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Eastern Illinois University student senators listen to a presentation from Vice President for Business Affairs Matt Bierman discussing updated fees for the 2025-26 school year at the weekly student senate meeting in the Arcola-Tuscola room of the Martin Luther King Jr. student Union on Wednesday.
Student senate resolves approval of student fees for 2025-2026
Sophomore biochemistry major Jayla Singlton (back) and sophomore early childhood major Aaliyah Cook (middle) standing outside of the pantry waiting for their turn to get inside at McAfee gym on March 12.
EIU food pantry provides alternative meal options on campus
[Thumbnail Edition] Eastern Illinois University President Jay Gatrell welcoming staff and faculty to the Spring 2025 Plan 2028 update in Doudna Fine Arts Center on March 26, 2025. 
University President Gatrell updates on Plan 2028
Eastern Illinois University will be renovating Thomas and Taylor Hall’s bathrooms and lounge areas in the future.
What Eastern plans to do with unused space on campus
Students walk through South Quad for dinner in South Quad Dining on EIU's campus Monday. This semester, there are 438 less students on campus than last spring.
EIU spring on-campus enrollment down 9.77%
[Thumbnail Edition] Junior right-handed Pitcher Lukas Touma catches at the game against Bradley University Tuesday
EIU pitcher from Canada talks about transferring process in Q&A
Eastern Illinois University softball junior infielder Kendall Grover preparing to throw the ball to the first baseman for the out at Williams Field during Eastern’s first game against Southeast Missouri State as Eastern split the games as Eastern lost the first game 3-0 and won the second 8-5 on Friday.
EIU softball battles wind, SEMO in doubleheader split
Eastern Illinois University softball sophomore infielder Alisha Frederick stands in the box ready to hit the ball at Williams field as Eastern lost to Washington 3-2 in eight innings on Thursday.
EIU softball loses extra inning thriller to Big 10 opponent
Eastern Illinois men's golfers, juniors Cole Jaworski (back) and Trey Oswald (front) practice in the new golf simulator on Monday.
New golf simulator opens in Lantz Complex for team
Eastern Illinois University baseball redshirt sophomore utility player number three Eli Hill jumps up and celebrates with his team after hitting a grand slam to cut Northern Illinois University’s lead to 5-4 in the bottom of the first inning during Eastern’s game against Northern Illinois at Coaches stadium on March 25.
Eastern baseball falls to NIU in high-scoring game
[Thumbnail Edition] Junior right-handed Pitcher Lukas Touma catches at the game against Bradley University Tuesday
EIU pitcher from Canada talks about transferring process in Q&A
Eastern Illinois University baseball redshirt sophomore utility player number three Eli Hill jumps up and celebrates with his team after hitting a grand slam to cut Northern Illinois University’s lead to 5-4 in the bottom of the first inning during Eastern’s game against Northern Illinois at Coaches stadium on March 25.
Eastern baseball falls to NIU in high-scoring game
[Thumbnail Edition] Eastern Illinois University baseball senior utility player Tyler Castro fields a ground ball during the team's first intrasquad scrimmage of the season on Jan. 31.
EIU baseball takeaways after opening OVC series
[Thumbnail Edition] Senior tennis player Luisa Renovales Salazar hits the tennis ball with her racket at the Darling Courts at the Eastern Illinois University campus in Charleston, ILL.
Panthers of the Week: Luisa Renovales Salazar, Jake Ferguson
Sophomore Aleyla Wooten bites her lip while hitting the ball over to the other team during the doubles match against Southeast Missouri State University Redhawks at Atkins Tennis Center.
Panthers of the Week: Aleyla Wooten, Zak Goodwin
Eastern redshirt junior guard Obadiah Curtis cuts to the basket as Little Rock senior guard Jordan Jefferson guards him during the first half Eastern basketball’s win against Little Rock 71-60 at Groniger Arena on Thursday.
EIU men’s basketball players that entered the transfer portal
Fans of Meridian High School watch as St. Anthony High School has the ball near the end of the first quarter of the Illinois High School Association Class 1A Super sectional game at Groniger Arena on Monday.
What does Eastern get from hosting high school sports events?
Fifth year, forward Jayda Johnston carries senior guard Kiyley Flowers off the court during the first quarter of the game against Tennessee State Tigers in Groniger Arena on the Eastern Illinois University on Feb. 13.
The journey from registered nurse to EIU forward
Senior Foward Macy McGlone gets pulled to the floor with the ball in hand, Eastern Illinois University lost to Western Illinois University Thursday March 6 20205, 78-75 EIU lost
Panthers lose tournament thriller against Leathernecks
