Eastern Michigan Athletics
Eastern Insider Podcast - Season 7 - Episode 26
3/31/2025 6:56:00 PM | Women's Basketball, Football, General
April Fools, Transfer Portal Chaos, and Defense on the Girdiron
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YPSILANTI, Mich. (EMUEagles.com) -- As April Fools' Day approaches, Tom Helmer and Greg Steiner kick off Eastern Insider with a discussion on the prank-filled holiday. Greg recalls falling for his daughter's toothpaste-filled Oreo trick—twice—while Tom shares the anxiety of a day filled with elaborate hoaxes. The duo reminisces about past sports-related April Fools' jokes, including the infamous Sid Finch hoax and Taco Bell's "purchase" of the Liberty Bell.
Shifting gears, they highlight Eastern Michigan's thrilling 9-8 baseball victory over Michigan, a statement win at the Wolverines' own stadium. The Eagles now prepare for back-to-back matchups against Michigan and Notre Dame, adding more excitement to the season. Meanwhile, EMU lacrosse faces a challenging road ahead after a tough conference loss, putting them in a must-win situation for postseason contention.
The conversation takes a deep dive into college athletics' evolving landscape, particularly the wild west of the transfer portal. With over 1,700 players in the men's basketball portal alone, Helmer and Steiner discuss how programs are forced to rebuild annually. Helmer's interview with EMU women's basketball head coach Sahar Nusseibeh sheds light on navigating this new era, where recruitment feels more like free agency.
The discussion touches on the broader impact of NIL deals, with athletes weighing short-term financial gain against long-term career stability. Helmer and Steiner emphasize that staying in the right system—rather than chasing immediate payouts—can sometimes be the smartest move.
To cap off the episode, they highlight EMU's own Elena Davis, who chose to continue her career at Eastern Michigan, proving that sometimes, the best opportunities aren't always at the biggest schools.
Segment 1 - EMU Women's Basketball Navigates the 'Wild West' of the Transfer Portal
As Eastern Michigan Women's Basketball prepares for the next chapter, Head Coach Sahar Nusseibeh is embracing the challenge of building a new roster with optimism. With only three returning players for the 2024-25 season, some may see this as a daunting task—but for Nusseibeh, it's an opportunity.
"100 percent excited," Nuseibeh said in an interview on the Eastern Insider. "We're really excited about the work we're doing and who we're doing it with. The biggest thing is having a group of people who are excited to be together and get better. The pieces are coming."
One of the biggest factors shaping college basketball today is the transfer portal, which has seen an explosion of movement across all levels. "It's chaos out there," Nuseibeh admitted. "We call it the Wild West. There's very little regulation, which makes it frustrating, but at the end of the day, it's here. How are we going to take advantage of it and maximize it? That's what we've been doing."
EMU has been active in what Nusseibeh now calls "portaling"—a new verb among coaches. "Stan Heath, Scott, and I are all in on it. We're scouring the portal, researching not just stats, but also character. You can bring in a great player, but it means nothing if they don't fit your locker room."
While the portal is a tool, it also presents challenges for high school recruits. "We're thrilled about our incoming class, but overall, this hurts high school players," she said. "Coaches are swapping players instead of developing them long-term."
Still, for Nusseibeh, success comes down to one thing: relationships. "Best relationship wins," she said. "That's how I operate. Relationships are everything, and I believe that will make the difference."
Segment 2 - Spring Ball Update with EMU Defensive Coordinator Ben Needham
Spring football is in full swing at Eastern Michigan University, and for Defensive Coordinator Ben Needham, this is one of the most rewarding times of the year. With new faces stepping into key roles and the team focusing on fundamentals, the Eagles are laying the groundwork for the upcoming season. Needham sat down with Greg Steiner on the Eastern Insider Podcast to discuss defensive growth, competition, and even his classical music playlist.
As the Eagles pass the midpoint of spring practices, Needham emphasized the importance of this period for player development. "It's maybe the most fun time to coach," he said. "You're really focused on getting every guy on the roster better, and we have a lot of new faces. So yeah, there's mistakes and hard lessons, but man, it's fun every day to come out with a group that is eager to learn."
A key moment in spring ball is the scrimmages, where players finally get to hit and show their progress in live-action settings. "A lot of stuff can look good when you're not tackling," Needham admitted. "But when you get another guy that's trying to run through you, you find out who's really a defensive player."
