Eastern Michigan Athletics
Photo by: Steve King/KingStudios
Fred Castro Addresses the EMU Community
5/9/2016 2:50:00 PM | Women's Basketball
Fred Castro is the eighth head coach in EMU program history
Photo Gallery
Watch the Press Conference.
Watch Castro's Interview on All-Access.
YPSILANTI, Mich. (EMUEagles.com) – Eastern Michigan University Vice President/Director of Intercollegiate Athletics Heather Lyke made the move to hire former University of Washington Assistant Coach Fred Castro, Thursday, May 5. Castro was introduced as the head man of the EMU women's basketball team Monday morning, May 9, at a press conference held at University House.
EMU Interim President Dr. Donald Loppnow was extremely enthusiastic about the hiring of Castro. He felt as though Castro has the tools to lead the Eagles going forward.
"We are very pleased to be welcoming our new women's basketball coach, Fred Castro," Dr. Loppnow stated. "The institution's 167-year history has been one of outstanding academics and a variety of academic programs but also co-curricular and collaborative activities that intercollegiate athletics brings to the rich fiber of our institution and we welcome Fred as he continues to carry on the rich traditions of our athletic programs. In particular, what has been a very successful women's program that we know Fred will take to new heights. We very much welcome Fred to the community of the EMU Eagles and his coaching experience that he bring to us."
Lyke displayed that she is equally enthused and confident in Castro. The third-year director of athletics set the tone for the excitement about the hiring of Castro and the future of EMU women's basketball at the beginning of Monday's event.
"Fred knows something about finishing number one," Lyke said. "He finished number one in his aviation class at the University of Oklahoma, which is quite outstanding. Finishing number one in anything is exactly what we aspire to do and not just in academics but in our athletic world too."
A rising star in the coaching world, the 36-year old Castro has spent the past 15 years climbing the ranks from student manager to now the eighth head coach in EMU program history. During his career, he has worked tirelessly to learn and has held nearly every position within a women's basketball program including serving as offensive coordinator, recruiting coordinator, video coordinator, and travel coordinator.
"He really chose to follow his passion, which is impacting young people through the game of basketball," Lyke added. "Fred is someone who grew up in the business. He started as a women's basketball practice player. The reality was, he grew up and recognized what women's basketball is, what college athletics is, and knew he had a chance to make an impact. He has been a part of championship programs and knows what it looks like and has seen the game and the program and knowing the extensive experience that he has and seeing it from different lenses, really gives him an unbelievable opportunity to be prepared and lead our program. I cannot wait to see Coach Castro in action as he leads our program and our team as he builds champions on the court and in the classroom."
Castro has been a part of 10 squads that have participated in the postseason since the 2001-02 campaign, including a pair of trips to the NCAA Tournament Final Four. In 15 years of coaching, his teams have combined to post a 317-171 record (.650 winning percentage) and eight seasons of 20-or-more victories.
"It's about the relationships that we build with these players and continuing to have those relationships," Castro stated. "My vision for this program is based on three simple things: family, academics, and basketball. And it is important that I say them in that order. Family is the first thing we want to establish, a family environment, amongst our players, amongst our staff, and amongst our program as a whole. I truly believe to maximize the potential of all our players, our staff members, and our program as a whole, there has to be a family environment where people can feel comfortable, accountable, and where they can be challenged to be the best version of themselves. That will be the first thing we start working on, and we already started in our meeting with our players this morning. I come from an academic family that pounded the importance of education in my head at an early age and because they did that our players will get pounded upside the head with it as well. Getting it a degree is not enough. They need come in as young ladies and leave as young women. In their four years they need to master a level of knowledge in their chosen field or major and gain a great sense of confidence in who they are and what they have earned in their four years at Eastern Michigan. I want to make sure they not only survive in the real world, but that they excel. Finally, basketball. The irony is if you take care of family and academics, basketball will take care of itself."
Castro comes to Ypsilanti following a three year stint in Seattle as an assistant coach with the Huskies, in which Washington posted a 69-35 record and a trip to the 2016 NCAA Tournament Final Four. He worked with the guards and acted as the team's offensive coordinator as the Huskies defeated 14 top-25 programs during his tenure.
A storybook 2015-16 campaign saw Washington post a 26-11 record and the program's first Final Four appearance. Dealing with a short bench due to injuries, the Huskies utilized a six-woman rotation as it tore through the NCAA Tournament, including beating No. 4 Stanford, 85–76, to win the South Regional. Washington finished the year ranked in the top 50 in 11 statistical categories including: free throws made (521 - 6th), free throw percentage (78.0% - 6th), three-pointers made (271 - 17th) and rebounds (1,437 - 23rd).
"Our teams will be tough," Castro added. "Our teams will be disciplined. Our teams will be passionate on the floor and we will be incredibly selfless on the offensive end. It will be a brand of basketball that you are incredibly proud to call Eastern Michigan women's basketball."
Stay connected with everything EMU women's basketball on EMUEagles.com as Castro assembles his staff.
Watch the Press Conference.
Watch Castro's Interview on All-Access.
