Eastern University is pleased to announce the addition of Football to its athletic offerings starting in the fall of 2022. The Eastern Eagles will begin competition in the Middle Atlantic Conference in the fall of 2023.
“We look forward to the many ways this addition will positively impact the student experience at Eastern,” Athletic Director Eric McNelley shares of the new program. “With the addition of Football as well as Cheer, Dance, and a Pep Band, students will have more opportunities to engage with our athletic department in a variety of ways.”
Steps have already begun in related activities and athletic offerings. This past summer, McNelley announced the hiring of Coach Julie Berardi to lead Eastern’s new Cheer and Dance Program. Dr. Edward Jakuboski, Eastern’s Director of Music Education, assisted by Josh Guenther, Eastern’s Music Technical Director, will build and recruit a pep band.
Eastern University signed an agreement with nearby Valley Forge Military Academy regarding the use of their football and track facilities. The location is less than a mile from Eastern’s campus and will provide a space that will be accessible and conducive to community celebration and excitement.
Work is already being done to resurface the football field and track, and to update the indoor facilities. Eastern’s Strength and Conditioning staff is already in the process of updating the weight training facility on site, and several current Eastern teams have started off-season workouts in that space.
“I am pleased to see the arts, athletics, and our community as a whole come together to celebrate a new chapter in our Eastern legacy and future. I look forward to programs sparking school spirit, more campus events, increased enrollment opportunities, and different experiences for our student body.”
Leading into this announcement, Eastern Athletics has been in an unprecedented period of growth. This past summer, the department hired full-time assistants in Athletic Communications, Athletic Training, and several rapidly growing programs.
Eastern is a member of the Middle Atlantic Conference and competes in the MAC Commonwealth for most of its sports. Eastern Football will join Albright, Alvernia, Delaware Valley, FDU-Florham, Lebanon Valley, Lycoming, King’s, Misericordia, Stevenson, Widener, and Wilkes in the MAC.
Questions about the program can be directed to football@eastern.edu. Learn more about the Football Program and recruitment.
Dan Mouw serves as director of athletic communications at Eastern.
This article was originally featured in the Fall 2021 Edition of Eastern Magazine. View the full magazine here.