Eastern Michigan Athletics
Eastern Insider Podcast - Season 8 - Episode 13
11/17/2025 5:21:00 PM | Football, Swimming & Diving, General
Lucy Noble’s Story and Chris Creighton’s Milestone Reflections
Click Here to Listen Now!
YPSILANTI, Mich. (EMUEagles.com) -- The Eastern Insider Podcast Powered by DTE opened its latest episode with a loose back-and-forth that mixed schedule talk, game stakes, and a few unexpected detours. Co-hosts Greg Steiner and Elena Davis set the tone with a light exchange before turning to a busy stretch for Eastern Michigan sports.
"We know it is a big week because of several reasons," Steiner said at the top of the show. He noted National Butter Day. He also pointed out the release week for "Wicked," a topic that launched a playful argument.
"I have Wicked nails on right now. I am a Wicked fan," Davis said.
Steiner admitted limited knowledge. "It is like the spinoff to the Wizard of Oz, right?" he said. Davis pushed back. "No, it is the whole story behind the Wizard of Oz." The joking debate carried on until both hosts agreed to move forward.
Steiner then shifted to the episode's real focus. He highlighted the milestone victory earned by head football coach Chris Creighton. "When you get number 200 on your coaching career in terms of a victory, that is good enough," Steiner said. Creighton became the 38th FBS coach to reach that mark. Davis recalled how different Creighton appeared after the final whistle. "I am almost offended he was emotional with you, but when I asked him the question," she said. Steiner explained the timing. "He had gotten done coaching a football game," he said. "He is walking off the field. He is hugging people."
The game also featured the return of the Crush the Cardinal Trophy. The rivalry trophy stays with Eastern Michigan. "It never goes in the hands of Ball State because it is not a crush the Eagle," Steiner said.
The hosts reviewed the Ball State win before turning toward the next matchup. They noted Eastern Michigan's 10-day layoff before facing Western Michigan. They also explained promotional details for the home finale. "If you have not done it yet, it is the five-dollar fill-up coming up next Tuesday," Steiner said.
Davis asked follow-up questions about the MAC standings. The two walked through possible outcomes for the Broncos, including television-driven scheduling choices. Steiner said weeknight national broadcasts draw strong interest. "You will see 300 thousand, 400 thousand, 700 thousand people tune in for games depending on what channel," he said.
Basketball updates followed. Steiner reviewed the men's loss at Indiana and upcoming games against Detroit Mercy and Oakland. Davis detailed the women's road win at St. Thomas. "They have equaled their win total from all of last year," she said. She highlighted the challenge ahead at Purdue Fort Wayne. Steiner added schedule context and noted the road-heavy start to the women's season.
The episode then previewed the feature interview with EMU swimmer and diver Lucy Noble. Davis described Noble as "awesome" and praised her leadership as a junior captain. She shared Noble's story about life as a lifeguard in Florida. "She literally saved a family of four before," Davis said. Their conversation also explored the logistics of living in a house with 14 teammates. "I do not know if I could do that," Davis said.
Segment 1 - Lucy Noble
Junior swimmer Lucy Noble holds a full schedule at Eastern Michigan University, yet she keeps a steady routine in the pool and behind a camera. During a recent Eastern Insider Podcast episode with host Elena Davis, Noble shared how she manages a demanding workload with honesty and calm focus.
She splits her days between practices, classes, and athletics office hours. She also films as many home events as possible. "Working with athletics, they have given me a lot of leeway in terms of my schedule," Noble said. "I am always able to come in for my office hours between practices and then I make it to any home game I can. They are understanding when I am unable."
Her film work began at age 11 after receiving a GoPro. She grew up in Florida and spent hours shooting surf footage for friends. She later joined a TV production program, led a school club, anchored news segments, and filmed Friday night football. "I started filming surfing back home in Florida, and I got a GoPro for Christmas when I was like 11," she said. "Then I started using my mom's camera and filming all my friends who were competitive surfers."
Her move from Florida to Michigan surprised many, including Davis. Noble wanted a new environment with seasons and a different pace. "I knew I did not want to stay in Florida," she said. "I wanted to experience something different. I knew Eastern was somewhere where I would see the four seasons. Seeing the snow was exciting."
