Monthly Archives: September 2011

Meet Laurie Stevens: Newest BlogEMU Writer

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By: Laurie Stevens / For BlogEMU.com

Oh, hey, so I guess I’m the newest EMU blogger now. That’s pretty exciting!

My name is Laurie Stevens and I’m going to run down some facts about myself so I’m not a faceless internet entity. I am a 21-year-old native of Knoxville, Tennessee, a transfer from Grand Valley State University, a member of Alpha Gamma Delta sorority and a senior majoring in Literature. I work in Eastern’s LGBT Resource Center and it’s safe to say I am pretty involved on campus.

It’s also safe to say I love Eastern. Grand Valley is a fine school, but my freshman year experience there was not ideal. I didn’t get involved and ended up sentencing myself to a year sitting alone in my room, too shy to make friends or break out of my comfort zone. I became so depressed that I insisted to my father I just had to get out of there. I transferred to EMU and never looked back! EMU and Ypsilanti have become a home to me, where I’ve met some of the most amazing people and grown into a person unrecognizable from who I was in high school and at GVSU.

One thing about Eastern that I think is key to this fostering environment is how being on the small side and having so many commuters, the active and involved sect of the student body becomes familiar to you after a little while. You go to enough events, you start to recognize people, make friends who are motivated like you are and it truly encourages you! In a massive school like the University of Michigan, I’d feel like a tiny fish in a huge pond and maybe a little defeated before I even began.

Anyway, I’m looking forward to sharing my view of our little piece of the world here, and my last year as an undergrad here at Eastern.

A Little Rain? No Problem for EMU Football Lovers

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By: Kristen Coen

Scorching heat, freezing rain, booming thunder … all a part of Saturday’s game against Howard. The afternoon started with blazing temperatures. Tailgate Town attendees kept their beverages close while they anticipated kickoff. Once the gates opened and the crowd started flowing in, the weather took a turn for the worst.

With winds starting to blow and the rain sprinkling down, the fans were sandwiched under the stands as they complied with the rain delay protocol. Uncomfortable but ready to see a great game, they stood around listening to various groups singing the “EMU Fight Song” until the sky opened up. Rain poured into the stadium, onto the fans and vendors, soaking everything and everyone in its path. This downpour contributed to a great deal of soggy spectators and an overnight game delay for EMU. Some were bold enough to scamper to the Convocation Center to seek shelter and wait out the delay, others headed for home and the really dedicated fans sat under the stands, not wanting to miss a thing.

After several hours of waiting, the final game decision was announced. “The game will be resumed September 4at noon … with free admission!” As the crowd slowly left the area, everyone was talking about the game on Sunday. Some were happy. Others? Not as much.

Despite the game-day chaos, Eastern had a great turnout and an impressive season-opening victory over Howard University.

Looking for something to do this weekend? EMU takes on Alabama State at 1 p.m. in Rynearson Stadium. But wait … it gets better. If you think you enjoyed the halftime show last weekend, we have a surprise! The Pride of the Peninsula will be challenging the Marching Hornets at the game this weekend. For ticket prices or more information contact the EMU Ticket Office at 734.487.2282 or online at emutix.com. Go to EMUEagles.com for full season ticket pricing information.

 

 

Rynearson Stadium’s Big Changes

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By: Kristen Coen

There are some big changes happening in Rynearson Stadium this fall.

As students resume classes and athletes prepare for the upcoming seasons, the stadium is receiving a facelift. Fathead Inc. sent EMU a new shiny vinyl gift. Meant to improve the inside of Rynearson Stadium, the new decals will be placed in various locations around the stadium.

Signage includes a wrap around the marching band tunnel entrance, lower wall around the football field, ring of honor and on the locker room building. In addition, EMU is paying Fathead for additional signage on the exterior of the stadium. This includes vinyl signs behind the press box, along a fence, on both sides of the elevator wall and the word “EASTERN” spelled out in white letters on the upper north side of the Convocation Center.

Go Eagles!

Tailgate ABCs

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By: Kristen Coen
It’s that time again. Football season is upon Eastern Michigan University and students are preparing for the hometown showdown on the Rynearson Gridiron beginning this weekend.  Saturday, September 3rd the EMU takes on Howard at 7pm. Just a friendly reminder to event attendees that Tailgating at Eastern Michigan University is pre-game activity intended to be fun and safe for everyone on game day. For more information check out the website.

To get the most out of your experience you should follow the ABC’S of Tailgating.

  • A: Alcohol is not permitted inside the EMU Convocation Center, Rynearson Stadium and/or any other EMU athletic facilities.
  • B: Bring all of your friends to your tailgate party! Share the experience, share the fun!
  • C: Coolers are not permitted inside the Stadium.
  • D: Drinking games of alcohol (including but not limited to funnels or beer bongs) are prohibited.
  • E: EMU Convocation Center, Rynearson Stadium and athletic facilities are some of the dedicated tailgating areas.
  • F: Find us on facebook! Check out Tailgate Town at www.facebook.com/tailgatetown 
  • G: Glass beverage containers are not permitted in the tailgate areas.
  • H: Having a good time is always encouraged.
  • I: Interested in more information about Tailgate Town? Contact Bilal Saeed at bilil@pakmode.com
  • J: Jokes, laughter and happiness are standard features at an EMU tailgate party.
  • K: Kegs of any size other common source alcohol containers are not permitted.
  • L: Leave the tailgate area how you found it!
  • M: Manage your noise and keep it contained in your tailgate area.
  • N: No tailgating be permitted during the game or after the game is over.
  • O: Outside food and drinks are not permitted into the stadium
  • P: Place all trash in garbage cans.
  • Q: Quiet Keeping your fun (and noise) contained in your tailgate area will go a long way to help your fellow tailgaters enjoy their experience.
  • R: Respect your neighbors!
  • S: Serving or providing alcohol to anyone under 21 is illegal.
  • T: Tents in your tailgating area, it must not exceed 10′ x 10′ unless consent is given in advance by the EMU Athletics Department
  • U: Underage drinking is illegal, even while tailgating. The legal drinking age in Michigan is 21.
  • V: Viewing the EMU victory should be experienced by all. Invite your friends, family and come out to the game!
  • W: Weapons are not permitted into the stadium or tailgating areas
  • X: Xylophones, Xerox, (Insert other X words here)
  • Y: You cannot bring animals of any kind into the tailgate areas.
  • Z: Zero tolerance for drinking