{"id":4379,"date":"2025-04-22T16:30:07","date_gmt":"2025-04-22T16:30:07","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/blog.siuf.org\/?p=4379"},"modified":"2025-04-23T16:20:18","modified_gmt":"2025-04-23T16:20:18","slug":"saluki-takeover-tour-of-southern-illinois-kicks-off-with-incredible-crowd-at-apple-creek-golf-club","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/blog.siuf.org\/?p=4379","title":{"rendered":"Saluki Takeover Tour smashes records in Southern Illinois"},"content":{"rendered":"<figure id=\"attachment_4382\" aria-describedby=\"caption-attachment-4382\" style=\"width: 464px\" class=\"wp-caption alignnone\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\" wp-image-4382\" src=\"https:\/\/blog.siuf.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/04\/Lane-Carbondale-2-300x200.jpg\" alt=\"Chancellor Austin Lane\" width=\"464\" height=\"309\" srcset=\"https:\/\/blog.siuf.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/04\/Lane-Carbondale-2-300x200.jpg 300w, https:\/\/blog.siuf.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/04\/Lane-Carbondale-2-768x512.jpg 768w, https:\/\/blog.siuf.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/04\/Lane-Carbondale-2.jpg 800w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 464px) 100vw, 464px\" \/><figcaption id=\"caption-attachment-4382\" class=\"wp-caption-text\">Chancellor Austin Lane addresses packed crowd of 200 on Thursday, April 3, at Apple Creek Golf Club during the Saluki Takeover Tour of Southern Illinois.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<p><strong>By Jeff Wilson<\/strong><\/p>\n<p>The Saluki Takeover Tour had a record-breaking run through Southern Illinois this April.<\/p>\n<p>Beginning on Thursday, April 3, with a packed house at Apple Creek Golf Club in Makanda and continued through late-April, the takeover tour will make its way to 50 high schools across all 17 Southern Illinois counties.<\/p>\n<figure id=\"attachment_4460\" aria-describedby=\"caption-attachment-4460\" style=\"width: 300px\" class=\"wp-caption alignright\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"size-medium wp-image-4460\" src=\"https:\/\/blog.siuf.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/04\/Murphysboro-300x200.jpg\" alt=\"Saluki Takeover Tour in Murphysboro\" width=\"300\" height=\"200\" srcset=\"https:\/\/blog.siuf.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/04\/Murphysboro-300x200.jpg 300w, https:\/\/blog.siuf.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/04\/Murphysboro-1024x683.jpg 1024w, https:\/\/blog.siuf.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/04\/Murphysboro-768x512.jpg 768w, https:\/\/blog.siuf.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/04\/Murphysboro-1536x1024.jpg 1536w, https:\/\/blog.siuf.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/04\/Murphysboro.jpg 2048w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 300px) 100vw, 300px\" \/><figcaption id=\"caption-attachment-4460\" class=\"wp-caption-text\">Amy Mills, owner of Faye, speaks during the Saluki Takeover Tour event in Murphysboro.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<p>More than 200 people joined Chancellor Austin Lane, the SIU Foundation, and university leaders at the kickoff event at Apple Creek. Guests enjoyed complimentary hors d&#8217;oeuvres and drinks while engaging with their alma mater in an intimate setting.<\/p>\n<p>More than 115 Salukis came together for the second reception at TJ&#8217;s Diamond Club in Mtn Dew Park in Marion on Tuesday, April 8. On Thursday, April 10, the takeover tour stopped at Caf\u00e9 Bloom in Benton, hosting a crowd of about 50. The fourth Chancellor&#8217;s Reception hosted 60 Salukis at St. Nicholas Landmark in Chester. Then, on Thursday, April 17, SIU hosted more than 80 guests at Pizza Villa in Anna. The takeover tour wrapped up Tuesday, April 22, with nearly 100 people coming to Faye in Murphysboro.<\/p>\n<figure id=\"attachment_4441\" aria-describedby=\"caption-attachment-4441\" style=\"width: 300px\" class=\"wp-caption alignright\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"size-medium wp-image-4441\" src=\"https:\/\/blog.siuf.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/04\/Chester-1-300x200.jpg\" alt=\"Saluki Takeover Tour Chester\" width=\"300\" height=\"200\" srcset=\"https:\/\/blog.siuf.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/04\/Chester-1-300x200.jpg 300w, https:\/\/blog.siuf.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/04\/Chester-1-1024x683.jpg 1024w, https:\/\/blog.siuf.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/04\/Chester-1-768x512.jpg 768w, https:\/\/blog.siuf.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/04\/Chester-1-1536x1024.jpg 1536w, https:\/\/blog.siuf.