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 January 2026. 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 EMU's incredible athletes, and sharpening her skills as a sports journalist for her future endeavors. Contact her with any questions at rbranno1@emich.edu. Brannon is on Instagram (@rubybrannon).
Eastern Michigan University's track and field program concluded its 2026 outdoor season following a series of competitive performances at the NCAA East Preliminary Round in Lexington, Kentucky. Nine Eagles represented the university, achieving several marks that now rank among the top ten in program history across both track and field disciplines.
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.
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.
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 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 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.
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 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.
The Eastern Michigan University (EMU) women’s golf team completed a historic 2025-26 season by reaching the NCAA Match Play semifinals, marking a meteoric rise from being ranked 219th just two years prior. This "Cinderella" story was fueled by significant alumni investment and strategic coaching, culminating in a monumental upset of fourth-seeded Texas before falling to top-seeded Stanford.
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.
Solutions by The State News
