Eastern Michigan Athletics
Ben Braun to Have Name Added to Gervin GameAbove Center Court
10/19/2023 3:48:00 PM | Men's Basketball, General
Celebration to be held Saturday, Nov. 18, prior to the men's basketball game versus Cleveland State
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YPSILANTI, Mich. (EMUEagles.com) – Ben Braun accumulated 185 victories, three Mid-American Conference Regular Season Championships, three MAC Tournament titles, three NCAA Tournament selections, three MAC Coach of the Year trophies, and a 106-35 home record in his 11 seasons as the head men's basketball coach at Eastern Michigan University.
To honor his distinguished and successful career, EMU's basketball teams will begin competing this November on Ben Braun Court inside the George Gervin GameAbove Center.
EMU Vice President/Director of Athletics Scott Wetherbee and the Department of Athletics announced today, Oct. 19, that a fundraising campaign to honor Braun has crossed its goal. More than 50 donors have contributed more than $250,000 toward the effort. Thanks to the overwhelming response, Eastern Michigan will celebrate Braun and unveil the court before the team's Nov. 18 game against Cleveland State University. Game time is scheduled for 1 p.m. For tickets, call 734.487.3669 or visit EMUEagles.com/tickets.
"Ben has made an incredible impact and contribution to Eastern basketball and the University," said Wetherbee. "This is a fitting tribute to one of the all-time great coaches and people to be associated with EMU. Furthermore, I cannot thank enough the EMU Board of Regents, Emeritus Regent Roy Wilbanks, and the donors who stepped forward to make this court naming possible."
One of the winningest Division I coaches, Braun has more than 30 years of head coaching experience and has had unequaled success everywhere he coached. He finished his coaching career in 2014 with 615 victories. He ranks No. 61 in the NCAA's list of all-time winningest Division I men's basketball coaches by victories. Furthermore, he led eight teams to the NCAA Tournament, four to the NIT, and one to the CBI.
"I am greatly honored for the recognition of having my name on the basketball court at Eastern Michigan University," added Braun. "There are many student-athletes, coaches, fans, and alumni who were instrumental to our program and its development through the years and all greatly deserve credit for the success we shared. I'm very blessed to have been the head basketball coach and a proud member of the Ypsilanti community during my tenure at EMU. I hope we can continue building the athletic tradition we have established not only in basketball but in all sports at Eastern Michigan University."
Braun accepted the position of associate head coach at Eastern Michigan prior to the start of the 1985-86 season, but midway through the year, on Jan. 15, 1986, he was elevated to interim head coach. Success came quickly; within two years, he had the Eagles in the NCAA Tournament for the first time in school history.
In his 10+ seasons as EMU head coach, he led Eastern to arguably its most successful decade, finishing as the winningest head coach in program history with a 185-132 record. During his tenure, he was named MAC Coach of the Year three times (1987-88, 1990-91, 1995-96), directed the men's basketball team to multiple Mid-American Conference Regular Season and MAC Tournament Championships (1987-88, 1990-91, 1995-96), and led EMU to three NCAA postseason tournament appearances (1987-88, 1990-91, 1995-96), including a 'Sweet 16' appearance in 1990-91.
Braun's teams earned 10 wins against "Power Five" and other premier opponents – including Duke, Penn State, Mississippi State, Wisconsin, Michigan State, Rutgers, Colorado, Washington State, and Texas Tech – while dominating traditional rivals Western Michigan, Central Michigan, and Toledo with a record of 50-19. Subsequent to beating Duke Head Coach Mike Krzyzewski, one of the greatest coaches in basketball history said, "I've been impressed with Ben for a long time. He has such high personal standards as a coach...and a special appreciation for the game of basketball. His teams are not only fundamentally sound, but they are smart." From a legendary coach, there is no higher praise in basketball.
Braun ranks 12th in league history with a .572 winning percentage (174-130) and 15th in conference-only winning percentage at 103-79 (.556). The only coach in EMU postseason history to win an NCAA Tournament game, he finished his tenure 3-3 in NCAA Tournament games.
Prior to taking over in Ypsilanti, Braun coached at Siena Heights College for eight years and took the NAIA school to a 148-103 record and five postseason tournaments.
After leaving Eastern, Braun took the University of California Golden Bears to a 202-138 record, establishing the school record for the most postseason appearances and postseason victories. He also coached at Rice University and currently does commentary on ESPN, PAC-12 Network, and NBC Sports.
All told, Braun coached 24 players who were drafted or went on to play in the NBA. Among this list includes six former EMU players Grant Long, Charles Thomas, Carl Thomas, Marcus Kennedy, Earl Boykins, and Derrick Dial.
