Another fall has graced East-Central Illinois, and with it comes another Family Weekend.

The 2009 edition of Family Weekend will feature the classic rock band Styx, various family events, parents reliving their college days and, like last year, only a few Eastern sporting events.

Sure I could sit here and complain again how rugby, volleyball, men’s soccer, golf and softball will not be at home again this year, but that got me nowhere last year.

I mean, come on!

Family Weekend is one of the biggest weekends of the year for visitors, and none of these teams get to take advantage of it – again.

Really, there is not that much to do during Family Weekend.

Students end up having to give their parents a tour around campus. What is more interesting, walking through Booth Library or a rugby match?

I don’t know about you, but I am going to go with the latter.

Being around Eastern athletics for a number of years, I know that the parents for a good number of the athletes like to travel to watch their sons and daughters.

However, an advantage for even more parents and visitors to come to campus could be a special occasion for the athletes. It would lead to bigger crowds, bigger excitement and a great atmosphere.

Football gets one of its biggest crowds of the year for Parents Weekend, shouldn’t the other sports benefit too?

Even though there are only a few sporting events on campus this year, take advantage of them.

If younger brothers or sisters who play sports are coming, most events are a free display of college athletics.

Chances are, parents will come to campus and your son or daughter will be ecstatic. You will go to Wal-Mart, maybe take them to eat in Mattoon or maybe clean their house because you find it disgusting.

Then what do you do?

The Styx concert doesn’t start until the evening, so go and see the football team play against Eastern Kentucky.

The football team is off to its best start since 1996 and is playing against one of the best teams in the Ohio Valley Conference. That is going to be a must-see game.

Plus, you can arrive a couple of hours early and tailgate in the parking lot.

Nothing says fall like hot dogs and burgers cooked in a parking lot.

In addition, swimming and cross country are both having meets this weekend.

Finally, women’s soccer will be playing at Lakeside Field Sunday.

Under new head coach Summer Perala, the Panthers have already had better results than last season and they continue their conference schedule against Austin Peay.

What a better way to shake the hangover from Saturday than watch a college soccer match?

So for another year, many sports will get screwed out of Family Weekend, but for those playing on campus why not go out and support the Panthers?

Dan Cusack can be reached at 581-7944 or dscusack@eiu.edu.