Familyweekend

Welcome, Families!

Family Fun Fest Friday evening will be packed with activities Page 3 Look inside for your guide to this weekend

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FAMILY WEEKEND | SEPT. 15, 2017

Students look forward to being with family

By Cassie Buchman Editor in Chief | @cjbuchman Students took the time to reflect on what their family means to them before the start of Family Weekend Friday.

Ryan James, a freshman graphic design major, said his dad and two of his sisters are coming to see him for Family Weekend.

As a freshman, he said being away from his family is different, but it is not the hardest thing he has to deal with.

“It’s more so like you feel like you’re by yourself,” he said. “(But) I don’t really want to go home all the time.”

His favorite part about seeing his father is hearing the jokes he makes about him and his sisters.

Kelsea Higgins, a junior accounting major, said though the members of her family all have different personalities, they are all still able to get along.

Higgins said she had just been Snapchatting her sister about how much she misses her since she moved to Texas.

DeMarco Owens, a junior family and consumer sciences major, has ten siblings.

“We’re all far apart because we went to different schools. It’s a big change. You go from sharing everything to finally having FILE PHOTO | THE DAILY EASTERN NE WS everything be your own.”

Basketball players Ray Crossland, Patrick Muldoon and Cornell Johnston hang out and pose for pictures during “EIU Tailgating” Saturday behind O’Brien Emily Oldham, a junior English ma- Field during last year’s Family Weekend Festivities. This year, many events are once again planned for students and families this weekend. jor, said she is looking forward to having her mom, dad and younger brother she said. “Sometimes I’ll get homesick ter’s tailgate and the game, the mystery doing with my artwork when I’m around have life-long friends. My family have alcome to visit her this weekend. and be like, I miss my family, but most dinner and the band playing at Doudna.

Doudna and take them around there and ways been the people who have always Though she lives fairly close, in Urba- of the time I’m in constant communicaGrace O’Brien, a sophomore graphic show them around because I love the been there. It’s constant; they know me na, Oldham said it is still nice to have her tion with my brother and my mom so it’s design major, said she thinks her family is space,” she said. the best out of anybody,” O’Brien said. family come over. not as bad.” coming over, and though they might not O’Brien said her family are her best “(My family members) all do our own This family weekend, Oldham plans stay long they will probably go to Bingo. friends.

Cassie Buchman can be reached at thing; we’re pretty chill most of the time,” on going to the Newman Catholic Cen“I like to show my parents what I’m “Growing up I moved a lot so I didn’t 581-2812 or cjbuchman@eiu.edu

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FAMILY WEEKEND | SEPT. 15, 2017

Murder mystery dinner calls for guest participation

By Kennedy Nolen Multicultural Reporter | @ KennedyNolenEIU

FILE PHOTO | THE DAILY EASTERN NE WS

Families grab breakfast during last year’s “Breakfast with the President” in the Vending Lounge of the Martin Luther King Jr. University Union.

FUNfest offers family-friendly fun

By AJ Fournier Campus Reporter| @DEN_News Rollerblading, laser tag and karaoke are just some of the events that families can take part in at the annual Family Weekend FUNfest.

FUNfest is from 7 to 11 p.m. on Saturday in the Martin Luther King Jr. University Union and is hosted by the University Board.

The event features creation stations, movies, roving artists, live entertainment, inter-active games, prizes, giveaways and refreshments showcased throughout the Martin Luther King Jr. University Union.

The events available are: •The movie despicable me 3 will play

in the Charleston/Mattoon room.

•“Fiesta” Live Karaoke in 7th street underground.

•Laser Tag in the Grand Ballroom.

•Glo Games, Stuff-a-Bear, Airbrush Artist, Balloon Artist – 2nd Floor, University Ballroom.

•Creation Stations: Pumpkin Decorating, Headbands, Sand Art, Key Chains – 2nd Floor, Walkway Lounge.

•Digital Photo Booth & Funny Money Booth – 2nd Floor, Alumni Lounge.

Nia Douglas, the president of the UB, said families can come and go as they please.

Aside from FUNFest, Douglas said the UB is also responsible for other events during family weekend such as

Glo Bingo from 9 to 11 p.m. Friday at McAfee Gym and a performance by Ventriloquist Lynn Trefzger from 8 to 9 p.m. in the Grand Ballroom of the MLK Union the same day.

