Eastern Illinois Panthers

Eastern Illinois athletics began in the school's very first year, with the inaugural football team taking the field only three weeks after the first students arrived on campus in 1899. Eastern Illinois was a member of the Interstate Intercollegiate Athletic Conference from 1912 to 1970. From 1978 to 1982 they were members of the Mid-Continent Athletic Association which was absorbed by the Association of Mid-Continent Universities later known as the Mid-Continent Conference now the Summit League till 1996. In 1996 they joined the Ohio Valley Conference which is their current conference. A member of the Ohio Valley Conference since 1996, Eastern Illinois University sponsors teams in nine men's and ten women's NCAA sanctioned sports. The Panthers' men's and women's swimming teams compete as associate members of the Summit League since those sports are not sponsored by the OVC. The men's soccer team also competed in the Summit League before the OVC launched a men's soccer league for the 2023 season (2023–24 school year). ==Sports sponsored==

Baseball • 1973 NCAA Division II World Series Third Place. • 1978 NCAA Division II World Series Fifth Place. • 1981 NCAA Division II World Series Runner-Up. The Panther baseball team has appeared in three NCAA Division I Baseball Championship, in 1999, 2008, and 2023. Basketball Men's basketball • NAIA tournament appearances (6) 1947, 1949, 1950, 1952, 1953, 1957. With a combined record of 7–7. Highest finish, 4th: 1957. • NCAA Division II tournament appearances each year from 1975 to 1980. Highest finish, 3rd: 1976 and 1978. • NCAA Division I tournament appearances (1992 and 2001). • All time tournament results Women’s basketball • NCAA Division I tournament appearance 1988. Men's cross country Team Championships: • 1968 – NCAA College Division National Champions • 1969 – NCAA College Division National Champions • 1977 – NCAA Division II National Champions National Finishes: • 1971 – NCAA Division II Fifth Place • 1972 – NCAA Division II Seventh Place • 1973 – NCAA Division II Third Place • 1974 – NCAA Division II Third Place • 1975 – NCAA Division II Third Place • 1976 – NCAA Division II Third Place • 1978 – NCAA Division II Fifth Place • 1979 – NCAA Division II Third Place Football • 1978 Division II National Champion • 1980 Division II National Runner-Up. • NCAA Division I Football Championship tournament appearances: 1982, 1983, 1986, 1989, 1995, 1996, 2000, 2001, 2002, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012, 2013, 2015. • Conference Titles: 1912, 1913, 1914, 1928, 1948, 1980, 1981, 1982, 1983, 1984, 1986, 1995, 2001, 2002, 2005, 2006, 2009, 2012, 2013 • All time tournament results Men’s golf National Finishes: • 1969 - NAIA 4th Place • 1972 - NAIA 8th Place Individual National Champions: • 1972 - Gaylord Burrows - NAIA Soccer Men's soccer • 1969 – NAIA National Champion. • NCAA Division II runners-up in 1979, 3rd in 1978, and 4th in 1974. • Stripped of 1981 Division I 3rd-place finish. Women’s soccer The Panther women’s soccer team has appeared in four NCAA Division I Women's Soccer tournaments in 2001, 2002, 2003, and 2004. Softball The Panther softball team appeared in two AIAW Women's College World Series, in 1971 and 1974. They reached their first NCAA Division I softball tournament in 2023. Men’s swimming and diving National Finishes: • 1975 - NCAA Division II 3rd Place Individual National Champions: • 1973 - Bob Thomas, NCAA Division II 200 yard backstroke • 1973 - Bob Thomas, NCAA Division II 400 yard IM • 1973 - Jon Mayfield, NCAA Division II 200 yard breaststroke • 1973 - NCAA Division II 400 yard medley (Bob Thomas, Jon Mayfield, Dan Cole, Dave Toler) • 1974 - Bob Thomas, NCAA Division II 200 yard backstroke • 1974 - Bob Thomas, NCAA Division II 400 yard IM • 1974 - Jon Mayfield, NCAA Division II 200 yard breaststroke • 1974 - NCAA Division II 400 yard medley (Bob Thomas, Jon Mayfield, Brian Forsberg, Dave Toler) • 1975 - Jon Mayfield, NCAA Division II 200 yard breaststroke Track and field Team Championships (men's): • 1974 – NCAA Division II Outdoor National Champions • 1976 — NCAA Division II Outdoor National Runner-up Individual Champions: • 1955 – Ray White, NAIA Long Jump • 1967 – John Craft, NAIA Triple Jump • 1969 – John Craft, NCAA College Division Triple Jump • 1972 – Rodney Jackson, NCAA College Division 400 hurdles • 1973 – Rodney Jackson, NCAA College Division 400 hurdles • 1974 – Darrell Brown, NCAA Division II Long Jump • 1975 – Toni Ababio, NCAA Division II Long Jump • 1975 – Toni Ababio, NCAA Division II Triple Jump • 1976 – Ed Hatch, NCAA Division II 400 Meter Dash • 1979 – Robert Johnson, NCAA Division II 110 hurdles • 1981 — 4x400 Relay, Women’s Track & Field AIAW II • 1981 – Augustine Oruwari, NCAA Division II 110 hurdles • 1988 – Jim Maton, NCAA Division I 800 meter run (Indoor) • 1992 – Dan Steele, NCAA Division I 400 hurdles Volleyball The Eastern Illinois volleyball team has been the Ohio Valley Conference champions in 1998, co champions in 2004, 2023, and 2025. The volleyball team has made three NCAA Division I women's volleyball tournament appearances in 2001, 2023, and 2025. ==Athletic facilities==

