FAYETTEVILLE, Ga. – Former Eastern Illinois running back and athletic hall of fame member Kevin Staple passed away over the weekend after a battle with Lou Gehrig's disease (ALS).  Staple was 50.  Funeral arrangements will be announced in the coming days.

Staple was a star running back for the Panthers from 1980-83 twice earning All-American honors in 1982 and 1983.  As a freshman in 1980 he led the team in rushing as the Panthers lost in the NCAA Division II National Championship game.  He posted back-to-back 1,000 yard rushing seasons in 1982 and 1983.  He left school as the program's No. 2 career leading rusher with 3,296 yards and currently ranks sixth.  Staple has the second highest single game rushing total in school history with a 283 yard performance against Grand Valley State in 1983.

Staple was inducted into the EIU Athletic Hall of Fame in 2010.