IT'S OVER, PANTHER. The worst thing to do is give an Eastern grad a vacation. Because we may never come back to work.

That's the case with Billy Panther, at least when it comes to this blog. Billy is packing it in. This is the last post. He's taking the advice of his friend the Dalai Lama (above) and joining him in permanent exile. 

Billy is old. He doesn't get back to the alma mater anywhere as much as he'd like. Work, family and life after EIU are tugging him in different directions. And, you know, it's pretty hard to do a daily blog about a school where not much happens!!!

This was going to be Billy Panther Week. The staff of the online shrine planned this year to offer a $250 bounty on anyone who could send Prowler's mascot head to a P.O. Box we had set up. We were also going to ask outgoing president Lou Hencken to wipe the Prowler era away and, with an EIU version of an executive order in his final months as president, reinstate Billy to where he belonged.

But Billy's a Panther that's better off in exile - a fading symbol for the alums who leave, lose touch and whose memories also fade. He's their mascot. Prowler is for the students.

The online shrine will continue, the Romo Drinking Game will still be here. But the blog is over.

As the kids say, peace out! 

Posted by Billy Panther at 10:14 PM CST

Updated: Wednesday, 24 January 2007 3:22 PM CST

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PANTHER NATION. Here’s your weekly wrap-up of the accomplishments of average everyday EIU grads.

Accounting graduate Gerd Mueller is the new vice president of sales for ADM's Natural Health & Nutrition division.

Journalism graduate Joshua Niziolkiewicz is the new sports editor at The Lincoln Courier.

Posted by Billy Panther at 12:01 AM CST

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ROMO WATCH. Now see, if this guy was in EIU's PR department, we'd have already made millions off Tony Romo's fame. 

WILDCARD PLAYOFF EDITION !! NOT A WIN BUT THANKS FOR THE GREAT SEASON !! THIS IS A CUSTOM made 6 INCH FIGURE OF THE DALLAS QB TONY ROMO AS TACKLED AT THE GOALINE AFTER THE MISSED SNAP! THIS FIGURE WILL COME IN A PROTECTIVE CASE, WITH GREAT LOOKING CUSTOM MADE PLAYOFF INSERTS !! WITH WILDCARD PLAYOFF SPECIAL !! 

The current price is $76, which is still in the grasp of some Eastern grads. But haven't we all suffered enough?

I guess not.

Or this. Gawd.

Posted by Billy Panther at 6:27 PM CST

Updated: Tuesday, 9 January 2007 10:48 PM CST

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EIU SAYS: KEEP IN TOUCH. Billy just donated some cash to EIU, yet the alma mater wasted no time in sending off another gimme-some letter this week (a new year a new tax deduction, perhaps?).

On the back of the letter, right below the donation form, were a list of links to keep in touch with Eastern online. Here they are.

Alumni Assocition: www.eiu.edu/~alumni

WEIU: weiuhitmix.net

Panther Athletics: www.eiu.edu/~sprtinfo

The Daily Eastern News: http://www.dennews.com/

Parents of prospective students: www.eiu.edu/parents.php

Office of Development: www.eiu.edu/~develop/gift

Career Services: www.jobsrv.eiu.edu

Greek Life: www.eiu.edu/~grklife

Graduate School: www.eiu.edu/~graduate

Tarble Arts Center: www.eiu.edu/~tarble

Tarble, really? Although the most disappointing one, from an alum's perspective, is the Career Services site. You've got schools offering their own jobs boards for free that connect you with alums at the company you want to work for, yet we have to pony up $30 for Lord knows what.

Posted by Billy Panther at 12:01 AM CST

Updated: Sunday, 7 January 2007 11:17 AM CST

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ROMO WATCH. EIU grads shattered by this weekend's meltdown are starting to rally for Romo - lead by the broken-hearted alum/Cowboys fan, who posted a follow-up message via MySpace.

Well I would not be a true EIU alumni if I did not amend my last bulletin. Although the fumbled snap hurts, we can’t be too hard on Tony. I think the reason I was so upset was because EIU finally had someone to cheer for. You brag to all your friends about how good he is and the fact that you saw him once or twice a week working out in the SRC and he would chat with you for a couple of minutes. Then that game happens and you have to face all your friends and all the trash talking you did this season. I still have faith that Tony Romo will be the Dallas Cowboys QB next year. He are my words of encouragement to Tony, “You can’t change what happened, but you can make it up to your fans by going out next year and having a kick ass season.” I’m still cheering for you Romo.