Western Illinois University's head women's basketball coach J.D. Gravina (middle), junior forward Mia Nicastro (left) and sophomore guard Reagan McCowan answer questions during the press conference after a win over UT Martin 78-72 in the first round of the Ohio Valley Conference Tournament Wednesday at the Ford Center in Evansville, Ind. The Leathernecks will play Eastern tomorrow.
EIU faces in-state rivals Western Illinois in quarterfinals
Drew Farrell
COLUMN: The NFL should adopt the fourth-and-20 play
Cameron Thomas
COLUMN: Why the NBA ratings are down
Emerson Reynolds
COLUMN: Sports media must be more positive
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
Fans of Meridian High School watch as St. Anthony High School has the ball near the end of the first quarter of the Illinois High School Association Class 1A Super sectional game at Groniger Arena on Monday.
What does Eastern get from hosting high school sports events?
Forward senior Macy McGlone plays defences ready for the ball, during the game Thursday Feb 20,2025 in Evansville Indiana against Souther Indiana Screaming Eagles, panthers lost 66-46. at Liberty Arena.
Panthers of the Week: Abraham Johnson, Macy McGlone
(Thumbnail Edition) Ramsey Hunt competes in the men's long jump category for the second day of EIU Big Blue Classic. Hunt finishes first in the finals with a mark of 7.35m at the O’Brien Field Saturday afternoon.
Graduate jumper looks to make big leap in final year at EIU
Sophomore multi track and field athlete Ben Jessup stretches and prepares to compete in the John Craft Invite on Saturday.
Eastern track and field athlete returns after injury setback
Freshman Joe Stoddard (117) runs at the 2023 EIU Walt Crawford open.
Panthers of the Week: Joe Stoddard, Alex Tetteh
(Thumbnail Edition) SUBMITTED PHOTO | BLAINEY DOWLING From left to right: senior safety Tienne Fridge, junior forward Katiebeth May, redshirt sophomore defender Elizabeth Galvin and redshirt sophomore quarterback Blainey Dowling at the Uplifting Athletes Conference Saturday Feb 1 2025, in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania.
Uplifting Athletes conference teaches EIU athletes fundraising, leadership
Football is back at O'Brien Stadium
STAFF PICKS: Who will win the Super Bowl?
Former Eastern quarterback Jimmy Garoppolo and the Eastern football team celebrate, winning the Ohio Valley Conference title for the second straight year with a 52-14 win over Jacksonville State at O'Brien Field on Sept. 16, 2013.
Former EIU quarterback Jimmy Garoppolo wears custom cleats before postseason run
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
(Thumbnail Edition) SUBMITTED PHOTO | BLAINEY DOWLING From left to right: senior safety Tienne Fridge, junior forward Katiebeth May, redshirt sophomore defender Elizabeth Galvin and redshirt sophomore quarterback Blainey Dowling at the Uplifting Athletes Conference Saturday Feb 1 2025, in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania.
Uplifting Athletes conference teaches EIU athletes fundraising, leadership
Josh Oakley has left the Eastern men's soccer program after two years as head coach.
Men’s soccer head coach leaves Eastern
Centerback Sarah Hagg, then a sophomore, playing in a game against Purdue Fort Wayne on August 21, 2022 . Eastern won the game 2-0. at Lakeside Field on the Eastern Illinois University campus, Charleston Ill.
Past EIU defender signs for professional soccer club
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
Eastern Illinois University softball junior infielder Kendall Grover preparing to throw the ball to the first baseman for the out at Williams Field during Eastern’s first game against Southeast Missouri State as Eastern split the games as Eastern lost the first game 3-0 and won the second 8-5 on Friday.
EIU softball battles wind, SEMO in doubleheader split
Eastern Illinois University softball sophomore infielder Alisha Frederick stands in the box ready to hit the ball at Williams field as Eastern lost to Washington 3-2 in eight innings on Thursday.
EIU softball loses extra inning thriller to Big 10 opponent
The Trojans are set to play their first home game on March 25 against Cumberland at Karch Field.
CHS softball looks to keep success going ahead of new season
[Thumbnail Edition] Senior right-handed pitcher Tyler Conklin pitching in the Eastern Illinois University baseball team's intrasquad scrimmage at O'Brien Field in Charleston, Illinois on Jan. 31.
Panthers of the Week: Tyler Conklin, McKenzie Oslanzi
E[Thumbnail Edition] Eastern Illinois softball freshman utility player Abbi Hatton deciding to throw the softball to home plate in a fielding drill during softball practice at the field house in Groniger arena on Tuesday Feb. 11.
High school softball record setter explains why she came to Eastern in Q&A
Redshirt junior guard Obadiah Curtis drives to the basket against Graduate student forward Jack Mielke during the second half of Eastern’s lost to Southern Indiana 64-60 on Saturday
Panthers of the Week: Obadiah Curtis, Autumn Grinter
Members of the EIU women's basketball game rush to the student section to celebrate a 51-49 win over the University of Southern Indiana Groniger Arena Saturday. The Panthers won 51-49 in a late game layup and free throw with 13 seconds left allowing the Panthers to continue on a 10-0 win streak in the Ohio Valley Conference.
