With fall sports in full swing, here’s a look at some of this week's top stories from Eastern Michigan University’s various athletic disciplines.
Football | Eastern Michigan returns home, aims to save season against Northern Illinois
Following a heartbreaking defeat by the University at Buffalo last Saturday, the Eagles find themselves holding a 1-5 record at the halfway point of the season.
In order to return to bowl eligibility for the first time since 2023, Eastern Michigan will need to post a 5-1 record the remainder of the campaign — a tall task that begins with their first home game since homecoming, and the first of the green and white’s Mid-American Conference home slate.
Welcoming Northern Illinois University to town for the final time as a MAC competitor, the Eagles do not boast the greatest track record against the Huskies over the past decade, having dropped eight of their last 10 meetings, including the last three straight.
The last time these two teams met was in 2023 at Rynearson Stadium, with the Huskies securing a road win in a 20-13 battle.
Viewers can stream all the action on ESPN+ live this Saturday, Oct. 11, 2025, at 1 p.m.
Track and Field | Eastern Michigan athletics opens new track and field complex ahead of upcoming season
A pivotal part of the second phase of EMU’s Championship Building Plan has been completed — the athletics department held a ribbon cutting ceremony on a brand new complex for the men’s and women’s track and field programs on Sept. 20, 2025.
“Since my arrival in 2017, I have always wanted to give our track and field program the facility they deserve. No more sharing with other teams, they now have their own state of the art facility,” said Eastern Michigan Vice President and Director of Athletics Scott Wetherbee in a statement to EMU Athletics.
Crucial donations totaling $2 million from former track and field alumni Dan McClory and Keith Moore were key in getting the project over the finish line, along with funding from NFL superstar Maxx Crosby and his wife Rachel, a fellow EMU alumnus, totaling $1 million, and a $2.5 million gift from Eastern Michigan Regent Emeritus Phil Incarnati.
The opening of the complex comes on the heels of longtime Eastern Michigan men’s and women’s track program stalwart Sue Parks announcing her retirement at the conclusion of the 2025-26 season after 20 years at the helm.
Eastern Michigan also plans to retain the current Olds-Marshall-Parks track moniker to coincide with the facility upgrade.
Lacrosse | Eastern Michigan releases full 2026 regular season schedule
Fresh off a shared conference title and the team’s second straight MAC tournament appearance, Eastern Michigan’s lacrosse program geared up for their fourth season of competition with the release of their full 2026 calendar on Sept. 30, 2025.
16 games are on the slate for the Eagles, with the season opener set for Feb. 6, 2026, as a road date against Marquette University.
Senior day for the green and white will be held Apr. 18, 2026, against Robert Morris University, with 12 upperclasswomen set to graduate and be honored in a critical conference match.
The season finale pits the Eagles against the Youngstown State University Penguins to close out the campaign.
The Eagles have shown consistent refinement each of the past two seasons under Head Coach Maddie Dugan, improving from 7-9 in 2024 to 8-9 last year — each campaign boasting a 4-2 record in conference play.
Men’s Golf | Charlie Box named MAC Men’s Golfer of the Week
Being the leading Mid-American Conference placer in the inaugural Jim DeLapa Collegiate has its perks.
Finishing tied for seventh in the event, thanks to a leap of nine spots in the third round, Charlie Box was rewarded for his efforts with the Mid-American Conference’s Men’s Golfer of the Week award.
The junior from England posted a 4-under 206 to secure the feat, his lowest score since joining Eastern Michigan’s men’s golf program and the fifth best score in team history.