Reflecting on last season, Needham identified turnovers as a crucial area for improvement. "We learned this down the stretch—when we have one takeaway in our last three games, we go 0-3," he explained. "When we take the ball away, our offense has a really good chance to score. When we don't, it's hard to hold teams under that 24-point threshold that we want."
That message has resonated with the defense, and increasing takeaways remains a top priority heading into the fall.
One of the more intriguing position groups for EMU this spring is the linebacker unit. The Eagles welcome transfers Marco Patierno (Wake Forest, N.C./Heritage/Elon) and Kadin Bailey (Jefferson, Ga./Jefferson/Syracuse), along with the return of Zach Mowchan (Dillsburg, Pa./Northern York) and Bryce Eliuk (Linden, Mich./Linden), who are recovering from ACL injuries.
"Both Zach and Bryce have worked tremendously hard," Needham said. "We'd love to have them on the field, but it's been great to see their mental development. We've even given them some coaching responsibilities, and I think they're going to be better for it in the long run."
The challenge for transfers like Patierno and Bailey isn't just learning the system, but also adapting to EMU's terminology. "Before you ever learn how to play, you have to learn the language of our defense," Needham noted. "But both guys are veteran college football players, and they've adjusted well."
EMU's defense returns significant experience in the secondary, and Needham believes that unit should be a major strength. However, eliminating explosive plays has been a major focus.
"One big emphasis for us has been preventing what we call 'mega explosives'—not just a 17-yard pass, but a home run ball," Needham said. "That's been a huge focus this spring, and I think I'm right in saying this is our second straight scrimmage without a mega explosive in the pass game."
If the Eagles can continue that trend, the defense could take a big step forward in 2024.
Up front, the Eagles face the challenge of replacing key contributors like Peyton Price and Dylan Shelton. "There's a big void there," Needham acknowledged. "The fun part is that all the guys see the opportunity at hand. If you're not totally on your mark, you're going to get passed up pretty quick."
Among the defensive ends, Needham has been impressed with a mix of returning veterans and young talent. "Jefferson Adam (Ypsilanti, Mich./Washtenaw International/Hocking College/Iowa State), Carter Evans (Crystal Lake, Ill./Prairie Ridge), and Sterling Miles (West Bloomfield, Mich./West Bloomfield/Cincinnati) have all been around, and then we've got younger guys like Luke Fletcher (Port Huron, Mich./Port Huron Northern) and Messiah Blair (Detroit, Mich./Martin Luther King) pushing them," he said.
One newcomer to watch is Hector Gonzalez (Monterrey, Mexico/Rabun Gap-Nacoochee School (Ga.)), a Mexican-born lineman who played high school football in Georgia. "He really should be in his last semester of high school right now," Needham said. "But his early enrollment has helped him develop."
Segment 3 - Elena Davis Talks Cheer, Baseball, and April Fool's Pranks on Eastern Insider
This week's episode of Eastern Insider featured the always energetic Elena Davis, who joined host Greg Steiner to discuss everything from EMU Cheer's recent competitions to baseball, pirate flags, and April Fool's pranks.
Davis kicked things off by recapping the team's recent trip to Grand Valley, calling it the best competition performance she has seen in her four years. "We've never competed so well at Alma and Grand Valley," she said. The upcoming showcase at Concordia, which she described as "kind of like home," will be a great opportunity for fans to see EMU Cheer and Dance in action. "It's free, you can meet my whole family," she joked.
Shifting gears, Steiner brought up EMU Baseball's recent win over Michigan and the program's "Fly the Flag" tradition. Davis admitted she had no idea what the phrase meant when she first saw it. "I don't get what that means," she said, laughing. "And then you explained it, and it was mind-blowing." Steiner detailed how former MAC Commissioner Dr. Jon Steinbrecher started the tradition, likening underdog victories to pirate raids. Davis' takeaway? "I just know I have to buy a pirate costume soon."
The conversation took a lighthearted turn as Davis shared a past April Fool's prank from her coach that left the team panicked. "It was bad," she admitted. "She told us she couldn't come to our showcase, and we were freaking out. It wasn't funny at the time."
