EMU Basketball Media Guide • 2005-06 - Eastern Michigan Eagles ...

EMU Basketball Media Guide • 2005-06 

Table Of Contents 

EMU Basketball Reunion ......................... 2 

Eagles Reach Out to Help ....................... 3 

Quick Facts/Convo. Center Diagram........ 4 

EMU Media Guidelines ............................ 5 

EMU Sports Information .......................... 6 

EMU Athletics’ Mission Statement ........... 7 

EMU Primary Media Outlets..................... 8 

The 2005-06 Basketball Outlook .........9-11 

The 2005-06 Schedule ......................... 12 

The 2005-06 Team Picture/Roster ........ 13 

TV/Radio Pictures ................................ 14 

The 2005-06 Eagles 

John Bowler .....................................16-18 

Craig Cashen ...................................19-20 

Nick Freer ........................................... 21 

James Matthews ................................. 22 

Danny McElhinny ..............................23-24 

Derek Van Solkema.............................. 25 

Kyle Dodd............................................ 26 

B.J. Ford ............................................. 26 

Zane Gay............................................. 27 

Chris Knaub ......................................... 27 

Carlos Medlock .................................... 28 

Gino Smith .......................................... 28 

Desmond Young .................................. 29 

A Look Back at 2004-05 ...................... 30 

The Coaching Staff 

Head Coach Charles E. Ramsey.........32-33 

Associate Coach Derek McDowell .....34-35 

Assistant Coach Dusty May .................. 36 

Assistant Coach Carl Thomas ............... 37 

Dir. of Basketball Oper. Rich Marion ....... 38 

A History of Coaching Excellence ........... 39 

Adidas – Official Outfitter ....................... 40 

The 2004-05 Season in Review 

Exhibition-Game 1 ................................ 42 

Games 2-3 .......................................... 43 

Games 4-5 .......................................... 44 

Games 6-7 .......................................... 45 

Games 8-9 .......................................... 46 

Games 10-11 ...................................... 47 

Games 12-13 ...................................... 48 

Games 14-15 ...................................... 49 

Games 16-17 ...................................... 50 

Games 18-19 ...................................... 51 

Games 20-21 ...................................... 52 

Games 22-23 ...................................... 53 

Games 24-25 ...................................... 54 

Games 26-27 ...................................... 55 

Games 28-29 ...................................... 56 

Game 30 ............................................ 57 

Final 2004-05 Statistics ....................... 58 

Final 2004-05 Game-by-Game Results ... 59 

All-Time Series Records ........................ 60 

The University 

EMU Story .......................................62-65 

President John A. Fallon, III .................... 66 

Executive Officers/Regents................... 67 

Interim Athletics Director Bob England ... 68 

Athletics Department Head Coaches ..... 68 

Athletics Department Staff ...............69-74 

EMU Identity ........................................ 75 

Convocation Center.............................. 76 

City of Ypsilanti .................................... 77 

Sports Medicine ...............................78-79 

Strength and Conditioning..................... 80 

Student-Athlete Support Services .......... 81 

NCAA Compliance ................................ 82 

EMU Athletic Club ................................ 83 

Athletic Hall of Fame............................. 84 

The Mid-American Conference 

The MAC Story..................................... 86 

MAC Statistics 2004-05 ................87-91 

MAC 2005-06 Composite Schedule ..92-93 

MAC School Directions ......................... 94 

The Opponents 

Akron and Ball State............................. 96 

Bowling Green and Buffalo..................... 97 

California and Central Michigan .............. 98 

Detroit and Indiana ............................... 99 

Kent State and Miami ......................... 100 

North Dakota State and Northern Col... 101 

Northern Illinois and Ohio ..................... 102 

Toledo and Tulsa ................................ 103 

Western Michigan and Wisc. Green Bay 104 

Youngstown State and MAC Tourn. ...... 105 

Bracket Busters ................................ 106 

The Records 

Through the Years ...................... 108-117 

Letterwinners ............................. 118-120 

Coaches’ Records .............................. 121 

Leading Scorers by Season................. 122 

Top Scorers....................................... 123 

Leading Rebounders by Season........... 124 

Top Rebounders................................. 125 

Individual Records .............................. 126 

Credits 

Credits 

The 2005-06 EMU Men’s Basketball Media 

Guide is a publication of the EMU Sports Information 

Office. The guide was written and edited 

by SID Jim Streeter with design, layout and 

writing assistance from assistant Greg Steiner. 

The information is current as of Oct. 10, 2005. 

Editors include Tim Moore, Dan Murphy, 

Mekye Phelps, Jay Sofen, Andrew Streeter, and 

Bud Schimmelpfennig. Photography is by Dick 

Schwarze, Amir Gamzu, and Randy Mascharka. 

The 2005-06 EMU Men’s Basketball Media 

Guide is provided as a service to accredited media 

and opponents. There is a charge of $15 plus 

shipping and handling for the general public. 

Copyright Copyright Copyright 2005-06 

2005-06 

EMU EMU Sports Sports Information 

Information 

Senior big man John Bowler (42) returns 

to lead the Eagles in 2005-06. 

Three-Point Shots .............................. 127 

Blocked Shots ................................... 128 

Assists ............................................. 129 

Team Records ................................... 130 

NCAA First Dance .............................. 131 

NCAA Sweet 16.......................... 132-133 

The NIT: Double OT Thriller .................. 134 

NCAA Dome Dance..................... 135-136 

NCAA Team of Destiny ....................... 137 

107 Years of Hoops History.......... 138-140 

Convocation Center Records ....... 141-146 

All-Americans ..................................... 147 

All-MAC Selections.............................. 148 

2006 NCAA Tournament Bracket........ 149 

Coke Ad ............................................ 151 

World World Wide Wide Wide Web 

Web 

You can find out the latest in EMU men’s 

basketball by logging onto the athletics 

website: 

www.emueagles.com 

www.emueagles.com 

-About the Cover - 

The 2005-06 Eastern Michigan University 

men’s basketball team will be led by a 

new head coach and two senior co-captains. 

