A Letter from Tom Michael, EIU Director of Athletics...
This past year we have been witness to incredible moments in the lives of our student-athletes and it is all because of your generosity as donors and friends of EIU Athletics.
We have had momentum across the department and are experiencing continued overall success across all of our sport programs. Student-athletes earned a cumulative GPA of 3.32 in the Spring. The Panthers led the conference in Medal of Honor recipients (46), 182 student-athletes were named to the Commissioner's Honor Roll and 103 student-athletes received an impressive 4.00 GPA. Women's Basketball set a program record. Men's and Women's Cross Country, Men's Indoor Track & Field, Softball (first ever), and Baseball won OVC Championships. Let's not forget Iowa.
Throughout the donor guide (link below), you'll read about the many accolades earned by our student-athletes in the classroom and in their sport. This success and momentum would not have been possible without the contributions made to the Panther Club Annual Fund. Your support is vital to the success of EIU Athletics and I personally thank you for your generosity.
I hope to see you this summer at the Panther Club benefit golf outings in Mattoon (July 7) and Effingham (Aug. 11).
2023 Panther Club Annual Fund and Membership Guide
EIU STUDENT-ATHLETE FAVORITE MOMENTS and WHAT THEY HAVE LEARNED
FOOTBALL
Kaelin Drakeford
Playing in my first collegiate game
Showed me to trust in myself and constantly work for what I want
Jaxon Isaac
Our first home game
Giving me an opportunity to love my dreams as a D1 athlete
Haven Hatfield
Putting on that uniform for the first time ever was a special feeling.
EIU gave me the opportunity of a lifetime to join the program and I am forever thankful.
Collin Tyson
Blocking a punt against Semo
It's allowed me to get a free education and able to grow as a person.
Sebastian Pares
The slow success of building something great
Has giving me the opportunity to focus on my sport
Tienne Fridge
Transitioning from winter training to practicing spring ball
It has provided me an education and countless number of opportunities I didn't even think I would want or things that where available
Tre'Jon Lewis
I don't really have a best moment but just being out on the field with my teammates are always great moments.
Introduced me to a lot of great people.
Zeke Lewis
Playing against NIU
Being able to connect to people
MEN'S CROSS COUNTRY
Michael Atkins
Winning the conference championship for cross country
New friends, opportunities, and memories
Austin Romine
All of the hours spent practicing and competing. Gaining these relationships and this family has been everything I could have dreamed of and more. Growing up I always wanted to compete as
a panther, it's hard to pick a specific moment when it's all really been a dream.
It has made me realize the impacts a real team can have on you as an individual. In high school I was one of the only athletes to compete in my sport, coming to Eastern and having family around
me has made me the best person I can be.
Isai Morales
Winning indoor conference with my team After joining EIU Athletics, I have come to realize I am a part of my favorite team with the best coach I have ever had leading the team.
Trey Oswald
Being able to contribute my score to the team in the OVC men's championship
It gave me the opportunity to compete at the D1 level in the sport I love
MEN'S GOLF
Keegan Gowin
Playing the sport I love with some of my best friends
Gaining some life long friendships
Grant Mascal
My best moment at EIU as a panther would have to be when one of our golf alumni brought my team down to
Florida to play a match against our alumni. The event also raised money for our golf program.
EIU athletics has given me another family. My teammates are like my brothers and all of the coaches and
faculty are role models. It has given me a great opportunity to compete at the highest level and given me
tools to succeed later on in my life.
MEN'S SOCCER
Peter Allen
Going on away trips with my teammates
Brought new friends into my life
MEN'S SWIMMING
Conner Colston
Being able to compete at a D1 level and feel supported by administration this year.
It's showed me that not all change is bad.
Jackson Penny
Conference my Junior Year
I have made life long friends
Marshall Holt
My first time winning an event my freshman year
It's given me my best friends
Dismas Dillon
Dismissing the preconceived stereotypes about who ROTC cadets are and deciding to join the program to pursue a career in the military as an officer despite widespread judgement from my peers.
Swim has given me the opportunity to push my physical fitness to the limit and unlock new potentials by callusing my own mind.
Zachary Clark
My best moment as a panther so far would have to be going to sporting events with my friends and teammates. The atmosphere is fun and encouraging and we've started carrying that atmosphere to our
own meets. But I'd have to say my best would have to be my conference meet this year being able to do all we did and seeing the support from admin was awesome.
Panther Athletics has given me life long friends and mentors that I'll always be able to have with me.
Panther Athletics has given me hope and inspiration to better myself not only for me but for my team and for the school I represent.
MEN'S TENNIS
Alex Dinkov
Winning my last match of the season
Gave me an opportunity to play for a team
Thomas Wallace
My best moment as an EIU Panther so far was winning in the quarterfinals of the OVC Conference tournament last year. This felt like the culmination of my tennis career so far and it was such a great
feeling when I could accomplish this goal along with my teammates and close friends.
EIU athletics has instilled in me important habits and routines which will make me successful in all aspects of my life. Being able to have difficult conversations with teammates and coaches has taught me the
importance of compromise and conflict resolution. I have also been able to develop strong time management and leadership skills during my time in Charleston. I am deeply grateful to the athletic department and wider
Eastern Illinois community for the opportunity I have received.
MEN'S TRACK & FIELD
Zac Stout
Winning the indoor OVC championship
It has helped keep me in shape and it helps relieve stress.
Porter Conroy
Winning the OVC indoor track and field championships 2023.
Given me friends and opportunities I would have never had without athletics
Sam Bradbury
Getting a PR at the Iliini Challenge changed my life because it showed me new ways to overcome opportunities
SOFTBALL
Olivia Price
Meeting some of my best friends, even people outside of my respective sport
It's given me confidence to be a great pitcher, especially since when I was a kid I was told I would never be good enough and didn't deserve to be where I'm at.
