CSNbbs

I have read some Mac Posters say they wanted to kick EMU out of the Mac is this a thought of the conference or just internet fodder?

Some say, they don't bring much to the table anymore. They are not competitive in Football and Basketball, and the lack of attendance at home events leaves alot to be desired such as less than 5000 at football and less than 600 at basketball games.

But on the other hand they have won a ton of MAC titles in other sports.

HellBlazer Wrote:I have read some Mac Posters say they wanted to kick EMU out of the Mac is this a thought of the conference or just internet fodder?

Largely internet fodder. As Potts stated - the Eagles have been successful in sports outside of football & basketball.

EMU and UM are literally down the street from one another. You're a Blazer......imagine if the campus of UAT was located where Legoin Field is. Do you think they would cast a long shadow over UAB?

This is what EMU is faced with for sports attendance.

utpotts Wrote:Some say, they don't bring much to the table anymore. They are not competitive in Football and Basketball, and the lack of attendance at home events leaves alot to be desired such as less than 5000 at football and less than 600 at basketball games.

But on the other hand they have won a ton of MAC titles in other sports.

Last year in football EMU defeated the MAC champs and WMU and claimed the Michigan MAC Trophy. Finished at 3-2 in the MAC West, ahead of Toledo, WMU and NIU.

In hoops, advanced to the quarterfinals of the MAC Tournament for the second year straight year, defeated Western Michigan, Ohio, Illinois State and went 7-1 at home in the MAC. Lost at the buzzer to Temple and by 11 on the road at Notre Dame.

EMU hoop attendance poor but not that far off from many other D1 programs that have struggled over the years. Check out Rice.

Also, talk to those around the MAC and they will confirm that EMU is by far the most honest of attendance counters in the league. Of course this was admiittedly brought on by EMU's attendance padding of the past...and getting caught.

Internet fodder. EMU is staying put. Just baseless chatter from the uninformed.

Damn, I feel like a broken record. Can we just delete this thread now?

it's a ridiculous concept and discussion. it needs to end now; i agree with HuronDave. let's move on. there is no way EMU should be kicked out of the MAC.

I'd rather see EM get there house in order.

EMU needs to play a tougher schedule in basketball to motivate its alumni to come to games. They need to play the Big Ten and get some W's. Playing Notre Dame in basketball wouldn't be a bad idea.

No way should the EMUs be kicked out of the MAC. As said before, they have been very successful in non-revenue sports. End O' subject.

EMU needs to step up big time attendance wise. YOu have a beautiful bball facility, can barely get 1000 people to show up.

EMU basketball has real potential. I wonder though if they are ever going to draw for football, or have any success for that matter. To me their real problem is that they haven't had a winning football team in more than a decade, and that has lead to people not showing up for games. They don't have an indoor facility, and their recruiting budget is one of the lowest in the MAC. I can't see how they pull themselves out of this rut they are in for football. In basketball I think next year they challenge for the MAC West. Carlos Medlock is great.

If EMU football comes to life I think that this speculation will end.

They are in a down period, but in the last 25 years EMU has gone to a bowl and won it, and been to the sweet 16 in hoops. How many other MAC programs can make this claim? I think only Miami.

It's a cyclical world. Who would have imagined 15 years ago the level to which Kent State basketball would rise? EMU just needs good coaching in either sport, and their fan base will be re-energized.

PS, Word is Ben Braun will be out at Cal when their postseason ends. Could he ditch his tan and return to Ypsi?

Crebman Wrote:

HellBlazer Wrote:I have read some Mac Posters say they wanted to kick EMU out of the Mac is this a thought of the conference or just internet fodder?

Largely internet fodder. As Potts stated - the Eagles have been successful in sports outside of football & basketball.

EMU and UM are literally down the street from one another. You're a Blazer......imagine if the campus of UAT was located where Legoin Field is. Do you think they would cast a long shadow over UAB?

This is what EMU is faced with for sports attendance.

IF Bama was located at leigion field then they would be UAB....LOL

I like EMU I was just wondering what was up when I had read that they needed to leave the MAc on several post.

HellBlazer Wrote:I have read some Mac Posters say they wanted to kick EMU out of the Mac is this a thought of the conference or just internet fodder?

It appears to be the thought of a few short-sighted posters that believe Football and Basketball are the only sports out there.

