Eastern Michigan Athletics
Ben Braun Named to the 2025 MAC Hall of Fame Induction Class
3/14/2025 3:01:00 PM | Men's Basketball, General
The former EMU men's basketball coach will be inducted into the hall of fame in May
Video - Ben Braun Gets the Call
CLEVELAND, Ohio (EMUEagles.com) — Eastern Michigan University and the Mid-American Conference are proud to announce that former EMU men's basketball coach Ben Braun has been selected as a member of the 2025 MAC Hall of Fame Induction Class, as announced by the league office Friday, March 14. Braun will officially be inducted Thursday, May 29, during the MAC Honors Dinner at the Marriott Key Tower in Cleveland.
"I am extremely honored and proud to be selected to the MAC Hall of Fame," said Braun. "The Mid-American Conference has long been one of the premier conferences in the nation, known for its rich traditions and commitment to both academic and athletic excellence. I am grateful for the experiences, relationships, and opportunities that the MAC provided throughout my career."
A legendary figure in Eastern Michigan athletics history, Braun becomes the 11th representative from EMU to join the prestigious MAC Hall of Fame. He joins a distinguished group that includes Charlie Batch (Football, 2018), Hasely Crawford (Track & Field, 1991), Ron Johnson (Football, 1988), Mike Jones (Men's Swimming & Diving, 2016), Gordon Minty (Track & Field, 1994), Lucy Parker (Administrator, 2022), Ron Oestrike (Baseball, 2017), Bob Owchinko (Baseball, 1992), Bob Parks (Men's Cross Country and Track & Field, 2015), and Bob Welch (Baseball, 1990).
"We are honored to celebrate the remarkable impact of our former student-athletes, coaches, and administrators, especially recognizing the exceptional achievements of these five individuals during their time in the Mid-American Conference," said MAC Commissioner Dr. Jon Steinbrecher. "Welcoming this year's inductees into the MAC Hall of Fame is a true privilege."
Braun will be recognized alongside four other inductees: Carolyn Condit (Miami - Volleyball Head Coach), Jenny Gilbert (Ball State - Softball), Marny Oestreng (Bowling Green - Gymnastics) and Jake Percival (Ohio - Wrestling).
"The MAC Hall of Fame stands as a tribute to the dedication and excellence of those who have competed and contributed to this outstanding Conference," Steinbrecher added.
The MAC Hall of Fame was approved by the MAC Council of Presidents in 1987. The charter class was inducted in 1988 and subsequent classes were added in 1989, 1990, 1991, 1992 and 1994. After six induction classes, the MAC Hall of Fame maintained 52 members until it was reinstated in May of 2012. This year's class brings the number of MAC Hall of Fame inductees to 130 individuals from 19 classes.
"It still seems surreal to me," said Braun. "Many student-athletes, coaches, fans, and alumni 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."
Braun ranks 12th in MAC history with a .572 winning percentage (174-130) and 15th in conference-only winning percentage at 103-79 (.556).
Braun's historic coaching career at Eastern Michigan is unmatched, highlighted by 185 victories, three Mid-American Conference Regular Season Championships, three MAC Tournament titles, three NCAA Tournament appearances, and three MAC Coach of the Year honors. Braun took over the program as interim head coach midway through the 1985-86 season and wasted little time in elevating the Eagles to national prominence. Within two years, he led EMU to its first-ever NCAA Tournament appearance. In 1991, he guided Eastern to a memorable "Sweet 16" run, cementing his legacy as the most successful coach in program history. Over his 11 seasons at EMU, Braun compiled a 185-132 overall record and an impressive 106-35 home record, bringing unprecedented success to Ypsilanti.
Under Braun's leadership, Eastern Michigan earned 10 victories over "Power Five" and major conference opponents, including nationally recognized programs such as Duke, Penn State, Mississippi State, Wisconsin, Michigan State, Rutgers, Colorado, Washington State, and Texas Tech. His teams dominated MAC rivalries, amassing a 50-19 record against Western Michigan, Central Michigan, and Toledo. His postseason success was equally remarkable, as Braun remains the only coach in EMU history to win NCAA Tournament games, holding a 3-3 record in NCAA play.
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's contributions extended beyond wins and championships. He coached and mentored 24 players who would go on to professional basketball careers, including NBA standouts such as Grant Long, Earl Boykins, Charles Thomas, Carl Thomas, Marcus Kennedy, and Derrick Dial. His influence continues to be felt across the basketball landscape, as numerous former players and assistants have advanced to head coaching roles at prominent programs, including Missouri's Dennis Gates, Portland's Shantay Legans, 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 EMU's own Stan Heath.
Following his success at Eastern Michigan, Braun went on to coach at the University of California, where he recorded 202 wins and led the Golden Bears to multiple postseason appearances, setting school records for tournament participation and victories. He later served as head coach at Rice University and has continued to influence the game as a respected broadcaster for ESPN, PAC-12 Network, and NBC Sports.
Braun's achievements have been widely recognized. He was inducted into the Michigan Jewish Sports Foundation Hall of Fame in 1996, Siena Heights University's Hall of Fame in 1999, and the EMU E-Club Hall of Fame in 2005. In 1989, he was also selected to coach the United States team at the Maccabiah Games in Israel, earning a silver medal.
Eastern Michigan paid tribute to Braun's lasting legacy on Nov. 18, 2023, when the university officially named the court inside the George Gervin GameAbove Center as "Ben Braun Court." The dedication celebrated Braun's transformative impact on EMU Basketball, a legacy that will now be immortalized in the MAC Hall of Fame.
