EIU Media Relations

Super Heroes Flock to Charleston: It's EIU Homecoming 2004!

"There's no need to fear Underdog is here!"

As are Superman...and Batman and Spiderman and Wonderwoman and Might Mouse

Indeed, Charleston may very well be the safest place around this week as Eastern Illinois University 's 2004 Homecoming celebration welcomes super heroes of all shapes and sizes. Activities, many of which depict this year's Homecoming theme - "It's a Bird, It's a Plane It's EIU Homecoming 2004!" - will culminate in a fun-filled day of activities on Saturday, Oct. 16.

Early risers can start that day off with a warm meal, courtesy of the Charleston Rotary Club.

Serving will take place from 6 to 11 a.m. for the organization's fifth annual all-you-can-eat pancake breakfast in the parking lot of Domino's Pizza, located at the corner of Lincoln Avenue and Seventh Street . Prices are $5 for adults and $3 for children ages 12 and under, and the menu includes pancakes, sausage, orange juice and coffee. Tickets may be purchased at the "door" or in advance from any Rotary Club member.

Well-fed individuals can then cheer their favorite athletes on as they participate in the fifth annual 2.5K (1.5 miles) Homecoming Race, which begins at 9 a.m. Runners/walkers will begin at the corner of Seventh Street and Lincoln Avenue, make their way north on Seventh Street to the Charleston Square, then return to EIU's Old Main via Sixth Street.

Runners may register from 7:45 until 8:45 a.m. at the corner of Seventh and Lincoln, with an entry fee set at $7. Awards will be given to first-, second- and third-place male and female (run) and first-place male and female (walk and wheelchair). In addition, McDonald's will provide a gift pack brunch for all racers after the race, as well as food coupons.

More than 100 entries are expected to follow the same route as the race when Eastern's 2004 Homecoming Parade begins at 9:30 a.m. On-lookers will see the traditional parade floats, as well as the EIU Marching Band and Pink Panthers, EIU ROTC, walking floats, decorated cars and more.

The annual Homecoming game, in which the EIU Panthers will take on Murray State, begins at 1:30 p.m. Tickets may be purchased the day of the game at O'Brien Stadium at a cost of $13 for adults, with discounts for senior citizens and youngsters. EIU students will be admitted free with their Panther Card ID.

Other events occurring during Eastern's 88 th Homecoming week include a pep rally at 7:30 p.m. Friday, Oct. 15, at O'Brien Stadium. Community members are invited to come and cheer on the EIU Football Panthers and Coach Bob Spoo. The two-and-a-half-hour event also will include performances by the EIU Pep Band, the EIU Cheer Team and the Pink Panthers, among others. Admission is free and open to the public.

In addition, a dance-a-thon will be held from 6 to 11 p.m. Thursday, Oct. 14, in Eastern's Grand Ballroom, located in the Martin Luther King Jr. University Union. Although the deadline has passed for couples interested in competition dancing, all interested persons may come and dance as schedules allow. There is no charge for admission; however, donations will be accepted. Proceeds from the dance-a-thon, as well as the sale of Homecoming merchandise and other fundraisers throughout the week, will be presented to HOPE and the American Cancer Society.