Saturday’s game against Tennessee State was only the third Eastern game I have ever attended. To make the game extra special, family weekend allowed my Associate Sports Editor Kristin Rojek to sit with her parents and not in the press box like she usually does.

I begged to use her media pass and help Bill Ruthhart, the world’s best sports editor, cover the game. They both complied with my request. I’m glad they did because the game ranks as one of my most memorable sport experiences ever.

Think of the situation. There I was with a bird’s eye view of the action, good company (except for the TSU roadie who managed to get in the press box and cheer the whole game), pulled pork sandwiches and all the brownies a boy could dream to have. Not to mention the nail bitting performance by our very own Panthers.

Sitting up there in the press box, I could hardly contain myself as an attendance of 11,600-plus screamed and cheered while the Tennessee State band made me shake my head in admiration. Comments from visiting reporters such as, “Romo might actually literally have a cannon for an arm” made me smile knowing that next week I will once again be able to cheer for the same team that won and for the same players that I see almost every day.

The atmosphere of a college football game is amazing. Obviously there is a difference between college and pro games, and most people I know prefer to watch a college football game, especially those in college.

For me, the college game is tops and I really only root for two teams, the University of Nebraska Corn Huskers and the Eastern Illinois University Panthers. Even though I missed the big Nebraska game on TV against Oklahoma, I was more than happy to be able to watch, first hand, the Panthers play.

I will never be able to watch this team with the same enthusiasm next season because I will graduate, at least I hope so, in May and I want to make sure I absorb as much of our college athletics as I can. But I’m not just talking about football, that’s why I wanted to write for this paper – so I can take with me as many memories as possible when I leave this place.

In the press box, unbiased evaluation of the game is of the utmost importance, but I couldn’t help my knees from knocking when I saw 2.2 seconds left on the clock, and the Panthers poised to kick what could be the game-winning field goal.

I couldn’t help notice the fans on their feet and the players influencing the crowd with their large, tired arms swooping upward. And as the kick went through the uprights, all I could say was a quiet, “WOW.” I wanted to scream so loud that I would lose my voice, but I keep my composure, keeping in mind I was sitting in the press box.

After the game, I talked to the Tennessee State coach and en route to meeting him, I had to walk through TSU’s locker room. Let me tell you, to see the utter despair on the players’ faces made me cringe and forced me to take off my hat, partly in remembrance for their lost OVC title hopes and partly because it was an Eastern hat, and I didn’t want them to think I was taunting the losers.

I felt as if somebody had died, and I think I may have even felt like crying, but then, like an epiphany, the visions of Andre Raymond, Frank Cutolo and especially the outstretched leg of Besenhofer danced in my head and immediately made me want to chortle.

And as I waited inside the lobby of O’Brien Stadium following my interview, I saw University President Lou Hencken and coach Bob Spoo all smiles, hugging and laughing.

In a passing moment, I happened to make eye contact and share a smile with good ol’ Lou and managed to sputter out phrases like “wow,” “good game,” and “oh my gosh.”

But I did manage to tell him that moments like this make me proud to be a Panther, make me appreciate the intimacy of our campus and make me realize the great opportunity I’ve had to be a part of it.

And as Lou started to walk out of the lobby, he hesitated turned around and spoke some powerful words to the group of people huddled around in the lobby.

He said “I don’t want to leave.” And Lou, I know exactly how you feel. I don’t want to leave either.