Cardinal comeback falls short to give Salukis win over Incarnate Word
nick pfannkuche
Despite having had a big lead at halftime, the air was tense in Saluki Stadium. Incarnate Word had crawled their way back into the football game. Still, with one more stop, SIU would come away with a win. So when a toss-up on fourth down was hauled in by a maroon jersey, the Saluki faithful were able to breathe a sigh of relief.
“Those are the moments we train for all off-season,” Shug Walker said.
On Saturday, No. 8 SIU hosted the No. 14 Cardinals of the University of Incarnate Word (UIW) in a matchup between two Football Championship Subdivision ranked teams.
The Cardinals got the ball to start the game. They picked up a first down on a Saluki penalty, but would go no further, punting the ball away to the Dawgs.
SIU got the first blow of the night with their first possession.
DJ Williams found Keontez Lewis open up the middle for a 37-yard touchdown.
Keontez Lewis ran all over UIW on the night. The wide receiver finished the game with 205 allpurpose yards, 148 receiving and a 57-yard rushing touchdown.
Mylee Walker MWalker@dailyegyptian
On Thursday Sept. 12, the Southern Illinois University System Board of Trustees approved the fiscal year 2025 budget while the Carbondale campus is operating on a deficit of nearly 9.5 million dollars.
“What you’ll hear today… is our best attempt to kind of manage those continued issues most universities have,” President Daniel Mahony said to the board on Sept. 11 at an executive meeting. “We have some lingering issues that come from years of disinvestment from the state as well as declines of enrollment that we have to address.”
With a revenue of $408,698,700 and $418,186,600 in expenditures and transfers, SIU’s Carbondale campus is working with a $9,487,900 deficit.
Tuition is just under 19% of the revenue in this budget. The general revenue, which comes from the state and taxes, is 26.5% of the revenue.
“I think everyone saw how fast he is,” Saluki head coach Nick Hill said. Incarnate Word responded with a deep drive of their own. A 29yard completion set up a goal line
COMEBACK | 6
Family Weekend 2024: A chance to experience the place students call home
annalise schMidt aschMidt@dailyegyptian coM
SIU is gearing up for one of its most anticipated events of the year — Family Weekend 2024. From Sept. 19-21, students, their families and friends are invited to participate in a variety of campus activities. The weekend will include events such as tailgates, sports, campus tours and performances.
For families visiting Carbondale, it offers a chance to experience the place students call home.
Aaliyah Ross, a student who works for the New Student Programs
office, reflected on its significance. She said, “Inviting my own family to come down, cheer me on a little bit, stay the weekend — they made me feel better [when] I’m at school… being five, six hours away from home.”
During the first semester, students often go through a significant adjustment period as they settle into their new environment and routines.
“I would say just having some sort of familiarity around you is important,” Ross said. “I’m sure for these incoming freshmen things are
| 3
The largest expense for the university is “Personal Services”, defined by James Madison University as expenditures related to departmental staffing, including compensation; salaries and wages (full-time and part-time); and all related benefits, taking up 47% of expenses. The second biggest expense is “Contractual Services”, which is 20.7% of expenses.
Even so, Mahony says that SIU is in a better position than a lot of universities.
“It’s certainly better than what we are seeing nationally…I think 2% of universities cease to exist. A large number of others have had to make drastic cuts, including cutting tenure faculty members, which is an unusual thing for universities to do,” Mahony said.
“I’m pleased to say that for FY24 we are in a fairly good position,” SIU Carbondale Chancellor Austin Lane said. “The biggest two variables in our university budget is enrollment, as President Mahony noted we’ve had pretty stable support from the state, which we are grateful for.”
Even with the increase in enrollment at both of the universities this year, there is still a backlog of struggles, including budget cuts, the system is trying to overcome.
“With respect for FY25, our focus will be enrollment and retention,” Lane said.
Staff reporter Mylee Walker can be reached at mwalker@dailyegyptian.com
Nah’shawn Hezekiah points towards the end zone after catching a pass Sept. 14th, 2024 at Saluki Stadium in Carbondale, Illinois. Hezekiah, tallied in 118 yards during Saturday night’s win against Incarnate Word. Simeon Hardley | @Simshardphotography
Illustration by Yarauseth Zavala | @zavala.designs
SIU commemorates 9/11 with annual Saluki Stair Climb
Carly Gist | CGist@dailyeGyptian Com
Southern Illinois University hosted the 9-11 Saluki Stair Climb Tribute on Wednesday morning in remembrance of the 9/11 attacks on the United States and the ensuing Global War on Terror. First responders, veterans, SIU ROTC cadets, athletes, students and community members alike completed the workout in honor of those who lost their lives that day.
“It’s an event to remember those that gave their life or their life was taken on Sept. 11, 2001 in New York; Washington, DC; the Pentagon; and also in Pennsylvania, the four core airplanes that were hijacked,” U.S. Army Lt. Col. Garrett Slack said. “And then we always want to remember the first responders and the service members that had to do more after that.”
Slack is a professor of military science for the Army ROTC program at SIU. The event began with his opening remarks, in which he asked participants, by a show of hands, who was alive and remembered where they were on Sept. 11, 2001.
“My personal belief is that we need to remember what changed our world, and this event is a generational change,” Slack said. “Earlier today, I asked how many people were alive or remembering and about 50% of the audience raised their hand. I think what we’re doing is important because of that other 50%. They’re here to remember something that they weren’t alive for or they don’t remember, and we’re spreading that.”
