Eastern Michigan Athletics
Podcasts
Season 3 - Ep. 26
Published on 5/3/2021
Published on 5/3/2021
It's not every week that a baseball team garners 91 trips to the plate and 38 hits in one day, but that is exactly what the Eastern Michigan University baseball team did, May 1, at St. Bonaventure!
On this week's Eastern Insider Podcast, hosts Greg Steiner and Alex Jewell open the show will weekly sports analysis, before tag-teaming a pair of interviews with baseball head coach Eric Roof and junior transfer Gabe Denton (Clare, Mich.-Clare (North Iowa)), who talk all about the team's incredible week against the Bonnies.
From there, Roof explains the upcoming schedule, and highlights what his club needs to do to beat Toledo tomorrow, May 4, at Oestrike Stadium.
From gut-wrenching laughs, to incredible stories of EMU's past, and much more in-between, the Eastern Insider is the only show that brings fans all things Eastern, all the time.
It's an episode you won't want to miss!
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Spring momentum carried Eastern Michigan through a packed week, where events like the athletics garage sale and national day celebrations added to a schedule filled with tennis, lacrosse, baseball, and football storylines. The episode centered on transition and leadership, as Samantha Borgert reflected on helping build the lacrosse program from its start while growing into a campus leader, and defensive tackles coach Zac Sias outlined a disciplined, relationship-first approach shaping a new defensive identity. Across every segment, the focus stayed on people, from seniors preparing for final moments at home to coaches building culture through daily habits, capturing a program moving forward with purpose on and off the field.
Published on 4/13/2026
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 He challenges outdated traditions, calling for simpler systems and a campus "completely obsessed" with student success, while also addressing the need to grow fan and community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.
Published on 4/6/2026
The episode centers on alignment, as Billy Donlon and Scott Wetherbee lay out a clear path for Eastern Michigan men's basketball grounded in belief and accountability. Donlon pointed to the hiring process as a turning point, saying, "What really got my juices really flowing was the Zoom interview… you could feel their passion, their purpose," while emphasizing a program built on toughness and unity where players "play for Eastern Michigan on the front of the jersey." Wetherbee reinforced that direction, describing a deliberate search that narrowed from "25, 30 people" to one clear choice driven by "energy" and a proven track record, adding, "We all looked at each other and like, that's our guy." Together, their message focused on consistency, development, and community investment, with Wetherbee urging support beyond the hire, saying, "If you care about Eastern Michigan… come give us a try," as both leaders signal a program ready to move forward with shared purpose.
Published on 3/30/2026
Episode 26 centers on impact beyond competition through conversations with Rachel Amity and Omar Ahmad, who detail how Eastern supports student-athletes at every level. Amity emphasizes a "full spectrum of care" that blends therapy with performance tools while building trust through visibility and relationships, noting "we can't completely separate athlete from person." Her work focuses on strategies like "visualization and imagery" and reinforcing that mental health must match physical preparation for true performance. Ahmad, highlighting the Week of Excellence, shifts the lens to storytelling and opportunity, calling it "an opportunity… to highlight what our student-athletes are bringing to the table." He underscores the role of mentorship, legacy, and donor support in shaping futures, adding, "we're really changing people's lives." Together, the interviews show a unified approach where care, connection, and investment define the Eastern experience.
Published on 3/23/2026