Eastern’s homecoming week is often one of the more exciting times during the fall semester.

It is when we see every part of the campus decked out in blue colors or a board making reference to the school’s homecoming theme.

One of the most fun parts of the Eastern’s homecoming weekend is the homecoming football game.

For some reason it just seems to garnish more of a crowd at the game and more of a festive crowd that is more supportive of the team, unlike other games.

There’s just something I can’t put my finger on that makes me ask, “What are the students drinking that makes them so happy on homecoming at the game?”

It’s safe to say that we know exactly what most of the student crowd is drinking when at the homecoming game.

The team itself is overshadowed by the enormous coverage other big name schools receive, and I believe it lowers students’ morale when they see bigger schools, with bigger stadiums, and more media coverage.

We should value the great things the Eastern football team does for the fans.

Sure Eastern might not have a whole stadium complete with skybox seats and upper decks, but at least it has a big bleacher stand that can support over a couple thousand fans.

Some schools could barely have stands at all, just hills where you can spread your picnic blanket and have a seat.

At some of the big schools, students actually have to pay, even though their school’s stadium holds 60,000.

At Eastern, all you have to do is show is your Panther Card and it’s free.

Students tend to rag on Eastern for its sub-par football program, which receives no national attention, but it actually covers all the basics.

The school has its own radio and TV channel to broadcast the game to the local area.

If it is national attention students are looking for, the Panthers did have a game televised on ESPNU just two years ago, and to a lesser extent on the big city stage being televised by Comcast Sports Network Chicago against Illinois State this year.

If it is famous athletes you are looking for, go no further than Tony Romo, quarterback of the Dallas Cowboys.

Mike Shanahan won back-to-back Super Bowls.

Sean Payton won a Super Bowl in 2009, and Brad Childress took the Vikings to the NFC Championship in 2009 as well.

So the school has developed good football people whether it’s coaches or quarterbacks.

Eastern students expect too much from their football team and do not realize just how good they have it.

Eastern might not be the best when it comes to the football team, but is nowhere close to being the worst.

Steve Puschmann can be reached at 581-7942 or [email protected].