Eastern Michigan Athletics
Inside the Ride: Eastern Alum Leads Youth Sports Growth in Pittsfield Township
11/19/2025 4:27:00 PM | General
Jason Dane shares his path from EMU student to community leader
Watch the Episode.
YPSILANTI, Mich. (EMUEagles.com) – Inside the Ride Presented by LaFontaine Kia Ypsilanti returned with Head Baseball Coach Robbie Britt sitting down with Eastern Michigan alumnus and Pittsfield Charter Township Recreation Coordinator Jason Dane. Their talk offered a clear look at how local youth programs shape young athletes, how an EMU education influenced Dane's career path, and how community commitment fuels both his work and Britt's approach to baseball. The conversation highlighted shared priorities across township recreation and a Division I program. It also showed how early sports experiences influence future choices.
Britt opened the episode with his familiar greeting to Eagle fans. He then welcomed Dane, who graduated from Eastern and now works a short drive from campus. Dane grew up in Plymouth, about twenty minutes away. He took a nontraditional route to EMU. After high school he enrolled at a community college while he tried to find the direction he wanted. During that time he learned about EMU's sport management program. He said the moment he saw that program listed, he thought it would fit him. He enrolled, commuted, and started building a foundation built on real work and classroom support.
While he studied at Eastern, he also worked part time in Pittsfield Township. He spent hours at the township recreation center, watching programs, greeting families, and learning how events come together. He said he entered the job without experience in planning, scheduling, or program design. He learned by observing staff members who had worked in youth programs for years. He said the most important part came from watching how families responded when programs worked. He saw the impact when children scored goals, hit the ball, or smiled during events. Those reactions shaped his next steps.
Dane praised Eastern for the faculty members who guided him. He said several had experience in municipal recreation and sport administration. Their advice gave him confidence and direction. He said, "I had some really great professors and advisors here at Eastern that kind of guided me in that direction." Their support played a clear role in his shift toward community recreation.
Britt used that moment to compare roles in athletics. He talked about his recruiting coordinator and said he had not known much about the recreation coordinator title. He asked Dane to describe his responsibilities and the value he brings to the township. Dane explained the department's broad reach. They run youth programs, adult programs, senior activities, and a farmers market. His main responsibility involves youth sports. He organizes youth soccer, t-ball, machine pitch baseball, and street hockey. He said the department hopes to offer a basketball league soon. His focus is on scheduling fields, organizing teams, placing rostered players, preparing coaches, and communicating with families.
Dane said, "A lot of my job is to schedule, organize, coordinate, put together those leagues for the community." He said the most rewarding part comes when ideas become actions. He spends months laying out schedules and building leagues. Seeing children score their first goal or record their first hit shows him the value of the work. He said, "We are the front line of introducing them to sports." Some children are as young as three years old. Many take part in their first athletic experiences through these township programs.
Britt connected that to his own family. He and his wife have three children under the age of seven. Their middle child started flag football and scored his first touchdown recently. Their oldest plays soccer. He said the experience of watching his own children take part in sports reminded him how early enjoyment forms interest in athletics. He linked that to his own players. Most arrive on campus at age eighteen, nineteen, or twenty. Their deep interest in baseball often began through early programs like the ones Dane runs. Britt said those experiences offer a first step toward the later pursuit of college baseball. He told Dane that the township role carries weight because early enjoyment leads to long term passion.
Dane also has young children. He and his wife have a five year old and a one year old. He said that parenting gives him a new perspective on recreation programs. He now experiences both sides: the coordinator handling schedules and the parent watching his child take part. That dual view strengthens his approach and his patience. It also deepens his connection to families in Pittsfield Township.
Britt steered the talk toward EMU's sense of community. He described the feeling he has experienced during his two and a half years at Eastern. He spoke about faculty support, staff dedication, and the attention that the university's employees give to students. He said every part of campus contributes to that environment. He listed professors, coaches, dining staff, and custodial employees. He said each plays a role in setting a tone that students notice. He appreciated hearing from an alumnus who experienced the same environment years earlier.
Dane agreed. He said the community feeling played a central role in his time as a student. That support system shaped his choices during school and after graduation. He said he believes prospective students will notice that atmosphere. He described it as appealing to those who want a college experience grounded in connection and pride. Britt said he hoped young people searching for the right college would feel that when they visit EMU. Dane said that sense of community influenced his interest in continuing work close to campus.
