Category Archives: Saluki Takeover Tours

Events & Engagement, Higher Education, Saluki Takeover Tours

Texas Saluki Takeover Tour travels to Dallas, Houston

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Chancellor Austin Lane in Dallas
Chancellor Austin Lane speaks to the crowd Tuesday, Nov. 19, at The Henry in Dallas.

They say everything is bigger in Texas. In many ways, that was true for the Saluki Takeover Tours in Dallas and Houston.

Traveling to the two cities from Monday, Nov. 18, through Thursday, Nov. 21, Chancellor Austin Lane and other campus leaders visited nearly 20 high schools, multiple community colleges, hosted two chancellor’s receptions, two corporate engagement events, and 25 donor visits. There were also two events hosted by donors. Each Saluki Takeover Tour is hosted by the SIU Foundation, in its role as an accelerator for Southern.

Houston School Visits
SIU officials visited multiple schools in the Houston and Dallas areas.

“We come here, and we connect. We have been trying to strategically get to Dallas and Houston since I started,” Lane said to a group of more than 125 alumni and friends Tuesday, Nov. 19, at The Henry in Dallas.

More than 110 people gathered at the House of Blues in Houston on Wednesday, Nov. 20.

“We have been doing these takeover tours for three years, and we kept saying we have to get out to Texas,” Lane said. “We can’t recruit and increase enrollment without your energy. Students will come to Southern Illinois if you help us recruit them there.”

At each stop, Chancellor Lane and others touted the importance of spreading the word about SIU and sharing the good news coming from the Carbondale campus. This includes details about recent enrollment increases, the upcoming transition to an R1 research institution, and the ongoing Imagine SIU 2030 fundraising campaign, which is the fifth largest in the history of Illinois public universities.

“We have a half-billion campaign going on. That’s big time,” Lane said. “We started these takeover tours three years ago … to establish relationships and re-engage. Our Foundation is the reason we’re doing the things we’re doing.”

The Imagine SIU 2030 campaign has raised more than $375 million, and it continues until 2028.

Houston crowd
Chancellor Austin Lane speaks to the crowd in Houston.

Over the past three-plus years, Saluki Takeover Tours have visited Chicago, St. Louis, Springfield, Southern Illinois, Memphis, Nashville, Florida, and Hollywood. More stops are planned in new locations, including Phoenix and others to be announced.

“We get together with alumni, and (university representatives) visit many high schools to grow the pipeline from Dallas to Carbondale,” Matt Kupec, vice chancellor for development and alumni relations and CEO of the SIU Foundation said. “We leave Carbondale with our flag. We come to Dallas, and we put the flag in the ground, and tell everyone in Dallas that this is Saluki territory!”

The corporate partnerships events included visits to ExxonMobil and AT&T.

Lone Star College visit
Sherrica Hunt, Assistant Vice Chancellor for Development & Alumni Relations, visits with students at Lone Star College.

Schools visited included:

  • South Oakcliff High School
  • South Grand Prairie High School
  • DeSoto High School
  • Gilliam Collegiate Academy
  • Fossil Ridge High School
  • Barack Obama Leadership Academy
  • H Grady Spruce High School
  • Justin F. Kimball High School
  • Grand Priaire High School
  • Lassiter Early College High School
  • Wilmer T. Hutchins
  • Alief Taylor High School
  • Belair High School
  • Cincho Ranch High School
  • Clear Lake High School
  • Davis High School
  • Dallas College – Mountain View
  • Lone Star College

Students

Events & Engagement, Higher Education, Saluki Takeover Tours

Saluki Takeover Tour makes inaugural trip to Memphis

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By Jeff Wilson

MEMPHIS – The Saluki Takeover Tour is expanding its reach to new areas of the country this year, and the first new stop was this week in Memphis.

Chancellor Austin Lane, staff from the SIU Foundation, SIU Admissions, SIU Alumni Association, and other university leaders met with donors, school administrators, and alumni in and around the city on Wednesday, Oct. 23, and Thursday, Oct. 24.

More than 80 alumni and friends of the university attended the Chancellor’s Reception at King Jerry Lawler’s Hall of Fame Bar & Grille on Beale Street on Thursday evening.

“These events matter,” Lane said. “We need you to put the Saluki flags in your front yards. The students are here. We have a lot of alumni that work here.”

Lane gave updates on topics ranging from enrollment to fundraising.