Head Coach Charles E. Ramsey (middle) 

joins senior John Bowler (42) and senior 

Danny McElhinny (13) in front of EMU’s 

University House. 

200 2005- 200 -0 -06 -00 

E E E MU MU BASK BASKE BASK TBAL TBAL TBALL TBAL 

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2 

Eagles Go Back in Time 

2005 EMU Basketball Alumni Tailgate 

First-year Head Coach Charles E. Ramsey initiated the first 

annual Eastern Michigan Basketball Alumni Tailgate prior to 

the Eagles football home opener, Sept. 10, versus Louisiana-Lafayette. 

Several former EMU basketball players joined 

current coaches, players and families for barbeque, fun and 

football. 

Three members of the 1991 squad that reached the Sweet 

Sixteen, Carl Thomas, Charles Thomas and Lorenzo Neely, 

attended the reunion as did former EMU and Detroit Piston 

Head Coach Ray Scott. Scott is shown below with current 

EMU Head Coach Charles E. Ramsey and former Eastern 

Michigan Head Coach Al Freund. 

One of the day’s highlights included an open gym session 

that afforded current Eagles the opportunity to play against 

current and former NBA players such as EMU alums Earl 

Boykins (Denver Nuggets) and Charles Thomas. James Head, 

a member of the 1998 MAC championship team, also laced 

up the shoes to play against the current Eagles. 

Earl Boykins (1994-98) 

Jack Brusewitz (1979-82) 

David Clum (1986-88) 

Al Freund (1972-76, coach) 

James Head (1994-98) 

Earle Higgins (1967-70) 

Dan Hoff (1972-76) 

NOTABLE ALUMS IN ATTENDANCE 

Mark Hughes (1988-90) 

Boo Jackson (2001-05) 

Walter Jones (1972-76) 

Roy McNeely (1966-68) 

Lorenzo Neely (1987-91) 

Doug Reynolds (1975-78) 

Michael Ross (2001-05) 

Ray Scott (1976-79, coach) 

Charles Thomas (1987-91) 

Gary Tyson (1971-74) 

Three Generations of Point Guards - L-R: Earl Boykins, 

Gary Tyson, Lorenzo Neely. 


E E E MU MU BASK BASKE BASK TBAL TBAL TBALL 

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Earle Higgins, Jack Brusewitz & Gary Tyson 

Three Generations of Head Coaches - L-R; Ray Scott, 

Charles E. Ramsey, Al Freund.

Eagles Reach Out to Help 

Hoops with Earl 

Move-In Day 

Before classes for the 2005-06 school year even began 

Eastern Michigan basketball was making its presence felt 

on the EMU campus. Players and coaches participated in 

campus-wide move-in day, Saturday, Sept. 3. Beginning at 8 

a.m. the Eagles met fellow EMU students and their families 

in the parking lot outside Best Hall where they helped carry 

luggage and directed first-year students to their dorms. EMU 

basketball players carried anything from books and fans to 

refrigerators and TVs. 

Former Eastern Michigan All-MAC performer and current 

Denver Nugget Earl Boykins returned for the Alumni Tailgate 

and laced ‘em up to run with the current Eagles in an open 

gym session. Boykins is shown below feeding current EMU 

freshman Gino Smith on the break. 



3

EMU Quick Facts 

Location .................................................. Ypsilanti, Michigan 

Founded ......................................................................1849 

Enrollment ................................................................ 24,800 

Nickname ................................................................. Eagles 

Colors ................................................ Dark Green and White 

Conference ........................................... Mid-American (MAC) 

Home Court ........................ Convocation Center (8,824-1998) 

Affliation ...................................................... NCAA Division I 

Administration 

President .............................................. Dr. John A. Fallon,III 

Athletics Director (Interim) ................................. Bob England 

Associate Athletics Director...............................Mike Malach 

Associate Athletics Director............................. Steve Watson 

Assistant Athletics Director/Marketing and Prom. ............ TBA 

Academics Advisor ............................................. Erin Burdis 

Assistant AD-Compliance....................... Melody Reifel Werner 

Senior Women’s Administrator (Interim) ........... Suzy Merchant 

Ticket Operations Manager .....................................Ron Reid 

Head Coach ............................................Charles E. Ramsey 

Alma Mater, Year .................................Eastern Michigan, '92 

Record at EMU (Years) ....................................... First season 

MAC Record (Years) .......................................... First season 

Career Record (Years) ....................................... First season 

Office Phone Number ......................................734.487.0214 

Best time to reach Ramsey................11 a.m. to 1 p.m., daily 

Associate Coach....................................... Derrick McDowell 

Assistant Coaches........................... Dusty May, Carl Thomas 

Director of Basketball Operations ....................... Rich Marion 

Graduate Manager ............................................. David Good 

Home Arena .......................................... Convocation Center 

Capacity ....................................................................8,824 

2004-05 Overall Record .............................................. 12-18 

2004-05 MAC Record/West Division finish ................. 5-13/6th 

Letterwinners Returning/Lost ..........................................7/7 

Starters Returning/Lost .................................................. 3/2 

Sports Information 

Sports Information Director ............................... Jim Streeter 

Assistant Sports Information Director ................ Greg Steiner 

Graduate Assistant .......................................... Mekye Phelps 

Graduate Assistant ............................................. Dan Murphy 

Men’s Basketball Contact................................... Jim Streeter 

E-mail...............................................jim.streeter@emich.edu 

Office Phone...................................................734.487.0317 

Office Fax ......................................................734.485.3840 

Streeter's Home Phone....................................734.485.3221 

Streeter’s Cell Phone .......................................734.260.1004 

SID Staff ...................... Tim Moore, Chris Puzzuoli, Jay Sofen 

Mailing Address .........................................799 Hewitt Road, 

Convocation Center, Room 307 

Ypsilanti, MI 48197 

Web Site .............................................www.emueagles.com 

4 

EMU Media Information 

E-TV Director John Rice and EMU Photographer Dick Schwarze 

document all EMU home and selected away athletic events. 