The alma mater has got to step up. EIU largely squandered its chance to capitalize on Romo's meteoric rise. But the least it can do is try and catch him as he falls. As our Cowboys-fan alum said, Romo finally gave EIU grads someone on the field to cheer for and to talk smack about.

Shouldn't the school bring him back for some kind of honor to let him know we're still cheering? We've basically made awards up to honor some wump graduate alumni. So why not Tony? Lord knows we still want to run some smack. 

When Tony does check his MySpace, can you imagine what kind of messages are going to be there from enraged fans? Alums and students should swing by, too, and drop a message of encouragement.

In his post-game press conference Romo looked like he'd shrunk. His clothes were draped on him, his eyes were red and he had the posture of someone who just finished puking a week's worth of meals.

In these situations, you rely on family.

If you're into pain, that's the footage of the dropped snap heard 'round Coles County.

Billy will update update this post throughout the day by linking news about the game below. (Thanks to alums for the tips)

- To be young and Tony Romo. It's painfully funny. (Deadspin)

-  Romo-blamia an excercise for idiots (Star-Telegram)

- Slick football caused Romo fumble. (Star-Telegram) 

- Romo mistake may not pass. (Dallas Morning News)

- Romo forced to deal with failure (Dallas Morning News) 

- Romo crying in locker room (SA Cowboys blog) 

- Romowned (Charlie Weis ate my baby)

- Tony's Wikipedia page vandalized. (Startribune.com)

Romo bashing and mockery courtesy of some TV fan site. Gawd. (Life at the Office)

- Funny, in a in a misogynistic sort of way: "I sure hope that Carrie Underwood doesn't turn up soon with bruises all over her face." (Deadspin)

- One of the most-memorable blunders in post-season history. (AP)

Oh, Dear Lord, so sad.

EIUer Jeff Gossett can relate to Romo (Times-Courier)

Posted by Billy Panther at 12:01 AM CST

Updated: Monday, 8 January 2007 9:43 PM CST

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ROMO WATCH - THE ROMO PLAYOFF LIVEBLOG.

Update 10:41 central

How bad is it? I'll leave you with this thought from an alum posted on MySpace.

Ya know, you go to college with a guy, he finally gets his shot in the NFL. I really want to defend some off the rookie mistakes he makes. But when you fumble the game winning field goal snap???? What the fuck!!!! I mean a sack, INT, those things you can understand. This guy has been getting paid how much money for the last 4 years to do nothing but hold the ball for a field goal….then fumbles it in the biggest game of his life????? Are you fucking kidding me??!!!??!?! Ok, I’m done complaining. I was just really hoping for a Chicago vs. Dallas game.

Will the sun come out tomorrow? 

Update 10:25 p.m. central.

I could not have imagined a worse ending. Nothing. As Romo lay on the ground clutching his helmet after the botched field goal. A teammate came over to help him up. It would have been better if the teammate would have shot him. Right there. In the head.

We're going to see that replay constantly for the next few days - if not months.

Forget everything that happened this season. All of it. The five-touchdown game on Thanksgiving. Dating American Idols. It's all gone. Romo, who a couple weeks ago was the Cowboys' starting quarterback for next season and then some,  is now likely going to be fighting for the backup spot agian next season. If the forest-fire like flameout continues, he'll own be worthy of one spot: the EIU (Unofficial) Hall of Fame.

He could be the Rick Ankiel of EIU superstars. 

The carnage is everywhere. Everywhere. Everywhere. And it's only a few minutes after the game.

Fire them all. This the most inept team in America. Romo was an overnight sensation nothing more. He screwed up the offense and the kicking game tonight. They could have won this game easily.

Fuck you TonyHomo. 

Update, 10:12 p.m. central

Goddamn you Eastern Illinois University. I can't believe what I just saw. Tony Romo fumbled what would have been the game-winning snap of a field goal. He gets up. He runs like hell. He's inches away from a first down. He gets crushed. His mouthpiece goes flying. 

There's no cocky in Romo right now. He's sitting on the sidelines. His head it down. He is barely moving. His ring finger is bleeding. It damn near looks like he's crying. Goddammit Billy is.

We can't catch a break.

There will be eight seconds left in the game for the Cowboys - and Romo - to save something.

Update, 10:10 p.m. central

Dear God. 

Update, 9:57 p.m. central

21-20 Seahawks. About 4 minutes to go. It's Tony Time.

Why do we care about the final score?

If not for Romo, Billy wouldn't care if the Cowboys won a playoff game. But if they lose and Romo has an average performance, there's a chance - considering his up and down last few games - that the Cowboys would consider finding another quarter (again) to start ahead of Romo.

