Eastern Michigan Eagles

Eastern Michigan Eagles
University	Eastern Michigan University
Conference(s)	Mid-American Conference
NCAA	Division I
Athletics director	Derrick Gragg
Location	Ypsilanti, MI
Varsity teams	21
Football stadium	Rynearson Stadium
Basketball arena	Convocation Center
Baseball stadium	Oestrike Stadium
Other arenas	Bowen Field House
Mascot	Swoop
Nickname	Eagles
Fight song	Eagles Fight Song
Colors	Green and White
Homepage	EMU Eagles

The Eastern Michigan Eagles, formerly known as the Eastern Michigan Hurons, are the athletic teams for Eastern Michigan University. Altogether, they have won three NCAA Division II national championships and 13 NAIA Division I national championships in five different sports (baseball, men's cross country, men's swimming and diving, men's indoor track and field, and men's outdoor track and field); moreover, EMU has been NCAA Division I national runner-up twice. In 1940, the men's cross country team finished second to Indiana University at the national meet hosted by Michigan State University.

The Eagles have also won the Reese Trophy, given to the best overall men's athletic program in the Mid-American Conference (MAC), four times, most recently in 2008.^[1] EMU was a member of the Illinois Intercollegiate Athletic Conference from 1950–1961, and has been a member of the MAC since 1972.

Team name history

Since the 1991 season, Eastern Michigan University athletic teams have gone by the nickname "Eagles." The school's first nicknames (then Michigan State Normal College), were the "Normalites" and "Men from Ypsi" and various other titles down through the years before "Hurons" was adopted in 1929. The "Hurons" first came into being as the result of a contest sponsored by the Men's Union in 1929. On Oct. 31 of that year, a three-person committee, composed of Dr. Clyde Ford, Dr. Elmer Lyman and Professor Bert Peet, selected the name "Hurons" from the many entries in the contest. The name was submitted by two students, Gretchen Borst and George Hanner. The runner-up name in that contest was Pioneers.

The Michigan State Normal logo used until 1929 (left image). Huron logo used from 1929-1991 (center image).Eagle Logo used 1991-present (right image)

EMU began investigating the appropriateness of its Huron Indian logo after the Michigan Department of Civil Rights issued a report in October 1988 suggesting that all schools using such logos drop them. The report indicated that the use of Native American names, logos and mascots for athletic teams promoted racial stereotypes. At that time, four colleges, 62 high schools and 33 junior high/middle schools in Michigan used Native American logos or names, including Mid-American Conference rival Central Michigan University. CMU did not, however, change their nickname from the Chippewas. The EMU Board of Regents voted to replace the Huron name with Eagles, taken from three recommendations from a committee charged with supplying a new nickname. The other two final names submitted were Green Hornets and Express. The Eagles name was officially adopted on May 22, 1991, when the EMU Board of Regents voted to replace the existing Huron nickname and logo with the new one. During the 1991 NCAA Men's Division I Basketball Tournament, announcer Brent Musburger talked about the controversy and referred to the team on-air as the "No-Names."

The controversy over the nickname continues to this day, as many former students and faculty were angered that a unique name like Hurons was replaced by a common name like Eagles, especially for reasons of political correctness concerning inappropriate logos or mascots. Also of some controversy is the confused etymology of the word Huron. Early French explorers referred to the Wyandot people as the Huron, either from the French huron ("ruffian", "rustic"), or from hure ("boar's head"). According to tradition, French sailors thought that the bristly hairstyle of Wendat warriors resembled that of a boar.^[2]

But these negative etymological meanings conflict with the "bon Iroquois" attitude held by the French fur traders and explorers. An alternate etymology is from the Algonquin words ronon ("nation"), or Irri-ronon ("Erie" or "Cat Nation"). It was pronounced Hirri-ronon by the French, eventually shortened to Hirr-on, and finally spelled in its present form, Huron. ^[3] Some alumni have even refused to donate money to the school until the name Hurons is restored. An official chapter of the EMU Alumni Association, the Huron Restoration Chapter, seeks to bring back the name and claims to have the support of Chief Leaford Bearskin of the Wyandot Tribe of Oklahoma and former Grand Chief Max Gros-Louis of the Huron-Wendat Nation of Quebec.^[4]