Furthermore, Braun is on a short list of NCAA coaches who have had a large number of former assistants and players advance professionally to become head coaches. The list of active head coaches to play or work for Braun include Missouri's Dennis Gates, Portland's Shantay Legans, Duquesne's Keith Dambrot, UC Santa Barbara's Joe Pasternack, Idaho's Alex Pribble, Cal State San Bernardino's Gus Argenal, City College of San Francisco's Justin Labagh, Georgia Tech's Damon Stoudamire, Cleary's Carl Thomas, and Eastern Michigan's Stan Heath.
In 1996, he was inducted into the Michigan Jewish Sports Foundation Hall of Fame, followed by Siena Heights University's Hall of Fame in 1999, and EMU's E-Club Hall of Fame in 2005. Additionally, Braun was also chosen as the head coach of the United States team at the Maccabiah Games in Israel in 1989 and brought home a silver medal.
To celebrate, Eastern Michigan is turning back the clock to celebrate the Ben Braun era and his legacy with the program for the Nov. 18 contest. For the game, fans will be able to purchase the "Ben Braun Ticket Package" that celebrates the team's historic run to the "Sweet 16" during the 1990-91 season. In the package, fans will receive a ticket to the Nov. 18 game as well as a limited edition 1991 Eastern Michigan Basketball Replica Jersey, all for the price of $19.91. Fans and season ticket holders who already have tickets to the game can purchase the jersey for $10 by contacting the Ticket Office at 734.487.3669. The package is only available to the first 250 fans who purchase.
In addition, all former Eastern Michigan Basketball players can enjoy 50 percent off reserved seating for the game. All players who would like to purchase can contact the EMU Ticket Office at 734.487.3669 or use the Promo Code: LEGACY.
Fans are encouraged to arrive early as the court dedication will take place prior to the start of Eastern's game against Cleveland State and at the game, fans can enjoy a celebration of the 1990's era of EMU and EMU Basketball along with 1990's culture.
As part of the Legacy Day celebration and the second game of the doubleheader with Southern Illinois University Edwardsville (SIUE), the EMU women's basketball team will host youth and high school teams, as they look forward to the next generation of Eastern Michigan basketball. Tip-off is scheduled for approximately 3:30 or 30 minutes after the men's game concludes. Teams who are interested in attending can register by e-mailing athletic_marketing@emich.edu.
YPSILANTI, Mich. (EMUEagles.com) – Ben Braun accumulated 185 victories, three Mid-American Conference Regular Season Championships, three MAC Tournament titles, three NCAA Tournament selections, three MAC Coach of the Year trophies, and a 106-35 home record in his 11 seasons as the head men's basketball coach at Eastern Michigan University.
To honor his distinguished and successful career, EMU's basketball teams will begin competing this November on Ben Braun Court inside the George Gervin GameAbove Center.
EMU Vice President/Director of Athletics Scott Wetherbee and the Department of Athletics announced today, Oct. 19, that a fundraising campaign to honor Braun has crossed its goal. More than 50 donors have contributed more than $250,000 toward the effort. Thanks to the overwhelming response, Eastern Michigan will celebrate Braun and unveil the court before the team's Nov. 18 game against Cleveland State University. Game time is scheduled for 1 p.m. For tickets, call 734.487.3669 or visit EMUEagles.com/tickets.
"Ben has made an incredible impact and contribution to Eastern basketball and the University," said Wetherbee. "This is a fitting tribute to one of the all-time great coaches and people to be associated with EMU. Furthermore, I cannot thank enough the EMU Board of Regents, Emeritus Regent Roy Wilbanks, and the donors who stepped forward to make this court naming possible."
One of the winningest Division I coaches, Braun has more than 30 years of head coaching experience and has had unequaled success everywhere he coached. He finished his coaching career in 2014 with 615 victories. He ranks No. 61 in the NCAA's list of all-time winningest Division I men's basketball coaches by victories. Furthermore, he led eight teams to the NCAA Tournament, four to the NIT, and one to the CBI.
"I am greatly honored for the recognition of having my name on the basketball court at Eastern Michigan University," added Braun. "There are many student-athletes, coaches, fans, and alumni who were instrumental to our program and its development through the years and all greatly deserve credit for the success we shared. I'm very blessed to have been the head basketball coach and a proud member of the Ypsilanti community during my tenure at EMU. I hope we can continue building the athletic tradition we have established not only in basketball but in all sports at Eastern Michigan University."
