Paige Luneack, a junior at St. Louis High School, has recently committed to Eastern Illinois University with a full ride scholarship for softball.
It is definitely compelling to see a student from St. Louis High School make such a momentous accomplishment. The Panthers at EIU compete at the NCAA Division I level. There are only 12 athletic scholarships per softball team at the NCAA level which are typically split into partial scholarships among players, making it rare for someone to receive a full scholarship. So it is all the more impressive that Luneack has been able to receive a full scholarship for softball at EIU.
Luneack committed to EIU Oct. 22 2025. She said, “Deciding to commit to Eastern Illinois University was a surreal experience.” Luneack has been playing softball since she was four years old, but says, “In 10u I realized softball was my favorite sport, and I realized I could get far in life with softball.”
“Something that has been a big influence in my softball career is wanting to live out a dream I had. I knew it was going to take lots of work to live out a dream that many, including me, have, which is to go to college for a sport. That was something I always looked at when I was at my breaking point and felt like I wasn’t good enough. I would think about how my hard work will pay off,” Luneack remarks.
Luneack is obviously a very hard worker as acknowledged by one of her coaches, Jason Biehl. “Paige isn’t afraid to work hard and only works harder if someone says she can’t do something,” Biehl, acknowledges.
In addition to playing softball for St. Louis, Luneack has also played travel softball. “Softball has provided me with multiple opportunities to travel. We [she and her travel softball teammates] spend that extra time that we aren’t playing to go explore around.” So softball has not only provided Luneack with the opportunity to pursue her academic career, but it has also given her the opportunity to travel.
These travel opportunities are sure to evolve even more while she competes at the collegiate level.