Glo Bingo will be played under black lights and participants will have a chance to win $25, $50 or $100 worth of groceries, which is a new twist for this year.

As for the ventriloquist performance, Trefzger will feature vocal illusion talents of a camel, a grumpy old man, a feisty little girl and audience members will have a chance to go up on stage and participant in the show.

AJ Fournier can be reached at 581-2812 or ajfournier@eiu.edu

A rancher has been killed, and no one knows who did it. As part o f Fa m i l y We e k e n d , a m u rd e r mystery dinner will allow guests to try and solve the murder and people who attend might even be involved in the show.

The show and dinner will begin at 6:30 p.m. Friday, in the University Ballroom of the Martin Luther King Jr. University Union.

Doors open at 6 p.m.

Theatre arts professor Nicholas Shaw said he and Eastern alumna Rachel Fisher will be the two actors from the Central Illinois Stage Company coordinating the show.

“We will pick out of the crowd that is there, a handful of people to play parts in the show,” Shaw said.

Shaw said he and Fisher will give scripts to the people they choose from the audience, so they will know what to say and what to do.

The show will be about a rancher who has started to buy up all the land in the area and is forcing everyone to sell their land to him, Shaw said.

The rancher is murdered and the audience has to figure out who killed him.

“The person who is the murderer doesn’t even know they are the murderer until near the end of the play,” Shaw said.

He said this is the first murder mystery dinner that has been done not only during family weekend, but also the first time this type of performance has been done at Eastern.

As for the menu, there will be Caesar salad, penne pasta with marinara sauce, chicken parmesan, green beans, garlic bread, assorted fruit, chocolate cheesecake, lemonade, tea and water.

The performance will include four acts, so Shaw said the meal will be served in between the acts.

Shaw and Fisher got the script for the play from Sherlock’s Myst e r y Di n n e r T h e a t re i n Ge o r gia. The play is titled “Murder at the Long Branch Saloon” and was written by JJ and Kate Musgrove.

Shaw encourages students to attend, because “it is very interactive, fun and goofy.”

Tickets for the dinner and show are available on Eastern’s family weekend page. Ticket prices are $14.75 for adults, $7 for children four to 12 and no charge for children three and under.

Kennedy Nolen can be reached at 581-2812 or kdnolen@eiu.edu.

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FAMILY WEEKEND | SEPT. 15, 2017

Staff Editorial

Cherish time with your family this weekend Get ready, students — they are coming.

And by “they,” we mean your families.

Your annoying brother, meddling mom and maybe even a creepy uncle or two are descending on campus on Friday for Family Weekend.

While some may groan and roll their eyes at the prospect of having their parents or other loved ones here, you know you will miss them when they return home.

No matter how old you get or how mature you think you are, everyone needs the stable place a family can provide.

So take the time to really enjoy whatever time you have with them, even if it means sharing dorm or apartment space with the family you hoped to avoid by coming to Eastern.

They miss you. You know deep down you miss them.

And this is a great chance to pretend, — ahem, show— that you are studying and working hard while at school.

On a serious note, showing your family around your favorite spots around campus can be a great way to connect with them.

They can see popular spots like the Doudna Steps, the Martin Luther King Jr. University Union and the Booth Library. Or you can take them to the places you have made your own during your time at Eastern.

No matter what you do, the most important part of this weekend will be getting another chance to connect with your family.

Talk to them as much as you can.

Ask them questions so they know that you care about what is going on in their lives. Maybe they will tell you their own crazy stories of when they were in college.

This might be the last chance you get to connect to them before you get busy with school, work and your life here. Take advantage of it.

And for those of you without family coming down this weekend, do not be afraid to take advantage of some of the events happening this weekend. There’s no reason to sit around and mope in your room this weekend. Go with a couple of friends and have fun.

If you miss your family and they can not come visit you, take the initiative yourself. Call them and say ‘hey.’

Let them know you are thinking of them.

Even if you do see your family this weekend, do not let your communication with them stop in the coming weeks.

Keep up with them. Show them you care even after Family Weekend.

No matter what, have fun and enjoy this weekend however you can.

The Daily Eastern News welcomes friends and families to campus. We are glad you are here.

