Eastern Michigan Athletics
T.J. Lang Commits $500,000 to EMU Athletics
4/12/2017 11:38:00 AM | Football, General, Eastern Athletic Fund
It matches the third largest cash pledge in the history of EMU Athletics
YPSILANTI, Mich. (EMUEagles.com) — A $500,000 gift to the Eastern Michigan University Department of Athletics will support the Championship Building Plan, an innovative community engagement program, as well as impact the University's more than 500 student-athletes with facility enhancements. The gift, from Champions Advisory Board member, EMU Football alumnus, and guard for the Detroit Lions, T.J. Lang, matches the third largest cash pledge ever received by EMU Athletics.
Lang is a 2009 graduate of Eastern Michigan University. He was a football student-athlete who started his career (2005) on the defensive line and then moved to the offensive line (2006) his sophomore year. Once he made the move, he started 36 consecutive games at offensive tackle for the Eagles, earning second-team All-Mid-American Conference honors his senior year (2008).
Lang was selected in the fourth round of the 2009 NFL Draft by the Green Bay Packers, as the 109th overall player. From 2009-16, Lang started 94 games on the offensive line and won Super Bowl XLV when the Packers defeated the Pittsburgh Steelers, 31-25. A 2016 Pro Bowl honoree, Lang most recently became a free agent and signed a three year deal with his hometown team, the Lions.
"My family and I are excited to have the opportunity to give back to Eastern Michigan Athletics," said Lang. "Eastern Michigan gave me the opportunity to receive a great education and fulfill my dream of playing in the National Football League. The Championship Building Plan will have a huge impact on all EMU student-athletes. I think it is important to always take care of those who took care of you and I'm excited to continue my involvement with the University for years to come."
EMU has developed a comprehensive and transformative vision to enhance academic opportunities, improve health and well-being for all students, and update athletic facilities to positively impact the University. The intercollegiate athletics component to enhance facilities, titled the Championship Building Plan, will consolidate department infrastructure, create academic opportunities, and strengthen student, fan, community and alumni experiences.
As permanent recognition of the Lang's generosity, the Strength & Conditioning room within the Power2Change Center will be named the "Thomas J Lang Strength & Conditioning Center". The vision will help unite nearly all of EMU Athletics on the University's West Campus with upgrades planned for training, practice, and competition for student-athletes. The project would be the first major athletics facility enhancement designed to enrich nearly every one of EMU's 21 varsity teams since the Convocation Center was completed in 1998.
"T.J. has been an active member of our Champions Advisory Board and has help us develop the championship building plan," remarked Interim Director of Athletics Christian Spears. "Now, T.J. has invested in the future of Eastern Michigan and has honored his experience at EMU by giving back to his alma mater. We are so grateful to him for his gift and for his leadership and we cannot wait to welcome him home this fall as a Detroit Lion."
The Championship Building Plan is pending approval by the EMU Board of Regents. Further details and renderings will continue to be made public as they become available.
Lang is a 2009 graduate of Eastern Michigan University. He was a football student-athlete who started his career (2005) on the defensive line and then moved to the offensive line (2006) his sophomore year. Once he made the move, he started 36 consecutive games at offensive tackle for the Eagles, earning second-team All-Mid-American Conference honors his senior year (2008).
Lang was selected in the fourth round of the 2009 NFL Draft by the Green Bay Packers, as the 109th overall player. From 2009-16, Lang started 94 games on the offensive line and won Super Bowl XLV when the Packers defeated the Pittsburgh Steelers, 31-25. A 2016 Pro Bowl honoree, Lang most recently became a free agent and signed a three year deal with his hometown team, the Lions.
"My family and I are excited to have the opportunity to give back to Eastern Michigan Athletics," said Lang. "Eastern Michigan gave me the opportunity to receive a great education and fulfill my dream of playing in the National Football League. The Championship Building Plan will have a huge impact on all EMU student-athletes. I think it is important to always take care of those who took care of you and I'm excited to continue my involvement with the University for years to come."
EMU has developed a comprehensive and transformative vision to enhance academic opportunities, improve health and well-being for all students, and update athletic facilities to positively impact the University. The intercollegiate athletics component to enhance facilities, titled the Championship Building Plan, will consolidate department infrastructure, create academic opportunities, and strengthen student, fan, community and alumni experiences.
As permanent recognition of the Lang's generosity, the Strength & Conditioning room within the Power2Change Center will be named the "Thomas J Lang Strength & Conditioning Center". The vision will help unite nearly all of EMU Athletics on the University's West Campus with upgrades planned for training, practice, and competition for student-athletes. The project would be the first major athletics facility enhancement designed to enrich nearly every one of EMU's 21 varsity teams since the Convocation Center was completed in 1998.
"T.J. has been an active member of our Champions Advisory Board and has help us develop the championship building plan," remarked Interim Director of Athletics Christian Spears. "Now, T.J. has invested in the future of Eastern Michigan and has honored his experience at EMU by giving back to his alma mater. We are so grateful to him for his gift and for his leadership and we cannot wait to welcome him home this fall as a Detroit Lion."
The Championship Building Plan is pending approval by the EMU Board of Regents. Further details and renderings will continue to be made public as they become available.
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