Southern Illinois University will celebrate a milestone in its athletic history when six former student‑athletes are slated to be inducted into the Saluki Hall of Fame in 2026.
Induction Ceremony and Homecoming Celebration
The induction ceremony is scheduled for October 16, 2026, at the Tedrick Welcome Center, and will be followed by Homecoming festivities on October 17, giving the new members a chance to engage with current students and fans.
Among the inductees, Andrea Estrada stands out as a volleyball legend who amassed 1,385 kills and 1,375 digs, joining an elite group of five players to cross the 1,000‑kill and 1,000‑dig thresholds.
Byron Honore, a cornerstone of SIU football from 1976 to 1979, earned two First‑Team All‑Missouri Valley Conference selections and helped pave the way for Hall of Fame running backs Andre Herrera and Burnell Quinn.
Kevin Koski, a baseball standout, still holds the single‑season hits record with 92 and the career runs scored record of 191, accolades that were complemented by First‑Team All‑MVC honors and an MVC All‑Tournament nod in 2005.
Track and field star Kyle Landon brings Olympic pedigree to the class, having reached the silver‑medal match at the 2016 U.S. Olympic Trials and collecting nine MVC championships and four Most Outstanding Field Athlete awards.
Dave Smith, who anchored the offensive line from 1984 to 1987, earned first‑team All‑MVFC recognition and later signed with the Cincinnati Bengals, appearing in 14 NFL games.
Xaixuan "Sherry" Zhang, a diving virtuoso, captured seven MVC titles, set school records in both the 1‑meter and 3‑meter events, and garnered 18 MVC Diver of the Week honors.
Legacy of Excellence
The induction underscores SIU’s commitment to honoring athletic achievement while inspiring current student‑athletes to pursue excellence both on and off the field.