If that happens, EIU loses its NFL stud. 

So Tony needs to win this game for the team. Now.

Update, 9:50 p.m. central

OK. Maybe I should talk about the game. There are about six minutes left and the Cowboys are up 20-15. Up 20-13 and trapped near the other team's end zone, Romo tosses a great pass to a Dallas wide receiver who go ahead and fumbles into the end zone! Seattle gets a safety and the ball back. Eeeeek.

Romo second half attendance has been as bad as any Eastern student with their 8 a.m. classes - have I used that yet? Well, we're up to 47 sips on top of the full-beer touchdown pass. So I can get away with it.

Update, 9:40 p.m. central

Evil thoughts. Every time I see the Dallas Cowboys cheerleaders I wonder how many Romo has hit on.

Update, 9:26 p.m. central

Maybe this liveblog thing is evidence enough, but Billy really lost perspective earlier today. He was at a kiddie park with his own poor children, and some dad showed up wearing a Seahawks hat and his two kids - lets say 8 ish - were both wearing the jersey of the Seattle quarterback.

Billy pushed one of them down the slide. 

Update, 9:22 p.m. central

OK, it's 8:01 a.m. You're on Eastern's campus. It's a Thursday. Aw hell, it's any day between Monday and Friday. The class is something realllly interesting, like Earth Science or U.S. Constitution (back when we cared to have that class).

Are you there? Well, neither was Romo in the third quarter. He played like 10 plays or something.

Not all his fault. I'm just saying. 

Update, 9 p.m. central

Seahawks score. Seattle leads 13-10. Romo coming back on. Here are some Romo pics. See more in Yahoo's Romo Gallery. 

Update, 8:50 p.m. central

Romo gets his ass chewed off for fumbling (it was recovered). The Dallas coach screamed at him and clearly said "fuck." Bad bad bad. No such language used in Charleston.

TonyHomo has a transcript.

"You gotta be fucking kidding me! I told you to protect the fucking ball! Meanwhile you're holding it like a slippery dick! If you're going to act like a dirty cunt I'm gonna treat you like one! YOU UNDERSTAND YOU UGLY PIECE OF SHIT!? DO YOU HEAR ME!? FUCK PISS SHIT PUSSY!"

Really? 

Update, 8:44 p.m. central

Billy's going to go lay down to rest up for the second half.

I have to wonder, what was EIU's PR department doing between last week's game and this week's? Couldn't they have found some cheesy angle to sell to NBC, so we could get a little more love on national TV? Couldn't they have put a Romo jersey on the McAfee Gym statue, or sent a couple of those free $200 throwbacks to John Madden and Al Michaels? Or maybe the Alumni Association could have slapped together a Texas-based alumni get-together.

Maybe they're waiting to unveil their plans for when Romo plays the Bears, when most Eastern grads won't cheer for him?

Al Michaels clearly went to Western Illinois University. One of his takes on Romo: "He's gone from annointing oil to needing Penzoil." Say what, Short Bus?

No word on any possibly Romo injury after that hard hit. The ND grad is doing the Rush DVD again during halftime. Why can't Billy afford cable so he could watch the game at home? (Hint: E-I-x) 

Drinking Game stats: 31 sips and one full beer. That's about four beers. Billy sleepy.

Update, 8:31 p.m. central

MENSA THIS!!! Touchdowwwwwwwn pass Romo!!!! Romo takes a huge hit as he gets off a pass and a receiver catches it, for a change, and fights his way into the end zone!

One Pabst down the hatch!

We're at the half! 10-6 Cowboys. 

Update, 8:30 p.m. central

Man, Romo has been about as visible as an Eastern grad in mensa - thanks in part to his receivers. He's finally marched them down to the goal line with a sweet pass over the top to the tight end. But its been slim pickin tonight, as they townies would say.

The TonyHomo blog is pretty funny. "Drew" claimed to have stolen Tony's Blackberry when he took the field.

Homo just got a text message from his mom!

It said "Relax! You're #1!"

I responded and said "Mom, I think I'm gay. TTY after the game. Bye."

Update, 8 p.m. central

The Dallas Morning News is asking: What's going on with Tony?

Second quarter underway. Not much EIU-related stuff to speak of. Romo's thrown for 16 drinks. But he's not totally on his game. His best highlight was a laser-beam pass that was fumbled a second after it was caught. He did throw one of this too-high throws that plague Tony when he's not in a groove.

John Madden's analysis: "Tony Romo needs to calm down."