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FAMILY WEEKEND | SEPT. 15, 2017

Quidditch comes to Library Quad

By Chrissy Miller News Editor | @DEN_News

The group have been in concert with The Association, Sawyer Brown, Tommy James and the Shondells and Beach Boy Carl Wilson.

“I am sure it’s going to be fun night,” said Dan Crews, programming director at the Doudna Fine Arts Center, in the press release.

“You really can’t go wrong with you have a group of excellent musicians that play the high-energy music of the ‘50s and ‘60s.”

Tickets to the concert are $10 general admission and $5 for students.

‘Muggles’ will get to experience their very own Eastern Quidditch tournament at 4 p.m. on Friday in the Library Quad.

The tournament is set to honor the 20th anniversary of Harry Potter and is sponsored by Booth Library and the kinesiology and sports studies department.

Chelsea Duncan, a coordinator for the tournament, said the Harry Potter series has played a big part in her life , and she was excited to be able to get involved in the celebration of it.

“I’m a huge fan,” Duncan said. “We love Harry Potter at my house.”

Duncan said being part of the kinesiology and sport studies department, she wanted to make a Quidditch tournament as a way to have fun while hosting something relevant to her field.

Teams consist of up to four chasers, three bludgers with dodgeballs, a keeper, a beater and a seeker to catch the snitch.

If numbers allow, the role of the snitch may be taken on by a person.

Since those outside of the wizarding world have not yet obtained flying broomsticks, hockey sticks will be used to simulate the issues holding on to a flying broom would create, Duncan said.

Haley Ingram, a sophomore special education major, said participating in the tournament for the Slytherin House is thrilling, because she gets to participate in something she did not believe would be possible.

“It’s kind of surreal,” Ingram said.

“I never really thought that...a game that involves flying in a made-up world would actually happen.”

The News desk can be reached at 581-2812 or dennewsdesk@gmail.com.

Chrissy Miller can be reached at 581-2812 or clmiller9@eiu.edu.

SUBMIT TED PHOTO | THE DAILY EASTERN NE WS

Captain Rat and the Blind Rivets, shown here, are scheduled to perform 7 p.m. Saturday in the Doudna Fine Arts Center, for Family Weekend.

Captain Rat and the Blind Rivets to play Doudna Show will be a ‘family-oriented’ performance Staff Report | @DEN_News Featuring silly hats and zany antics, Captain Rat and the Blind Rivets will perform a family-oriented show at 7 p.m. Saturday in the Doudna Fine Arts Center.

According to a press release, the concert is presented in conjunction with the festivities of Family Weekend.

A picnic is set for 5:30 p.m. before

the concert in Doudna’s Performance Courtyard. Tickets are $10 per person and food will feature a pork burger, baked potato, coleslaw, dessert and a drink.

Captain Rat and the Blind Rivets is consistently voted best regional band, per the press release. The Champaignbased band has brought their show to more than a million people since 1980.

They have performed in Wrigley and Soldier Fields, Memorial Stadium, the Chicago Air and Water Show, the Rose Bowl in Pasadena and the Atlantis Paradise Island Resort and Casino in Nassau, Bahamas.

According their website, Captain Rat and the Blind Rivets perform a ‘50’s

and ‘60’s rock’n’roll show, using humor and satire.

They play music by The Monkees, Elvis, Turtles, the Ventures and pick from a repertoire of over 400 vintage oldies, “fast and slow songs from the greatest era in American popular music,” according to their website.

Captain Rat and the Blind Rivets is made up of Jeff Evans, or “Buster B. Dordaun” on drums and vocals, Roger Prillaman, or “Todd Modern,” performing on keyboard, trumpet and vocals, Tim Vear, or “Timmy Ray” on vocals and guitar, “Mark B. Rubel” on bass and vocals, and Tary Powers, a/k/a “Bart Bartonia” on saxophone and vocals.

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FAMILY WEEKEND | SEPT. 15, 2017

Friday Taste of Latin Culture Where: Doudna Concourse When: 11:30 a.m. to noon

Yard Games at Info Booth Where: The Library Quad When: 2 to 6 p.m.

Inflatables and Snacks Where: McAfee North Gym When: 4 to 6 p.m.

As the official kickoff to Latino Heritage Month, there will be Latin music and food. The event is free and open to all.

