Charlie Batch To Be Inducted Into EMU Athletic Hall of Fame

Eastern Michigan to Induct Batch at Hall of Fame Ceremony this Saturday, February 27.

Feb 24, 2010

Tickets for the Hall of Fame ceremony and luncheon, which includes a ticket for the EMU-NIU basketball game, are $45 each and can be purchased by calling the EMU Athletics Department at (734) 487-1866.

Ypsilanti, MI - Eastern Michigan University has announced that quarterback Charlie Batch will be inducted into the school's Athletic Hall of Fame. The Class of 2009, which includes Batch and six other former student athletes, will be honored at a Hall of Fame Ceremony at the EMU Student Center this Saturday, February 27 at 10:00a.m., then will be introduced at halftime of the EMU men's basketball game vs. Northern Illinois in the Convocation Center at 2:00 p.m.

Charlie Batch enjoyed an outstanding career as EMU's quarterback from 1994-97, earning four varsity letters and breaking virtually all of the school's passing records, including total offensive yards (7,715), single-season offensive yards in two seasons (3,229 in 1995 and 3,390 in 1997), career passing yards (7,592) and career touchdown passes (53). Batch was awarded first-team All-Mid-American Conference honors in 1995 and was named EMU's Most Valuable Player in 1997 before graduating with a degree in criminal justice.

After four years with the Lions, Batch was drafted in the second round of the 1998 NFL Draft by the Detroit Lions as the 60th overall selection. He passed for 9,016 yards during his time with the Lions (1998-2001), and led the team to its last playoff appearance in 1999.

After his tenure with the Lions, Batch was signed by his hometown Pittsburgh Steelers in 2002. He has served as the team's backup quarterback since, winning two Super Bowls (XL in 2006 and XLIII in 2009) along the way.

In 2000, Batch established the Best of the Batch Foundation and Project C.H.U.C.K., (Continuously Helping Uplift Community Kids) to serve underprivileged youth in the Pittsburgh area. He was named the Pittsburgh Steelers 2006 Walter Payton NFL Man of the Year and earned the 2006 Bus Stops Here Foundation Humanitarian & Community Award, the 2007 Boys & Girls Club Outstanding Service Award and the 2007 Pittsburgh Pirates Community Service Award for his generosity and commitment to the community.

For additional information, visit www.emueagles.com and www.batchfoundation.org.