Director of Athletics Rich McDuffie announced Wednesday the athletic department will officially bid to host the first two rounds of the NCAA I-AA football playoffs.

Eastern’s Student Senate and Apportionment Boatd voted unanimously to provide $10,000 to purchase tickets for the first 1,000 Eastern students at each of the games Dec. 1 and 8 if O’Brien Stadium is selected as a home site.

“I’d like to thank the senate members and Apportionment Board for authorizing the ticket money for 1000 students,” McDuffie said.

“I also very much appreciate the help of the Panther Club board which is selling tickets and sponsorships for these games.

The 16 team tournament begins Dec. 1 with quarterfinals. With the No. 3 Panthers ending their regular season Saturday against Murray State at O’Brien Stadium, McDuffie said the athletic department can make further plans after Nov. 25 when the host sites are announced with the playoff pairings.

Pairings and host announcements will be viewed Nov. 25 at the Student Rec Center.

Eastern’s third-place ranking matches its previous highest I-AA ranking in 1986.

“The support of these groups will definitely assist in reaching the financial guarantee that we must provide the NCAA to host these playoff games,” McDuffie said.

“This is the first opportunity since 1986 to host playoff games, and our football team deserves every opportunity to play as many home games as possible.”

If Eastern serves as host to the playoffs this season, the athletic department must guarantee $30,000 in ticket sales to the NCAA after the game.

Ticket prices for home games are $5 for high school/grade school youth. Any Eastern student with ID after the 1000 free admittance will also pay $5.

Adults will pay $11 for the Dec. 1 first-round playoff game and $12 for the Dec. 8 quarterfinal game.