EIU Media Relations

EIU Homecoming Week planned for September 30 through October 5

Community members, alumni encouraged to join students in festive celebration

(Charleston, IL) – Mark your calendars! Eastern Illinois University will celebrate Homecoming 2024, “Saddle Up Panthers” with a variety of events incorporating students and community members throughout the week of September 30 through October 5. 

This year's Homecoming will include traditional events—a coronation of Homecoming royalty, a Family Fun Night; the Alumni Awards Dinner, Alumni Tent City, a pancake breakfast, a 2.5K race, and the annual Homecoming parade and football game. For the 2024 Homecoming game, EIU will take on Ohio Valley Conference foe the Southeast Missouri Redhawks at 2 p.m. Saturday, October 5. After finishing the season ranked 24^th in the FCS, this year’s EIU Panther squad is listed in the Coaches Poll as a preseason OVC contender and looks to achieve big things under head coach Chris Wilkerson. Other EIU Athletics events during Homecoming Week include women’s soccer, 3 p.m. vs. Southeast Missouri and volleyball, 6 p.m. vs. Southern Indiana on Thursday October 3; volleyball, 4 p.m. vs. Southern Indiana Friday, October 4.

Complementing EIU’s Homecoming events, the annual Coles County Clash between the Charleston and Mattoon High School football teams will take place at O’Brien Stadium the evening of Friday, October 4. The Clash is always a big draw in the Coles County community, and EIU looks forward to hosting the event during what is sure to be an already thrilling week. 

Specific details about EIU Homecoming and associated events will soon be available soon on EIU’s Homecoming website, eiu.edu/homecoming/. Check back often for updates, and EIU looks forward to seeing you on campus for an exciting Homecoming Week in 2024. 

EIU prepares students to accomplish their life goals through a combination of quality academics, personal relationships, and both on-campus and online learning opportunities. For more information about Eastern Illinois University, including its broad array of academic and career readiness programs, or any of EIU’s other community-based services and opportunities, visit eiu.edu or call EIU’s public information office at (217) 581-7400.