The Eagle Athletic Association is looking forward to another exciting season of Fall sports and has already seen some impressive performances from our volleyball, soccer and football teams and I encourage you to attend as many events and games as possible. I would like to take a moment to introduce and welcome your 2011–2012 Eagle Athletic Association Board of Directors, they are: President Sam Anderson, Past President Brendan Genther, President Elect Linda Fairhurst, Secretary Gary Nogle, Chairman of Special Events Gary Garberg, Chairman of Outreach Mike Mumford and remaining board members John McCallum, Dirk Lincoln, Pat DeVries, Ron Howe and Billie Jean Hall.

In the world of social media and instant communication, direct mailing is no longer an effective primary method for communicating. In order to streamline our communication and save on production expenses, the EAA will now use electronic mail as our primary form of contact, as well as Facebook and AlumniLink for event registrations. You will still want to watch for your EAA membership packets and the Eastern magazine in your mailbox as those will continue to be mailed. For the most up–to–date news on athletics, please visit the GoEags.com and become a fan of the Eagle Athletic Association on Facebook.

Your 2011 EAA membership packets will be mailed next week. The later mailing date allowed for more members to be included in the order. If you would prefer to pick up your packet Friday night, Sept. 23 at the 2^nd Annual Original Red Turf Tailgate Party, please email eaa@ewu.edu.

Over the summer, the ticket booths in the upper lot were replaced with new ones designed and built by Eastern's own carpentry, IT and electrical shop. There are now a total of six windows that can switch easily between will call and walk ups. The new booths are equipped with power, wireless internet and television. There is also an ADA window on the left side of the booth. The old booths will be cleaned, repainted and repurposed for various uses on campus.

Lot 12 behind the football stadium has been renamed the "Eagle Village." The "Eagle Village" is the go to spot for tailgating at Eastern games. The Village will have activities for all ages, along with a DJ and live music. Be sure to spread the word about this new addition as the "Eagle Village" will be a "can't miss" area.

Thanks to Odom Corporation and Farmers Insurance Agent Bryan Jarrett, fans will now be able to watch the Eagles at field level in the "Miller Lite Touchdown Club." This new addition will be in the South Endzone (scoreboard end). Admission is $30 (not including game ticket). There is a limit of 200 spectators per game on a first-come, first-serviced basis. Admission includes the following:

• 40' x 40' tent w/tables and chairs outside the tent
• All you can eat food
• (2) drink tickets per person

The ticket booths are not the only facility upgrade this year. The locker rooms of womens' volleyball, basketball, and tennis, and men's tennis are being renovated and should be complete in January. Reese court bleachers will also be moved and replaced. There are also several other minor projects around the campus. For more details, please see Athletic Director Bill Chaves' August newsletter.

To jump-start his tenure at Eastern, men's basketball coach Jim Hayford has created the 6^th Man Club. The goal is to get EWU fans personally connected to the basketball program. For more information and how to join the 6^th man club, please visit the 6^th Man Club.

2010 National Champions signage was installed on the front of the pressbox that faces Roos Field. In addition, EWU Athletics would like to thank MoCo Engineering of Spokane Valley, Forest Steel of CDA and Forrest Paint of Spokane Valley for their generous donation of the "2010 National Champions" and EWU Football Helmet signage on the back of the pressbox.

The Eagle Athletic Association will be hosting a rally for all Eagle fans the night before the EWU Football Home Opener vs. Montana State. Come enjoy a barbecue dinner, bid on some great auction items and get pumped up for the game the next day!

• Where: Roos Field
• When: Friday, Sept. 23^rd
• Please visit alumni.ewu.edu/events for more information and to register

Eagle Fans!

Welcome to a new school year. I hope that everyone enjoyed their summer; or what summer we have had this year. It seems like just yesterday that Coach Baldwin and his team hoisted the National Championship trophy in Frisco, Texas.

We had a great spring, which culminated in a very successful fund drive. This past year, we decided to focus more on membership than dollar amounts. I am proud to say that we have finally eclipsed the mark of 1,000 memberships. It had been a while coming, but through the effort of our dedicated fund drive players, we finally made it.

This being said our primary goal is still raising money for scholarships and athletic operations. We feel that one way to improve our fund-raising is get more people involved. It is a fact that the more contacts you make, the more success you will have. I would Like to take this moment to challenge each and every one of our members to get a little more involved this coming year.

The weekend of the Montana State game will give us an opportunity to step up. On the 23^rd of September, we will host Second Annual Red Turf Tailgate Party. If that does not work out for you, we also have volunteer opportunities on the day of the game, the 24^th of September. If you have any questions, contact Krytsa Plato in the EAA office at 509.359.6208.

We Look forward to a great year, both on and off the field and court.

Go Eags,

Sam