Current facilities Facilities are housed on the west side of the EIU campus between 4th Street and Grant Avenue. • Coaches Stadium at Monier Field — Baseball • Lakeside Field — Men's and women's soccer • Lantz Arena — Men's and women's basketball • Lantz Field House — Men's and women's indoor track and field • Linder Sports Complex — Beach volleyball • McAfee Gym — Volleyball • O’Brien Field — Football, men's and women's outdoor track and field • Ray Padovan Pool — Men's and women's swimming and diving • Tom Woodall Panther Trail — Men's and women's cross country • Williams Field — Softball Men's and women's golf practice at four local courses including Charleston Country Club, Mattoon Country Club, Meadowview Golf Course and Bent Tree Golf Course. Former facilities • Lakeside Rugby Field — Women’s Rugby (1999-2014) • Pemberton Hall — Men’s Basketball • McAfee Gymnasium — Men’s Basketball • Rex Darling Tennis Courts — Men’s and Women’s Tennis (1931-2025) • Schahrer Field — Football (1899–1948) Club and intramural facilities • Student Rec Center — Intramural sports == Notable former athletes ==

Baseball • Tim Bogar, retired Major League Baseball infielder • Zach Borenstein (born 1990), baseball outfielder • Randy Myers, former American Major League Baseball pitcher with the New York Mets, Cincinnati Reds, San Diego Padres, Chicago Cubs, Baltimore Orioles and the Toronto Blue Jays between 1985 and 1998. 4x MLB All-Star. • Marty Pattin, former MLB baseball pitcher for the California Angels, Seattle Pilots, Milwaukee Brewers, Boston Red Sox, and Kansas City Royals • Stan Royer, MLB baseball player for the St. Louis Cardinals and Boston Red Sox • Kevin Seitzer, retired all-star Major League Baseball player Basketball • Henry Domercant, former professional basketball player in Europe • Kevin Duckworth, former NBA All-Star forward • Kyle Hill, former professional basketball player in Europe • Jay Taylor, former NBA player for the New Jersey Nets Football • Brad Childress, former head coach of the Minnesota Vikings • Jimmy Garoppolo, quarterback for the Las Vegas Raiders • Jeff Gossett, former NFL punter for the LA/Oakland Raiders and 3 other NFL teams • Kamu Grugier-Hill, linebacker for the Miami Dolphins • Alexander Hollins, wide receiver for the Minnesota Vikings • John Jurkovic, former NFL Defensive tackle for the Green Bay Packers and Jacksonville Jaguars • Tim Kelly offensive coordinator for the Houston Texans • Ray McElroy, former NFL Cornerback for the Indianapolis Colts and Chicago Bears • Sean Payton, head coach of the Denver Broncos and winner of Super Bowl XLIV • Ted Petersen, retired NFL Offensive/Defensive tackle for the Pittsburgh Steelers, Cleveland Browns, and Indianapolis Colts • Tony Romo, former quarterback for the Dallas Cowboys and now a sportscaster • Micah Rucker, former wide receiver for the Pittsburgh Steelers, Kansas City Chiefs, and New York Giants; also played in the Arena Football League • Mike Shanahan, former head coach of the Los Angeles Raiders, Denver Broncos and Washington Redskins and 3 times Super Bowl winner. • Chris Szarka, retired Canadian Football League fullback • Pierre Walters, former NFL linebacker for the Kansas City Chiefs Handball • Tim Dykstra, former handball player who competed in the 1984 Summer Olympics. MMA • Matt Hughes, 2x NCAA All-American wrestler, former UFC Welterweight Champion • Kenny Robertson, 4x NCAA Division I qualifier for wrestling; current mixed martial artist for the UFC • Mike Russow, current mixed martial artist • Matt Veach, current mixed martial artist Rugby • Lauren Doyle, represented the United States of America for Rugby sevens at the 2016 Summer Olympics Soccer • Schellas Hyndman, former head coach of soccer's FC Dallas • Matt Bobo, former North American Soccer League player • John Baretta, former North American Soccer League goalkeeper • George Gorleku, former Major Indoor Soccer League (1978–92) player • LeBaron Hollimon, former National Professional Soccer League (1984–2001) player • Damien Kelly, former National Professional Soccer League (1984–2001) player • Mark Simpson, former goalkeeper and assistant coach for D.C. United • Jason Thompson, former player for D.C. United • Glen Tourville, former Major Indoor Soccer League (1978–92) player Track • John Craft, placed 5th in the Men’s triple jump at the 1972 Summer Olympics • Sandy Osei-Agyemang, advanced to the second round in the Men's 100 metres and Men's 4 × 100 metres relay at the 1972 Summer Olympics • Dan Steele, track All-American, 400-meter National Champion, and Bronze Medalist at the 2002 Winter Olympics • Darrin Steele, competed at the 1998 Winter Olympics and the 2002 Winter Olympics ==References==