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Bob Wickersham Offline
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Post: #21
RE: Favorite EMU Memories
(06-29-2021 12:29 PM)EMUGLORYDAYSthe90s Wrote:  
(06-29-2021 07:24 AM)Bob Wickersham Wrote:  1. EMU v North Carolina Sweet 16 game. Watched at Spaghetti Bender, Friday night. Place was packed, party atmosphere. Lots of drinking, cheering, high fiving. Great first half, stood toe to toe with Mighty UNC. Trading blows ala Hagler-Hearns. Could it really happen? Brother from Michigan State and some of his friends came to Ypsi to revel in the fun. Think of that. MSU students travelling from the biggest party campus in the state to be part of the biggest party anywhere! A Lorenzo Neely to Carl Thomas alley oop towards the end of the first half nearly brought the Bender down! A cable outtage prevented us from seeing some of the second half...just game audio as they rushed to fix the problem. Alas, UNC's size and depth wore Eastern down in the second half but OMG what a great effort. I was so proud of EMU basketball and Ypsilanti. Afterwards, while disappointed, a great time was had by all. We were in the iconic Spaghetti Bender after all. Great music, great coeds, cold beer. Perfect night.

2. Eastern defeating Bowling Green at Rynearson to win the most unlikely of MAC titles and go to the California Bowl. No one thought EMU winning the MAC was possible. The place was PACKED, had to sit on the visitors side to get a seat. Eastern dominated and when it was over, the goal posts came down.

3. Sweet 16 year. Eastern Michigan defeating Mississippi State in round one. Was working at EMU Children's Institute on campus for work study. Game was on the radio. And I remember running home to catch the end of game. At that time I lived in the old white house right on Cross Street adjacent to Ned's Bookstore and just a few feet from Theo's--very convenient. The win was no fluke. Eastern controlled the game. They were the better team. Of course, Eastern went on to defeat Penn State in round two, setting up their Sweet 16 matchup with North Carolina.

4. Every basketball game played in Bowen including the last one?? the one when Earl Boykins hit the shot to beat Toledo. It was the Boykins and Dial Show at Bowen Fieldhouse. A great sendoff.

5. The California Bowl on ESPN. Eastern Michigan, huge underdogs beat San Jose State to cap just an incredible football season! Watched it just off campus in Ypsi with a bunch of EMU friends. Incredibly proud moment.

You nailed it........the glory days of E Michigan sports! I'm really hoping this football season can bring that same feeling again! 9-3 overall, and 6-2 MAC record! Heath is recruiting very well........Those memories Bob made me feel young again! The bars, restaurants, Rynearson stadium, and Bowen field house were packed for every game! Bowen was literally standing room only........
GloryDays, we are so lucky to have enjoyed all those great moments in EMU history. As I read some of the other entries, I feel bad that people who came after us really haven't had anything groundbreaking to experience at Eastern. Because we have witnessed greatness firsthand, we know anything is possible in Ypsilanti! 04-cheers
06-29-2021 05:17 PM
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EMU 83 Offline
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Post: #22
RE: Favorite EMU Memories
(06-24-2021 08:47 AM)Ken Barna Wrote:  Dear Friends,
The Boisture era with Frosty Ferzacca as Athletic Director in reviving the whole of Eastern Athletics. Many of us that were Eastern followers never heard of some of the schools Ferzacca lined up, but many were small college national champions or consistent winning programs.
One of the football players that stood out in my mind was Larry Ratcliff. He was a running back out of Ohio, and in many games he would break away for 50, 75, or 85 yard touchdowns. Larry passed away a few years ago, and changed the spelling of his surname to Radcliff.
The fact that Eastern's present stadium was named for my fraternity brother, Eastern's winningest football coach, is icing on the cake.

