Eastern Michigan Athletics
Top EMU Athletic Stories From the 2015 Calendar Year
12/31/2015 12:00:00 PM | General
Here is a look back at some of the top stories from the 2015 calendar year
YPSILANTI, Mich. (EMUEagles.com) – As the calendar gets ready to turn to 2016, EMUEagles.com takes a look back on the significant achievements and news worthy items that highlighted 2015. We celebrated victories, picked ourselves up after defeats, honored legends and said good bye to heroes. Its been a transformative year in many ways for an athletic department that strives to build champions on the fields of competition, in the classroom and in the community.
Here's a look back at some of the top stories from this past year...
EMU Wins the Jacoby Award for the First Time in School History - Eastern Michigan University was awarded with the Jacoby Trophy as the top women's athletic program in the Mid-American Conference at the MAC Honors Dinner in Cleveland Wednesday night, May 27, 2015. The Eagles earned the honor for the first time in the 33-year history of this prestigious award. EMU's previous best finish was third in the 1990-91, 2001-02, 2010-11 and 2013-14 seasons. For the 2014-15 academic year, EMU women's sports programs won a MAC championship in women's indoor track & field. The Eagles also claimed a share of its second consecutive MAC West Division crown in women's soccer and came in second-place in both cross country, golf, swimming & diving and outdoor track & field.
Football Posts Historic Victory at Wyoming - The Eastern Michigan University football team used 38 first half points to cruise to a 48-29 non-conference road victory over the University of Wyoming, Sept. 12, 2015, at War Memorial Stadium. The victory snapped a 14-game road skid for the team dating back to the 2012 campaign as well as marking the program's first non-conference road victory since 1988. As a team, EMU put up big offensive numbers with a balanced attack of 176 yards on the ground and 330 through the air for a total of 506 yards. They were also efficient, as they converted 7-of-12 third downs and were 4-for-4 in the red zone. Defensively, the Green and White played lock-down pass defense, allowing only 32 yards through the air. EMU also won the turnover battle, as they forced one and did not suffer one themselves.
Men's Cross Country Posts Sixth Consecutive MAC Championship - Behind an incredible overall team performance, the Eastern Michigan University men's cross country team repeated as Mid-American Conference Champions at the 2015 MAC Championships, Oct. 31, 2015. The Eagles claimed five spots within the top-10, as junior Nick Raymond (Erie, Mich.-Mason) was crowned the individual MAC Champion, marking the 16th time that an EMU harrier has claimed the title. With this conference title, the Green and White have claimed six in a row, breaking their previous school record of five. With the women winning the MAC Championship as well, the Eagles are the first to have both the men and women claim cross country titles in the same season since Bowling Green accomplished the feat in 1995.
Women's Track and Field Claims MAC Indoor Championship Title - The EMU women's track and field team ended the 2015 Mid-American Conference Indoor Track and Field Championships in high spirits, claiming the program's fourth MAC Championship with 110.75 points. The last time the Eagles claimed the crown was in the 2010-11 season with a dominating 29-point win. Head Coach Sue Parks was named the MAC Coach of the Year for the second time during her tenure at EMU and the sixth time in her career, having won the award four times at Ball State. Jordann McDermitt (Davison, Mich.-Davison) was honored as the Most Outstanding Track Performer.
Women's Cross Country Captures First MAC Title in Program History - Behind an individual title from junior Alsu Bogdanova (Kazan, Russia-Lyceum #83), the Eastern Michigan University women's cross country team claimed their first ever Mid-American Conference title at the 2015 MAC Championships, Oct. 31, 2015. The Eagles posted a team score of 55 points, placing three harriers within the top-six. With the men winning the MAC Championship as well, the Eagles became the first to have both the men and women claim cross country titles in the same season since Bowling Green accomplished the feat in 1995. The Green and White were paced by Bogdanova, who claimed the individual MAC title and crossed the finish line in 20:39.26, becoming the fourth Eagle to win the race.