“We’re educating our students here on campus, for sure, but making it available to the world that this happened, and this is what we do about it,” he added. “We as Americans, we didn’t forget. We support our first responders, we support our service members. We support and we remember those that fell that day.”
The event is a long-standing tradition for SIU Army and Air Force ROTC units. SIU Director of Events and Outreach Sarah VanVooren said last year was the first year it became open to the public.
“Every time we do this, it just gets
a little smoother,” VanVooren said. “It’s having online registration, so we have an idea of the number of people; online waivers, so people can fill that out in advance; and it just expedites the check-in process.”
Slack said, “I think this year it’s expanding, and we really appreciate that.”
The event was also relocated from Saluki Stadium to the Banterra Center this time.
“Saluki Athletics is very gracious in letting us use their facilities,” Slack said. “This year, we opted to plan it inside. It’s good for inclement weather. It also does improve the footing.”
At least 2,977 people lost their lives when the World Trade Center buildings were destroyed on Sept. 11, 2001, with 424 being first responders. Participants were encouraged to climb 110 flights of stairs, simulating the 110 floors the first responders climbed in each of the towers that day. Additionally, many local firefighters wore full gear in honor of the firefighters who carried 40 pounds of equipment that day.
As an alternative, participants had the option to walk or run 13 laps (2 miles) around the concourse of the arena, representing the evacuation distance from Ground Zero to the Brooklyn Bridge.
“One thing that the committee wanted to make sure there was available is anybody that needs an accommodation or wanted an alternative to running stairs for one reason or another had that option,” Slack said. “So…that lets everybody participate, not just people that can climb stairs.”
During his remarks, Slack told participants to “prove that you’re resilient.”
“Don’t give up,” he said. “It’s 110 flights of stairs. It’s 2 miles from Ground Zero to the evacuation [site]. Don’t give up. Prove you can do it. They did not give up, or they did not have the opportunity.”
275 participants pre-registered for the event, Slack said. Among those participants was Stan Reno, Chief of Police and interim city manager of
Ellie Kuhn, a member of the Carbondale Township Fire Dept. climbs stairs with Duty Officer John Needham for the 9-11 Saluki Stair Climb Tribute Sept. 11, 2024 at Banterra Center in Carbondale, Illinois. Alexis Lessman | alessman@dailyegyptian.com
Carbondale.
“This is a great event,” Reno said. “It’s a great opportunity to come together and show some camaraderie and really honor our heroes of 9/11.”
He also shared his memory of the day.
“I was a young police officer working in Carbondale, and it was very impactful,” he said. “[I had] just gotten off my midnight shift and began to watch these events unfold, and then immediately responded back to work as we began to sort out how this was going to impact the rest of the country.”
Slack described his own memories during his opening comments.
“Everybody can reflect in their own way, but for those that don’t remember it or weren’t there, I wanted to share my experience with them,” he said. “As a college student, as a soldier going to college, that’s what I was feeling. So that somber moment of reflection is [what] I was going for and now we’re starting to see the motivation come out as everybody’s doing the stairs.”
Undergraduate Student Government President Penny Bordewick said it was her first year participating in the stair climb.
“It feels special to be a part of something that’s bigger than myself today and to remember those who came before us,” Bordewick, who was born after 9/11, said.
She said it is important for the university to host this event in remembrance of “those in our communities specifically who are affected by this.”
“There’s Salukis everywhere, so it’s great for us to kind of go back and remember Salukis before us and make sure that we’re honoring, as a community, our first responders,” she said. “First responders are very important to our campus,
between CPD [Carbondale Police Department] and the firefighters that we have that respond to our campus really quickly. So just taking a moment to kind of give them some time, remember them, thank them, that’s really important for us.”
For cadets, the event was an alternative to their physical training (PT) of the day.
“Air Force and Army ROTC have done the 9/11 stair climb for a number of years for their workout,” VanVooren said.
Grant Oliver, member of the SIU Army ROTC, said, “Instead of going out into the field and doing daily PT, we came out here kind of like [to] show that we care, show that we’re active members of the community, stuff like that.”
Similarly, the women’s basketball team completed the workout together.
“I think it’s really good to bring the community together and focus on one thing…like lifting each other up, you know?” guard Jeniah Thompson said. “There’s hard times for a lot of people out there, they’ve lost a lot during this time, so just as a community being able to come together and do something [is important].”
Guard Kayla Cooper said, “We love doing stuff with the community and being able to honor those who fought.”
Cooper also said that what she wants people to take away from the stair climb is “just coming together, no matter what is going on in the world.”
“I feel like there’s so many people that lost their lives due to something very tragic,” she said. “And I feel like, a lot of people felt that when they were there or even years, years after, it’s still [affecting] a lot of people. So just bring the community together, make sure everybody’s safe.”
Putting the event together was “truly a group effort,” Slack said. The Saluki Stair Climb was sponsored by Air Force ROTC; Army ROTC; private donor Diana House and Family; Pepsi Mid-America; Saluki Athletics; SIU Department of Public Safety; SIU Events and Outreach; SIU Office of Vice Chancellor for Anti-Racism, Diversity, Equity and Inclusion; and SIU Veterans Services.
“I think the best thing is we had a lot of participation from the campus and community to make this happen,” VanVooren said. “So we had representatives from [the sponsors] and we really came together to work together to make this happen.”
Slack credits Commander of SIU Air Force ROTC Lt. Col. Chay M. Derbigny for playing a huge role in the planning of Saluki Stair Climb as well. Although Derbigny could not be present due to official business, he left a brief message for participants.