CONVOCATION CENTER DIAGRAM 



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EMU Media Guidelines 

The 2005-06 Eastern Michigan University men’s basketball media 

guide is designed to assist the media with its coverage of EMU 

basketball. Additional information, statistics and photographs 

may be acquired by contacting Jim Streeter in the EMU Sports 

Information Office, Room 307, Convocation Center, Ypsilanti, MI 

48197. 

Press Credentials 

Requests for working press space should be made in writing at 

least one week before the date of the home contest to the EMU 

Sports Information Office. The request should be made by the 

sports director of the newspaper, magazine, radio or television 

outlet wishing to send a reporter(s) to the game. Outlets that have 

made proper credential requests are entitled to receive copies 

of the final game statistics, and play-by-play as well as any press 

information provided by the competing institutions. Confirmation 

of the request will be made by EMU Sports Information personnel. 

Press credentials WILL NOT be issued to spouses, friends or 

children. The press area is a working area. Please make your 

credential requests to: 

Jim Streeter, SID 

307 Convocation Center 

Eastern Michigan University 


Office: 734.487.0317 

Home: 734.485.3221 

Fax: 734.485.3840 

E-mail: jim.streeter@emich.edu 

Parking Credentials 

Eastern Michigan University does not issue single-game parking 

credentials for basketball. There is no charge for parking and 

spots are available on the west side of the Convocation Center. 

Photographers 

Photographers are issued similar credentials to press row 

media. Photographers are allowed to shoot from both ends of the 

court. 

Radio 

EMU Men’s Basketball can be heard live on WEMU, 89.1 FM and 

on the Internet at www.emueagles.com and www.wemu.org. 

Visiting Radio 

Visiting radio stations receive one reciprocal phone line for their 

game broadcasts. The visiting radio table is located on the 

southeast side of the court. An ISDN line will be installed as well 

as a regular line. Should more lines be needed, please contact 

Jim Streeter for arrangements. 

Media Information 

The EMU Sports Information staff will provide game programs, 

game notes and cumulative statistics for both teams to credentialed 

media prior to all games. Statistical summaries and playby-play 

sheets will be distributed throughout the game and will be 

available at the conclusion of the contest. Two telephones are 

available to the media on a first-come, first-served basis. 

Entering The Convocation Center 

Press credentials can be picked up in the EMU Sports Information 

Office during the week of a home contest. If credentials are 

requested and approved, they will only be mailed if the request 

is granted at least two weeks prior to game. Any credentials not 

picked up will be left at the will call window in the atrium of the 

Convocation Center. 

Interview Policy (Mid-Week) 

Head Coach Charles E. Ramsey is available to speak to the media 

via phone Monday-Friday mornings. Coach Ramsey will also be 

available on the Mid-American Conference weekly conference 

call on Monday mornings. The schedule of all MAC coaches is 

available below. 

Individual players are available for interviews Monday-Thursday. 

Please contact the EMU Sports Information Office to set up 

interviews. One note to the media: Home phone numbers for 

players and coaches will not be given out by the EMU Sports 

Information Office. 

Interview Policy (Game Day) 

All postgame interviews will be conducted in Media Room A in the 

Convocation Center. Both head coaches will be available to the 

media after a 10-minute cooling-off period with the visiting head 

coach scheduled first in Media Room A. Individual players may 

be available for interviews at the conclusion of the game. Please 

see a member of the sports information staff from either EMU or 

the visiting institution about player interviews. 

Telephone/FAX Service 

Two telephones and a fax machine are available to the media and 

opponents’ sports information personnel in the main press room 

on the first floor of the pressbox. 

Press Box Phone Numbers 

734.484.0612 

734.484.0637 

All of EMU’s 2005-06 basketball games are scheduled 

to be broadcast on WEMU-FM (89.1) with John Fountain 

(right) serving as the play-by-play man and Brian 

Nemerovski (left) handling the analyst duties. 



5

6 

Eastern Eastern Michigan Michigan University University 

University 

Sports Sports Information Information Staff Staff 

Staff 

Jim Streeter 

Greg Steiner 

Mekye Phelps 

Dan Murphy 

EMU Sports Information 

Men’s Basketball Contact........................................... Jim Streeter 

Sports Information Director ....................................... Jim Streeter 

Office Phone........................................................ 734.487.0317 

Home Phone ....................................................... 734.485.3221 

E-mail ....................................................jim.streeter@emich.edu 

Assistant Sports Information Director.......................Greg Steiner 

Office Phone......................................................... 734.487.0317 

Cell Phone ............................................................ 419.303.5005 

E-mail .......................................................gsteiner2@emich.edu 

Sports Information Graduate Assistant .................. Mekye Phelps 

Office Phone......................................................... 734.487.0317 

Cell Phone ............................................................ 734.678.3023 

E-mail ......................................................mphelps1@emich.edu 

Sports Information Graduate Assistant .................... Dan Murphy 

Office Phone......................................................... 734.487.0317 

Cell Phone ............................................................ 440.223.0109 

E-mail .....................................................dmurph11@emich.edu 

Office Fax ................................................................ 734.485.3840 

Office E-mail ................................EMU_SportsInfo@emich.edu 

Address: ................................................ EMU Sports Information 

Room 307, Convocation Center, 


How How to to get 

get 

Men Men’s Men s Basket Basket Basketbal Basket bal ball bal l Infor Informatio Infor matio mation matio 

The Eastern Michigan University Sports Information office: 

Basketball Contact: Jim Streeter.......................................................... 734.487.0317 

Office Fax ............................................................................................ 734.485.3840 

The FAX-ON-DEMAND system: 

(Note: you must have an access code to enter system) 

1) Call 770.563.1131 from the handset of your fax machine 

2) Punch in your access code 

3) Enter the MAC code (622) and then follow prompts 

Men’s Basketball Release.................................................................................... 2230 

Statistics ............................................................................................................. 2232 

Latest Box Scores............................................................................................... 2233 

Notes.................................................................................................................. 2234 

Schedule/Roster ................................................................................................. 2235 

The Internet: 

Dial up the World Wide Web to get all of the latest 

EMU Athletics information: 

www www.em www .em .emueagles.co 

.em ueagles.co ueagles.com 

ueagles.co 



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Eastern Michigan University Athletics 

Directions to Eastern Michigan University 

and the Convocation Center 

The Convocation Center 

By By By Air: 

Air: 

Arriving at Detroit Metro Airport, take I-94 west to the Michigan Avenue exit (exit 181B). 