The talk shifted toward collaboration between the township and Eastern. Britt brought up the Junior Eagles Kicks Club and the recreation programs that have partnered with EMU staff in the past. Britt said he hopes to expand those partnerships. Dane said they share the same goals. Both want children to stay active. Both want families to enjoy local sports. Both want to encourage early participation. Dane said, "We work together and collaborate on some things with our summer camp." They want to welcome children to campus for events. They want to show them college sports. They want them to feel connected. Dane said he hopes more children will attend EMU games in the future.
The interview offered a strong example of how local recreation shapes broader athletic culture. In Pittsfield Township, staff members work with toddlers and early elementary students who are learning to pass a soccer ball or swing a bat. Those first steps influence later involvement in middle school leagues, high school sports, travel teams, and long term interest in athletic life. Dane oversees those early experiences. Britt sees the later stages when athletes reach the college level. Their conversation showed the link between township fields and university diamonds.
Dane shared his appreciation for watching children grow in confidence. He said small moments matter. A child stepping onto the field for the first time learns about teamwork. A goal or a hit sparks pride. Those steps build strong habits. Dane said the township's programs aim to provide a supportive environment where children feel welcomed. Britt said he sees the results of that foundation when his college players arrive with passion for the sport.
Dane's path reflects another value of Eastern Michigan University. He grew up nearby but arrived at EMU after he took time to decide his direction. He used his courses, his advisors, and campus support to find a career suited to his interests. He carried those skills into a local role that influences families across the region. His work connects to the university through youth programs and outreach. He continues to build opportunities for the next generation of local athletes.
The interview closed with Britt thanking Dane for joining the episode. Britt said he appreciated hearing his story and learning more about township recreation. Dane thanked Britt and said he enjoyed the chance to talk about his role, his time at Eastern, and the shared mission between Pittsfield Township and EMU Athletics.
Inside the Ride Presented by LaFontaine Kia Ypsilanti offered a clear and complete conversation that highlighted how community recreation and college athletics support each other. The episode showed the value of local programs, the impact of early experiences, and the shared commitment to building opportunities for children across the community. It also highlighted the influence of EMU alumni who remain connected to the region and continue to serve families near campus.
YPSILANTI, Mich. (EMUEagles.com) – Inside the Ride Presented by LaFontaine Kia Ypsilanti returned with Head Baseball Coach Robbie Britt sitting down with Eastern Michigan alumnus and Pittsfield Charter Township Recreation Coordinator Jason Dane. Their talk offered a clear look at how local youth programs shape young athletes, how an EMU education influenced Dane's career path, and how community commitment fuels both his work and Britt's approach to baseball. The conversation highlighted shared priorities across township recreation and a Division I program. It also showed how early sports experiences influence future choices.
Britt opened the episode with his familiar greeting to Eagle fans. He then welcomed Dane, who graduated from Eastern and now works a short drive from campus. Dane grew up in Plymouth, about twenty minutes away. He took a nontraditional route to EMU. After high school he enrolled at a community college while he tried to find the direction he wanted. During that time he learned about EMU's sport management program. He said the moment he saw that program listed, he thought it would fit him. He enrolled, commuted, and started building a foundation built on real work and classroom support.
While he studied at Eastern, he also worked part time in Pittsfield Township. He spent hours at the township recreation center, watching programs, greeting families, and learning how events come together. He said he entered the job without experience in planning, scheduling, or program design. He learned by observing staff members who had worked in youth programs for years. He said the most important part came from watching how families responded when programs worked. He saw the impact when children scored goals, hit the ball, or smiled during events. Those reactions shaped his next steps.
Dane praised Eastern for the faculty members who guided him. He said several had experience in municipal recreation and sport administration. Their advice gave him confidence and direction. He said, "I had some really great professors and advisors here at Eastern that kind of guided me in that direction." Their support played a clear role in his shift toward community recreation.
Britt used that moment to compare roles in athletics. He talked about his recruiting coordinator and said he had not known much about the recreation coordinator title. He asked Dane to describe his responsibilities and the value he brings to the township. Dane explained the department's broad reach. They run youth programs, adult programs, senior activities, and a farmers market. His main responsibility involves youth sports. He organizes youth soccer, t-ball, machine pitch baseball, and street hockey. He said the department hopes to offer a basketball league soon. His focus is on scheduling fields, organizing teams, placing rostered players, preparing coaches, and communicating with families.
