EIU Men's Soccer Celebrates 50 Years of Soccer

CHARLESTON, Ill. – The Panther men’s soccer program will celebrate 50 years of soccer on Sept. 13-15, highlighted by the EIU 50th Anniversary Soccer Tournament at Lakeside Field.

The tournament participants are Northern Kentucky, Western Michigan, Loyola (IL) and the host Panthers. Tournament action begins on Friday, Sept. 13 with NKU and WMU playing at 2 p.m. followed by EIU facing Loyola at 4:30 p.m. NKU and Loyola will play on Sunday, Sept. 15 at 1 p.m. on the final day of action before the Panthers face WMU at 3:30 p.m. to conclude the tournament.

In addition to the tournament, other events are on tap for the celebration. The 50th Anniversary Soccer Celebration Luncheon will be held at 1:30 p.m. on Saturday, Sept. 14 in the Baker-Warmoth Hall of Champions in Lantz. Prior to the luncheon, an informal alumni soccer match will be played at 11 a.m.

The Panther football team will play host to in-state rival Illinois State at 6 p.m. on Saturday, Sept. 14 with all former alumni encouraged to attend as they will be recognized on the field at the end of the first quarter. A tailgate reception will be held for soccer alumni prior to kickoff at 4 p.m. at the Lakeside Field Panther Pavilion.

All former players will receive ‘complimentary’ luncheon and football game tickets.  Family and friends can purchase tickets at a nominal cost ($20 for luncheon, $18 per football adult ticket/$5 youth ticket).

The deadline to RSVP is Sept. 1. Please contact Assistant Athletic Director Dave Kidwell at 217-581-2824 or dakidwell@eiu.edu for more information.

The complete 2013 men’s soccer schedule will be released in early July due to conference realignments this spring that caused scheduling changes.

A complete schedule of events is listed below.

Friday, September 13
1 p.m. - Panther Golf Outing at Charleston Country Club
2 p.m. - Northern Kentucky vs Western Michigan
4:30 p.m. - Eastern Illinois vs Loyola (IL)

Saturday, September 14
11:00 a.m. - Alumni Game
1:30 p.m. - 50th Anniversary Soccer Celebration Luncheon
4 p.m. - Alumni 'tailgate' reception, Lakeside Field Panther Pavilion
6 p.m. - Panther football vs Illinois State…all former players introduced at end of 1st Quarter

Sunday,  September 15
1 p.m. - Loyola (IL) vs Northern Kentucky
3:30 p.m. - Eastern Illinois vs Western Michigan