Eastern Michigan Athletics
Eastern Insider Podcast - Season 7 - Episode 24
3/17/2025 6:27:00 PM | Baseball, Women's Rowing, General
Rowing Records, Baseball’s Homecoming, and Bracket Madness!
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YPSILANTI, Mich. (EMUEagles.com) -- On a day when everyone wears green, what better time for a new episode of Eastern Insider? Hosts Tom Helmer and Greg Steiner kicked off the show with St. Patrick's Day spirit, discussing everything from corned beef confusion to Eastern Michigan's packed sports schedule.
The duo recapped EMU's performance in the MAC Basketball Tournament, highlighting the men's team's hard-fought battle against Miami. While the season didn't end as hoped, the bond between head coach Stan Heath and his players was evident. Da'Sean Nelson spoke passionately about Heath's impact beyond the court, reinforcing the foundation for future success. With key players potentially returning, the team aims to make Cleveland a yearly expectation. Meanwhile, first-year women's coach Sahar Nuseibeh is earning respect across the conference, with Bowling Green's coach warning that once she builds her roster, EMU will be a major threat.
Helmer and Steiner also broke down the NCAA tournament brackets, with picks ranging from Duke to Florida. Even Helmer's daughter made a bold prediction—Yale winning it all—continuing her history of unconventional but shockingly successful brackets.
Rowing took center stage with an inspiring feature on Lily Wilhelm, who transformed rejection from Butler into a record-setting career at EMU. A relentless competitor, Wilhelm's determination shines as she prepares to showcase her talent at upcoming MAC Championships on Ford Lake.
On the baseball front, head coach Robbie Britt's team returns home after a grueling 17-game road trip, riding high on a dominant start. With a new press box at Oestrike Stadium, Helmer and Steiner are ready to cover EMU's battle against Miami in comfort—far from previous years makeshift "homerun hut" setup.
Lacrosse also gets its home opener, looking to rebound after a tough loss to Robert Morris. With so much action on deck, it's an exciting time for EMU Athletics.
Segment 1 - Lily Wilhelm
For Eastern Michigan senior rower Lily Wilhelm, rowing isn't just a sport—it's a battle against the limits of the human body. "One of my coaches said that all competition is inherently unhealthy," Wilhelm told Tom Helmer on this week's Eastern Insider podcast. "But in rowing, a lot of what we do is toe the line of absolutely blacking out and passing out."
Wilhelm, a former track and field athlete at Butler, found her way to EMU rowing through an unexpected twist—an old recruiting email. "I got an email in 2018 from an EMU assistant coach saying, 'You're tall, you're strong, do you want to try rowing?'" Wilhelm recalled. "So in 2021, after being cut from Butler's track team, I replied: 'Is the offer still up?'" That leap of faith led her to Ypsilanti, where she has become one of the program's top rowers.
Her transformation from a short-sprint and field event athlete to an endurance powerhouse wasn't easy. "I wasn't an endurance athlete," Wilhelm admitted. "I spent a whole summer running, biking, and training just to show up in shape." The hard work paid off—Wilhelm now holds EMU's 6K rowing record, maintaining a 1:53 split for 22 minutes straight.
As EMU heads into CAA Championships, Wilhelm and her team are determined to improve on back-to-back seventh-place finishes. "We can't have that happen again," she said. "We've reframed how we train. We have a core group addicted to the grind—doing the hard stuff no one else wants to do."
With Wilhelm at the helm, EMU rowing is ready to prove that their relentless effort will translate into results on the water.
Segment 2 - Robbie Britt
After weeks on the road, Eastern Michigan baseball is finally returning home to Oestrike Stadium, and Head Coach Robbie Britt couldn't be more excited. Speaking with Greg Steiner on Eastern Insider, Britt reflected on the team's early-season grind and the growth he's seen from his squad.
"We're just so excited," Britt said. "Anybody who's been following the progress of our facility knows it's vastly different than when I got here. We're super grateful for everyone's work—Andrew Hensley, Shane Easter, our facilities staff, Cliff Sims—and obviously, Greg, your work in getting our games on ESPN+ for the first time ever."
The Eagles have spent the past six weeks crisscrossing the country, making stops in Florida, Arkansas, Ohio, and more. The travel, though demanding, has built camaraderie. "Beyond learning how to navigate bus trips and hitting Buc-ee's along the way, I've learned that this team really likes each other," Britt said. "They're a fun group and super competitive."