“It’s incredible to see the Saluki community come together to honor the bravery, sacrifice and resilience of those who responded to the tragic effects of September 11, 2001,” Derbigny said in a video. “Thank you all for participating, for remembering and for making this day meaningful.”
All in all, Slack wanted participants to spend the day remembering.
“Remember those that came before you,” he said. “Remember what happened. Remember what your country did in response. Because that’s getting passed on to the next generation and the next generation and the next generation. If we don’t learn from history, we might have to repeat it, and we don’t want to repeat this here.”
Morgan Flamm finishes running with Mother-in-Law Lynn Flamm.
maybe a bit hard. We’re definitely diving into the semester now, so just to have your loved ones around you makes your home away from home feel like home even more.”
For Ross, her experience was about finding a balance between embracing new experiences and staying connected with those who provide a sense of stability.
She said, “I don’t go home as much. I like my routine here on campus being an independent college student. I would say when my family came for Family Weekend my freshman year, I definitely had a sense of belonging.”
SIU’s Office of Student Engagement and the Student Programming Council have planned a weekend full of events that they said were designed to be entertaining for the whole family.
Sean Cooney, Assistant Director of Student Engagement and Programming and Student Programming Council Advisor, said, “We’re encouraging families to come down Thursday evening…to take in our family weekend guest speaker, Dan Povenmire. He’s one of the cocreators of ‘Phineas and Ferb’ and has worked on a bunch of animated series. So we’re bringing him in to talk about his experiences, and we’ve done a guest speaker for Family Weekend for the last three years now.”
Attendees can watch the annual war for the wheel football game as the Salukis take on the Southeast Missouri State Redhawks at Saluki Stadium, with tailgating starting hours before the 6 p.m. kickoff.
Ross said, “I think families should look out for the tailgate. We have all kinds of groups — different organizations, different departments here on campus. There’s always free food that people can stop by and grab and maybe even free SIU merchandise.”
Students are encouraged to register their families early and plan ahead for the weekend.
“First come first serve with parking, so definitely be ready. Come find your seats ASAP. Those stands will get packed very quickly, especially with this being our first home game,” Ross said. The weekend is not just focused on SIU but also on the surrounding community.
Cooney said, “Our local vendors and our vendors for the community are showcasing what they can sell…We do promote other things around the city, whether it’s Sunday morning for different services, or a Touch of Nature event. Fraternities and sororities are doing their annual Greek Sing as well. There’s just a ton of stuff going on.”
He said he hopes the variety of activities ensures there’s something for everyone to enjoy.
“Whether that’s a family going and seeing ‘Inside Out 2’ with their grandparents and their younger siblings, or going to the football game on Saturday, I think it’s our job to make sure there’s a lot of good memories,” Cooney said.
“What I see when I work is all the students excited to see their family for the first time in a while.”
Cooney emphasized the importance of ensuring that families feel valued and integral to the Saluki community. He said he wants them to share in the office’s excitement about having them on campus and being a part of the Saluki family throughout the student’s entire time at school.
“We’re trying to build up that community,” Cooney said. “So we like to say that, a student isn’t just a Saluki, but so is all the family that supports them, because it takes a village to help a student get through college and we want to celebrate that too.”
Cooney himself is a two-degree alum.
“I’ve been here since 2013. I have very fond memories of family weekends and having my family come down and see me when I was first dropped off here as a freshman, the first time I was away from home,” he said.
For him, these visits still stand out as a
meaningful part of his college experience as they helped to make campus life feel more comfortable and connected.
Cooney said, “It’s really important that I continue that tradition through my office to have opportunities for families to create really good memories.”
For many, Family Weekend is more than just an exciting series of events — it continues to be a celebration of the Saluki community, providing a chance to strengthen bonds and showcase the SIU experience. Whether attending for the first time or returning for another year, this weekend offers opportunities for excitement, connection and Saluki pride.
“I really just encourage families to enjoy campus, enjoy Carbondale and the region as a whole. I think we’re a special university, because we have such a wonderful area around us,” Cooney said. “On top of all of our events, I really hope the families explore southern Illinois and all that it has to offer during the weekend. And I hope they’re coming back every year so they can continue to kind of expand that exploration.”
Here are some highlights for the weekend: Thursday, Sept. 19
Events kick off at 6:30 p.m. with celebrity speaker Dan Povenmire. Povenmire is best known as a co-creator and executive producer of the popular animated series “Phineas and Ferb”. He has also worked as a writer and director on numerous other animated shows, including “Family Guy” and “SpongeBob SquarePants”.
Friday, Sept. 20
The Student Center will be holding an SIU Craft Fair featuring products made by vendors in the community from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. (The Craft Fair will continue on Saturday from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m.)
Free games will be offered at Bowling and Billiards that night in the Student Center from 4-9 p.m.
The Moonlight Hot Dog Roast and Paddle is one of the outdoor activities offered at SIU’s Touch of Nature Outdoor Education Center. From 5:30-9:30 p.m. participants can enjoy a relaxed paddle on Little Grassy Lake under the moonlight, followed by a classic campfire-style hot dog roast.
An outdoor showing of the movie “Inside Out 2” will take place at 7:30 p.m. at Itchy Jones Stadium. Snacks and beverages will be provided while supplies last.
Saturday, Sept. 21
Meet at Touch of Nature Camp 2 for the Rocky Ledges 5K and 10K at 10 a.m. Registration is required.
