East Michigan News

Eastern Michigan University's rowing team is set to host the University of Dayton in a Senior Day regatta this Saturday, May 3, at 10:30 a.m. The event will take place at the EMU Rowing Course located at Ford Lake in Ypsilanti, Michigan. A Senior Day recognition ceremony is scheduled to follow the regatta. Attendees can expect a $10 parking fee and are advised to visit Ford Lake Park for parking.

The race schedule features three events: a 1V8+ race beginning at 10:40 a.m., a 2V8+ race at 11 a.m., and a 1V4+ race at 11:20 a.m. A QR code will be available on-site for attendees to follow live results, and the results sheet is linked online for those following remotely.

The Eastern Michigan University (EMU) rowing team recently celebrated success at several regattas, including EMU's 1V8+ team securing the best time since 2019 at the Ford Lake Cup and participation at the Doc Hosea Invitational. Furthermore, Head Coach Kemp Savage and student-athlete Lily Wilhelm brought home a gold medal from the World University Championships, where they led the U.S. women's eights boat to victory.

This notable achievement followed rigorous training on Ford Lake, before the American team headed to the Netherlands' Willem-Alexander Baan to compete from July 3-6.

Among the personnel changes, EMU recently announced the appointment of Lucie Roy as Assistant Coach. Roy previously coached at Adrian College and earned recognition during her time as a rower at Michigan State University.

The rowing program is set to see changes in its competitive landscape as well. The Mid-American Conference (MAC) will add women's rowing to its lineup, beginning in the 2025-26 academic year. The conference will include Eastern Michigan, Toledo, UMass, Delaware, High Point, and Temple. The first MAC Championship is slated for the spring of 2026, with an invitational event to occur in 2025.

On the academic front, 18 EMU rowing student-athletes were named Collegiate Rowing Coaches Association National Scholar-Athletes for their achievements in the classroom.

The EMU rowing program has further enhanced its training capabilities with a newly renovated erg room at the George Gervin GameAbove Center, providing expanded space for off-season preparations.

Looking ahead, Eastern Michigan will compete in the CAA Championships for the final time on May 16-17 at Cooper River in Pennsauken, New Jersey, before transitioning to the upcoming MAC-sponsored rowing competition.