Eagle Sports Tips and Tales | Sept. 7-13

The tale: The Eagles officially open their season in Chandler, Arizona, competing in the Bombs Darts Birds Collegiate. Last season, playing on this very same Whirlwind Golf Course, Eastern Michigan shot an exceptional 19-under-par 845 to finish seventh overall, a mark that stands as the seventh-lowest 54-hole score in program history. Head coach Andy Walker enters his third year following a thrilling summer where he captured the Michigan Senior Open title in a dramatic playoff.
The tip: The dry desert air in Chandler causes golf balls to fly significantly farther than in the humid Midwest. Golfers must carefully adjust their club yardage calculations and prioritize intense hydration to battle the Arizona heat.

The tale: This matchup represents a rare showdown. Historically, Eastern Michigan has only faced the Milwaukee Panthers once on the pitch: a 2-0 loss back on October 17, 1997. Under third-year head coach Taylor Clarke, the Eagles look to balance the scales.
The tip: Playing on the road at Milwaukee's historic Engelmann Stadium requires the same defensive masterclass that recently earned redshirt senior goalkeeper Ella Holland and senior defender Reese Carpenter honors as the MAC Goalkeeper and Defensive Players of the Week on September 1, 2026.

The tale: Eastern Michigan has a legendary history in East Lansing. At the 1940 NCAA national meet hosted by Michigan State, the EMU men’s cross country team finished as the national runner-up behind Indiana. Decades later in 1983, under legendary coach Bob Parks, the Eagles defeated Michigan State (23-35) in head-to-head competition despite overcoming severe mid-season roster depth issues.
The tip: The course at Forest Akers is notorious for its rolling, deceptively tough hills. Runners should stay patient during the first mile, avoiding the temptation to sprint out too early, and utilize pack running to keep the team score low.

The tale: Eastern Michigan has historically dominated local rival Oakland, holding a commanding 27-9 series lead, including a flawless 3-0 sweep in their last meeting on September 19, 2025. The Eagles also have a winning history against Friday opponent UAB, claiming a 3-0 victory in their last matchup on September 16, 2000.
The tip: Friday's doubleheader against Montana (12:00 p.m.) and UAB (5:00 p.m.) will test physical endurance. Managing player rotations early and establishing a strong out-of-system block defense will keep rallies short and legs fresh for Saturday's clash against Oakland.

The tale: The green and white return to Spartan Stadium looking to turn the tide. Previous trips to East Lansing have been challenging, including a 20-52 loss on September 9, 2006, and a 7-51 road defeat on September 11, 1999.
The tip: If you aren't making the trip to East Lansing, you can watch the Eagles take on the Spartans live on the Big Ten Network (BTN), with kickoff set for 3:30 p.m. ET.