Eastern Michigan Athletics
Eastern Michigan Football Introduces The Factory
vs
Louisiana
Sep 20 (Sat)
3:30 p.m.
Football team to play on “EMU Gray” field beginning in 2014
YPSILANTI, Mich. (EMUEagles.com) – Toughness. Pride. Resilience. These key words have come to describe first-year Eastern Michigan University Head Football Coach Chris Creighton’s program as they prepare for the 2014 campaign. They are also terms befitting the proud residents of southeastern Michigan and their hard-working demeanor.
Inspired by this region of the state and the student-athlete’s own backgrounds, the team has challenged itself to be “E Tough,” committed to great effort, sacrifice and triumphing in the face of adversity. In this spirit, the team has nicknamed Rynearson Stadium “The Factory,” a place where coaches and staff will go to work each day to help “E Tough” student-athletes become scholars, leaders, champions and impact men. “The Factory” will be highlighted by Division I Football’s first gray FieldTurf playing surface for the fall season.
Since taking over reigns of EMU Football in December 2013, Creighton has rallied the program to "close the gap" between its current status and the pursuit of its true potential. He has studied the school, its surroundings, recruiting base and the current student-athletes. The one common thread throughout has been an uncommon ‘toughness’ that permeates the program.
"We are proud of who we are, where we are from and what we represent," Creighton added. "We know that being a part of the Eastern Michigan football team requires a great commitment. We will train, practice and play with an uncommon intensity. The bonds that form the team are incredibly deep. Game days will be an expression of this powerful experience and that is why we will play with such deep passion and resolve."
In this spirit, the program’s E Tough mentality represents:
Team first
Obsessed with getting better
Unwavering in adversity
Great effort
Heart
The concept of the “EMU Gray” field was born during one of the squad's notoriously intense winter workouts in 2014. Ron McKeefery, Director of Sports Performance, challenged the team to an outdoor practice on the snow covered Rynearson Stadium field rather than the warm confines of their indoor practice facility. True to their E Tough demeanor, the team accepted the challenge. Throughout each drill of the bitter cold practice Creighton delivered the message that EMU Football has the will to compete against "anyone, anytime and anywhere… even on a parking lot covered with broken glass." Inspired by his team’s toughness and commitment that day, Creighton’s idea of an “EMU Gray” field was born and soon shared with administrators.
The new look within Rynearson Stadium, and moniker, “The Factory,” will serve as visual and name recognition for the program’s ideals. They are a constant reminder to the student-athletes that being E Tough means coming ready to roll up their sleeves and to never give in or let up.
"Our colors are green and white but our collars are blue," said Creighton. "The Factory is where our coaching staff goes to work and our players develop. It is our home and one that we will protect. When opponents come to the Factory we want to make it known that they are in for a 60-minute fight. Our goal is to make it one of the toughest places to play in the Mid-American Conference."
The turf inside Rynearson Stadium will be replaced this July. Utilizing the colors gray, green and white, the Block E logo will be at the 50-yard line while the logo for the MAC will adorn the field as well. The playing surface will be gray with white hashmarks and numbers, while the end zones will be green with the word "EASTERN" on the northside and "EAGLES" on the southside in white.
Southeastern Michigan has long been viewed as one of the most significant manufacturing centers in the country, and the iconic ‘Automotive Capital of the World.’ Despite battling difficult times in recent years, local communities’ toughness and resilience has been on display, as the region is experiencing a dramatic rebirth.
EMU football student-athletes come from these communities and have brought this toughness to the team. A total of 36 members of the 2014 squad are from the state of Michigan and 22 are from the Southeastern Michigan region.
Ypsilanti has its own proud history in the automobile and manufacturing industries. The city was the home of Apex Motors, Preston Tucker and his Preston ’48, and the last Hudson automobile dealership. The nearby Willow Run manufacturing complex played a critical role in producing B-24 “Liberator” heavy bombers in the early years of World War II. It was also at this location that Rose Will Monroe, the film and poster representation of “Rosie the Riveter,” actually worked as a riveter before becoming the manufacturing icon of the era.
EMU has already begun construction on the factory, will you be ready to clock in this fall? Season tickets are now on sale for the five-game home slate, which includes four contests against MAC foes. Single-game tickets will be available beginning July 1. Tickets can be purchased at EMUTix.com or by calling 734.487.2282.
"The Factory" Frequently Asked Questions
Why does the Eastern Michigan University need new turf at Rynearson Stadium?
The current field was installed prior to the 2005 season so it would be entering its ninth year of use. The industry standard is an eight-year warranty on the turf materials, so to ensure the safety of our student-athletes the decision was made to replace it. EMU has featured artificial turf in Rynearson Stadium since 1991.
How is the University paying for the new turf?
The cost of the project will be paid for by the Department of Athletics out of the Capital Budget by using funding from game guarantees.
When is the project starting and when should it be completed?
