Eastern Michigan Athletics

Back to all Podcasts

Season 3 - Ep. 21

Podcast Image

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.

It's an episode you won't want to miss!

Fans, don't forget, it has never been easier to listen to the Eastern Insider. If you have a virtual assistant, try saying "Hey Google," or "Alexa," followed by "Play the Eastern Insider Podcast."

Podcast Image
Chris Creighton: Ohio Week

Head Coach Chris Creighton sits down with Greg Steiner to recap the homecoming loss to Toledo and look ahead to the road game at Ohio, airing on ESPNU at 4 p.m. Creighton acknowledges the Toledo game was 'awful' despite a strong homecoming atmosphere, pointing to six sacks allowed and an inability to respond to adversity as the key offensive failures. On the positive side, he highlights the defense's second-half turnaround and punter Daniel Hall's continued development, then previews Ohio as a disciplined, run-first program whose starting quarterback makes them go.

Published on 10/23/2026

Listen
Podcast Image
Sahar Nusseibeh: 2026-27 Season Preview

Greg Steiner interviews EMU Women's Basketball Head Coach Sahar Nusseibeh in a wide-ranging season preview for the 2026-27 campaign. Nusseibeh discusses roster continuity, replacing departed star Sisi Eleko and point guard Ainhoa Cea, the development of MAC Freshman of the Year Peyton Hill, key newcomers including transfer Zoe Guice and post player Ni'Rah Clark, a challenging non-conference schedule, and the program's identity on and off the court.

Published on 10/19/2026

Listen
Podcast Image
Chris Creighton: Toledo Week

Head Coach Chris Creighton sits down with Greg Steiner to break down the close MAC win over Akron and look ahead to Homecoming against Toledo. Key takeaways include praise for in-game defensive adjustments, a breakout performance from receiver Joshua Long, a punt block that proved critical, and Rudy Kessinger's game-winning field goal. Creighton also previews a Toledo program he calls 'really good' and speaks to the excitement of welcoming back the 2016 Bahamas Bowl team for the reunion.

Published on 10/15/2026

Listen
Podcast Image
Billy Donlon: 2026-27 Season Preview

New EMU men's basketball head coach Billy Donlon speaks with Greg Steiner in a wide-ranging preview interview covering his transition to Ypsilanti, his program-building philosophy, roster evaluation, and the upcoming schedule. Donlon emphasizes toughness, selflessness, and love of the game as program pillars, highlights several players showing early promise, and sets a goal of selling out the George Gervin GameAbove Center for the first time in men's basketball.

Published on 10/9/2026

Listen