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/04\/Chester-1.jpg 2048w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 300px) 100vw, 300px\" \/><figcaption id=\"caption-attachment-4441\" class=\"wp-caption-text\">The Saluki Takeover Tour made its way to Chester with a stop at St. Nicholas Landmark.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<p>\u201cWe are going to be all over this region. We are recruiting like we are coaches giving offers to students, telling them there is nowhere else you need to go other than Southern Illinois University Carbondale,\u201d Lane said.<\/p>\n<figure id=\"attachment_4383\" aria-describedby=\"caption-attachment-4383\" style=\"width: 300px\" class=\"wp-caption alignright\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"size-medium wp-image-4383\" src=\"https:\/\/blog.siuf.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/04\/Lane-Carbondale-300x200.jpg\" alt=\"Chancellor Austin Lane at Apple Creek Golf Club\" width=\"300\" height=\"200\" srcset=\"https:\/\/blog.siuf.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/04\/Lane-Carbondale-300x200.jpg 300w, https:\/\/blog.siuf.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/04\/Lane-Carbondale-768x512.jpg 768w, https:\/\/blog.siuf.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/04\/Lane-Carbondale.jpg 800w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 300px) 100vw, 300px\" \/><figcaption id=\"caption-attachment-4383\" class=\"wp-caption-text\">Chancellor Austin Lane addresses the crowd on Thursday, April 3, at Apple Creek Golf Club during the Saluki Takeover Tour of Southern Illinois.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<p>The Office of Innovation and Economic Development also hosted Business Resource Meetups before every Chancellor&#8217;s Reception.<\/p>\n<p>Lane and admissions staff promoted programs such as the\u00a0<a href=\"https:\/\/fao.siu.edu\/types\/saluki-commitment.php\">Saluki Commitment<\/a>, which guarantees that tuition and mandatory fees are fully covered for four (transfer students) or eight (freshman students) consecutive\u00a0 semesters at no cost to students or families.<\/p>\n<figure id=\"attachment_4408\" aria-describedby=\"caption-attachment-4408\" style=\"width: 300px\" class=\"wp-caption alignleft\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"size-medium wp-image-4408\" src=\"https:\/\/blog.siuf.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/04\/Marion-1-300x200.jpg\" alt=\"Chancellor Austin Lane, Shad Zimbro, Rodney Cabaness\" width=\"300\" height=\"200\" srcset=\"https:\/\/blog.siuf.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/04\/Marion-1-300x200.jpg 300w, https:\/\/blog.siuf.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/04\/Marion-1-1024x683.jpg 1024w, https:\/\/blog.siuf.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/04\/Marion-1-768x512.jpg 768w, https:\/\/blog.siuf.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/04\/Marion-1-1536x1024.jpg 1536w, https:\/\/blog.siuf.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/04\/Marion-1.jpg 1800w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 300px) 100vw, 300px\" \/><figcaption id=\"caption-attachment-4408\" class=\"wp-caption-text\">Chancellor Austin Lane introduces Shad Zimbro (middle) and Rodney Cabaness during the Saluki Takeover Tour stop in Marion in TJ&#8217;s Diamond Club at Mtn Dew Park.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<p>Recipients must meet all of the following criteria:<\/p>\n<ul>\n<li>Be a first-time incoming freshman enrolling full-time on-campus in the fall 2021 semester or later.<\/li>\n<li>Have a cumulative high school GPA of 2.75 or higher.Have an annual family income less than $103,040 with assets less than $50,000 based on your FAFSA.<\/li>\n<li>Be an Illinois resident who attended an Illinois high school.<\/li>\n<li>Be a dependent student under age 24.<\/li>\n<li>Be eligible for federal financial aid.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p>SIU also recently joined the ranks of the Ivy League, being named a Research 1 (R1) university by the Carnegie Classification of Institutions of Higher Education. Southern is one of only three public universities in Illinois with that designation, and it is the only one within 100 miles of Carbondale.<\/p>\n<p>\u201cAs we go out and recruit, you will be surprised how many students are interested in research. Students that are thinking about their future, when they\u2019re thinking about what school to select, we go right to the top,\u201d Lane said. \u201cWe have incredible faculty. I\u2019d be remiss if I didn\u2019t thank our faculty for getting us there.