EIU Opens Spring Football Practice Tuesday

CHARLESTON, Ill. – With snow blanketing the Midwest earlier last month, Eastern Illinois football prepares to open its 2013 spring football practice schedule today.  The Panthers will have the 15 allotted practices during the month of April with the Spring Game set for Saturday, April 27 with a projected noon start time.

The Panthers enter their second year under head coach Dino Babers. Last season Babers led EIU to the Ohio Valley Conference regular season title as the team finished the season 7-5, ranked in the FCS Coaches Top 25. EIU returns Walter Payton Award Finalists Erik Lora and Jimmy Garoppolo on the offensive side of the ball. Returning All-Conference seniors Nick Beard, LeQuince McCall and Pat Wertz lead the defense.

EIU will open the 2013 football season on the road at San Diego State Saturday, August 31. Season ticket renewals for the 2013 home football season will be sent out to fans in the coming weeks. The home opener at O’Brien Field for EIU will be the 102nd playing of the Mid-America Classic against Illinois State Saturday, Sept. 14.

2013 Spring Practice Dates

Tuesday – April 2

Thursday – April 4

Saturday – April 6

Sunday – April 7

Tuesday – April 9

Thursday – April 11

Saturday – April 13

Sunday – April 14

Tuesday – April 16

Thursday – April 18

Saturday – April 20

Sunday – April 21

Tuesday – April 23

Thursday – April 25

Saturday – April 27 (Spring Game at noon)

All practice dates are subject to change based on weather