Don Hoover Jr., Jeff Hoover’s older brother, stood at the podium Saturday trying to compose himself as he read messages from Cole and Lauren Hoover to their father.

From Lauren Hoover: “I love you so much. I always wonder if I told you that enough. But you know what’s best? I always knew how much you cared for and loved me.”

The Grand Ballroom in the Martin Luther King Jr. University Union was filled to standing room only capacity Saturday as friends and family paid tribute to Jeff Hoover, the Eastern football offensive line coach who died Nov. 28 in a car accident south of Effingham.

The Hoover family sat in the front row as friends from Jeff Hoover’s past and present, and players and coaches from the Eastern football team shared memories from his life.

Cole Hoover sat and listened to his message to his dad with a sling on his left arm, flanked on each side by Chaz Millard and Chris Vaccaro, senior offensive linemen on the Eastern football team.

The message from Cole Hoover touched on the Thursday night dinners his family would host for the offensive lineman and his dad’s love for football.

“I hope they have ESPN in heaven or God has something else so dad can watch his Chicago Bears,” read Don Hoover Jr. from Cole Hoover. “I miss you so much, but I know as long as we all follow your example , we’ll meet you in heaven.”

Millard and 17 other offensive linemen who were coached by Jeff Hoover shared stories about their coach and the effect he had on their lives.

“He taught me a lot about football,” Millard said. “But he also taught me how to be a man off the field.”

The offensive linemen presented Hoover’s children with gifts commemorating their father.

They gave Cole Hoover a No. 83 Eastern football jersey with “C. Hoover” on the back and Lauren Hoover a No. 67 Eastern volleyball jersey with “L. Hoover” on the back.

Roc Bellantoni, Eastern’s defensive coordinator, spoke about Jeff Hoover and how overwhelmed he was with the support they have received.

“This is blowing me away a little bit, to be honest,” Bellantoni said.

Eastern Athletic Director Barbara Burke made note of people from several institutions that made the journey to Charleston to pay tribute to Jeff Hoover.

They included the University of California-Davis, Western Kentucky University, University of Louisiana-Lafayette, the St. Louis Rams, and many others.

“I say to our student-athletes all the time that we’re 21 teams, but we’re one sport,” Burke said with a trembling voice. “To Penny, Lauren and Cole, you are now forever Panthers. Thank you for sharing Jeff with us.”

Jeff’s father, Don Hoover Sr., was the last to speak and offered his thanks for the outpouring of support his family has received.

“As you can imagine this has been a very tough week for us,” Don Hoover Sr., said. “We will always remember this day with thanks and love in our heart for all of you.”

A video tribute was played with photos and videos of Jeff Hoover to the music of Creed’s “Arms Wide Open.”

Burke announced the start of the Jeff Hoover Children Education Fund and the department was accepting donations throughout the service.

Those wishing to make a donation can do so at First Mid-Illinois Bank and Trust.

For more information, call the Development Office at 581-2310.

Collin Whitchurch can be reached at 581-7944 or

“mailto: cfwhitchurch@eiu.edu”>cfwhitchurch@eiu.edu.

Jeff Hoover talks to players during the game against Indiana State on Sept 12 at Terre Haute. A memorial service was held on Saturday in the Grand Ballroom of the Martin Luther King Jr. University Union. (Eric Hiltner/The Daily Eastern News)

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