Saluki Takeover Tour Memphis
More than 80 alumni gathered at King Jerry Lawler’s Hall of Fame Bar & Grille on Beale Street in Memphis on Thursday, Oct. 24.

This fall, SIU Carbondale reported the highest enrollment jump in 33 years. Overall enrollment for fall 2024 grew 3.8 percent to 11,790, or 431 more students than last year. This is the highest overall boost in the number of students since 1991 and the highest percentage increase since 1987.

“(Our enrollment) is up because we show up,” Lane said. “We will not grow to 15,000 students, which is our goal by 2030, unless we get students out of Memphis.”

The SIU Foundation is in the midst of the Imagine SIU 2030 fundraising campaign, which has raised more than $360 million toward its $500 million goal. It’s the fifth largest such campaign in the history of Illinois higher education.

“Sixteen percent of SIU students received Foundation scholarships, and that’s because of the generosity of you and so many others,” said Matt Kupec, vice chancellor for development and alumni relations and CEO of the SIU Foundation.

Saluki Takeover Tour Memphis
Matt Kupec, vice chancellor for development and alumni relations and CEO of the SIU Foundation, SIU alumnus Terry Counce, and Chancellor Austin Lane pose outside of King Jerry Lawler’s Hall of Fame Bar & Grille Beale Street in Memphis.

On Wednesday evening, the SIU Alumni Association hosted a group of alumni at Meddlesome Brewing in Cordova, Tennessee. SIU Admissions representatives visited multiple high schools, furthering relationships and building pipelines for students who are considering college. Representatives from the SIU Foundation met with multiple donors throughout the region.

“These takeovers are designed strategically to recruit areas where we have alumni and that we have high schools and populations of students that we know we can get,” Lane said.

The next Saluki Takeover Tour will be November 19 and 20 in Dallas and Houston, respectively. Hundreds of alumni and friends have already registered for these events. Register for the Houston event here. Register for the Dallas event here. 

To see highlights from past Saluki Takeover Tours, click here.

Events & Engagement, Higher Education, Saluki Takeover Tours, SIU

Saluki Takeover Tour smashes attendance records in Chicago

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University leaders connect with alumni, donors, partners, schools

By Jeff Wilson

The fourth annual Saluki Takeover Tour in Chicago engaged university leaders with alumni and donors while also facilitating partnerships with community colleges, high schools and corporate partners.

Dr. Dan Mahony
Dr. Dan Mahony, SIU System president, speaks Wednesday, Sept. 25, during the Chancellor’s Reception.

Hosted by the SIU Foundation, the takeover tour has become a staple of the SIU calendar. Stretching well beyond Chicago, this year there will be stops in Memphis, Houston, Dallas, Nashville, Florida, St. Louis, Phoenix, California, and across Southern Illinois. For a full schedule of Saluki Takeover Tours, visit siuf.org/takeovers.

Salukis came in record numbers – more than 275 of them! – to celebrate their alma mater during the Chancellor’s Reception on Wednesday, Sept. 25, at the Residence Inn Chicago Magnificent Mile, managed by SIU alumnus Tommie Van ’86.

Chancellor Lane and a group of SIU leaders and partners
Chancellor Austin Lane hosted a dinner for educational and university leaders on Tuesday, Sept. 24.

“We take our university, and we get a lot of us to come up here, and we plant the flag in the ground and tell everybody in the Windy City that this is Saluki territory,” said Vice Chancellor for Development and Alumni Relations and CEO of the SIU Foundation Matt Kupec.

From Tuesday, Sept. 23, through Thursday, Sept. 26, dozens of representatives from Southern Illinois University Carbondale spread out across Chicago and surrounding areas, building partnerships and spreading the Saluki spirit.

“There is so much work that is happening,” said Chancellor Austin Lane. “We need more out of Chicago. That has been our theme as we have met with our community college presidents and high school principals.”

CHHS Dean Robert Morgan, Sherrica Hunt, and Steph Taylor at AAR
Dr. Robert Morgan, dean of the College of Health and Human Sciences, Sherrica Hunt, assistant vice chancellor for anti-racism, diversity, equity and inclusion, and Steph Taylor, senior director of development, visited AAR.

Throughout the week development officers and leaders from the SIU Foundation met with dozens of donors acro

ss the city in support of the Imagine SIU 2030 fundraising campaign, which has raised more than $360 million toward its $500 million goal.

“This year we set a record for fundraising. It is about 2.7 times more than we raised in 2019,” said SIU System President Dan Mahony. “That money goes to support students, support programs, support scholarships, support all the incredible work faculty is doing.”