Greek organizations will be showcasing their singing and dancing talents at their annual Greek Sing event on the steps of Shryock at 11 a.m.
The Family Weekend Tailgate will be held at Saluki Row from 3-5 p.m. Food will be provided free of charge while supplies last. Guests should register before arrival.
Attendees can head to Saluki Stadium at 6 p.m. to watch an SIU football game against Southeast Missouri State.
Sunday, Sept. 22 Register for the Saluki Family Association Brunch from 9:30 a.m. to 11:00 a.m. at the Saluki Plaza – Alumni Center. This event will provide the opportunity to visit with other SIU families and make long-lasting connections. A full schedule of events can be found on the Family Weekend webpage at https://orientation. siu.edu/family/weekend.php
Email New Student Programs at orientation@ siu.edu with any questions or contact the Saluki Family Association at 618-453-1000. For disability accommodations, call 618-453-5738.
Staff reporter Annalise Schmidt can be reached at aschmidt@dailyegyptian.com
Voting for the first time? Here is what you need to know
Alli GoerinG AGoerinG@dAilyeGyptiAn com
Correction: This story is being reprinted because it ran in the Sept. 4 edition with the following errors:
- The previous version of this story incorrectly stated that people who are not U.S. citizens are eligible to vote. Only U.S. citizens may vote in U.S. elections.
- The county office that administers elections is the County Clerk and Recorder’s Office. An earlier version incorrectly identified it as the Circuit Clerk’s Office.
- A photo I.D. is not required to register to vote in Illinois. An earlier version inaccurately stated the requirements for voter registration.
For people who have never voted before, going to the polls, registering and marking the ballet is a new experience. With multiple elections approaching, students from out of state and first-time voters need to know what to do on Nov. 5.
First-time voters must register before going to the polls on election day. For Jackson County voters, two forms of identification must be brought to the County
Clerk and Recorder’s Office to register. Voter’s must be 18 years old by election day and at least 17
“You
identification cards; utility bills; employee or student identification cards; lease or
can come to my office and you can register to vote. We’re open eight to four and we would just need those documents.”
-
Frank
Byrd Jackson County Clerk
years old to register to vote.
“You have to be a US citizen, you have to live in your precinct 30 plus days before the election and not be serving a sentence of confinement as a result of a conviction [and] you’ll need two forms of identification,” Jackson County Clerk Frank Byrd said.
According to the Illinois State Board of Elections, two forms of identification with at least one showing a current residential address are needed to register inperson. Registering by mail requires proof of identity by submission of a driver’s license number or state identification card number.
Other forms of identification that are recognized are social security cards; public
contract for a residence; credit cards; or a civic, union or professional membership card.
Courthouse. The address is 1001 Walnut St, Murphysboro, Illinois.
“You can come to my office and you can register to vote. We’re open eight to four and we would just need those documents,” Byrd said.
Until Oct. 8, residents of Illinois have the option to register online to vote. On the Illinois State Board of Election website people can provide their documents to the State Board to register without having to go in person.
“You can go online to the State Board of election until Oct. 8, and then you cannot, because that’s when they close it. You will have
“You can go online to the State Board of election until Oct. 8, and then you cannot, because that’s when they close it.”
- Frank Byrd Jackson County Clerk
The County Clerk’s office is open Monday through Friday 8 a.m. to 4 p.m. It is located inside of the Jackson County
to have documentation to give the State Board of Election to register. It’s fairly simple,” Byrd said.
For students voting in Illinois
for the first time, the deadline to vote is Oct. 9. After the deadline, voters can register during graceperiod registration.
“They can do grace-period voting. They would have to register to vote, but they would register at their new location and be able to vote, but they would again need documentation showing that they are a resident here,” Byrd said.
Grace-period registration includes registering to vote and voting on the same day. This is an in-person process that takes place at the Jackson County Clerk’s office.
Voting will take place at the Jackson County Clerk’s office for the Nov. 5 general election on Sept. 26. Early voting will take place on Sunday, Nov. 2 as well. Jackson County will have several polls open for early voting. The Carbondale Civic Center will have polls open Oct. 16, Oct. 18, Oct. 21, Oct. 22, Oct. 23 and Oct. 25. The SIU student center will have polls open Oct. 17, Oct. 24, Oct. 30, Oct. 31 and Nov. 1. Voters must be registered prior to early voting at these locations.
Staff reporter Alli Goering can be reached at agoering@dailyegyptian.com
Carbondale NAACP chapter gathers to watch presidential debate in Faner Hall
On Tuesday Sept. 10, former President Donald Trump and Vice President Kamala Harris debated for the first time. As millions of Americans watched around the nation, the Carbondale NAACP chapter and the Black Graduate Greek Council were watching in Faner Hall.
In this debate they talked about a variety of issues, some including immigration, abortion, economic plans and health care.
In the Sharp Museum Auditorium, the group watched the two politicians debate.
With no audience, no notes and muted mics, Trump and Harris debated publicly for the first time.
The candidates also discussed the war in Gaza and Israel.
“If she is president, I believe that Israel will not exist within two years from now,” Trump said. “I’ve been pretty good at predictions. I hope I’m wrong with this one.”
Harris continued her stance as an ally with Israel. However, she stated she believed the war needs to end.
