Ruby Brannon

Sports Editor

Ruby Brannon uses she/her pronouns, and has worked for The Eastern Echo since Fall 2025. She started as a sports reporter, then moved to Sports Editor in the 2026 winter semester. Brannon is a communications major with a double minor in psychology and marketing.

Her job entails covering EMU athletics by writing game recaps, features, and previews, focusing on telling accurate, engaging stories about our dedicated student-athletes and programs. For Brannon, the best part is capturing the energy behind EMU sports, spotlighting our incredible athletes, and sharpening my skills as a sports journalist for my future endeavors. Contact her with any questions at rbranno1@emich.edu. Brannon is on Instagram (@rubybrannon).

#6 Fernanda Ovalle, in a green Eastern Michigan University jersey, dribbling the ball.

Swimming and Diving

Eagle Sports Tips & Tales | Jan. 20-26

By Ruby Brannon | January 20

This guide to sports at Eastern Michigan University for Jan. 20–26, 2026, highlights a busy week of competition across multiple sports, paired with key historical notes from each program. Featuring home and road matchups in basketball, gymnastics, track and field, swimming and diving, and women’s tennis, this guide provides fans with viewing information and context on rivalries, records and past performances shaping the week ahead.

A group of EMU gymnasts wearing green and white cheer and clap for their teammate on the beam.

Gymnastics

Golden Girls glory: Eastern Michigan gymnastics triumphs in home opener

By Ruby Brannon | January 17

The Eastern Michigan Eagles celebrated their 50th varsity season with a hard-fought victory over Northern Illinois and SUNY Brockport at the second annual Golden Girls Classic. Senior Kyrie Lowe anchored the performance by clinching the all-around title with a 38.825, leading the Eagles to a win in their final scheduled regular-season Mid-American Conference meeting with the Huskies.

#3, in a white jersey, shooting with Oakland players around, in black jerseys.

Baseball

Eagles fall short in offensive battle against Bowling Green

By Ruby Brannon | January 17

Eastern Michigan men’s basketball showed offensive efficiency and resilience but fell 85–79 on the road to Bowling Green, despite two 22-point performances and a strong second-half push. The Falcons’ blistering three-point shooting, particularly in the first half, proved decisive as the loss dropped the Eagles to 9–10 overall and 3–4 in MAC play.

Eastern's #0 Lawson, dribbling the ball.

Sports

Eastern Michigan soars past NIU Huskies 77-59 after dominant second-half display

By Ruby Brannon | January 13

The Eastern Michigan Eagles defeated Northern Illinois University 77-59, highlighted by a second-half surge in which the team shot 60% from the field to secure their third consecutive win in the rivalry, with efforts led by Addison Patterson’s 20 points and a strong bench performance.

Several college-aged gymnasts wearing black and green Eastern Michigan University leotards energetically high-five one another and smile.

Tennis

Eagle Sports Tips & Tales | Jan. 13-19

By Ruby Brannon | January 13

This mid-January bulletin previews key upcoming matchups for EMU gymnastics, women’s tennis, men’s and women’s basketball, and track and field, pairing current scouting reports with notable historical results that show how the Eagles have traditionally performed during this exact week in previous years.

#4 Mohammad Habhab, in a white jersey, dunking the basketball.

Sports

Western Michigan’s second-half surge halts Eastern Michigan in Kalamazoo, 79-62

By Ruby Brannon | January 10

Despite holding a six-point halftime lead, the Eastern Michigan University men’s basketball team fell to Western Michigan University at University Arena, 79-62

Football

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

By Ruby Brannon | January 8

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.

Football

Mike Hart elevated to assistant head coach of EMU football

By Ruby Brannon | January 7

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

#10, in a white and green jersey, dribbling down the court.

Basketball

EMU dominates the interior in 74-52 victory over Ball State, largest point margin in recent history

By Ruby Brannon | January 6

The Eastern Michigan University men’s basketball team earned a dominant 74–52 MAC victory over Ball State University, improving to 8–8 overall and 2–2 in conference play, behind elite shooting efficiency, strong rebounding and balanced scoring. The 22-point win marked the Eagles’ largest margin of victory in the series and sets the tone as they head to Kalamazoo to face Western Michigan University.

#9, in a white jersey, dribbling the ball

Basketball

Ohio overcomes 20-point deficit to defeat Eastern Michigan on buzzer-beater

By Ruby Brannon | January 3

Ohio erased a 20-point second-half deficit to defeat Eastern Michigan 68-67 on a buzzer-beating 30-footer. Despite leading for 34:57 and receiving a team-high 17 points from Addison Patterson, the Eagles fell as the Bobcats surged with a 53-point second half.