Mascot

Swoop, EMU's Mascot

Swoop is the mascot for Eastern Michigan University. Before the 1991 season, Eastern Michigan University went by the "Hurons." After 1991 Eastern has gone by the "Eagles." Even though the school adopted the name "Eagles" it was not until 1994 when "Swoop" was adopted as the official mascot for the university.^[5] Swoop is depicted as an American Bald Eagle wearing an Eastern Michigan University jersey, displaying the numbers "00" on the front and "Swoop" on the back. Swoop's gender is undefined. At the Eastern Michigan University bookstore a stuffed animal pair can be purchased, one wearing a jersey, the other wearing a cheerleader outfit.

Baseball

Oestrike Stadium looking towards Huron River Drive.

On June 19, 1976, after finishing in sixth place the year before, the baseball team was defeated by the University of Arizona in the final game of the College World Series at Johnny Rosenblatt Stadium in Omaha, Nebraska. Under the leadership of Coach Ron Oestrike and assistant Roger Coryell, the Hurons defeated Maine, Clemson, and Arizona State (with its 13 future Major Leaguers) before losing its last two games to Arizona. EMU was led by stars Bob Owchinko, Bob Welch, Dan Schmitz, Jerry Keller, Glenn Gulliver, Glen Ambrose, Mike Lauerman, Thom Boutin and John Martin (baseball).

Basketball

Main article: Eastern Michigan Eagles men's basketball

Eastern's men's basketball team has appeared in four NCAA Division I tournaments, and have a 3-4 record, tied for third best among Michigan colleges. They reached the Sweet Sixteen in the 1991 tournament (their first ever appearance) and defeated Duke University in the first round of the 1996 tournament.

One of the great highlights in team history came after the victory over Duke in 1996 when the Blue Devils' Head Coach Mike Krzyzewski stated, "Eastern Michigan is very well coached, much deeper than we are and, today, much quicker than we were."^[6]

EMU reached the Final Four of the 1972 NCAA College Division National Championship, led by All-American George Gervin, an NBA Hall of Famer selected as one of the 50 Greatest Players in NBA History.

Swimming and Diving

The Eagles hold the record for the most MAC Championships in a single sport, 25, for Men's Swimming and Diving, which they won in 1979, 1981–1996, 1998, and 2000–2005.

Football

Main article: Eastern Michigan Eagles football

The football team plays one home game a year at Ford Field in downtown Detroit annually since 2004 in the "Collegiate Clash". They have hosted Central Michigan University (2004), Western Michigan University (2005), the United States Naval Academy (2006), and Northwestern University (2007). Since winning the first Ford Field game over CMU in triple overtime 61-58, they have lost three in a row. Traditionally, the program has problems attracting fans to their football games each season. NCAA rules state that in order to stay in Division I-A for football, each team must attract an average of 15,000 fans per game. During a 1-11 season, Eastern's EMU Foundation purchased 5,000 tickets for local high school students to curb this threat to their status. The annual game at Ford Field also boosts their average attendance.

The greatest football victory in EMU history occurred in December 1987. The MAC Champion Hurons defeated 17½ point favorite San Jose State in the California Bowl. The victory culminated a 10-2 season and improbable rise from the depths of Division I-A college football. Only two years previous the team was in serious jeopardy of losing Division 1-A status. Head Coach Jim Harkema was instrumental in resurrecting the program. The two losses in 1987 were both on the road, and were by a total of 11 points.

The 1988 and 1989 teams each finished in second place in the conference and ended the most successful stretch of football in school history with its fourth straight winning season. EMU has achieved only one winning season ('95) since.

Cross country

Main article: Eastern Michigan Eagles men's cross country

Eastern Michigan Eagles men's cross country is a varsity level sport. The Eagles compete at the Division I level in the NCAA. The men's cross country team has won fourteen team championships. Its current head coach, John Goodridge, has won five MAC championships in his nine years as head coach. The cross country team at the school started in 1911.^[7]

Gymnastics

Main article: Eastern Michigan Eagles gymnastics

Eastern Michigan Eagles gymnastics is a collegiate women's gymnastics program. Home meets are held in Bowen Field House.^[8] Warner Gymnasium is the current home of the EMU Gymnastics Program.^[9]

Wrestling

Main article: Eastern Michigan Eagles wrestling

Eastern Michigan Eagles wrestling team is a men's athletic program. Home meets are held in Bowen Field House.Eastern Michigan adopted the sport of wrestling in 1956. In 1996, wrestling won its first Mid-American conference Championship.