Get in the far left lane and turn left on Hewitt. Head north on Hewitt for 2.5 miles, past 

Washtenaw. The Convocation is on the east side of the road. 

From From the the the North: 

North: 

U.S. 23 south to Washtenaw Avenue east (exit 37A); take Washtenaw to Hewitt Road; 

turn left on Hewitt and proceed to the Convocation Center. 

From From the the South: 

South: 

U.S. 23 north to Washtenaw Avenue east (exit 37A); take Washtenaw to Hewitt Road; turn 

left on Hewitt and proceed to the Convocation Center. 

From From the the East: 

East: 

(A) Take I-94 west to Michigan Avenue exit (exit 181B). Get in the far left lane and turn 

left on Hewitt Road. Head north on Hewitt for 2.5 miles, past Washtenaw Avenue. The 

Convocation Center is on the east side of the street. 

(B) Take I-96 west to M-14 west. Follow M-14 to U.S. 23 south. Go south to Washtenaw 

Avenue east (exit 37A); take Washtenaw to Hewitt Road; turn left on Hewitt and proceed 

to the Convocation Center. 

From m the the West: est: 

Take I-94 east to Michigan Avenue exit (exit 181B). Turn left and get in the far left lane. 

Turn left on Hewitt and head north on Hewitt approximately 2.5 miles, past Washtenaw. 

The Convocation Center is on the east side of the road. 

EMU EMU Athletics Athletics 

Athletics 

Mission Mission Statement 

Statement 

The mission of the Department of Intercollegiate 

Athletics at Eastern Michigan University 

is to complement and supplement the 

overall mission of the institution. The intercollegiate 

program is committed to enriching 

the intellectual and physical growth and development 

of all student-athletes. 

The program will strive to provide competitve 

opportunities to a wide range of student-athletes 

at the conference, regional and national 

levels, and will engender support for the institution 

among many constituents, including students, 

faculty, alumni, friends and local communities. 

The Department of Intercollegiate Athletics 

is committed to building the program 

based on the following principles: 

Commitment to Compliance. In order to 

develop the character and ethical values of 

student-athletes, and by continuation, all 

of those associated with the intercollegiate 

program, the program must be operated 

with strict respect for, and adherence to, all 

rules and regulations of governing agencies. 

Commitment to Equity. The Department 

of Athletics shall remain committed, in spirit 

and action, to the principle of gender and 

ethnic diversity. Competitive opportunities, 

fiscal resources and support services 

shall be distributed equitably. 

Commitment to Education. The primary 

objective of all Eastern Michigan University 

student-athletes is to graduate. Intercollegiate 

participation and achievement is 

secondary. All staff and coaches must endeavor 

to assist the student-athlete in 

meeting their academic goals. 

Commitment to Service. The intercollegiate 

program, and all participants and staff, must 

represent the University with distinction. 

All actions and conduct are a reflection on 

the University, and must be consistent with 

the University’s mission. 

Commitment to Sportsmanship. The Department 

of Intercollegiate Athletics will 

provide an environment characterized by 

the highest level of sportsmanship. All staff, 

coaches and student-athletes will compete 

with dignity and honor. 



