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** During the month of July, EIUPanthers.com will take a look back at 14 events, moments and players that helped shape the 2023-24 academic year. **

Eastern Illinois had four different coaches win Ohio Valley Conference Coach of the Year honors as the Panthers wrapped up a successful year of competition.
 
Howarth won a pair of OVC Coach of the Year honors taking home the award for both men's and women's cross country.  Howarth led the men's to their fourth straight OVC championship and the women to their second straight.
 
Thomas was named the OVC Coach of the Year after leading EIU to both the OVC regular season and tournament titles.  EIU opened the year at 10-0 and ended making the school's second NCAA Tournament appearance.  EIU posted a 28-5 record with a 15-3 mark in the OVC.
 
Wilkerson was named the Big South/OVC Football Association Coach of the Year in the inaugural season for the association.  Wilkerson led the Panthers to an 8-3 record as they finished ranked 24^th in the final FCS Coaches poll.  Wilkerson was a finalist for the Eddie Robinson FCS Coach of the Year finishing sixth in final voting.
 
Archibald was named the OVC Coach of the Year for softball.  She led the Panthers to a 40-17 record with the 40 wins matching the school record for wins in a season at the Division I level.  EIU won the OVC regular season title with a 22-5 record, the third for the program.
 
 
2023-24 Year In Review
No. 14 – EIU Welcomes New Head Coaches
No. 13 – Former Panthers Make Major League Debut
No. 12 – Freshmen Make A National Splash 
No. 11 – Ramsey Hunt Earns All-American Honors 
No. 10 – Giovana Larregui Lopez Named OVC Female Athlete Of The Year 
No. 9 – Men's Cross Country Wins Fourth Straight OVC Title 
No. 8 – Women's Cross Country Gives EIU Distance Title Sweep
No. 7 – Volleyball Wins OVC Title, Makes NCAA Tournament
No. 6 – Softball Wins OVC Regular Season Title