Athletic Bands

The Eastern Michigan University Marching Band, nicknamed "The Pride of the Peninsula," was first formed in 1924. Notable past leaders of the EMU marching band include Mitch Osadchuk (1956–1964), Thomas Tyra (1964–1977), Max Plank (1979–2001) , Scott Boerma (2002–2006), and John Zastoupil (2007-2009. The marching band is presently directed by Dr. Amy Knopps (since 2010). The band plays both Go Green and the Eagles Fight Song for pregame at football games, and after every game and rehearsal the marching band sings Our Pledge. Other major parts of the pregame performance include the tunnel entrance and "Floating E".

EMU Marching Band

The EMU Marching Band also provides a wide variety of half time entertainment throughout the season. In recent years, The EMUMB has traveled with the football team to The University of Michigan, Michigan State University, and Ford Field in Detroit. The EMU Marching Band has also performed at venues such as the Pontiac Silverdome and Rich Stadium in Buffalo, NY. In 2008, The EMUMB performed in America's Thanksgiving Day Parade in Detroit, MI.

The Eastern Michigan University Basketball Band is directed by the two graduate assistants of the band. Unlike the marching band which is made up of all brass and woodwinds, the Basketball Band's instrumentation is strictly "Brass and Sax." The Basketball Band travels with the basketball teams during the MAC tournament or the NCAA tournament.

The school song "Our Pledge" was written by Edward Bowles and was arranged for the marching band by Thomas Tyra. The melody of "Eagles Fight Song" was written by Larry Livingston and arranged for marching band by Thomas Tyra. The percussion parts were written by Whitney Prince. "Go Green" was written by Thomas Tyra.

Athletic facts

• Conference: Mid-American (MAC)
• Nickname: Eagles (were known as the Hurons from 1929–1991)
• Colors: Green and White
• Affiliation: NCAA Division I (previously NAIA and NCAA Division II)
• Number of sports at EMU: 21

National Championships (16)

• 1972: Men's Swimming and Diving - NCAA Division II
• 1972: Men's Outdoor Track and Field - NCAA Division II
• 1971: Men's Swimming and Diving - NAIA
• 1971: Men's Indoor Track and Field - NAIA
• 1971: Men's Outdoor Track and Field - NAIA
• 1970: Baseball - NAIA
• 1970: Men's Cross Country - NCAA Division II
• 1970: Men's Cross Country - NAIA
• 1970: Men's Swimming and Diving - NAIA
• 1970: Men's Indoor Track and Field - NAIA
• 1970: Men's Outdoor Track and Field - NAIA
• 1969: Men's Swimming and Diving - NAIA
• 1969: Men's Indoor Track and Field - NAIA
• 1968: Men's Swimming and Diving - NAIA
• 1967: Men's Cross Country - NAIA
• 1966: Men's Cross Country - NAIA

National Runners-up (6)

• 1976: Baseball - NCAA Division I
• 1971: Men's Basketball - NAIA Division I
• 1969: Men's Cross Country - NCAA Division II
• 1969: Men's Cross Country - NAIA
• 1965: Men's Cross Country - NCAA Division II
• 1940: Men's Cross Country - NCAA

Club Team National Championships (1)

• 2001: Roller Hockey - NCRHA Division II

Club Team National Runners-up (2)

• 2000: Men's Ice Hockey - ACHA Division I
• 1994: Men's Ice Hockey - ACHA Division I

Recent MAC championships

• 2008: Men's Baseball
• 2007: Men's Baseball
• 2007: Men's Cross Country
• 2007: Woman's Softball
• 2007: Men's Outdoor Track and Field
• 2007: Men's Golf
• 2007: Women's Gymnastics
• 2007: Men's Indoor Track and Field
• 2007: Men's Swimming and Diving
• 2007: Women's Swimming and Diving
• 2006: Men's Cross Country
• 2006: Women's Swimming and Diving
• 2005: Men's Cross Country
• 2000–2005: Men's swimming and diving
• 2004: Women's Basketball
• 2003: Men's baseball
• 2003: Women's soccer
• 2003: Women's outdoor track
• 1995–2003: Men's track
• 2001: Women's tennis
• 2000: Women's indoor track

