Eastern Michigan Athletics
Podcasts
Season 8, Episode 30: Ypsis Celebrate a Decade, Lauth Leads Rowing Momentum
Published on 4/20/2026
Published on 4/20/2026
This week's Eastern Insider Podcast captures a defining spring moment for Eastern Michigan athletics, blending the celebration of the 10th annual Ypsis with strong performances across baseball, lacrosse, football, golf, and tennis, while also looking ahead to postseason opportunities. Greg Steiner and Elena Davis highlight the energy surrounding student-athlete achievement and competitive momentum, then shift focus to rowing with junior Abbi Lauth, who discusses the program's growth, the excitement of racing at home for the Ford Lake Cup, and the culture driving EMU's rise. The episode also carries a reflective tone as the academic year nears its close, while a major tease in segment two points to changes ahead, making this an episode centered on achievement, transition, and what comes next.
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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 He challenges outdated traditions, calling for simpler systems and a campus "completely obsessed" with student success, while also addressing the need to grow fan and community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