FIREBIRDS RELEASE 2025–26 WOMEN’S BASKETBALL SCHEDULE

WASHINGTON, D.C. – The University of the District of Columbia Women's Basketball team has announced its 2025–26 schedule, featuring 13 home contests and a challenging lineup of East Coast Conference (ECC) and regional non-conference opponents. Under the leadership of Head Coach John Nakpodia, the Firebirds aim to build momentum heading into the new season after being picked 6th in the ECC Preseason Coaches Poll.

UDC will open the year with a scrimmage at Howard University on October 27, followed by exhibitions at George Washington University (Nov. 3) and Norfolk State University (Nov. 6). The Firebirds officially begin regular season play at the Conference Challenge in Wilmington, Delaware, facing Goldey-Beacom College (Nov. 14) and Wilmington University (Nov. 15).

The Firebirds return home for an exciting stretch of non-conference competition, hosting Virginia State (Nov. 22) and Bowie State (Nov. 29), while traveling to Frostburg State (Nov. 24) and Virginia Union (Nov. 26) to close out November.

UDC opens East Coast Conference play on December 3, hosting St. Thomas Aquinas College at the UDC Sports Complex. December also features home contests against College of Staten Island (Dec. 13), Livingstone College (Dec. 16), and Assumption College (Dec. 21), as well as road trips to Mercy (Dec. 6) and Chestnut Hill (Dec. 18).

Conference action intensifies in January, with the Firebirds hosting Mercy (Jan. 14), Roberts Wesleyan (Jan. 21), and Molloy (Jan. 28). UDC will hit the road for key ECC matchups against Daemen (Jan. 9), D'Youville (Jan. 11), St. Thomas Aquinas (Jan. 17), and Queens (Jan. 31).

The Firebirds will close the regular season with five February games, including home contests against Daemen (Feb. 6), D'Youville (Feb. 8), and Queens (Feb. 28) for Senior Day, while traveling to College of Staten Island (Feb. 14) and Molloy (Feb. 25).

The postseason begins March 4 with the ECC Play-In Round, followed by the Semifinals (March 7) and Championship (March 8).

2025-26 ECC Women's Basketball Preseason Poll
1. Daemen - 81 points (9 first-place votes)
2. Mercy - 72 points 
3. Staten Island - 51 points 
4. D'Youville - 49 points
5. St. Thomas Aquinas - 41 points
6. District of Columbia - 37 points
7. Molloy - 36 points
8. Queens - 21 points
9. Roberts Wesleyan - 17 points