CLEVELAND, Ohio (EMUEagles.com) — Eastern Michigan University and the Mid-American Conference are proud to announce that former EMU men's basketball coach Ben Braun has been selected as a member of the 2025 MAC Hall of Fame Induction Class, as announced by the league office Friday, March 14. Braun will officially be inducted Thursday, May 29, during the MAC Honors Dinner at the Marriott Key Tower in Cleveland.
"I am extremely honored and proud to be selected to the MAC Hall of Fame," said Braun. "The Mid-American Conference has long been one of the premier conferences in the nation, known for its rich traditions and commitment to both academic and athletic excellence. I am grateful for the experiences, relationships, and opportunities that the MAC provided throughout my career."
A legendary figure in Eastern Michigan athletics history, Braun becomes the 11th representative from EMU to join the prestigious MAC Hall of Fame. He joins a distinguished group that includes Charlie Batch (Football, 2018), Hasely Crawford (Track & Field, 1991), Ron Johnson (Football, 1988), Mike Jones (Men's Swimming & Diving, 2016), Gordon Minty (Track & Field, 1994), Lucy Parker (Administrator, 2022), Ron Oestrike (Baseball, 2017), Bob Owchinko (Baseball, 1992), Bob Parks (Men's Cross Country and Track & Field, 2015), and Bob Welch (Baseball, 1990).
"We are honored to celebrate the remarkable impact of our former student-athletes, coaches, and administrators, especially recognizing the exceptional achievements of these five individuals during their time in the Mid-American Conference," said MAC Commissioner Dr. Jon Steinbrecher. "Welcoming this year's inductees into the MAC Hall of Fame is a true privilege."
Braun will be recognized alongside four other inductees: Carolyn Condit (Miami - Volleyball Head Coach), Jenny Gilbert (Ball State - Softball), Marny Oestreng (Bowling Green - Gymnastics) and Jake Percival (Ohio - Wrestling).
"The MAC Hall of Fame stands as a tribute to the dedication and excellence of those who have competed and contributed to this outstanding Conference," Steinbrecher added.
The MAC Hall of Fame was approved by the MAC Council of Presidents in 1987. The charter class was inducted in 1988 and subsequent classes were added in 1989, 1990, 1991, 1992 and 1994. After six induction classes, the MAC Hall of Fame maintained 52 members until it was reinstated in May of 2012. This year's class brings the number of MAC Hall of Fame inductees to 130 individuals from 19 classes.
"It still seems surreal to me," said Braun. "Many student-athletes, coaches, fans, and alumni 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."
Braun ranks 12th in MAC history with a .572 winning percentage (174-130) and 15th in conference-only winning percentage at 103-79 (.556).
Braun's historic coaching career at Eastern Michigan is unmatched, highlighted by 185 victories, three Mid-American Conference Regular Season Championships, three MAC Tournament titles, three NCAA Tournament appearances, and three MAC Coach of the Year honors. Braun took over the program as interim head coach midway through the 1985-86 season and wasted little time in elevating the Eagles to national prominence. Within two years, he led EMU to its first-ever NCAA Tournament appearance. In 1991, he guided Eastern to a memorable "Sweet 16" run, cementing his legacy as the most successful coach in program history. Over his 11 seasons at EMU, Braun compiled a 185-132 overall record and an impressive 106-35 home record, bringing unprecedented success to Ypsilanti.
Under Braun's leadership, Eastern Michigan earned 10 victories over "Power Five" and major conference opponents, including nationally recognized programs such as Duke, Penn State, Mississippi State, Wisconsin, Michigan State, Rutgers, Colorado, Washington State, and Texas Tech. His teams dominated MAC rivalries, amassing a 50-19 record against Western Michigan, Central Michigan, and Toledo. His postseason success was equally remarkable, as Braun remains the only coach in EMU history to win NCAA Tournament games, holding a 3-3 record in NCAA play.
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's contributions extended beyond wins and championships. He coached and mentored 24 players who would go on to professional basketball careers, including NBA standouts such as Grant Long, Earl Boykins, Charles Thomas, Carl Thomas, Marcus Kennedy, and Derrick Dial. His influence continues to be felt across the basketball landscape, as numerous former players and assistants have advanced to head coaching roles at prominent programs, including Missouri's Dennis Gates, Portland's Shantay Legans, 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 EMU's own Stan Heath.
Following his success at Eastern Michigan, Braun went on to coach at the University of California, where he recorded 202 wins and led the Golden Bears to multiple postseason appearances, setting school records for tournament participation and victories. He later served as head coach at Rice University and has continued to influence the game as a respected broadcaster for ESPN, PAC-12 Network, and NBC Sports.
Braun's achievements have been widely recognized. He was inducted into the Michigan Jewish Sports Foundation Hall of Fame in 1996, Siena Heights University's Hall of Fame in 1999, and the EMU E-Club Hall of Fame in 2005. In 1989, he was also selected to coach the United States team at the Maccabiah Games in Israel, earning a silver medal.
Eastern Michigan paid tribute to Braun's lasting legacy on Nov. 18, 2023, when the university officially named the court inside the George Gervin GameAbove Center as "Ben Braun Court." The dedication celebrated Braun's transformative impact on EMU Basketball, a legacy that will now be immortalized in the MAC Hall of Fame.
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