Britt highlighted key returners like Logan Hugo and Cooper Vance while also recognizing impact newcomers, including Bruce Jellison, Devan Zirwas, and Nick Keane. "It's not just about getting good players—it's about getting players that believe in our vision," he explained.
On the mound, the Eagles are steadily improving. "You're seeing guys step up," Britt noted. "Ethan Davis, Jack Topolski, and Nick Keane have given us big performances. And Drew Beckner — man, I've been with him his whole career, and he's pitching the best ball of his life."
As EMU prepares to face Miami (OH), Britt knows it will be a tough test. "They're clean, they execute well, and they pitch it," he said. "But we've shown we can go toe-to-toe with anyone. Now it's about playing our game."
Fans can catch the Eagles back home this weekend on ESPN+ and Varsity Network.
Segment 3 - Elena Davis
This week on Eastern Insider, cheerleader and EMU Athletics host Elena Davis joined Greg Steiner for a brand-new segment, sharing her experiences at the MAC Tournament, EMU Club Hockey's Nationals bid, and her March Madness thoughts.
Fresh off her trip to Cleveland, Davis reflected on her final time cheering from the sidelines at the MAC Tournament. "It was emotional," she admitted. "I knew it going in, but I have the best teammates and the best coach in the world, which made the experience unforgettable."
Beyond cheerleading, Davis wears multiple hats at EMU, including her role as the Eastern Echo sports editor. She recently covered EMU's club hockey team as they prepared for their first-ever trip to Nationals. "They're so excited," Davis said. "It's their first season, and they're already going to Nationals. The campus has really rallied behind them, helping fund their trip and get equipment. Their coaches have been such a big part of that success."
With March Madness upon us, Davis and Steiner debated tournament seeding and predictions. "I'm biased—I'd love to say Michigan all the way," Davis joked. "But really, I haven't filled out a bracket yet. This year is tough." She questioned Michigan State's higher seed over Michigan, to which Steiner responded, "Conference champions versus tournament winners—it's a debate every year."
As EMU fans look ahead to a busy sports week, Davis encouraged students to support baseball and lacrosse at home. "Even if you don't love baseball, just go with friends, hang out, and enjoy the game," she said. "Lacrosse? That's an aggressive sport—why wouldn't you want to watch that?"
Expect more of Davis' insights each week on Eastern Insider.
YPSILANTI, Mich. (EMUEagles.com) -- On a day when everyone wears green, what better time for a new episode of Eastern Insider? Hosts Tom Helmer and Greg Steiner kicked off the show with St. Patrick's Day spirit, discussing everything from corned beef confusion to Eastern Michigan's packed sports schedule.
The duo recapped EMU's performance in the MAC Basketball Tournament, highlighting the men's team's hard-fought battle against Miami. While the season didn't end as hoped, the bond between head coach Stan Heath and his players was evident. Da'Sean Nelson spoke passionately about Heath's impact beyond the court, reinforcing the foundation for future success. With key players potentially returning, the team aims to make Cleveland a yearly expectation. Meanwhile, first-year women's coach Sahar Nuseibeh is earning respect across the conference, with Bowling Green's coach warning that once she builds her roster, EMU will be a major threat.
Helmer and Steiner also broke down the NCAA tournament brackets, with picks ranging from Duke to Florida. Even Helmer's daughter made a bold prediction—Yale winning it all—continuing her history of unconventional but shockingly successful brackets.
Rowing took center stage with an inspiring feature on Lily Wilhelm, who transformed rejection from Butler into a record-setting career at EMU. A relentless competitor, Wilhelm's determination shines as she prepares to showcase her talent at upcoming MAC Championships on Ford Lake.
On the baseball front, head coach Robbie Britt's team returns home after a grueling 17-game road trip, riding high on a dominant start. With a new press box at Oestrike Stadium, Helmer and Steiner are ready to cover EMU's battle against Miami in comfort—far from previous years makeshift "homerun hut" setup.
Lacrosse also gets its home opener, looking to rebound after a tough loss to Robert Morris. With so much action on deck, it's an exciting time for EMU Athletics.
Segment 1 - Lily Wilhelm
For Eastern Michigan senior rower Lily Wilhelm, rowing isn't just a sport—it's a battle against the limits of the human body. "One of my coaches said that all competition is inherently unhealthy," Wilhelm told Tom Helmer on this week's Eastern Insider podcast. "But in rowing, a lot of what we do is toe the line of absolutely blacking out and passing out."
