The Daily Egyptian - [September 21, 2022]

Opinion: Your vote matters — a global lesson on why you should register now

Daily Egyptian EDitorial BoarD EDitor@DailyEgyptian com

Just a few days ago, something happened on far away shores that plays out like cautionary tale should a large number of eligible U.S. voters - you - do not bother going to the polls.

Bear with the history lesson, it will make a scary sort of sense in just a few paragraphs. On September 15, the European Union parliament, in an 81% affirmative vote, agreed to declare Hungary “a hybrid regime of electoral autocracy.”

This statement seems laughable on its face, as Viktor Orban, the

current president of the nation, just won his fourth consecutive election to office a few short months ago. How can an ostensibly democratic nation be labeled an autocracy, the same label applied to Russia’s Vladimir Putin or their ally Belarus’s Alexander Lukashenko?

Simply put, it involves processes that may seem prescient to our own current circumstances.

Hungary has a long and storied history of conquest and integration into larger empires, most notably

as a part of the Austro-Hungarian empire which was a catalyst for the First World War. After an economic depression and a brief stint as an Axis power in the Second World War, Hungary was occupied as a member of the Warsaw Pact,

Sophie Whitten | @sophiewhitten_

remaining under the control of the Soviet Union until just two years before the fall of the Berlin Wall in 1991.

After its post-communist first elections, held in 1990, and the death of the country’s first Prime Minister in 1993, the privatization of Hungarian markets led to the corrupt ex-communist bureaucrats making huge amounts of money selling off government assets to private industries, creating a new monied elite within the relatively poor (by European standards) country.

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Viktor Orban would rear his head as leader of the political opposition in the years following, coming to power through a center-right coalition government focusing on economic issues and notably preoccupied with Hungarian minorities in neighboring countries in 1998, a trait reminiscent of the German preoccupation with German minorities in the Sudetenland of Czechoslovakia, using the plight of ethnic Hungarians to squeak his coalition into power with 55% of the vote.

Orban would lose the next election, swinging the nation’s politics back toward the left and increasing ties to NATO and the European Union. This trend continued through the first decade and a half of Hungarian politics, swinging back and forth between coalition governments led by the left or right wing of Hungarian politics until in 2010 and 2011, the right-led government garnered a majority under Orban and quickly began making sweeping changes to the nation’s constitution.

his clarion call, the southern border wall.

Trump is the culmination of a conservative project that, here in the U.S., has been building for decades and is currently in a wrestling match for the soul of the Republican party. The party which has, for decades now, suffered from a draw toward authoritarianism draped in an American flag and carrying a cross.

The Christian-nationalist sentiment fomenting within the party started under the auspices of Ronald Reagan, who first brought together the economic, religious and militarily-minded members of the party under one umbrella, and now rears its ugly head with the election of figures like Lauren Boebert of Colorado, Matt Gaetz of Florida and Marjorie Taylor-Greene of Georgia, all of whom openly oppose the democratic process and advocate for the overthrow of our government in favor of placing Trump as the authoritarian autocrat of America.

the previously stated official platform of the party to leave the decision of what to do with abortion up to the states.

In short, what we face this year is yet another choice for the direction of our nation.

John Stewart Mill, a philosopher in the early and mid 19th Century, wrote in an address at the University of St. Andrews in Scotland, “Let not anyone pacify his conscience by the delusion that he can do no harm if he takes no part, and forms no opinion. Bad men need nothing more to compass their needs than that good men look on and do nothing.”

Apathy, fear and a desire for a simple answer are what destroyed the Hungarian peoples’ chances for real, effective democracy. They were forced to watch while their government was snatched from them practically overnight because they allowed an authoritarian to seize power and bend the rules to prevent them from removing him.

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Notable changes included criminalizing gay marriage and guaranteeing fetuses legal protection from conception, effectively criminalizing abortion. Subsequent protests by the people and an international outcry led the government to then extend its control over media outlets as well as judicial reforms tying the courts to the will of the ruling party. Sounds like ideas we’ve heard rattling around here at home.

In 2012, the Hungarian president, Pal Schmitt resigned following a scandal and was replaced in an election boycotted by the opposing Socialist party and guaranteeing the position would be filled by a founding member of Orban’s Fidesz party and paving the way for euroskeptic and anti-semitic parties to take part in his coalition and attain legitimacy in the government.

This slow progression of politics from one of balanced equilibrium to a legal overthrow of established order lends its power from a growing perceived lack of trust in the ruling government and playing on the anxieties of a people until they agree to give up rights and freedoms in exchange for the security of an authoritarian.

In the same vein, during Trump’s presidency, he appointed more than 200 judges in one term, vastly outpacing previous presidents and filling vacancies left unfilled for political reasons at the end of Obama’s term. Trump filled three Supreme Court seats, each of whom verbally confirmed their reticence to overturn established law before going back on their word and doing just that, overturning Roe v. Wade, the exact ruling they were asked about during their confirmations hearings.

