DJ Boomshakur, Mike Hausman, is a senior communications major and has been a disc jockey for more than four years and currently spins at Mother´s.

Jenny Chamberlain, junior psychology major, throws a spare during bowling class Tuesday afternoon in University Bowling Alley.

Shoulders above the rest: The Best of Coles County

By:

Posted: 4/28/05

Band- Elsinore
A country/Americana folk rock band named Elsinore took the title of No. 1 band in Coles County this year. Three of the band members: Ryan Groff, acoustic guitar and vocals; Mark Woolwine, piano and vocals and Dave Pride, percussion and vocals are all Eastern students. Chris Eitel, bass and vocals attends Lakeland Community College. The band plays about four shows a month and are regulars at Jackson Avenue Coffee, The Warehouse and Friends and Co. in Charleston.

Music Venue- Friends and Co.

Place to Dance- Stix (Now the Panther Paw)

Place to Tan- Tan Express
Tan Express has many tanning specials that keep students coming back for more, from one week unlimited sessions in the 10 and 20 minute beds for $14 to 1 month unlimited for $35. Employees clean the beds after the customers and give out goggles and stickers for free.

"Our beds are really strong," said Stephanie Prumer, a sophomore family and consumer sciences major.

Place to Shop- Wal-Mart

Place to Play Darts - Marty's

Live DJ- Mike Hausman @ Mother's
Hausman, or DJ Boomshakur as he likes to be called, has been a disc jockey for more than four years and currently spins at Mother's and performs at private functions. He plays "mostly hip-hop, techno and Euro" music.

"I know the fundamentals of DJ-ing," Hausman said. "I've got the basics down, in-and-out. I can look at the dance floor and tell what (people) want to hear."

Professor- Marty Scott
Even though Scott died March 31, he still brought in the most votes for best professor. He taught in the English department and was a friend to many of his students.

Chinese food- QQ Buffet

Mexican food- El Rancherito

Sandwiches- Jimmy John's
Jimmy John's was first opened in Charleston in 1983. Currently, there are 270 United States franchises and several foreign ones. Entrepreneur magazine rated Jimmy John's the 61st fastest growing franchise. The restaurant caters to students with after-hours munchies by delivering their sandwiches, which range from $3.25 to $4.25 from 11 a.m. to 2 a.m. daily.

Bar- The Panther Paw (formerly known as Stix)

Mixed Drink- Baltimore Zoos @ The Paw
This drink comprises ? oz. rum, ? oz. vodka, ? oz. gin, one splash of Sprite, one splash of grenadine, one lemon squeeze and one shot of beer. No wonder it's a favorite among many Eastern students. It gets them drunk fast.

Drink Special- 50-cent drafts @ Icy Mug
All beer drafts are 50 cents on Thursdays at the Icy Mug. Beers include Budweiser, Bud Light, Busch, Michelob Ultra and Miller Lite.

On-campus event- Homecoming
Homecoming came in first for best on-campus event. It's a tradition for Eastern students and Charleston residents alike. Homecoming is a full week of themed events and fun like "Who Wants to Be a Mascot?" and of course, the football game (tailgating included). Next year's theme will be "All the Places You Can Go at Eastern."

Intramural sport- Volleyball
Volleyball, the biggest indoor intramural sport at Eastern next to basketball, claimed the number one spot for best intramural sport. In the fall, men and women play on separate leagues. In the spring, the games are co-ed and less competitive. Teams play about five games in three to four weeks and then playoffs.

Best Pawn Shop- Coles County Pawn Shop
Coles County Pawn Shop is the yellow building on the corner of Fourth and Madison streets. Customers can buy, sell and trade items from jewelry and coins to TVs and VCRs. Coles County Pawn has a large selection of video games, movies, CDs and adult videos and magazines.

Best Landlord- Jim Wood from Wood Rentals
Jim Wood has been in business for 15 years and works for 30 different property owners. Wood Rentals is located on 1512 A St. off of Lincoln Avenue.

Best Radio Station- WCBH 104.3 The Party

Best Place to play pinball/foosball- The Mad Hatter's Tea
Todd and Jedd Edgar, owners of the Mad Hatter's Tea, have owned the bar since the fall of 2000. Of the many places that received votes in this category, Mad Hatter's was one of the only places that has both pinball and foosball.

Best Place to play pool- The Mad Hatter's Tea
Equipped with four pool tables at the cost of 75 cents per game, Mad Hatter's pulled in the majority of the votes again.

Best Coach- Bob Spoo (football)
Spoo is the winningest coach in Eastern history with a record of 105-89-1 in 17 seasons. He led the Panthers to five NCAA Division I-AA tournaments in the last nine years. Under Spoo, the Panthers have had eight winning seasons in the last 10 played. Spoo's team shared or won two Ohio Valley Conference championships from 2000 to 2002.

Honorable Mention- Rick Samuels

Best Restaurant- E.L. Krackers

Best Dining Hall- Stevenson Hall
Stevenson Hall is known for having a variety of choices every day. The made-to-order omelets and deli sandwiches are a campus favorite, as are the make-your-own waffle selection. Stevenson dining is open from 8 a.m. to 8:30 p.m.

Best Bowling Alley- Eastern Bowling Lanes
Eastern Lanes originally opened in 1967 and underwent renovations in 2001 to open again in the spring of 2002. The renovated lanes included new lanes, new bowling balls, new shoes and automatic scoring. Shoe rental is $1 and $1.75 a game for students.

Best Pizza- Chubbies

Fastest Delivery
Pizza- Chubbies
Sandwiches- Jimmy John's