Redshirt sophomore offensive lineman Panayiotis Mihalopoulos is going into his third year with the Panthers. 

Mihalopoulos started playing football during his freshman year of high school, but his first love was hockey. Mihalopoulos didn’t have a lot of time to think before he committed to Eastern, but he doesn’t regret his decision at all. 

In this Q&A, Mihalopoulos talks about his favorite memory with the program, why his family are his biggest supporters and why he would give the aux to Ruben Popoca. 

Q: When did you first start playing football? 

A: “I started playing football my freshman year of high school. Hockey was actually my first love.” 

Q: Were you always on the line? 

A: “Yeah, I’ve always been on the line.” 

Q: Who on the team are you giving the aux to? 

A: “I think Ruben [Popoca] for sure. He’s versatile. He’s got rap, he’s got country. I’m not a big country guy, but we have a lot of guys that love country. He’s got throwbacks, like 2000 bangers, Beyonce, Alicia Keys, all that. I’m not ashamed to say Adele.”  

Q: Why did you commit to Eastern? 

A: “Truthfully, it was the only school I had a scholarship offer to. I didn’t have much time to think about it, but I’m glad I did, and I’ve never looked back.” 

Q: Do you have any secret or hidden talents? 

A: “I’d say a pretty good cook. I cook for Blainey [Dowling] all the time.” 

Q: Who’s the funniest person on the team? 

A: “I’d probably say Dee [Smith]. Dee’s funny. Dee, CJ [Nelson] and Ruben are hilarious. Sneaky pick, Alex Ginnever.” 

Q: If you had a walkout song, what would it be? 

A: “I have a song that’s the last song I listen to before I leave the locker room. It’s called ‘The Blood, The Sweat, The Tears’ by Machine Head. My dad was always put it one before my hockey games, and it would always get me in the zone.” 

Q: Who has the best style on the team? 

A: “Definitely Peezy, Jay Pearson.” 

Q: If you had the power to bring one celebrity to this campus, who would it be? 

A: “It’d have to be an artist. Drake would be unreal or maybe because I’m from Chicago, G Herbo would be cool. Somewhere close to home.”  

Q: What has been your favorite memory with the team? 

A: “It would have to be that Illinois State game my freshman year when we won at home. That was unreal. We thought we could win it, no problem, but nobody else saw it that way, so it felt like an underdog story. To bring that trophy home, which we’re going to have to do this year, the amount of the support, everyone was so happy.” 

Q: Pancakes or waffles? 

A: “I love pancakes, but waffles are way more versatile, so I’ll go with waffles.” 

Q: Do you put anything on your waffles? 

A: “Chicken and waffles is fantastic. You can throw whipped cream on there. You can do a lot with waffles.” 

Q: Who on the team would be your emergency contact? 

A: “Probably Nic [DiSanto]. He probably picks up the phone the best.” 

Q: What is your favorite season? 

A: “It’s definitely not winter. I would have to say fall; leaves changing, it’s getting a little cooler, sweatshirt and short weather. You have football season, end of baseball season, you got a little bit of everything.” 

Q: Do you think the Earth is round or flat? 

A: “Definitely round.” 

Q: If you weren’t playing football, what sport would you play? 

A: “Hockey or rugby. I used to play rugby in high school.” 

Q: Who are your biggest supporters? 

A: “Honestly, my whole family. My mom and dad have done a lot for me. They’re both teachers, so we’re middle class. For them to put their time and effort into me when they have bills to worry about is pretty awesome. My father works three jobs. He’s a teacher, he works at my uncle’s restaurant, and he’s a drivers ed[ucation] teacher, and he sent me to a private high school, and that definitely took a lot out of him, but he did it for me to play football at the next level. I have a huge family, and they’re all super supportive. My little brother too. Honestly, the biggest supporter calls me every day and always pushes me to be the best person on and off the field.” 

Q: In a perfect world, what would your postgame meal be? 

A: “Honestly, probably a humongous porterhouse steak, huge, with a side of garlic mashed potatoes.” 

Q: How do you like your steak cooked? 

A: “Medium rare of course.” 

Q: What do you think the biggest strength in the offensive linemen room is? 

A: “We aren’t very senior heavy. We’re always competing because we’re all young, so the spot’s up for anybody at this point. I’d say we’re super close. We do everything together, and if not the whole group, the guys in the dorms will hang and go eat, the guys who live in U-Court, we do everything together. Next year, we’re going to be in the football house. We’re definitely a tight knit group.” 

Q: Apple juice or orange juice? 

A: “Apple juice for sure. No hesitation.” 

Q: How do you balance being a student and an athlete? 

A: “It’s definitely tough, but your time management skills have to be on point. You have a certain time for practice, for weights in the morning, and then you have classes, so you really only have a certain amount of time to get stuff done. If anything, it’s hard, but I think it helps knowing you only have this time to do it so you have to do it now or it will never get done.” 

Q: Knowing everything you know now, what would you tell 10-year-old you? 

A: “Definitely enjoy it while you can. We were hanging out with kindergarteners, and they have no worries in the world. Just enjoy it while you can because growing up, you got responsibilities. Stay young while you can and enjoy it.”

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