Panther Roundup: Women’s basketball undefeated in OVC, men’s swim wins almost every event
Senior Freestyle swimmer Conner Colston reacting to getting fourth place in the 50-yard freestyle with a time of 22.26 during the Eastern Illinois men’s loss against Lewis University 152-110 on Friday evening.
EIU swim celebrates seniors against Lewis
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
Freshman Eastern Illinois tennis player Duarte Trocado readies to backhand the ball during Eastern’s Horizon League conference opener against Tennessee State University as Eastern lost 5-2 on Saturday.
Men’s tennis loses home conference opener against TSU
Freshman tennis player Fabien Planchard backhands the ball during the Eastern Illinois Fall Invitational Friday at the Darling Courts.
EIU tennis prepares for weekend games
Members of the EIU women's basketball game rush to the student section to celebrate a 51-49 win over the University of Southern Indiana Groniger Arena Saturday. The Panthers won 51-49 in a late game layup and free throw with 13 seconds left allowing the Panthers to continue on a 10-0 win streak in the Ohio Valley Conference.
Panther Roundup: Women’s basketball undefeated in OVC, men’s swim wins almost every event
Players of the Eastern Illinois University women's basketball team cheer on teammates during their game against the Indiana State Sycamores on Friday, Dec. 6, 2024 in Groniger Arena.
Panther Sports Roundup: What you missed over the weekend
Freshman tennis player 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
Head Volleyball Coach Sara Thomas high fives her players before the volleyball game against the University of Missouri Tigers Friday afternoon at Lantz Aren. The Panthers lost 3-1.
Head EIU volleyball coach resigns
(Thumbnail Edition) Associate Head Coach Manolo Concepcion talks to the Volleyball team from the side lines during the game against Tennessee State at the Groniger Arena on the Eastern Illinois University campus, Nov 20,2024. Charleston ILL.
EIU volleyball coach contract not renewed
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
The Weeklings lead guitarist John Merjave [Left] and guitarist Bob Burger [Right] perform "I Am the Walrus" at The Weeklings Beatles Bash concert in the Dvorak Concert Hall on Saturday.
Beatles tribute band rocks out at Doudna
The team listens as its captain Patience Cox [Number 25] lectures to them about what's appropriate to talk about through practice during "The Wolves" on Thursday, March 6, in the Black Box Theatre in the Doudna Fine Arts Center in Charleston, Ill.
‘The Wolves’ premieres at Doudna Fine Arts Center
A family shows how proud they are as their child excitedly points to his name on the art exhibit wall in the Tarble Arts Center on Friday.
K-12 students show art at Tarble Arts Center
Andrea Leege and Jerry Ittamore observe the work of late EIU art professor Carl Wilen Friday in the Tarble Arts Center.
Fall exhibitions close at Tarble Arts Center
SUBMITTED PHOTO | THE DOUNDA FINE ARTS CENTER Jack Fry first came to EIU in 2012 where he performed in the Black Box in the Doudna Fine Arts Center.
‘Einstein!’ star returns to Eastern 13 years later
Luke Brewer
COLUMN: ‘Schindler’s List’ is more about the Holocaust than Schindler
Cam'ron Hardy
“The Batman:” a new perspective three years later 
Rob Le Cates
COLUMN: I went to Unofficial sober so you don’t have to
Jacob Hamm
COLUMN: ‘Children of Jihad:’ captivating, thrilling, chilling
Michelle Doty
COLUMN: Physical books are way better than e-books
Two Dudes Talk Movies logo
Two Dudes Talk Movies Ep. 87: Luke Brewer vs. The World
Two Dudes Talk Movies logo
Two Dudes Talk Movies Ep. 86: Is ‘A Real Pain’ Painful to Watch?
Coles County Chronicle
Coles County Chronicles Ep. 1: Brian Deadmond
Two Dudes Talk Movies logo
Two Dudes Talk Movies Ep. 85: North By Northwest: Featuring the President of Our University
Two Dudes Talk Movies logo
Two Dudes Talk Movies Ep. 84: Harriet: A Good Adaptation?
Saxophonist Chad LB solos on a jazz chart with the Eastern Illinois Jazz Ensemble during the first song of Eastern Jazz Festival.
THROUGH THE LENS: Award-winning saxophonist Chad LB plays at EIU
Redshirt junior running back Jay Pearson throws a cream pie into the face of a faculty member in the Grand Ballroom in the Martin Luther King Jr. Union.
THROUGH THE LENS: Jock-N-Roll raises $1,500 for veteran
Students hug at the candlelight vigil for Eastern student Yahacov Dennis who died last Saturday, January 25 at Amoco.
THROUGH THE LENS: Vigil commemorated to Eastern student death
The cheering grows louder as players for the Eastern Illinois University women's basketball team get closer to 100 points. Macy McGlone said the team was counting down the points to 100 from the slide lines.
THROUGH THE LENS: Women’s basketball score 100 points for first time since 2018
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
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
Cameron Thomas