Looking ahead, Davis will be back on the call for EMU Baseball this week, covering matchups against Michigan and more. "We'll see if any shenanigans ensue," Steiner teased. Fans can catch her and the Eagles in action Tuesday at Oestrike Stadium.
YPSILANTI, Mich. (EMUEagles.com) -- As April Fools' Day approaches, Tom Helmer and Greg Steiner kick off Eastern Insider with a discussion on the prank-filled holiday. Greg recalls falling for his daughter's toothpaste-filled Oreo trick—twice—while Tom shares the anxiety of a day filled with elaborate hoaxes. The duo reminisces about past sports-related April Fools' jokes, including the infamous Sid Finch hoax and Taco Bell's "purchase" of the Liberty Bell.
Shifting gears, they highlight Eastern Michigan's thrilling 9-8 baseball victory over Michigan, a statement win at the Wolverines' own stadium. The Eagles now prepare for back-to-back matchups against Michigan and Notre Dame, adding more excitement to the season. Meanwhile, EMU lacrosse faces a challenging road ahead after a tough conference loss, putting them in a must-win situation for postseason contention.
The conversation takes a deep dive into college athletics' evolving landscape, particularly the wild west of the transfer portal. With over 1,700 players in the men's basketball portal alone, Helmer and Steiner discuss how programs are forced to rebuild annually. Helmer's interview with EMU women's basketball head coach Sahar Nusseibeh sheds light on navigating this new era, where recruitment feels more like free agency.
The discussion touches on the broader impact of NIL deals, with athletes weighing short-term financial gain against long-term career stability. Helmer and Steiner emphasize that staying in the right system—rather than chasing immediate payouts—can sometimes be the smartest move.
To cap off the episode, they highlight EMU's own Elena Davis, who chose to continue her career at Eastern Michigan, proving that sometimes, the best opportunities aren't always at the biggest schools.
Segment 1 - EMU Women's Basketball Navigates the 'Wild West' of the Transfer Portal
As Eastern Michigan Women's Basketball prepares for the next chapter, Head Coach Sahar Nusseibeh is embracing the challenge of building a new roster with optimism. With only three returning players for the 2024-25 season, some may see this as a daunting task—but for Nusseibeh, it's an opportunity.
"100 percent excited," Nuseibeh said in an interview on the Eastern Insider. "We're really excited about the work we're doing and who we're doing it with. The biggest thing is having a group of people who are excited to be together and get better. The pieces are coming."
One of the biggest factors shaping college basketball today is the transfer portal, which has seen an explosion of movement across all levels. "It's chaos out there," Nuseibeh admitted. "We call it the Wild West. There's very little regulation, which makes it frustrating, but at the end of the day, it's here. How are we going to take advantage of it and maximize it? That's what we've been doing."
EMU has been active in what Nusseibeh now calls "portaling"—a new verb among coaches. "Stan Heath, Scott, and I are all in on it. We're scouring the portal, researching not just stats, but also character. You can bring in a great player, but it means nothing if they don't fit your locker room."
While the portal is a tool, it also presents challenges for high school recruits. "We're thrilled about our incoming class, but overall, this hurts high school players," she said. "Coaches are swapping players instead of developing them long-term."
Still, for Nusseibeh, success comes down to one thing: relationships. "Best relationship wins," she said. "That's how I operate. Relationships are everything, and I believe that will make the difference."
Segment 2 - Spring Ball Update with EMU Defensive Coordinator Ben Needham
Spring football is in full swing at Eastern Michigan University, and for Defensive Coordinator Ben Needham, this is one of the most rewarding times of the year. With new faces stepping into key roles and the team focusing on fundamentals, the Eagles are laying the groundwork for the upcoming season. Needham sat down with Greg Steiner on the Eastern Insider Podcast to discuss defensive growth, competition, and even his classical music playlist.
As the Eagles pass the midpoint of spring practices, Needham emphasized the importance of this period for player development. "It's maybe the most fun time to coach," he said. "You're really focused on getting every guy on the roster better, and we have a lot of new faces. So yeah, there's mistakes and hard lessons, but man, it's fun every day to come out with a group that is eager to learn."
A key moment in spring ball is the scrimmages, where players finally get to hit and show their progress in live-action settings. "A lot of stuff can look good when you're not tackling," Needham admitted. "But when you get another guy that's trying to run through you, you find out who's really a defensive player."
