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 Abby 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.

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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 He challenges outdated traditions, calling for simpler systems and a campus "completely obsessed" with student success, while also addressing the need to grow fan and community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.

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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.

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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.

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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.

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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.

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Season 8, Episode 23 opens with hosts Greg Steiner and Elena Davis setting the stage for EMU athletics in March, then dives into two in-depth interviews. Senior pitcher Ethan Davis discussed navigating a season of change, explaining, “I think we… faced some adversity on the pitching staff. But then… staying together through that adversity, it helped us a lot.” He highlighted consistency, preparation, and mental focus as keys to success, noting, “Being able to trust [catchers]… that’s one of the biggest things.” The episode also featured EMU Men’s Basketball Director of Operations Carlos McMath, who reflected on his path from football player to lawyer to basketball coach. McMath emphasized leadership and mentorship, saying, “Ultimately, basketball is great, but I want to make sure he’s a great young man. He represents our last name with respect and integrity.” He shared lessons from sports and law school, adding, “Invest in yourself. Figure out your goals, map it out, and when the map gets destroyed, remap it again.” The show captures both athletic insight and personal development, framing March as a time of competition, growth, and preparation for EMU athletes.

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Season 8, Episode 22 centers on two in depth conversations, beginning with Eastern Michigan freshman guard Gregory Lawson II, who reflects on earning a larger role, building confidence, and embracing defense as injuries reshaped the rotation, saying, “At first, it was kind of nervous… but now I’m ready,” and crediting steady belief with “staying confident” during his recent scoring surge, while also sharing how family ties and long term recruiting trust made EMU feel like home; the episode then shifts to Andrew Sivulka, president of Endurium’s newly formed VIPER division, who traces his path from SEC diver to business leader and explains how his firm works “week in and week out” with clients, adding, “We’re coaches, and we’re players too,” as he outlines a hands on approach to cutting costs, driving efficiency, and strengthening community partnerships with Eastern Michigan athletics.

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Season 8, Episode 21 centers on two in-depth conversations that highlight preparation and possibility across Eastern Michigan athletics. Men’s golf coach Andy Walker details how winter training, national rankings, and a deep roster have positioned his team for a MAC title push, stressing that “Golf is an outdoor sport” while embracing indoor work to refine “process and mentality and breathing.” He points to leaders like Charlie Box, who “wants to tear your guts out,” and a healthier lineup as key pieces in a postseason chase where “MAC determines postseason for us this year.” The episode then shifts to former track star Jasmine Jones, who reflects on her foundation at EMU and her path to the 2026 Winter Olympics in bobsled. “It’s definitely created this foundation that I needed,” Jones says of her Eastern career, recounting the moment she heard her name called for Olympic selection while “sitting on pins and needles.” From rebuilding confidence after her first World Cup win to balancing motherhood and elite sport, Jones shares a story grounded in belief, closing with a message that defines the episode’s tone: “As long as you believe it and you can strive to do it, then go do it.”

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