Eastern Illinois Panthers

The Eastern Illinois Panthers are the men's and women's athletic teams representing Eastern Illinois University in Charleston, IL. Eastern Illinois University's colors are blue and gray. Eastern Illinois sports teams, except for men's football and swimming teams, participate in NCAA Division I (FCS for football) in the Ohio Valley Conference. The men's soccer program and the swim team compete in The Summit League. The team mascot, a panther, was informally known as "Billy" until its name was officially changed to "Prowler the Panther," in 2003 and changed again to "Billy the Panther" in 2008.

Men's basketball

 * NAIA Tournament appearances (6) 1947, 1949, 1950, 1952, 1953, 1957. With a combined record of 7–7. Highest finish, 4th: 1957.
 * NCAA Division II Tournament appearances each year from 1975 to 1980
 * NCAA Division I Tournament appearances (1992 and 2001).
 * All time tournament results

Football

 * 1978 Division II National Champion, 1980 National Runner-Up.
 * NCAA Division I Football Championship tournament appearances: 1982, 1983, 1986, 1989, 1995, 1996, 2000, 2001, 2002, 2005, 2006, 2007, & 2009


 * All time tournament results

Cross country
Team Championships:
 * 1968 – NCAA College Division National Champions
 * 1969 – NCAA College Division National Champions
 * 1977 – NCAA National Champions

Track and field
Team Championships:
 * 1974 – NCAA College Division National Champions

Individual Champions:
 * 1955 – Ray White, NAIA Long Jump
 * 1967 – John Craft, NAIA Triple Jump
 * 1969 – John Craft, NCAA College Division Triple Jump
 * 1972 – Rodney Jackson, NCAA College Division 400 hurdles
 * 1973 – Rodney Jackson, NCAA College Division 400 hurdles
 * 1974 – Darrell Brown, NCAA Division II Long Jump
 * 1975 – Toni Ababio, NCAA Division II Long Jump
 * 1975 – Toni Ababio, NCAA Division II Triple Jump
 * 1976 – Ed Hatch, NCAA Division II 400 Meter Dash
 * 1979 – Robert Johnson, NCAA Division II 110 hurdles
 * 1981 – Augustine Oruwari, NCAA Division II 110 hurdles
 * 1988 – Jim Maton, NCAA Division I 800 meter run (Indoor)
 * 1992 – Dan Steele, NCAA Division I 400 hurdles

Fight Song
Eastern Loyalty or EIU Fight Song is the fight song for the university. The lyrics are:

We are loyal EIU, we're loyal and true – 'though the odds be great or small we'll still be cheering you (rah! rah!) so fight you Panthers for the glory of our dear name fight on for Eastern, come on you Panthers win this game!

Notable former athletes

 * Tim Bogar, retired Major League Baseball infielder
 * Brad Childress, former Head Coach of the Minnesota Vikings
 * Henry Domercant, basketball player & professional basketball player in Europe
 * Kevin Duckworth, former NBA All-Star forward
 * Kyle Hill, basketball player & professional basketball player in Europe
 * Marty Pattin, former MLB baseball pitcher, California Angels, Seattle Pilots, Milwaukee Brewers, Boston Red Sox & Kansas City Royals
 * Sean Payton, Head Coach of the New Orleans Saints
 * Tony Romo, Dallas Cowboys Quarterback
 * Micah Rucker, former Pittsburgh Steelers and Kansas City Chiefs, Currently with the New York Giants Wide Receiver
 * Mike Shanahan, Head Coach of the Washington Redskins
 * Chris Szarka, Canadian Football League fullback
 * Pierre Walters, NFL Linebacker for the Kansas City Chiefs