7

8 

Primary Media Outlets 

S 

NEWSP EWSP EWSP EWSPAP 

EWSP AP APERS AP AND AND AND WIR IR IRE IR SSERVICE 

S VICE VICES VICE 

RADIO ADIO AND AND TELEVISION 

VISION SSTATIONS 

S IONS 

ADRIAN ADRIAN TELEGRAM 

TELEGRAM 

Sports Desk 

133 North St. 

Adrian, MI 49221 

Phone: 517.265.5111 

Fax: 517.263.4152 

ANN ANN ARBOR ARBOR NEWS 

NEWS 

Mark Heller 

340 E. Huron St. 

Ann Arbor, MI 48106 

Phone: 734.994.6812 

Fax: 734.994.6879 

ASSOCIATED ASSOCIATED PRESS PRESS 

PRESS 

Sports Desk 

300 River Place 

Detroit, MI 48207 

Phone: 313.259.0650 

Fax: 313.259.4966 

DETROIT DETROIT FREE FREE FREE PRESS 

PRESS 

Perry Farrell 

600 W. Lafayette 


Phone: 313.222.6661 

Fax: 313.222.5983 

THE THE DETROIT DETROIT NEWS 

NEWS 

Jim Spadafore 



Phone: 313.222.2230 

Fax: 313.222.6019 

EASTERN EASTERN ECHO 

ECHO 

Sports Editor 

18 B Goddard Hall, EMU 


Phone: 734.487.1010 

Fax: 734.487.1241 

FLINT FLINT JOURNAL 

JOURNAL 

Dean Howe 

200 E. First 

Flint, MI 48502 

Phone: 810.767.0660 

Fax: 810.767.7518 

JACKSON JACKSON CITIZEN CITIZEN CITIZEN PATRIOT 

PATRIOT 

Sports Desk 

214 S. Jackson 

Jackson, MI 49204 

Phone: 517.787.2300 

Fax: 517.787.9711 

LANSING LANSING STATE STATE JOURNAL 

JOURNAL 

Sports Desk 

120 E. Lenawee 

Lansing, MI 48919 

Phone: 517.377.1068 

Fax: 517.377.1298 

LIVONIA LIVONIA OBSERVER 

OBSERVER 

Brad Emons 

36251 Schoolcraft 

Livonia, MI 48150 

Phone: 734.591.2300 

Fax: 734.591.7279 

MACOMB MACOMB DAILY 

DAILY 

George Pohly 

100 Macomb Daily Dr. 

P.O. Box 929 

Mt. Clemens, MI 48043 

Phone: 586.469.4771 

Fax: 586.469.2892 

MICHIGAN MICHIGAN CHRONICLE 

CHRONICLE 

Rebekah Brown 

479 Ledyard 


Phone: 313.963.5522 

Fax: 313.963.8788 

MONROE MONROE MONROE EVENING EVENING EVENING NEWS 

NEWS 

Ron Montri 

20-22 W. First 

Monroe, MI 48161 

Phone: 734.242.1100 

Fax: 734.242.0937 

NEWS NEWS HERALD HERALD 

HERALD 

Sports Desk 

One Heritage Place 

Southgate, MI 48195 

Phone: 734.246.0841 

Fax: 734.246.2726 

OAKLAND OAKLAND PRESS 

PRESS 

Sports Desk 

Box 9 

Pontiac, MI 48056 

Phone: 248.332.8181 

Fax: 248.332.8885 

ROYAL ROYAL OAK OAK OAK TRIBUNE 

TRIBUNE 

Sports Desk 

210 E. Third 

Royal Oak, MI 48068 

Phone: 248.541.3000 

Fax: 248.541.7903 

USA USA TODAY 

TODAY 

Sports Desk 

PO Box 7855 

Washington, D.C. 20044 

Phone: 703.276.3400 

Fax: 703.558.3988 

WAYNE WAYNE EAGLE 

EAGLE 

Sports Desk 

35540 Michigan 

Wayne, MI 48184 

Phone: 734.729.4000 

Fax: 734.729.6088 

\YPSILANTI \YPSILANTI COURIER COURIER 

COURIER 

Sports Desk 

19 North Washington 


Phone:734.482.3385 

Fax: 734.482.2972 

OAKLAND OAKLAND PRESS 

PRESS 

48 W. Huron St. 

Pontaic, MI 48342 

Phone: 248.745.4775 

Fax: 248.253.9948 

WEMU-89.1 WEMU-89.1 FM FM 

FM 

Sports Desk 

King Hall, EMU 


Phone: 734.487.2229 

Fax: 734.487.1015 

WTKA-1050 WTKA-1050 WTKA-1050 AM AM 

AM 

Sports Desk 

1100 Victors Way, Suite 100 

Ann Arbor, MI 48108 

Phone: 734.302.8100 

Fax: 734.213.7508 

WDFN-1130 WDFN-1130 WDFN-1130 AM 

AM 

Sports Desk 

27675 Halsted Road 

Farmington Hills, MI 48331 

Phone: 248.324.5800 

Fax: 248.848.0313 

WJR-760 WJR-760 AM 

AM 

Sports Desk 

3011 W. Grand Blvd. Ste. 800 


Phone: 313.873.9830 

Fax: 313.873.9834 

WWJ-950 WWJ-950 AM 

AM 

Sports Desk 

26495 American Dr. 

Southfield, MI 48034 

Phone: 248.455.7301 

Fax: 248.304.4970 

WSDS-1480 WSDS-1480 AM 

AM 

Sports Desk 

580 W. Clark 


Phone: 734.484.1480 

Fax: 734.484.5313 

WAAM-1600 WAAM-1600 WAAM-1600 AM AM 

AM 

Sports Desk 

4230 Packard Rd 

Ann Arbor, MI 48108 

Phone: 734.971.1600 

Fax: 734.973.2916 



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S 

WXYT-1270 WXYT-1270 AM 

AM 

Sports Desk 

26495 American Dr. 


Phone: 248.455.7350 

Fax: 248.455.7369 

WJBK-TV WJBK-TV 2 2 (FOX) 

(FOX) 

Sports Desk 

16550 W. 9 Mile 


Phone: 248.557.2000 

Fax: 248.557.1199 

WDIV-TV WDIV-TV 4 4 4 (NBC) 

(NBC) 

Sports Desk 



Phone: 313.222.0504 

Fax: 313.222.0592 

WXYZ-TV WXYZ-TV 7 7 (ABC) 

(ABC) 

Sports Desk 

20777 W. Ten Mile Rd. 


Phone: 248.827.9420 

Fax: 248.827.9444 

E-TV E-TV 

E-TV 

John Rice 

308 McKenny Union, EMU 


Phone: 734.487.1240 

Fax: 734.487.3073 

WQBR WQBR 

WQBR 

Sports Desk 

129 Quirk, EMU 


Phone: 734.487.2228 

ROLCO ROLCO SPORTS SPORTS NETWORK 

NETWORK 

Raymond Rolak 

18280 Sunderland 


Phone: 313.535.1819 

FOX FOX SPORTS SPORTS SPORTS DETROIT 

DETROIT 

3100 Telegraph Rd. Ste. 200 

Bingham Farms, MI 48025 

Phone: 248.723.2000 

Fax: 248.723.2040 

COMCAST COMCAST LOCAL LOCAL TV 

TV 

29777 Telegraph Road-Suite 1170 

Southfield, Mich. 48834 

248.233.4714

Eagles Eager to Enter 2005-06 Season 

YPSILANTI, Mich.--Charles E. 

Ramsey has been waiting a lifetime 

for the 2005-06 basketball 

season to open. 

After being born and raised 

in Ypsilanti, graduating from Eastern 

Michigan University, and working 

as an assistant coach from 

California to Tennessee, Ramsey 

is back home as the man in charge 

of directing the Eastern Michigan 

University basketball team. 

Ramsey was named EMU’s 

head men’s basketball coach, 

March 30, 2005, a day that was 

special for a lot of reasons. 

“This is a tremendous opportunity 

for me to be the head coach 

at Eastern Michigan University,” 

Ramsey said. “I don’t know if you 

could plan or wish to have an experience 

like this happen. To be 

born, raised and educated here 

and then to have my first intercollegiate 

head coach job here — 

I’m not sure you could plan it any 

better.” 

While the return home means 

a lot to the first-year head coach, 

Ramsey knows that the hard work 

is just beginning. 

“We are inheriting a program 

that hasn’t had much success the 

last few years,” Ramsey said. “The 

upside of that, however, is that we 

know there has been success here in the 

past and in time we can recapture that 

winning experience.” 

While Ramsey has only been on the 

job for several months, he has been busy 

building a staff as well as a basketball team 

that expects to be competitive in the 2005- 

06 season. 

“Initially we’ve had some losses because 

of academic reasons so that set us 

back a little,” Ramsey explained. 