\u201d<\/p>\n<figure id=\"attachment_4420\" aria-describedby=\"caption-attachment-4420\" style=\"width: 300px\" class=\"wp-caption alignright\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"size-medium wp-image-4420\" src=\"https:\/\/blog.siuf.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/04\/Benton-1-300x200.jpg\" alt=\"Lee Messersmith, Chancellor Lane, Carolin Harvey\" width=\"300\" height=\"200\" srcset=\"https:\/\/blog.siuf.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/04\/Benton-1-300x200.jpg 300w, https:\/\/blog.siuf.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/04\/Benton-1-1024x683.jpg 1024w, https:\/\/blog.siuf.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/04\/Benton-1-768x512.jpg 768w, https:\/\/blog.siuf.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/04\/Benton-1-1536x1024.jpg 1536w, https:\/\/blog.siuf.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/04\/Benton-1.jpg 1800w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 300px) 100vw, 300px\" \/><figcaption id=\"caption-attachment-4420\" class=\"wp-caption-text\">The Saluki Takeover Tour stopped at Caf\u00e9 Bloom in Benton. The event was attended by 50 people, including Benton Mayor Lee Messersmith (left) and Carbondale Mayor Carolin Harvey.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<p>For the SIU Foundation, the takeover tours are an opportunity to connect with donors as it progresses through the record-breaking Imagine SIU 2030 fundraising campaign. With a goal of raising $500 million by June 2028, it is the fifth largest such campaign in the history of Illinois higher education. More than $390 million has already been raised, and the Saluki Takeover Tour helps spread the excitement.<\/p>\n<p>\u201cWe have 270,000 alumni. There are only 50 universities with more. I think you all agree that there\u2019s something in the sauce about being a Saluki,\u201d said Matt Kupec, vice chancellor for development and alumni relations and CEO of the SIU Foundation.<\/p>\n<h2><strong>School Visit Photos<\/strong><\/h2>\n<figure id=\"attachment_4395\" aria-describedby=\"caption-attachment-4395\" style=\"width: 387px\" class=\"wp-caption alignnone\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\" wp-image-4395\" src=\"https:\/\/blog.siuf.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/04\/Marion-300x225.jpg\" alt=\"Marion students\" width=\"387\" height=\"290\" srcset=\"https:\/\/blog.siuf.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/04\/Marion-300x225.jpg 300w, https:\/\/blog.siuf.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/04\/Marion.jpg 600w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 387px) 100vw, 387px\" \/><figcaption id=\"caption-attachment-4395\" class=\"wp-caption-text\">Marion<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<figure id=\"attachment_4393\" aria-describedby=\"caption-attachment-4393\" style=\"width: 386px\" class=\"wp-caption alignnone\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\" wp-image-4393\" src=\"https:\/\/blog.siuf.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/04\/Elverado-300x229.jpg\" alt=\"Elverado students\" width=\"386\" height=\"295\" srcset=\"https:\/\/blog.siuf.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/04\/Elverado-300x229.jpg 300w, https:\/\/blog.siuf.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/04\/Elverado.jpg 600w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 386px) 100vw, 386px\" \/><figcaption id=\"caption-attachment-4393\" class=\"wp-caption-text\">Elverado<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<figure id=\"attachment_4394\" aria-describedby=\"caption-attachment-4394\" style=\"width: 376px\" class=\"wp-caption alignnone\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\" wp-image-4394\" src=\"https:\/\/blog.siuf.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/04\/Hardin-County-300x225.jpg\" alt=\"Hardin County students\" width=\"376\" height=\"282\" srcset=\"https:\/\/blog.siuf.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/04\/Hardin-County-300x225.jpg 300w, https:\/\/blog.siuf.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/04\/Hardin-County-1024x768.jpg 1024w, https:\/\/blog.siuf.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/04\/Hardin-County-768x576.jpg 768w, https:\/\/blog.siuf.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/04\/Hardin-County-1536x1152.jpg 1536w, https:\/\/blog.siuf.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/04\/Hardin-County.jpg 2048w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 376px) 100vw, 376px\" \/><figcaption id=\"caption-attachment-4394\" class=\"wp-caption-text\">Hardin County<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<figure id=\"attachment_4396\" aria-describedby=\"caption-attachment-4396\" style=\"width: 380px\" class=\"wp-caption alignnone\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\" wp-image-4396\" src=\"https:\/\/blog.siuf.