“What we know is that this war must end, it must end immediately,” Harris said. “And the way it will end is we need a cease fire deal and we
Lylee Gibbs | @lyleegibbsphoto
need the hostages out.” “I’m actually going to do something unusual,” Harris said
before inviting people to attend Trump’s rallies. “It’s a really interesting thing to
Trump, who has in the past questioned Harris’ race, changed his stance and said he did not care which race she is.
“I read where she was not Black ... and then I read that she was Black, and that’s okay,” Trump said. “Either one was okay with me. That’s up to her.”
As they were debating in Philadelphia, SIU alumni Marjorie Bryson was watching in Carbondale.
In response to Harris, Bryson said “I think she’s a very intelligent person.”
As an AKA member, Bryson feels a connection to Harris. Alpha Kappa Alpha is the first historically intercollegiate African American sorority. Harris is a member of this sorority and has recently attended events for them. Even so, Bryson has more reasons to prefer Harris.
“I believe in her, not just because she’s an AKA, but because I think she’s a good person,” Bryson said.
watch. You will see, during the course of his rallies, he talks about fictional characters like Hannibal Lecter,” Harris said. “He will talk about windmills cause cancer. And what you will also notice is that people start leaving his rallies early out of exhaustion and boredom.”
Staff reporter Mylee Walker can be reached at mwalker@dailyegyptian.com
Presidential candidates Donald Trump and Kamala Harris reflect on the glasses of Marjorie Bryson, 85, as she watches the presidential debate from the Faner Hall Museum Auditorium at a live watch party hosted by the Carbondale Branch NAACP and Black Graduate Greek Council Sept. 10, 2024 in Carbondale, Illinois. Bryson, who is casting her support for Kamala Harris, is a SIU alum and was in the Alpha Kappa Alpha (AKA) while enrolled.
situation, where Zach Calzada would find Logan Compton to even up the contest.
SIU reclaimed the lead quickly. The ensuing kick return would set the Dawgs starting the drive at their own 37. Williams found Nah’shawn Hezekiah for 50 yards to the UIW 13 before Shaun Lester Jr. would scamper for a 10 yard touchdown.
The Cardinals made their way up to the SIU on a couple of third down conversions, but the Salukis were able to get a stop when they went for it on fourth down, giving the ball right back to the home team.
Some moderate gains got the Dawgs in Cardinal territory, setting up a 28-yard Williams keeper to extend the Saluki lead.
UIW was unable to answer, despite starting their next drive at their own 35 and punted the ball away.
SIU returned the favor with a drive that ended five yards back from where it started and punted right back, allowing the Cardinals to start their next series from the Saluki 40.
A screen pass on the first play from scrimmage would go the distance to bring the game back within a possession.
After a couple of Saluki first downs, an endaround to Lewis went 57 yards to the house to put the Dawgs up 14 yet again.
With it likely being their last possession before the break, Incarnate Word went to work moving down the field. UIW made it down to the SIU
SIU 35 vs Incarnate Word 28
33 before a holding call spoiled the momentum, giving the ball to the Dawgs with two minutes and change on the clock.
Williams got the ball to Hezekiah for two big completions to set up the Saluki offense inside the five. Two runs between the tackles set up a oneyard pass to a wide open Ryan Schwendenman to get the Saluki lead to 21 before half.
Hezekiah had quite a performance as well, hauling in five receptions for 118 yards.
“[Those plays] felt lovely, it felt good,” Hezakiah said.
Out of the break, Williams connected with Lewis for a gain of 50 to the UIW 12. The drive stalled and SIU would try for a field goal. A low snap resulted in no kick and the score remained 35-14.
UIW wouldn’t be able to do much with the ball and punted to the SIU 45.
The Salukis moved the ball up to the Cardinal 21, in part from a Williams run for 34 yards. A ball up for grabs, intended for Vinson Davis, was intercepted by Ronald Wilson and returned to the SIU 49.
Incarnate Word, from the SIU 29, went for it on fourth and five, but a pass break-up by Iverson Brown would give the ball back to the Dawgs. SIU pushed to the 50 before punting the ball back to the Cardinals.
Starting from their own six, UIW rode the arm of Calzada to get to the Saluki 23. From there, Calzada did the rest with his legs to cut the deficit back to 14.
Looking to take as much clock as possible, SIU would pound the ground on their next series with
eight running plays. The Salukis failed to pick up a fourth and one in Cardinal territory and forfeit possession. Williams turned up injured on the drive, bringing in Hunter Simmons at quarterback.
Williams finished the night with 301 passing yards, 79 rushing yards and three total touchdowns.
Hill said, “DJ was playing lights out in the game.”
UIW worked with tempo, moving the ball 78 yards in about three minutes to make it a one score game.
A three-and-out gave the Cardinals a chance to tie with three and a half minutes left.
Calzada found the right guys to move Incarnate Word upfield. Two penalties helped the Cardinal cause, gifting them 20 yards. An intentional grounding call swung momentum back in SIU’s favor. On the following play, the Saluki front seven brought immense pressure resulting in another intentional grounding, putting the Cardinals in a third and 34 hole. On fourth down, Calzada threw up a prayer that fell in Vinny Pierre Jr.’s hands for an interception, sealing an SIU victory.
“Being able to bring the pressure when we needed it, the loss of yardage, we get off the field a winner,” Hill said.
The Salukis will play host to the Redhawks of Southeast Missouri State University next Saturday, Sept. 21 for the annual ‘War for the Wheel’ game at Saluki Stadium.
Sports reporter Nick Pfannkuche can be reached at nphfannkuche@dailyegpytian.com.
