Eastern Michigan’s Magical NCAA Tournament Run Ends Against Stanford

BusinessSportsMoneyEastern Michigan’s Magical NCAA Tournament Run Ends Against StanfordByTim Corlett,Contributor.Forbes contributors publish independent expert analyses and insights. Professional and Amateur Golffor Break80Follow AuthorMay 27, 2026, 09:32pm EDT--:-- / --:--This voice experience is generated by AI. Learn more.This voice experience is generated by AI. Learn more.CARLSBAD, CALIFORNIA - MAY 26: The Eastern Michigan University Eagles celebrate on the 18th green after defeating Texas at Omni La Costa Resort & Spa on May 26, 2026 in Carlsbad, California. (Photo by Luke Hales/Getty Images)Getty ImagesMost Cinderella stories belong to basketball, but this year’s breakout underdog came from the golf course. Eastern Michigan University’s women’s golf team shocked the college golf world by advancing to the Final Four of the NCAA Division I Women’s Golf Championship.To reach the semifinals, Eastern Michigan upset Texas, whose senior Farah O’Keefe had captured the individual national championship the day before after shooting 12-under par to win by three strokes.“I told them at lunch, 99 times out of 100, they beat us,” head coach Josh Brewer said. “But why can’t today be that one time?”Source: Golf ChannelJust two years ago, Eastern Michigan’s women’s golf program was ranked No. 226 nationally before Brewer arrived in Ypsilanti. His hiring coincided with a major investment from GameAbove and donor Keith Stone, whose contributions helped fund the university’s new $8 million golf practice facility — a critical tool in Brewer’s recruiting efforts.In the national semifinals, Eastern Michigan faced powerhouse Stanford, a program loaded with talent. Stanford featured five players ranked 17th or higher in the World Amateur Golf Rankings, while Eastern Michigan’s top player, Janae Leovao, entered ranked No. 143.MORE FOR YOU“You fear a great player who has nothing to lose,” Stanford coach Anne Walker said earlier this spring. “As long as we continue to dominate the r...