Posted on Thu, Mar 1, 2012 : 9:24 p.m.
Eastern Michigan celebrates its MAC champion men's and women's basketball teams
By AnnArbor.com Freelance Journalist
Enlarge
The Eastern Michigan University house in Ypsilanti, was used to host a special banquet in honor of the men's and women's basketball team's 2012 MAC West division title, on Thursday, March 1.
Buy AnnArbor.com Photo Prints
-
The Eastern Michigan University house in Ypsilanti, was used to host a special banquet in honor of the men's and women's basketball team's 2012 MAC West division title, on Thursday, March 1.
/calendar/photologue/photos/EMU BB Banquet/cache/EMUBBbanquet-1_fullsize.jpg
-
Eastern Michigan alumnist, Harry Bidelman 81', and wife Kathy Gilden Bidelman 75', who also happen to be the daughter and son in-law of a former EMU dean, the late Ralph F. Gilden, enjoy some beverages during a special banquet in honor of the men's and women's basketball team's 2012 MAC West division title, held at the University house in Ypsilanti, on Thursday, March 1.
/calendar/photologue/photos/EMU BB Banquet/cache/EMUBBbanquet-3_fullsize.jpg
-
Eastern Michigan University president, Susan Martin, speaks to the room during a special banquet in honor of the men's and women's basketball team's 2012 MAC West division title, held at the University house in Ypsilanti, on Thursday, March 1.
/calendar/photologue/photos/EMU BB Banquet/cache/EMUBBbanquet-4_fullsize.jpg
-
Eastern Michigan University athletic director, Dr. Derrick Gragg, speaks to the room during a special banquet in honor of the men's and women's basketball team's 2012 MAC West division title, held at the University house in Ypsilanti, on Thursday, March 1.
/calendar/photologue/photos/EMU BB Banquet/cache/EMUBBbanquet-5_fullsize.jpg
-
Eastern Michigan senior guard Tavelyn James smiles while listening to her head coach share with the crowd that James is being considered for the 2011/2012 NCAA All-American team while at a special banquet in honor of the men's and women's basketball team's 2012 MAC West division title. The event was at the University House in Ypsilanti, on Thursday, March 1.
/calendar/photologue/photos/EMU BB Banquet/cache/EMUBBbanquet-6_fullsize.jpg
-
Eagle senior forward, Jamell Harris, looks on while listening to Eastern Michigan president Susan Martin speak during a special banquet in honor of the men's and women's basketball team's 2012 MAC West division title, held at the University house in Ypsilanti, on Thursday, March 1.
/calendar/photologue/photos/EMU BB Banquet/cache/EMUBBbanquet-7_fullsize.jpg
-
From left, Coach Ann-Marie Gilbert, EMU vice president of communications Walter Craft, athletic director Dr. Derrick Gragg, and president Susan Martin, applaud following the unvieling of the men's and women's basketball 2011/2012 MAC West division champion team photos, during a special banquet in honor of the men's and women's basketball team's 2012 MAC West division title, held at the University house in Ypsilanti, on Thursday, March 1.
/calendar/photologue/photos/EMU BB Banquet/cache/EMUBBbanquet-8_fullsize.jpg
-
Eastern Michigan University men's basketball first-year head coach Rob Murphy, cracks a big smile following the unvieling of the men's 2011/2012 MAC West division champions team photo, during a special banquet in honor of the men's and women's basketball team's 2012 MAC West division title, held at the University house in Ypsilanti, on Thursday, March 1.
/calendar/photologue/photos/EMU BB Banquet/cache/EMUBBbanquet-9_fullsize.jpg
-
Eastern Michigan University women's basketball head coach Ann-Marie Gilbert, smiles following the unvieling of the women's 2011/2012 MAC West division champions team photo, during a special banquet in honor of the men's and women's basketball team's 2012 MAC West division title, held at the University house in Ypsilanti, on Thursday, March 1.
/calendar/photologue/photos/EMU BB Banquet/cache/EMUBBbanquet-10_fullsize.jpg
-
Eastern Michigan University men's and women's basketball head coaches Ann-Marie Gilbert, and Rob Murphy, pose together during a special banquet in honor of the men's and women's basketball team's 2012 MAC West division title, held at the University house in Ypsilanti, on Thursday, March 1.
