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Junior English language arts majors Josie Moore (left) and Kathryn Lanham (Right) sit on the lounge room on the second floor of Booth Library studying for their English class.
EIU students share study tips for finals season
Sophomore English education major Faith Gallagher walks on campus next to Booth Library while admiring the fall colors and weather on her way to her next class.
EIU students share what they’re thankful for this Thanksgiving
Former Illinois gov. Jim Edgar speaks to EIU and Charleston community members about stories and lessons learned from his life and career in Illinois politics in the Grand Ballroom of the Martin Luther King Jr University Union.
Former Illinois Gov. Jim Edgar shares story, advice to EIU community
Students met in the Center for Student Innovation Thursday to craft and have free snacks. President of the library ambassadors of Booth Christopher Redman said, “I feel like every event we planned is successful. We put the hard work and dedication into it.” 
Thanksgiving arrives early at Booth Library
Two people died in a murder suicide at 817 N. 34th St. in Mattoon on Nov. 10, 2024.
Mattoon pair who died in murder-suicide named by police
Goal Keeper Sophomore Ella Kratochvil of the women's soccer team, in the beginning of the game jumps up to bump team mate during the introduction of the game during the Eastern Illinois University Panther game vs Tennessee Teach Golden Eagles
Women’s soccer could see extended season
Eastern redshirt sophomore running back MJ Flowers carries the ball across the goal line during the football game Saturday at O'Brien Stadium. The Panthers won 16-13.
Flowers said God saved him
Basketball going through a hoop
CHS boys’ basketball 3-2, girls’ 0-9 as season begins
Senior guard Alex Rouse stands during the Eastern Illinois University women's basketball game against Indiana State Sycamores at Groniger Arena on Friday, Dec. 6, 2024.
Panthers of the Week: Zion Fruster, Alex Rouse
Safety NiJhay Burt (34), intercepts the ball for a 67 yard return touchdown. The Panthers won 27-0 against the Sycamores Thursday night.
Starting defender announces decision to enter NCAA transfer portal
Anderson reflects on Yankees career during 9/11
Freshman right-handed pitcher Slater Wilcox (32) pitches at Coaches Stadium on Sunday for the EIU baseball game.
EIU Baseball’s path through OVC Tournament
Men's Baseball team players stand in the dugout at home against Bellarmine at Coaches Stadium on March 12, 2024. Eastern beat Bellarmine 9-4 Tuesday afternoon.
EIU Baseball honors seniors, win over MSU
Junior Outfield (1) Quade Peters join the team in excitedment after sliding into home base at the game against Bradley
EIU Baseball drops second game against MSU
The baseball team game get suspended due to the weather, the team walked back to the locker room at the game against Bradley University Tuesday
EIU Baseball loses fifth straight game
Basketball going through a hoop
CHS boys’ basketball 3-2, girls’ 0-9 as season begins
Senior guard Alex Rouse stands during the Eastern Illinois University women's basketball game against Indiana State Sycamores at Groniger Arena on Friday, Dec. 6, 2024.
Panthers of the Week: Zion Fruster, Alex Rouse
Senior guard Kiyley Flowers shoots a three point shot at the Eastern Illinois University women's basketball game against the Indiana State Sycamores at Groniger Arena in Charleston, Ill., Friday, Dec. 6 2024.
EIU women’s basketball holds off Indiana State with dominant first half
Junior Guard Zion Fruster, gets a free throw during the second half of the game, , The Mens Basketball team lost too the Univerisity of Illinois 112-67 in the Statefarm center on the U of I campus on Nov 04, 2024 in Champaign Ill.
EIU men’s basketball win over Calumet on Kid’s Day
Guard Senior Kiyley Flowers, runs around the court and all the players to pass the ball as much as she can during the game against the University Of Illinois. The Womens Basketball team lost too the Univerisity of Illinois, in the State farm center on the U of I campus on Nov 14, 2024 in Champaign Ill.
Panthers of the Week: Kiyley Flowers, Kooper Jacobi
Zaria Flippin, senior, sports media relations
COLUMN: Start paying student athletes to help them live
Patrick Schmitz Sophomore, Sports media Relations
COLUMN: Paying athletes could lead to roster cuts for EIU athletics
Payton Liggins, sophomore, sports media relations.
COLUMN: What went wrong with EIU football?
Chloe Proffitt
COLUMN: Female athletes are just as capable as male
Patrick Schmitz
COLUMN: Court storming should be a thing of the past
Freshman Joe Stoddard (117) runs at the 2023 EIU Walt Crawford open.
Panthers of the Week: Joe Stoddard, Alex Tetteh