Reflecting on last season, Needham identified turnovers as a crucial area for improvement. "We learned this down the stretch—when we have one takeaway in our last three games, we go 0-3," he explained. "When we take the ball away, our offense has a really good chance to score. When we don't, it's hard to hold teams under that 24-point threshold that we want."
That message has resonated with the defense, and increasing takeaways remains a top priority heading into the fall.
One of the more intriguing position groups for EMU this spring is the linebacker unit. The Eagles welcome transfers Marco Patierno (Wake Forest, N.C./Heritage/Elon) and Kadin Bailey (Jefferson, Ga./Jefferson/Syracuse), along with the return of Zach Mowchan (Dillsburg, Pa./Northern York) and Bryce Eliuk (Linden, Mich./Linden), who are recovering from ACL injuries.
"Both Zach and Bryce have worked tremendously hard," Needham said. "We'd love to have them on the field, but it's been great to see their mental development. We've even given them some coaching responsibilities, and I think they're going to be better for it in the long run."
The challenge for transfers like Patierno and Bailey isn't just learning the system, but also adapting to EMU's terminology. "Before you ever learn how to play, you have to learn the language of our defense," Needham noted. "But both guys are veteran college football players, and they've adjusted well."
EMU's defense returns significant experience in the secondary, and Needham believes that unit should be a major strength. However, eliminating explosive plays has been a major focus.
"One big emphasis for us has been preventing what we call 'mega explosives'—not just a 17-yard pass, but a home run ball," Needham said. "That's been a huge focus this spring, and I think I'm right in saying this is our second straight scrimmage without a mega explosive in the pass game."
If the Eagles can continue that trend, the defense could take a big step forward in 2024.
Up front, the Eagles face the challenge of replacing key contributors like Peyton Price and Dylan Shelton. "There's a big void there," Needham acknowledged. "The fun part is that all the guys see the opportunity at hand. If you're not totally on your mark, you're going to get passed up pretty quick."
Among the defensive ends, Needham has been impressed with a mix of returning veterans and young talent. "Jefferson Adam (Ypsilanti, Mich./Washtenaw International/Hocking College/Iowa State), Carter Evans (Crystal Lake, Ill./Prairie Ridge), and Sterling Miles (West Bloomfield, Mich./West Bloomfield/Cincinnati) have all been around, and then we've got younger guys like Luke Fletcher (Port Huron, Mich./Port Huron Northern) and Messiah Blair (Detroit, Mich./Martin Luther King) pushing them," he said.
One newcomer to watch is Hector Gonzalez (Monterrey, Mexico/Rabun Gap-Nacoochee School (Ga.)), a Mexican-born lineman who played high school football in Georgia. "He really should be in his last semester of high school right now," Needham said. "But his early enrollment has helped him develop."
Segment 3 - Elena Davis Talks Cheer, Baseball, and April Fool's Pranks on Eastern Insider
This week's episode of Eastern Insider featured the always energetic Elena Davis, who joined host Greg Steiner to discuss everything from EMU Cheer's recent competitions to baseball, pirate flags, and April Fool's pranks.
Davis kicked things off by recapping the team's recent trip to Grand Valley, calling it the best competition performance she has seen in her four years. "We've never competed so well at Alma and Grand Valley," she said. The upcoming showcase at Concordia, which she described as "kind of like home," will be a great opportunity for fans to see EMU Cheer and Dance in action. "It's free, you can meet my whole family," she joked.
Shifting gears, Steiner brought up EMU Baseball's recent win over Michigan and the program's "Fly the Flag" tradition. Davis admitted she had no idea what the phrase meant when she first saw it. "I don't get what that means," she said, laughing. "And then you explained it, and it was mind-blowing." Steiner detailed how former MAC Commissioner Dr. Jon Steinbrecher started the tradition, likening underdog victories to pirate raids. Davis' takeaway? "I just know I have to buy a pirate costume soon."
The conversation took a lighthearted turn as Davis shared a past April Fool's prank from her coach that left the team panicked. "It was bad," she admitted. "She told us she couldn't come to our showcase, and we were freaking out. It wasn't funny at the time."
Looking ahead, Davis will be back on the call for EMU Baseball this week, covering matchups against Michigan and more. "We'll see if any shenanigans ensue," Steiner teased. Fans can catch her and the Eagles in action Tuesday at Oestrike Stadium.
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