Over the four-day takeover tour, visits were made to the following community colleges:

  • McHenry Community College
  • Oakton College
  • Joliet Junior College
  • Harper College
  • College of DuPage
  • Prairie State College
  • Moraine Valley Community College

“We had a wonderful, long day visiting those community college partners, because those are our future Salukis,” said Provost and Vice Chancellor for Academic Affairs Sheryl Tucker. “That’s part of where our enrollment growth is going to be.”

There were also visits to the following high schools:

  • Englewood High School
  • Morgan Park High School
  • Noble Johnson College Prep
  • Benito Juarez High School
  • Farragut High School
  • Al Raby School
  • Chicago Agricultural High School
Chancellor Austin Lane at Navistar
Chancellor Austin Lane and university leaders visited Navistar Inc., on Tuesday, Sept. 24.

Many of the high schools are Hope Chicago schools. Hope Chicago scholarships remove financial barriers for students and families within the Chicago Public Schools system. Hope scholars also receive wraparound support like advising and mentoring to help them achieve their desired degree or certification.

“We have been here strengthening our partnership with Hope Chicago and other entities,” said Vice Chancellor for Student Affairs Jeff Burgin. “I know you know this, but I love saying it: If it’s been done and done well, a Saluki probably did it.”

Representatives from the College of Health and Human Sciences visited Navistar Inc. and AAR Corp. Over the years, Navistar has made incredible investment in the School of Automotive with gifts-in-kind totaling more than $1.1 million. AAR provides aviation services to commercial and government partners worldwide.

CHHS Dean Robert Morgan and School of Automotive Director Andrew Croxell also hosted an Automotive Happy Hour on Tuesday, Sept. 24, at Church Street Brewery in Itasca.

SIU Research Park Executive Director Lynn Lindberg and others met with representatives from the U.S. Department of Commerce & Economic Opportunity, the U.S. Small Business Administration and the 1871 Business Development Service.

The Saluki Takeover Tour in Chicago ended Thursday, Sept. 26, with the SIU Alumni Association’s Wrigleyville Takeover at the Saluki-owned Almost Home Tavern and Grill. Dozens of Salukis came together to celebrate their SIU connections.

Chancellor's Reception
The Chancellor’s Reception had record-breaking attendance of more than 275 Salukis on Wednesday, Sept. 25, at the Residence Inn Chicago Magnificent Mile.
Donor Stories, Events & Engagement, Higher Education, Saluki Takeover Tours, SIU

SIU Foundation shatters records for fundraising, scholarships

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By Jeff Wilson

The SIU Foundation shattered its records for fundraising and scholarships awarded during Fiscal Year 2024.

Supporters of Southern Illinois University Carbondale donated nearly $47 million in FY24, a whopping 51 percent increase over FY23. The SIU Foundation awarded an incredible $5,406,133 in scholarships. More than 1,840 students benefitted from these scholarships, meaning that 16 percent of all SIU students received a Foundation scholarship this fiscal year.

“These outstanding numbers are a testament to the strength of the Saluki spirit that stretches around the globe,” said Matt Kupec, vice chancellor for development and alumni relations and CEO of the SIU Foundation. “Our alumni and donors are making a tremendous impact on students, faculty, and the community.”

The SIU Foundation has increased the amount of scholarship dollars awarded to students each of the last five years. The FY24 total represents 127 percent growth over the amount awarded in FY19.

“I am extremely grateful. Alumni and donors have changed my life,” said SIU senior and scholarship recipient Chloe Dennison. “I have always been afraid of student loans, and these scholarships have allowed me to dedicate myself to being the best student and the best nurse I can be.”

The Imagine SIU 2030 fundraising campaign is progressing well with $341,740,750 in commitments toward its $500 million goal. It is the fifth largest campaign in Illinois public university history.

The most recent fiscal year was highlighted by three major gift announcements:

  • John and Jayne Simmons announced a $10 million gift to the law school, which was then named Simmons Law School
  • Roger and Sally Tedrick announced a $6 million gift toward a new welcome center to be built on campus and named the Tedrick Welcome Center
  • James Franklin Sharp made a $1 million gift to the former University Museum, which was named Sharp Museum in his honor

The SIU Foundation also hosted multiple events, engaging alumni and friends across the country.