I used to think EMU should be kicked out of the MAC, back when I was in school. Got tired of seeing Hasley Crawford's behind as he smoked all our people in the sprints. Got tired of watching Ron DeVries jump waaaay higher than me and got tired of watching all their other track guys kick everybody's butts. Now I like EMU since I'm not competing anymore. They can stay.

I don't think they should be kicked out. They've shown a commitment to playing D1 basketball and 1-A football. If they weren't showing that commitment then i would say they should be kicked out.

They're the top MAC school when it comes to the non-revenue sports and that's awesome. They accomplish many MAC titles every year that many MAC schools don't accomplish in 5-10 years. But the fact remains, in the big scope of things no one pays attention to those sports. People mostly care about football and basketball. I want them to succeed in both, as i want every MAC school to succeed.

EMU's problems regarding Michigan being nearby are only a small fraction of why they aren't good in football or why no one goes to their games. Losing is the problem. You put a decent or good team on the field and people will start showing up. They have a huge student population to get people in the seats. I bet most of those kids would rather go see a good EMU play for free and support their school then go pay $50-60 bucks to go see Michigan play. Of course EMU will always play second-fiddle to Michigan but it doesn't mean they can't be good and get butts in the seats.

epasnoopy Wrote:I don't think they should be kicked out. They've shown a commitment to playing D1 basketball and 1-A football. If they weren't showing that commitment then i would say they should be kicked out.

They're the top MAC school when it comes to the non-revenue sports and that's awesome. They accomplish many MAC titles every year that many MAC schools don't accomplish in 5-10 years. But the fact remains, in the big scope of things no one pays attention to those sports. People mostly care about football and basketball. I want them to succeed in both, as i want every MAC school to succeed.

EMU's problems regarding Michigan being nearby are only a small fraction of why they aren't good in football or why no one goes to their games. Losing is the problem. You put a decent or good team on the field and people will start showing up. They have a huge student population to get people in the seats. I bet most of those kids would rather go see a good EMU play for free and support their school then go pay $50-60 bucks to go see Michigan play. Of course EMU will always play second-fiddle to Michigan but it doesn't mean they can't be good and get butts in the seats.

You see, that is the problem. People would rather pay the $50 to travel 5 minutes down the road to see Michigan play. Personally, I would rather get in free and watch my team play. Also, our huge student population diminishes on the weekend because many students are commuters and are not on campus to attend the games on the weekend. Also, there are some residents who go home on the weekends due to jobs and such. With the Eagle Nation new this past year it was not as affective as it should have been. Things should be changing for next year as the athletic department is hiring students to help promote games and get the word out. My hope is that we can grab a lot of the freshmen next year and get them interested and involved with Eagle Nation as quickly as possible. If we succeed in this and keep the trend going for several years, we should be able to build a pretty decent student base who are dedicated to the schools athletic programs.

TheClyde Wrote:With the Eagle Nation new this past year it was not as affective as it should have been. Things should be changing for next year as the athletic department is hiring students to help promote games and get the word out. My hope is that we can grab a lot of the freshmen next year and get them interested and involved with Eagle Nation as quickly as possible. If we succeed in this and keep the trend going for several years, we should be able to build a pretty decent student base who are dedicated to the schools athletic programs.

I take it Eagle Nation is a new student spirit group that you all started? Similar to our Red Riot.

Yes, in recent years it was called Gang Green, but they decided to change it this year. After having a year under the belt of the organization I think things will improve greatly for next year especially with many more students getting involved with the program.

TheClyde Wrote:Yes, in recent years it was called Gang Green, but they decided to change it this year. After having a year under the belt of the organization I think things will improve greatly for next year especially with many more students getting involved with the program.

That's cool. I thought your website was just for general fans of EMU athletics. I didn't know it was for a student group.

Clyde,

I'm going to wish you the best of luck with that. I was one of the founding members of the N.E.S.T.(Noisy Eastern Spirit Troop) in 1998. We could never get a strong foot hold and we were the precursor for Boone's Goons and Gang Green. We lasted two years because of funding issues. Our only problem was that we couldn't get funding from the athletic department and Student Affairs and that Chuck Nagle (biggest idiot EMU had) do his dirty work (hang up signs the Friday before football games). I also think that he had it out for me so we couldn't get funding b/c of that.

Be careful, some people will only come for the free stuff and never return. Make sure that you get funding from Student Gov't and Athletics.