While families sign in for the weekend, they can play any of the yard games available and participate in hourly drawings.

If you do not want to watch the Quidditch Tournament this alternative offers inflables and treats for the whole family.

Dine in at the Union Where: The Food Court When: 4 to 10 p.m.

With 20 percent off (excluding Subway), families can enjoy the food court’s many options.

Dinner Murder Mystery Where: University Ballroom When: 6 to 8:30 p.m.

Adults page $14.75 and kids ages 4-12 pay $7 for this Dinner and a Murder at the Long Branch Saloon at the Union.

Rock ‘n’ Roll Bowl Where: Bowling Lanes When: 8 to 10 p.m.

For $2 a game and free shoe rentals, families can bowl their hearts out at the Bowling Lanes in the MLK Jr. University Union.

Quidditch Tournament Where: The Library Quad When: 4 to 7 p.m.

Though it is too late to register and participate in the tournament, families can still see all the action.

Family Glo Bingo Where: McAfee South Gym When: 9 to 11 p.m.

For this Eastern tradition, families can play for a chance to win prizes including $100 worth of groceries.

Saturday Breakfast with the President Where: MLK Jr. Union When: 9 to 11 a.m.

Families can meet President David Glassman for a free continental breakfast in the vending lounge of the Union.

Tailgating Where: O’Brien Stadium When: 12:30 p.m.

Face painting, yard games, bounce houses, obstacle course, other children-friendly games

Sunday

University Bookstore Where: MLK Jr. University Union When: 10 a.m. to 2 p.m.

Fleece Blanket Service Project

Where: University Ballroom When: 9 to 11 a.m.

Families can help give back to the community by building blankets for One Stop Communuty Service.

Tarble Art Extravaganza Where: Tarble Atrium When: 1 p.m. to 4 p.m.

Make and take art activities for children and families can see Tarble’s current exhibitions

Harry Potter Exhibit Where: The Booth Library When: noon to 1 a.m.

An exhibit to celebrate 20 years of the book series “Harry Potter”

Creation Stations Where: MLK Jr. Union When: 10 a.m. to 2 p.m.

Football Game Panther Lunch

Where: Stevenson Dining Center When: 11 a.m. to noon

Go get your face painted, show school spirit or just have fun with the family during another tradition.

Grab lunch and take it outside to enjoy. Tickest are $8 prepurchase or $9 at the door.

Football Game Where: O’Brien StadiumWhen: 2 p.m.

Captain Rat and the Blind Rivets Where: Concert Hall, Doudna Fine Arts Center When: 7 p.m. -8:30 p.m.

Eastern will go against Illinois State University

A family -oriented band will play songs from the ‘50s and 60s.

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FAMILY WEEKEND | SEPT. 15, 2017

Home still home on road for volleyball

By Sean Hastings Sports Editor| @DEN_Sports Home does not have to be fixed.

It can travel — ­ at least for the Eastern volleyball team. Home for them is Lantz Arena, acting as an extension of where each player is individually from.

For any given volleyball match, the stands get packed, and no matter how far the trip is, parents are there in support.

For senior Hayley Richardson, home is over two hours away in O’Fallon, Mo. “Having my family in the stands is very important to me,” Richardson said. “But what is most meaningful is the time I get to spend with them when I’m not playing.

When they make the two and half hour drive, I always make sure there is going to be some time we get to spend together outside of the gym if it is simply sitting down for dinner.”

The Panthers are on the road this weekend at the Indiana State Tournament while it is Eastern’s Family Weekend.

Last year the Panthers were home for Family Weekend, which just adds to the intensity throughout the volleyball match.

Each point is intense, whether it is a kill, an ace, even a miss-hit from the other team, in a Lantz Arena volleyball game.

“Last year being at home for Family Weekend, we tried obviously to have a lot of parents and siblings come to watch us play and really have that home court advantage,” senior Maria Brown said.

Having that following at a game for the Panthers, even if it is a regular match, is nothing short of what is expected.

“It’s kind of funny; there really wasn’t a big difference from any other home game because our

BRYAN BUND| THE DAILY EASTERN NE WS

The Eastern volleyball team gathers during a time out during the Panthers’ 3-0 win over Alabama A&M Sept. 8 in Lantz Arena. Eastern is on the road this weekend at the Indiana State Tournament.

families are almost always there,” she said.