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/04\/Pinckneyville-300x225.jpg\" alt=\"Pinckneyville students\" width=\"380\" height=\"285\" srcset=\"https:\/\/blog.siuf.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/04\/Pinckneyville-300x225.jpg 300w, https:\/\/blog.siuf.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/04\/Pinckneyville-1024x768.jpg 1024w, https:\/\/blog.siuf.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/04\/Pinckneyville-768x576.jpg 768w, https:\/\/blog.siuf.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/04\/Pinckneyville-1536x1152.jpg 1536w, https:\/\/blog.siuf.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/04\/Pinckneyville.jpg 2048w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 380px) 100vw, 380px\" \/><figcaption id=\"caption-attachment-4396\" class=\"wp-caption-text\">Pinckneyville<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<figure id=\"attachment_4397\" aria-describedby=\"caption-attachment-4397\" style=\"width: 381px\" class=\"wp-caption alignnone\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\" wp-image-4397\" src=\"https:\/\/blog.siuf.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/04\/Pope-County-300x225.jpg\" alt=\"Pope County students\" width=\"381\" height=\"286\" srcset=\"https:\/\/blog.siuf.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/04\/Pope-County-300x225.jpg 300w, https:\/\/blog.siuf.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/04\/Pope-County.jpg 600w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 381px) 100vw, 381px\" \/><figcaption id=\"caption-attachment-4397\" class=\"wp-caption-text\">Pope County<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<figure id=\"attachment_4398\" aria-describedby=\"caption-attachment-4398\" style=\"width: 388px\" class=\"wp-caption alignnone\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\" wp-image-4398\" src=\"https:\/\/blog.siuf.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/04\/Webber-225x300.jpg\" alt=\"Webber students\" width=\"388\" height=\"517\" srcset=\"https:\/\/blog.siuf.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/04\/Webber-225x300.jpg 225w, https:\/\/blog.siuf.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/04\/Webber.jpg 450w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 388px) 100vw, 388px\" \/><figcaption id=\"caption-attachment-4398\" class=\"wp-caption-text\">Webber<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<figure id=\"attachment_4399\" aria-describedby=\"caption-attachment-4399\" style=\"width: 383px\" class=\"wp-caption alignnone\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\" wp-image-4399\" src=\"https:\/\/blog.siuf.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/04\/Nashville-300x225.jpg\" alt=\"Nashville Students\" width=\"383\" height=\"287\" srcset=\"https:\/\/blog.siuf.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/04\/Nashville-300x225.jpg 300w, https:\/\/blog.siuf.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/04\/Nashville-1024x768.jpg 1024w, https:\/\/blog.siuf.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/04\/Nashville-768x576.jpg 768w, https:\/\/blog.siuf.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/04\/Nashville-1536x1152.jpg 1536w, https:\/\/blog.siuf.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/04\/Nashville.jpg 2048w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 383px) 100vw, 383px\" \/><figcaption id=\"caption-attachment-4399\" class=\"wp-caption-text\">Nashville<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<figure id=\"attachment_4400\" aria-describedby=\"caption-attachment-4400\" style=\"width: 383px\" class=\"wp-caption alignnone\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\" wp-image-4400\" src=\"https:\/\/blog.siuf.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/04\/Mount-Vernon-300x225.jpg\" alt=\"Mount Vernon students\" width=\"383\" height=\"287\" srcset=\"https:\/\/blog.siuf.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/04\/Mount-Vernon-300x225.jpg 300w, https:\/\/blog.siuf.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/04\/Mount-Vernon.jpg 600w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 383px) 100vw, 383px\" \/><figcaption id=\"caption-attachment-4400\" class=\"wp-caption-text\">Mount Vernon<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<figure id=\"attachment_4405\" aria-describedby=\"caption-attachment-4405\" style=\"width: 384px\" class=\"wp-caption alignnone\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\" wp-image-4405\" src=\"https:\/\/blog.siuf.