Eastern Illinois Athletics will induct eight teams into its Athletic Hall of Fame as part of the EIU Class of 2026, with ceremonies scheduled for Friday, September 11, 2026. The teams will also be recognized at halftime during the Panthers’ football game against Indiana State on September 12.
The teams selected for induction are the 1951-52 men’s basketball team, the 1975-76 men’s basketball team, the 1981 baseball team, the 1981 men’s soccer team, the 1986 football team, the 1987-88 women’s basketball team, the 2001 women’s soccer team, and the 2001 volleyball team.
Each Hall of Fame team member will receive a commemorative gift at a Friday night banquet. Team members can attend weekend events free of charge; additional guests may attend for a $25 per person fee. Members are being contacted using information on file and are asked to RSVP through an online link provided by Eastern Illinois University.
The accomplishments highlighted include: the undefeated regular season by the 1951-52 men’s basketball squad; a third-place national finish for both the 1975-76 men’s basketball and the 1981 men’s soccer teams; an NCAA Division II national runner-up placement by the 1981 baseball program; an NCAA playoff run and conference championship by the 1986 football squad; Gateway Conference tournament success and first NCAA appearance for women’s basketball in ’87-’88; four consecutive College Cup appearances beginning with women’s soccer in ’01; and volleyball’s inaugural NCAA Tournament participation that same year.
The ceremony marks only the second time that entire teams have been inducted into Eastern Illinois University’s Athletic Hall of Fame.
