Eastern Michigan Athletics
Eastern Insider Podcast - Season 8 - Episode 26
3/23/2026 5:37:00 PM | General
Mental Health, Mentorship Drive Athlete Success
Click Here to Listen to the Podcast.
YPSILANTI, Mich. (EMUEagles.com) — Change is in the air at Eastern Michigan University, and Episode 26 of Season 8 of the Eastern Insider Podcast Powered by DTE opens with a clear message. A new era has arrived.
As hosts Greg Steiner and Elena Davis set the stage, the spotlight quickly turns to the arrival of new men's basketball head coach Billy Donlon and his upcoming introduction to the campus community.
"It's a new day in Eastern Michigan men's basketball," Steiner said, previewing Thursday's public press conference. "We hope you come out and coach and his family."
For Davis, the moment carries a sense of novelty. "I haven't been around when we hired a new coach," she said, asking if the public unveiling is typical. Steiner confirmed the significance, noting the program has not hosted a full-scale introduction in years.
"This is normal," Davis added. "We haven't done it in a few years."
The timing aligns with broader change across campus, from new leadership to renewed energy within athletics. "We got lots of new stuff," Steiner said. "New blood."
That momentum extends beyond basketball. Another long-awaited reveal looms as the Mid-American Conference prepares to release its football schedule, a process delayed by expansion and logistics.
"It took long enough," Davis said.
Steiner offered a glimpse into the complexity behind the scenes. "Adding Sacramento State made it a little late in the process," he said. "You have to worry about travel… you don't want to saddle a team with multiple trips."
Even with the secrecy surrounding the final schedule, anticipation remains high. "All I will say is I think people will like this," Steiner said.
As spring sports progress, winter seasons begin to wind down. Davis recapped her experience at the Mid-American Conference Gymnastics Championships, highlighting both performance and perspective.
"I think they had an outstanding performance," she said. "Just seeing all the hard work pay off was… the best thing you can ask for."
Standout moments included Kyrie Lowe's podium finish and a strong team showing on beam. Despite a fourth-place result, the focus has already shifted ahead.
"You either get hurt from what you did in the championship, or you grow from it," Davis said. "She's excited for next year."
Across the department, success continues to build. Women's golf finished second in a competitive field, while tennis secured a decisive conference win. Baseball added momentum with a series victory at home.
"Signs are turning in the right direction," Steiner said.
The conversation moves quickly, reflecting a packed calendar that includes lacrosse, track, and golf competitions stretching from Michigan to California. Yet the heart of the episode lies in storytelling.
Davis previews two featured interviews centered on impact beyond competition. First, Associate AD for Athletic Counseling Rachel Amity, whose work aligns with Social Work Month.
"Mental health is just so important," Davis said. "I argue all the time that it's more important than the physical part of sports."
The second conversation highlights Assistant AD for Development Omar Ahmad and the Week of Excellence initiative.
"If you dig deeper, we have great student-athletes," Davis said. "We really, really do."
For Steiner, those stories define the department's identity. "It's your ability to go on, help make a difference," he said.
As the episode unfolds, the message stays consistent. New leadership, competitive success, and personal growth all intersect at a pivotal moment for Eastern athletics.
Segment 1 - Rachel Amity
March marks National Social Work Month, a time to recognize professionals who often work behind the scenes. At Eastern Michigan University, Rachel Amity stands at the center of that effort, guiding student-athletes through challenges that extend far beyond competition.
As the associate athletic director for athletic counseling, Amity leads a program that meets athletes wherever they are, both mentally and emotionally. Her work spans a wide range of needs, from traditional therapy to performance-focused mental skills.
"I oversee and manage our athletic counseling program, which really aims to offer a full spectrum of care to our student-athletes," Amity said. "So on one end of that spectrum, we're talking things like more traditional mental health therapy… and on the other end… sport performance-oriented services."
That range reflects the reality of college athletics, where performance pressure and personal development often intersect. Amity does not separate the athlete from the individual. Instead, she embraces the overlap.
"We can't completely separate athlete from person," she said. "Some people come in, and we really don't talk about sport at all… and then some people come in and we pretty much exclusively talk about sport."
Her approach centers on flexibility. Each athlete arrives with different goals, experiences, and stressors. Some need help managing anxiety or homesickness. Others seek tools to stay composed in competition.
When performance pressure rises, Amity turns to practical strategies rooted in sport psychology.
"Things like visualization and imagery, a lot of self-talk… and things like relaxation skills," she said. "If we can just slow things down, we're going to be better at focusing on the right thing at the right time."
