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October 28, 2004Merchant raises bar for EaglesFormer TC star returns homeByRecord-Eagle staff writer TRAVERSE CITY - Suzy Merchant is setting the bar higher this season for her Eastern Michigan University women's basketball team. Merchant guided the Eagles to their first Mid-American Conference (MAC) title in school history last season. Eastern Michigan then nearly upset No. 3 seed Boston College in the first-round of the NCAA Tournament. With a returning cast that includes two of the MAC's top players, Merchant's ready to build on that success. "Our goal is to win the MAC, win the MAC tournament and get to the Sweet 16," the former Traverse City Central All-State guard said Wednesday, prior to addressing a YMCA luncheon at the Traverse City Golf and Country Club. "I watched the Eastern Michigan men reach the Sweet 16 (in 1996), Kent State reach the Elite 8 (in 2002). I told the kids it's time for a mid-major (to make noise in the women's tournament). It's time for the Eastern Michigan women to take that step forward. "I feel like it's a glass ceiling. We pecked at it last year. We might have even put a crack in it. But now it's time to push through. And I really believe we can do that." The Eagles, picked to finish seventh in the MAC last season, won a school record 22 games. Now, Eastern Michigan's the pick to repeat as MAC champion. Merchant realizes there will be added pressure on her team to live up to the expectations. But she's ready to deal with it. "I feel like that's what you work so hard to get to," she said. "I'm not afraid of it." Merchant filled a void on her roster by recruiting size. The recruits included 6-foot-5 Colleen Russell. "If you watched the Boston College game, you noticed we didn't have the height they had," she said. "Finally, we have the size to compete at a higher level." Merchant also added Michigan State transfer Patrice McKinney, who will be eligible in another year. Merchant said Eastern's success has helped recruiting. "I can't even begin to tell you the impact winning has had on recruiting," she said. "You're in on kids you have no business being in on." Merchant is starting her seventh season as head coach. She has a 99-74 record, and has led a dramatic turnaround at the school. Eastern Michigan went 14 years without a winning season until Merchant arrived. The coach she succeeded won 29 games in five years. "It's exciting," she said. "I certainly remember when I took the job, people told me, 'It's a coach-killer job. Don't take it.' It's exciting when you believe in something and you work hard and it comes to fruition. I'm extremely happy for the kids. They're the ones that committed to the program. They're the ones that go through all the hard work. They deserve it. "I saw this as an opportunity. I felt I could change it (losing ways). You have to be careful in this profession because your next job could be your last job. It's important you investigate to make sure that all things that are important to you, all the resources you need, are there and in place so you're able to move the program forward every year." Merchant saw that at Eastern Michigan with a supportive administration and a new facility she calls a "mini-Breslin." Eastern's success has not gone unnoticed, either. Next week the team will hold its annual Meet the Team night. "Last year 10 people sent in an RSVP," she said. "We already have 75 people on the list (for next week). It's going to be huge. Everybody loves a winner."
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