Noble found Eastern through SwimCloud, a recruiting site for swimmers. She expressed her interest, spoke with head coach Derek Perkins, and later took a visit. "I came on a visit and fell in love," she said.
Her swimming story began long before her camera work. She joined a summer league at age seven, shifted to year-round training at nine, and mixed sports through middle school and early high school. Surfing and lifeguard work shaped her time near the water. She recalled one rescue from her lifeguard years that stayed with her. At 16, she pulled a family of four from a rip current during a busy holiday weekend. "The dad was holding his infant up over his head," she said. "I had to get them all on the buoy and pull all four of them in by myself."
At Eastern, she values the team bond and the close community across athletics. "Eastern is like a family," she said. "I come into the athletics buildings and I know almost every face I see." She lives with eight teammates and often helps with recruiting calls. Her captain's role relies on steady habits. "I like to lead by example," she said. "I do what I want to see others do."
Training under Perkins includes a new zone-based plan. Power work, weight room sessions, and short sprint sets support her freestyle and breaststroke events. "Power training and weight room training have helped me improve since I got here," she said.
Noble ended on a lighter note with a Thanksgiving favorite. "Stuffing," she said without hesitation. "I love stuffing."
Segment 2 - Chris Creighton
Eastern Michigan head coach Chris Creighton tried to keep the focus on his team after Saturday's win, but the moment would not stay small. When the Eagles secured a road victory, Director of Athletics Scott Wetherbee stepped forward with a game ball to mark Creighton's 200th career win as a head coach. The gesture prompted the veteran coach to pause, reflect, and acknowledge the reach of nearly three decades on the sideline.
"I do not want it to be a big deal," Creighton said on the Eastern Insider Podcast Powered by DTE. "At the same time, it is a big deal because it makes me think of all the people I have been on this journey with."
Creighton's path to 200 wins began long before his tenure at Eastern Michigan. His career has spanned multiple institutions and divisions, from his early stops at Wabash and Ottawa to the rebuild that transformed EMU into a competitive Mid-American Conference program. He has coached through budget challenges, roster turnover, and historic victories, often stressing development and connection over results.
That theme surfaced throughout the conversation. Creighton pointed out a former Wabash player who delivered the team's chapel message the night before the game. A former college teammate attended the game. Other former players and assistants reached out. One colleague reminded him he had also been on hand for win No. 100.
"It gets me thankful," Creighton said. "Coaches, players, administration, all of them have allowed me to be the head of these programs. In this game, more than any other, you cannot do anything by yourself."
The milestone arrived during one of Eastern Michigan's strongest defensive stretches of the season. The Eagles held an opponent under 250 total yards for the second straight week, a sharp turnaround from early-season struggles with tackling and explosive plays. The staff made schematic adjustments, and players responded with a more disciplined approach.
"Defense came up big," Creighton said. "Fourth down stops, sudden change, holding those guys to field goals, not giving up a touchdown. We talk about playing our best football in November, and we are playing better."
Offensively, Eastern Michigan controlled the game with sustained drives and improved efficiency. Quarterback Noah Kim found rhythm early, and the offense maintained possession in key moments of the second half. The third quarter left the staff wanting more, particularly with the wind in their favor, but the overall approach delivered field position and clock management.
Special teams also shaped the outcome. Heavy wind complicated the kicking game, yet kicker Rudy Kessinger connected on a field goal into the gusts. Punter Mitchell Tomasek drove a 50-yard effort that forced a fair catch.
"Those were big-time football plays and we needed them," Creighton said.
The victory represented Eastern Michigan's first road win of the season. The opponent entered the game 4-0 at home, a point Creighton emphasized early in the week to underline the challenge.
"We had white jerseys on and we won one," he said. "It felt good."
The program now enters a 10-day break before its final regular-season game. The staff will balance rest, recruiting, and senior traditions while emphasizing the fleeting nature of college careers.
"This is your last college road game, your last college road trip," Creighton said. "Some of those guys took a moment. We are going to take advantage of every day and realize how special this opportunity is."