Pierce Holley, a junior quarterback (3), looks to throw the ball to a teammate during their homecoming game against UT Martin at O‘Brien Field Saturday afternoon.
Fall 2024 athletes to watch
Taris Thornton, a junior forward, attempts to rebound the ball during the during second quarter of the women's basketball game against the Western Illinois University Leathernecks at Groniger Arena on Saturday afternoon. Thornton scored 13 points, had two rebounds and shot 4-6 for field goals. The Panthers won 72-62 against the Leathernecks.
Panthers of the Week: Joe Stoddard, Taris Thornton
Panthers of the Week: Macy McGlone, Isai Morales
Panthers of the Week: Macy McGlone, Isai Morales
COLUMN: Why you should watch running sports
COLUMN: Why you should watch running sports
Eastern redshirt sophomore running back MJ Flowers carries the ball across the goal line during the football game Saturday at O'Brien Stadium. The Panthers won 16-13.
Flowers said God saved him
Safety NiJhay Burt (34), intercepts the ball for a 67 yard return touchdown. The Panthers won 27-0 against the Sycamores Thursday night.
Starting defender announces decision to enter NCAA transfer portal
Redshirt freshman running back MJ Flowers (20) scores a touchdown vs. the Tennessee State Tigers Saturday afternoon. The Panthers won 30-17.
All-American running back announces departure from football program
Football is back at O'Brien Stadium
Linebacker enters transfer portal after two seasons with Panthers
Nick Coates, a junior defensive back, prepares to tackle a teammate during a drill at O‘Brien Field Wednesday Evening.
Senior safety will enter transfer portal
Goal Keeper Sophomore Ella Kratochvil of the women's soccer team, in the beginning of the game jumps up to bump team mate during the introduction of the game during the Eastern Illinois University Panther game vs Tennessee Teach Golden Eagles
Women’s soccer could see extended season
Eastern graduate quarterback Pierce Holley (3) and redshirt sophomore Jay Pearson (21) line up behind the line before the snap during the football game against Charleston Southern University Saturday at O'Brien Stadium. The Panthers won 16-13.
Panthers of the Semester: Pierce Holley, Abby Reinl, Dirk Bennett
Sophomore forward Alex Tetteh (22) gains control of the ball during the women's soccer game against the UT Martin Skyhawks Sunday at Lakeside Field. Tetteh had three shots and one shot on goal. The Panthers lost 1-0 against the Skyhawks.
Two roommates led EIU women’s soccer to OVC tournament
Number 11 Adam Boykin a forward freshman for Eastern Illinois University keeps the ball away from Middle field 21 Timothy Ospina player for University of Incarnate word, at the Lakeside Field on the Eastern Illinois University campus,
Freshman forward shares experience training with professional soccer players in Q&A
Midfielder Felipe Kerr Lourenco (6) passes the ball during the game against SIUE Sunday.
EIU men’s soccer honors seniors, loses playoff contention to SIUE
Sophomore infielder, Kendall Grover swings and misses the ball during the Eastern Illinois University softball game against Tennessee State.
Grover, Oslanzi, Archibald win OVC Awards
Freshman pitcher McKenzie Oslanzi throwing a pitch on April Saturday 20, 2024 against Tennessee Tech University.
Panthers of the Week: McKenzie Oslanzi, Joe Stoddard
Senior guard Jordan "Tiger" Booker during the men's basketball game against Tennessee Tech Thursday night at Groniger Arena. The Panthers beat the Golden Eagles 68-59.
Panthers of the Semester: Tiger Booker, Macy McGlone, Tara Archibald
Freshman catcher Sophia Olman catching a pitch on Saturday April 20 2024 against Tennessee Tech.
Catcher talks about being a black belt in Q&A
softball
EIU softball loses nine-game winning streak to Tennessee Tech
Senior midfielder Avery Richardson stands still during a break in the game for a green carding during the Eastern Illinois University Panther game vs Tennessee Teach Golden Eagles at Lakeside Field on the Eastern Illinois University campus, Charleston, Ill. EIU won 2-1.
Panthers of the Week: Avery Richardson, Conner Colston
Through 40 years of coaching: Scott Teeters
Following an investigation, the men's swim team is suspended for the fall semester.
COLUMN: EIU should move on from swim program
The women's swim team lost their first home meet of 2024 149-109 against the University of Southern Indiana.
EIU swim competes for first time in 2024
Jackson Penny, a sophomore individual medley and breaststroke swimmer, jumps from the grab start of the men’s 200 yard medley relay for the breaststroke segment at the swimming meet on Saturday at Padovan Pool. The Panthers won 169-93 against Valparaiso.
EIU Swim competes as whole
Ludolph Wiggett, freshman Freshman Ludolph Wiggett tries to hit the ball during the Eastern Illinois Fall Invitational Friday at the Darling Courts.
