback Noah Kim’s return to EMU football

By Ruby Brannon · Thursday, Jan. 8, 2026

Eastern Michigan quarterback Noah Kim has been granted an NCAA extension of eligibility waiver for the 2026 season, utilizing a combination of the 2020 COVID exception and a 2023 medical hardship, and will return to Ypsilanti to anchor the Eagles' offense for a final year.

Mike Hart elevated to assistant head coach of EMU football

By Ruby Brannon · Wednesday, Jan. 7, 2026

Eastern Michigan University football ignites the 2026 season by promoting Michigan football figure Mike Hart to assistant head coach and wide receivers coach.

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

Olivia Sipsock’s rise to prominence: from high school standout to face of Eastern Michigan soccer

By Caleb Henderson · Thursday, Dec. 11, 2025

Born to and raised by a father who played college soccer, Olivia Sipsock has followed in his footsteps while also forging her own path as one of the best to don an Eastern Michigan University women's soccer kit and grace the pitch known as Scicluna Field.

Following in the footsteps of his father: Bryce Llewellyn’s journey to Eastern Michigan football stardom

By Caleb Henderson · Sunday, Nov. 30, 2025

From each playing college football at Mid-American Conference schools to embarking on Scotchy's Jamaican Grill as a pair, the son and father duo of Bryce and Marlon Llewellyn saw their life stories cross paths when Eastern Michigan University's football team defeated Ball State University's on Nov. 15, 2025, 24-9.

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 · Friday, Nov. 21, 2025

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.

An Eastern Michigan men’s basketball player dressed in green and white shoots over an Akron defender wearing blue and gold.

Eastern Michigan men’s basketball 2025-26 season preview: turning a new leaf?

By Caleb Henderson · Sunday, Nov. 2, 2025

Replacing four players who averaged over 10 points per game a year ago is an audacious task for any team, and it will be the one that the Eastern Michigan University men’s basketball team embarks on during the course of the upcoming 2025-26 season.

An Eastern Michigan women's basketball player donned in black and green drives to the basket with the basketball against a Notre Dame basketball player decked out in gold and white.

Eastern Michigan women’s basketball 2025-26 season preview: continued growth under Nusseibeh?

By Caleb Henderson · Friday, Oct. 31, 2025

Entering her second season leading the Eastern Michigan women’s basketball team, head coach Sahar Nusseibeh faces a similar uphill climb as she trekked during her tenure at Canisius University.

Oestrike Stadium becomes first Division I baseball diamond to feature gray playing surface

By Caleb Henderson · Thursday, Oct. 9, 2025

From full-field turf installation, ESPN broadcast enhancements, a revolutionary all gray playing surface and much more, players, coaches and fans alike will have a vastly different experience at Oestrike Stadium when the 2026 season begins in February.

Eastern Michigan volleyball 2025 season preview: expectations of continued growth?

By Caleb Henderson · Wednesday, Sept. 3, 2025

With a new volleyball season underway, the Eastern Michigan University women's volleyball program aims to repeat their eight-win improvement from 2023 to 2024.

Eastern Michigan football 2025 season preview: An opportunity at redemption?

By Caleb Henderson · Wednesday, Aug. 13, 2025

A new year brings about a fresh start and fresh expectations for the Eastern Michigan University football program, which has been busy making pivotal moves throughout the winter and spring.

Eastern Michigan University midfielder Sophia Baumann runs on a green soccer field during a match. Above her is a yellow banner with the word "soccer" written in dark blue text.

Eastern Michigan women’s soccer 2025 season preview: MAC tournament potential?

By Caleb Henderson · Tuesday, Aug. 12, 2025

Following a campaign that saw them boast a winning record for the first time since 2021, the Eastern Michigan University women's soccer team is determined to build on their success in the coming year.

EMU football alums Gunnar Oakes, Brian Dooley find pro success with UFL’s Michigan Panthers

By Caleb Henderson · Saturday, June 7, 2025

Going to high school just 10 minutes apart from each other, it seemed to be destiny that Brian Dooley's and Gunnar Oakes’ paths would cross at some point. The two high school football standouts saw this happen at Eastern Michigan University, where they both suited up for the Eagles between 2018-22. Now, just a few short years later, they have reunited to play for Michigan’s United Football League team, the Panthers.