I got on campus in 77 and heard the history. Football started out 5-1 until a tough loss at home against Kent State. Thanks for sharing your memories!
07-03-2021 06:55 AM
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EMU 83 Offline
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Post: #23
RE: Favorite EMU Memories
(06-29-2021 07:24 AM)Bob Wickersham Wrote:  1. EMU v North Carolina Sweet 16 game. Watched at Spaghetti Bender, Friday night. Place was packed, party atmosphere. Lots of drinking, cheering, high fiving. Great first half, stood toe to toe with Mighty UNC. Trading blows ala Hagler-Hearns. Could it really happen? Brother from Michigan State and some of his friends came to Ypsi to revel in the fun. Think of that. MSU students travelling from the biggest party campus in the state to be part of the biggest party anywhere! A Lorenzo Neely to Carl Thomas alley oop towards the end of the first half nearly brought the Bender down! A cable outtage prevented us from seeing some of the second half...just game audio as they rushed to fix the problem. Alas, UNC's size and depth wore Eastern down in the second half but OMG what a great effort. I was so proud of EMU basketball and Ypsilanti. Afterwards, while disappointed, a great time was had by all. We were in the iconic Spaghetti Bender after all. Great music, great coeds, cold beer. Perfect night.

2. Eastern defeating Bowling Green at Rynearson to win the most unlikely of MAC titles and go to the California Bowl. No one thought EMU winning the MAC was possible. The place was PACKED, had to sit on the visitors side to get a seat. Eastern dominated and when it was over, the goal posts came down.

3. Sweet 16 year. Eastern Michigan defeating Mississippi State in round one. Was working at EMU Children's Institute on campus for work study. Game was on the radio. And I remember running home to catch the end of game. At that time I lived in the old white house right on Cross Street adjacent to Ned's Bookstore and just a few feet from Theo's--very convenient. The win was no fluke. Eastern controlled the game. They were the better team. Of course, Eastern went on to defeat Penn State in round two, setting up their Sweet 16 matchup with North Carolina.

4. Every basketball game played in Bowen including the last one?? the one when Earl Boykins hit the shot to beat Toledo. It was the Boykins and Dial Show at Bowen Fieldhouse. A great sendoff.

5. The California Bowl on ESPN. Eastern Michigan, huge underdogs beat San Jose State to cap just an incredible football season! Watched it just off campus in Ypsi with a bunch of EMU friends. Incredibly proud moment.

Thanks for Sharing! I was at the Bender when the audio went out too! N.C. wore us out with their deep bench.
07-03-2021 06:57 AM
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emu steve Offline
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Post: #24
RE: Favorite EMU Memories
(06-29-2021 05:17 PM)Bob Wickersham Wrote:  
(06-29-2021 12:29 PM)EMUGLORYDAYSthe90s Wrote:  
(06-29-2021 07:24 AM)Bob Wickersham Wrote:  1. EMU v North Carolina Sweet 16 game. Watched at Spaghetti Bender, Friday night. Place was packed, party atmosphere. Lots of drinking, cheering, high fiving. Great first half, stood toe to toe with Mighty UNC. Trading blows ala Hagler-Hearns. Could it really happen? Brother from Michigan State and some of his friends came to Ypsi to revel in the fun. Think of that. MSU students travelling from the biggest party campus in the state to be part of the biggest party anywhere! A Lorenzo Neely to Carl Thomas alley oop towards the end of the first half nearly brought the Bender down! A cable outtage prevented us from seeing some of the second half...just game audio as they rushed to fix the problem. Alas, UNC's size and depth wore Eastern down in the second half but OMG what a great effort. I was so proud of EMU basketball and Ypsilanti. Afterwards, while disappointed, a great time was had by all. We were in the iconic Spaghetti Bender after all. Great music, great coeds, cold beer. Perfect night.

2. Eastern defeating Bowling Green at Rynearson to win the most unlikely of MAC titles and go to the California Bowl. No one thought EMU winning the MAC was possible. The place was PACKED, had to sit on the visitors side to get a seat. Eastern dominated and when it was over, the goal posts came down.

3. Sweet 16 year. Eastern Michigan defeating Mississippi State in round one. Was working at EMU Children's Institute on campus for work study. Game was on the radio. And I remember running home to catch the end of game. At that time I lived in the old white house right on Cross Street adjacent to Ned's Bookstore and just a few feet from Theo's--very convenient. The win was no fluke. Eastern controlled the game. They were the better team. Of course, Eastern went on to defeat Penn State in round two, setting up their Sweet 16 matchup with North Carolina.