Men's Swimming and Diving Records 32nd MAC Championship in Program History - Eastern Michigan University's men's swimming and diving team came from behind on the final day of the 2015 Mid-American Conference Men's Swimming and Diving Championships, winning the 32nd MAC title in program history and the 22nd of Head Coach Peter Linn's tenure with 777.5 points.
Men's Track Picks Up 23rd MAC Outdoor Championship Title - Eastern Michigan University's men's track and field team capped off an outstanding three days of competition by winning the 23rd Mid-American Conference outdoor title in program history, holding off MAC indoor champion Akron to take the team victory with 205 points.
Women's Basketball Makes Historic Run to WNIT Sweet 16 - A large part of the Eagles' 2014-15 record setting performance came through the Eagles late run during the regular season and into postseason play. EMU finished the regular season with wins in its final four games, while also winning seven of its last eight. The Green and White also appeared in eight postseason games, winning six of them. The Eagles advanced to the Mid-American Conference Tournament Championship, winning four-of-five MAC Tournament games, before advancing to the Sweet 16 of the 2015 Postseason WNIT. The Eagles rewrote the EMU record book with 124 different all-time top performances, including the most points in a season (2,549), field goals made (936), rebounds (1,539) and three-pointers made (223).
Men's Basketball Picks Up Back-to-Back 20 Victory Season En route to CBI Bid - Fans witnessed a program that finished in the top-10 in the NCAA for field goal percentage defense, and also set the Eastern Michigan single season team record for most steals per contest at 8.7. The Green and White posted its second-straight 20-win season and its second-straight appearance in the postseason.
Darius Jackson Sets EMU Single-Season Touchdown Mark - Despite giving Central Michigan University all they could handle in the final game of the 2015 season, the Eastern Michigan University football team dropped a heartbreaker, 35-28, Nov. 27, in Mid-American Conference action at Kelly/Shorts Stadium. It was senior running back Darius Jackson (Sparta, Ill.-Sparta) leading the way in his final EMU game. He finished with 15 carries for 93 yards, his eighth game of 90-plus rushing yards this season. The Sparta, Ill. native also scored two more touchdowns in the game, breaking the single-season EMU record for scores in a season with 16 TD's. With the 93 yards, Jackson went for over 1,000 in the 2015 season, becoming the first tailback to accomplish this feat since Bronson Hill in 2013, and was just the 13th all-time to do it for the Eagles. He finished with 1,089 yards on the season, which was the 10th most in a single season in EMU history. Jackson also wrapped up his career as the 14th all-time leading rusher with 1,597 yards.
Eagle Wrestling Completes Shutout of Michigan State, 34-0 - Behind a dominating all-around performance from all 10 of their starters, the Eastern Michigan University wrestling team shutout Michigan State University, 34-0, in a dual, Dec. 2, 2015. The victory marked the first shutout for the Eagles since the 2012-13 season when the Green and White blanked Itasca Community College 57-0, Nov. 24.
Anthony Abro Makes it to Sweet 16 of NCAA Wrestling Championships - Redshirt-junior Anthony Abro had an impressive showing on day two of the 2015 NCAA Wrestling Championships for the Eastern Michigan University wrestling team, making it to the round of 16 before bowing out to Timmy McCall of Wisconsin, March 20, 2015.
Kelsey Murphy Shoots School-Record, Tourney Low 66 at Cardinal Classic - Junior Kelsey Murphy (Plymouth, Mich.-Plymouth) fired a scorching six-under par 66, the lowest round in school history and the low round of the tournament, to capture medalist honors with a career-best 211 (74-71-66) at the Cardinal Classic, Sept. 22, 2015. The individual title is the second of her career and the first by an Eagle since Murphy rallied from nine strokes back to win the Nittany Lion Invitational with a 218 (77-73-68), Oct. 5, 2014. As a team, the Eagles finished in second place with a two-day total of 880 (301-293-286) on the par 72, 6,204-yard Players Club course. EMU's final round tally bettered the previous program-low of 290 at the Shootout at the Legends, Oct. 8-9, 2007, by four strokes. Meanwhile the 54-hole tally also eclipsed the previous low of 884 (297-293-294) at the Westbrook Invitational, Feb. 26-27, 2012.
