By Jeff Wilson
CARBONDALE – On the Friday of Southern Illinois University’s Homecoming weekend, the sun shone brightly on the Mike Hanes Marching Salukis Band Tower and the large crowd gathered to honor Hanes’ memory.
Hanes came to SIU in 1965 and served as director of bands until his retirement in 2005. He remained involved with the Marching Salukis until he passed away in 2022.
“The Marching Salukis have always been and will always be one great big family,” said Hanes’ daughter, Lisa Breithaupt-Hanes, during the ceremony on Friday, Oct. 11. “Dad would truly be humbled. He’s smiling down on all of us.”
The new band tower is located on Sam Rinella Field in front of the towers on East Campus.
“The Marching Salukis are ambassadors for this university,” said Chancellor Austin Lane. “We wanted them to be at the center of our vibrant student life here at Southern.”
Construction of the tower was partially funded by a generous gift from SIU alumni, Drs. Phil and Pam Pfeffer. The Pfeffers met while attending SIU in the 1960s. Pam was the head majorette, and Phil was field announcer.
“This is a great tribute to Mike Hanes’ impact on our alumni,” said SIU System President Dan Mahony. “The SIU Foundation pushes projects forward. So thank you to them, and thank you to Pam and Phil.”
To cover the remaining costs of the band tower construction, the SIU Foundation is asking others to make a similar investment. Donations can be made by searching for the “Mike Hanes Memorial Naming Fund” at siuf.org/give.
“This project has been an incredible collaboration between the Foundation, the Music Department, and many others,” said Matt Kupec, vice chancellor for development and alumni relations and CEO of the SIU Foundation. “There’s nothing better than the sound of a marching band, and no one plays it better than the Marching Salukis.”
The band, which has students from nearly every college and school on campus, had previously practiced in parking lot No. 56, which had a band tower that was deemed unsafe for anyone to climb. Director of Athletic Bands George Brozak is thankful to have a new, sturdy structure that honors his mentor, Mike Hanes.
“His spirit is here. He was a great man, and I miss him every day,” Brozak said.
Director of the School of Music Dick Kelley echoed that sentiment.
“We want this to not just be the Mike Hanes band tower, we want it to be the Mike Hanes Facility,” Kelley said. “It’s where we will share stories and memories. It brings permanence.”