** During the month of July, EIUPanthers.com looks back at 14 events, moments and players that helped shape the 2025-26 academic year. **

On Wednesday night, June 17, tornadoes and severe weather passed through the Charleston community and surrounding areas leaving a path a debris and property damage.

On Thursday, June 18, Eastern Illinois student-athletes among a host of others in the community pitched in for the clean-up efforts to restore the place we all call home.

Members back on campus from the EIU football and women's basketball team were both able to help out with the cutting up and removal of tree limbs and other yard debris from the weather damage.

The Panthers men's basketball team joined the community clean-up efforts on Friday in the Charleston area.
 

The Charleston community got hit by tornadoes and severe wind last night damaging parts of the community @EIU_FB among those out today helping with debris clean up pic.twitter.com/bB6b0S25QX

— Eastern Illinois Athletics (@EIU_Panthers) June 18, 2026

 

The Charleston community and surrounding area got hit with several tornadoes and severe wind last night

Members of the @EIUWBB team among those helping with today's debris cleanup pic.twitter.com/n3XslVxpy8

— Eastern Illinois Athletics (@EIU_Panthers) June 18, 2026

 

Panthers continue to help with Charleston area clean-up following Wednesday night tornado. @eiubasketball out clearing debris today to serve community pic.twitter.com/XbOu0jyuJp

— Eastern Illinois Athletics (@EIU_Panthers) June 19, 2026