Eastern Illinois University Athletics

Each month Eastern Illinois University athletics will recognize one male and one female athlete of the month based on their athletic performances in their respective sport for the previous month. 

The inaugural honorees are EIU's two returning Ohio Valley Conference Players of the Year in their respective fall sports.  The EIU Male Athlete of the Month for August is Donald Thomas while the EIU Female Athlete of the Month for August is Kellie Floyd.

Donald Thomas - Football (Senior - St. Louis, Mo.)
Thomas was named the Ohio Valley Conference Defensive Player of the Year in football last season as the Panthers won their second straight OVC regular-season title.  Thomas led the Panthers with 127 tackles to rank 29th in the NCAA.  He was a second team All-American.  Entering this season Thomas has been named to numerous preseason All-American lists and should be a preseason Buck Buchanan nominee for the FCS Defensive Player of the Year.

Kellie Floyd - Soccer (Senior - Chatham, Ill.)
Floyd was named the Ohio Valley Conference co-Player of the Year for women's soccer last season as she helped the Panthers reach the OVC Tournament semifinals for the eighth straight year.  She started all 20 matches extending her streak to 41 consecutive starts.  Floyd ranked among the OVC leaders last year with 13 total points on four goals and five assists.  Her lone game winner on the season came against Southeast Missouri.