Jim Streeter Announces Retirement from EMU

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YPSILANTI, Mich. (EMUEagles.com) — After nearly four decades of directing the publicity efforts for Eastern Michigan University Athletics, Jim Streeter is retiring from his post as the Associate Athletics Director for Media Relations, effective Oct. 19, 2012.

An icon of the media relations world, Streeter is the longest tenured Division I sports information director in the state and the dean of Mid-American Conference SIDs. A native of Albion, Mich., Streeter is currently in his 39th year with the EMU Athletic Media Relations Office, with 37 of them as the director.

"Jim has been guiding a critical component of EMU Athletics for almost 40 years," EMU Director of Athletics Dr. Derrick Gragg said. "His awards at the regional and national levels only tell a fraction of the story of his successful portrayal of EMU Athletics across our country. All of his contributions are greatly admired and appreciated by the Eastern Michigan family."

The Athletic Media Relations Office (formerly known as the Sports Information) at Eastern Michigan has been in operation since 1960 when Bob Briner was named the first full-time director. Since then there have only been three directors in the history of the office. John Fountain followed Briner in 1966 and Streeter was named to the SID position in 1975.

A 2004 inductee into the EMU Athletics Hall of Fame in 2004, the 64-year-old Streeter earned a bachelor's degree from EMU in Dec. 1973, with a major in physical education and minors in journalism and history. He was sports editor of the student newspaper, The Eastern Echo, for two years.

After serving a two-year stint as a sportswriter for The Ypsilanti Press, Streeter joined EMU as an assistant sports information director in 1974. He was named SID in August 1975.

In addition to his daily duties of overseeing the publicity of Eastern Michigan's 21 varsity sports, Streeter has been instrumental in the development and maintenance of the athletics department's archives that include game programs, game video, statistics, news releases, publications and other items dating back to the foundation of the athletics programs.

A member of the College of Sports Information Directors of America (CoSIDA), Streeter was a member of the publications committee for four years. He was the secretary of the Detroit Sports Broadcasters and Writers Association (DSBWA) from 1990-94 after serving as vice president for one year. Additionally, in 2007 he received the honor of “Best of the Best” from the DSBWA.

Streeter was selected as one of nine Media Marshals for the 2004 Ryder Cup Golf competition at Oakland Hills Country Club. In addition, he was part of the media relations staff at the 2008 NCAA Men's Basketball Regional and the 2009 Final Four in Detroit, Mich.

A native of Albion, Mich., Streeter graduated from Albion High School in 1966. He earned two varsity letters in baseball and two in basketball at Albion High. He served as president of the Varsity Club his senior year and vice-president of the junior and senior classes.

Streeter and his wife, Mary, live in Ypsilanti and have three sons: Andrew, twins Michael and David, two granddaughters, Isabel and Annaliese and one grandson, Avery.

What Others Are Saying About Jim Streeter

"I made one of the finest administrative decisions in my long career at Eastern Michigan University in 1974 by hiring Jim as assistant sports information director. I moved on later and appointed Jim as director of sports information a position he has held for some 37 years. Like a Timex, he still keeps ticking today. I am so proud of Jim, a person who came to campus as a student, put down his roots in the Ypsilanti area close to campus, raised a family and never sought another job. He was so proud of his alma mater and he had what he considered, the best job in the world."
- John Fountain, EMU Athletic Hall of Fame Broadcaster and former EMU Vice President of University Relations

"For more than 39 years, Jim has been a fixture not only inside the Athletic Department but throughout the University as well. As a the sports information director, Streeter has made an indelible mark at EMU. I would not be in the position I am today if it was not for Jim Streeter and I am personally grateful to him for giving me the opportunity to work with him these past 11 years. "
- Greg Steiner, Assistant Media Relations Director at Eastern Michigan University

