A Season of Celebration
Southern Illinois University (SIU) is set to launch a year‑long celebration called “The Year of Saluki Legends” during the 2026‑27 athletic season, a tribute that will recognize eight historic teams across five sports that have reached milestone anniversaries. The initiative weaves together the university’s rich football, basketball, baseball, softball and other program histories into a single narrative that will unfold across the academic year.
The festivities will kick off in the fall with the football program, continue through the men’s and women’s basketball campaigns, and wrap up in the spring with softball and baseball. Each sport’s marquee anniversary will be marked by special ceremonies, alumni gatherings and opportunities for current student‑athletes to connect with the past, creating a bridge between generations of Saluki supporters.
Honoring the Legends
Among the honored squads are the 1976 football team, which finished 7‑4 under head coach Rey Dempsey and featured running back Andre Herrera, who ranked second nationally in rushing yards; the 1966‑67 men’s basketball team that captured the NIT Championship with a 71‑56 victory over Marquette, led by Hall of Famers Walt Frazier and Dick Garrett and guided by coach Jack Hartman; and the 1986‑87 women’s basketball team that posted a 28‑3 record and completed its second straight undefeated conference run. These teams, along with the 1977 softball squad’s third appearance in the Women’s College World Series and the 1977 baseball team’s third‑place finish at the College World Series with a 38‑10 record, illustrate the breadth of Saluki excellence.
Additional milestones include the 2006‑07 men’s basketball run to the Sweet Sixteen and the 1991‑92 women’s team’s upset of No. 7 Colorado in the NCAA Tournament. The celebration also acknowledges the contributions of coaches and players such as Tony Dorsett, Byron Honore, Oyd Craddock, Mike Glenn, Gary Wilson, Corky Abrams, Wayne Abrams, Randal Falker, Bryan Mullins, Jamaal Tatum, Cindy Scott, Ann Kattreh, Mary Berghuis, Bridgett Williams, Kelly Firth, Anita Scott, Kay Brechtelsbauer, Robin Deterding, Helen Minor, Karen King, Richard "Itchy" Jones, George Vukovich and Dewey Robinson, whose careers have left an indelible mark on SIU’s athletic identity.
Former players and coaches from these celebrated groups will be invited back to the Carbondale campus for recognition events, providing a chance for the Saluki community to hear firsthand stories from those who shaped the program’s rich history. The initiative underscores SIU’s commitment to preserving its athletic heritage while inspiring future generations, and it aligns with the university’s broader engagement with the Missouri Valley and Gateway conferences, including events that have taken place at venues like Madison Square Garden in New York.