Tweet #LOYALandTRUE

** During the month of July, EIUPanthers.com will take a look back at 13 events, moments and players that helped shape the 2021-22 academic year. **

Eastern Illinois athletics made several new hires for head coaching positions for the 2021-22 academic year including one hired just in the last week of June.
 
Keith Roberts was hired as the Panthers director of track & field, Chris Wilkerson was hired as the EIU football coach and Josh Oakley was hired as the Panthers men's soccer coach.   
 
Roberts was hired as the fourth director of track & field at Eastern Illinois in the program's NCAA Division I era in late August joining the Panthers in early September.  He coached the teams during the 2021-22 indoor and outdoor track seasons with the men's team placing second at both the OVC Indoor and Outdoor Track Championships.  In his first season EIU advanced six athletes to the NCAA West Regional during the outdoor season.  Roberts came to EIU after a successful stint as an assistant coach at Pittsburgh and Grand Valley State.  Roberts Hire Release …
 
Wilkerson, a former EIU player and assistant coach, returned to his alma mater when he was hired as the 26th head coach in program history in late January.  Wilkerson played at EIU from 1991-94 and was an assistant coach on coach Bob Spoo's staff from 1995-2001.  He returns to EIU following a successful stint as the head coach at the University of Chicago over the last nine seasons.  Wilkerson guided the Panthers through spring practice with his first game on the sidelines set for Sept. 1 at Northern Illinois.  Wilkerson Hire Release …
 
Oakley, a former assistant coach at Eastern Illinois in the early 2000's and Mattoon native, was hired as 11th head coach in program history in late June.   Oakley comes to EIU following a successful run as the head coach at college programs at Spring Arbor University, Alma College and Asbury University.  He most recently was serving as the head coach with Lansing Common FC in the Midwest Premier League.  Oakley Hire Release …
 
Also hired during the 2021-22 academic year was Dr. Tonya Sawyer as the Panthers Assistant Athletic Director for Compliance and Senior Woman Administrator. 
 
.
2021-22 EIU Athletics Year In Review
No. 13 - Lauren Doyle Makes Second Olympic Appearance
No. 12 - Bob Thomas Named to CSCAA Top 100 College Swimmers List
No. 11 – EIU Adds Beach Volleyball As 21st Intercollegiate Sport