"It's difficult to put into words what Streets has meant to my career. I walked into the EMU sports information office the first week of my freshman year as a student, and I was immediately hooked. Thirteen years later, I'm leading my own office at the University of Illinois at Chicago (UIC), and on a daily basis, try to instill in my staff what Streets has done at EMU for nearly the past 40 years. There is something to be said about a person that gives you an opportunity to do something you truly love to do. For me, that person is Jim Streeter. He's a great mentor, teacher and friend, and I have a funny feeling that despite his retirement; he'll still be showing his face around Rynearson Stadium and the Convocation Center pretty frequently in the near-and long-term future."
- Brett McWethy, Director of Athletic Communications at the University of Illinois-Chicago and former EMU AMR Graduate Assistant

"In our profession, sometimes there is no substitute for genuine passion and enthusiasm for your school. It's what drives Jim to go just a little further for EMU in innumerable ways, many of which go unnoticed. It's one of the things that him special. Making that extra phone call, staying late to wait for a deliberate sportswriter, whatever needs to be done Jim will do it. Anything for EMU. Over the years, these little things have added up to a mountain of support tor the school Jim loves. Jim is modest by nature, and would probably shrug it off, but there is no doubt in my mind that Eastern Michigan University has been darn lucky to have Jim Streeter on its side these past 39 years."
- Paul Helgren, Associate Athletic Director for Media Relations at the University of Toledo and former EMU assistant SID from 1985-89

"If there is one man that can weave the rich historical tapestry of sports at Eastern Michigan University, it is Jim Streeter. Considered by the media, his peers and EMU's former student-athletes to be one of the top Public Relation's men in the state of Michigan, Streeter's name has become synonymous with Eastern Michigan University. His easy going style and his knowledge of the community has allowed Jim to serve EMU and the Ypsilanti Community for over 40 years."
- Bruce Madej, Associate Athletic Director at the University of Michigan

"He gave me a chance at that time in my life where I needed that support and education from a mentor like him. He saw my passion for athletics and in particular Olympic (Nonrevenue) sports and let me run with them. Most future SID's dream of working with a football or basketball team, but all I wanted to do was cover Olympic Sports and Jim gave me that opportunity."
- Amanda (Decker) Skowronek, EMU Foundation Development and Design Associate and 2007-09 EMU AMR Graduate Assistant

"I have never met anyone who loves Eastern Michigan as much as Jim. He has been a fixture at EMU events forever, even working events that he does not need to be at. You can ask him anything about the Eagles, the Hurons, a certain game back in 1992 and he will know the answer. It Is hard to think of anything that has happened in the last 30 years at Eastern Michigan and not automatically think of "Streets." I enjoyed interacting with him while I was still playing and when I was working for him. He just has the ability to talk to anyone and make you feel important."
- Sarah VanMetre, Assistant Media Relations Director at the University of Michigan and 2007-09 EMU AMR Graduate Assistant

"I am extremely appreciative of everyone I met along the way at Eastern Michigan, especially the people I worked closely with for two years in the athletic department. Without the guidance of Jim Streeter, who is a great mentor and simply the best at what he does, I don't think I would be where I am today."
- Dan Wyar, Assistant Media Relations Director at Elon University and 2008-10 EMU AMR Graduate Assistant

" It may be cliche but if Jim Streeter gave blood, it would be green and white. Jim represents everything that is good and noble about Eastern Michigan. He is a tireless and dedicated employee of the university who is always striving to put EMU in the best possible light. In terms of his years of service to the EMU athletic department, I believe only Elton Rynearson served longer. That is pretty good company if you ask me."
- Michael Bond, Assistant Sports Information Director at Tiffin University and former EMU student assistant

"Streets" has been the public face of Sports Information for 30 years. When someone wants information about current athletes or of someone who has played a sport at Eastern he typically comes to "Streets" to get his information. Streeter has been an outstanding example of the type of alum we cherish. He has been loyal to EMU; he has brought integrity to his work and diligence to his assignments."
- Bert Greene, Eastern Michigan University Emeritus Faculty Member

"Jim always was very welcoming to me and any time he could offer help he did so. Always pleasant and understanding he helped me a great deal with ideas for increasing interest in our athletic program."
- Lucy Parker, Eastern Michigan University Athletic Hall of Famer and former EMU Women's Athletic Director

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