Weekend away from Eastern.

“Of course it would be nice to be

“It’s kind of funny; there really wasn’t a big difference from any other home game because our families are almost always there.”

-Senior Maria Brown And that same fan section the Panthers bring into Lantz Arena is with them on the road as well.

That is why missing Family Weekend is not that big of a deal for them, Brown said.

Even though a Family Weekend campus atmosphere is different than a regular weekend at Eastern, but the Panthers can have their Family

home for family weekend and have that big atmosphere while we play, but really no one is too concerned about being away because we do still get to have that supportive atmosphere from our families that make the trip to see us,” Brown said.

Eastern is 4-5 to start the season after a 1-2 weekend at the EIU Panther Classic.

Redshirt freshman Anne Hughes had a strong weekend and recorded 63 digs over the weekend.

The successful weekend from Hughes earned her Ohio Valley Conference Defensive Player of the Week as well as in the running for Hero.com D1 “Hero of the Week” for the best individual performance of the week, which is voted on by fans.

Eastern has two matches this weekend and then start OVC play.

“We are very lucky we have such supportive families on this team,” Brown said. “Some parents are very busy but still find a way to make home and away games.”

Sean Hastings can be reached at smhastings@eiu.edu or 581-2812.

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Gilkey

CONTINUED FROM PAGE 8 First snaps, first touchdown, but it was not anything new for the redshirt freshman.

“He learns every day and not just from the coaches, he learns from (senior quarterback) Mitch (Kimble), so in turn Mitch is going to make him a better player and that’s the thing that makes me proud,” Gilkey Sr. said. “He goes in, he’s not nervous, he’s not rattled.”

Gilkey Sr. asked if he was nervous after the game. Gilkey Jr. replied simply with ‘No, I don’t have time to be nervous. I’ve played this forever. When they ask me to do something, I’m able to go and execute.’

Eastern blue runs deep and even deeper the Gilkey Jr. Just like him, his siblings are eying down the Panthers.

“I talked about it since I was little,” Gilkey Jr. said. “Same as my little brothers as of right now. They went to an Oklahoma State camp and they didn’t want to put on a jersey because they have it in mind they’re going to play for Eastern already.”

For the next four years, including this year, Gilkey Jr. will be wearing the Eastern blue and Gilkey Sr. hopes he cherishes every moment.

Gilkey Sr. played for two years in front of his son, coached him, but there is one thing that he wants in particular for Gilkey Jr. “Number one, you want to be a good person and work hard with everything you do and understand that nothing is given,” Gilkey Sr. “Don’t’ take anything for granted, keep god first and everything else. If you do it right, it will work out.”

Gilkey Jr. and the Panthers take on Illinois State Saturday at O’Brien Field for Family Weekend. And whether or not he gets on the field, Gilkey Sr. will be in the same stands he played in front of his son in 15 years ago.

Sean Hastings can be reached at 581-2812 or smhastings@eiu.edu.

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FAMILY WEEKEND | SEPT. 15, 2017

Like father, like son

"I talked about this since I was little."

Scotty Gilkey Jr., Eastern Quarterback

SEAN HASTINGS | THE DAILY EASTERN NE WS

Scotty Gilkey Jr. sets up the offense before sneakng in his first career touchdown against Northern Illnois. Eastern lost in the game 38-10 at Huskie Stadium in Dekalb, Illinois

Eastern football in Gilkey's blood

By Sean Hastings Sports Editor| @DEN_Sports There is one thing that Scotty Gilkey Jr. knows better than anything.

Growing up, everything he knew was Eastern. To be more specific: Eastern football.

Quarterback Gilkey Jr. may have only signed to play football at Eastern two years ago, since the 20-year-old is in his redshirt freshman season, but his heart committed to Eastern football 15 years ago.

The years 2000 and 2001 in particular opened his eyes to the world of college football. He got a chance that most kids do not get; he watched his dad, Scotty Gilkey Sr., play for the Panthers.

Gilkey Sr. was a tight end during the 2001-2002 season and as a little Charleston kid, Gilkey Jr. remembers those times vividly, even though it was before he entered the second grade.

The Gilkey family has since moved to Oklahoma.