YPSILANTI, Mich. (EMUEagles.com) -- The Eastern Insider Podcast Powered by DTE opened its latest episode with a loose back-and-forth that mixed schedule talk, game stakes, and a few unexpected detours. Co-hosts Greg Steiner and Elena Davis set the tone with a light exchange before turning to a busy stretch for Eastern Michigan sports.
"We know it is a big week because of several reasons," Steiner said at the top of the show. He noted National Butter Day. He also pointed out the release week for "Wicked," a topic that launched a playful argument.
"I have Wicked nails on right now. I am a Wicked fan," Davis said.
Steiner admitted limited knowledge. "It is like the spinoff to the Wizard of Oz, right?" he said. Davis pushed back. "No, it is the whole story behind the Wizard of Oz." The joking debate carried on until both hosts agreed to move forward.
Steiner then shifted to the episode's real focus. He highlighted the milestone victory earned by head football coach Chris Creighton. "When you get number 200 on your coaching career in terms of a victory, that is good enough," Steiner said. Creighton became the 38th FBS coach to reach that mark. Davis recalled how different Creighton appeared after the final whistle. "I am almost offended he was emotional with you, but when I asked him the question," she said. Steiner explained the timing. "He had gotten done coaching a football game," he said. "He is walking off the field. He is hugging people."
The game also featured the return of the Crush the Cardinal Trophy. The rivalry trophy stays with Eastern Michigan. "It never goes in the hands of Ball State because it is not a crush the Eagle," Steiner said.
The hosts reviewed the Ball State win before turning toward the next matchup. They noted Eastern Michigan's 10-day layoff before facing Western Michigan. They also explained promotional details for the home finale. "If you have not done it yet, it is the five-dollar fill-up coming up next Tuesday," Steiner said.
Davis asked follow-up questions about the MAC standings. The two walked through possible outcomes for the Broncos, including television-driven scheduling choices. Steiner said weeknight national broadcasts draw strong interest. "You will see 300 thousand, 400 thousand, 700 thousand people tune in for games depending on what channel," he said.
Basketball updates followed. Steiner reviewed the men's loss at Indiana and upcoming games against Detroit Mercy and Oakland. Davis detailed the women's road win at St. Thomas. "They have equaled their win total from all of last year," she said. She highlighted the challenge ahead at Purdue Fort Wayne. Steiner added schedule context and noted the road-heavy start to the women's season.
The episode then previewed the feature interview with EMU swimmer and diver Lucy Noble. Davis described Noble as "awesome" and praised her leadership as a junior captain. She shared Noble's story about life as a lifeguard in Florida. "She literally saved a family of four before," Davis said. Their conversation also explored the logistics of living in a house with 14 teammates. "I do not know if I could do that," Davis said.
Segment 1 - Lucy Noble
Junior swimmer Lucy Noble holds a full schedule at Eastern Michigan University, yet she keeps a steady routine in the pool and behind a camera. During a recent Eastern Insider Podcast episode with host Elena Davis, Noble shared how she manages a demanding workload with honesty and calm focus.
She splits her days between practices, classes, and athletics office hours. She also films as many home events as possible. "Working with athletics, they have given me a lot of leeway in terms of my schedule," Noble said. "I am always able to come in for my office hours between practices and then I make it to any home game I can. They are understanding when I am unable."
Her film work began at age 11 after receiving a GoPro. She grew up in Florida and spent hours shooting surf footage for friends. She later joined a TV production program, led a school club, anchored news segments, and filmed Friday night football. "I started filming surfing back home in Florida, and I got a GoPro for Christmas when I was like 11," she said. "Then I started using my mom's camera and filming all my friends who were competitive surfers."
Her move from Florida to Michigan surprised many, including Davis. Noble wanted a new environment with seasons and a different pace. "I knew I did not want to stay in Florida," she said. "I wanted to experience something different. I knew Eastern was somewhere where I would see the four seasons. Seeing the snow was exciting."
Noble found Eastern through SwimCloud, a recruiting site for swimmers. She expressed her interest, spoke with head coach Derek Perkins, and later took a visit. "I came on a visit and fell in love," she said.
