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

The Daily Eastern News
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  • Eastern volleyball's standings: 7-15 on the season (3-9 in conference)
  • Basketball standings: Women's at 1-0, Men's at 0-1
  • Soccer standings: Women's at 5-8-6 (3-3-3), Men's at 2-12-2 (1-8-1)
  • Football standings: 2-7 on the season (1-4 in conference)
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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
Former Illinois govenor Jim Edgar introduces David Yepsen, director of the Paul Simon Public Policy Institute at SIUC, during the Edgar Speaker Series in Buzzard Auditorium on Thurday.
Former governor visiting EIU
Mary Kaiser clears the checkout screen after a student gets their meal on Monday at Stevenson Tower Deli.
Introducing EIU’s grandmother
Vice President of Student Affairs Mason Tegeler was appointed to the student publication board, the WEIU Radio and TV advisory board and to the Booth collaborative advisory committee at the weekly student senate meeting on Wednesday.
Student senate appointed to publication board, nominates awards
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
Redshirt Junior Forward Blake Goodman shoots and scores during the first half of the game of The Eastern Illinois University against Earlham Quakers men basketball game at Groniger Arena ,
EIU transfer talks about NBA camp counselor job in Q&A
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
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
Charleston girls' basketball finished up practice on Thursday ahead of it's season opener at the North American Lighting Thanksgiving Tournament at Paris High School.
CHS Trojans ready to start girl’s basketball season
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
Redshirt Junior Forward Blake Goodman shoots and scores during the first half of the game of The Eastern Illinois University against Earlham Quakers men basketball game at Groniger Arena ,
EIU transfer talks about NBA camp counselor job in Q&A
Charleston girls' basketball finished up practice on Thursday ahead of it's season opener at the North American Lighting Thanksgiving Tournament at Paris High School.
CHS Trojans ready to start girl’s basketball season
Men's basketball junior guard Nakyel Shelton, makes his way across court during the game against Southern Illinois University Edwardsville on Wednesday night. Panthers lost 68-57
Panthers of the Week: Julian Patino, NaKyel Shelton
Eastern Illinois University plays against the University of Illinois at the State fam center
Eastern newcomer produces against Illinois
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.
Five takeaways from EIU men’s basketball’s loss to Indiana
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
Men's basketball junior guard Nakyel Shelton, makes his way across court during the game against Southern Illinois University Edwardsville on Wednesday night. Panthers lost 68-57
Panthers of the Week: Julian Patino, NaKyel Shelton
Senior kicker Julian Patino gets ready for a kickoff return against the Charleston Southern Buccaneers on Saturday afternoon in O’Brien Stadium. The Panthers beat the Buccaneers 16-13.
Senior kicker secures win in Panthers’ last home game of the season
Head Football Coach, Chris Wilkerson waits with the football team to run on the hancock field before the Illinois State University, vs Eastern Illinois University
Panthers set to play Charleston Southern, honoring 27 seniors
Wide receivers coach Tino Smith II instructs players after a play during football practice at O'Brien Field Wednesday afternoon.
Former EIU wide receiver connects ties for new position
Senior forward Macy McGlone becomes the fourth player in program history to record 1,000 points, 600 rebounds and 100 blocks.
Panthers of the Week: Macy McGlone, Cooper Willman
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
Senior, goalkeeper Chad Smith, Kicks the ball out of the goal during the Eastern Illinois University Vs University of Chicago game
Panthers lose to Lions after two quick goals
Sam Eccles, a senior forward (9), dribbles the ball pass defender during their game against University of Southern Indiana Screaming Eagles at Lakeside field thursday afternoon.
EIU men’s soccer by the numbers
Forward Casey Welage (8) and midfielder Jake Pollock (25) chase after the ball at men's soccer practice at Lakeside Field on Thursday.
Panthers of the Week: Jake Pollock, David Brown
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
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
Destiny Walker (6) ready's up her serve towards the Tennessee Tech this evening in the Lantz Arena
EIU volleyball comes back over Little Rock in fifth set for win
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: ‘The Thing:’ a pleasantly grotesque horror 
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
Cam'ron Hardy, Senior, Journalism
COLUMN: ‘King Richard:’ greatness starts with a plan and a tennis ball 
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?
Two Dudes Talk Movies logo
Two Dudes Talk Movies: Ep. 72: Frankenhooker: Reanimated From The Grave
Two Dudes Talk Movies logo
Two Dudes Talk Movies: Ep. 71: The Fly: Buzzing Through The Gore
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
Payton Liggins, sophomore, sports media relations.