In its third year, the Saluki Takeover Tour made stops in Chicago, Springfield, Nashville, Florida, St. Louis, Southern Illinois, and Hollywood. The initiative takes SIU on the road and connects alumni with university leaders. This year, more than 1,500 alumni gathered for 14 Chancellor’s Receptions.

Overall, the number of stops on the Saluki Takeover Tour doubled over the previous. The Saluki Takeover Tour of Southern Illinois included visits to Illinois’ southernmost 17 counties, more than 20 school visits, and six Chancellor’s Receptions. It was capped by a Southern Illinois Celebration on May 4 at Walker’s Bluff Casino Resort, which was attended by more than 400 people.

The Saluki Takeover Tours have brought together thousands of alumni and friends, forged partnerships with high schools and community colleges, engaged dozens of donors, and raised $1.2 million. Fiscal Year 2025 will feature more takeover tour stops than ever before. Watch highlights from previous takeover tours at siuf.org/takeovers.

During the eighth annual SIU Day of Giving, the Foundation raised more than $3.1 million from 2,669 donors. SIU Credit Union kicked off the Day of Giving by donating $35,000 in total, designating $20,000 to New Student Programs and $15,000 to Touch of Nature Outdoor Education Center.

Leading the way with 670 donors was the Balancing Education, Experience, and Reality (B.E.E.R.) Scholarships, driven by the Carbondale in the ’80s and ’90s Facebook group. Nearly $45,000 was raised for the endowed scholarship fund. The College of Business and Analytics raised almost $765,000, the most of any college, school, or unit.

“In its role as an accelerator, the SIU Foundation has led the way on multiple initiatives, increasing engagement with alumni and philanthropic support that is making a major difference,” Kupec said.

To learn more about the SIU Foundation, visit siuf.org.

Events & Engagement, Saluki Takeover Tours

Salukis engage with alumni, partners in St. Louis

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By Jeff Wilson

ST. LOUIS – The Saluki Takeover Tour returned to St. Louis along with the SIU Men’s Basketball team for the week of the Arch Madness MVC Tournament.

The keystone event was the Chancellor’s Reception, hosted Wednesday, March 6, in the Lindbergh Room of the Hilton at the Ballpark. 150 alumni and friends gathered to celebrate their Saluki spirit.

“It’s great to see all the Salukis here,” Chancellor Austin Lane said. “We do the Saluki Takeover Tours in several cities throughout the year, and we always look forward to coming back to St. Louis.”

Earlier in the day, Chancellor Lane and a group of university leaders visited Eureka High School and Collinsville High School on recruiting trips. On Thursday and Friday, the members of the group planned to make their way to STEAM Academy, Duchesne College Prep, and Lutheran St. Charles.

Many other events dotted the schedule between Tuesday and Friday:

  • The College of Liberal Arts hosted an alumni social event at The Armory STL on Tuesday.
  • The SIU Foundation hosted a Corporate Partners Brunch at the Hilton at the Ballpark on Thursday.
  • There was also a Planned Giving Social Hour at the hotel on Thursday, hosted by the foundation.
  • Members of the Paul & Virginia Society gathered on Friday morning at The London Tea Room.
  • The SIU School of Medicine hosted an alumni dinner at Kreis’ Steakhouse.
  • The SIU Alumni Association hosted a pre-game event Thursday evening at PBR St. Louis in Ballpark Village.

Six corporate partners took part in the brunch on Thursday morning, including the St. Louis Cardinals, Boeing, First Mid Bank & Trust, Federal Reserve Bank of St. Louis, Horner & Shifrin, and StraightUp Solar. The discussion, led by Sherrica Hunt, assistant vice chancellor for diversity, equity, and inclusion, and Shane Bennett, senior director of development for corporate and foundation relations, focused on how companies can benefit from engaging with SIU and its students.

The Salukis fell Thursday night in the first round of the MVC Tournament, 84-82, in a double-overtime thriller against the University ofIllinois Chicago. The Dawgs finish the season 19-13.

The Saluki Takeover Tours, which began in 2021, include student recruitment visits to local high schools and colleges, as well as alumni events, and meetings with valuable partners around the country. To see highlight videos from previous Saluki Takeover Tours, click here.

Events & Engagement, Saluki Takeover Tours

Saluki Takeover Tour heads to Florida

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By Jeff Wilson

The Saluki Takeover Tour returned to Florida for the second straight year.

On Monday, Feb. 19, the SIU Alumni Association hosted an event at the Savannah Center in The Villages, followed by a Tampa Alumni Chapter gathering on Tuesday, Feb. 20, at Coppertail Brewing Company.

