The line started forming before 6 p.m., and by 6:22 p.m., every shirt was gone.

Murphy-Wall State Bank’s annual Panther T-Shirt Giveaway once again drew a tremendous crowd Friday evening during the Panther Tailgate ahead of Pinckneyville’s home football game against the Carlyle Indians. Community members of all ages lined up early for a chance to receive one of the limited-edition Panther shirts, continuing a tradition that has become a favorite part of football season. The giveaway officially began at 6 p.m., one hour before kickoff, and the response from Panther fans was immediate. All 200 shirts were claimed in just 22 minutes as excited supporters filled the tailgate area and prepared for an evening of football under the lights. For many in attendance, the giveaway has become a yearly tradition. Murphy-Wall has sponsored the event for many years as part of the bank’s ongoing commitment to supporting local schools, students, and community activities. The long line of fans waiting before the giveaway began showed just how much enthusiasm surrounds both the event and Panther athletics.

Dylan Clark, Marketing Coordinator for Murphy-Wall State Bank, hands a Panther T-shirt to a fan during the giveaway at the Panther Tailgate. All 200 shirts were distributed in just 22 minutes. Photo by Daniel Herbst.

“The shirts go fast every year, and it’s awesome to see a community show up for their school,” said Dylan Clark, Marketing Coordinator for Murphy-Wall State Bank. “Seeing that line before 6 p.m. and watching all 200 shirts disappear in just 22 minutes really shows the pride people have in the Panthers.” The excitement surrounding the giveaway did not go unnoticed by others at the event.

“The Bank’s community support is always excellent. This certainly met that standard,” said Daniel Herbst, Photographer and Yearbook Advisor at Pinckneyville Community High School.

As kickoff approached, fans proudly wore their new Panther shirts throughout the tailgate and into the stands, creating a strong display of school spirit ahead of the Panthers’ matchup with Carlyle. While the football game provided the night’s action on the field, the turnout at the Murphy-Wall giveaway highlighted something equally important: the strength of a community that rallies behind its schools and traditions. With all 200 shirts gone in less than half an hour, the annual Panther T-Shirt Giveaway once again proved to be one of the most popular events of the evening.