A Look Back at Some of the Top Stories From 2016-17

YPSILANTI, Mich. (EMUEagles.com) — As the calendar gets closer to the 2017-18 season beginning, EMUEagles.com takes a look back on the significant achievements and news worthy items that highlighted 2016-17. We celebrated victories, picked ourselves up after defeats, honored legends and said good bye to heroes. Its been a transformative year in many ways for an athletic department that strives to build champions on the fields of competition, in the classroom and in the community.

Here's a look back at some of the top stories from this past year...

Eastern Michigan Releases Athletics Facilities Vision
EMU is in the process of developing a comprehensive and transformative vision to enhance academic opportunities, improve health and well-being for all students, and update athletic facilities to positively impact the University. The plan was articulated at the Friday, April 21, Board of Regents meeting in the approval of the development of a comprehensive fundraising plan.

EMU Football Accepts Invitation to Popeyes Bahamas Bowl
For the first time since the 1987 season, the Eastern Michigan University football team is headed to a bowl game. The Eagles (7-5) have accepted an invitation to the 2016 Popeyes Bahamas Bowl. Eastern will take on Conference USA opponent Old Dominion University Friday, Dec. 23, at 1 p.m. inside at Thomas A. Robinson National Stadium in Nassau, Bahamas.

Scott Wetherbee Named EMU's Vice President and Director of Athletics
EMU President James M. Smith named Mississippi State University Deputy Director of Athletics Scott Wetherbee as Eastern Michigan University Vice President and Director of Athletics. A native of Kalamzoo, Mich., Wetherbee began his duties on July 17.

T.J. Lang Commits $500,000 to EMU Athletics
A $500,000 gift to the EMU Department of Athletics will support the Championship Building Plan, an innovative community engagement program, as well as impact the University's more than 500 student-athletes with facility enhancements. The gift, from Champions Advisory Board member, EMU Football alumnus, and guard for the Detroit Lions, T.J. Lang, matches the third largest cash pledge ever received by EMU Athletics.

EMU Wins National Championship for Excellence in Management
The EMU Department of Athletics was announced as the national champion of the Excellence in Management Cup (EM Cup), presented by Texas A&M's Laboratory for the Study of Intercollegiate Athletics. The Eagles ranked No. 1 out of 128 Football Bowl Subdivision (FBS) schools, including programs that compete in the American Athletic Conference, the Atlantic Coast Conference, the Big 10 Conference, the Big 12 Conference, Conference USA, the Pacific 12 Conference, the Southeastern Conference, and the Sun Belt Conference.

Eagles Become Bowl Eligible with Historic Come-From-Behind Victory Over Ball State
The EMU football team overcame a 21-point first quarter deficit to defeat Ball State University, 48-41, at Schuemann Stadium to become bowl eligible for the first time since 1995. The 21-point comeback tied the largest deficit overcome by an Eagles team in program history.

Eagles Defend MAC Title with Best Meet of Season, Scoring a 196.500
The EMU women's gymnastics team successfully defended its Mid-American Conference title, March 18, winning the 2017 MAC Gymnastics Championships with an outstanding team total of 196.500, narrowly defeating second-place Bowling Green, who totaled a 196.400.

Baseball Advances to Championship Sunday With Dramatic 4-2 Win Over CMU
The No. 3 seeded EMU baseball team used a late rally to knock off the No. 2 seeded Central Michigan University in dramatic fashion for the second time on the day, May 27, at Sprenger Stadium. With the win, the Eagles advanced to their seventh Mid-American Conference Tournament championship game in program history and first since 2008.

Eagles Complete 7-5 Regular Season with Last-Second Victory Over CMU
The EMU football team capped off a historic regular season with a late come-from-behind victory over Central Michigan, today, Nov. 22, at Rynearson Stadium by a final tally of 26-21. With the victory, the Eagles (7-5, 4-4 MAC) finished a regular season with seven wins for the first time since 1989.

Men's Cross Country Wins Seventh Consecutive MAC Championship
The No. 27 EMU men's cross country team had its finest showing to date at the Mid-American Conference Championships, Oct. 29, claiming their seventh consecutive conference title with a MAC record 15 points. Eastern dominated the race from start to finish, holding onto the top-five spots for a vast majority of the event and sweeping the podium.

Eagles Secure 34th MAC Championship in Thrilling Final Session
The 2017 Mid-American Conference Championships came down to the final event, March 4, but behind an incredible final session, the EMU men's swimming and diving team came from behind to secure its 34th MAC Championship with a total of 718 points. The Eagles claimed their third consecutive conference title behind clutch performances late in the session, including an outstanding display on the 3-meter dive that provided a 78-point swing in the team standings.

Women's Cross Country Claims Second Straight MAC Title
After an incredible regular season, the No. 14 EMU women's cross country began the postseason with a bang, bringing home its second consecutive Mid-American Conference Cross Country Championship, Oct. 29. The Eagles' depth was a big factor in the event, as the squad had four harriers finish within the top-10 on their way to a first-place finish with 27 points.

Pat O'Connor Selected by the Lions in the 2017 NFL Draft
Former Eastern Michigan University defensive end Pat O'Connor was selected by the Detroit Lions in the seventh round of the 2017 NFL Draft, April 29, along the Benjamin Franklin Parkway in Philadelphia, Pa. O'Connor was the 250th overall pick in the three-day selection process.

Eagles Fall Short in 2016 Popeyes Bahamas Bowl to Old Dominion
The EMU football team played a hard fought game, but ultimately fell short in the 2016 Popeyes Bahamas Bowl, 24-20, Dec. 23 at Thomas A. Robinson Stadium. The Eagles completed the season with their first winning record since 1995, finishing 7-6.

Delaplane Selected by the Mariners in the 2017 MLB Draft
Right handed pitcher Sam Delaplane was selected in the 23rd round, 693rd overall, by the Seattle Mariners in the 2017 MLB Draft, June 14. Delaplane became the first EMU player since 2012 to hear his name called in the draft. Overall, Delaplane is the 74th EMU player all-time to be drafted into the MLB, and just the second to the Mariners, the first being Ken Spratke in 1984.

Pittsburgh Names Heather Lyke As Its New Athletic Director
Champions Built Here has been more than an athletics mantra during Heather Lyke's tenure as Eastern Michigan University's Vice President and Director of Athletics, as it has defined a new era for the department. On March 20, Lyke announced she will depart the University after accepting the position of director of athletics at the University of Pittsburgh.

Eastern Michigan Athletics

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