Rowing Captures Third-Ever Harvey Cup - The Eastern Michigan University rowing team won its third-ever Harvey Cup, April 18, 2015. In its first dual of the afternoon, the Eagles Varsity Eight squad finished a mere six seconds behind Mercyhurst with a time of 7:20.19. The Varsity Four squad saw similar results, finishing second behind the Lakers with a time of 8:15.50.
Women's Basketball Knocks Off Michigan In Thrilling Comeback Victory: The Eastern Michigan University women's basketball team knocked off Washtenaw County rival, University of Michigan, for the first time since the 2012-13 season in a thrilling game at the Convocation Center, Dec. 23, 2015. The Eagles (8-2) trailed for 39 minutes before regaining the lead with one minute to play, upending Michigan (8-3) by a final score of 64-63. Junior Phillis Webb (Brooklyn Park, Minn.-Osseo) led EMU with 22 points while finishing just one rebound shy of the double-double. The Green and White out-shot the Maize and Blue in the contest 45 percent to 40 percent, while also converting 10-of-11 from the free throw line. Eastern also out-rebounded Michigan by a 37-35 margin, and forced 18 turnovers, which they turned into 20 points.
Calendar Year 2015 Top Stories According to Pageviews on EMUEagles.com
1. Auto Accident Claims Life Of Women's Basketball Student-Athlete
2. Football Posts Historic Victory at Wyoming, 48-29
3. 2015 @EMUFB Season Tickets Now On Sale
4. Monarchs Come Back to Knock Off EMU in Season Opener
5. Eagle Wrestling Completes Shutout of Michigan State, 34-0
6. EMU Announces 2015 Football Camp Dates
7. Kimi Olson Named Head Volleyball Coach at EMU
8. Be Sure To Get Your 2015 @EMUFB Season Tickets Today
9. Wrestling Kicks off the Season With the EMU Duals/Open
10. Valiant Effort By Eagles Not Enough at #9 LSU
11. EMU Football Adds 25 in 2015 Football Recruiting Class
12. Daniel Bullocks Named EMU Football Assistant Coach
13. EMU Baseball Adds 11 for 2016 Campaign
14. Movie Night at The Factory Set for August 24
15. Women's Track and Field Claims MAC Indoor Championship Title
Here's a look back at some of the top stories from this past year...
EMU Wins the Jacoby Award for the First Time in School History - Eastern Michigan University was awarded with the Jacoby Trophy as the top women's athletic program in the Mid-American Conference at the MAC Honors Dinner in Cleveland Wednesday night, May 27, 2015. The Eagles earned the honor for the first time in the 33-year history of this prestigious award. EMU's previous best finish was third in the 1990-91, 2001-02, 2010-11 and 2013-14 seasons. For the 2014-15 academic year, EMU women's sports programs won a MAC championship in women's indoor track & field. The Eagles also claimed a share of its second consecutive MAC West Division crown in women's soccer and came in second-place in both cross country, golf, swimming & diving and outdoor track & field.
Football Posts Historic Victory at Wyoming - The Eastern Michigan University football team used 38 first half points to cruise to a 48-29 non-conference road victory over the University of Wyoming, Sept. 12, 2015, at War Memorial Stadium. The victory snapped a 14-game road skid for the team dating back to the 2012 campaign as well as marking the program's first non-conference road victory since 1988. As a team, EMU put up big offensive numbers with a balanced attack of 176 yards on the ground and 330 through the air for a total of 506 yards. They were also efficient, as they converted 7-of-12 third downs and were 4-for-4 in the red zone. Defensively, the Green and White played lock-down pass defense, allowing only 32 yards through the air. EMU also won the turnover battle, as they forced one and did not suffer one themselves.