Cameron Thomas, Sports Reporter

Cameron Thomas is a sophomore sports media relations major and can be reached at 581-2812 or at cathomas8@eiu.edu.

All content by Cameron Thomas
[Thumbnail Edition] Eastern senior guard Corey Sawyer Jr bringing the ball up past the half court line during the first half Eastern’s win against Little Rock 71-60 at Groniger Arena on Thursday.

Senior guard builds legacy for himself at EIU, breaking family traditions

Cameron Thomas, Sports Reporter
March 4, 2025
Cameron Thomas

COLUMN: Why the NBA ratings are down

Cameron Thomas, Sports Reporter
March 2, 2025
Senior guard NaKyel Shelton holding onto the rim after dunking the ball before scoring 28 points during Eastern’s 73-58 win over Southeast Missouri State on senior night on Saturday.

Panthers hold off Redhawks on senior night

Cameron Thomas, Sports Reporter
March 1, 2025
Guard junior Zion Fruster waits for the ball before his free throw during the game against the Tennessee State Tigers at Groniger Arena Feb. 13.

Former Cavalier becomes playmaker at EIU

Cameron Thomas, Sports Reporter
February 20, 2025
Senior guard NaKyel Shelton dribbles the ball up as UT Martin freshman guard Filip Radaković guards him on the perimeter in the first half during Eastern’s loss to UT Martin 72-68 on Saturday.

EIU drops to UT Martin despite 21-0 run

Cameron Thomas, Sports Reporter
February 15, 2025
Graduate student Guard Artese Stapleton signs to his teammates to make the next move for a pass, during the game against the Tennessee State Tigers at Groniger Arena on the Eastern Illinois University campus, Charleston Ill. Panthers lost 66-49.

Panthers record second lowest field goal percentage in season against Tigers

Cameron Thomas, Sports Reporter
February 14, 2025
(Thumbnail Edition) Freshman forward Terry McMorris gets ready to drive to the hoop during Eastern’s win against Calumet College of St. Joseph 87-57 at the Kid’s Day Game on Friday

True freshman shares journey to EIU basketball

Cameron Thomas, Sports Reporter
February 2, 2025
Senior guard Corey Sawyer Jr trying to get around junior guard Jayland Randall at the three-point line during the second half of Eastern’s lost to Southern Indiana 64-60 on Saturday.