4. Every basketball game played in Bowen including the last one?? the one when Earl Boykins hit the shot to beat Toledo. It was the Boykins and Dial Show at Bowen Fieldhouse. A great sendoff.

5. The California Bowl on ESPN. Eastern Michigan, huge underdogs beat San Jose State to cap just an incredible football season! Watched it just off campus in Ypsi with a bunch of EMU friends. Incredibly proud moment.

You nailed it........the glory days of E Michigan sports! I'm really hoping this football season can bring that same feeling again! 9-3 overall, and 6-2 MAC record! Heath is recruiting very well........Those memories Bob made me feel young again! The bars, restaurants, Rynearson stadium, and Bowen field house were packed for every game! Bowen was literally standing room only........
GloryDays, we are so lucky to have enjoyed all those great moments in EMU history. As I read some of the other entries, I feel bad that people who came after us really haven't had anything groundbreaking to experience at Eastern. Because we have witnessed greatness firsthand, we know anything is possible in Ypsilanti! 04-cheers

I had a hot date after an EMU night FB game. I forgot the FB game but not the date. 03-cloud9

Anything is possible, even September 3, 2021. 04-cheers
(This post was last modified: 07-03-2021 07:49 AM by emu steve.)
07-03-2021 07:29 AM
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holybovine Offline
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Post: #25
RE: Favorite EMU Memories
(06-24-2021 08:47 AM)Ken Barna Wrote:  Dear Friends,
The Boisture era with Frosty Ferzacca as Athletic Director in reviving the whole of Eastern Athletics. Many of us that were Eastern followers never heard of some of the schools Ferzacca lined up, but many were small college national champions or consistent winning programs.
One of the football players that stood out in my mind was Larry Ratcliff. He was a running back out of Ohio, and in many games he would break away for 50, 75, or 85 yard touchdowns. Larry passed away a few years ago, and changed the spelling of his surname to Radcliff.
The fact that Eastern's present stadium was named for my fraternity brother, Eastern's winningest football coach, is icing on the cake.