/calendar/photologue/photos/EMU BB Banquet/cache/EMUBBbanquet-11_fullsize.jpg
-
From left, Natasha Watkins, Paige Redditt, Coach Ann-Marie Gilbert, Tavelyn James, and men's Coach Rob Murphy, of the Eastern Michigan University men's and women's basketball teams, pose for a group photo during a special banquet in honor of the men's and women's basketball team's 2012 MAC West division title, held at the University house in Ypsilanti, on Thursday, March 1.
/calendar/photologue/photos/EMU BB Banquet/cache/EMUBBbanquet-12_fullsize.jpg
-
Eastern Michigan University athletic director Dr. Derrick Gragg, is captured in a candid moment during a special banquet in honor of the men's and women's basketball team's 2012 MAC West division title, held at the University house in Ypsilanti, on Thursday, March 1.
/calendar/photologue/photos/EMU BB Banquet/cache/EMUBBbanquet-13_fullsize.jpg
-
Eastern Michigan Eagle mascot Swoop, stands guard during the special banquet in honor of the men's and women's basketball team's 2012 MAC West division title, held at the University house in Ypsilanti, on Thursday, March 1.
/calendar/photologue/photos/EMU BB Banquet/cache/EMUBBbanquet-15_fullsize.jpg
-
Eastern Michigan University president Susan Martin (right), and women's basketball player Paige Redditt (center), enjoy a conversation with EMU Regent Beth Fitzsimmons and her husband, Joe Fitzsimmons, at a special reception in honor of the men's and women's basketball team's 2012 MAC West division titles. The event was at the University House in Ypsilanti on Thursday, March 1.
/calendar/photologue/photos/EMU BB Banquet/cache/EMUBBbanquet-16_fullsize.jpg
-
Eastern Michigan University men's basketball head coach Rob Murphy (center), and players (from left) Matt Balkema, Derek Thompson, Jamell Harris, Antonio Green, and Darrell Lampley, pose for a photo during a special banquet in honor of their 2012 MAC West division title, held at the University house in Ypsilanti, on Thursday, March 1.
/calendar/photologue/photos/EMU BB Banquet/cache/EMUBBbanquet-17_fullsize.jpg
-
/calendar/photologue/photos/EMU BB Banquet/cache/EMUBBbanquet-18_fullsize.jpg
-
A picture of Eagle sophmore guard J.R. Sims is displayed in the entryway of the University House during a special banquet honoring the Eastern Michigan men's and women's basketball team's 2012 MAC West division titles. The Banquet was held at University house in Ypsilanti, on Thursday, March 1.
/calendar/photologue/photos/EMU BB Banquet/cache/EMUBBbanquet-19_fullsize.jpg
With Mid-American Conference division titles wrapped up, the Eastern Michigan men’s and women’s basketball teams were honored during a special reception Thursday night at the school’s University House.
The teams and their coaching staffs joined president Susan Martin, other school officials and invited alumni at the event.
EMU Vice President of Communications Walter Kraft spoke at the banquet, saying “this is something to be proud of” and “very few MAC schools have accomplished the feat of having both the men’s and women’s teams bringing home division titles in the same year.”
The EMU men wrapped up sole possession of their MAC West title with a 54-53 win at Western Michigan on Wednesday night. Senior point guard Darrell Lampley hit a floater in the lane in the game’s final second to give the Eagles their first title since the MAC split into its current divisional format in 1999.
The men close their regular season at Toledo at 2 p.m. Saturday before the MAC Tournament starts Monday at campus sites.
The women’s basketball team shared the MAC West title with Toledo. It’s their fourth division title in the last nine years.
With the No. 2 overall seed in the women’s MAC Tournament, the Eagles are idle until the semifinal round next Friday at Quicken Loans Arena in Cleveland.
Comments
RudeJude
Fri, Mar 2, 2012 : 3:01 p.m.
Here's hoping Ron English will find similar success next year.
RudeJude
Fri, Mar 2, 2012 : 3 p.m.
Congrats on the championships, Eastern!