Motorcycle riders drive onto the field in celebration of Haws & Dawgs day ahead of the Saluki Football home opener. Sept. 14, 2024 at Saluki Stadium in Carbondale, Illinois.
Hawgs & Dawgs is an annual partnership that
Athletics have with Black Diamond
Shaun Lester Jr. spikes the ball during his touchdown celebration against Incarnate Word. Sept. 14, 2024 at Saluki Stadium in Carbondale, Illinois. Lester Jr, scored his first touchdown of the season this Saturday.
Josh Lorick (11) of Incarnate Word rolls over into the end zone after he is tackled by Saluki Sebastian Vargas (13) September 14, 2024 at Saluki Stadium in Carbondale, Illinois. Lylee Gibbs | @lyleegibbsphoto
Enan ChEdiak | @EnanChEdiakphotography
Paint and Eat a Concha
The Lambda Theta Alpha Latin Sorority organized a number of events this week on SIU campus in Carbondale during Hispanic and Latinx Heritage Month from Sept. 15 to Oct. 15, including the Paint and Eat a Concha event in the student center on Sept. 10, 2024. Students were invited to join the sorority as they painted and enjoyed a Mexican pastry called a concha that were made at a local bakery in Carbondale. “A concha is a Mexican sweet bread,” Jocelyn Guerrero said. “They’re from… a
little bakery. It’s kind of hidden but it’s there.”
“We’re the Lambda Theta Alpha Latin Sorority,” Guerrero stated, “and we’re hosting, right now, LTA week. So, we’re going to have events all week.” On Thursday, the sorority has scheduled a Mexican bingo with prizes, and on Friday, they plan to celebrate the LTA by giving away candy bags.
“We’re an academic sorority,” Guerrero said, “and we strive to reach any kind of student. And we do also host fundraising for our philanthropy, which is Saint Jude’s Children’s Research Hospital.”
Yocelin Velasquez (left) and Gabriela Lucha (right) paint canvases at the Paint and Eat a Concha event Sept. 10, 2024 in the basement of the Student Center at SIU in Carbondale, Illinois. Enan Chediak | @enanchediakphotography
Gabriela Lucha (right) shows Yocelin Velasquez (left) her painted canvas.
Half of a concha pastry from a local Carbondale bakery sits on the table as students paint.
Lambda Theta Alpha Latin sorority at the Paint and Eat a Concha.
Nick “Shug” Walker looks towards the Incarnate Word offense Sept. 14, 2024 at Saluki Stadium in
Walker tallied in 8 tackles during the Saluki’s home opener win Saturday night. Simeon Hardley| @Simshardphotography
Two promising transfers make their way to SIU
Simeon Hardley
SHardley@dailyegyptian com
The Southern Illinois Salukis were able to grab two standout transfers of this offseason from Missouri Valley Conference rival team Murray State. Entering this season, it was certain the Salukis would have a new look. After losing quarterback Nic Baker, the Salukis all-time leader in passing yards, the program had some decisions to make and decided to take a look into the portal. There they found DJ Williams, a dual-threat quarterback from Murray State. Williams looking to contribute to a winning program and SIU looking for a well-balanced and efficient quarterback seemed like a match made in heaven.
Williams wasn’t the only welltouted player from Murray State looking for a new home. Linebacker Nick “Shug” Walker was also another player that SIU felt belonged here in Carbondale, and Walker agreed. Walker, a hard hitting and high energy defender who tallied almost 80 tackles last season for Murray State, is now going to be a part of a Salukis defensive program that is known for its intensity and prowess.
The NCAA Transfer Portal is still fairly new to the collegiate scene. The portal has created an easier process for athletes like Walker and Williams to transition from one program to another. This gives the student athletes more freedom and control over their collegiate career while also giving schools and coaches the ability to improve programs quicker and more efficiently.
Transferring from one and transitioning to another football program is not an easy job. Throw in moving to another town and having to start fresh and it can quickly become overwhelming. Luckily for Williams and Walker they have had each other during the transfer process.
“Me and Shug got a pretty close
relationship, being able to talk about stuff we’ve been through at Murray, the things we see (has helped),”
Williams said. “It’s been pretty easy, the coaches, my teammates, have all made it a pretty smooth transition, welcoming us in with open arms.”
The coaching staff has been nothing short of excited to have the new additions to the team. SIU linebacker coach Mac McLeran spoke highly of Walker joining the Saluki family.
“Adding Shug has been a treat. You are adding a guy who plays with a lot of energy, a lot of tempo and a downhill mentality that the position really demands,” McLeran said.
To McLeran, Walker is an ideal fit into SIU’s defensive scheme.
“He likes to set the edge, he’s a good tackler in space and he brings the attitude and energy you’re looking for as a coach. He’s going to be a huge asset to us on and off the field,” McLeran said.
For Walker the goal is simple: he wants to win. “I just want to win ball games, that’s the biggest reason I left and the biggest reason I came here. I want to play for a program, a team, a family,” Walker said.
The Salukis finished in the middle of the pack last season with an overall record of 8-5 and a conference record of 4-4. At a glance this may be misleading because the Salukis were one of the best teams in the Valley, with their only losses coming from tough Football Champtionship Subdivision (FCS) powerhouse programs in the Dakotas and Youngstown State. They nearly made it through to the third round of the FCS playoffs until a highly controversial pass interference was called in overtime on a 4th and goal that favored Idaho, ultimately leading the Dawgs to a 20-17 loss against the Vandals.
