Mission of the Panther Club
The Panther Club is a people oriented organization which aids the intercollegiate athletics program at Eastern Illinois University. This group of individuals has a genuine interest in the welfare of EIU student-athletes’ academic and athletic success.
The Panther Club is community involvement for some people; for others, it is a business involvement; and still for others it is simply an interest in funding a comprehensive athletic program which benefits not only the student-athletes at Eastern Illinois University, but also brings recognition and a feeling of pride to the entire region of east central Illinois. It all starts with people who are interested in helping young people succeed.
Through your generous support, student-athletes at EIU are given an opportunity to excel in each arena of their lives. Everyone associated with Eastern Illinois University realizes that a successful program is not possible without Panther Club support.
Panther Club Structure
The Panther Club has been the principal fundraising arm of Eastern Illinois University Athletics since 1981. In order to provide flexible avenues of giving the Panther Club is made up of three areas of involvement: former student-athlete membership (EI Club), annual giving & special events (LAIR Fund), and major gifts & planned giving (Legacy Fund).
EI Club
The EI Club is the initial level of Panther Club membership composed of former student-athletes and current and former coaches and administrators. The EI Club provides financial support annually for reunions, senior gifts, and the Hall of Fame Banquet. In the spirit of camaraderie the EI Club is dedicated to upholding the long tradition of athletic and academic excellence at Eastern Illinois University. The EI Club will serve its membership by enhancing relationships and keeping former student-athletes connected with their alma mater.
All qualified individuals are encouraged to support the tradition they helped build by designating $50 of their annual gift to EI Club membership. For more information, please contact Dave Kidwell, Assistant Athletic Director at (217) 581-2824.
LAIR Fund
The LAIR Fund, the lifeblood of Eastern Illinois Athletics, provides annual funding for scholarships, academic support services, and leadership programs that provide Eastern Illinois University’s more than 430 student-athletes with the resources they need to become well rounded individuals, compete at the NCAA Division I level, and engage in a lifelong pursuit of learning.
Investing in the future of a student-athlete through contributing to the LAIR Fund represents your commitment to Eastern Illinois Athletics as alumni, fans, and generous supporters. The financial gifts you provide ultimately transform young adults into future leaders, provide resources for student-athletes to achieve their potential in the classroom, allow student-athletes to develop integrity through personal and professional challenges, and provide student-athletes with opportunities to become responsible representatives of Eastern Illinois University.
Your generous donations to the LAIR Fund make a lasting impact on the lives of all of our student-athletes. Eastern Illinois University's Department of Athletics is proud to highlight some of the many success stories in a bi-monthly campaign,
Result of the LAIR Fund.
Legacy Fund
Major gifts are the fuel that drives EIU Athletics. The Legacy Fund exists to coordinate and administer major gifts over $10,000 to the athletics department. These gifts are graciously accepted and provide funding for several aspects of men’s and women’s programs from endowing student-athlete scholarships to helping fund much needed facility improvements.