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/04\/Johnston-City-300x135.jpg\" alt=\"Johnston City student\" width=\"384\" height=\"173\" srcset=\"https:\/\/blog.siuf.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/04\/Johnston-City-300x135.jpg 300w, https:\/\/blog.siuf.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/04\/Johnston-City-768x346.jpg 768w, https:\/\/blog.siuf.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/04\/Johnston-City.jpg 800w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 384px) 100vw, 384px\" \/><figcaption id=\"caption-attachment-4405\" class=\"wp-caption-text\">Johnston City<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<figure id=\"attachment_4406\" aria-describedby=\"caption-attachment-4406\" style=\"width: 386px\" class=\"wp-caption alignnone\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\" wp-image-4406\" src=\"https:\/\/blog.siuf.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/04\/Carterville-300x170.jpg\" alt=\"Carterville Students\" width=\"386\" height=\"219\" srcset=\"https:\/\/blog.siuf.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/04\/Carterville-300x170.jpg 300w, https:\/\/blog.siuf.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/04\/Carterville-768x434.jpg 768w, https:\/\/blog.siuf.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/04\/Carterville.jpg 800w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 386px) 100vw, 386px\" \/><figcaption id=\"caption-attachment-4406\" class=\"wp-caption-text\">Carterville<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<figure id=\"attachment_4407\" aria-describedby=\"caption-attachment-4407\" style=\"width: 396px\" class=\"wp-caption alignnone\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\" wp-image-4407\" src=\"https:\/\/blog.siuf.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/04\/Crab-Orchard-300x112.jpg\" alt=\"Crab Orchard students\" width=\"396\" height=\"148\" srcset=\"https:\/\/blog.siuf.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/04\/Crab-Orchard-300x112.jpg 300w, https:\/\/blog.siuf.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/04\/Crab-Orchard-768x287.jpg 768w, https:\/\/blog.siuf.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/04\/Crab-Orchard.jpg 800w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 396px) 100vw, 396px\" \/><figcaption id=\"caption-attachment-4407\" class=\"wp-caption-text\">Crab Orchard<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<figure id=\"attachment_4410\" aria-describedby=\"caption-attachment-4410\" style=\"width: 395px\" class=\"wp-caption alignnone\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\" wp-image-4410\" src=\"https:\/\/blog.siuf.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/04\/Harrisburg-225x300.jpg\" alt=\"Harrisburg\" width=\"395\" height=\"527\" srcset=\"https:\/\/blog.siuf.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/04\/Harrisburg-225x300.jpg 225w, https:\/\/blog.siuf.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/04\/Harrisburg-768x1024.jpg 768w, https:\/\/blog.siuf.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/04\/Harrisburg-1152x1536.jpg 1152w, https:\/\/blog.siuf.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/04\/Harrisburg.jpg 1536w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 395px) 100vw, 395px\" \/><figcaption id=\"caption-attachment-4410\" class=\"wp-caption-text\">Harrisburg<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<figure id=\"attachment_4411\" aria-describedby=\"caption-attachment-4411\" style=\"width: 392px\" class=\"wp-caption alignnone\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\" wp-image-4411\" src=\"https:\/\/blog.siuf.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/04\/Thompsonville-225x300.jpg\" alt=\"Thompsonville\" width=\"392\" height=\"523\" srcset=\"https:\/\/blog.siuf.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/04\/Thompsonville-225x300.jpg 225w, https:\/\/blog.siuf.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/04\/Thompsonville-768x1024.jpg 768w, https:\/\/blog.siuf.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/04\/Thompsonville-1152x1536.jpg 1152w, https:\/\/blog.siuf.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/04\/Thompsonville.jpg 1536w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 392px) 100vw, 392px\" \/><figcaption id=\"caption-attachment-4411\" class=\"wp-caption-text\">Thompsonville<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<figure id=\"attachment_4412\" aria-describedby=\"caption-attachment-4412\" style=\"width: 387px\" class=\"wp-caption alignnone\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\" wp-image-4412\" src=\"https:\/\/blog.siuf.