Eastern Michigan University and the Mid-American Conference have announced that former EMU men's basketball coach Ben Braun has been selected as a member of the 2025 MAC Hall of Fame Induction Class. The official ceremony will occur on May 29, 2025, during the MAC Honors Dinner at the Marriott Key Tower in Cleveland, Ohio.
Braun becomes the 11th representative from EMU to receive this prestigious honor, joining notable figures such as Charlie Batch, Ron Johnson and Bob Parks. His induction recognizes his contributions to EMU basketball and his impact on the MAC during his tenure.
During his time at EMU, Braun built an impressive coaching legacy. He led the program to 185 victories, three MAC Regular Season Championships, three MAC Tournament titles and three NCAA Tournament appearances. He also earned MAC Coach of the Year honors three times. Under his leadership, EMU achieved its first NCAA Tournament appearance and, in 1991, made a historic Sweet 16 run. Over his 11 seasons, Braun compiled a 185-132 record, including a dominant 106-35 home record.
Braun’s teams secured 10 victories over significant conference opponents, including Duke University, Michigan State University and Texas Tech University. His success against MAC rivals was equally notable, boasting a 50-19 record against Western Michigan University, Central Michigan University and the University of Toledo. He remains the only coach in EMU history to win NCAA Tournament games, holding a 3-3 record in NCAA play.
Beyond team success, Braun played a crucial role in player development, mentoring 24 athletes who went on to professional basketball careers, including NBA players Grant Long, Earl Boykins and Charles Thomas. His influence continues through former players and assistants who have advanced to coaching positions at prominent programs nationwide.
Following his tenure at EMU, Braun continued his coaching career at the University of California, where he recorded 202 wins and led the Golden Bears to multiple postseason appearances. He later coached at Rice University and transitioned into broadcasting, working with ESPN, PAC-12 Network and NBC Sports.
Braun’s legacy at EMU was further cemented in 2023 when the university named the court inside the George Gervin GameAbove Center the Ben Braun Court. Now, with his induction into the MAC Hall of Fame, his impact on EMU basketball and the MAC is formally recognized, ensuring his contributions to the sport will be remembered for years to come.