The announcers make it sound like the Cowboys success (or failure) we be blamed on Romo and, thus, Eastern Illinois University. 

Update, 7:50 p.m. central

Here's the now ubiquitous shot of Romo with a knit cap. A couple years ago he used to always wear his helmet on the sidelines, so I guess this is an improvement.

It's a 3-3 game, and Romo is now 3-7 (12 sips, including the hold for the field goal).

An aside on the night, despite Romo's success on the field, he's still as unlucky as ever for anyone trying to channel his mojo. Billy recently donned his Romo jersey in another poker game and finished second-to-last in a 20 player tourney. That's my worst finish in the past year. Thanks for nothing, Tony.

Update, 7:30 p.m. central

Romo goes 1-4 (five drinks) on the first drive and the wide receivers drop a couple balls. Cowboys tried to establish their running game, so Tony doesn't have to carry the whole squad.

TonyHomo's take.

Cowboy's interception - Romo's back! 

Update, 7:22 p.m. central

Romo takes the field!

In his video intro he says, "Tony Romo: EASTERN Illinois" with a very manly snarl. Cowboys down 3-0.

Update, 7:10 p.m. cental

Lots of Romo in what pre-game I've seen. He is constantly being shot on the field in a knit cap. Madden, who basically blew Romo in his first start, is talking about the claim Romo is too cocky.

Dallas defense starts the game.

Billy's is playing the drinking game with some Pabst Blue Ribbon (there's also Miller High Life Genee Cream Ale in the fridge). If Romo runs it in, Billy will reward himself with a shot ofOlmeca Gold tequila.

# # # 

Welcome to the Old Main Vein, EIU (Unofficial) Hall of Fame liveblog of tonight's game pitting EIU grad Tony Romo against the Saluki-esque Seattle Seahawks. 

Billy's watching the game with graduates from the University of Notre Dame, Youngstown State University and Syracuse (it's the Notre Dame grad's house). So, once again, Eastern is the king of the room. We've got the most notable active NFL alum of the bunch (Syracuse's Donovan McNabb may have challenged Romo, but fortunately he's injured. Go Panthers!)

Bily's not catching much of the pre-game, because the ND grad insists on playing a Rush concert DVD (probably brings him back to the last time Notre Dame won a Bowl Game).

Billy's without the Romo jersey tonight, for reason's he'll explain later.  Instead, he's sporting a gray Eastern Illinois University Alumni shirt that's about one size too small.

TonyHomo.com is already mocking our guy.

Remember Billy's prediction: Dallas 27, Seattle 14. Tony throws three TDs and Romo-mania back on! I'll put the over-under on the Romo Drinking Game at 7.5 beers.

Let's go Panthers!!! 

Posted by Billy Panther at 7:00 PM CST

Updated: Saturday, 6 January 2007 10:44 PM CST

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THE LIVEBLOG IS ON. Billy will be blogging live during the  Cowboys-Seahawks game, giving you more Romo information than you can probably handle (or want)!

So when you sit down at 7 p.m. central and tune into NBC to watch the game, fire up your computers and click over here. We'll update as regularly as necessary.

Posted by Billy Panther at 12:47 PM CST

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ROMO WATCH. Romo sucks, Qwest Field is loud, Seattle wins.

Oh, and lest we forget.

Yep, that's what it's come to. Eastern graduate and Dallas Cowboys QB Tony Romo is leading his team into his first playoff game ever. And our guy's back is to the wall. All the people that loved him three weeks ago have jumped off the bandwagon. Who's left? Carrie Underwood and an eclectic bunch of losers with the only thing in common being their alma mater: Eastern Illinois University.

Billy's gotten over his recent depression. Have we forgotten our history? Tony Romo has climbed over five different quarterbacks who were supposed to bump him from the roster, let alone the NFL. Hell, we wrote an advanced obituary for Drew Henson before Romo finished him off.

And check out this link to a story about Romo making his way at Eastern Illinois. 

So get fired up Panthers. Romo. Cowboys. Playoffs. 7 p.m. central time Saturday on NBC. Drinking Game and EIU paraphernalia optional.

There's a 75 percent chance Billy will do his own liveblog of the game, so check into the site on Saturday to see what's what!

And one more way to show support: Connect with Tony's official MySpace page.

Billy's prediction: Dallas 27, Seattle 14. Tony throws three TDs and Romo-mania back on! 

Posted by Billy Panther at 2:19 PM CST

Updated: Friday, 5 January 2007 2:32 PM CST

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PLAN YOUR ALUMNI EVENT TOUR TODAY. The Alumni Association has rolled out some of its events for early 2007. They'll be hanging all over Illinois and St. Louis before hitting some of the warmer locales in our great nation. Here's the lineup.