“I don’t think we are as talented as 

we would like to be, but our entire staff 

has been impressed with the character of 

the players and their work ethic,” Ramsey 

added. “The kids have done a tremendous 

job on and off the court, in the classroom 

and in the weight room, and they have done 

a lot of things together to build cohesiveness. 

I think you can squeeze a few wins 

out of that camaraderie.” 

First-year Head Coach Charles E. Ramsey speaks at the 

press conference naming him Eastern Michigan University’s 

men’s head basketball coach, March 30, 2005. 

With a roster that totals just seven 

letterwinners, some with little playing experience, 

along with seven newcomers, 

the Eagles will need to develop some team 

chemistry before taking the court for the 

first time. 

“We definitely have some expectations, 

program wise, that will not necessarily 

be measurable in wins or losses,” 

Ramsey explained. “There are certain 

things we will want to do, day in and day 

out, that might not always manifest itself 

in a win, but will let us know where we 

need to be for the long-team success of 

the program.” 

Ramsey and his staff are counting on 

the two senior co-captains, John Bowler 

(6-9, 260, Sr.) and Danny McElhinny (6- 

0, 175, Sr.), to be the team leaders both 

on and off the court to make the transition 

an easy one for a relatively young squad. 

Bowler enters his senior season 

as a preseason All-Mid-American 

Conference candidate as one of 

the top big men in the league. 

Bowler has enjoyed a great EMU 

career, playing in 84 games and 

starting 55 times over the past 

three seasons. He enters this 

year’s campaign tied for 32nd on 

the Eagles all-time scoring list 

(864), is 21st in rebounding (500) 

and his 50 blocks ranks 11th on 

the EMU career list. He has 

scored in double figures 49 times 

and has recorded five or more rebounds 

53 times and has had 10 

double-figure rebound games. 

Bowler ranks 83rd in scoring in 

EMU with 486 points, and has 

turned in 15 double-double scoring-rebounding 

games. 

Last season Bowler was second 

on the squad in scoring at 13.1 

and in rebounding at 6.3, marks 

which ranked 15th and eighth in 

the league respectively. 

“Our leadership heading into the 

season has been excellent,” 

Ramsey said. “John (Bowler) and 

Danny (McElhinny) have really 

taken this as a personal challenge 

to bring the young guys along and 

that has been a positive experience 

for them and our entire team. 

“I fully expect John Bowler to be 

one of the top players in the MAC,” Ramsey 

added. “I refer to him as 20 and 10. I think 

he has all of the physical attributes to be 

a guy that scores 20 points and grabs 10 

rebounds. If he does that it will bode well 

for our team. 

“Danny McElhinny brings a special skill 

to the game,” Ramsey added. “He can 

really shoot the basketball, and he will get 

an opportunity to do just that. He also 

brings a knowledge to the game and is a 

tremendous defender as well. 

McElhinny has also seen plenty of action 

in his first three seasons of competition, 

playing in 82 games, 21 as a starter. 

He has scored 359 career points, and 

ranks 10th in three-point field goals with 

99. He led the 2004--05 Eagles in triple 

tries, making 54-of-124 for 43.5 percent, 

good for the 13th ranking in the MAC. 

McElhinny also paced the team in free- 



9

10 


Senior John Bowler (42) enters his final year as a 

preseason All-Mid-American Conference selection. 

Bowler finished eighth in the league in rebounding 

(6.3) and 15th in scoring (13.1) in 2004-05. He is 

tied for 32nd on the all-time EMU scoring list with 

864 points and his 500 career rebounds is good for 

11th in the school record book. 

throw percentage at 94.1 percent. 

The junior class will be counted on to 

provide some inside help to Bowler, in the 

presence of Craig Cashen (6-8, 210, Jr.- 

Jr.) and junior-college transfer Chris 

Knaub (6-10, 225, Jr.-Jr.). 

“Both Craig Cashen and Chris Knaub 

give us stability at the four spot,” Ramsey 

said of his junior class. “Both players have 

good range on their shots and can knock 

down some outside jumpers to take the 

inside pressure off John Bowler. Craig is a 

real energy guy, and Chris gives us stability. 

We look for those two guys to do well.” 

Cashen played in all 30 games last 

year and averaged 2.5 points and 1.9 rebounds. 

He made 84.4 percent of his foul 

shots and hauled down 58 rebounds. 

Knaub played last year at Jacksonville 

(Texas) Junior College where 

he averaged 3.5 points and 

4.0 rebounds while earning 

All-Region Academic Team 

selection. 

The sophomore class will 

provide both muscle, 

athleticism and ball handling 

to the mix as big man 

James Matthews (6-8, 

240, Jr.-So.), will join 

swingman Nick Freer (6-6, 

195, So.-So.) and guard 

Derek Van Solkema (6-1, 

175, Jr.-So.) in the battle for 

playing time. 

Matthews transferred to 

EMU from Marquette University 

and played his first season 

of competition for the 

Eagles last year after becoming 

eligible in the second 

semester while sitting 

out his transfer year. He 

played sparingly, averaging 

0.6 points and 0.6 rebounds. 

Matthews was awarded an 

extra year of competition 

from the NCAA after playing 

just one game at Marquette 

and he will be considered a 

sophomore eligible in 2005- 

06. 

“James (Matthews) has 

been a pleasant surprise 

since I took the job,” 

Ramsey said. “He has been 

tremendous in the weight room as well as 

in conditioning and he is doing everything 

we ask of him. James is definitely going to 

bring us some muscle and toughness.” 

Another player that has caught 

Ramsey’s eye because of his athleticism 

is Freer. 

“The most pleasant surprise in the 

sophomore group is Nick Freer,” Ramsey 

explained. “He is the best athlete on the 

team and is tremendously talented. Nick 

can do a lot of things and the most challenging 

thing to him will be developing confidence. 

We’re going to let Nick go out and 

make plays.” 

Freer averaged just five minutes a 

game as a freshman last year while averaging 


Van Solkema sat out the 2003-04 sea- 



TBAL 

son as a redshirt and went on to play in 19 

games last year as a backup guard. He is 

a talented three-point shooter who averaged 


“Derek (Van Solkema) should be a 

good combo guy for us. He is someone 

that can give us some good backup minutes 

at both guard spots,” Ramsey added. 

