EIU Media Relations

Area High School Students Welcomed at O’Brien Stadium for Home-opener Tailgate

Eastern Illinois University welcomes area junior and senior high school students to a Panther tailgate to cheer on the back-to-back OVC conference football champions.

The #FuturePanther tailgate, on Saturday, Sept. 6, includes a cookout, a free Panther T-shirt, an insider’s tour of campus and free admission to EIU’s football home opener against in-state rival Southern Illinois University Carbondale.

“We want to show prospective students what it’s like to be an EIU Panther outside a tour,” said Brittany Trimble, an EIU admissions counselor. “A tour only shows a glimpse of the multitude of life-changing opportunities becoming a Real Panther means.”

“Yes, EIU offers a quality education with personal attention from dedicated faculty and staff every step of the way, but EIU also offers students a chance to make new friends, get involved in many organizations on campus and be part of a vibrant community filled with Panther pride,” Trimble continued. “The #FuturePanther tailgate gives prospective students a sneak peek into Panther student life.”

All area junior and senior students from Coles, Douglas, Edgar, Moultrie, Clark, Shelby, Cumberland, Effingham and Clay counties are invited, said Trimble, who focuses on recruiting prospective students from East Central Illinois.

“EIU cares about our area high students, and we want them to become EIU Panthers,” Trimble said. “They don’t have to leave East Central Illinois to receive a life-changing, collegiate experience.”

Check-in for the tailgate will be from 2:45-3:30 p.m. at Lantz Arena. After the check-in, students will receive a tour of campus, and then participate in a cookout from 4-5:30 p.m. with hot dogs and hamburgers. The game check-in is at 5:30 p.m. and the game kicks off at 6 p.m.

Free admission will be available for the first 250 students by registering here, but students can email Trimble with questions at bmtrimble2@eiu.edu, call her at (877) 581-2348 or follow her on Twitter at @Brittany_EIU.

“I’m always here for our #FuturePanthers,” Trimble said. “Please call, tweet, and email me if you have any questions about the tailgate or anything about life as an EIU Panther.”

For more information about applying to EIU, click here. To schedule a tour of campus contact Trimble or EIU’s Admission Office at (877) 581-2348 or admissions@eiu.edu.