Eastern Michigan Athletics
Podcasts
Season 3 - Ep. 21
Published on 3/29/2021
Published on 3/29/2021
Another Monday means another opportunity to hear the only show that brings you all things Eastern, all the time! Join hosts Greg Steiner and Alex Jewell as they sit down this week with Ryan Wooley.
Wooley recently completed his sixth season as the television play-by-play voice of EMU basketball. He took over the role when Eastern Michigan launched its ESPN campus production initiative during the 2015-16 season.
For more than 13 years, Wooley was an afternoon sports anchor for both WWJ Newsradio 950 and 97.1 "The Ticket" in Detroit. During his time on air, he was awarded the "Best Sportscast" by the Michigan Association of Broadcasters six times (including two three-peats in 2012/2013/2014 and 2017/2018/2019) and four Associated Press Media Editors (APME) awards (a three-peat in 2013/2014/2015 and 2017).
Additionally,Wooley was honored at the 2014 EMU Alumni Awards with the Outstanding Young Alumni Award. A 2007 graduate of EMU with a bachelor of arts degree in Electronic Media and Film Studies, Wooley served as a news anchor for Eastern Weekly, co-created and hosted "The Eastern Sports Report," was a play-by-play anchor for EMU football and men's and women's basketball on E-TV, was a three-year member of the EMU Marching Band, a four-year member of the EMU Basketball Band, and a member of the National Honorary Band Fraternity, Kappa Kappa Psi. He was also the recipient of the J. Clarence and Courtney S. Fountain Sportscasters Scholarship.
Following Wooley's interview, Jewell catches up with EMU's Head Football Athletic Trainer, Steven Berning.
Berning returned to Ypsilanti after serving as the Assistant Athletic Trainer at Ferris State for two years. There, he worked with volleyball and mens' and women's basketball. In 2017-18, Berning's men's basketball team captured the NCAA Division II national championship with a 71-69 victory over Northern State University.
Berning previously worked at EMU from 2014-16 as a graduate assistant athletic trainer. He worked directly with the football team during his first two years in Ypsilanti, and earned a master's degree in sport management in 2016.
A native of Toledo, Ohio, Berning is a 2014 graduate of the University of Toledo with a Bachelor's of Science in Athletic Training. As a Toledo undergraduate, Berning assisted with the football, cross country, and track and field. He also spent time in the NFL ranks as an intern with the San Diego Chargers in 2013.
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Dr. Brendan Kelly opens his presidency at Eastern Michigan with a clear focus on students, energy, and connection, stressing that "if we don't get that right, then we might as well throw our hands up and walk off the field." Drawing on his own experience as a two-time EMU alum, he emphasizes closing gaps in the student experience, building pride, and moving quickly with "the best idea in the room." He challenges outdated traditions, calling for simpler systems and a campus "completely obsessed" with student success, while also addressing the need to grow fan and community energy. Kelly sees the hiring of men's basketball coach Billy Donlon as a reflection of that vision, praising his "standard of excellence" and grit, and signaling a broader push to raise expectations across the university.
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Episode 25 centers on two behind-the-scenes perspectives within Eastern Michigan athletics, as quarterback Noah Kim discusses the unexpected NCAA waiver that granted him another season and the leadership role he embraces as he enters year two, leading the Eagles' offense. Kim reflects on continuity, preparation, and the motivation of returning to a familiar program while guiding a younger roster. The episode also highlights assistant sports performance coach Aaron Abraham, who explains how he balances responsibilities with both basketball programs while building individualized training plans, monitoring athlete performance data, and developing trust with student-athletes. Together, the interviews offer insight into the preparation, leadership, and development shaping Eastern Michigan programs heading into spring competition.
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