Perhaps the largest question mark on 

EMU’s horizon is the addition of a talented 

group of six freshmen who have unlimited 

potential to give the Eagles a great base 

for the future. 

The six frosh: Carlos Medlock (6-0, 

170, Fr.-Fr.), Zane Gay (6-4, 195, Fr.- 

Fr.), Gino Smith (6-7, 215, Fr.-Fr.), Kyle 

Dodd (6-11, 210, Fr.-Fr.), Desmond 

Young (6-1, 180, Fr.-Fr.), and B.J. Ford 

(6-1, 170, Fr.-Fr.) will provide depth at 

every position on the court. 

Point guard Medlock will be the lone 

newcomer to move immediately into a 

starting role. 

“We all know that we needed a point 

guard and Carlos Medlock will get the ball 

right off the bat,” Ramsey explained. “If I 

had to compare him with someone it would 

be a player like Lorenzo Neely, who was 

a four-year starter at the point in the late 

80’s. Carlos is a consummate team guy 

who knows how to make his teammates 

better and goes out of his way to do that. 

We’ll give him the ball and go with it.” 

Gay was an all-stater in both basketball 

and football at Olivet H.S. as a senior 

and like, Freer, brings an extra dose of 

athleticism to the squad in his first intercollegiate 

season. 

“Zane (Gay) is a tremendous competitor 

who was runner-up for the Mr. Basketball 

honor in the state, he played on a state 

championship basketball team that went 

33-0 and he was also an All-State football 

player so you know that he will be a strong 

addition to our team,” Ramsey said. 

Smith gives the Eagles a player that 

can go up front to help on the boards or 

move into a swing spot to add depth in the 

backcourt. 

“Gino (Smith) may get the nod at one 

of the wing spots because he can shoot 

the 17-18 foot jumper and he can also put 

the ball on the floor,” Ramsey explained. 

“We’ll get him into the fray right away.” 

Another big man that Ramsey and his 

staff will be working on to prepare for the


college game will be the 6foot-10 

Kyle Dodd. 

“Kyle (Dodd) is very 

skilled for a big fella and he 

can also shoot it,” Ramsey 

said. “We’re undecided at 

this point if he’ll be ready 

to contribute right away and 

we certainly don’t want to 

rush him into things.” 

Young is a walk-on point 

guard who Ramsey is counting 

on to push for playing 

time in his young backcourt. 

“Desmond is a true 

combo,” Ramsey added. 

“He is strong and very confident 

in everything he does. 

Desmond is a great student 

and brings a certain amount 

of confidence to the floor 

which will bode well for his 

chances at getting some 

playing time.” 

Ford is another player 

that came to EMU as a 

walk-on, but has proven to 

be a player that could see 

some action in 2005-06. 

“B.J. (Ford) will add 

depth at the point-guard 

position and he will be a 

tremendous addition to 

our roster.” 

While the mix of seven 

newcomers with seven 

veterans gives the 

coaching staff a challenge, 

a harder than usual 

schedule also presents a 

tough task for the near 

future. 

“I think our non-league 

schedule is very ambitious,” 

Ramsey said. “We need a 

shot in the arm for our program. We need 

people coming through the turnstiles. The 

best way to get them here is to give them 

a winning product, but we also need to 

give them a schedule that they will want to 

come out and watch. With Cal-Berkeley, 

Detroit, Tulsa and Youngstown State, you 

have the types of opponents that will get 

the campus and community to come out 

and take a peek at this season.” 

Highlighting the non-league dates is the 

Senior guard Danny McElhinny (13) shoots a jumper during the 

Bowling Green game last year in the Convocation Center. McElhinny 

and John Bowler will serve as the team captains for 2005-06. 

return of former EMU Head Coach Ben 

Braun’s University of California-Berkeley 

team to the Convocation Center for a Friday 

night, Nov. 18, date with the Eagles. 

Braun was the Eagles’ head man from 

1986-1996 and left as the winningest coach 

in school history with 185 victories, including 

a spot in two NCAA post-season tournaments, 

including a “Sweet 16” appearance 

in 1990-91. He has been the head 

coach at Cal-Berkeley for the past nine 

seasons. 

“First and foremost, my 

professional career has been 

impacted solely by Ben 

Braun,” Ramsey said of his 

former boss and mentor. “The 

reasons why I am here at EMU 

today are because of Ben 

Braun and not only is it an 

honor to bring him back home, 

but I think it is something that 

is long overdue. He is very 

deserving to play in a building 

that he had a lot to do in getting 

constructed.” 

In addition to the nonleague 

slate, the Eagles will 

play an 18-game Mid-American 

Conference schedule 

which includes home-andhome 

matchups with Akron, 

Ball State, Bowling Green, 

Central Michigan, Northern Illinois, 

Toledo and Western 

Michigan. 

Eastern is scheduled to 

play Buffalo, Kent State, Miami 

and Ohio in single games 

during 2005-06. 

The MAC Tournament is 

once again scheduled for firstround 

games at campus sights 

followed by the four bye teams 

and the eight first-game winners 

advancing to Cleveland, 

Ohio to play in the Cleveland 

Cavaliers’ Quicken Loans 

Arena, March 9-11. 



11

12 

EMU 2005-06 Basketball Schedule 

Day Date Opponent Time 

Tuesday Nov. 8 SAGINAW VALLEY (EXHIBITION) 7 p.m. 

Friday Nov. 18 CALIFORNIA (DH) 8:30 p.m. 

Saturday Nov. 26 at North Dakota State 1 p.m. 

Tuesday Nov. 29 UNIVERSITY OF DETROIT 7 p.m. 

Saturday Dec. 3 at Indiana 8 p.m. 

Wednesday Dec. 7 YOUNGSTOWN STATE (DH) 8:30 p.m. 

Wednesday Dec. 14 at Wisconsin-Green Bay 7 p.m. 

Thursday Dec. 22 TULSA 6 p.m. 

