EIU To Host Football Media Day August 3

CHARLESTON, Ill. – Eastern Illinois will host its 2013 football media day Saturday, August 3 at 1 p.m. at O’Brien Field.  The media day event will begin with the team picture at 1 p.m. followed by media interviews.  A free youth clinic will take place on the O’Brien Field surface starting at 1:30 p.m.  The event is open to the public and all youth are invited to attend the clinic and get autographs from members of the 2013 EIU football team.

The Panthers are the Ohio Valley Conference defending champions.  This season they will be led on offense by returning Walter Payton Award finalists Jimmy Garoppolo and Erik Lora.  Both players finished in the top ten in Payton Award voting last season, the only time that has happened in award history.  On defense the Panthers will be led by returning All-OVC selections Nick Beard, Pat Wertz and LeQuince McCall as EIU returns eight of eleven starters on that side of the ball.

EIU opens the regular season on August 31 at San Diego State.  The Panthers home opener is Sept. 14 against Illinois State in the Mid-America Classic.  Season tickets are now on sale by calling 217-581-2106 or online at www.eiupanthertickets.com