YPSILANTI, Mich. (EMUEagles.com) – Eastern Michigan University Vice President/Director of Intercollegiate Athletics Heather Lyke made the move to hire former University of Washington Assistant Coach Fred Castro, Thursday, May 5. Castro was introduced as the head man of the EMU women's basketball team Monday morning, May 9, at a press conference held at University House.
EMU Interim President Dr. Donald Loppnow was extremely enthusiastic about the hiring of Castro. He felt as though Castro has the tools to lead the Eagles going forward.
"We are very pleased to be welcoming our new women's basketball coach, Fred Castro," Dr. Loppnow stated. "The institution's 167-year history has been one of outstanding academics and a variety of academic programs but also co-curricular and collaborative activities that intercollegiate athletics brings to the rich fiber of our institution and we welcome Fred as he continues to carry on the rich traditions of our athletic programs. In particular, what has been a very successful women's program that we know Fred will take to new heights. We very much welcome Fred to the community of the EMU Eagles and his coaching experience that he bring to us."
Lyke displayed that she is equally enthused and confident in Castro. The third-year director of athletics set the tone for the excitement about the hiring of Castro and the future of EMU women's basketball at the beginning of Monday's event.
"Fred knows something about finishing number one," Lyke said. "He finished number one in his aviation class at the University of Oklahoma, which is quite outstanding. Finishing number one in anything is exactly what we aspire to do and not just in academics but in our athletic world too."
A rising star in the coaching world, the 36-year old Castro has spent the past 15 years climbing the ranks from student manager to now the eighth head coach in EMU program history. During his career, he has worked tirelessly to learn and has held nearly every position within a women's basketball program including serving as offensive coordinator, recruiting coordinator, video coordinator, and travel coordinator.
"He really chose to follow his passion, which is impacting young people through the game of basketball," Lyke added. "Fred is someone who grew up in the business. He started as a women's basketball practice player. The reality was, he grew up and recognized what women's basketball is, what college athletics is, and knew he had a chance to make an impact. He has been a part of championship programs and knows what it looks like and has seen the game and the program and knowing the extensive experience that he has and seeing it from different lenses, really gives him an unbelievable opportunity to be prepared and lead our program. I cannot wait to see Coach Castro in action as he leads our program and our team as he builds champions on the court and in the classroom."
Castro has been a part of 10 squads that have participated in the postseason since the 2001-02 campaign, including a pair of trips to the NCAA Tournament Final Four. In 15 years of coaching, his teams have combined to post a 317-171 record (.650 winning percentage) and eight seasons of 20-or-more victories.
"It's about the relationships that we build with these players and continuing to have those relationships," Castro stated. "My vision for this program is based on three simple things: family, academics, and basketball. And it is important that I say them in that order. Family is the first thing we want to establish, a family environment, amongst our players, amongst our staff, and amongst our program as a whole. I truly believe to maximize the potential of all our players, our staff members, and our program as a whole, there has to be a family environment where people can feel comfortable, accountable, and where they can be challenged to be the best version of themselves. That will be the first thing we start working on, and we already started in our meeting with our players this morning. I come from an academic family that pounded the importance of education in my head at an early age and because they did that our players will get pounded upside the head with it as well. Getting it a degree is not enough. They need come in as young ladies and leave as young women. In their four years they need to master a level of knowledge in their chosen field or major and gain a great sense of confidence in who they are and what they have earned in their four years at Eastern Michigan. I want to make sure they not only survive in the real world, but that they excel. Finally, basketball. The irony is if you take care of family and academics, basketball will take care of itself."
Castro comes to Ypsilanti following a three year stint in Seattle as an assistant coach with the Huskies, in which Washington posted a 69-35 record and a trip to the 2016 NCAA Tournament Final Four. He worked with the guards and acted as the team's offensive coordinator as the Huskies defeated 14 top-25 programs during his tenure.
A storybook 2015-16 campaign saw Washington post a 26-11 record and the program's first Final Four appearance. Dealing with a short bench due to injuries, the Huskies utilized a six-woman rotation as it tore through the NCAA Tournament, including beating No. 4 Stanford, 85–76, to win the South Regional. Washington finished the year ranked in the top 50 in 11 statistical categories including: free throws made (521 - 6th), free throw percentage (78.0% - 6th), three-pointers made (271 - 17th) and rebounds (1,437 - 23rd).
"Our teams will be tough," Castro added. "Our teams will be disciplined. Our teams will be passionate on the floor and we will be incredibly selfless on the offensive end. It will be a brand of basketball that you are incredibly proud to call Eastern Michigan women's basketball."
Stay connected with everything EMU women's basketball on EMUEagles.com as Castro assembles his staff.
Eastern WBB Beats Bowling Green, 86-76: Head Coach Sahar Nusseibeh Post-game Interview
Wednesday, December 31
WBB Highlights vs. Bowling Green
Wednesday, December 31
Fernanda Ovalle Career-Highs 22 points and Five Assists at Ball State Highlights
Saturday, December 20
That time of year again!🔒😤
Thursday, December 18