JANUARY

TROPICAL PARADISE ALUMNI RECEPTION: 5 - 8 p.m. Jan. 25 at The Canoe Club, 15200 South 94th Ave. in Orland Park. Cure the winter blues by joining your fellow area alumni and friends for a tropical paradise alumni reception in Orland Park.

Hawaiian style hors d’oeuvres will be provided and a cash bar will be available. Assistant Director of Alumni Services Chelsea Frederick and Alumni Services Constituent Relations Officer Corinne Whitlatch will be there.

ROCKFORD ALUMNI RECEPTION: 5 - 8 p.m. Jan. 27. Brio, 515 East State St. in Rockford. Hors d’oeuvres will be provided and a cash bar will be available. Chelsea Frederick and Corinne Whitlatch will be working the room.

FEBRUARY

PANTHER BASKETBALL WATCH PARTY - CHICAGO: 5 p.m. Feb. 3 at Kendall’s, 2263 N. Lincoln in Chicago. Join your fellow alumni and friends for Eastern’s ESPN2 Panther basketball game watch party! EIU plays Samford. Appetizers will be provided and a cash bar will be available. Chelsea Frederick and Corinne Whitlatch will be there.

PANTHER BASKETBALL WATCH PARTY - ST. LOUIS: 5 p.m. Feb. 13 at St. Louis Sports Zone, 113 Kenrick Plaza in St. Louis. Join your fellow alumni and friends for Eastern’s ESPNU Panther basketball game watch party! EIU plays Southeast Missouri State. The party starts at 5 pm and tipoff is at 6 pm, televised live on ESPNU. Appetizers will be provided and a cash bar will be available. You'll never guess, but Chelsea Frederick and Corinne Whitlatch will be reppin' the alma mater that night.

SCOTTSDALE ALUMNI RECEPTION (aka. The Big Baller Shot Caller Alumni Reception): The reception where the high rollers roll will be Feb. 17 at the Camelback Inn, 5402 E. Lincoln Drive in Scottsdale, Arizona. More details TBA.

MARCH

NAPLES ALUMNI RECEPTION: Reception March 3 at the Ritz-Carlton, 280 Vanderbilt Beach Road in Naples, Florida. More details TBA.

Something tells Billy that Chelsea and Corinne won't get the junkets to Arizona and Florida.

RSVP by calling 800-ALUM-EIU or emailing alumeiu@eiu.edu.

Posted by Billy Panther at 6:50 PM CST

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PANTHER NATION. Here’s your weekly wrap-up of the accomplishments of average everyday EIU grads.

Gene Armer, an Eastern grad and track star who the Gene Armer high school track invitational is named after, has died at age 97.

Posted by Billy Panther at 12:01 AM CST

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ROMO WATCH. On behalf of Eastern Illinois University, Billy would like to offer an apology to the Dallas Cowboys.

It isn't Tony's fault. It is not your offensive line's fault. It's our fault. We should have known better. The loss last week and the problems with the Dallas Cowboys are because Tony attended Eastern Illinois University.

We should have seen this coming. It was all too good to be true. The fame. The noteriety. The role as a Christmas cookie. The babes (plural!). It is the cruelest trick of all played by the Curse of Eastern Illinois University.

We don't get the Tony treatment. We get the Lucius treatment or, worse yet, the Plain Jane treatment. We're either mocked viciously or ignored completely. We're the teacher stuck with all the bad kids in a school that pays half the ones across town pays. We've got the skills but something, mysteriously, stops our success: like an explosive weight gain or a cheap-shot on our knees. We can't even do well in reality TV!

So you think Tony is too cocky? That's because he's bought into it, too. He thought he was supposed to be there. He's got the skills. He's fought through the competition. So why not? 

Tony, you're not supposed to be there. You were carrying the weight of all of Eastern Illinois University and its alums on your shoulders. And like all the ones before you, your knees are starting to buckle. 

Marry Carrie Underwood while there's still a chance. Then, when the EIU Curse consumes you and you get exiled to the Arena League, pull a Nick Lachey, divorce her and get half.

Panther nation will do all it can to give its positive mojo during this Saturday's playoff game. But this is a Herculean task. Tony, don't blame yourself. And, Dallas, don't blame Tony.

On behalf of Eastern Illinois University, we apologize.

Posted by Billy Panther at 8:29 PM CST

Updated: Tuesday, 2 January 2007 9:21 PM CST

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