Men's Cross Country Posts Sixth Consecutive MAC Championship - Behind an incredible overall team performance, the Eastern Michigan University men's cross country team repeated as Mid-American Conference Champions at the 2015 MAC Championships, Oct. 31, 2015. The Eagles claimed five spots within the top-10, as junior Nick Raymond (Erie, Mich.-Mason) was crowned the individual MAC Champion, marking the 16th time that an EMU harrier has claimed the title. With this conference title, the Green and White have claimed six in a row, breaking their previous school record of five. With the women winning the MAC Championship as well, the Eagles are the first to have both the men and women claim cross country titles in the same season since Bowling Green accomplished the feat in 1995.
Women's Track and Field Claims MAC Indoor Championship Title - The EMU women's track and field team ended the 2015 Mid-American Conference Indoor Track and Field Championships in high spirits, claiming the program's fourth MAC Championship with 110.75 points. The last time the Eagles claimed the crown was in the 2010-11 season with a dominating 29-point win. Head Coach Sue Parks was named the MAC Coach of the Year for the second time during her tenure at EMU and the sixth time in her career, having won the award four times at Ball State. Jordann McDermitt (Davison, Mich.-Davison) was honored as the Most Outstanding Track Performer.
Women's Cross Country Captures First MAC Title in Program History - Behind an individual title from junior Alsu Bogdanova (Kazan, Russia-Lyceum #83), the Eastern Michigan University women's cross country team claimed their first ever Mid-American Conference title at the 2015 MAC Championships, Oct. 31, 2015. The Eagles posted a team score of 55 points, placing three harriers within the top-six. With the men winning the MAC Championship as well, the Eagles became the first to have both the men and women claim cross country titles in the same season since Bowling Green accomplished the feat in 1995. The Green and White were paced by Bogdanova, who claimed the individual MAC title and crossed the finish line in 20:39.26, becoming the fourth Eagle to win the race.
Men's Swimming and Diving Records 32nd MAC Championship in Program History - Eastern Michigan University's men's swimming and diving team came from behind on the final day of the 2015 Mid-American Conference Men's Swimming and Diving Championships, winning the 32nd MAC title in program history and the 22nd of Head Coach Peter Linn's tenure with 777.5 points.
Men's Track Picks Up 23rd MAC Outdoor Championship Title - Eastern Michigan University's men's track and field team capped off an outstanding three days of competition by winning the 23rd Mid-American Conference outdoor title in program history, holding off MAC indoor champion Akron to take the team victory with 205 points.
Women's Basketball Makes Historic Run to WNIT Sweet 16 - A large part of the Eagles' 2014-15 record setting performance came through the Eagles late run during the regular season and into postseason play. EMU finished the regular season with wins in its final four games, while also winning seven of its last eight. The Green and White also appeared in eight postseason games, winning six of them. The Eagles advanced to the Mid-American Conference Tournament Championship, winning four-of-five MAC Tournament games, before advancing to the Sweet 16 of the 2015 Postseason WNIT. The Eagles rewrote the EMU record book with 124 different all-time top performances, including the most points in a season (2,549), field goals made (936), rebounds (1,539) and three-pointers made (223).
Men's Basketball Picks Up Back-to-Back 20 Victory Season En route to CBI Bid - Fans witnessed a program that finished in the top-10 in the NCAA for field goal percentage defense, and also set the Eastern Michigan single season team record for most steals per contest at 8.7. The Green and White posted its second-straight 20-win season and its second-straight appearance in the postseason.
Darius Jackson Sets EMU Single-Season Touchdown Mark - Despite giving Central Michigan University all they could handle in the final game of the 2015 season, the Eastern Michigan University football team dropped a heartbreaker, 35-28, Nov. 27, in Mid-American Conference action at Kelly/Shorts Stadium. It was senior running back Darius Jackson (Sparta, Ill.-Sparta) leading the way in his final EMU game. He finished with 15 carries for 93 yards, his eighth game of 90-plus rushing yards this season. The Sparta, Ill. native also scored two more touchdowns in the game, breaking the single-season EMU record for scores in a season with 16 TD's. With the 93 yards, Jackson went for over 1,000 in the 2015 season, becoming the first tailback to accomplish this feat since Bronson Hill in 2013, and was just the 13th all-time to do it for the Eagles. He finished with 1,089 yards on the season, which was the 10th most in a single season in EMU history. Jackson also wrapped up his career as the 14th all-time leading rusher with 1,597 yards.
