Skip to Content, Navigation, or Footer.
Donate to The Echo
The Eastern Echo Monday, June 29, 2026 | Print Archive
The Eastern Echo

Sports

DSC_0622.JPG

Eagles set for hall of fame weekend showdown against St. Francis

By Elena Davis · Friday, Sept. 20, 2024

The Eastern Michigan Eagles aim to build on their dramatic double-overtime win over Jacksonville State as they face St. Francis University on Sept. 21 at Rynearson Stadium. With standout performances from quarterback Cole Snyder and MAC Kicker of the Week Jesús Gómez, EMU looks to solidify their strong start to the season while celebrating Hall of Fame Weekend.

EMU women's soccer

Eastern Michigan soccer drops two close matches, prepares for MAC play

By Elena Davis · Thursday, Sept. 19, 2024

Eastern Michigan University soccer faced two close 1-0 losses against Valparaiso and Loyola Chicago despite creating several scoring opportunities in both matches. The Eagles now turn their focus to the start of Mid-American Conference play, aiming to bounce back against Central Michigan University.

Umass vs Emu Sept.16 2023

Eagle Tips and Tales: Sept. 17-23

By Elena Davis · Monday, Sept. 16, 2024

Eastern Michigan University athletics has an action-packed week from Sept. 17-23, featuring soccer, golf, volleyball, cross-country, and football competitions. With teams playing at home and on the road, fans can look forward to key matchups and exciting opportunities to cheer on the Eagles.

EMBC EMU Beer

EMU partners with Eastern Market Brewing Co. to launch "Water Tower Power" lager

By Elena Davis · Saturday, Sept. 14, 2024

Eastern Michigan University has partnered with Eastern Market Brewing Co. to launch "Water Tower Power," a custom American lager available at the upcoming football home opener. The beer, named by fans, celebrates EMU’s traditions and community, with availability at Rynearson Stadium, the George Gervin GameAbove Center, and select locations across the region.

Jesus Gomez

Jesús Gómez: EMU's record-breaking kicker and MAC Special Teams star

By Elena Davis · Thursday, Sept. 12, 2024

Jesús Gómez, Eastern Michigan University's kicker, earned MAC Special Teams Player of the Week honors for his record-setting performance against the University of Washington, including a historic 57-yard field goal. His achievements highlight his exceptional talent and the significant sacrifices made by his family to support his career.

A bronze statue unveiled in August 2023 depicts EMU alum and NBA player George "Iceman" Gervin, stands outside the George Gervin GameAbove Center on the Eastern Michigan University campus.

EMU receives MAC award

By Jack Monk · Tuesday, Sept. 10, 2024

EMU student-athletes have been honored with a diversity, equity, inclusion and belonging award.

Michigan Basketball

Eagle Tips and Tales: Sept. 10-16

By Elena Davis · Monday, Sept. 9, 2024

This week's EMU athletics lineup features men's golf at the volleyball and soccer competition in multiple road games and the football team's home opener against Jacksonville State. Additionally, EMU rowing will race against Michigan, and women's golf will participate in the Leadership and Golf Invitational in Washington.

Eastern Michigan defensive lineman Dion Dawson leads the team onto the field before the Eagles' 27-24 win over Wyoming in Ypsilanti, 23 Sept.

EMU football prepares for action against Washington Huskies

By Elena Davis · Thursday, Sept. 5, 2024

Eastern Michigan University prepares for a challenging game against the University of Washington Huskies, last year's national runner-up. Head Coach Chris Creighton reflects on the team's recent win against UMass, while quarterback Cole Snyder emphasizes the strong camaraderie within the team. The article also highlights linebacker James Djonkam, who earned MAC Defensive Player of the Week honors for his outstanding debut performance.

Golf

Eagle Tips and Tales: September 3-9

By Elena Davis · Sunday, Sept. 1, 2024

Eagle Tips and Tales highlights a thrilling week for EMU Athletics from September 3-9, with intense volleyball matchups against Michigan and a full schedule at the EMU Volleyball Tournament. The men’s golf team will also compete in the Southern Dunes Collegiate in Arizona, offering fans a week packed with exciting sports action.

Michelle Rollins dribbles the ball past her defender during the soccer game against Ball State at Scicluna Field in Ypsilanti on Friday, September 30, 2016.

Eastern Michigan University soccer starts 4-0 for first time since 1999

By Elena Davis · Friday, Aug. 30, 2024

Eastern Michigan University soccer improved to 4-0 for the first time since 1999 with a 1-0 win over Purdue Fort Wayne on August 29, thanks to a 17th-minute goal by Maddie O'Farrell. The Eagles' defense, led by Ella Holland’s three saves, secured their third consecutive clean sheet, and they will next face the University of Cincinnati on September 1 in their first-ever matchup against a Big 12 opponent.

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.

Featured Media
ypsi-juneteenth-2026
Ypsi Juneteenth 2026