Freshman tennis player shares COVID-19 experience in Australia in Q&A
Pierce Holley, a junior quarterback (3), looks to throw the ball to a teammate during their homecoming game against UT Martin at O‘Brien Field Saturday afternoon.
Fall 2024 athletes to watch
Junior infielder Danny Infante tags University of Dayton freshman infielder David Mendez during their double header on March 16 and 17 at Coaches Stadium
Panthers of the Week: William Hays, Danny Infante
Tennis ball by the nets at the Darling Courts Wednesday afternoon
EIU men’s tennis gets second straight victory with win against USI
Fifth year senior Max Pilipovic-Kljajic is a computer science major from Brisbane, Australia, practicing his serve and is currently attending Eastern Illinois University
EIU tennis siblings’ journey from Australia
Eastern Illinois Volleyball team won 3-1 the game against Tennessee State at the Groniger Arena on the Eastern Illinois University campus, Nov 20,2024. Charleston ILL.
EIU volleyball triumphs over TSU in season finale
The head coach of the Panthers calls for a quick team discussion at the end of tonight’s game against Tennessee Tech
EIU volleyball gets swept by Tennessee State; loses tournament hopes
The EIU volleyball team cheers during the Eastern Illinois University against Southern Illinois University Evansville, on Tuesday Oct 15. 2024. at Groniger Arena
What EIU volleyball needs to do to make the OVC Tournament
Head Volleyball Coach Cheers with the Volleyball team with a smile on her face ready for the next play, during the Eastern Illinois University against Southern Illinois University Evansville, on Tuesday Oct 15. 2024. at Groniger Arena on the Eastern Illinois University campus.
Takeaways from EIU volleyball versus Little Rock
Crews begin renovations in south McAfee Gym on Oct. 30. The stage along the east wall will most likely be covered by a temporary barrier, according to EIU Athletic Director Tom Michael, but he isn't sure exactly how it will look on game day. 
EIU volleyball to move practices, games to McAfee Gym in fall 2025
Old Main is getting festive with trees in the main lobby on the first floor decorated with different ornaments Monday.
Charleston Community Theatre begins holiday festivities 
Cam'ron Hardy, Senior, Journalism
COLUMN: ‘The Intruder:’ nothing you haven’t seen before
Luke Brewer, Freshman, Journalism.
COLUMN: ‘We Live in Time:’ an emotional story told out of time
Enlow (Amalia Balash) unknowingly sells a leather music box as a musical candy box and then performs “No More Candy.”
‘She Loves Me’ closes doors after two-week showing
Cam'ron Hardy, Senior, Journalism
COLUMN: ‘King Richard:’ greatness starts with a plan and a tennis ball 
Luke Brewer, Freshman, Journalism.
COLUMN: ‘Time Cut:’ cutting into your valuable time
Gunnar Olson, Senior, Journalism.
COLUMN: Pokémon TCG Pocket, we need to talk
Cam'ron Hardy, Senior, Journalism
COLUMN: ‘The Intruder:’ nothing you haven’t seen before
Luke Brewer, Freshman, Journalism.
COLUMN: ‘We Live in Time:’ an emotional story told out of time
Gunnar Olson, Senior, Journalism.
COLUMN: SNL made me cry last week
Two Dudes Talk Movies logo
Two Dudes Talk Movies Ep. 77: The Wiz: Impactful Or A Ripoff?
Two Dudes Talk Movies logo
Two Dudes Talk Movies Ep. 76: Gladiator: Does It Need A Sequel?
Two Dudes Talk Movies logo
Two Dudes Talk Movies Ep. 75: Annihilation: Destroying Each Other’s Opinion
Two Dudes Talk Movies logo
Two Dudes Talk Movies Ep. 74: Ready Player One: Winner Takes All
Two Dudes Talk Movies logo
Two Dudes Talk Movies Ep. 73: Is Trick ‘r Treat (2007) A Staple In The Horror Genre?
The EIU Reserve Officers' Training Corps loads the first group of cadets onto the Chinook aircraft for a ride around Charleston before landing back to the ground on Thursday. The ride was part of an aviation lab for cadets to learn what it was like to be on an aircraft.
THROUGH THE LENS: ROTC brings Chinook to EIU’s campus
Participants of the Haunted Hike take a hayride back to the entrance of Douglas Hart Nature Center. The guided hikes took off every five minutes on the trails to cycle through the different Beetlejuice themed stations on Saturday night, Oct. 19, from 5-8 p.m.
THROUGH THE LENS: ‘Beetlejuice’ takes over Douglas-Hart Nature Center
There were 24 finishers in the 50-mile race at the Tour De Charleston Saturday. First place finished the race in 2:10:16.22.
THROUGH THE LENS: Tour De Charleston
The Camp New Hope had a small Mattoon train that took people around the camp sight seeing during the Camp New Hope 50th anniversary.
THROUGH THE LENS: Camp New Hope celebrates 50th anniversary
Students start to cook the beans and corn for meatless tacos during a healthy cooking class.
THROUGH THE LENS: Something’s cooking in Klehm Hall
The student news site of Eastern Illinois University in Charleston, Illinois.

