With the fall semester rapidly approaching, the 2025-26 sports season is just around the corner.
Here’s a look at some of the top stories in sports readers may have missed over the past few weeks.
Former Eastern Michigan University star Da’Sean Nelson signs with Fribourg Olympic
Coming off an electric 2024-25 campaign that saw the former DePaul University transfer average 16.1 points, 5.7 rebounds, and 2.6 assists, Da’Sean Nelson will be continuing his basketball career overseas.
The Toledo native has signed with Fribourg Olympic of the Swiss Basketball League, announced by the club on July 22, 2025. He is the first former Eagle to sign a professional contract since Emoni Bates was drafted in the second round by the NBA Cleveland Cavaliers in 2023.
Nelson, a second team All-MAC member last season, now aims to make his mark on one of the most illustrious teams in the Swiss Basketball League.
Eastern Michigan men’s, women’s basketball season opening opponents released
For the third straight season, the Eastern Michigan University men’s and women’s basketball teams will participate in the Mid-American Conference-Sun Belt Conference Challenge.
The men will begin the new season at home with a date against Georgia State University, scheduled to take place on Monday, November 3.
The Eagles are coming off a MAC Tournament appearance, and they are determined to keep up that momentum as they head into the 2025-26 season. Despite losing stars Da’Sean Nelson, Jalen Terry, and Jalin Billingsley, the team aims to take the next step and continue showing improvement under head coach Stan Heath, who is now entering his fifth season with his alma mater.
The women will kick off their campaign on the road against the University of Louisiana Monroe, also taking place on November 3.
With head coach Sahar Nusseibeh returning for her second season at the helm and superstar Sisi Eleko entering her final year, aiming to finish her college career on a high note, the Eagles have unfinished business after an unsatisfying 2024-25 campaign.
Season tickets for the men’s and women’s teams are available for purchase on emueagles.com.
Major renovations set to take place at Oestrike Stadium before 2026 season
Following the most successful Eastern Michigan baseball season of the decade, the Eagles will receive another boost before they return to action for the 2026 campaign.
Construction on a full synthetic turf playing surface around Oestrike Stadium has officially begun. This surface will encompass the entire diamond, making EMU the eighth school in the Mid-American Conference to make this groundbreaking change.
Work is scheduled to be completed by the time classes resume in late August, just in time for baseball’s fall practices, as the program aims to build on its first MAC Tournament appearance since 2018.
The new turf is expected to reduce the number of weather-related disruptions, according to EMU Vice President and Director of Athletics Scott Wetherbee. It will be accompanied by new wall padding installed in the outfield as well as new netting and turf for the batting cages.
Eastern Michigan women’s soccer releases full 2026 schedule
In less than a month, the Eastern Michigan women’s soccer team will return to the pitch.
Following a friendly against the University of Detroit Mercy at home on August 3, 2025, the Eagles will play host to the University of Cincinnati to officially kick off their regular season slate on August 14 at 4:30 p.m. The game will be broadcasted live on ESPN+.
The green and white will begin Mid-American Conference play with a home date against the University at Buffalo on September 18 at 4:30 p.m. and wrap up their home schedule on October 26 against Northern Illinois University. Eastern Michigan will end the regular season on the road against Central Michigan University on October 29.
All home games will take place at Scicluna Field, and the majority will be streamed live on ESPN+.
