Monthly Archives: February 2011

A Saturday To Remember

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By: Christine Mikolajczak, American Heart Association

Last Saturday left me seeing red.

It started at 7:45 a.m. when Tim picked me up to take me to the Ford Lake Frozen Leap, put on by Lake Shore Apartments and PakMode Media + Marketing. It was so cold and windy. One of the tents blew down and they were unable to put it back up because the ground was too frozen. W4 Country also lost their tent due to wind before the event started. By the time teams arrived, there was so much excitement in the air you would have never known. Becuase of my role with the AHA, I decided to show my support by raising almost $250 and jumping into the icy water. I spent my time before jumping talking with Adam Rey from W4 County, Kat (the heart) from Lake Shore Apartments and many of the supporters of the event.

Because I have never done this type of thing before, my jump was not as spectacular as some of the other teams (Brownsicles, you rocked). From the time I jumped until the time I left is a blur. I got into the water and my only thought was there are firefighters waiting for me at the top of the stairs waiting to hose me down with warm water. It felt so nice as I entered the heated tent and even better when I got into the heated changing rooms and could put my winter clothing back on. I, however, was not prepared for my clothes freezing to my body and not wanting to come off, let alone not being able to get my jacket on because I was an icicle. But as soon as that was done, I felt wonderful. It definitely felt like my life had just got a jump start. A big shout out to the organizers — I had a wonderful time.

After the leap, I headed straight to the EMU Convocation Center for a basketball doubleheader (both games were red outs) in support of  National Heart Month. EMU prominately placed a table to collect donations for the American Heart Association right near the entrance. We were able to share a lot of information with EMU fans and students.  The women’s team rocked red socks but unfortunately, did not hold on for a win. During the men’s game, AHA was able to share a suite with Lake Shore Apartments, who presented AHA with a check in the amount of $6,000 from the Frozen Leap. Also during the games, it was wonderful to see red on the court for dress to impress, heart trivia with a fan and AHA facts on the big screen. There was so much spirit and support of the Heart Association, the only thing that made it better was the men’s team holding on for a win over Buffalo.

Thanks to EMU for a great day of Heart Awareness.

Message from Swoop: Get Rowdy Convo Crazies

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By: Swoop, the official EMU mascot

Hey everyone — I just want to say that the basketball season has been so amazing so far. I love when the crowd gets into it and goes crazy. It helps the Eagles bring home a victory.  I really want to thank the ‘Convo Crazies’ for always being on their ‘A-game’ to help me get the crowd excited.  The life of an eagle can get pretty strenuous: Flying to all the games and running around in the hot Convocation Center.  I must say though, the ‘Convo Crazies’ and our teams make everyday worth it.  I can’t wait for our next game, and our next chance to take home a win.  I hope to see everyone at the double header. I’ll have my pink on to support the Pink Zone Foundation!

See you there!

-Swoop

An EMU-Kinda Valentine’s Day

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By: Doug Jinkins

With Valentine’s Day right around the corner, the thought on every guys mind is, “What am I supposed to get my girlfriend for this Hallmark holiday?” Being a freshman on campus with not a lot of cash flow is a struggle. Add in the expectation of a gift, and/or a romantic evening and forget it. So what does a handsome, sporty, fun-loving, romantic and creative guy like myself do? Use campus to my advantage. Make a weekend of it. The Friday before you can go see a movie at the student center for FREE! The movie up for February 11th? For Colored Girls. Sure, is it what we would pick to see? No. But we’ll earn major points for sitting through it and for it being our suggestion. Next up? Flowers! Take your special someone to the men’s & women’s basketball doubleheader on the Feb. 12 and have Swoop hand your lady a rose! Maybe suggest a picture of him and her together. I mean, no guy can live up to Swoop as a valentine, but we can try. Maybe you can even win an iPad at the game. That would make for a special day. On Sunday, you could take her sledding on the hill by the Towers. A fun way to be outdoors. Maybe bring her back to your dorm room for hot chocolate after. By the time Monday rolls around and it’s actually Valentine’s Day, she won’t even need a gift.

EMU-Great Laurie Byrd To Be Honored at Saturday’s Home Game

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EMU will retire the No. 4 jersey of former women’s basketball great Laurie Byrd during a halftime ceremony with Byrd in attendance at the Saturday, Feb. 5 basketball game against the University at Buffalo. The game starts at 2 p.m.

Byrd, who is the program’s all-time leading scorer with 1,899 career points, will become the first EMU women’s basketball player to have her jersey hung in the Convocation Center rafters. She joins EMU men’s basketball greats George Gervin, Grant Long and Kennedy McIntosh as the only other players to have the honor bestowed upon them.

A prolific scorer while at EMU, Byrd has remained the program’s all-time leading scorer for 29 seasons. She is the only player in the program’s history to lead her team in scoring and assists in each season in which she competed. Additionally, Byrd still holds EMU career records for scoring average (19.2 ppg), field goals made (854) and field goals attempted (1,788).

Currently, an assistant coach for the WNBA’s New York Liberty, Byrd previously served as an assistant coach with the Houston Comets in 2008. In the 2007 season, she was the Comets’ director of player personnel. Prior to heading to Houston, Byrd served as an assistant coach for three seasons (2003-2005) with the Detroit Shock, which included the 2003 WNBA Championship.

Join us in honoring this basketball great!

Potential EMU “Snow Day” Has Campus Buzzing

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By: Emma “EMU” Johnson

As the snow keeps falling, the hope of a snow day grows great. For a student who lives off campus, but not far enough away to drive there, the trek to get to class is a daunting one. When I wake up to a fresh layer of that fluffy white stuff outside, the thought of skipping class is instant. Ultimately, my almost adult self comes out and I throw on an extra sweatshirt, my North Face parka, mittens and a hat and walk out the door. Although campus sidewalks are always cleared and salted, the public sidewalks getting there are not. Some have tried to shovel but with more snow falling on top, they become slick.

As snow flakes hit my face and I try to keep my balance and not fall on my butt, my mind wanders back to a mere 45 minutes ago when I was still warm and snug in my bed cuddling with my cat, Mr. Smuckers. (who I’m jealous of just knowing that he is in the same spot as when I left him). As I finally make it to class and walk inside, I see the same look on every person’s faces, “I should have stayed in bed.” As I sit and look out the window and watch the white stuff continue to fall, I think about how I might need to change my major to education so that I can get snow days.