Still, the foundation of her work is not technique. It is trust.
"The relationship that people have with their mental health providers is a significant percentage of the outcome of treatment," Amity said.
Building that trust requires visibility. Amity makes a point of attending practices and competitions, building familiarity before athletes ever step into her office.
"I've been told directly… the only reason I'm here is that I see you around at practice," she said. "Maybe you're not so scary to talk to."
That presence helps reduce stigma, which remains a barrier in athletics. Amity said student-athletes often hesitate to seek help, even when they need it most.
Her background shaped that awareness. Before arriving at Eastern, she spent time at the University of Michigan and the University of Wyoming, experiences that exposed her to different athlete populations and healthcare systems.
"I think my experience… has really influenced how I continue to do that outreach and education," Amity said.
Her work also extends beyond one-on-one sessions. She collaborates with athletic trainers, coaches, and other staff to create a broader support system.
"There are so many other key players that can really expand the safety net of our student-athletes," she said.
At its core, Amity's philosophy treats mental health with the same urgency as physical health.
"If we expect athletes to be at their physical best… why are we not applying that to mental health?" she said. "If we really want to achieve peak performance, we have to have both of those puzzle pieces plug in together."
As Social Work Month continues, Amity's role highlights a shift in college athletics. Success is no longer defined by results alone, but by the well-being of the athletes competing.
And in that space, her impact reaches far beyond the scoreboard.
"More than anything," she said, "we're supporting people through life."
Segment 1 - Omar Ahmad
March brings a spotlight to impact, and at Eastern Michigan University, that focus sharpens during the Week of Excellence.
For Assistant AD for Development Omar Ahmad, the initiative serves as more than a campaign. It is a platform to tell stories that often go unseen, stories rooted in mentorship, leadership, and long-term success.
"Powered by Eastern is an opportunity for us to really lean into some stories that really highlight what our student-athletes are bringing to the table," Ahmad said during his conversation with Elena Davis on the Eastern Insider Podcast Powered by DTE.
Throughout the week, Eastern highlights the layers of the student-athlete experience. Ahmad pointed to the connections that shape careers, from alumni relationships to guidance from coaches and staff.
"Really celebrating the mentorship through connections through alumni, the mentorship they receive from their coaches, the mentorship they receive from the staff," Ahmad said.
Legacy also plays a central role. Generations of Eagles have built programs that extend beyond wins and losses.
"We have some great family legacies… some families that have been a part of the Eastern community for decades," Ahmad said.
The campaign also underscores the balance student-athletes manage daily. Competition, academics, and personal growth all intersect, with graduation standing as the ultimate goal.
"Balancing the academic side, the student-athlete side… while also the ultimate goal of walking across stage of graduation," Ahmad said.
For Ahmad, the importance of the week extends beyond athletics. He views it as a chance to elevate the entire university.
"It's more important for Eastern Michigan as a whole," he said. "We have such wonderful, incredible students on our campus… this is another opportunity for us to really highlight and put on display the incredible work that we have."
That visibility carries tangible impact. Donations and engagement fuel resources that shape the student-athlete experience from the ground up.
"We're really changing people's lives," Ahmad said. "We're really changing people's experience here at Eastern Michigan."
Those experiences often stretch far beyond campus. Ahmad pointed to former quarterback Cole Snyder as one example, citing connections formed through the football program's Empty the Nest initiative.
"He connected with Phil Incarnati and did an internship at McLaren Health," Ahmad said. "But it's not just that relationship… it was also several other alumni that he was able to connect with."
Those relationships continue long after eligibility ends, reinforcing a cycle of mentorship that defines the program's culture.
"I think that's just a great example of… how they continue to want to be involved and stay connected," Ahmad said.
Behind the scenes, Ahmad's role centers on coordination and consistency. From messaging to storytelling, his goal is to ensure each piece reflects the campaign's purpose.
"I've tried to be very on-brand and intentional about the stories that we tell," he said. "I hope that the messaging… you are truly investing in our student-athletes… really rings through."
Engagement, he added, remains one of the simplest ways to contribute.
"The simplest way to do it is to just engage and follow and like and share," Ahmad said. "If you want to be involved… we can always find ways to get you involved."
At its core, the message is direct. Support fuels opportunity, and opportunity shapes futures.
"I just want people to understand that they're truly investing in our student-athletes," Ahmad said. "These are student-athletes worth investing in."
