Football Seniors Take Annual Leadership Trip to Colorado

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Watch Video of the Trip.

YPSILANTI, Mich. (EMUEagles.com) – For Eastern Michigan University Head Football Coach Chris Creighton, being a coach is about so much more than just what happens on the field. On May 29-30, Creighton, staff and 10 members of EMU's senior class made the trek to Colorado for the annual senior leadership trip.

The retreat, meant to be used as a leadership and bonding experience, started with white water rafting the Royal Gorge and the Arkansas River before the group hiked up Pikes Peak, which has an altitude of 14,114 feet above sea level and is the 31st highest out of the 54 Colorado peaks. The group of veteran student-athletes — Dustin Creel (Industry, Pa.- Western Beaver), Clay Dawson (Phoenix, Ariz. -Crestview College Prep-Phoenix College), Great Ibe (Hanover, Md.-Meade-Concordia), Darian Miles (Southfield, Mich.-Southfield), Dylan Mulder (Saline, Mich.-Saline), Arron Pipkins (Maple Heights, Ohio-Maple Heights), Pat O'Connor (Chicago, Ill.-Saint Rita), Kris Strange (Pickerington, Ohio-Central), Ray Tillman (Auburn Hills, Mich.-Avondale) and Jalen Williams (Southfield, Mich.-Lathrup) — encountered many challenges, including the dramatic change in altitude as well as a snowy conditions near the summit.

During Creighton's introductory press conference at the Convocation Center in December 2013, he promised to make being part of the Eastern Michigan program a memorable one.

"We have a vision and we want to make the experience of playing football at Eastern Michigan University one of the most incredible experiences of their lives," remarked Creighton during his hiring press conference. "This game is about relationships. We have the chance to do life intensely for four and a half years, and after that."

True to his word, Creighton is continuing to deliver on the promise. Last year, Creighton and 16 members of EMU's 2014 senior class made the inaugural trip out west on a journey that lasted more than 11 hours up Pikes Peak.

"As a team, the closer you are off the field, the tighter you're going to be on the field," Creighton mentioned. "Football is meant to be played not only with your teammates but for your teammates. Getting to the level where you put your team above yourself doesn't just happen, it takes a trip like this to develop the intensity of relationships needed to reach that point."

During his distinguished career, Creighton has taken great pride in the student-athlete experience that transcends the football field and the classroom. As head coach at Ottawa (Kan.) University from 1997-2000, Creighton accompanied his team to Pikes Peak, and later took his Wabash College squad to Austria in 2003 and Panama in 2006. Each trip featured community service, sightseeing, and a football game. In 2011, Creighton took the Drake University football team on a two-week experience to Africa in 2011 for the inaugural Global Kilimanjaro Bowl as well as the ascension of 19,340-foot Mt. Kilimanjaro.

The leadership trip was paid for out of funds raised through the team's annual golf outing. This year's outing will take place Friday, June 5, at Eagle Crest Golf Club. The cost is $150 for an individual golfer and $600 per foursome. In addition, a special rate of $100 is available for young EMU football alumni from the classes of 2011-15. Tickets for the dinner only portion of the event are just $25. For more information on the event, please contact EMU Director of Football Operations Jake Kirkendall at 734.487.3420.

Eastern Michigan University football's 2015 regular season kicks off Saturday, Sept. 5, with a home contest against Old Dominion University. Season tickets are now on sale for the six-game home slate which includes four contests against Mid-American Conference foes. Tickets can be purchased at EMUTix.com or by calling 734.487.2282.

Eastern Michigan Athletics

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