The construction project will be a coordinated effort between EMU's Physical Plant, Osborn Engineering and Field Turf. It is expected to begin in July and take a little more than a month, depending on weather conditions. It will be ready during August for the EMU football team to practice on it prior to the Aug. 30 season opener against Morgan State.
Is choosing a gray field just a novelty to gain notoriety?
No - Since taking over reigns of EMU Football in December 2013, Creighton has rallied the program to "close the gap" between its current status and the pursuit of its true potential. He has studied the school, its surroundings, recruiting base and the current student-athletes. The one common thread throughout has been an uncommon ‘toughness’ that permeates the program. The concept of the “EMU Gray” field was born during one of the squad's notoriously intense winter workouts in 2014. Ron McKeefery, Director of Sports Performance, challenged the team to an outdoor practice on the snow covered Rynearson Stadium field rather than the warm confines of their indoor practice facility. True to their E Tough demeanor, the team accepted the challenge. Throughout each drill of the bitter cold practice Creighton delivered the message that EMU Football has the will to compete against "anyone, anytime and anywhere… even on a parking lot of broken glass." Inspired by his team’s toughness and commitment that day, Creighton’s idea of an “EMU Gray” field was born and soon shared with administrators. The new look within Rynearson Stadium, and moniker, “The Factory,” will serve as visual and name recognition for the program’s ideals. They are a constant reminder to the student-athletes that being E Tough means coming ready to roll up their sleeves and build themselves into scholars, leaders and champions each day.
Gray is not one of Eastern Michigan's school colors - so why are you using it?
Correct - gray is not an official school color, however, most teams do not play on a field that is their school color. The football team has incorporated gray in their uniforms as an accent for the past two seasons while the men's cross country/track teams have used a non-EMU color (yellow) as part of their uniforms with great success since the late 1960s. The colors green and white are not going away as the team will still feature these colors on the field and in its uniforms. The new look within Rynearson Stadium, and moniker, “The Factory,” will serve as visual and name recognition of the program’s ideals.
Is the name of Rynearson Stadium changing?
No - Rynearson Stadium will still be named in honor of legendary coach Elton J. Rynearson, Sr., who coached football at Eastern Michigan for 26 seasons. His teams compiled a record of 114-58-15. In one six-year period, from 1925-30, Rynearson’s teams won 40 games, tied two and lost just four. Much like Michigan has "The Big House," Ohio State has "The Horseshoe" or Florida has "The Swamp," Eastern Michigan will use the nickname "The Factory" to describe the stadium.
Why "The Factory?"
As Coach Creighton often says, “our colors are green and white but our collars are blue." The Factory will be where EMU coaching staff goes to work and EMU student-athletes develop. The factory is a fitting moniker for a team in Southeastern Michigan seeking to manufacturing excellence. Southeastern Michigan has long been viewed as one of the most significant manufacturing centers in the country, and the iconic ‘Automotive Capital of the World.’ Despite battling difficult times in recent years, local communities’ toughness and resilience has been on display, as the region is experiencing a dramatic rebirth. Ypsilanti has its own proud history in the automobile and manufacturing industries. It was the home of Apex Motors, Preston Tucker and his Preston ’48, and the last Hudson automobile dealership (current site of the Ypsilanti Automotive Heritage Museum). The nearby Willow Run manufacturing complex played a critical role in producing B-24 “Liberator” heavy bombers in the early years of World War II. It was at this location that Rose Will Monroe, the film and poster representation of “Rosie the Riveter,” actually worked as a riveter before becoming a manufacturing icon of the era. Southeast Michigan is also the EMU Football team’s home recruiting base and thus home to many of its current student-athletes as well. 36 members of the Eagles’ roster in 2014 are Michigan natives, with 22 hailing from southeastern Michigan.
So are you saying the athletes now employees at 'The Factory'?
No - the athletes are not the employees. The coaching, support and administrative staffs go to work in ‘The Factory’ everyday to provide an environment for the student-athletes that produces leaders, scholars and champions. E Tough student-athletes thrive in this environment and develop, as they work toward an Eastern Michigan University degree, into impact citizens who enjoy outstanding success in the classroom, on the field and in the community. When they leave the University, The Factory’s winning environment and the University’s academic rigor have prepared them to make a positive difference in all walks of life.
There are many factories that have been shut down due to the recession - are you celebrating lost jobs?
We're celebrating the generations of success the factories and their blue collar workers inspired in the region. We’re also celebrating the spirit of Southeastern Michigan residents that has allowed them to withstand the tough times and begin enjoying a recent economic re-birth. This pride is no different than the pride Pittsburgh residents feel despite the collapse of their steel industry. They remain the “Steel City” with a football team called the Steelers. EMU Football remains proud of the region’s manufacturing roots and will bring pride to Eastern Michigan University and the region with “The Factory.”
Education First vs. "The Factory"
Eastern Michigan University's motto is still "Education First" and that will not change. Through “The Factory” the EMU Football program embraces this University motto and priority for the development of its student-athletes.