Eastern Michigan Athletics
Podcasts
Season 6 - Episode 13: A Thanksgiving Treat!
Published on 11/20/2023
Published on 11/20/2023
Episode 13 of the Blue Cross Blue Shield Eastern Insider Podcast Presented by the Fowling Warehouse is a Thanksgiving treat!
Tom Helmer takes us courtside as we celebrate the christening of "Ben Braun Court" with the legendary Ben Braun himself. Then, get ready for some football action as Greg Steiner sits down with Head Coach Chris Creighton to preview the regular-season finale at Buffalo, a game that could make the Eagles bowl-eligible!
But that's not all; we're taking a stroll down memory lane to honor the late John C. Fountain, the iconic "Voice of EMU Athletics." We'll revisit a 2020 interview from the vault, where Tom Helmer and John Fountain shared stories and memories spanning his incredible 44-year broadcasting career covering EMU football, basketball, and baseball.
This episode is a perfect blend of gratitude, excitement, and tribute, making it a must-listen for all Eagle fans this Thanksgiving season.
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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
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.
Published on 3/16/2026
Episode 24 highlights two in-depth conversations across Eastern Michigan athletics. Senior tennis captain Regina Mendez Carreño shares the story behind her path from Mexico to Ypsilanti, describing the family support, cultural adjustments, and mindset that shaped her final collegiate season while helping lead an international roster preparing for MAC play. The episode also features interim baseball head coach Trevor Beerman, who discusses the lessons from a demanding 16-game road stretch, the emergence of leadership within a young roster, and the significance of returning to Oestrike Stadium as the Eagles begin the next phase of their season.
Published on 3/9/2026