Mike Church, an associate professor in the department of physical education, was an assistant under Samuels for 21 years. Prior to coming to Eastern, Church was the head coach at Oakland High School from 1975-84 and at Metamora High School in 1974-75. His '84 Oakland team was a 26-2 Class A sectional finalist. He was chosen the IBCA District 'Coach of the Year'.

Despite only practicing on its home field three times this spring, the Eastern Illinois softball team will play seven games this weekend to open the season.

It's cold outside, and because it is, the baseball team's scheduled doubleheader against Olivet Nazarene this Saturday is in limbo.

Rick Samuels will not be on the sidelines for his 26th season as the Eastern men's basketball head coach since the athletic department announced Friday they would not renew Samuels' contract.

There is no doubt in my mind that Rick Samuels will be leading his 26th consecutive Panther team on the floor for Midnight Madness next season.

The Last Chance track meet will be held this weekend at Notre Dame. The meet is designated for athletes to qualify for the NCAA Indoor Championship meet.

Cookeville, Tenn. - Senior guard Emanuel Dildy wasn't quite ready.

All four of the top seeds in the Ohio Valley Conference women's basketball tournament remain and will be in action Friday, with the winners hoping to advance to Saturday's championship game. Saturday's winner will receive the OVC's automatic berth into the 64-team NCAA Tournament.

Saturday, the Eastern men's tennis team will be once again on the road as it travels to Chicago to take on the DePaul Blue Demons.

Eastern showed almost anything can happen in the Ohio Valley Conference Tournament, sticking with top-seeded Tennessee Tech down to the final seconds.

This past weekend saw both the Eastern men's and women's tennis teams on the road in Ohio Valley Conference action. On Friday, the teams took on Austin Peay University.

After just two seasons with the Panthers, Eastern offensive coordinator Jon Carr resigned last week, head coach Bob Spoo said.