Lyke Extended Through 2019-2020
Athletic Director Heather Lyke signed a contract extension with Eastern Michigan University through the 2019-2020 school year, extending her current contract by two years.
The contract was signed and put into effect on Tuesday.
The extension was on the agenda for the Athletic Affairs Committee during the Board of Regents meeting on Tuesday but was not discussed at that time. Lyke was en-route from a conference and therefore not present during the Athletic Affairs Committee meeting.
The extension includes a $3,500 bonus for each year EMU wins the Cartwright Award, a Mid-American Conference award for overall program excellence.
Discussed at Tuesday’s Athletic Affairs Committee Meeting:
EMU partners with Google
EMU has an advertising agreement with Google in an attempt to drive more ticket sales to EMU athletic events. The agreement uses information from Google searches and browser history to place banner ads on websites where prospective ticket-buyers can click to be immediately redirected to EMU’s ticket website. E-mails to the athletic department inquiring on the cost of the partnership were not returned.
Women’s Basketball with Tory Verdi
EMU women’s basketball was highlighted at the meeting. Coach Tory Verdi recapped last season’s success for the regents and talked about the team’s goals for this upcoming season. Verdi says the team and program has unlimited potential and “unfinished business.”
Eagle Pride and Ypsi Awards
Updates were given on EMU’s athletics donor program, branded “Eagle Pride,” which now has its own dedicated website. Efforts have been made to increase athletic donations through sport-specific campaigns and incentives. Plans were discussed for next year’s 'Ypsi Awards', the athletic department’s ESPN Espys-styled awards banquet.