Eagle Wrestling Completes Shutout of Michigan State, 34-0 - Behind a dominating all-around performance from all 10 of their starters, the Eastern Michigan University wrestling team shutout Michigan State University, 34-0, in a dual, Dec. 2, 2015. The victory marked the first shutout for the Eagles since the 2012-13 season when the Green and White blanked Itasca Community College 57-0, Nov. 24.
Anthony Abro Makes it to Sweet 16 of NCAA Wrestling Championships - Redshirt-junior Anthony Abro had an impressive showing on day two of the 2015 NCAA Wrestling Championships for the Eastern Michigan University wrestling team, making it to the round of 16 before bowing out to Timmy McCall of Wisconsin, March 20, 2015.
Kelsey Murphy Shoots School-Record, Tourney Low 66 at Cardinal Classic - Junior Kelsey Murphy (Plymouth, Mich.-Plymouth) fired a scorching six-under par 66, the lowest round in school history and the low round of the tournament, to capture medalist honors with a career-best 211 (74-71-66) at the Cardinal Classic, Sept. 22, 2015. The individual title is the second of her career and the first by an Eagle since Murphy rallied from nine strokes back to win the Nittany Lion Invitational with a 218 (77-73-68), Oct. 5, 2014. As a team, the Eagles finished in second place with a two-day total of 880 (301-293-286) on the par 72, 6,204-yard Players Club course. EMU's final round tally bettered the previous program-low of 290 at the Shootout at the Legends, Oct. 8-9, 2007, by four strokes. Meanwhile the 54-hole tally also eclipsed the previous low of 884 (297-293-294) at the Westbrook Invitational, Feb. 26-27, 2012.
Rowing Captures Third-Ever Harvey Cup - The Eastern Michigan University rowing team won its third-ever Harvey Cup, April 18, 2015. In its first dual of the afternoon, the Eagles Varsity Eight squad finished a mere six seconds behind Mercyhurst with a time of 7:20.19. The Varsity Four squad saw similar results, finishing second behind the Lakers with a time of 8:15.50.
Women's Basketball Knocks Off Michigan In Thrilling Comeback Victory: The Eastern Michigan University women's basketball team knocked off Washtenaw County rival, University of Michigan, for the first time since the 2012-13 season in a thrilling game at the Convocation Center, Dec. 23, 2015. The Eagles (8-2) trailed for 39 minutes before regaining the lead with one minute to play, upending Michigan (8-3) by a final score of 64-63. Junior Phillis Webb (Brooklyn Park, Minn.-Osseo) led EMU with 22 points while finishing just one rebound shy of the double-double. The Green and White out-shot the Maize and Blue in the contest 45 percent to 40 percent, while also converting 10-of-11 from the free throw line. Eastern also out-rebounded Michigan by a 37-35 margin, and forced 18 turnovers, which they turned into 20 points.
Calendar Year 2015 Top Stories According to Pageviews on EMUEagles.com
1. Auto Accident Claims Life Of Women's Basketball Student-Athlete
2. Football Posts Historic Victory at Wyoming, 48-29
3. 2015 @EMUFB Season Tickets Now On Sale
4. Monarchs Come Back to Knock Off EMU in Season Opener
5. Eagle Wrestling Completes Shutout of Michigan State, 34-0
6. EMU Announces 2015 Football Camp Dates
7. Kimi Olson Named Head Volleyball Coach at EMU
8. Be Sure To Get Your 2015 @EMUFB Season Tickets Today
9. Wrestling Kicks off the Season With the EMU Duals/Open
10. Valiant Effort By Eagles Not Enough at #9 LSU
11. EMU Football Adds 25 in 2015 Football Recruiting Class
12. Daniel Bullocks Named EMU Football Assistant Coach
13. EMU Baseball Adds 11 for 2016 Campaign
14. Movie Night at The Factory Set for August 24
15. Women's Track and Field Claims MAC Indoor Championship Title
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