Payton Liggins, Sports Reporter

Payton Liggins is a sophomore sports media relations major and can be reached at 581-2812 or paliggins@eiu.edu.

All content by Payton Liggins
Redshirt Junior Forward Blake Goodman shoots and scores during the first half of the game of The Eastern Illinois University against Earlham Quakers men basketball game at Groniger Arena ,

EIU transfer talks about NBA camp counselor job in Q&A

Payton Liggins, Sports Reporter
November 19, 2024
Head Football Coach, Chris Wilkerson waits with the football team to run on the hancock field before the Illinois State University, vs Eastern Illinois University

Panthers set to play Charleston Southern, honoring 27 seniors

Payton Liggins, Sports Reporter
November 15, 2024
Freshman defensive back Isaiah Houi (23) and senior tight end Brandon Lanier go up for the ball in the final minute of the game

EIU football travels to North Carolina for Gardner-Webb conference game

Payton Liggins, Sports Reporter
November 8, 2024
Redshirt freshman running back MJ Flowers (20) walks off the field at the end of the game after scoring four touchdowns which helped the panthers win over Tennessee State Tigers saturday afternoon.

Flowers scores three touchdowns in conference win over Western Illinois

Payton Liggins, Sports Reporter
November 2, 2024
EIU football's Director of Football Performance, Jacob Hillmann, leads a stretch and warmups for the team to get started for practice.

EIU football players connect to energy from first year coach

Payton Liggins, Sports Reporter
October 28, 2024
Players for both Eastern Illinois University and Southeast Missouri State University's teams scramble for a fumbled ball during EIU's homecoming at O'Brien Field against Southeast Missouri State University Saturday afternoon. The Panthers lost 34-27 against the Redhawks.

Takeaways from EIU football thus far

Aidan Cusack and Payton Liggins
October 22, 2024
Panther football's Pierce Holley (3) prepares to throw the ball at the EIU v. UofI game Thursday.

Panthers hope for first conference win against Tigers

Payton Liggins, Sports Reporter
October 12, 2024
Graduate student middle blocker Ireland Hieb cheers with her teammates in Groniger Arena at Eastern Illinois' campus Charleston Illinois, Sept. 26 2024

Hieb returns to volleyball program after one year away

Payton Liggins, Sports Reporter
October 1, 2024
Payton Liggins, sophomore, sports media relations.

COLUMN: What went wrong with EIU football?

Payton Liggins, Sports Reporter
September 29, 2024

Offensive lineman shares confidence for 2024 season in Q&A

Payton Liggins, Sports Reporter
September 27, 2024
Quarterback Pierce Holley gets tackled during the Eastern Illinois University vs Illinois State University in Normal Ill, Sept. 21,2024 at Hancock Stadium, Panthers Lost 31-7.

Turnover margin gets the best of the Panthers in Mid-America Classic

Payton Liggins, Sports Reporter
September 22, 2024

Offensive lineman shares faith based pre-game routine in Q&A

Payton Liggins, Sports Reporter
September 19, 2024
The football team is practices for their home opener on Saturday.

Eastern prepares for home opener against Indiana State

Payton Liggins, Sports Reporter
September 5, 2024
Spring 2024 staff portrait of Payton Liggins.

Celebrating Freedom: The Significance of Juneteenth

Payton Liggins, Reporter
June 19, 2024
Spring 2024 staff portrait of Payton Liggins.

Pride and perseverance

Payton Liggins, Reporter
June 18, 2024
Spring 2024 staff portrait of Payton Liggins.

Column: The ethics of AI

Payton Liggins, Reporter
May 28, 2024
Assistant coach Carlif Taylor runs drills with players during football practice at O'Brien Field April 4.

Former NFL player takes new coaching role at Eastern

Payton Liggins, Sports Reporter
April 16, 2024
Senior Christina Martinez Mundo (4) pets Bear the dog before starting their game vs. Valparaiso Friday night in Lantz Arena.

