Old Dominion University (ODU) plans to host its home baseball games at the Ellmer Family Baseball Complex at TowneBank Field starting in 2026, despite ongoing renovations that will not be complete in time. To accommodate fans, the university will install temporary seating capable of holding nearly 1,000 spectators, mostly situated beyond the left-field fence.
The temporary seating area will enhance the game-day experience with food trucks, beverage stations, and a dedicated party lounge tent equipped with televisions for game broadcasts. Fans will also have access to a standing-room railing that provides elevated views over the left field. Construction delays, attributed to the need for storm-water retention systems and the relocation of utility lines beneath the stadium, have pushed back the renovation timeline.
Last season, ODU’s baseball team was forced to play its home games at War Memorial Stadium in Hampton and Norfolk’s Harbor Park. The Monarchs are set to kick off their 2026 season with a three-game home series against Quinnipiac from February 13 to 15, 2026.
In the realm of college football, J’Mari Taylor emerged as a standout player, earning All-ACC honors alongside 14 other athletes from Virginia. His impressive performance included winning the league’s regular-season rushing title with 997 yards and leading all ACC tailbacks with 14 rushing touchdowns.
Virginia’s football team celebrated additional accolades with two players making the second-team selections: center Brady Wilson and punter Daniel Sparks. The Cavaliers also placed five players on the honorable mention list, showcasing the depth of talent in their roster. Virginia Tech saw two players recognized, with defensive tackle Kemari Copeland making the third team.
In other sports news, Kate Ward from Western Branch was named to the VHSL Class 6 all-state field hockey second team, while the Norfolk Admirals secured goaltender Jaxon Castor from the Wheeling Nailers. Castor, 28, had a record of 6-7-1 with a 3.65 goals-against average last season.
Old Dominion volleyball coach Fred Chao added a significant new recruit to his 2026 class in Atlyn Proctor, who transferred from Hutchinson Community College. Proctor, an outside hitter from Nelson, British Columbia, garnered attention with 639 kills and 696.5 points over two seasons.
In basketball, Christopher Newport University athletes are making headlines as well. Toa Hollenbeck, a former Grassfield High star, was named the Coast-To-Coast Athletic Conference Player of the Week after averaging 21.5 points per game in two victories. Meanwhile, women’s basketball player Sarah Pritz also earned Player of the Week honors with her impressive stats of 12 points, 7 rebounds, and 2 steals per game.
In soccer, Virginia player Lia Godfrey has been recognized as one of 15 semifinalists for the prestigious MAC Hermann Trophy. The ACC Midfielder of the Year contributed significantly to her team’s success, tallying 11 goals and 4 assists during the season.
As ODU prepares for its new baseball stadium and sports teams continue to excel, the coming years promise exciting developments for the university and its athletes.