Dane said, "A lot of my job is to schedule, organize, coordinate, put together those leagues for the community." He said the most rewarding part comes when ideas become actions. He spends months laying out schedules and building leagues. Seeing children score their first goal or record their first hit shows him the value of the work. He said, "We are the front line of introducing them to sports." Some children are as young as three years old. Many take part in their first athletic experiences through these township programs.
Britt connected that to his own family. He and his wife have three children under the age of seven. Their middle child started flag football and scored his first touchdown recently. Their oldest plays soccer. He said the experience of watching his own children take part in sports reminded him how early enjoyment forms interest in athletics. He linked that to his own players. Most arrive on campus at age eighteen, nineteen, or twenty. Their deep interest in baseball often began through early programs like the ones Dane runs. Britt said those experiences offer a first step toward the later pursuit of college baseball. He told Dane that the township role carries weight because early enjoyment leads to long term passion.
Dane also has young children. He and his wife have a five year old and a one year old. He said that parenting gives him a new perspective on recreation programs. He now experiences both sides: the coordinator handling schedules and the parent watching his child take part. That dual view strengthens his approach and his patience. It also deepens his connection to families in Pittsfield Township.
Britt steered the talk toward EMU's sense of community. He described the feeling he has experienced during his two and a half years at Eastern. He spoke about faculty support, staff dedication, and the attention that the university's employees give to students. He said every part of campus contributes to that environment. He listed professors, coaches, dining staff, and custodial employees. He said each plays a role in setting a tone that students notice. He appreciated hearing from an alumnus who experienced the same environment years earlier.
Dane agreed. He said the community feeling played a central role in his time as a student. That support system shaped his choices during school and after graduation. He said he believes prospective students will notice that atmosphere. He described it as appealing to those who want a college experience grounded in connection and pride. Britt said he hoped young people searching for the right college would feel that when they visit EMU. Dane said that sense of community influenced his interest in continuing work close to campus.
The talk shifted toward collaboration between the township and Eastern. Britt brought up the Junior Eagles Kicks Club and the recreation programs that have partnered with EMU staff in the past. Britt said he hopes to expand those partnerships. Dane said they share the same goals. Both want children to stay active. Both want families to enjoy local sports. Both want to encourage early participation. Dane said, "We work together and collaborate on some things with our summer camp." They want to welcome children to campus for events. They want to show them college sports. They want them to feel connected. Dane said he hopes more children will attend EMU games in the future.
The interview offered a strong example of how local recreation shapes broader athletic culture. In Pittsfield Township, staff members work with toddlers and early elementary students who are learning to pass a soccer ball or swing a bat. Those first steps influence later involvement in middle school leagues, high school sports, travel teams, and long term interest in athletic life. Dane oversees those early experiences. Britt sees the later stages when athletes reach the college level. Their conversation showed the link between township fields and university diamonds.
Dane shared his appreciation for watching children grow in confidence. He said small moments matter. A child stepping onto the field for the first time learns about teamwork. A goal or a hit sparks pride. Those steps build strong habits. Dane said the township's programs aim to provide a supportive environment where children feel welcomed. Britt said he sees the results of that foundation when his college players arrive with passion for the sport.
Dane's path reflects another value of Eastern Michigan University. He grew up nearby but arrived at EMU after he took time to decide his direction. He used his courses, his advisors, and campus support to find a career suited to his interests. He carried those skills into a local role that influences families across the region. His work connects to the university through youth programs and outreach. He continues to build opportunities for the next generation of local athletes.
The interview closed with Britt thanking Dane for joining the episode. Britt said he appreciated hearing his story and learning more about township recreation. Dane thanked Britt and said he enjoyed the chance to talk about his role, his time at Eastern, and the shared mission between Pittsfield Township and EMU Athletics.
Inside the Ride Presented by LaFontaine Kia Ypsilanti offered a clear and complete conversation that highlighted how community recreation and college athletics support each other. The episode showed the value of local programs, the impact of early experiences, and the shared commitment to building opportunities for children across the community. It also highlighted the influence of EMU alumni who remain connected to the region and continue to serve families near campus.
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