Eastern Michigan Athletics
Podcasts
Season 6 - Episode 8: Rain or Shine: Tennis Triumphs and Football Fervor
Published on 10/16/2023
Published on 10/16/2023
Episode 8 of the Blue Cross Blue Shield Eastern Insider Podcast Presented by the Fowling Warehouse is a journey of passion, persistence, and a splash of rain!
Tom Helmer serves up an exciting chat with new tennis Head Coach Ryan Kucera. We learn how he discovered the sport by hitting a ball against a concrete wall to now taking the reins of the EMU tennis program.
But the excitement doesn't stop there. Greg Steiner brings us the football action as we revisit the rainy Kent State contest. The weather couldn't dampen the Eagles' spirits, and now we're gearing up for a road test at Northern Illinois with Head Coach Chris Creighton.
From humble beginnings on the tennis court to gridiron battles under the rain, Episode 8 is a testament to the determination and love for sports. Don't miss it on the Blue Cross Blue Shield Eastern Insider Podcast Presented by the Fowling Warehouse!
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Episode 17 opened the new year with Greg Steiner and Elena Davis blending humor with momentum before spotlighting two voices shaping EMU's winter season. Gymnastics junior Gwendelyn Cantu reflected on her first career vault win, the confidence built through training, and the energy driving a resurgent program ahead of a themed home meet. Tennis coach Ryan Kucera followed with a look at the spring season shift, team culture, and the growth of a young roster as match play begins. Together, the conversations framed a semester fueled by belief, preparation, and competitive edge across Eastern Michigan athletics.
Published on 1/12/2026
The Eastern Insider wrapped up 2025 with a fast mix of holiday music talk, lighthearted moments and major news across EMU athletics. Greg Steiner and Elena Davis opened with favorite songs and a story about Davis dressing as a Christmas tree in Detroit before shifting to football honors, a 37 player signing class and the team banquet that highlighted Dante McMillan. They moved to basketball updates, including a look at freshman guard Peyton Hill, who later detailed her early rise and strong support system. The episode also covered women's games against Indiana and Ball State, the men's December road stretch and a return home against UMass. The show previewed gymnastics, noted several sports coming back in January and closed by celebrating WEMU's 60th anniversary.
Published on 12/8/2025
Episode 15 of the Eastern Insider Podcast Powered by DTE begins with Greg Steiner and Elena Davis breaking down what they called "a lot of W's" across Eastern Michigan, led by the men's basketball team's road upset at Cincinnati, the program's first Power Conference road victory in a decade. The hosts joke about Steiner's prediction and detail the scheduling quirks, late-night travel, and quick holiday turnaround that framed back-to-back wins before previewing upcoming matchups with Butler and Cleary. They highlight the women's team's strong start and set up two major interviews, including point guard Ainhoa Cea discussing her move from Spain and her growing impact, and President James Smith reflecting on his decade of leadership, community ties, and upcoming retirement. The segment closes with reminders about Giving Tuesday, football signing da,y and Friday's basketball doubleheader.
Published on 12/1/2025
Episode 14 of the Eastern Insider Podcast Powered by DTE sets the scene for Eastern Michigans rivalry matchup with Western Michigan as Greg Steiner and Elena Davis break down postseason paths, revisit Westerns last trip to the MAC Championship, and outline the stakes for EMU's senior night. The hosts move through football promotions, highlight recent men's and women's basketball results, and preview the episodes featured interviews. Chris Creighton explains his teams late season growth, senior leadership, and the challenge Western brings to the finale. Ruby Brannon shares her transition from Australia to Division I basketball, her adjustment to American culture and style of play, and the impact of EMUs international roster on her comfort and development.
Published on 11/24/2025