The new era of Eastern athletics has sparked energy around campus, but the university is still seeking more fan support from the student body.

Eastern’s athletic marketing and promotions department has held a number of events and promotions to enhance the game day experience at Eastern athletic events, but the student support is still largely absent.

The athletic marketing and promotions department introduced a student tailgate section for home football games beginning this season, and have given students opportunities to attend a pair of road games by providing travel at a reasonable cost.

Despite these efforts, they have failed to get the fan support they expected.

Anthony Orlando, director of athletic marketing and promotions, stressed the importance of having students support Panther athletics.

“It’s just a culture we have to change,” Orlando said. “We have to get students to believe this is a relevant athletic program that competes at the highest level of college athletics. If you came here, make the best of it, and get behind (Eastern) athletics. If the students could develop that mentality we would all enjoy our athletic events more.”

The athletic marketing and promotions department is attempting to create an atmosphere at Eastern that can rival the student pride seen at schools like Illinois and rival FCS-programs.

Despite a good showing from the football team in the early goings of the season, they have not had a large group of student’s supporting them at O’Brien Field.

“The perfect example is the Coles County Clash where Charleston High School played Mattoon High School at O’Brien Field,” Orlando said. “It was the first time they have played in 25 years, and it was the first time they played at O’Brien Field.”

The Coles County Clash drew a sizable crowd despite a two-hour rain delay that kept the game from starting till 9:45 p.m.

“We had walkup lines two hours prior to kickoff,” Orlando said. “It was a great pregame atmosphere, and the buzz was phenomenal.”

The electric pregame atmosphere is what the athletic marketing and promotions department is trying to bring to Eastern.

“We didn’t have a crowd like that for our home opener where we introduced a new coach. Game two, the other day against Murray State, what a heck of a game that was. You had a 50-point slobber-knocker where our coach went for a two-point conversion in overtime. What a finish that was, and most of our students missed that.”

An energized fan base makes the game day experience more enjoyable and can also increase the performance of Eastern’s student athlete’s.

“The day we get to the point where people are coming here and teaching here and working here are 100 percent EIU, that’s when we are getting to the point where we want to be at,” Orlando said. “Right now, we are in murky waters. We need to create an environment where our student-athlete’s and coaches can excel and fell they have a true home court advantage. Our coaches and athletes deserve that, and they need that.”

Jordan Pottorff can be reached at 581-2812 or jbpottorff@eiu.edu.