Trump attacked the press, even going so far as to encourage violence against reporters and photographers and, in a rally he held on March 13, 2016, he said (and later backtracked from) he would pay the legal bills for people who do so. He exacerbated Republican xenophobia and racism by making executive orders specifically and overtly motivated by a desire to exclude Muslims and Latinx immigrants, and of course there was

The political landscape, like that of Hungary, has since been oscillating between Democratic and Republican leadership as well, with previous parties often spending the first years of their authority undoing the actions of previous administrations before implementing policies in line with their viewpoints while doing little to address the larger concerns of the populace.

The ongoing lack of actual change wears on the population as well. When I talk with friends and colleagues about politics, one of the major challenges I face is the apathy many people my age feel toward their ability to affect the broader world around them.

They feel powerless to make a difference, and that either saps all motivation from them, making them like jellyfish coasting along with wherever the current takes them, or they swing to the opposite extreme, the path I took in 2016, of finding a group who would take their desire to make the world a better place and feeding them into an echo chamber where their ideas are the only ideas worth listening to.

Unfortunately the world is not so black and white. There is no such thing as good or evil, only the way actions are made and justified. No one is evil just because of what they believe and no one is good just because of what they would like to do.

Here in America, 2022 is what is commonly known as a midterm election. Governor seats and legislative seats across the country are on the ballot and, despite previous signs of a complete Republican takeover in both chambers of Congress, the ballot has swung to a decidedly more uncertain possibility.

The overturning of Roe v. Wade just a few short months ago has motivated a large number of people who otherwise wouldn’t have voted or voted Republican previously to lean more toward voting for Democrats to preserve access to abortion rights across the country.

Unfortunately for the GOP, Lindsey Graham of Kentucky played the Republican hand a bit too soon a few days ago on September 13 by proposing a nationwide ban on all abortions after 15 weeks, betraying

Orban reshaped the country into his image of what it should be. In the U.S., our traditions and institutions safeguard us from the worst of such offenses, but we are at a crossroads in which one party seeks to dismantle the establishment that protects our rights and freedoms while the other party weakly, but successfully prevents the ever-encroaching pull of autocracy.

I may be biased. My ideals and values are diametrically opposed to one group while the other only tacitly accepts my beliefs, but we live in a nation where coalition governments don’t exist and there are only two real choices for which party should lead the entire country.

Our votes are the strongest voice we have. We live in a Democratic Republic, where our representatives are decided based on a democratic process. Our apathy, while difficult to argue against, is the critical poison authoritarians need to supplant the will of the majority with the will of the minority.

Don’t be deceived by the idea that your vote doesn’t matter. Don’t abandon your freedom to choose and to speak merely because you feel it won’t change anything. Embrace your power as an American, guaranteed the right to vote through the fight of many who came before us, to decide your future.

Own your freedom. Embrace your freedom. Vote November 8, because your vote matters and your voice matters.

The Daily Egyptian Editorial Board can be reached at editor@dailyegyptian.com

If you are not yet registered, scan the QR code for information on how to do that, and then do it. Our freedoms, our very democratic way of life, is at stake.

Africana Theater Lab hosts its first Masquerade Ball

The Africana Theater Lab will be hosting its first Masquerade Ball on Sept. 23 from 7:00 p.m. to 9:00 p.m. in the Student Center Ballroom B.

Cameron Noel, the president of the group and a second year graduate student said he joined the theater lab after attending a Black networking event and hearing it was coming back after a period of inactivity. Noel said the purpose of the theater lab is to promote Black theater on campus.

“We did monologues at Ebony Ball. We did monologues at the Black History Month kickoff, and we had open mics to let other students perform as well. But our main goal this year is just to put on some theater, some black

theater, some diverse theater,” he said.

The Africana Theater Lab participated in a lot of events last year to show off the members’ talents, but now wants to get into expanding, he said.

According to Noel, the Masquerade Ball will not only help spread the word about the theater lab, but also give new students a chance to enjoy a night of theater.

“We were told about Black experience through the BAC (Black Affairs Council) and they kind of told us to think of some really unique and exciting experiences and events to get the incoming freshmen excited. So my vice president thought about this and I thought it was a great idea,”

Noel said.

The event will have a variety of performances put on by masked performers and allow students to network with the theater students.

Dwayne Freeman, a second year student and vice president of the group, said, because the theater lab is just now coming back, members thought a ball would be a great way to reintroduce themselves to the campus.

“I really just want to promote us in general as the theater department like, ‘Hey there are African-American actors here,’ and not even just AfricanAmerican people. I know there’s a lot of people on campus who are drawn to the theater department but just

don’t know where to go or how to get their foot into the door and I want to just have those resources open for people,” Freeman said.

Freeman said the ball is not only to promote the lab, but to promote the upcoming production of “Romeo and Juliet.”

“I really just wanted to have this party to have a mingling, networking session where it will be a night of performances, food, drink, music,” Freeman said. “I really wanted to bring people together to look in and get a chance to mingle and us as theater students a chance to promote ourselves and hopefully promote [the] “Romeo and Juliet” production.”

Freeman said, this ball will bring

like-minded individuals together to enjoy a night of theater and really get to know what the Africana Theater Lab has to offer at SIU.

“We want to let the student body know that Africana Theater Lab is back with a passion and we are committed to presenting diverse and creative perspectives on campus,” Noel said.