Though they play on opposite sides
of the ball, Walker and Williams share the same goal. Williams stated that he will do whatever it takes to win.
While the drive to win is something many coaches prioritize over all else, Williams thinks there is one other characteristic that comes in a close second.
“Toughness, we’ve both been through a lot in our lives and we continue to put those experiences into football. We are very tough and gritty,” Williams said.
On the field, they bring a high level of skill that can help the team seek another possible postseason run, and off the field they bring charisma and genuine energy that helps glue the team together. Linebacker Shug Walker is known for his highly energetic personality and funny jokes.
Williams is well-known around the team for his cooking skills, many of which he learned from his mother.
“I’d call myself somewhat of a chef, I had the receivers over last week. It’s something that I want to do every week, try something new and have different teammates and position groups over to spend more time with them and cook for them,” Williams said.
When they aren’t over at his place, Willams and Walker find time to try the local food spots in southern Illinois. DJ Williams says he loves Changos and Pagliai’s located in Carbondale, while Walker says his Carbondale favorites are Changos and Moes, along with Midland Inn which is located in Murphysboro.
Walker, Williams and the rest of the Salukis will play at Saluki Stadium in Carbondale on Sept. 21 against rival Southeast Missouri State (SEMO) during SIU’s annual Family Weekend in the War for the Wheel.
Photographer Simeon Hardley can be reached at shardley@dailyegyptian.com
editor@dailyegyptian.com
Faculty Managing Editor: Alee Quick aquick@dailyegyptian.com
Editor-in-Chief: Lylee Gibbs lgibbs@dailyegyptian.com
Design Chief: Peyton Cook pcook@dailyegyptian.com
Photo Editor: Enan Chediak echediak@dailyegyptian.com
News Editor: Carly Gist cgist@dailyegyptian
Sports Consultant: Ryan Grieser rgrieser@dailyegyptian.com
Digital Editor: Bhayva Sri-Billuri bsri-billuri@dailyegyptian.com
Ad Chief: Kassity Lee klee@dailyegyptian.com
Student Managing Editor: Dominique-Martinez-Powell dmartinez-powell@dailyegyptian.com
About Us
The Daily Egyptian is published by the students of Southern Illinois University Carbondale on a weekly basis. Fall and spring semester editions run every Wednesday. Free copies are distributed in the Carbondale, Carterville, and Springfield communities. The Daily Egyptian can be found at www.dailyegyptian.com or on the Daily Egyptian app!
Mission Statement
The Daily Egyptian, the student-run news organization of Southern Illinois University Carbondale, is committed to being a trusted source of news, information, commentary and public discourse, while helping readers understand the issues affecting their lives.
Publishing Information
The Daily Egyptian is published by the students of Southern Illinois University Carbondale and functions as a laboratory for the School of Journalism in exchange for the room and utilities in the Communications Building. The Daily Egyptian is a non-profit organization that survives primarily off of its advertising revenue. Offices are in the Communications Building, room 1259, at Southern Illinois University Carbondale, Carbondale, Ill., 62901.
Copyright Information
@2024 The Daily Egyptian. All rights reserved. All content is property of the Daily Egyptian and may not be reproduced or transmitted without consent. The Daily Egyptian is a member of the Illinois College Press Association, Associated Collegiate Press, College Media Advisers Inc. and the College Business and Advertising Managers Inc.
Submissions
Letters and guest columns must be submitted with author’s contact information, preferably via email. Phone numbers are required to verify authorship, but will not be published. Students must include their year and major. Faculty must include rank and department. Others include hometown. Submissions should be sent to editor@dailyegyptian.com
Carbondale, Illinois.
Republican leader of Illinois statehouse speaks on politics
Jamilah lewis Jlewis@dailyegyptian com
The Paul Simon Public Policy Institute hosted Representative Tony McCombie at SIU to have an interview with the Institute Director John Shaw Monday Sept. 10 in the Student Center Ballroom B.
Their discussion focused on various political topics including government accountability, bipartisan, community needs and navigating collaboration between parties.
“I had a cafe in Savanna and wanted to put a sandwich board on the sidewalk, and it was going against the ordinance,” McCombie said. “I joined the City Council to change the ordinance and while I was on city council, there was a vote that I disagreed with, and then I decided to run for mayor.”
McCombie became the first woman to serve as the House Republican leader in Illinois in January 2023. Before that she served as the mayor of Savanna, Illinois and as a City Alderperson.
“It’s kind of interesting. I was also the first female mayor and I don’t think about it,” McCombie said. “I was just raised by a really strong mom…I had brothers and I can do what they can do.”
She never expected to get involved with criminal justice until an Illinois Department of Children & Family Services (DCFS) worker was killed in her district, said McCombie.
McCombie said Illinois is one of the best places in the nation with great infrastructure and good transportation, but certain policies on local or state level make it a less desirable place to live.
“I don’t think until you take a really a collective view on true tax reform, whether it’s property tax, income tax, sales tax, the estate tax, which is the death tax, I think we’re gonna really kind of be behind the eight ball with other states that are being more proactive on tax reform,” McCombie said.
The Illinois Estate Tax requires gift taxes to be paid on estate gross values exceeding $4,000,000.
Other focuses include job creation and improved government accountability which sometimes goes hand in hand with each other, said McCombie.
“I think, you can’t tax your way to prosperity. And you find that if you grow the tax base so you grow the
population,” McCombie said.
When it comes to improved government accountability, McCombie said state representatives’ jobs focus a lot on continued productivity.