The Daily Eastern News
The student news site of Eastern Illinois University in Charleston, Illinois.

The Daily Eastern News
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Panther Profiles: Ep. 15: Peyton Wilkerson

Aidan Cusack and Patrick Schmitz
February 14, 2024
Panther Profiles: Ep. 15: Peyton Wilkerson

Aidan and Patrick talk to redshirt freshman defensive lineman and son of football head coach Chris Wilkerson, Peyton Wilkerson.

Peyton talks about his upbringing and what’s next after his redshirt season.

The sports staff can be reached at 581-2812 or at densportsdesk@gmail.com.

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More in Football
Eastern redshirt sophomore running back MJ Flowers carries the ball across the goal line during the football game Saturday at O'Brien Stadium. The Panthers won 16-13.
Flowers said God saved him
Safety NiJhay Burt (34), intercepts the ball for a 67 yard return touchdown. The Panthers won 27-0 against the Sycamores Thursday night.
Starting defender announces decision to enter NCAA transfer portal
Redshirt freshman running back MJ Flowers (20) scores a touchdown vs. the Tennessee State Tigers Saturday afternoon. The Panthers won 30-17.
All-American running back announces departure from football program
Football is back at O'Brien Stadium
Linebacker enters transfer portal after two seasons with Panthers
Nick Coates, a junior defensive back, prepares to tackle a teammate during a drill at O‘Brien Field Wednesday Evening.
Senior safety will enter transfer portal
Redshirt Sophomore, runningback, Jay Pearson (21) (left) and defensive back, Junior, NiJhay Burt (3) (right) talk on the sideline during practice, on O'Brien Field on Wed, Oct 30,
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Goal Keeper Sophomore Ella Kratochvil of the women's soccer team, in the beginning of the game jumps up to bump team mate during the introduction of the game during the Eastern Illinois University Panther game vs Tennessee Teach Golden Eagles
Women's soccer could see extended season
Basketball going through a hoop
CHS boys' basketball 3-2, girls' 0-9 as season begins
Senior guard Alex Rouse stands during the Eastern Illinois University women's basketball game against Indiana State Sycamores at Groniger Arena on Friday, Dec. 6, 2024.
Panthers of the Week: Zion Fruster, Alex Rouse
Senior guard Kiyley Flowers shoots a three point shot at the Eastern Illinois University women's basketball game against the Indiana State Sycamores at Groniger Arena in Charleston, Ill., Friday, Dec. 6 2024.
EIU women’s basketball holds off Indiana State with dominant first half
Junior Guard Zion Fruster, gets a free throw during the second half of the game, , The Mens Basketball team lost too the Univerisity of Illinois 112-67 in the Statefarm center on the U of I campus on Nov 04, 2024 in Champaign Ill.
EIU men’s basketball win over Calumet on Kid’s Day
Eastern graduate quarterback Pierce Holley (3) and redshirt sophomore Jay Pearson (21) line up behind the line before the snap during the football game against Charleston Southern University Saturday at O'Brien Stadium. The Panthers won 16-13.
Panthers of the Semester: Pierce Holley, Abby Reinl, Dirk Bennett
About the Contributor
Patrick Schmitz
Patrick Schmitz, Assistant Sports Editor
Patrick Schmitz is a sophomore sports media relations major and can be reached at 581-2812 or pfschmitz@eiu.edu. He previously served as a sports reporter.