Eastern Michigan Athletics
Podcasts
Season 7 - Episode 23: EMU Hoops Ready to Dance in MAC Tournament!
Published on 3/10/2025
Published on 3/10/2025
In Episode 23 of the Eastern Insider Podcast, Tom Helmer and Greg Steiner break down Eastern Michigan men's basketball's thrilling road to the Mid-American Conference Tournament, highlighting a team that's focused, hungry, and ready to make noise in Cleveland. Standouts Da'Sean Nelson and Yusuf Jihad join to reflect on the journey — from early-season promises to late-season surges — emphasizing the team's unique chemistry, improved health, and growing confidence. With a first-round matchup against Miami, both players and hosts agree: this team believes it can go all the way to the championship, fueled by determination and a rare shot at MAC glory.
Listen Now
View All Podcasts
The Eastern Insider Podcast powered by DTE put the spotlight on two standout voices from Eastern Michigan athletics. Head football coach Chris Creighton broke down the Eagles' 27-21 victory over Bowling Green, crediting improved physical play and a renewed focus on fundamentals during the bye week for the team's strong finish. He praised his players' discipline and resilience, pointing to key moments like Ronn Hardin's game-clinching sack and Noah Kim's second-half turnaround. Later, senior swimmer and team captain Ali Kudo shared her journey balancing neuroscience studies with the demands of Division I competition. She reflected on leading through injury, finding motivation in her teammates, and how communication and empathy define her approach to leadership.
Published on 11/10/2025
Coach Chris Creighton delivers a clear message to the football team during the bye. Fix mistakes. Improve every day. Earn success through effort and discipline as the team enters the final stretch. He discusses communication with players, the tone of recent practices, and the importance of home-field pride as Bowling Green arrives for Military Appreciation Day. The show also features Standard Printing president Steve Dobrovich. He describes more than three decades of partnership with the university and why continued support matters for athletes, staff, and the campus community. His comments highlight pride in Ypsilanti business history and the connection between local investment and Eastern's progress. The episode sets a focused approach for the month ahead across EMU sports.
Published on 11/3/2025
The latest Eastern Insider Podcast Powered by DTE delivered equal parts fun and insight as hosts Greg Steiner and Elena Davis opened the Halloween-themed episode with lighthearted banter before diving into Eastern Michigan's busy athletic slate. The duo reflected on football's narrow loss to Ohio and the team's need to recharge before facing Bowling Green, while spotlighting soccer's crucial 3-2 win over Northern Illinois and volleyball's reverse sweep of Buffalo to stay in MAC contention. With basketball season tipping off, men's head coach Stan Heath outlined his program's new "PITT" identity built on pace, intensity, toughness, and togetherness, while women's head coach Sahar Nusseibeh emphasized leadership, international talent, and a "road warrior" mindset entering year two.
Published on 10/27/2025
The latest episode of the Eastern Insider Podcast Powered by DTE showcased a week of determination and progress across Eastern Michigan athletics. Hosts Greg Steiner and Elena Davis opened with updates on EMU soccer's key win over Akron that kept the Eagles in MAC Tournament contention and volleyball's upcoming series against Buffalo. The spotlight centered on senior setter and captain Ashlynn Belcher, who shared her story of transferring from Old Dominion and immediately earning her teammates' respect as a leader. Belcher reflected on her growth, her father's influence as a former Major League pitcher, and her appreciation for the team she calls her favorite of her career. The show also previewed EMU football's return to Rynearson Stadium for a pivotal matchup against defending MAC champion Ohio, part of a packed Made in the Mitten and Band Day celebration expected to draw more than 1,100 band members to campus.
Published on 10/20/2025