Eastern Insider

Episode 27 of the Eastern Insider Podcast is all about celebration—of the past, present, and future of Eastern Michigan Athletics. Hosts Tom Helmer and Greg Steiner open with a deep dive into the standout performers of the year, naming breakout student-athletes like Christian Henry and Lily Wilhelm, unforgettable moments like Jalen Terry’s deep buzzer-beater, and honoring coaches who’ve reshaped their programs. With one ep...

This episode of Eastern Insider puts a spotlight on Eastern Michigan Women’s Basketball and the challenges of the ever-changing transfer portal, as head coach Sahar Nusseibeh shares her approach to rebuilding a roster with just three returning players. She details the importance of recruiting the right character, not just talent, while navigating a system that’s been dubbed the “Wild West.” On the football side, defensive ...

In Episode 25 of the Eastern Insider Podcast, Tom Helmer and Greg Steiner dive into a jam-packed weekend of EMU sports, where frigid temperatures couldn’t cool down the Eagles' red-hot performances. EMU lacrosse crushed Youngstown State behind a six-goal effort from Katheryn Wilson, while goalie Maddie Porter shared her mindset on mental toughness and leadership. Meanwhile, baseball put up 19 runs against Miami, with Logan...

In this St. Patrick’s Day edition of Eastern Insider, hosts Tom Helmer and Greg Steiner dive into a packed lineup of EMU sports. Rower Lily Wilhelm shares how she turned rejection into record-breaking success, while baseball coach Robbie Britt reflects on his team’s season-opening road trip and excitement for their first home games. Cheerleader and sports journalist Elena Davis joins to talk about EMU Club Hockey’s histori...

In Episode 23 of the Eastern Insider Podcast, Tom Helmer and Greg Steiner break down Eastern Michigan men's basketball’s thrilling road to the Mid-American Conference Tournament, highlighting a team that’s focused, hungry, and ready to make noise in Cleveland. Standouts Da'Sean Nelson and Yusuf Jihad join to reflect on the journey — from early-season promises to late-season surges — emphasizing the team's unique chemistry,...

Episode 22 of the Eastern Insider Podcast dives into a critical stretch for Eastern Michigan basketball as the Eagles chase a MAC Tournament berth, highlighted by a dominant senior night win over Central Michigan. Tom Helmer and Greg Steiner break down the unpredictable standings and preview upcoming road battles, while also spotlighting the impressive journey of women's basketball assistant coach Meg Cunningham, who has N...

Episode 21 of The Eastern Insider recaps one of the most electrifying moments in EMU basketball history—a buzzer-beater by Jalin Terry that extended the Eagles' winning streak to three, the longest in the MAC. With a pivotal week ahead, EMU has a chance to clinch a MAC Tournament berth for the first time since 2018. The women’s basketball team also made waves with a hard-fought road win, while EMU Gymnastics, Track & F...

In Episode 20 of Eastern Insider, Tom Helmer and Greg Steiner debate whether the Super Bowl should be moved to Saturday, critique college football’s scheduling decisions, and analyze the Philadelphia Eagles’ defensive dominance. The episode also introduces EMU’s new offensive line coach, Chris Wiesehan, who shares his coaching philosophy and vision for the team. Senior outfielder Logan Hugo joins the show to discuss his le...

In Episode 19 of Eastern Insider, Tom Helmer and Greg Steiner recap EMU basketball’s tough week, with the women’s team showing resilience despite a loss to Toledo and the men’s squad struggling with consistency. Lacrosse standout Mackenzie Blackwell sets her sights on a 100-goal milestone and MAC domination, while baseball ace Bobby Jones shares how refining his changeup and an aggressive mindset will shape his success in ...

Episode 18 of the Eastern Insider Podcast dives into the thriving momentum across Eastern Michigan athletics as the spring sports season begins. Hosts Tom Helmer and Greg Steiner discuss the men’s basketball team’s recent three-game winning streak under Coach Stan Heath, marking their best MAC start since 2017. Women’s basketball battles adversity while gearing up for Alumni Weekend and the annual “Play4Kay” game. Lacrosse...

Episode 17 of the Eastern Insider podcast delivered a mix of humor, inspiration, and athletic highlights. Hosts Tom Helmer and Greg Steiner celebrated EMU men’s basketball’s gritty win at Bowling Green and shared insights into standout performances and upcoming challenges. Assistant coach Jay Smith reflected on his illustrious career, from recruiting the Fab Five to coaching alongside his son. Gymnastics star Priya Karle r...

Episode 16 of the Eastern Insider Podcast featured Tom Helmer and Greg Steiner recapping EMU's basketball seasons and upcoming conference matchups. The men's team aims for defensive improvements as they face Central Michigan and Bowling Green, while the women's team prepares for Buffalo after a narrow loss to Akron. Sisi Eleko celebrated her 1,000th career point and shared her journey in a heartfelt interview, while Hall o...

In Episode 15 of Eastern Insider, Tom Helmer and Greg Steiner celebrated Eastern Michigan women’s basketball’s electrifying comeback win over Xavier, flipping a 20-point halftime deficit into a commanding victory fueled by stellar defense and Elena Cabello’s clutch shooting. The show also featured Nick Smith, Director of Compliance, discussing the intricacies of transfer portal management and the evolving world of college ...

Episode 14 of the Eastern Insider Podcast dives into an exciting Feast Week for EMU Athletics, highlighted by critical basketball and football matchups. The men’s basketball team builds momentum with a Metro Series victory, while the women look to rebound against Detroit Mercy. Football takes center stage with a high-stakes rivalry game against Western Michigan, where bowl eligibility and the Michigan MAC Trophy hang in th...

Episode 13 of The Eastern Insider Podcast dives into Eastern Michigan football’s high-stakes Senior Night game against Buffalo, highlighting the emotional significance for 12 seniors playing their final home game. Hosts Tom Helmer and Greg Steiner discuss the Eagles’ challenges, including the weather, turnovers, and Buffalo’s strong form, while exploring the added intrigue of quarterback Cole Snyder facing his former team....

In Episode 12 of Eastern Insider, Tom Helmer and Greg Steiner cover an action-packed week for EMU sports. They preview Wednesday night’s high-stakes MAC showdown with Ohio, a rare matchup as the Bobcats return to EMU for the first time since 2016. Helmer and Steiner analyze Ohio’s recent dominance, EMU’s fourth-quarter challenges, and the keys to victory. Beyond football, the episode features CFL star and EMU alum Jake Jul...

Episode 11 of Eastern Insider kicks off with hosts Tom Helmer and Greg Steiner playfully framing the night’s big decision—not a political vote, but a choice between EMU men’s and women’s basketball. With the men's team debuting on the road and the women hosting, the hosts dive into the latest on both rosters, including Head Coach Stan Heath's optimism about his rebuilt squad’s chemistry and competitive edge. Coach Chris Cr...

In Episode 10 of the Eastern Insider, hosts Tom Helmer and Greg Steiner kick off with a Halloween-themed chat, sharing costume plans and candy favorites before welcoming first-year women’s basketball head coach Sahar Nusseibeh, who discusses team unity and goals for the upcoming season, and head football coach Chris Creighton, who reflects on last week’s loss and previews the rivalry game against Toledo while balancing foo...

In Episode 9 of Eastern Insider, Tom Helmer and Greg Steiner break down Eastern Michigan’s stunning comeback victory over Central Michigan, overcoming a 99.6% losing probability to secure the win. They highlight quarterback Cole Snyder's calm, dual-threat performance, emphasizing his emerging leadership. A conversation with former coach Jim Harkema provides insights into his transformational tenure and the 1987 bowl triump...