Eastern Michigan Athletics
The Legacy of #2 Continues with a New Tradition for EMU Football
8/18/2017 6:29:00 PM | Football
Senior Sergio Bailey II will become the first Eagle to wear the #2 jersey since Demarius Reed
YPSILANTI, Mich. (EMUEagles.com) — The jersey a player chooses means much more than just the number across the back. Athletes develop a special bond with the number they choose to wear, it becomes part of their identity, especially in a sport like football where the players' heads are covered by their helmets. This decision is personal and special to each player. It is a choice that usually is theirs to make, excluding position restrictions and players wanting the same number.
However, for the Eastern Michigan University football team one number has been held out of circulation since October 2013 – the No. 2. Wide receiver Demarius Reed, who passed away on Oct. 18, 2013, was the last Eagle to be issued the number.
Now nearly five years later with the blessing of Reed's family and former teammates, his number will once again grace the field at Rynearson Stadium. Moving forward, Eastern Michigan will issue the No. 2 to the squad's best/senior wide receiver as a way of remembering and honoring Reed.
Players will not get the opportunity to choose No. 2 by picking it out in the equipment room. They will earn it through their actions both on and off the field. This player will possess the integrity, character, and selflessness all of EMU's football players and representatives strive to build within themselves.
This season senior wide receiver Sergio Bailey II (San Diego, Calif.-Olympian-Grossmont College) earned the honor to don the No. 2 jersey as part of the new tradition. A candidate for the Biletnikoff Award, the San Diego, Calif. native enters the season as the top returning pass catcher from a season ago when he reeled in 60 receptions for 868 yards and seven touchdowns. Bailey's seven scores ranked ninth in the Mid-American Conference and 68th in the nation, while his yardage was also ninth in the conference and 63rd in the country.
Affectionately known as 'D. Reed' by his teammates, Reed was a natural born leader that made friends easily. He excelled both athletically and academically throughout his life, and quickly became a leader both on and off the field at EMU. Known as the "lockerroom joker", Reed impacted everyone he met.
"When former teammates and Demarius' father both thought that this new tradition was a great way to honor his memory, we knew we got it right," said EMU Head Coach Chris Creighton. "I truly believe that wearing 'The Deuce' will forever be a special honor in this program. Sergio Bailey is the prefect guy to start this tradition.
EMU has continued to recognize his influence on the football program since his passing. Reed's jersey is buried at midfield under the Block E logo inside Rynearson Stadium, while his locker remains memorialized inside the lockerroom at the Football Team Building.
"It means a lot just because I am the first person to bring it out of retirement," Bailey added. "It's an honor and hopefully I make Reed's family proud.
Coach Creighton invited Reed's former teammates back to tell their memories of Reed to the current crop of EMU student-athletes. The 2017 campaign also marks the final year that still includes current EMU players that either played or practiced with Reed. That group of six remaining Eagles include: Dan Buschman (Brighton, Mich.-Brighton), Derrick Dunlap (Indianapolis, Ind.-Lawrence Central), Brogan Roback (Maumee, Ohio-Toledo St. John's Jesuit), Lavonte Robinson (Cleveland, Ohio-St.Edward), Ike Spearman (Saint John, Ind.-Lake Central), and Derric Williams (Lake Orion, Mich.-Lake Orion).
As a part of the announcement to the team, EMU also unveiled its redesigned road uniform for the 2017 campaign. In coordination with adidas, the team's look will incorporate the school's traditional color pallet, while blending diamond plate numerals. Click here for photos of the jerseys.
The jerseys and pants feature adidas tech fit technology that mirrors the green version from last year. The jersey top is designed with traditional football features including numerals on the shoulders and sleeve stripes patterned to match the helmet design.
The Eagles open the 2017 season under the lights at "The Factory" Friday, Sept. 1, versus Charlotte. Single game and season tickets are available for purchase at EMUEagles.com/tickets, by calling 734.487.3669 or by visiting the EMU Ticket Office daily between 8:30 a.m.-5:30 p.m.
However, for the Eastern Michigan University football team one number has been held out of circulation since October 2013 – the No. 2. Wide receiver Demarius Reed, who passed away on Oct. 18, 2013, was the last Eagle to be issued the number.
Now nearly five years later with the blessing of Reed's family and former teammates, his number will once again grace the field at Rynearson Stadium. Moving forward, Eastern Michigan will issue the No. 2 to the squad's best/senior wide receiver as a way of remembering and honoring Reed.
Players will not get the opportunity to choose No. 2 by picking it out in the equipment room. They will earn it through their actions both on and off the field. This player will possess the integrity, character, and selflessness all of EMU's football players and representatives strive to build within themselves.
This season senior wide receiver Sergio Bailey II (San Diego, Calif.-Olympian-Grossmont College) earned the honor to don the No. 2 jersey as part of the new tradition. A candidate for the Biletnikoff Award, the San Diego, Calif. native enters the season as the top returning pass catcher from a season ago when he reeled in 60 receptions for 868 yards and seven touchdowns. Bailey's seven scores ranked ninth in the Mid-American Conference and 68th in the nation, while his yardage was also ninth in the conference and 63rd in the country.
Affectionately known as 'D. Reed' by his teammates, Reed was a natural born leader that made friends easily. He excelled both athletically and academically throughout his life, and quickly became a leader both on and off the field at EMU. Known as the "lockerroom joker", Reed impacted everyone he met.
"When former teammates and Demarius' father both thought that this new tradition was a great way to honor his memory, we knew we got it right," said EMU Head Coach Chris Creighton. "I truly believe that wearing 'The Deuce' will forever be a special honor in this program. Sergio Bailey is the prefect guy to start this tradition.
EMU has continued to recognize his influence on the football program since his passing. Reed's jersey is buried at midfield under the Block E logo inside Rynearson Stadium, while his locker remains memorialized inside the lockerroom at the Football Team Building.
"It means a lot just because I am the first person to bring it out of retirement," Bailey added. "It's an honor and hopefully I make Reed's family proud.
Coach Creighton invited Reed's former teammates back to tell their memories of Reed to the current crop of EMU student-athletes. The 2017 campaign also marks the final year that still includes current EMU players that either played or practiced with Reed. That group of six remaining Eagles include: Dan Buschman (Brighton, Mich.-Brighton), Derrick Dunlap (Indianapolis, Ind.-Lawrence Central), Brogan Roback (Maumee, Ohio-Toledo St. John's Jesuit), Lavonte Robinson (Cleveland, Ohio-St.Edward), Ike Spearman (Saint John, Ind.-Lake Central), and Derric Williams (Lake Orion, Mich.-Lake Orion).
As a part of the announcement to the team, EMU also unveiled its redesigned road uniform for the 2017 campaign. In coordination with adidas, the team's look will incorporate the school's traditional color pallet, while blending diamond plate numerals. Click here for photos of the jerseys.
The jerseys and pants feature adidas tech fit technology that mirrors the green version from last year. The jersey top is designed with traditional football features including numerals on the shoulders and sleeve stripes patterned to match the helmet design.
The Eagles open the 2017 season under the lights at "The Factory" Friday, Sept. 1, versus Charlotte. Single game and season tickets are available for purchase at EMUEagles.com/tickets, by calling 734.487.3669 or by visiting the EMU Ticket Office daily between 8:30 a.m.-5:30 p.m.
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