I wish I would have seen the Boisture era! Ratcliff was a stud.
07-06-2021 02:50 PM
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Ken Barna Offline
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Post: #26
RE: Favorite EMU Memories
Dear holybovine,
You would have enjoyed watching that era. It was bringing pride back to Eastern Athletics. When the football team came onto the field in 1967 and were dressed in uniforms like the Green Bay Packers, you just knew that this was the re-birth. Still my favorite football uniforms with the EMU emblazoned on the shoulders of the jerseys.
We also found out after three or four years of Boisture and Ferzacca, that President Sponberg, wanted them to seek admittance into the Mid-American Conference. That would give our athletic programs legitimatcy, which was an important part of the plan.
07-07-2021 09:15 AM
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Bob Wickersham Offline
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Post: #27
RE: Favorite EMU Memories
(07-07-2021 09:15 AM)Ken Barna Wrote:  Dear holybovine,
You would have enjoyed watching that era. It was bringing pride back to Eastern Athletics. When the football team came onto the field in 1967 and were dressed in uniforms like the Green Bay Packers, you just knew that this was the re-birth. Still my favorite football uniforms with the EMU emblazoned on the shoulders of the jerseys.
We also found out after three or four years of Boisture and Ferzacca, that President Sponberg, wanted them to seek admittance into the Mid-American Conference. That would give our athletic programs legitimatcy, which was an important part of the plan.
Oh boy Ken. You're going back too far. Rynearson wasn't even built yet!
07-08-2021 03:13 PM
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KPJ Offline
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Post: #28
RE: Favorite EMU Memories
Also, during the Murphy tenure and when I still worked at EMU, I helped with a lot of recruiting visits for potential student athletes. I remember meeting with Tim Bond while he was in HS. Then being on the mic when he got his record breaking steal and 1,000th point on the same sequence. Pretty special to see young athletes grow and mature like that.
07-08-2021 04:22 PM
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Ken Barna Offline
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Post: #29
RE: Favorite EMU Memories
Dear Bob,
You are correct again. I think I may be the oldest member of this site. Someone has to be able to talk about the olden days, so you young whippersnappers understand how we got to where we are.
07-08-2021 08:27 PM
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Bob Wickersham Offline
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Post: #30
RE: Favorite EMU Memories
(07-08-2021 08:27 PM)Ken Barna Wrote:  Dear Bob,
You are correct again. I think I may be the oldest member of this site. Someone has to be able to talk about the olden days, so you young whippersnappers understand how we got to where we are.
Ken just kidding of course. I love EMU sports history and I am very curious what it was like going to a football game on the main campus. That had to be pretty cool.
07-08-2021 08:46 PM
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Ken Barna Offline
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Post: #31
RE: Favorite EMU Memories
Dear Bob,
It was cool, because the football stadium was just West of Briggs Hall, and everyone had just a short walk to the game. Before or after the game, one could walk across Forest Avenue to McKenny Union and have some refreshments.
All students got in free. Just had to show your ID card.
Briggs Stadium held maybe 2,000 fans, and it also had lights for night games.
07-13-2021 09:16 AM
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TheWoodenNickle Offline
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Post: #32
RE: Favorite EMU Memories
(07-13-2021 09:16 AM)Ken Barna Wrote:  Dear Bob,
It was cool, because the football stadium was just West of Briggs Hall, and everyone had just a short walk to the game. Before or after the game, one could walk across Forest Avenue to McKenny Union and have some refreshments.
All students got in free. Just had to show your ID card.
Briggs Stadium held maybe 2,000 fans, and it also had lights for night games.
Back then Forest St ran through campus to Cross St, right? It ends at College Place now. I picked up on this when reading about John Norman Collins.
07-13-2021 10:03 AM
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Ken Barna Offline
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Post: #33
RE: Favorite EMU Memories
Dear WoodenNickle,
It actually ran into the criss-crossing of Washtenaw and Cross Streets very near the Water Tower. You are correct about where it now ends, because they filled in Forest to make campus more walkable.
07-13-2021 12:43 PM
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Jerry Weaver Offline
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Post: #34
RE: Favorite EMU Memories
(07-08-2021 04:22 PM)KPJ Wrote:  Also, during the Murphy tenure and when I still worked at EMU, I helped with a lot of recruiting visits for potential student athletes. I remember meeting with Tim Bond while he was in HS. Then being on the mic when he got his record breaking steal and 1,000th point on the same sequence. Pretty special to see young athletes grow and mature like that.

Thanks for posting Keith!

Tim Bond was the most "Olympic" athlete of the Murphy era, Rob could identify talent for sure. Tim had incredible foot speed, a long wingspan and a vertical leap that was astonishing for the MAC. He was a pleasure to watch, I just wish he had a coach that would have developed him more offensively.
07-14-2021 06:30 PM
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emu steve Offline
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Post: #35
RE: Favorite EMU Memories
(07-14-2021 06:30 PM)Jerry Weaver Wrote:  
(07-08-2021 04:22 PM)KPJ Wrote:  Also, during the Murphy tenure and when I still worked at EMU, I helped with a lot of recruiting visits for potential student athletes. I remember meeting with Tim Bond while he was in HS. Then being on the mic when he got his record breaking steal and 1,000th point on the same sequence. Pretty special to see young athletes grow and mature like that.

Thanks for posting Keith!

Tim Bond was the most "Olympic" athlete of the Murphy era, Rob could identify talent for sure. Tim had incredible foot speed, a long wingspan and a vertical leap that was astonishing for the MAC. He was a pleasure to watch, I just wish he had a coach that would have developed him more offensively.

Bond was a highlight reel on the court. I remember the Coppin State game Dec 2015 and his mother had a sign: All I want for Christmas is a Bond dunk.
07-14-2021 10:11 PM
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emu79 Offline
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Post: #36
RE: Favorite EMU Memories
Christmas comes early this year:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NhNu3GFYM5k
07-15-2021 04:38 AM
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