EASTERN ILLINOIS UNIVERSITY

DEPARTMENT OF INTERCOLLEGIATE

ATHLETICS

PANTHER CLUB ANNUAL FUND

MEMBERSHIPGUIDE

PANTHER CLUB ANNUAL FUND - RENEWALS | SPRING 2016

A Call To GIVE! EIU Athletics continues to reach excellence on and off the playing fields, and 2015-2016 was no different. With record high GPA’s, records broken across all sports, and another class of Graduating Panthers - we maintain a great level of success and strive to create the best possible experience for our Student-Athletes. We thank you for your continued support this past year. Our successes would not be possible without your generous donations towards EIU athletics! As we enter the 2016-2017 Calendar year we are in the midst of steering a change in culture for the fundraising of EIU Athletics. After taking on my role as Athletic Director in July, 2014, I have been able to evaluate our development operation and it is imperative with the current financial climate in the state funding model that we consistently reassess how we operate and respond to the external roadblocks we may face. One major change to the structure this year will be the addition of deadlines for both football and basketball benefits. Your pledge must be paid in full (or a payment plan set up) by those deadlines in order to receive your Panther Club benefits. If you are a faculty/staff member, the normal payroll deduction will be accepted. The Panther Club will continue to operate as the primary vehicle to fund scholarship expenses and operating costs for our entire athletics program. With that being said, the normal operation of a “Fund Drive” will now be operating on a strategic, yearly basis to maximize annual dollars and membership, rather than a single month push for membership. We will still rely heavily on externalsupport and need YOU, our annual donors to continue to be great stewards of our mission and articulating the importance that the support provides to our student-athletes. We are looking forward to continue growing in all that we do for the 2016-2017 year. We are excited for our fall sports to kick-off and have high expectations in the classroom and on all of our playing fields! I ask that you continue your support of EIU Athletics and the Panther club to help us maximize our potential. A donation to the Panther Club is an investment in our 450+ Student-Athletes and our 21 intercollegiate athletic programs. Due to your support, we are able to build winners in the classroom, in competition, and in life. Thank you for all you do for EIU Athletics. GO PANTHERS!

Tom Michael

3.25Average TeamGPA - Highestin EIU History(SPRING 16)

2016-17 TIMELINEJUNE 11:

EIU Golf Outing: Danville Country Club •

JUNE 27: EIU Golf Outing: Naperville-White Eagle Golf Club

•AUGUST 1:

Panther Club membership paid in full (or payment plan set up) to receive football benefits

•AUGUST 8:

EIU Golf Outing: Charleston Country Club •

AUGUST: Football season tickets and benefits distribution

•OCTOBER 3:

Panther Club membership paid in full (or payment plan set up) to receive basketball benefits

•OCTOBER:

Basketball season tickets and benefits distribution•

DECEMBER 31: Last day to make Panther Club Donation

in 2016 Tax Year •

JANUARY 2017: Pledge reminders/statements mailed

•www.eiupanthers.com

or 217.581.2310

97Student-AthleteGraduates(SPRING 16)

WAY TO GO!

SPRING 2016 | PANTHER CLUB ANNUAL FUND - RENEWALS

2016-17 MEMBERSHIP LEVELS

PARKING: GOLD lot - Basketball reserved, dinner with the (your choice) Athletic Director, Head Football Coach or Men’s or Women’s Head Basketball Coach

Panther Patio (without purchase of season ticket),Invitation to select home football & basketball Post Game Parties

PARKING: GREEN lot - basketball south lower lot, GREY lot - O’Brien, Panther Patio access (with purchase of basketball season ticket)

PARKING: GREY lot - O’Brien (with purchase of football season ticket), RED lot - basketball south upper lot, Student Rec Center access*

PARKING: BLUE J-lot, GREY lot - O’Brien (with purchase of football season ticket), Ike Kennard Club Room access

Tax deducation, decal, newsletter, membership card,University Union Bookstore 10% discount

2016-17 MEMBERSHIP PARKING

WAL

K ON

$10

0PA

NTHE

R PRI

DE $

300

GO BL

UE $

500

COAC

HES C

LUB

$75

0CH

AMPI

ONSH

IP $

1,000

DIRE

CTOR

’S CIR

CLE

$2,5

00SC

HOLA

RSHI

P $

5,000

LEGA

CY $1

0,000

+

Football benefits will be distributed in August, basketball benefits in October, upon receipt of donation.*Not available for sale, additional membership cost - visit www.eiu.edu/campusrec