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/04\/Sesser-Valier-300x225.jpg\" alt=\"Sesser-Valier\" width=\"387\" height=\"290\" srcset=\"https:\/\/blog.siuf.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/04\/Sesser-Valier-300x225.jpg 300w, https:\/\/blog.siuf.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/04\/Sesser-Valier-768x576.jpg 768w, https:\/\/blog.siuf.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/04\/Sesser-Valier.jpg 1024w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 387px) 100vw, 387px\" \/><figcaption id=\"caption-attachment-4412\" class=\"wp-caption-text\">Sesser-Valier<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<p><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"alignnone wp-image-4413\" src=\"https:\/\/blog.siuf.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/04\/Benton-225x300.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"390\" height=\"520\" srcset=\"https:\/\/blog.siuf.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/04\/Benton-225x300.jpg 225w, https:\/\/blog.siuf.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/04\/Benton-768x1024.jpg 768w, https:\/\/blog.siuf.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/04\/Benton-1152x1536.jpg 1152w, https:\/\/blog.siuf.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/04\/Benton.jpg 1536w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 390px) 100vw, 390px\" \/><\/p>\n<figure id=\"attachment_4414\" aria-describedby=\"caption-attachment-4414\" style=\"width: 388px\" class=\"wp-caption alignnone\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\" wp-image-4414\" src=\"https:\/\/blog.siuf.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/04\/Massac-County-300x225.jpg\" alt=\"Massac County\" width=\"388\" height=\"291\" srcset=\"https:\/\/blog.siuf.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/04\/Massac-County-300x225.jpg 300w, https:\/\/blog.siuf.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/04\/Massac-County-1024x768.jpg 1024w, https:\/\/blog.siuf.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/04\/Massac-County-768x576.jpg 768w, https:\/\/blog.siuf.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/04\/Massac-County-1536x1152.jpg 1536w, https:\/\/blog.siuf.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/04\/Massac-County.jpg 2048w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 388px) 100vw, 388px\" \/><figcaption id=\"caption-attachment-4414\" class=\"wp-caption-text\">Massac County<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<figure id=\"attachment_4439\" aria-describedby=\"caption-attachment-4439\" style=\"width: 389px\" class=\"wp-caption alignnone\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\" wp-image-4439\" src=\"https:\/\/blog.siuf.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/04\/Cairo-225x300.jpg\" alt=\"Cairo\" width=\"389\" height=\"519\" srcset=\"https:\/\/blog.siuf.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/04\/Cairo-225x300.jpg 225w, https:\/\/blog.siuf.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/04\/Cairo-768x1024.jpg 768w, https:\/\/blog.siuf.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/04\/Cairo.jpg 800w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 389px) 100vw, 389px\" \/><figcaption id=\"caption-attachment-4439\" class=\"wp-caption-text\">Cairo<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<figure id=\"attachment_4438\" aria-describedby=\"caption-attachment-4438\" style=\"width: 385px\" class=\"wp-caption alignnone\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\" wp-image-4438\" src=\"https:\/\/blog.siuf.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/04\/Coulterville-300x225.jpg\" alt=\"Coulterville\" width=\"385\" height=\"289\" srcset=\"https:\/\/blog.siuf.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/04\/Coulterville-300x225.jpg 300w, https:\/\/blog.siuf.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/04\/Coulterville-768x576.jpg 768w, https:\/\/blog.siuf.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/04\/Coulterville.jpg 800w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 385px) 100vw, 385px\" \/><figcaption id=\"caption-attachment-4438\" class=\"wp-caption-text\">Coulterville<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<figure id=\"attachment_4437\" aria-describedby=\"caption-attachment-4437\" style=\"width: 388px\" class=\"wp-caption alignnone\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\" wp-image-4437\" src=\"https:\/\/blog.siuf.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/04\/Chester-300x225.jpg\" alt=\"Chester\" width=\"388\" height=\"291\" srcset=\"https:\/\/blog.siuf.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/04\/Chester-300x225.jpg 300w, https:\/\/blog.siuf.