Wilhelm, a former track and field athlete at Butler, found her way to EMU rowing through an unexpected twist—an old recruiting email. "I got an email in 2018 from an EMU assistant coach saying, 'You're tall, you're strong, do you want to try rowing?'" Wilhelm recalled. "So in 2021, after being cut from Butler's track team, I replied: 'Is the offer still up?'" That leap of faith led her to Ypsilanti, where she has become one of the program's top rowers.
Her transformation from a short-sprint and field event athlete to an endurance powerhouse wasn't easy. "I wasn't an endurance athlete," Wilhelm admitted. "I spent a whole summer running, biking, and training just to show up in shape." The hard work paid off—Wilhelm now holds EMU's 6K rowing record, maintaining a 1:53 split for 22 minutes straight.
As EMU heads into CAA Championships, Wilhelm and her team are determined to improve on back-to-back seventh-place finishes. "We can't have that happen again," she said. "We've reframed how we train. We have a core group addicted to the grind—doing the hard stuff no one else wants to do."
With Wilhelm at the helm, EMU rowing is ready to prove that their relentless effort will translate into results on the water.
Segment 2 - Robbie Britt
After weeks on the road, Eastern Michigan baseball is finally returning home to Oestrike Stadium, and Head Coach Robbie Britt couldn't be more excited. Speaking with Greg Steiner on Eastern Insider, Britt reflected on the team's early-season grind and the growth he's seen from his squad.
"We're just so excited," Britt said. "Anybody who's been following the progress of our facility knows it's vastly different than when I got here. We're super grateful for everyone's work—Andrew Hensley, Shane Easter, our facilities staff, Cliff Sims—and obviously, Greg, your work in getting our games on ESPN+ for the first time ever."
The Eagles have spent the past six weeks crisscrossing the country, making stops in Florida, Arkansas, Ohio, and more. The travel, though demanding, has built camaraderie. "Beyond learning how to navigate bus trips and hitting Buc-ee's along the way, I've learned that this team really likes each other," Britt said. "They're a fun group and super competitive."
Britt highlighted key returners like Logan Hugo and Cooper Vance while also recognizing impact newcomers, including Bruce Jellison, Devan Zirwas, and Nick Keane. "It's not just about getting good players—it's about getting players that believe in our vision," he explained.
On the mound, the Eagles are steadily improving. "You're seeing guys step up," Britt noted. "Ethan Davis, Jack Topolski, and Nick Keane have given us big performances. And Drew Beckner — man, I've been with him his whole career, and he's pitching the best ball of his life."
As EMU prepares to face Miami (OH), Britt knows it will be a tough test. "They're clean, they execute well, and they pitch it," he said. "But we've shown we can go toe-to-toe with anyone. Now it's about playing our game."
Fans can catch the Eagles back home this weekend on ESPN+ and Varsity Network.
Segment 3 - Elena Davis
This week on Eastern Insider, cheerleader and EMU Athletics host Elena Davis joined Greg Steiner for a brand-new segment, sharing her experiences at the MAC Tournament, EMU Club Hockey's Nationals bid, and her March Madness thoughts.
Fresh off her trip to Cleveland, Davis reflected on her final time cheering from the sidelines at the MAC Tournament. "It was emotional," she admitted. "I knew it going in, but I have the best teammates and the best coach in the world, which made the experience unforgettable."
Beyond cheerleading, Davis wears multiple hats at EMU, including her role as the Eastern Echo sports editor. She recently covered EMU's club hockey team as they prepared for their first-ever trip to Nationals. "They're so excited," Davis said. "It's their first season, and they're already going to Nationals. The campus has really rallied behind them, helping fund their trip and get equipment. Their coaches have been such a big part of that success."
With March Madness upon us, Davis and Steiner debated tournament seeding and predictions. "I'm biased—I'd love to say Michigan all the way," Davis joked. "But really, I haven't filled out a bracket yet. This year is tough." She questioned Michigan State's higher seed over Michigan, to which Steiner responded, "Conference champions versus tournament winners—it's a debate every year."
As EMU fans look ahead to a busy sports week, Davis encouraged students to support baseball and lacrosse at home. "Even if you don't love baseball, just go with friends, hang out, and enjoy the game," she said. "Lacrosse? That's an aggressive sport—why wouldn't you want to watch that?"
Expect more of Davis' insights each week on Eastern Insider.
Players Mentioned
LHP
/ Baseball
RHP
/ Baseball
OF
/ Baseball
INF
/ Baseball
OF/RHP
/ Baseball
RHP
/ Baseball
INF
/ Baseball
/ Women's Rowing
INF
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