Eastern Michigan Athletics
Live From The LendingTree Bowl: Football Completes First Day in Mobile
12/14/2021 10:53:00 PM | Football
The team is off to a busy start ahead of its Saturday matchup with Liberty
LendingTree Bowl Photo Gallery | Day 1 Recap Video
MOBILE, Ala. (EMUEaglesc.com) – The Eastern Michigan University football team officially kicked off its 2021 LendingTree Bowl festivities today, Dec. 14, as it traveled to Mobile, Ala., the site of the contest, and completed multiple activities within the local scene.
Departing from Ypsilanti's Willow Run airport around 11 a.m. ET, each member of the EMU football team, joined by team personnel, University officials, and other official travel party members, enjoyed a 1:47 flight aboard a Boeing 767 400, which touched down in Mobile at about 11:45 a.m. CT.
After checking into the team hotel, which features a EMU-Green and White display of balloon arches, team branding, and a 10-foot-wide set of letting that spells "ETOUGH," in the lobby, the team enjoyed down time before changing and heading to the beach.
Dauphin Island, located approximately 30 miles south of Mobile, was the destination. There, the team enjoyed a few hours of beach time to usher in the week.
Time at the beach didn't excuse Head Coach Chris Creighton and seniors Thomas Odukoya (Almere, Netherlands-Helen Parkhurst (Garden City)) and Turan Rush (Charleston West Side, W. Va.-Capital (Antelope Valley)) from taking part in a welcome dinner and Q&A session at the local Heron Lakes Country Club.
The ceremony opened with remarks from both EMU Associate Athletic Director Greg Steiner, and Liberty Athletic Director Ian McCaw. Both spoke on their respective programs' gratefulness to take part in this week's contest before being presented with an honoree key to the city by Mobile mayor, Sandy Stimpson.
Following a meal, both programs' head coaches and student-athlete guests took the stage to answer questions and promote their teams.
The evening concluded back at the team hotel, where the LendingTree opened a hospitality suite for all players and staff members to enjoy games, late-night snacks, and camaraderie.
The Eagles will have a full slate of activities tomorrow, Dec. 15. The day kicks off bright and early for the EMU coaching and support staffs as tomorrow is also the Early Signing Period across the United States. Prospective student-athletes can begin signing National Letters of Intent beginning at 6 a.m. CT. EMU is expected to land a handful of highly-skilled additions for the 2022 season. The morning will also include a tour of Airbus' Mobile operation, where world-class aerospace products are assembled.
The afternoon means back-to-business for the team, who will participate in its first of two Mobile-based practices ahead of the matchup with Liberty.
Stay tuned to EMUEagles.com and @EMUFB on social media for updates throughout the day.
MOBILE, Ala. (EMUEaglesc.com) – The Eastern Michigan University football team officially kicked off its 2021 LendingTree Bowl festivities today, Dec. 14, as it traveled to Mobile, Ala., the site of the contest, and completed multiple activities within the local scene.
Departing from Ypsilanti's Willow Run airport around 11 a.m. ET, each member of the EMU football team, joined by team personnel, University officials, and other official travel party members, enjoyed a 1:47 flight aboard a Boeing 767 400, which touched down in Mobile at about 11:45 a.m. CT.
After checking into the team hotel, which features a EMU-Green and White display of balloon arches, team branding, and a 10-foot-wide set of letting that spells "ETOUGH," in the lobby, the team enjoyed down time before changing and heading to the beach.
Dauphin Island, located approximately 30 miles south of Mobile, was the destination. There, the team enjoyed a few hours of beach time to usher in the week.
Time at the beach didn't excuse Head Coach Chris Creighton and seniors Thomas Odukoya (Almere, Netherlands-Helen Parkhurst (Garden City)) and Turan Rush (Charleston West Side, W. Va.-Capital (Antelope Valley)) from taking part in a welcome dinner and Q&A session at the local Heron Lakes Country Club.
The ceremony opened with remarks from both EMU Associate Athletic Director Greg Steiner, and Liberty Athletic Director Ian McCaw. Both spoke on their respective programs' gratefulness to take part in this week's contest before being presented with an honoree key to the city by Mobile mayor, Sandy Stimpson.
Following a meal, both programs' head coaches and student-athlete guests took the stage to answer questions and promote their teams.
The evening concluded back at the team hotel, where the LendingTree opened a hospitality suite for all players and staff members to enjoy games, late-night snacks, and camaraderie.
The Eagles will have a full slate of activities tomorrow, Dec. 15. The day kicks off bright and early for the EMU coaching and support staffs as tomorrow is also the Early Signing Period across the United States. Prospective student-athletes can begin signing National Letters of Intent beginning at 6 a.m. CT. EMU is expected to land a handful of highly-skilled additions for the 2022 season. The morning will also include a tour of Airbus' Mobile operation, where world-class aerospace products are assembled.
The afternoon means back-to-business for the team, who will participate in its first of two Mobile-based practices ahead of the matchup with Liberty.
Stay tuned to EMUEagles.com and @EMUFB on social media for updates throughout the day.
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