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CHARLESTON, Ill. – Eastern Illinois Athletics kicked off the 2019-20 academic year on Sunday evening with its annual student-athlete picnic and presentation of the EPIC Trophy.  The EPIC Cup, Eastern Panthers In the Community, was awarded to the women's basketball team marking the first time the program has won the now ten year old internal athletic competition.
 
The EPIC competition was established in 2009 by the EIU athletic department to promote student-athlete involvement in the community and the campus as well as strive for overall personal development. Each team is awarded points on a varying scale throughout the year based on community service, academic excellence, and season accomplishments.
 
The Student Athlete Advisory Committee [SAAC] which is comprised of representatives from each sport works closely with EIU's Student Community Service office throughout the year to develop opportunities for athletes to reach out and volunteer within the community.  During the past academic year, EIU Athletic teams combined to volunteer for more than 4,500 hours of community service.
 
The EIU basketball team was active in the community with some of the service projects including the second year of C.A.R.E. Basketball Game which involves area schools and raising money for local Cancer survivors. 
 
With the presentation of the trophy Sunday evening each of EIU's athletic teams will now begin the competition for the 2019-20 academic year trophy volunteering throughout the year and striving for academic and athletic success.