Eastern Michigan Athletics
Eastern Michigan Welcomes Football Alumni for Homecoming Weekend
10/3/2024 2:00:00 PM | Football
Hall of Fame Coach Jim Harkema returns as the honorary coach for the game
Homecoming Events | Purchase Game Tickets
YPSILANTI, Mich. (EMUEagles.com) – As the Eastern Michigan University football team celebrates its best start in eight years, excitement is building for Homecoming Week, Oct. 15-19. EMU invites alumni, fans, and the entire community to join in the festivities leading up to its Homecoming game against Central Michigan University Saturday, Oct. 19, at 2 p.m. inside Rynearson Stadium.
With an impressive 4-1 start to the season, the Eagles are poised for a thrilling showdown against their in-state rivals. This marks only the second time since 2016 that the team has won four of its first five games.
Tickets for the game are now available at EMUEagles.com/tickets or by calling the EMU Ticket Office at 734.487.3669. Advanced single-game tickets start at $20, and group tickets for parties of 15 or more are available at just $8 per person.
Honoring Hall of Fame Coach Jim Harkema
EMU football is proud to welcome back E-Club Hall of Fame Coach Jim Harkema as the honorary coach for the Homecoming game. Harkema will be in attendance at the team's alumni breakfast and be honored on the field prior to the game.
A 1999 inductee into the E-Club Athletic Hall of Fame, Harkema enjoyed a successful 10-year career at EMU. He took over an EMU football program that had won just two games in three previous years and developed the program into one of the best in the Mid-American Conference, resulting in the best MAC won-lost record from 1986-89.
Harkema turned the team into a championship contender with his 1987 football squad reaching the top of the Mid-American Conference, capturing the first-ever league title and leading the team to a 30-27 upset win over a highly favored San Jose State University team in the California Bowl. That 1987 squad notched the most wins in school history with a 10-2 record and he was named MAC Coach of the Year for his efforts. He followed it up by directing the 1988 and 1989 teams to runner-up spots in the final league standings.
Before arriving in Ypsilanti, Harkema enjoyed an outstanding 10-year career as head football coach at Grand Valley State University where he posted a 68-29-1 record. Harkema was selected into the GVSU Athletic Hall of Fame in 1988 and he was in the inaugural class inducted into the Kalamazoo College Athletic Hall of Fame in 1986 where he was also recognized as a Distinguished Alumnus in 1992.
Football Alumni Breakfast – Saturday, Oct. 19
To kick off the Homecoming festivities, EMU football alumni are invited to a special Football Lettermen's Breakfast Saturday, Oct. 19, from 9 to 10:30 a.m. at the Ann Arbor Marriott Ypsilanti at Eagle Crest. This exclusive event offers former players a chance to reconnect, enjoy a full breakfast, and hear game-day strategies from the current coaching staff. With only 100 seats available, registration is required. The cost is $50 per person, with proceeds supporting the EMU Football program.
All-Sports Alumni Reunion – Saturday, Oct. 19
In addition to the football-specific events, EMU will host an All-Sports Alumni Reunion at Rynearson Stadium. This event is open to all former EMU student-athletes and coaches, providing a unique opportunity to reconnect with old teammates and relive the excitement of their playing days. The reunion will feature exclusive field-level access, complimentary food, two drink tickets, and premium seating in the south end zone. Tickets for the All-Sports Reunion are priced at $35 in advance, with prices increasing to $50 on game day. Don't miss this chance to gather with fellow Eagles and cheer the team to victory!
Homecoming History and Traditions
This year marks Eastern Michigan University's 103rd Homecoming celebration and the 96th Homecoming football game. Since its inception in 1920, Homecoming has been a time-honored tradition at EMU, originally known as Gala Days before adopting the Homecoming title in 1923. EMU has an all-time Homecoming record of 48-45-2, including last year's 24-10 win over Ball State.
For more information on all homecoming activities and to register for events, visit emich.edu/homecoming.
YPSILANTI, Mich. (EMUEagles.com) – As the Eastern Michigan University football team celebrates its best start in eight years, excitement is building for Homecoming Week, Oct. 15-19. EMU invites alumni, fans, and the entire community to join in the festivities leading up to its Homecoming game against Central Michigan University Saturday, Oct. 19, at 2 p.m. inside Rynearson Stadium.
With an impressive 4-1 start to the season, the Eagles are poised for a thrilling showdown against their in-state rivals. This marks only the second time since 2016 that the team has won four of its first five games.
Tickets for the game are now available at EMUEagles.com/tickets or by calling the EMU Ticket Office at 734.487.3669. Advanced single-game tickets start at $20, and group tickets for parties of 15 or more are available at just $8 per person.
Honoring Hall of Fame Coach Jim Harkema
EMU football is proud to welcome back E-Club Hall of Fame Coach Jim Harkema as the honorary coach for the Homecoming game. Harkema will be in attendance at the team's alumni breakfast and be honored on the field prior to the game.
A 1999 inductee into the E-Club Athletic Hall of Fame, Harkema enjoyed a successful 10-year career at EMU. He took over an EMU football program that had won just two games in three previous years and developed the program into one of the best in the Mid-American Conference, resulting in the best MAC won-lost record from 1986-89.
Harkema turned the team into a championship contender with his 1987 football squad reaching the top of the Mid-American Conference, capturing the first-ever league title and leading the team to a 30-27 upset win over a highly favored San Jose State University team in the California Bowl. That 1987 squad notched the most wins in school history with a 10-2 record and he was named MAC Coach of the Year for his efforts. He followed it up by directing the 1988 and 1989 teams to runner-up spots in the final league standings.
Before arriving in Ypsilanti, Harkema enjoyed an outstanding 10-year career as head football coach at Grand Valley State University where he posted a 68-29-1 record. Harkema was selected into the GVSU Athletic Hall of Fame in 1988 and he was in the inaugural class inducted into the Kalamazoo College Athletic Hall of Fame in 1986 where he was also recognized as a Distinguished Alumnus in 1992.
Football Alumni Breakfast – Saturday, Oct. 19
To kick off the Homecoming festivities, EMU football alumni are invited to a special Football Lettermen's Breakfast Saturday, Oct. 19, from 9 to 10:30 a.m. at the Ann Arbor Marriott Ypsilanti at Eagle Crest. This exclusive event offers former players a chance to reconnect, enjoy a full breakfast, and hear game-day strategies from the current coaching staff. With only 100 seats available, registration is required. The cost is $50 per person, with proceeds supporting the EMU Football program.
All-Sports Alumni Reunion – Saturday, Oct. 19
In addition to the football-specific events, EMU will host an All-Sports Alumni Reunion at Rynearson Stadium. This event is open to all former EMU student-athletes and coaches, providing a unique opportunity to reconnect with old teammates and relive the excitement of their playing days. The reunion will feature exclusive field-level access, complimentary food, two drink tickets, and premium seating in the south end zone. Tickets for the All-Sports Reunion are priced at $35 in advance, with prices increasing to $50 on game day. Don't miss this chance to gather with fellow Eagles and cheer the team to victory!
Homecoming History and Traditions
This year marks Eastern Michigan University's 103rd Homecoming celebration and the 96th Homecoming football game. Since its inception in 1920, Homecoming has been a time-honored tradition at EMU, originally known as Gala Days before adopting the Homecoming title in 1923. EMU has an all-time Homecoming record of 48-45-2, including last year's 24-10 win over Ball State.
For more information on all homecoming activities and to register for events, visit emich.edu/homecoming.
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