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/04\/Chester.jpg 640w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 388px) 100vw, 388px\" \/><figcaption id=\"caption-attachment-4437\" class=\"wp-caption-text\">Chester<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<figure id=\"attachment_4436\" aria-describedby=\"caption-attachment-4436\" style=\"width: 385px\" class=\"wp-caption alignnone\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\" wp-image-4436\" src=\"https:\/\/blog.siuf.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/04\/West-Frankfort-300x225.jpg\" alt=\"West Frankfort\" width=\"385\" height=\"289\" srcset=\"https:\/\/blog.siuf.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/04\/West-Frankfort-300x225.jpg 300w, https:\/\/blog.siuf.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/04\/West-Frankfort-768x576.jpg 768w, https:\/\/blog.siuf.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/04\/West-Frankfort.jpg 800w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 385px) 100vw, 385px\" \/><figcaption id=\"caption-attachment-4436\" class=\"wp-caption-text\">West Frankfort<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<figure id=\"attachment_4435\" aria-describedby=\"caption-attachment-4435\" style=\"width: 383px\" class=\"wp-caption alignnone\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\" wp-image-4435\" src=\"https:\/\/blog.siuf.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/04\/Sparta-300x225.jpg\" alt=\"Sparta\" width=\"383\" height=\"287\" srcset=\"https:\/\/blog.siuf.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/04\/Sparta-300x225.jpg 300w, https:\/\/blog.siuf.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/04\/Sparta-768x576.jpg 768w, https:\/\/blog.siuf.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/04\/Sparta.jpg 800w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 383px) 100vw, 383px\" \/><figcaption id=\"caption-attachment-4435\" class=\"wp-caption-text\">Sparta<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<figure id=\"attachment_4434\" aria-describedby=\"caption-attachment-4434\" style=\"width: 384px\" class=\"wp-caption alignnone\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\" wp-image-4434\" src=\"https:\/\/blog.siuf.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/04\/Christopher-300x225.jpg\" alt=\"Christopher\" width=\"384\" height=\"288\" srcset=\"https:\/\/blog.siuf.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/04\/Christopher-300x225.jpg 300w, https:\/\/blog.siuf.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/04\/Christopher-768x576.jpg 768w, https:\/\/blog.siuf.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/04\/Christopher.jpg 800w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 384px) 100vw, 384px\" \/><figcaption id=\"caption-attachment-4434\" class=\"wp-caption-text\">Christopher<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<figure id=\"attachment_4433\" aria-describedby=\"caption-attachment-4433\" style=\"width: 389px\" class=\"wp-caption alignnone\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\" wp-image-4433\" src=\"https:\/\/blog.siuf.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/04\/Meridian-300x161.jpg\" alt=\"Meridian\" width=\"389\" height=\"209\" srcset=\"https:\/\/blog.siuf.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/04\/Meridian-300x161.jpg 300w, https:\/\/blog.siuf.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/04\/Meridian-768x412.jpg 768w, https:\/\/blog.siuf.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/04\/Meridian.jpg 800w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 389px) 100vw, 389px\" \/><figcaption id=\"caption-attachment-4433\" class=\"wp-caption-text\">Meridian<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<figure id=\"attachment_4457\" aria-describedby=\"caption-attachment-4457\" style=\"width: 388px\" class=\"wp-caption alignnone\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\" wp-image-4457\" src=\"https:\/\/blog.siuf.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/04\/NCOE-300x225.jpg\" alt=\"NCOE\" width=\"388\" height=\"291\" srcset=\"https:\/\/blog.siuf.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/04\/NCOE-300x225.jpg 300w, https:\/\/blog.siuf.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/04\/NCOE-1024x768.jpg 1024w, https:\/\/blog.siuf.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/04\/NCOE-768x576.jpg 768w, https:\/\/blog.siuf.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/04\/NCOE-1536x1152.jpg 1536w, https:\/\/blog.siuf.