NCAA bowl games

• 1971 Pioneer Bowl Appearance
• 1987 California Bowl Champions

NCAA individual champions

Men's Cross Country:

• 2001 Boaz Cheboiywo

Men's Track and Field:

• 2004 Jordan Desilets, 3000-meter steeplechase
• 2002 Boaz Cheboiywo, 10,000 meters outdoor track
• 1999 Clement Chukwu, 400 meters
• 1985 Earl Jones, 800 meters
• 1975 Halsey Crawford, 100 yards
• 1959 Hayes Jones, 120- & 220-yard hurdles
• 1932 Eugene Beatty, 400-meter hurdles

Women's Track and Field:

• 2005 Lela Nelson, heptathlon
• 1995 Savatheda Fynes, 200 meters

Olympians

• 2004 Athens Games: USA- Jamie Nieto (High Jump, 4th)
• 2000 Sydney Games: Nigeria- Nduka Awazie (4x400 meter relay, Silver), Nigeria - Clement Chukwu (200 & 400 meters)
• 1996 Atlanta Games: USA- Paul McMullen (1500 meters, 9th), Suriname - Tommy Asinga (800 meters), British West Indies - Greg Rhymer (1500 meters), Nigeria - Clement Chukwu (200 & 400 meters), Bahamas - Savatheda Fynes (100 & 200 meters, 400M Relay)
• 1992 Barcelona Games: Suriname - Tommy Asinga (800 meters)
• 1988 Seoul Games: Suriname - Tommy Asinga (800 meters)
• 1984 Los Angeles Games: USA- Earl Jones (800 meters, Bronze), Trinidad and Tobago- Hasely Crawford (100 meters)
• 1980 Moscow Games: Trinidad and Tobago- Hasely Crawford (100 meters)
• 1976 Montreal Games: Trinidad and Tobago- Hasely Crawford (100 meters, Gold, 200 meters)
• 1972 Munich Games: Trinidad and Tobago- Hasely Crawford (100 meters)
• 1968 Mexico City Games: Canada - Dave Ellis (10,000 meters)
• 1964 Tokyo Games: USA- Hayes Jones (110 High Hurdles, Gold), USA - Dean Rockwell, Manager of the Greco Roman Wrestling Squad
• 1960 Rome Games: USA- Hayes Jones (110 High Hurdles, Bronze)
• 1948 London Games: USA - George Marshall, Manager, Men's Track and Field
• 1932 Los Angeles Games: USA - Lloyd Olds, Assistant Coach, Track and Field

References

1. ^ "MAC announces top institutional awards for 2007-08 academic year" (PDF). Mid-American Conference. 2008-05-28. http://mac-sports.com/pdf4/132448.pdf?ATCLID=919502&SPSID=42994&SPID=3806&DB_OEM_ID=9400. Retrieved 2009-05-08. 
2. ^ Trigger, Bruce (1987). Children of Aataentsic: A History of the Huron People to 1660. Mcgill Queens University Press, p. 27. 
3. ^ Vogel, Virgil (1986). Indian Names in Michigan. Ann Arbor, pp. 13 - 15: University of Michigan Press. 
4. ^ "Huron Restoration Chapter". http://www.huronalumni.org. Retrieved 2009-09-18. 
5. ^ [www.emueagles.com/sports/football/2006/University.pdf "EMU Adopts Swoop Mascot in 1994"]. EMU Adopts Swoop Mascot in 1994. emich.edu. www.emueagles.com/sports/football/2006/University.pdf. Retrieved 19 June 2011. 
6. ^ Jon Wilner - SOUTHEAST\Eastern Michigan knocks off Duke Los Angeles Daily News, hosted at http://www.thefreelibrary.com
7. ^ http://emueagles.com/documents/2009/9/24/MediaGuide.pdf
8. ^ Bowen Field House History
9. ^ Warner Gym

External links

• Official athletics website