On her official website there’s a petition to repeal the Illinois TRUST Act saying it comes down to safety.
Senate Bill-31 the TRUST Act was signed in 2017 by former governor Bruce Rauner emphasizing that state law doesn’t allow the federal immigration law to be enforced by State or local law enforcement reliant on one’s immigration standing.
The press release put out by the official state of Illinois website when the act was signed states that under the act, detainment will require a judge to request a warrant. This bill is why Illinois is considered a sanctuary state.
McCombie said if someone isn’t a legal citizen, Illinois law enforcement should have the right to contact U.S. Immigration and Customs Engagement (ICE) in the situation.
“I can’t even imagine if a crime was done to somebody in my family and that person was not supposed to be here,” McCombie said. “They should have to go, go back, or at least be [able to] have a conversation with ICE to say, you know, is this person? Should this person be here? Is this person detained? Has this person already been deported?”
In 2021, Governor JB Pritzker signed four more bills expanding the protections of refugees and immigrants in Illinois such as: requiring local officials to terminate partnerships with ICE; addressing hate crimes toward immigrants; expanding workplace protections; and creation of the Illinois Immigration Impact Task Force.
It’s not a problem of immigration, McCombie said. She’s for legal immigration and believes the federal paperwork one has to go through is severely extensive, said McCombie.
“I think to have that sanctuary with the TRUST Act, that’s a problem, and it’s a safety issue,” McCombie said. “People that come here through the right process, they need to be safe, and so do residents. So for me, it’s about safety.”
During McCombie’s interview with Shaw, topics of discussions were emphasis on community needs, how infrastructure shapes public
Paul Simon Institute Director John Shaw and State Representative Tony McCombie sit together in the Student Center Ballroom to talk at a panel Sept. 9, 2024 at Southern Illinois University in Carbondale, Illinois.
Daylin Williams | dwilliams@dailyegyptian.com
perception and navigating legislation.
The conversation also touched on building more bipartisan collaboration and political dynamics in the state.
McCombie said she learned that sometimes the community needs are not always at the forefront for Savanna and her District the 89th.
“I thought it was aging infrastructure was going to be a big issue,” McCombie said. “And very, very quickly it wasn’t anything that can not be seen above ground was not important to most people.”
With this being her first term as House leader, McCombie expected to be busy but has a team with a chief of staff to help run things as smoothly as possible.
“I chose a team that was geographically around the state, but also I wanted people that I knew would tell me no and that would challenge me,” McCombie said. “I might not agree to it, you know, or just continue on my happy way, but one of the things that is great about our team.”
When asked about the shift in Illinoians political views, McCombie said she believes there still is a big republican population in the state.
With Republicans being the minority in the house of representatives, McCombie believes it’s their job to hold Democrats accountable.
“We are the checks and balances,
and it’s important for us to do that,” McCombie said. “ It’s important for us to ask questions about the record, whether it’s in committee or whether it’s on the floor, so that the public knows what’s happening.”
When they spoke on higher education, McCombie gave kudos to Governor Pritzker and his administration for their K-12 Intitivatives, but when it comes to things like higher education, making sure it’s staying on top of improvements is something to look into.
“When you’re throwing more money at an issue or say a university, what’s the catch? Is there going to be a decrease?” McCombie said.
McCombie said she wonders if universities make agreements like decreasing tuition if regularly accountability checks would be in place to make sure they keep their word.
McCombie said most people have someone in their lives attending university out of state because it’s cheaper for them and finding a solution to that is a top priority of hers.
Going into the spring term ,McCombie said focus will be on budgets concerns pertaining to Illinois being a sanctuary state and upcoming environmentalist bill.
“With Illinois being a sanctuary state, we are spending $1 billion on housing, education and healthcare for
non-citizens and illegal immigrants in the state of Illinois. That is something that is not sustainable… so we’re going to have to address that.”
With no current knowledge of what the environmentalist bill entails, McCombie said she already has concerns with the Climate and Equitable Jobs Act which entails reaching zero carbon emissions by 2030, and having Illinois on a 100% clean energy path by 2050 and more environmental improvement projects. This act sets goals of being 100% carbon-free by 2045, phasing out natural gasses and $694 million in financial support towards the Byron, Dresden and Braidwood nuclear plants in support and uplift of jobs and communities.
“When here we are having all these bills for electric vehicle plants or battery plants or building up these manufacturing settings, they take a lot of energy to build,” McCombie said. “When we’re looking at shutting down completely coal and natural gas, that doesn’t make sense.”
More information on the interview can be found on the Paul Simon Public Policy Institute website.
To stay up to date on all your southern Illinois news, be sure to follow The Daily Egyptian on Facebook and @dailyegyptian on X [formerly known as Twitter].
Staff reporter Jamilah Lewis can be reached at jlewis@dailyegyptian.com.
Salukis up to bat for fall ball opener against JALC
Photos taken by: Daylin Williams | dwilliams@dailyegyptian.com
Senior designated player Alexis Rudd (23) stands on deck to bat as the Salukis face John A. Logan College Sept. 15, 2024 at Charlotte West Stadium in Carbondale, Illinois.
Senior pitcher McKenzie Newcomb (99) pitches as the Salukis face John A. Logan College Sept. 15, 2024 at Charlotte West Stadium in Carbondale, Illinois.
Junior catcher Hayley Wilkerson (18) swings against John A. Logan College Sept. 15, 2024 at Charlotte West Stadium in Carbondale, Illinois.
Planned Parenthood of Illinois