EIU libero reveals why she’s transferring in Q&A

Payton Liggins, Sports Reporter
March 20, 2024
Freshman education major, Alyssa Vergara works on her math 1160 homework in the bridge lounge of the Martin Luther King Jr. Union Monday. Vergara continued to work on her homework after a tutoring session from a math professor. She listed the campus being close to home, a small and the professor to student ratio as the reasons she chose Eastern.

How EIU students manage busy majors

Payton Liggins, Reporter
March 19, 2024
Spring 2024 staff portrait of Payton Liggins.

COLUMN: My journey from shot put to sports media

Payton Liggins, Sports Reporter
March 1, 2024
Mark Aitken (2) congratulates his teammate NiJhay Burt (34) on his interception at the EIU vs. Indiana State game Thursday night.

EIU football teammates share controversial opinions in Q&A

Zaria Flippin and Payton Liggins
February 28, 2024
Track and field senior thrower Taylor Iverson throws a shot put .

EIU thrower Iverson shares shot put technique in Q&A

Payton Liggins, Sports Reporter
February 22, 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.

Kooper Jacobi speaks on religion in Q&A

Zaria Flippin and Payton Liggins
February 21, 2024
(From Left to Right) Rachel Koon (12), Kylie Decker (11), Kathryn Cichon (3) and Brenda Torres (2) vie for positioning at the beginning of the mile run at track meet.

EIU track and field hope to win OVC Championship

Payton Liggins, Sports Reporter
February 21, 2024
Freshman guard Lalani Ellis and redshirt freshman forward Sydney-James Desroches.

Q&A with Lalani Ellis and Sydney-James Desroches

Payton Liggins, Sports Reporter
February 11, 2024
Junior Guard/Forward Kyndall Davis shoots a perfect three pointer during the mens basketball game against UT martin Thursday night in Groniger Arena

Q&A with Kyndall Davis

Payton Liggins, Sports Reporter
February 8, 2024
Women’s head coach Matt Bollant instructs the Eastern women’s basketball team against University of Tennessee at Martin Thursday evening in Groniger Arena.

Meet the Coaches: Matt Bollant

Payton Liggins, Sports Reporter
February 6, 2024
Eastern men’s basketball head coach Marty Simmons instructs his team against the University of Tennessee Martin Skyhawks.

Meet the Coaches: Marty Simmons

Payton Liggins, Sports Reporter
February 5, 2024
Safety NiJhay Burt (34), intercepts the ball for a 67 yard return touchdown. The Panthers won 27-0 against the Sycamores Thursday night.

COLUMN: How does bad weather affect football players?

Payton Liggins, Sports Reporter
January 26, 2024
Eastern's men's baseball team practices in the Lantz Indoor Fieldhouse on Thursday evening. The team's first game will be against the Florida A&M Rattlers on Feb. 16 in Tallahassee at Bragg Memorial Stadium at Florida A&M's campus.

EIU baseball prepares for 2024 season

Payton Liggins, Sports Reporter
January 19, 2024
Greek Court Wednesday afternoon, Nov. 8, 2023

Greek Life and leadership: developing skills for the future

Payton Liggins, Reporter
November 10, 2023
Many groups in the Charleston community walked in the 2022 Homecoming Parade throughout downtown Charleston like Eastern's Panther Marching Band, Charleston High School's Marching Band, several political organization group candidates, churches, Fair and Bagel Fest Queens, and more.

EIU Homecoming Event Run-Down

Payton Liggins, Reporter
September 30, 2023
The Black Student Union provides a welcoming space for students

The Black Student Union provides a welcoming space for students

Payton Liggins, Reporter
September 20, 2023
Unfriending procrastination presentation helps students

Unfriending procrastination presentation helps students

Payton Liggins, Reporter
September 8, 2023
Kaleb Hemrich (left), a senior environmental biology major, and Jason Miller (right), a senior pre-biological sciences major, poses at Eastern's First Day of Class Photo set up outside of the Library Quad.

Students have mixed feelings after one day of classes

Payton Liggins, Reporter
August 23, 2023
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