The male Panther of the Week is going to Chris Wilkerson from the football team.

Wilkerson, who is in his second year in the head coaching position for Eastern’s football team, won Coach of the Year in the Big South-Ohio Valley Conference tournament.

Wilkerson led the team to an 8-3 record. This is the best record for the Panthers since 2013, and it is their first winning season since 2017.

Wilkerson is also one of 20 finalists for the Eddie Robinson Award. This award is given to the national coach of the year in Division I Football Championship Subdivision college football.

The female Panther of the Week is going to Sara Thomas from the volleyball team.

Thomas, who is in her fourth year in the head coaching position for Eastern’s volleyball team, won Coach of the Year in the Ohio Valley Conference.

Thomas led the team to a 28-4 record as the Panthers were crowned the regular season champions in the OVC.

Thomas also led the team to three consecutive sweeps in the OVC Tournament as the Panthers were crowned the OVC Tournament champions. With the tournament win, the Panthers punched their ticket in the NCAA Volleyball Tournament.

The last time the Panthers won the OVC Tournament was in 2001.

Zaria Flippin can be reached at 581-2812 or zhflippin@eiu.edu.