EMU's covered seating sections

[BGSU33]

I'm not usually a fan of seeing teams cover seats in stadiums, but in EMU's case, I gotta admit, I think this actually really works well for them (link below). This also really brightens up that side of the stadium (which is also the side shown by the cameras) as it desperately lacks color, especially when the new playing field essentially matches the grandstands now. I remember years ago Gregg Brandon referred to playing in Rynearson Stadium like "playing inside a prison" because of all the cement surrounding you and the little crowds. I've been to games at EMU where there's literally been 200 people in the stands. I found myself honestly feeling bad for them. But I like this idea for EMU:

http://www.emueagles.com/sports/2005/11 ... aspx?id=38" target="_blank

[vannzee]

A longtime ex girlfriend of mine went to EMU. With me being a sports fan, who never went to a D1 college, I would always be excited to be on campus for fall Saturdays. However, I was severely disappointed as with the football stadium a block away from the campus there was no pregame buzz whatsoever. In fact, had I not know the schedule I would not have known when the game days were.

Our first year going to games was their 6-6 year of 2011 or 12. It was with Ron English as coach. They won the Michigan MAC trophy but even then crowds were small. The athletic department made the choice of scheduling two FCS schools so only one victory counted towards bowl eligibility. One game I was at was against Ball State. It was an offensive shoot out. The Ball State kicker missed a 48 yard field goal as time expired the week after EMU had upset Western to give the Eagles the victory. However, English had called a late timeout to ice the kicker and he would not miss again as Ball State won. Had they won they likely go bowling that year.

Eastern is predominately a commuter school, where a lot of students dont live on campus. Also, Ypsilanti has been hit hard by the economic downturn and is not a good arena. The walk from campus to Rynearson/Convocation Center is not only long but somewhat dangerous at night. Alumni are at odds with the school over the name change from Hurons to Eagles. A lot of the community picks high school football or UofM football over Eastern games. Heck, while on campus I would see very little EMU gear worn by students.

The cost of their division one program has led some to call for the program to disband or to drop down to FCS. For their credit, the administration says that nothing will change. They did announce a clear bag only policy which is sure to upset their remaining five fans.

I follow them a lot and will probably still venture up that way for a game and tailgate with friends when they play UT and CMU this year but I dont know if they will ever have a winning season. They suffered injuries and defections this fall and their former four star recruit out of Toledo, Brogan Roback has been suspended.

The grey turf gives them some identity but the gray turf matches their dismal play on the field and the dismal surrounding neighborhood.

[zete]

I'm not usually a fan of seeing teams cover seats in stadiums, but in EMU's case, I gotta admit, I think this actually really works well for them (link below). This also really brightens up that side of the stadium (which is also the side shown by the cameras) as it desperately lacks color, especially when the new playing field essentially matches the grandstands now. I remember years ago Gregg Brandon referred to playing in Rynearson Stadium like "playing inside a prison" because of all the cement surrounding you and the little crowds. I've been to games at EMU where there's literally been 200 people in the stands. I found myself honestly feeling bad for them. But I like this idea for EMU:

http://www.emueagles.com/sports/2005/11 ... aspx?id=38" target="_blank

They have done the same in the BIG arena they use for basketball.....good idea ! maybe other schools will follow.

[jpfalcon09]

In a related note, their starting QB Brogan Roback has been suspended an undetermined amount of games for violating team and department rules, as if EMU couldn't get any worse.

[apollo]

I was on EMU's campus this summer....the cover looks very good in person. Inexpensive way to really improve an older stadium.

[Falconfreak90]

Been there for a couple BG games....it really is a no win situation with Ann Arbor 8 miles away and I, too, feel bad for EMU. They have awesome swimming and track programs and are always competitive in baseball and hoops. But football...wow. The cover looks pretty cool.

[MacGuy]

What does "The Factory" mean? A football factory?

Any stadium that has a track surrounding the field puts fans so far from the action. May work at some P5 school, but not Eastern

[jpfalcon09]

I think it's a rather ugly stadium, the coverings do little to change that opinion. EMU's campus is beautiful and Ypsi is a fun town to explore, it's a shame they can't escape the shadow of Ann Arbor to better draw fans and recruit better players. If anyone decides to chop football at the FBS level from the MAC, it'll be the Hurons.

[Schadenfreude]

It seems to me that, for football, Eastern Michigan would be a better fit in the Missouri Valley. But until Eastern Michigan sees it that way, here we are. It seems doubtful the MAC is ever going to push them out.

[zete]

History has shown the MAC can put good football teams on the field at times...but the MAC also puts teams on the field that could not beat the best HS team in Ohio...EMU falls into that category more times than not.

[apollo]

The sad thing is EMU is probably better than us in every MAC sport other than football....so much for good football team= good athletic department