As the Week of Excellence unfolds, those stories continue to define Eastern's identity, one built on connection, growth, and lasting impact.
YPSILANTI, Mich. (EMUEagles.com) — Change is in the air at Eastern Michigan University, and Episode 26 of Season 8 of the Eastern Insider Podcast Powered by DTE opens with a clear message. A new era has arrived.
As hosts Greg Steiner and Elena Davis set the stage, the spotlight quickly turns to the arrival of new men's basketball head coach Billy Donlon and his upcoming introduction to the campus community.
"It's a new day in Eastern Michigan men's basketball," Steiner said, previewing Thursday's public press conference. "We hope you come out and coach and his family."
For Davis, the moment carries a sense of novelty. "I haven't been around when we hired a new coach," she said, asking if the public unveiling is typical. Steiner confirmed the significance, noting the program has not hosted a full-scale introduction in years.
"This is normal," Davis added. "We haven't done it in a few years."
The timing aligns with broader change across campus, from new leadership to renewed energy within athletics. "We got lots of new stuff," Steiner said. "New blood."
That momentum extends beyond basketball. Another long-awaited reveal looms as the Mid-American Conference prepares to release its football schedule, a process delayed by expansion and logistics.
"It took long enough," Davis said.
Steiner offered a glimpse into the complexity behind the scenes. "Adding Sacramento State made it a little late in the process," he said. "You have to worry about travel… you don't want to saddle a team with multiple trips."
Even with the secrecy surrounding the final schedule, anticipation remains high. "All I will say is I think people will like this," Steiner said.
As spring sports progress, winter seasons begin to wind down. Davis recapped her experience at the Mid-American Conference Gymnastics Championships, highlighting both performance and perspective.
"I think they had an outstanding performance," she said. "Just seeing all the hard work pay off was… the best thing you can ask for."
Standout moments included Kyrie Lowe's podium finish and a strong team showing on beam. Despite a fourth-place result, the focus has already shifted ahead.
"You either get hurt from what you did in the championship, or you grow from it," Davis said. "She's excited for next year."
Across the department, success continues to build. Women's golf finished second in a competitive field, while tennis secured a decisive conference win. Baseball added momentum with a series victory at home.
"Signs are turning in the right direction," Steiner said.
The conversation moves quickly, reflecting a packed calendar that includes lacrosse, track, and golf competitions stretching from Michigan to California. Yet the heart of the episode lies in storytelling.
Davis previews two featured interviews centered on impact beyond competition. First, Associate AD for Athletic Counseling Rachel Amity, whose work aligns with Social Work Month.
"Mental health is just so important," Davis said. "I argue all the time that it's more important than the physical part of sports."
The second conversation highlights Assistant AD for Development Omar Ahmad and the Week of Excellence initiative.
"If you dig deeper, we have great student-athletes," Davis said. "We really, really do."
For Steiner, those stories define the department's identity. "It's your ability to go on, help make a difference," he said.
As the episode unfolds, the message stays consistent. New leadership, competitive success, and personal growth all intersect at a pivotal moment for Eastern athletics.
Segment 1 - Rachel Amity
March marks National Social Work Month, a time to recognize professionals who often work behind the scenes. At Eastern Michigan University, Rachel Amity stands at the center of that effort, guiding student-athletes through challenges that extend far beyond competition.
As the associate athletic director for athletic counseling, Amity leads a program that meets athletes wherever they are, both mentally and emotionally. Her work spans a wide range of needs, from traditional therapy to performance-focused mental skills.
"I oversee and manage our athletic counseling program, which really aims to offer a full spectrum of care to our student-athletes," Amity said. "So on one end of that spectrum, we're talking things like more traditional mental health therapy… and on the other end… sport performance-oriented services."
That range reflects the reality of college athletics, where performance pressure and personal development often intersect. Amity does not separate the athlete from the individual. Instead, she embraces the overlap.
"We can't completely separate athlete from person," she said. "Some people come in, and we really don't talk about sport at all… and then some people come in and we pretty much exclusively talk about sport."
Her approach centers on flexibility. Each athlete arrives with different goals, experiences, and stressors. Some need help managing anxiety or homesickness. Others seek tools to stay composed in competition.
When performance pressure rises, Amity turns to practical strategies rooted in sport psychology.
"Things like visualization and imagery, a lot of self-talk… and things like relaxation skills," she said. "If we can just slow things down, we're going to be better at focusing on the right thing at the right time."
Still, the foundation of her work is not technique. It is trust.