VOLLEYBALL
Lilli Amettis
First Night
Made me push myself to a new level, had to come out of my comfort zone and be open to meeting new people and new things, it taught me how to fix my mindset and think positive about everything bc we are
privileged to be playing a sport we love
Annika Black
Playing in front of so many fans, friends, family, and the community during the Illinois volleyball match.
Hearing the cheering and the excitement is something I will never forget.
EIU Athletics has changed my life by giving me a diverse group of friends worldwide. I have been able to
be myself here and have been able to grow into a better version of myself. Without EIU Athletics I would not
have the opportunities or the friends that have now become family to me.
WOMEN'S BASKETBALL
Hannah Purcell
Beating Tennessee tech at their place
Finding new career options
WOMEN'S CROSS COUNTRY
Rylea Borgic
Trying steeplechase for the first time and creating relationships with my teammates!
It's opened up my mind to knowing I can do so much more than I think I am capable of. Along with the amazing support of my coaches, I am able to crush and meet times I'd never thought I could touch.
Mackenzie Aldridge
My coach and my athletic trainer hugging me and being super excited for me after I place 3rd as an individual at conference and was one of the defying races that allowed our team to pull of the OVC XC Championship Sweep
Helped me to become a more confident person and to stand up for what I believe in. Helped me make people I want to keep in my life forever. Provided me the opportunity to attend college.
WOMEN'S GOLF
Ava Boehm
shooting 75 in Ohio
It has brought me closer to some friends I never thought I would have.
Lindsey Hastings
Making friends
Meeting people from all over the world
WOMEN'S SOCCER
Kya Trejo
Being a part of the team
It gave me my best friends 😁
Kayla Green
The people I have met! Everyone is so welcoming and kind, as well as extremely understanding
EIU athletics has helped me to become more sure of myself as not only an athlete, but as a person as well. It has taught me that good relationships go a long way!
Nyah Biegler
My favorite moment as an EIU Panther was being able to bring my parents to campus and show them all of my favorite things that I have been able to do because of this campus.
EIU has given me my best friends that will now always be a significant part of my life which I would not have met without EIU athletics.
Serra Pizano
Getting to know my boyfriend
Made me tougher mentally
Avery Richardson
Playing soccer everyday with my teammates
Introduced me to friends I will have the rest of my life
Nicoletta Anuci
I got to meet friends that I will call best friends for the rest of my life
I think that athletics shaped me in more ways than one, but the largest way it shaped me was to be tougher.
It taught me that obstacles are going to be faced but it only makes you stronger. EIU athletics taught me that it's not about the obstacle, but how you get over that obstacle stronger and better and having belief in yourself.
Daniela Bermeo
Finding my forever friends
It gave me the opportunity to grow as an athlete but also as a person
Michaela Danyo
My best moment has been meeting new people here.
The people and teachers here have helped me grow and be the woman I am today.
Peyton Gill
Meeting new people from all around the world and learning more about their cultures.
I have made some new life long friends that I can't imagine life without.
Zenaya Barnes
Meeting new friends when I transferred here.
Helping me get back from my ACL journey.
WOMEN'S SWIMMING
Meg Parker
The best moment was getting to know everyone in the team.
EIU athletics has helped me become stronger and more confident in myself.
Grace Pleet
Going to meets with my team and being able to be part of a great community
It allowed me to connect with some of my now best friends and create memories that I will have for the rest of my life
Emma Keith
Getting the Panther Award (being the most supportive teammate/ best cheerleader) at the end of my
Freshman year season in 2021 from my coach.
Giving me the opportunity to fulfill and live my life long dream of swimming for a Division 1 University.
Ryleigh Poe
For the first time since I have been here (I'm a junior), we finally have a coach that will be our coach next
year as well.
Allowed me to explore my interests and discover myself as an athlete.
Phoebe Croston
Having a coach for the second year for the first time since I've been here the last 3 years
The friendships and relationships I have formed here are invaluable to me
Genevieve Biberdorf
Getting to travel with my teammates!
It has given me the opportunity to further my athletic career and see new places
WOMEN'S TENNIS
Jemma Booth
Winning my first match and having the support of the women's tennis team
The women on my team are the most kind hearted and genuine people i have met, they've made me so
comfortable with myself and team
Brittany Steven
Getting to be SAAC president and help put on events as well as get opportunities I wouldn't have
otherwise gotten.
Giving me a family away from home as well as the chance to continue my sport for a few more
years at a high level.
Addison Brown
Clinching the match for my team vs. Murray State my freshman year
My team has turned into my family and I can't imagine life without them now.
Christine Gouws
Going to the OVC tournament
I met my best friends
WOMEN'S TRACK & FIELD
Taryn Tarquin
I've had a lot of fun going to conference with my closest friends / teammates and forming great relationships while at school.
EIU athletics brought me to the Midwest from California. I have met so many great people and have really enjoyed living in a new area while still competing in the sport that I love.
Mckenna Wojcicki
Winning Drake Relays
Making close friends and having the chance to work towards goals athletically as an adult.
Makenna McBride
Competing at OVC
It's allowed me to meet my best friends
Clayre Shaver
Being able to travel to places I couldn't imagine going and being able to go with the people I love to compete in the sport I am passionate about. Top moment was the 2023 Indoor conference the energy in the crossplex and being able to PR and do big things for my team and knowing they had my back and I had theirs was amazing.
SAAC changed my college experience and my life. I went through my entire first year at EIU during the pandemic and i barely knew anyone and now I'm the president for the upcoming year and got to organize and create events that will help
leave a legacy at a school I care so much for.
Shamera Moore
Being on the team being able to meet new people and make new memories gain great experience
