By Jeff Wilson, SIUSalukis.com
Amber Hanson has visited all seven continents, but her favorite destination remains SIU basketball and football games.
Establishing scholarships for student-athletes brings her a unique sense of joy.
“I’ve had a penguin run across my feet in Antarctica,” Hanson said over coffee at Common Grounds Coffee House in Carbondale. “But there’s something about being at a game and knowing you helped one of those players.”
Her generosity has earned her membership in the Big Dawg Leadership Society, which recognizes donors who contribute $25,000 or more over a five-year period to Saluki Athletics.
“I’m a diehard fan. I want both basketball and football to be successful. I’ve never bought into the idea of ‘it’s how you play the game’—I want to win with a capital W,” she said.
Saluki Family
Hanson earned a Bachelor of Science in Nursing from SIU and credits the university for laying the foundation for her success.
“I believe those to whom much is given should help students who may need a financial boost,” she said. “My husband was the son of a coal miner, and my parents were teachers, so we both came from humble beginnings. Now, I feel my family and I should repay our SIU debt, and we’ve contributed for many years.”
Amber and her late husband, Homer, are well known in Saluki circles. She served as the nurse at Carbondale Community High School for 30 years, while he worked as a pediatrician at the Carbondale Clinic.
“At one point, we knew just about every young person in Carbondale,” she said. “Some great Terriers went on to play for SIU, which is always special.”
The couple helped launch the tailgating tradition for Saluki Football.
“We brought our own tables and set everything up,” she said. “If it rained, we moved under the bleachers at McAndrew Stadium. If the weather was too bad, we hosted at our house.”
The Hansons traveled the world but rarely missed a basketball or football game.
“We were season ticket holders for 50 years, and I still am,” she said. “I’ve always loved sports. It was our social life.”
Salukis Unleashed
Hanson’s support is part of the Salukis Unleashed initiative, which aims to increase revenue for Saluki Athletics by $100 million. The campaign will expand scholarship opportunities and improve facilities, creating a premier experience for student-athletes, coaches, and fans.
Salukis Unleashed is a key component of the university’s Imagine SIU 2030 fundraising campaign, which has raised more than $422 million toward its $500 million goal.
To make a gift, visit give.siu.edu/athletics. For information about estate gifts, contact Kat Martin at katm@foundation.siu.edu.