Panthers lose to Screaming Eagles after second half comeback

Cameron Thomas, Sports Reporter
January 25, 2025
Senior guard NaKyel Shelton scored 20 points out of the 26 points that Eastern Illinois had during the first half of the game against Morehead State. Eastern lost to Morehead State 73-66 Thursday evening at Groniger Arena.

Panthers fall despite Shelton’s 38-point game

Cameron Thomas, Sports Reporter
January 24, 2025
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

Cameron Thomas, Sports Reporter
December 6, 2024
Redshirt sophomore forward Kooper Jacobi puts the ball up in the paint during the Panther's first men's basketball game of the season against the Fighting Illini in the State Farm Center Monday night. Jacobi led the Panthers by scoring 10 points and rebounding 11 shots.

EIU men’s basketball prepares for 2024 season with multiple new players

Zaria Flippin and Cameron Thomas
October 31, 2024
Assistant coach Marlon London making calls for basketball practice in Groniger Arena, Eastern Illinois University.

Meet the Coaches: Marlon London

Cameron Thomas, Sports Reporter
February 2, 2024
Senior right-handed pitcher Jonathon Hanscom catches during baseball practice in the Lantz Indoor Fieldhouse on Thursday evening. Hanscom appeared in 19 games during the 2023 season and had 51 strikeouts in 52.1 innings of work on the mound.

Q&A with EIU baseball pitchers

Cameron Thomas, Sports Reporter
January 29, 2024
Head Volleyball Coach Sara Thomas huddles with the team during the third and last set of the Panther's first NCAA tournament appearance since 2001. The Panther's season score ends at 28-5.

EIU Volleyball’s memorable 2023 season

Cameron Thomas, Sports Reporter
December 5, 2023
Sophomore forward Macy Mcglone (33), avoids the defender and attempts to score under the basket at the EIU women's basketball game vs. Tenneesee Tech Friday afternoon. The Panthers lost to the Golden Eagles 61-66.

Eastern basketball during the break

Luther Yoder and Cameron Thomas
November 28, 2023
Senior outside hitter Giovana Larregui Lopez serves the ball over the net for the Panthers against their game vs. Valparaiso. The Panthers won 3-2 against the Beacons Friday night in Lantz Arena.

EIU Volleyball seniors reflect on regular season, hosting OVC tournament

Aidan Cusack and Cameron Thomas
November 17, 2023
Eastern forward, Macy McGlone (33), attempts to make a shot against Little Rock forward, Nikki Metcalfe (32) in Lantz Arena. The Panthers won 44-33 against the Trojans Saturday evening.

Eastern able to overcome slow start to beat Valparaiso

Cameron Thomas, Sports Reporter
November 12, 2023
Senior Christina Martinez Mundo (4) attempts to defend the ball at EIU's volleyball game against Valparaiso. The Panthers won 3-2 against the Beacons Friday night in Lantz Arena.

Volleyball checkup before series against SIUE

Cameron Thomas, Sports Reporter
November 9, 2023
The EIU volleyball team huddle in and listen to their coach Sara Thomas during a timeout at their game vs. Valparaiso. Friday night in Lantz Arena.

Meet the Coaches: Sara Thomas

Cameron Thomas, Sports Reporter
November 1, 2023
Head Coach Sara Thomas, instructs volleyball players during practice on Wednesday afternoon at Lantz Arena. The team will play in the EIU Panther Classic against University of Louisiana Monroe, Akron University and Valparaiso University.

Sara Thomas keeps improving

Cameron Thomas, Sports Reporter
October 18, 2023
Senior Christina Martinez Mundo (4) attempts to defend the ball at EIU's volleyball game against Valparaiso. The Panthers won 3-2 against the Beacons Friday night in Lantz Arena.

Panthers split series with Lindenwood 1-1 with tonight’s win

Cameron Thomas, Sports Reporter
October 14, 2023
Senior libero Christina Martinez Mundo receives the ball, bumping it to set up teammates during the volleyball game against Morehead State Thursday evening at Lantz Arena Mundo led the Panthers with 17 digs and three service aces.

Eastern continues success against Morehead State with another sweep

Aidan Cusack and Cameron Thomas
October 6, 2023
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