Friday Dec. 30 at Northern Colorado 1 p.m. 

Wednesday Jan. 4 at Buffalo* 7 p.m. 

Saturday Jan. 7 at Miami* 4 p.m. 

Wednesday Jan. 11 OHIO* 7 p.m. 

Saturday Jan. 14 KENT STATE* (DH) 7:30 p.m. 

Wednesday Jan. 18 BOWLING GREEN* 7 p.m. 

Saturday Jan. 21 at Akron* 7 p.m. 

Tuesday Jan. 24 WESTERN MICHIGAN* 7 p.m. 

Thursday Jan. 26 at Toledo* 7 p.m. 

Sunday Jan. 29 NORTHERN ILLINOIS* 2 p.m. 

Wednesday Feb. 1 CENTRAL MICHIGAN* 7 p.m. 

Saturday Feb. 4 at Ball State* 4 p.m. 

Tuesday Feb. 7 at Bowling Green* 7 p.m. 

Saturday Feb. 11 AKRON* (DH) 7:30 p.m. 

Wednesday Feb. 15 at Western Michigan* 7 p.m. 

Saturday Feb. 18 at ESPN Bracket Buster TBA 

Wednesday Feb. 22 TOLEDO* 7 p.m. 

Sunday Feb. 26 at Northern Illinois* 3:05 p.m. 

Wednesday March 1 at Central Michigan* 7 p.m. 

Saurday March 4 BALL STATE* 2 p.m. 

Monday Mar. 6 MAC Tournament-First round (Campus Sites) TBA 

Thursday Mar. 9 MAC Tournament-Quarterfinals$ TBA 

Friday Mar. 10 MAC Tournament-Semifinals$ TBA 

Saturday Mar. 11 MAC Tournament-Final$ TBA 

Home games in BOLD CAPS (Convocation Center) 

* Mid-American Conference game 

$ at Quicken Loans Arena (Cleveland, Ohio) 

(DH)-doubleheader 



TBAL

EMU 2005-06 Roster 

The 2005-06 Eastern Michigan University Men’s Basketball Team: Front row, l-r: Director of Basketball Operations Rich 

Marion, Graduate Manager Dave Good, Desmond Young, B.J. Ford, Co-captain Danny McElhinny, Head Coach Charles E. 

Ramsey, Co-captain John Bowler, Carlos Medlock, Derek Van Solkema, Assistant Coach Dusty May, Associate Coach Derrick 

McDowell. Back row, l-r: Trainer Masa Takaiwa, Jared Redell, Academic Counselor Tyrone Wilson, Zane Gay, Gino Smith, Craig 

Cashen, Kyle Dodd, Chris Knaub, James Matthews, Assistant Coach Carl Thomas, Equipment Manager Brian Cornn. 

Eastern Michigan University 

2005-06 Men’s Basketball Team 

Alphabetical Roster 

No. Name Pos Ht. Wt. Class Hometown-High School (Previous) 

42 John Bowler*** F 6-9 260 Sr.-Sr. Chicago, Ill.-Notre Dame 

21 Craig Cashen** F/C 6-8 210 Jr.-Jr. Cincinnati, Ohio-St. Xavier 

34 Kyle Dodd C 6-11 210 Fr.-Fr. Rockwood, Ontario, Canada-John F. Ross 

Collegiate and Vocational Institute 

2 B.J. Ford G 6-1 170 Fr.-Fr. Caledonia, Mich.-East Kentwood 

5 Nick Freer* F/G 6-6 195 So.-So. Stevensville, Mich.-Lakeshore 

31 Zane Gay G 6-4 195 Fr.-Fr. Olivet, Mich.-Olivet 

44 Chris Knaub C 6-10 225 Jr.-Jr. South Bend, Ind.-St. Joseph’s-Jacksonville (TX)J.C. 

4 James Matthews* C 6-8 240 Jr.-Jr. Detroit, Mich.-Denby-Marquette U. 

13 Danny McElhinny*** G 6-0 175 Sr.-Sr. Hermitage, Penn.-Kennedy Catholic 

3 Carlos Medlock G 6-0 170 Fr.-Fr. Detroit, Mich.-Murray Wright 

23 Gino Smith F 6-7 215 Fr.-Fr. Milwaukee, WI-Riverside-Virginia Beach, VA- 

Coastal Christian;Cincinnati (Ohio)-Christian 

Center Academy Prep; Harmony Comm. School 

33 Derek VanSolkema** G 6-1 175 Jr.-So. Grand Rapids, Mich.-South Christian 

12 Desmond Young G 6-1 180 Fr.-Fr. Grand Blanc, Mich.-Grand Blanc 

*Letters won 

Head Coach: Charles E. Ramsey (Eastern Michigan, '92) - First year 

Assistant Coaches 

Associate Coach: Derrick McDowell (Stetson, '83) - First year 

Assistant Coach: Dusty May (Indiana, 2000) - First year 

Assistant Coach: Carl Thomas (Eastern Michigan, '92) - First year 

Director of Basketball Operations: Rich Marion (Eastern Michigan, '96) - First year 

Graduate Manager: Dave Good (Central Michigan, 2004) 

Bowler BOWL-er 

Knaub NOB 

Pronunciation Pronunciation Pronunciation Guide Guide 

Guide 

McElhinny MAC-ill-haney 

VanSolkema van-SALK-uh-muh 



13

14 

Players/Coaches/Managers 

3 Carlos Medlock 4 James Matthews 5 Nick Freer 

10 B.J. Ford 12 Desmond Young 

13 Danny McElhinny 

Charles E. Ramsey 

Head Coach 

21 Craig Cashen 23 Gino Smith 31 Zane Gay 33 Derek VanSolkema 

34 Kyle Dodd 

Derrick McDowell 

Associate Coach 

Dave Good 

Graduate Manager 

44 Chris Knaub 

Dusty May 

Assistant Coach 

42 John Bowler 

Carl Thomas 

Assistant Coach 

Trent Orginski 

Manager 



TBAL 

Rich Marion 

Dir. of BB Oper.

EMU Basketball Media Guide • 2005-06 - Eastern Michigan Eagles ...

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