O’Brien Field did not always have artificial turf that it does now. It was all grass.

“It’s crazy (what’s changed),” Gilkey Jr. said. “I remember the grass field and coming out for a game one day and it was pouring down rain and going home soaking wet. I remember all the mud my dad had on him. It’s little stuff like that.”

Gilkey Jr. would wait in the stands just above the Panthers’ locker room

and wave to his dad and get a wave back.

Now the two have switched positions. This time it’s Gilkey Jr. running off the field with his dad in the stands.

Although Gilkey Sr. was a former Panther and leader of the football team, there was no pressure from him, or his mom, who also attended Eastern, to come to the university.

Gilkey Jr. said he talked about playing at Eastern since he was little.

“My dad couldn’t care less if I really came here or not,” Gilkey Jr. said. “Of

means a lot to Gilkey Sr. But he was not the first to find out his son was going to be a Panther.

Eastern coach Kim Dameron was. “(My dad) was really excited,” Gilkey Jr. said. “He was like ‘wait, what?’ I wanted it to be a surprise to him. It’s something special. Not everyone gets to come do this and I’m really blessed to have the opportunity to come do this. It was really special for the rest of my family as well.”

There is nothing like a father-son relationship, especially when it comes to sports. Most sons remember that

Gilkey Sr. got a later start to college football, playing his Eastern ball as a 24 and 25-year-old.

He played high school football and had offers, but his next four years were going to spent somewhere else.

“Being a Marine was my thing,” Gilkey Sr. said. ”I wanted to be a Marine and went to the Marine Corps.”

Gilkey Sr. played football while he was in the Marines, playing on base teams. He decided when he left the Marines that he wanted to go to college.

"No, I don’t have to be nervous. I’ve played this forever. When they ask me to do something, I’m able to go and execute."

Scotty Gilkey Jr., Quarterback course deep down he wanted me to come, but it was pretty cool because I grew up in the area sitting in the stands and watching him play so it feels pretty good to be here.”

Gilkey Sr. also said there was no pressure, but the memories the two shared years ago played into his decision and shows that the they did something right building the culture at Eastern.

But the fact that Gilkey Jr. decided to follow in his father’s footsteps and play for the same school, wear the same colors and don a Panther logo

first catch with their dad or their first sports game, but the Gilkeys' got just a little bit more out of that.

“I think it meant a lot (to play in front of my son),” Gilkey Sr. said. “I didn’t have a father growing up and to me it is important to be a good father and to give what I didn’t have.”

Gilkey Sr. only had his mom growing up and said she did a great job raising him.

“There’s a difference when you have a father, and of course what dad doesn’t want their kid to look up to them,” Gilkey Sr. said.

He played football at one of the top junior colleges in the nation, Northeastern Oklahoma (NEO).

Gilkey Sr. was recruited by former assistant coach Roy Wittke and Bob Spoo.

“It was the relationship I built with Wittke and Spoo which led me to Eastern,” Gilkey Sr. said.

Gilkey Sr. caught two touchdown passes in each of his two seasons with the Panthers from former Dallas Cowboy Tony Romo. And the two are still friends today.

Gilkey Sr. is friends with a lot of his

old teammates to this day.

And he had his son along with him for the whole ride.

At around 5 years old, Gilkey Jr.’s friends were his dad’s teammates.

For a kid, a hotel is not the same if there is no pool there. And on road trips at the hotel, that’s where you could find Gilkey Jr. “I remember going on all the trips to road games and (Gilkey Jr.) would come to the hotel and he’d go swimming,” Gilkey Sr. said. “I’d have players over at my apartment and them being with my son and my daughter. We were a family."

Gilkey Sr. never left sports. He spends his time now coaching and training athletes. He also coaches Gilkey Jr.’s younger siblings.

Gilkey Jr. was shaped early, not only as a football player, but as a Panther.

“He has always been around football, that’s what he’s done as far as competing, that’s what he’s always been around,” Gilkey Sr. said. “The coach’s office, he’s been behind the scenes, he knows the ins and outs of how things work. So I think that helps him and prepares him for the things he’s doing.”

Gilkey is the back-up quarterback for the Panthers now and scored his first touchdown last week at Northern.

His dad missed the game, one of the first he has missed in a while, Gilkey Jr. said.

Gilkey, page 7