Braun accepted the position of associate head coach at Eastern Michigan prior to the start of the 1985-86 season, but midway through the year, on Jan. 15, 1986, he was elevated to interim head coach. Success came quickly; within two years, he had the Eagles in the NCAA Tournament for the first time in school history.
In his 10+ seasons as EMU head coach, he led Eastern to arguably its most successful decade, finishing as the winningest head coach in program history with a 185-132 record. During his tenure, he was named MAC Coach of the Year three times (1987-88, 1990-91, 1995-96), directed the men's basketball team to multiple Mid-American Conference Regular Season and MAC Tournament Championships (1987-88, 1990-91, 1995-96), and led EMU to three NCAA postseason tournament appearances (1987-88, 1990-91, 1995-96), including a 'Sweet 16' appearance in 1990-91.
Braun's teams earned 10 wins against "Power Five" and other premier opponents – including Duke, Penn State, Mississippi State, Wisconsin, Michigan State, Rutgers, Colorado, Washington State, and Texas Tech – while dominating traditional rivals Western Michigan, Central Michigan, and Toledo with a record of 50-19. Subsequent to beating Duke Head Coach Mike Krzyzewski, one of the greatest coaches in basketball history said, "I've been impressed with Ben for a long time. He has such high personal standards as a coach...and a special appreciation for the game of basketball. His teams are not only fundamentally sound, but they are smart." From a legendary coach, there is no higher praise in basketball.
Braun ranks 12th in league history with a .572 winning percentage (174-130) and 15th in conference-only winning percentage at 103-79 (.556). The only coach in EMU postseason history to win an NCAA Tournament game, he finished his tenure 3-3 in NCAA Tournament games.
Prior to taking over in Ypsilanti, Braun coached at Siena Heights College for eight years and took the NAIA school to a 148-103 record and five postseason tournaments.
After leaving Eastern, Braun took the University of California Golden Bears to a 202-138 record, establishing the school record for the most postseason appearances and postseason victories. He also coached at Rice University and currently does commentary on ESPN, PAC-12 Network, and NBC Sports.
All told, Braun coached 24 players who were drafted or went on to play in the NBA. Among this list includes six former EMU players Grant Long, Charles Thomas, Carl Thomas, Marcus Kennedy, Earl Boykins, and Derrick Dial.
Furthermore, Braun is on a short list of NCAA coaches who have had a large number of former assistants and players advance professionally to become head coaches. The list of active head coaches to play or work for Braun include Missouri's Dennis Gates, Portland's Shantay Legans, Duquesne's Keith Dambrot, UC Santa Barbara's Joe Pasternack, Idaho's Alex Pribble, Cal State San Bernardino's Gus Argenal, City College of San Francisco's Justin Labagh, Georgia Tech's Damon Stoudamire, Cleary's Carl Thomas, and Eastern Michigan's Stan Heath.
In 1996, he was inducted into the Michigan Jewish Sports Foundation Hall of Fame, followed by Siena Heights University's Hall of Fame in 1999, and EMU's E-Club Hall of Fame in 2005. Additionally, Braun was also chosen as the head coach of the United States team at the Maccabiah Games in Israel in 1989 and brought home a silver medal.
To celebrate, Eastern Michigan is turning back the clock to celebrate the Ben Braun era and his legacy with the program for the Nov. 18 contest. For the game, fans will be able to purchase the "Ben Braun Ticket Package" that celebrates the team's historic run to the "Sweet 16" during the 1990-91 season. In the package, fans will receive a ticket to the Nov. 18 game as well as a limited edition 1991 Eastern Michigan Basketball Replica Jersey, all for the price of $19.91. Fans and season ticket holders who already have tickets to the game can purchase the jersey for $10 by contacting the Ticket Office at 734.487.3669. The package is only available to the first 250 fans who purchase.
In addition, all former Eastern Michigan Basketball players can enjoy 50 percent off reserved seating for the game. All players who would like to purchase can contact the EMU Ticket Office at 734.487.3669 or use the Promo Code: LEGACY.
Fans are encouraged to arrive early as the court dedication will take place prior to the start of Eastern's game against Cleveland State and at the game, fans can enjoy a celebration of the 1990's era of EMU and EMU Basketball along with 1990's culture.
As part of the Legacy Day celebration and the second game of the doubleheader with Southern Illinois University Edwardsville (SIUE), the EMU women's basketball team will host youth and high school teams, as they look forward to the next generation of Eastern Michigan basketball. Tip-off is scheduled for approximately 3:30 or 30 minutes after the men's game concludes. Teams who are interested in attending can register by e-mailing athletic_marketing@emich.edu.
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