Central Michigan University Athletics
It’s Rivalry Week
9/25/2019 8:51:00 AM | General, Fire Up Chats
Michael Alford Fire Up Chat
Last Saturday night in South Florida, I sat in the media room at Hard Rock Stadium after our football program competed their hearts out and came up just short against the University of Miami.
One of our student-athletes, Junior Robi Stuart, took his turn at the microphone and was asked if it would be hard to bounce back for the following Saturday's game against Western Michigan after such an emotionally draining game.
He succinctly let the room know his thoughts.
"Let me put it this way, if you need to get your emotion back up to play Western, I'm not sure you're a Chippewa."
We find ourselves in the midst of one of the most intense and emotionally charged weeks on the CMU Athletics calendar. There's a heightened sense of focus and purpose that extends out from the practice field to the hallways and offices of our athletics staff.
I know I speak for our entire athletics family in saying I cannot wait to see our student-athletes compete for the Cannon Trophy this weekend in one of the best rivalries in college football.
While it goes without saying that Saturday's game is a big one, there is still a lot of football ahead of us. I'm proud of the progress that our student-athletes have made under Coach McElwain and with home games two out of the next three weeks, I hope you'll join me in coming out and supporting their efforts at Kelly/Shorts Stadium.
Speaking of progress, I'd be remiss if I didn't note three programs whose exceptional early season performance has me thrilled about their future.
In his fourth year at the helm, Coach Mike Gawlik is off to his best start leading our volleyball program at 10-2 and fresh off a perfect weekend at the Red & White Invitational at Youngstown State. I am excited to see us take that next step as a program as we begin conference play this weekend.
Another program heading into conference play on a hot streak is our women's soccer program led by new coach Jeremy Groves. When we hired Jeremy this past winter, he talked to me about elevating the status of our program on a national level.
They've certainly taken some big strides toward that goal with a huge win this weekend over Kentucky (Jeremy's alma mater) to head into MAC play unbeaten.
And, congratulations to the golf program and second-year coach Jim Earle, who last week won the first tournament in program history when they placed first at the Oakland Golden Grizzlies Invitational.
Finally, I mentioned last month that I would soon be returning full-time to my post as the Zyzelewski Family Director of Athletics after serving as our interim vice president of advancement.
It turns out this will occur on October 1 as Heidi Tracy begins her tenure as CMU's next vice president of advancement.
I'd like to offer my congratulations to Heidi. She brings a great deal of success and experience in fundraising to CMU, and I share in President Davies' excitement about her ability to help move our advancement team forward.
It's been an exciting fall thus far, and I suspect things will be taken up a notch this Saturday at noon. I hope to see you down there.
Beat Western!
One of our student-athletes, Junior Robi Stuart, took his turn at the microphone and was asked if it would be hard to bounce back for the following Saturday's game against Western Michigan after such an emotionally draining game.
He succinctly let the room know his thoughts.
"Let me put it this way, if you need to get your emotion back up to play Western, I'm not sure you're a Chippewa."
We find ourselves in the midst of one of the most intense and emotionally charged weeks on the CMU Athletics calendar. There's a heightened sense of focus and purpose that extends out from the practice field to the hallways and offices of our athletics staff.
I know I speak for our entire athletics family in saying I cannot wait to see our student-athletes compete for the Cannon Trophy this weekend in one of the best rivalries in college football.
While it goes without saying that Saturday's game is a big one, there is still a lot of football ahead of us. I'm proud of the progress that our student-athletes have made under Coach McElwain and with home games two out of the next three weeks, I hope you'll join me in coming out and supporting their efforts at Kelly/Shorts Stadium.
Speaking of progress, I'd be remiss if I didn't note three programs whose exceptional early season performance has me thrilled about their future.
In his fourth year at the helm, Coach Mike Gawlik is off to his best start leading our volleyball program at 10-2 and fresh off a perfect weekend at the Red & White Invitational at Youngstown State. I am excited to see us take that next step as a program as we begin conference play this weekend.
Another program heading into conference play on a hot streak is our women's soccer program led by new coach Jeremy Groves. When we hired Jeremy this past winter, he talked to me about elevating the status of our program on a national level.
They've certainly taken some big strides toward that goal with a huge win this weekend over Kentucky (Jeremy's alma mater) to head into MAC play unbeaten.
And, congratulations to the golf program and second-year coach Jim Earle, who last week won the first tournament in program history when they placed first at the Oakland Golden Grizzlies Invitational.
Finally, I mentioned last month that I would soon be returning full-time to my post as the Zyzelewski Family Director of Athletics after serving as our interim vice president of advancement.
It turns out this will occur on October 1 as Heidi Tracy begins her tenure as CMU's next vice president of advancement.
I'd like to offer my congratulations to Heidi. She brings a great deal of success and experience in fundraising to CMU, and I share in President Davies' excitement about her ability to help move our advancement team forward.
It's been an exciting fall thus far, and I suspect things will be taken up a notch this Saturday at noon. I hope to see you down there.
Beat Western!
Football Players Insider - 12.22.2025
Monday, December 22
Matt Drinkall Insider - 12.22.25
Monday, December 22
WBB Broadcast Recap at Valparaiso
Friday, December 19
Cinematic Recap - MBB vs Olivet
Friday, December 19