Her swimming story began long before her camera work. She joined a summer league at age seven, shifted to year-round training at nine, and mixed sports through middle school and early high school. Surfing and lifeguard work shaped her time near the water. She recalled one rescue from her lifeguard years that stayed with her. At 16, she pulled a family of four from a rip current during a busy holiday weekend. "The dad was holding his infant up over his head," she said. "I had to get them all on the buoy and pull all four of them in by myself."
At Eastern, she values the team bond and the close community across athletics. "Eastern is like a family," she said. "I come into the athletics buildings and I know almost every face I see." She lives with eight teammates and often helps with recruiting calls. Her captain's role relies on steady habits. "I like to lead by example," she said. "I do what I want to see others do."
Training under Perkins includes a new zone-based plan. Power work, weight room sessions, and short sprint sets support her freestyle and breaststroke events. "Power training and weight room training have helped me improve since I got here," she said.
Noble ended on a lighter note with a Thanksgiving favorite. "Stuffing," she said without hesitation. "I love stuffing."
Segment 2 - Chris Creighton
Eastern Michigan head coach Chris Creighton tried to keep the focus on his team after Saturday's win, but the moment would not stay small. When the Eagles secured a road victory, Director of Athletics Scott Wetherbee stepped forward with a game ball to mark Creighton's 200th career win as a head coach. The gesture prompted the veteran coach to pause, reflect, and acknowledge the reach of nearly three decades on the sideline.
"I do not want it to be a big deal," Creighton said on the Eastern Insider Podcast Powered by DTE. "At the same time, it is a big deal because it makes me think of all the people I have been on this journey with."
Creighton's path to 200 wins began long before his tenure at Eastern Michigan. His career has spanned multiple institutions and divisions, from his early stops at Wabash and Ottawa to the rebuild that transformed EMU into a competitive Mid-American Conference program. He has coached through budget challenges, roster turnover, and historic victories, often stressing development and connection over results.
That theme surfaced throughout the conversation. Creighton pointed out a former Wabash player who delivered the team's chapel message the night before the game. A former college teammate attended the game. Other former players and assistants reached out. One colleague reminded him he had also been on hand for win No. 100.
"It gets me thankful," Creighton said. "Coaches, players, administration, all of them have allowed me to be the head of these programs. In this game, more than any other, you cannot do anything by yourself."
The milestone arrived during one of Eastern Michigan's strongest defensive stretches of the season. The Eagles held an opponent under 250 total yards for the second straight week, a sharp turnaround from early-season struggles with tackling and explosive plays. The staff made schematic adjustments, and players responded with a more disciplined approach.
"Defense came up big," Creighton said. "Fourth down stops, sudden change, holding those guys to field goals, not giving up a touchdown. We talk about playing our best football in November, and we are playing better."
Offensively, Eastern Michigan controlled the game with sustained drives and improved efficiency. Quarterback Noah Kim found rhythm early, and the offense maintained possession in key moments of the second half. The third quarter left the staff wanting more, particularly with the wind in their favor, but the overall approach delivered field position and clock management.
Special teams also shaped the outcome. Heavy wind complicated the kicking game, yet kicker Rudy Kessinger connected on a field goal into the gusts. Punter Mitchell Tomasek drove a 50-yard effort that forced a fair catch.
"Those were big-time football plays and we needed them," Creighton said.
The victory represented Eastern Michigan's first road win of the season. The opponent entered the game 4-0 at home, a point Creighton emphasized early in the week to underline the challenge.
"We had white jerseys on and we won one," he said. "It felt good."
The program now enters a 10-day break before its final regular-season game. The staff will balance rest, recruiting, and senior traditions while emphasizing the fleeting nature of college careers.
"This is your last college road game, your last college road trip," Creighton said. "Some of those guys took a moment. We are going to take advantage of every day and realize how special this opportunity is."
Players Mentioned
K
/ Football
/ Swimming & Diving
P
/ FootballSeason 8 - Episode 13: Lucy Noble’s Story and Chris Creighton’s Milestone Reflections
Monday, November 17
Women's Basketball connects with season ticket holders over the phone
Monday, November 17
Football Grabs First Road Win of 2025, 24-9, at Ball State
Saturday, November 15
2025 Football Week 11 Hype vs. Ball State
Friday, November 14