Eastern Illinois University announced on May 5 that Athletic Director Tom Michael will depart later this month to become Deputy Director for the University of Illinois Fighting Illini. Michael, who has served as EIU’s tenth athletic director since 2014, is a two-time graduate and former student-athlete of the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign.
The university highlighted Michael’s leadership over twelve years, during which Panther Athletics achieved success in both competition and academics. President Jay D. Gatrell said, “Tom’s impact on Panther Athletics has been extraordinary. His legacy is defined by a commitment to the student-athlete experience and competing at the highest level. I wish him the very best as he returns to his alma mater as this is an amazing opportunity for an outstanding leader. Most importantly, I wish him and his family all the best.”
During Michael’s tenure, Eastern Illinois teams captured their fourth Commissioner’s Cup in 2024 along with several Ohio Valley Conference championships in sports including volleyball, softball, baseball, men’s and women’s cross country and track & field (indoor and outdoor). He also led efforts to secure donor investments for facilities such as the Schnorf Family Victory Suite, Frost Field, Gardella Family Court, Groninger Arena, and Lantz Weight Room. Strategic partnerships with First Mid and Sarah Bush Lincoln were credited with enhancing EIU’s facilities.
Academically, Panther athletes have led the OVC in Commissioner’s Honor Roll selections and Academic Medal of Honor winners in eight out of ten years under Michael’s leadership. The university was also recognized with consecutive OVC Sportsmanship awards in 2024 and 2025.
Michael expressed gratitude toward staff members and the Eastern Illinois community for their support during his time at EIU. He described his experience as a “great situation,” citing support from President Gatrell along with dedicated coaches and student-athletes who “represent the Panthers in a first-class fashion.”
President Gatrell appointed Dr. Austin Cheney—Dean of Lumpkin College of Business & Technology—as acting director while also naming Cheney chair of a national search for EIU’s next Director of Panther Athletics.