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/04\/NCOE-2048x1536.jpg 2048w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 388px) 100vw, 388px\" \/><figcaption id=\"caption-attachment-4457\" class=\"wp-caption-text\">NCOE<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<figure id=\"attachment_4456\" aria-describedby=\"caption-attachment-4456\" style=\"width: 391px\" class=\"wp-caption alignnone\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\" wp-image-4456\" src=\"https:\/\/blog.siuf.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/04\/Hamilton-County-300x225.jpg\" alt=\"Hamilton County\" width=\"391\" height=\"293\" srcset=\"https:\/\/blog.siuf.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/04\/Hamilton-County-300x225.jpg 300w, https:\/\/blog.siuf.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/04\/Hamilton-County-1024x768.jpg 1024w, https:\/\/blog.siuf.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/04\/Hamilton-County-768x576.jpg 768w, https:\/\/blog.siuf.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/04\/Hamilton-County-1536x1152.jpg 1536w, https:\/\/blog.siuf.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/04\/Hamilton-County-2048x1536.jpg 2048w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 391px) 100vw, 391px\" \/><figcaption id=\"caption-attachment-4456\" class=\"wp-caption-text\">Hamilton County<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<figure id=\"attachment_4455\" aria-describedby=\"caption-attachment-4455\" style=\"width: 389px\" class=\"wp-caption alignnone\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\" wp-image-4455\" src=\"https:\/\/blog.siuf.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/04\/Red-Bud-300x225.jpg\" alt=\"Red Bud\" width=\"389\" height=\"292\" srcset=\"https:\/\/blog.siuf.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/04\/Red-Bud-300x225.jpg 300w, https:\/\/blog.siuf.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/04\/Red-Bud-1024x768.jpg 1024w, https:\/\/blog.siuf.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/04\/Red-Bud-768x576.jpg 768w, https:\/\/blog.siuf.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/04\/Red-Bud-1536x1152.jpg 1536w, https:\/\/blog.siuf.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/04\/Red-Bud-2048x1536.jpg 2048w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 389px) 100vw, 389px\" \/><figcaption id=\"caption-attachment-4455\" class=\"wp-caption-text\">Red Bud<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>By Jeff Wilson The Saluki Takeover Tour had a record-breaking run through Southern Illinois this April. Beginning on Thursday, April 3, with a packed house at Apple Creek Golf Club in Makanda and continued through late-April, the takeover tour will make its way to 50 high schools across all 17 Southern Illinois counties. More than &hellip; <a href=\"https:\/\/blog.siuf.org\/?p=4379\" class=\"more-link\">Continue reading <span class=\"screen-reader-text\">Saluki Takeover Tour smashes records in Southern Illinois<\/span> <span class=\"meta-nav\">&rarr;<\/span><\/a><\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":14,"featured_media":0,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"_monsterinsights_skip_tracking":false,"_monsterinsights_sitenote_active":false,"_monsterinsights_sitenote_note":"","_monsterinsights_sitenote_category":0,"footnotes":""},"categories":[16,15],"tags":[],"class_list":["post-4379","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","hentry","category-events-engagement","category-saluki-takeover-tours"],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/blog.siuf.org\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts\/4379","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/blog.siuf.org\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/blog.siuf.org\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/blog.siuf.org\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/users\/14"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/blog.siuf.org\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fcomments&post=4379"}],"version-history":[{"count":19,"href":"https:\/\/blog.siuf.org\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts\/4379\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":4461,"href":"https:\/\/blog.siuf.org\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts\/4379\/revisions\/4461"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/blog.siuf.org\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fmedia&parent=4379"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/blog.siuf.org\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fcategories&post=4379"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/blog.siuf.org\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Ftags&post=4379"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}