Eastern Michigan Athletics
EMU Football Holds Spring Practice at Ford Field
3/28/2016 8:14:00 PM | Football
Eagles got the taste of life inside an NFL stadium for their ninth practice of the spring
Photo Gallery.
Post Practice Audio: Chris_Creighton. Brogan_Roback.
DETROIT, Mich. (EMUEagles.com) — Spring practice Monday, March 28, had a different feel for the Eastern Michigan University football team as it took place inside Ford Field, the home of the NFL's Detroit Lions. The two-hour practice marked the Eagles' ninth practice of the spring and featured the squad working on individual development along with segments of 7-on-7 and 11-on-11 drills.
"It was good for us to be in a different venue," said third-year Head Coach Chris Creighton on the trip to Detroit. "We talked about it just because we're going to be in so many different situations and scenarios this fall. We've got Friday games, Tuesday games, Wednesday games and Saturday games all at different kickoff times. As we're maturing and growing as a program, this is great for opportunity for nine out of 15 (practices) to get on a bus and go to a different venue. It was really good for us in that way. Of course, it's fun to be in this awesome venue so it's a neat experience, but even more meaningful for us is all of these different challenges or experiences will help us in the fall."
The helmets and shoulder pads-only practice was open to the general public with hundreds in the stands and on the field to take in the event, which was held at the site of the Mid-American Conference Championship as well as the Quick Lane Bowl.
"It's good for the players and something that motivates everyone – whether it's playing at that next level, in a bowl game or for the MAC Championship," added redshirt-junior quarterback Brogan Roback (Maumee, Ohio-Toledo St. John's) on being at the home of the Lions. "Football blesses us with a lot of opportunities and this was just one of them today."
Eastern Michigan has had a long-standing relationship with Ford Field as the Eagles previous hosted games in the venue from 2004 to 2007. The inaugural Collegiate Clash was held, Nov. 6, 2004, when the Eagles recorded a 61-58 four-overtime victory over Mid-American West Division rival Central Michigan. That first year's game was also part of a doubleheader with Wayne State and Hillsdale squaring off in the opener. Collegiate Clash II went to a single-game format with EMU dropping a 44-36 decision to MAC West Division rival Western Michigan, Nov. 5, 2005. The Eagles hosted Navy in 2016 and the team's last contest in Motown was in 2007 against Northwestern University.
The team's annual spring game is scheduled for Saturday, April 9, at 3 p.m. inside "The Factory". The offense and defense will take the field, earning points in a specialized scoring system. Admission is free as gates open at 2 p.m.
This will be EMU fans' first chance to get a peek at the Eagles' improvements under the direction of third-year Head Coach Chris Creighton. The picnic will cost $5.75 per person. The E-Gridiron Group has been gracious enough to cover the cost for the picnic of all EMU football alumni and their families.
In addition to the picnic and spring game, EMU Athletics will also host an adidas surplus sale. Fans who want to purchase select official EMU gear will have the chance to do so at a discounted rate during the spring game. EMU will be offering surplus football uniforms, baseball uniforms and a limited number of basketball jerseys, shorts and warm ups, also other miscellaneous items at the sale. All sales are final and only cash or check will be accepted.
The team will also be hosting a football alumni flag football game on the gray turf inside the stadium. Check-in will begin at is 9:30 a.m. with the hour-long game to follow at 10 a.m. Football alumni should e-mail Jacob Kirkendall (jkirken1@emich.edu) in order to participate.
Fans can now order reserved non-chairback season tickets for just $75 ($12.50 per game). EMU faculty and staff can secure non-chairback season tickets for $48 ($8 per game), while youth season tickets are just $36 ($6 per game). In addition, EMU is now offering the Ultimate Fan Season Ticket Plan for $99. The premiere plan will include a padded chairback seat, free parking, food voucher and VIP discount card.
For the 2016 season, EMU Football season ticket holders will enjoy more than just the action on the field with a number of exclusive benefits, including: a season ticket holder gift, exclusive discounts on the ticket backs and a concession/merchandise voucher.