Like last year, the first Chancellor’s Reception was hosted in Naples. Seventy-five Salukis came together at Windstar on Naples Bay.

“We need you to help us spread the message about how great SIU is,” Chancellor Austin Lane said. “The more we come and engage with you, the more we hear about the great things you’ve done in your careers, we want to make sure we’re telling our students and campus community about that.”

Many guests stayed after the reception to watch as the Saluki Men’s Basketball team took on Murray State on ESPN+. The Dawgs won the game, 72-68.

Thursday in Miami

Chancellor Lane, Associate Vice Chancellor for Enrollment Management Wendell Williams, and others met with representatives from Miami Dad College on the afternoon of Wednesday, Feb. 22.

That evening’s Chancellor Reception was hosted at Jimmy Buffett’s Margaritaville. Alumni and friends gathered to share stories and camaraderie.

Friday in West Palm Beach

The takeover tour in Florida wrapped up Friday with a Chancellor’s Luncheon at Norton Art Museum. This event was sold out.

Afterward, there was a visit to Oxbridge Academy to explore potential partnerships.

More to come

There will also be a Saluki Takeover Tour of Southern Illinois in April and May. Information on those events will be available soon.

To see highlight videos from previous Saluki Takeover Tours, click here.

 

 

Events & Engagement, Saluki Takeover Tours

Saluki Takeover Tour visits Nashville

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More events coming soon in Florida, St. Louis, and Southern Illinois

By Jeff Wilson

NASHVILLE, Tenn. – The Saluki Takeover Tour made its second annual stop in Nashville, Tennessee, this week.

Between Monday, Feb. 12, and Wednesday, Feb. 14, representatives from SIU visited high schools and hosted events with alumni and friends.

SIU Carbondale Chancellor Austin A. Lane and Nashville State Community College President Shanna L. Jackson signed the agreement that includes the Saluki Step Ahead program during an event on the college’s White Bridge campus in Nashville – the first such pact in Tennessee.

“SIU Carbondale is providing Nashville State Community College graduates a seamless path to a bachelor’s degree, saving them time and money,” Chancellor Lane said. “And if students can’t come to us in Carbondale, Illinois, we are bringing the experience and resources of a doctoral research university to them through Saluki Step Ahead.”

Associate Vice Chancellor for Enrollment Management Wendell Williams and others visited Independence High School, LEAD Southeast High School, Martin Luther King Jr. Magnet High School, Brentwood Academy, and Hume Fogg Academic High School. These recruitment trips build bridges between potential future Salukis and the university.

“Strategically, we knew Nashville was an area we had to take over,” Chancellor Lane said. “Salukis are here. There are some exciting things happening. We’re hitting some really high points.”

This year’s Chancellor’s Reception was hosted by SIU alumni Drs. Phil and Pam Pfeffer. The Pfeffers, two of SIU’s most distinguished alumni, welcomed dozens of SIU alumni, staff, and friends into their home the evening of Tuesday, Feb. 13.

“Pam and Phil, thank you for hosting us and for your commitment and dedication and many years of service to SIU,” said Judge Phil J. Gilbert, chair of the SIU Board of Trustees. “It’s people like you that put us on the map.”

On Thursday, Feb. 14, the SIU Alumni Association hosted an event at Martin’s Bar-B-Que Joint. Dozens of alumni enjoy food, drinks, and Saluki spirit before the Saluki Men’s Basketball team took on Belmont. The Salukis fell to the Bruins, 82-68.

The next stop on the Saluki Takeover Tour is a three-location run through Florida, including events in Naples, Miami, and West Palm Beach. Those events are Wednesday, Feb. 21, through Friday, Feb. 23. For more information, click here.

After that, Salukis will take over St. Louis during the Arch Madness MVC Men’s Basketball Tournament. The Chancellor’s Reception will be from 6 to 8 p.m. Wednesday, March 6, in the Lindbergh Room at the Ballpark Village Hilton. For more information, click here.

There will also be a Saluki Takeover Tour of Southern Illinois in April and May. Information on those events will be available soon.

To see highlight videos from previous Saluki Takeover Tours, click here.

