Panther Nation will be giving away an iPad, a five-day cruise for two and a roundtrip ticket to anywhere in the United States based off a member’s level of involvement.

Student Body President Ed Hotwagner, a senior mathematics major, is the director of the student organized cheering section.

“We are the spirit group for athletic events,” Hotwagner said.

Hotwagner said he feels Eastern’s athletes put in a lot of work during their season, which often goes unrecognized by the fans.

Hotwagner said points are awarded to each Panther Nation member based off how many and what type of athletic events they attend.

Hotwagner said upon entry to an athletic event, the Panther Nation member’s membership card is scanned and a laptop records which members attended which games and the points they have earned.

Hotwagner also said members have the opportunity to earn double points if they attend athletic events during Family Weekend and Homecoming Weekend.

At the end of the spring semester, the top 15 Panther Nation members with the most points earned will get prizes.

Third place will earn an iPad, second place will receive a single set of roundtrip airline tickets to anywhere in the United States, or a five-day cruise for two people for the student in first place, Hotwagner said.

Members receive five points for football, 15 points for volleyball and 40 points for soccer, swimming and rugby.

Michelle Murphy, an Eastern alum and former student body president, created Panther Nation with Jarrod Scherle, the current student executive vice president for student government and a business graduate student and Eastern alum, Omar Seawood, according to Hotwagner.

“Michelle Murphy was the primary driving force,” Scherle said.

Scherle said that Panther Nation was founded based off Murphy’s campaign promise to bring more school spirit.

Hotwagner said that when Panther Nation started three years ago under the direction of Murphy, the organization had around 500 members.

Currently, Panther Nation has around 325 members, according to Hotwagner.

In the beginning, Panther Nation tried to attend every athletic event, which Hotwagner said ultimately burned people out.

This year, Hotwagner said he went through the schedule and picked what he considered the most entertaining games for the month of October, which led to around 13 Panther Nation events between football, volleyball, soccer, and swimming.

Panther Nation is also working to increase their support during away games.

Hotwagner said Panther Nation is currently working on a trip to Southern Illinois University-Carbondale for the Panthers’ Nov. 12 football game. Panther Nation is hoping to receive discounted train tickets through Amtrak, and Panther Nation members who attend will be able to receive game-day t-shirts, a ticket to the football game, and the ability to take part in a possible tailgate before the game.

This February, Panther Nation is also working on a trip to Nashville, Tenn., to show their support for Eastern’s men’s basketball team at the Ohio Valley Conference tournament. Although the trip is a separate fee of $25 to $35, members will take a bus to Nashville, stay in a hotel, and receive tickets to the basketball games, according to Hotwagner.

Kathryn Richter can be reached at 581-7944

or [email protected].