Ypsilanti, MI — The football program and the entire athletic department is open to use the new multi-purpose indoor practice facility located next to the football team building. This will allow all the team’s to practice indoors in case of inclement weather. The 3.9 million dollar facility is also up and running for intramurals.
“Having the indoor practice facility changes everything,” Head football coach Ron English explained. “Our players will have an opportunity to develop year round now.”
“The 2009 season was a disappointment but we have a lot to look forward to,” continued English. “We will start off at home against Army and that will set our tone.”
Eastern is returning 44 lettermen and that experience will help in a very competitive Mid-American Conference schedule. EMU will host Army at Rynearson Stadium on September 4. Last year, Eastern drew over 15,000 for that game. The Cadets specialize in the running game.
English ran 60 plays at the recent spring scrimmage to get a look at his squad under game conditions. One position with great depth is at the long snapper spot. Mike Zupancic, Alex Gudejko and Matt Bowman are all experienced and coaches are putting a premium on that position. “The kicking game starts with the long snapper,” said special teams coach Tom Burpee. He added, “Everything starts with the center.”
Long Snapper Alex Gudejko (Barrington, IL High School) and EMU Head Coach Ron English at the recent Spring Game at Rynearson Stadium in Ypsilanti, Michigan.
Photo by Scott Olmstead, Rolco Sports Network
Gudejko, a redshirt sophomore from Barrington, Illinois, has the size. At 6’-5” and 221 he takes up blocking space after he gets the ball off. He comes from a football pedigree. His father Kevin Gudejko played at Rhode Island. Zupancic, from California is a letter winner and has experience.
Something new for this season will be the women’s clinic. Many women watch football without understanding the ins and outs of the sport. Coach English and his Eastern Michigan University coaching staff want to remedy this situation. They will offer to make football more understandable for women. EMU will be offering a Football 101 Skills Clinic for Women Saturday, July 24 from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. at Rynearson Stadium.
“There are a lot of women who are interested in football and Football 101 is designed to teach them about the rules of the game and why specific plays and strategies are used in certain situations,” said English, EMU head football coach. “Armed with this knowledge, the women who participate in the clinic will come out not only with a better understanding of the game, but also with a new appreciation of the sport. Plus, they’ll be able to hold their own with their football crazed friends and family.”
All ladies joining the EMU Football 101 team will experience what it is like to be a player as coaches teach them the importance of different positions and run them through practice drills. At the end of the day, participants will have the basic knowledge and skills needed to enjoy the game of football.
Registration for the event is $30 per person ($15 for EMU students) and includes lunch, a Football 101 t-shirt and autograph and photo opportunities with English and his coaches. Every participant will also receive a season ticket to the 2010 EMU Football home schedule.
For more information about the EMU Football 101 Skills Clinic, call 734-487-8109 or visit www.EMUEagles.com
(Raymond Rolak is a Michigan based Sports Caster)