Buying a season ticket is your best deal as you will save 38 percent when compared to the single-game rate Tickets are now on sale at EMUEagles.com/tickets, by calling 734.487.2282 or by visiting the EMU Ticket Office.
Post Practice Audio: Chris_Creighton. Brogan_Roback.
DETROIT, Mich. (EMUEagles.com) — Spring practice Monday, March 28, had a different feel for the Eastern Michigan University football team as it took place inside Ford Field, the home of the NFL's Detroit Lions. The two-hour practice marked the Eagles' ninth practice of the spring and featured the squad working on individual development along with segments of 7-on-7 and 11-on-11 drills.
"It was good for us to be in a different venue," said third-year Head Coach Chris Creighton on the trip to Detroit. "We talked about it just because we're going to be in so many different situations and scenarios this fall. We've got Friday games, Tuesday games, Wednesday games and Saturday games all at different kickoff times. As we're maturing and growing as a program, this is great for opportunity for nine out of 15 (practices) to get on a bus and go to a different venue. It was really good for us in that way. Of course, it's fun to be in this awesome venue so it's a neat experience, but even more meaningful for us is all of these different challenges or experiences will help us in the fall."
The helmets and shoulder pads-only practice was open to the general public with hundreds in the stands and on the field to take in the event, which was held at the site of the Mid-American Conference Championship as well as the Quick Lane Bowl.
"It's good for the players and something that motivates everyone – whether it's playing at that next level, in a bowl game or for the MAC Championship," added redshirt-junior quarterback Brogan Roback (Maumee, Ohio-Toledo St. John's) on being at the home of the Lions. "Football blesses us with a lot of opportunities and this was just one of them today."
Eastern Michigan has had a long-standing relationship with Ford Field as the Eagles previous hosted games in the venue from 2004 to 2007. The inaugural Collegiate Clash was held, Nov. 6, 2004, when the Eagles recorded a 61-58 four-overtime victory over Mid-American West Division rival Central Michigan. That first year's game was also part of a doubleheader with Wayne State and Hillsdale squaring off in the opener. Collegiate Clash II went to a single-game format with EMU dropping a 44-36 decision to MAC West Division rival Western Michigan, Nov. 5, 2005. The Eagles hosted Navy in 2016 and the team's last contest in Motown was in 2007 against Northwestern University.
The team's annual spring game is scheduled for Saturday, April 9, at 3 p.m. inside "The Factory". The offense and defense will take the field, earning points in a specialized scoring system. Admission is free as gates open at 2 p.m.
This will be EMU fans' first chance to get a peek at the Eagles' improvements under the direction of third-year Head Coach Chris Creighton. The picnic will cost $5.75 per person. The E-Gridiron Group has been gracious enough to cover the cost for the picnic of all EMU football alumni and their families.
In addition to the picnic and spring game, EMU Athletics will also host an adidas surplus sale. Fans who want to purchase select official EMU gear will have the chance to do so at a discounted rate during the spring game. EMU will be offering surplus football uniforms, baseball uniforms and a limited number of basketball jerseys, shorts and warm ups, also other miscellaneous items at the sale. All sales are final and only cash or check will be accepted.
The team will also be hosting a football alumni flag football game on the gray turf inside the stadium. Check-in will begin at is 9:30 a.m. with the hour-long game to follow at 10 a.m. Football alumni should e-mail Jacob Kirkendall (jkirken1@emich.edu) in order to participate.
Fans can now order reserved non-chairback season tickets for just $75 ($12.50 per game). EMU faculty and staff can secure non-chairback season tickets for $48 ($8 per game), while youth season tickets are just $36 ($6 per game). In addition, EMU is now offering the Ultimate Fan Season Ticket Plan for $99. The premiere plan will include a padded chairback seat, free parking, food voucher and VIP discount card.
For the 2016 season, EMU Football season ticket holders will enjoy more than just the action on the field with a number of exclusive benefits, including: a season ticket holder gift, exclusive discounts on the ticket backs and a concession/merchandise voucher.
Buying a season ticket is your best deal as you will save 38 percent when compared to the single-game rate Tickets are now on sale at EMUEagles.com/tickets, by calling 734.487.2282 or by visiting the EMU Ticket Office.
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