GRANT STREET FOOTBALL PARKING ENTRANCE

BLUE J LOT

M

GREYSTADIUM

LOT

FIELDHOUSE

CAMPUS POND SOCCER FIELD

SOFTBALL FIELD

CIRCLE DRIVE

UPPER

RESERVED

RESERVED

LOWER

FOO

TBA

LL

BASK

ETBA

LL

• •

•

•

•

•

•

•

•

•

•

•

•

•

•

•

•

•

•

•

•

•

•

•

•

•

•

•

•

•

•

•

•

•

•

•

Victory Suite & President’s Tent single game invitation

Victory Suite & President’s Tent season invitation

WAL

K ON

$10

0PA

NTHE

R PRI

DE $

300

GO BL

UE $

500

COAC

HES C

LUB

$75

0CH

AMPI

ONSH

IP $

1,000

DIRE

CTOR

’S CIR

CLE

$2,5

00SC

HOLA

RSHI

P $

5,000

LEGA

CY $1

0,000

+

PANTHER CLUB ANNUAL FUND - RENEWALS | SPRING 2016

PANTHER CLUB MEMBER INFORMATION

Name ____________________________________________________________________________________________ Email ____________________________________________

Address _________________________________________________City, State, Zip _______________________________Phone ________________________________________

Name(s) to be listed as Panther Club members (limit 2) ____________________________________________________________________________________________________________

DONATION DESIGNATION

¨ LAIR FUND (in support of scholarship and program expenses of EIU’s sport programs)

¨ Program operations (specify team)

_______________________________________Team specific gifts are permitted at the Coaches Club level and above with 20% remaining in the LAIR FUND.Please Complete Other Side

ANNUAL PANTHER CLUB LAIR FUND DONATION ¨ Panther Legacy ($10,000 and up) ¨ Scholarship ($5,000 – 9,999) ¨ Director’s Circle ($2,500 – 4,999) ¨ Championship ($1,000 – 2,499) ¨ Coaches Club ($750 – 999) ¨ Go Blue ($500 – 749) ¨ Panther Pride ($300 – 499) ¨ Walk On ($100-299)

DONATE ONLINEat www.eiupanthers.com

WAYS TO GIVE•

ANNUAL CASH DONATIONS

•GIFTS-IN-KIND

•MATCHING GIFTS

•GIFTS OF

INVESTMENT

•ENDOWED GIFTS

•PLANNED GIFTS

Thank youfor giving

generouslyto

PantherStudent-Athletes

PANTHER CLUB ANNUAL FUNDThe Panther Club has been the principle 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).

LAIR FUNDThe 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 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.

EI CLUBThe 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.

LEGACY FUNDMajor 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.

For more information on planned giving, please contact the development office at 217.581.2310 ordonate online at www.eiupanthers.com

MAIL TO: EIU PANTHER CLUB DEPARTMENT OF INTERCOLLEGIATE ATHLETICS600 LINCOLN AVENUE, CHARLESTON, IL 61920

SPRING 2016 | PANTHER CLUB ANNUAL FUND - RENEWALS

IMPORTANT: Per NCAA rules, all contributors to any athletic program automatically become representatives of the department and remain so permanently. Representatives are prohibited from participating in any recruiting activities and from providing any benefits to student-athletes, unless expressly authorized by the department. Any violations of the basic rule may result in permanent loss of membership benefits and priorities. Since we value greatly the relationship between the department and its representatives, we strongly encourage questions and inquiries be directed to the department’s Compliance Office regarding limitations and responsibilities of Panther Club membership.

www.eiupanthers.com

A CALL TO COMMUNITY

EASTERN ILLINOIS PANTHERS IN THE COMMUNITYEIU student-athletes participate in the Life Skills Program coordinated by the Panther Academic Services staff. The program encourages and demonstrates student-athlete academics, personal development, community service, athleticism, and career development. Student-athletes participate in many community service projects throughout the year including Habitat For Humanity, school reading programs, feeding the hungry, and the Wounded Warriors Project. The prestigious EPIC team award is given annually in the fall to the team that personifies the EPIC program.

FUND FACTS

3.25Average TeamGPA - Highestin EIU History(SPRING 16)

77Student-Athleteswith a 4.0 GPA(SPRING 16)

17Teams with a 3.0 GPA or ABOVE(SPRING 16)

35AcademicAll Americans

69%Student-Athleteswith a 3.0 GPAor Above(SPRING 16)

11 ConferenceChampionships

29OVC Medal ofHonor Recipients(FY16)

BENEFIT ACCEPTANCE ¨ I request to receive my Panther Club membership benefits. 90% of my total donation is tax deductible. BENEFITS WAIVER ¨ I decline all benefits offered within my membership level. Please record my entire Panther Club LAIR FUND contribution as a tax deduction.

Signature ___________________________________________ Date _______________

PAYMENT OPTIONS ¨ Check Enclosed (payable to EIU Foundation-Panther Club) ¨ Credit Card ¨ One-time payment ¨ I authorize my card to be charged once / monthly / yearly for my one-time / multi-year donation (circle one).

AMEX ¨ Discover ¨ Mastercard ¨ VISA

Account Number ___________________________________________________________________________ Expires __________/_______ Sec. Code _____________

Signature _________________________________________

¨ Matching Gift Form Enclosed If Yes: Company _______________________________ Amount $ ______________

FOLLOW THE PANTHERSInstagram: @EIUPantherClubTwitter: @eiupantherclubFacebook: eiupantherclubPanther Nation App: EIUPantherNation