Two CMU Student-Athletes to Receive Prestigious Honors
9/25/2025 11:56:00 AM | Football, General, Track & Field, Student-Athlete Services, Our Stories
Track & field's Emily McLean, football's Michael Heldman to be honored on Saturday at CMU-Eastern Michigan football game
MOUNT PLEASANT, Mich. – Two standout student-athletes, two prestigious awards.
Michael Heldman has been named the 2025 recipient of the Bill Boyden Leadership Award, and Emily McLean has been named the 2025 recipient of the Dick Enberg Scholar-Athlete Award.
Both will be honored in on-field ceremonies on Saturday at the CMU-Eastern Michigan football game, which kicks off at 1 p.m. on Kramer/Deromedi Field at Kelly/Shorts Stadium.
The Boyden Award goes annually to a Chippewa student-athlete in his or her final year of eligibility who has performed with distinction and is a team leader. It is named in honor of W.B. "Bill" Boyden, a 1935 CMU graduate who was a football and track and field standout.
His accomplishments demonstrated a unique blend of athletic ability, leadership, business acumen, participation in the arts, and an extraordinary involvement in community activities. He was a longtime member of the University Development Board and is acknowledged as the initial driving force behind the construction of Kelly/Shorts Stadium.
The Enberg Award goes annually to a CMU student-athlete who carries a grade point average of 3.20 or better, has performed with distinction in their sport, and is considered a team leader. It is named in memory of the late Dick Enberg, an esteemed sports broadcaster and CMU alumnus.
Heldman, a defensive end on the CMU football team, is pursuing a Master of Business Administration degree after graduating in May with a Bachelor of Applied Arts degree with a major in communication and a minor in applied business communication with a 3.53 grade point average.
Heldman, who hails from Romeo, has played in 43 games during his Chippewa career and entered his final season with a program-record 20 quarterback hurries and, through four games of the 2025 season, has posted 10 ½ career sacks.
McLean, a senior from Sault Ste. Marie who competes in the shot put and the weight throw for the Chippewa track & field team, is a social studies/political science major who is minoring in history and English. She carries a 3.78 grade point average and is on schedule to graduate in spring, 2026.
She plans to become a high school social studies teacher and coach.
Michael Heldman has been named the 2025 recipient of the Bill Boyden Leadership Award, and Emily McLean has been named the 2025 recipient of the Dick Enberg Scholar-Athlete Award.
Both will be honored in on-field ceremonies on Saturday at the CMU-Eastern Michigan football game, which kicks off at 1 p.m. on Kramer/Deromedi Field at Kelly/Shorts Stadium.
The Boyden Award goes annually to a Chippewa student-athlete in his or her final year of eligibility who has performed with distinction and is a team leader. It is named in honor of W.B. "Bill" Boyden, a 1935 CMU graduate who was a football and track and field standout.
His accomplishments demonstrated a unique blend of athletic ability, leadership, business acumen, participation in the arts, and an extraordinary involvement in community activities. He was a longtime member of the University Development Board and is acknowledged as the initial driving force behind the construction of Kelly/Shorts Stadium.
The Enberg Award goes annually to a CMU student-athlete who carries a grade point average of 3.20 or better, has performed with distinction in their sport, and is considered a team leader. It is named in memory of the late Dick Enberg, an esteemed sports broadcaster and CMU alumnus.
Heldman, a defensive end on the CMU football team, is pursuing a Master of Business Administration degree after graduating in May with a Bachelor of Applied Arts degree with a major in communication and a minor in applied business communication with a 3.53 grade point average.
Heldman, who hails from Romeo, has played in 43 games during his Chippewa career and entered his final season with a program-record 20 quarterback hurries and, through four games of the 2025 season, has posted 10 ½ career sacks.
McLean, a senior from Sault Ste. Marie who competes in the shot put and the weight throw for the Chippewa track & field team, is a social studies/political science major who is minoring in history and English. She carries a 3.78 grade point average and is on schedule to graduate in spring, 2026.
She plans to become a high school social studies teacher and coach.
Players Mentioned
DL
/ Football
Throws
/ Track & FieldChippewa Check-In
Thursday, September 25
Chippewa Check-In
Friday, September 19
CMU Athletics Connection - Fundraising
Monday, September 15
Chippewa Check-In
Friday, September 12