Chancellor Austin A. Lane thanks Drs. Pam and Phil Pfeffer for hosting the Chancellor’s Reception during the second annual Saluki Takeover Tour in Nashville, Tenn., on Tuesday, Feb. 13.
Higher Education, Illinois Higher Education, Saluki Takeover Tours, SIU

Salukis take over Chicago, tout enrollment success

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By Jeff Wilson

In its third year, the Saluki Takeover Tour in Chicago brought excitement and SIU pride to the Windy City.

Earlier in the week, the university announced the first increase in overall student enrollment since 2014. On the heels of that incredible news, the Saluki Takeover Tour events were buzzing with energy.

Chancellor Austin Lane addresses enrollment news to attendees of the Saluki Takeover Tour Chicago Chancellor's Reception.“You need to hear directly from me how much I appreciate your support,” said Chancellor Austin Lane to a crowd of 250 Salukis on Thursday, Sept. 7, at the Chicago Firehouse Restaurant. “When you look at these enrollment numbers, we’re not shocked. When you have this many people that passionate about their alma mater, incredible things are possible.”

SIU System President Dan Mahony echoed Chancellor Lane’s sentiment about building enrollment.

SIU System President Dan Mahony addresses the crowd at the Saluki Takeover Tour Chicago Chancellor's Reception.“The only way you get enrollment numbers like this is as a team,” Mahony said. “You’re talking about faculty, staff, administrators, alumni, donors, everybody playing their part. We could not be in a better place with the type of support we have had from everyone over the last few years.”

Building, rekindling connections

Things kicked off on Wednesday, Sept. 6, with visits to multiple community colleges and high schools, including agreement signings at College of DuPage and Elgin Community College. Associate Vice Chancellor for Enrollment Management Wendell Williams, Provost and Vice Chancellor for Academic Affairs Sheryl Tucker, Extended Campus Executive Director Susan Wegmann, and many others visited with leaders of many other schools around the region.

Group photo of attendees for the Saluki Takeover Tour Chicago MEDPREP Reception.

Later that evening, Dr. Randy Burnside, director of the MEDPREP, hosted an intimate reunion gathering for MEDPREP graduates at the Black Barrel Tavern. The Medical/Dental Education Preparatory Program prepares educationally and socioeconomically disadvantaged students for medical, dental, and other health profession schools.

Photo of corporate representatives at the Saluki Takeover Tour Chicago Corporate Networking Breakfast.On the morning of Friday, Sept. 8, Assistant Vice Chancellor for Anti-Racism, Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion Sherrica Hunt and Senior Director of Corporate & Foundation Relations hosted a Corporate Networking Breakfast at the Residence Inn.

Attendees including representatives from multiple corporations, including Enterprise, Caterpillar, Stryke Connect, and Ariel Instruments were welcomed by President Mahony.

“We’ve always had this really strong Chicago connection, and it’s getting even stronger now,” he said.

Group photo of attendees at Saluki Takeover Tour Chicago Multicultural Networking Reception

That evening, Vice Chancellor for Anti-Racism, Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion Paul Frazier hosted a Multicultural Networking Happy Hour at Highline Bar & Lounge.

“Beyond your dollars, we need your human capital,” Dr. Frazier told the crowd of over 30 people. “In order for our Cook County students to feel at home at SIU, we need you to be there for them and share your experiences.”

Group photo of attendees from the SIU Alumni Association Stumpy's Pub event.On Friday evening in Rockford, about 100 SIU alumni gathered at Stumpy’s Pub. Hosted by the SIU Alumni Association, alumni and friends enjoyed free pizza while sharing their favorite Saluki memories.

Salukis win again

On Saturday, Sept. 9, nearly 100 alumni joined the pregame tailgate before SIU’s 14-11 win over the Northern Illinois Huskies. It marks the second straight year the Saluki Takeover Tour in Chicago being capped by a Saluki Football win against an FBS opponent. Last year, the Salukis topped Northwestern.

“I’m just a small part in all of those wins,” said Saluki Football coach Nick Hill. “We’ve had really good players, and players win the games. It’s fun to be on teams that believe you can win (against FBS teams).”

Taking over

Hosted by the SIU Foundation, the Saluki Takeover Tour has made its way to Chicago, St. Louis, Nashville, and Florida. Over the next year, there will be takeover tours in other parts of the country, including Southern Illinois from April 24 to May 4.

“When the chancellor got here, he said it was time to take SIU on the road. We’re going to go to Chicago. We’re going to put the flag in the ground, and we’re going to tell the Windy City that this is Saluki territory,” said Vice Chancellor of Development and Alumni Relations and SIU Foundation CEO Matt Kupec.