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The Eastern Echo Monday, June 29, 2026 | Print Archive
The Eastern Echo

Sports

GameAbove Sports Bowl

GameAbove, Detroit Lions partner for GameAbove Sports Bowl, a new Detroit tradition

By Elena Davis · Monday, Nov. 18, 2024

GameAbove Entertainment has partnered with the Detroit Lions to sponsor the GameAbove Sports Bowl, bringing a fresh, fan-centered bowl game experience to downtown Detroit. The event aims to create lasting memories for athletes and fans while strengthening GameAbove's commitment to community engagement and support for Eastern Michigan University.

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EMU football’s focus on discipline: how penalties are impacting the Eagles’ season

By Elena Davis · Thursday, Nov. 14, 2024

Eastern Michigan University’s football team has made significant strides in reducing penalties, with a season-low of three flags for 25 yards in their recent game against Toledo, compared to a season average of 8.66 penalties and 83 yards. Head Coach Chris Creighton views this improvement as essential to 'championship football,' emphasizing discipline as a key factor for the team’s success in the critical November stretch.

Football

Eagle Sports Tips and Tales: Nov. 12-18

By Elena Davis · Monday, Nov. 11, 2024

Eastern Michigan athletics is set for an action-packed mid-November, featuring critical football, basketball, cross-country, and volleyball matchups. With EMU athletes aiming for victories and postseason spots, fans won’t miss the excitement and determination on display throughout the week.

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Billingsley’s 32 Points Power EMU to 83-58 Victory Over Siena Heights

By Caleb Henderson · Saturday, Nov. 9, 2024

The Jalin Billingsley (Cleveland, Ohio/Lutheran East/Georgetown) show was on Friday afternoon at the George Gervin GameAbove Center.In his final home opener, the senior dropped a career-high 32 points and ten rebounds, including 17 in the first half, to give the Eastern Michigan men’s basketball team a much-needed bounce-back victory against Siena Heights, 83-58.

EMU vs. WMU Men's Basketball

Eastern Michigan men’s basketball falls to Texas State in season opener, 64-44

By Elena Davis · Tuesday, Nov. 5, 2024

The Eastern Michigan University men's basketball team had a challenging start to the season, losing 64-44 to Texas State in the Mid-American Conference-Sun Belt Conference Challenge. Despite a standout performance from Christian Henry, who scored 17 points, the Eagles struggled with shooting efficiency and fell behind early, allowing Texas State to maintain control throughout the game.

Eastern Michigan players break through a cinder block wall before the Eagles' 61-14 win over Mississippi Valley State in Ypsilanti, 2 Sept.

Eagles Set to Face Ohio in Thrilling Mid-Week Football Showdown

By Elena Davis · Tuesday, Nov. 5, 2024

The Eastern Michigan University football team will face Ohio University in a mid-week #MACtion showdown on Nov. 13. The Eagles aim to break a two-game losing streak and secure bowl eligibility. Head Coach Chris Creighton emphasizes the challenge that Ohio's effective quarterback poses and the need for improved defensive performance as the Eagles prepare for this crucial game at Frank Solich Field.

The GameAbove Center at Eastern Michigan University

Eastern NIL Exchange connects EMU athletes with local businesses

By Elena Davis · Monday, Nov. 4, 2024

Eastern Michigan University’s Eastern NIL Exchange is a new platform connecting student-athletes with businesses for streamlined Name, Image, and Likeness (NIL) opportunities. Designed for easy compliance and efficient transactions, the platform aims to foster valuable partnerships between EMU athletes and the local community.

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Eagle Sports Tips and Tales: Nov. 5-11

By Elena Davis · Monday, Nov. 4, 2024

Eastern Michigan University athletics is gearing up for an action-packed November, featuring key matchups across multiple sports, from volleyball and basketball to swimming and diving. Head Coach Sahar Nusseibeh is expressing gratitude and excitement for the season ahead, so fans are encouraged to stay resilient and support the Eagles through every victory and challenge.

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Eastern Michigan football falls to Toledo in heartbreaker, 28-29

By Elena Davis and Jack Monk · Sunday, Nov. 3, 2024

The Eastern Michigan University football team narrowly lost to the University of Toledo 29-28 on Nov. 2 despite outgaining their opponents in total yards. A last-minute touchdown followed by a failed two-point conversion left the Eagles searching for answers as they prepare for their next game against Ohio University on Nov. 13.

Latest Podcast

Eastern Michigan University’s “Enlighten U” has been ranked the top mental health podcast in Michigan by FeedSpot, a platform that compiles blogs, podcasts, YouTube channels, newsletters and other sites in one location.

“Enlighten U” is a podcast geared toward students who are experiencing mental health challenges. Melissa Thrasher, EMU's executive director of media relations and social media, and Lolita Cummings, an EMU public relations professor, serve as the co-hosts. Each episode is released around the 15th of every month and features a student or alum and a subject-matter professional.

Lolita Cummings in an interview with The Echo said that this is not the first time the No. 1 mental health podcast in Michigan has been awarded to "Enlighten U."

"We've been the No. 1 mental health podcast in Michigan from the very beginning," Cummings said. "I think it's an indicator of the fact that what we are trying to do, we are doing well, and that is important."

At the start of each "Enlighten U" episode, Cummings and Thrasher state that the "Enlighten U" podcast is an award-winning show.

"A couple of years ago, I won the best in PR for good campaign from Public Relations Society of America for the marketing and promotions program, because it's important that we get this, the word, out to everyone and about the podcast," Cummings said.

Thrasher and Cummings are both extremely proud of their podcast, but these awards and recognitions are not why they continue with it.

It is important to Cummings that she serves all of her students' needs. She noticed that before the COVID-19 pandemic, the mental health of many of her students was declining. When the students came back after the pandemic, Cummings noticed that her students' mental health was even worse. Due to this, she began brainstorming with one of her students about how she could help.

"She [the student] said to me, 'We watched a lot of podcasts while we were off.' So I said, 'Okay, I don't know anything about podcasts, but I will meet you all where you are.' So that's where the idea came from," Cummings said. "I am able to not just serve their academic needs, but I'm also able to serve their mental health needs. And to get the feedback from them, that is really helping, and is everything to me because the students are the ones who tell us what issues are impacting the most. Those are the issues that we bring to the table at 'Enlighten U.'"

Cummings encourages students to not only watch and listen to "Enlighten U" but to also spread the word about the podcast.

"One of the things we want to do is get the word out about this podcast to as many people as possible, across the nation, across the world," she said. "The need is not limited to our campus — the need is universal; it is worldwide. My goal at this point is obviously to continue to produce quality shows that reflect the mental health challenges that students are facing, but also get it out to wider audiences so we can help more people."

For those who are interested in engaging with "Enlighten U," the podcast can be found on YouTube and Spotify.

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