"The relationship that people have with their mental health providers is a significant percentage of the outcome of treatment," Amity said.
Building that trust requires visibility. Amity makes a point of attending practices and competitions, building familiarity before athletes ever step into her office.
"I've been told directly… the only reason I'm here is that I see you around at practice," she said. "Maybe you're not so scary to talk to."
That presence helps reduce stigma, which remains a barrier in athletics. Amity said student-athletes often hesitate to seek help, even when they need it most.
Her background shaped that awareness. Before arriving at Eastern, she spent time at the University of Michigan and the University of Wyoming, experiences that exposed her to different athlete populations and healthcare systems.
"I think my experience… has really influenced how I continue to do that outreach and education," Amity said.
Her work also extends beyond one-on-one sessions. She collaborates with athletic trainers, coaches, and other staff to create a broader support system.
"There are so many other key players that can really expand the safety net of our student-athletes," she said.
At its core, Amity's philosophy treats mental health with the same urgency as physical health.
"If we expect athletes to be at their physical best… why are we not applying that to mental health?" she said. "If we really want to achieve peak performance, we have to have both of those puzzle pieces plug in together."
As Social Work Month continues, Amity's role highlights a shift in college athletics. Success is no longer defined by results alone, but by the well-being of the athletes competing.
And in that space, her impact reaches far beyond the scoreboard.
"More than anything," she said, "we're supporting people through life."
Segment 1 - Omar Ahmad
March brings a spotlight to impact, and at Eastern Michigan University, that focus sharpens during the Week of Excellence.
For Assistant AD for Development Omar Ahmad, the initiative serves as more than a campaign. It is a platform to tell stories that often go unseen, stories rooted in mentorship, leadership, and long-term success.
"Powered by Eastern is an opportunity for us to really lean into some stories that really highlight what our student-athletes are bringing to the table," Ahmad said during his conversation with Elena Davis on the Eastern Insider Podcast Powered by DTE.
Throughout the week, Eastern highlights the layers of the student-athlete experience. Ahmad pointed to the connections that shape careers, from alumni relationships to guidance from coaches and staff.
"Really celebrating the mentorship through connections through alumni, the mentorship they receive from their coaches, the mentorship they receive from the staff," Ahmad said.
Legacy also plays a central role. Generations of Eagles have built programs that extend beyond wins and losses.
"We have some great family legacies… some families that have been a part of the Eastern community for decades," Ahmad said.
The campaign also underscores the balance student-athletes manage daily. Competition, academics, and personal growth all intersect, with graduation standing as the ultimate goal.
"Balancing the academic side, the student-athlete side… while also the ultimate goal of walking across stage of graduation," Ahmad said.
For Ahmad, the importance of the week extends beyond athletics. He views it as a chance to elevate the entire university.
"It's more important for Eastern Michigan as a whole," he said. "We have such wonderful, incredible students on our campus… this is another opportunity for us to really highlight and put on display the incredible work that we have."
That visibility carries tangible impact. Donations and engagement fuel resources that shape the student-athlete experience from the ground up.
"We're really changing people's lives," Ahmad said. "We're really changing people's experience here at Eastern Michigan."
Those experiences often stretch far beyond campus. Ahmad pointed to former quarterback Cole Snyder as one example, citing connections formed through the football program's Empty the Nest initiative.
"He connected with Phil Incarnati and did an internship at McLaren Health," Ahmad said. "But it's not just that relationship… it was also several other alumni that he was able to connect with."
Those relationships continue long after eligibility ends, reinforcing a cycle of mentorship that defines the program's culture.
"I think that's just a great example of… how they continue to want to be involved and stay connected," Ahmad said.
Behind the scenes, Ahmad's role centers on coordination and consistency. From messaging to storytelling, his goal is to ensure each piece reflects the campaign's purpose.
"I've tried to be very on-brand and intentional about the stories that we tell," he said. "I hope that the messaging… you are truly investing in our student-athletes… really rings through."
Engagement, he added, remains one of the simplest ways to contribute.
"The simplest way to do it is to just engage and follow and like and share," Ahmad said. "If you want to be involved… we can always find ways to get you involved."
At its core, the message is direct. Support fuels opportunity, and opportunity shapes futures.
"I just want people to understand that they're truly investing in our student-athletes," Ahmad said. "These are student-athletes worth investing in."
As the Week of Excellence unfolds, those stories continue to define Eastern's identity, one built on connection, growth, and lasting impact.
Season 8 – Episode 26: Mental Health, Mentorship Drive Athlete Success
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