Tickets will be available to purchase on Eventbrite and available at the door the night of the Masquerade Ball. For attendees with masks the entry price is $3 and for attendees without masks it is $5.

Staff reporter Janiyah Gaston can be reached at jgaston@dailyegyptian.com or on Twitter @DEJaniyah.

Help us out on our story about campus safety

Janiyah Gaston | @DEJaniyah Erica Loos ELoos@DaiLyEGyptian com

The Daily Egyptian is currently gathering information to publish a series of stories regarding safety on campus at Southern Illinois University Carbondale. The stories will encompass the safety of students, faculty and staff, as well as taking a more in-depth look

at the safety of specific demographics present on campus.

A reporter from the Daily Egyptian will be conducting in-person interviews with students, faculty and staff on campus who are willing to participate. Anyone who wishes to participate by giving an interview will remain anonymous unless consent to

be named is given.

To further aid in data collection, an anonymous survey has been created so anyone can make their voices heard, at their convenience, on this very important topic.

Staff reporter Erica Loos can be reached at eloos@dailyegyptian.com

A projected date of publication is not available at this time. Please continue to monitor the Daily Egyptian newspaper and website for further updates, and take advantage of the survey posted in D2L, or scan the QR code here.

Blowing his own horn: Halbert Katzen uses ancient instrument to share his message

Jamilah lewis | @Jamilahlewis

Halbert Katzen is a familiar sight around the SIU campus, recognizable for the giant horn he walks around holding, and occasionally blowing.

“I have the wonderful experience of getting to know a wide segment of the local community,” Katzen said. “I meet students and non-students, faculty, different people [who] wander around the campus and the lake at different points of the day for different reasons and I’m meeting all of them.”

That horn you see him with is a shofar, a Jewish ritual musical instrument important for religious occasions and holidays. They can be made from the horn of a ram or other animals; his is made from an antelope horn.

“I guess that it’s been very touching to get the responses from people [because] I didn’t plan this exactly, you know what I mean?” Katzen said. “This all kind of snuck up on me to do like this with the horn.”

Katzen is a 60-year-old Pennsylvania native that moved to Illinois to further his study on the Urantia book relating to the next solar eclipse on April 8, 2024

According to The Atlantic, the Urantia Book is a 2,000 page book published in 1955 under the direction of Chicago Doctor William S. Sadler. It gives the history of evolutionary change on Earth, known in the book as “Urantia,” and culminates in the reincarnation of Jesus.

“My research and study aids and everything, in general, has to do with harmonizing the material in the spiritual world,” Katzen said.

Katzen attended Brandeis University in Massachusetts, a Jewish secular university where he studied comparative religion and philosophy of religion.

“Then in Boulder, Colorado, there was a school that did a two-year intensive study of a book called the Urantia Book,” Katzen said. “I also went to law school out there, and so I didn’t practice law very long. Just about a year and a half. I was more into the education and the practice of it.”

Katzen said he started a project documenting his discoveries related to the Urantia Book in 2006 and 2007.

Katzen has been walking around campus blowing his shofar for 18 months and said it’s a great conversation starter which allows him to share his studies.

“You can blow really bad notes on this really easy. It is a beast to play. It is not a user-friendly instrument,” Katzen said. “Part of the reason is that they sell them by the inch, and so they, you know, want to make the mouthpiece as long as possible to have as many inches on the horn but that makes it small to blow which makes it hard.”

He lives on the East side of Wall Street and wanted to find a place to blow his horn and far enough from his home to be considered exercise. He ended up walking around campus so he wouldn’t bother his neighbors since he was very self-conscious about it in the beginning, Katzen said.

“I just started walking around the lake with the horn and you know, blow it a little more and so it really developed very organically,” Katzen said. “As I experienced people’s relationships to it and as I got better on the horn, then I felt

more comfortable about it.”

Katzen said he knew, as time went on, he’d be noticed for what he does and that

months of really blowing a lot of sour notes.”

A fond memory he has is when some

interaction with the SIU marching band while they were practicing.

“I was coming off the lake and the marching band had been practicing on campus at the stadium,” Katzen said. “I’m going back home. We cross paths. I start jamming on the horn. They light up, they started blowing their horns back.”

Katzen said he enjoys the interactions that playing the shofar gives him and it’s a way to get people to come to interact with him.

people would become curious about it.

“When you do something that stands out a little bit, you know, it helps other people feel more free in their individuality,” Katzen said. “So I’m aware of how these things work socially and I care about it and so it’s one of the things that kind of got me through the initial

students came to thank him on move-out day before they left, Katzen said.

“That’s just so sweet and affirming that you know, it’s working in a good way,” Katzen said. “Providing something that people enjoy and not bothering them too much with my individuality.”

Katzen said he recently had a nice

“It’s really nice to see students have that experience of me and then engage with me that way,” Katzen said. “I’m an old guy who does intellectual stuff that doesn’t make much money. So getting some social engagements this way with people is very rewarding.”

Staff reporter Jamilah Lewis can be reached at jlewis@dailyegyptian.com or on Twitter @jamilahlewis.

Halbert Katzen holds his Kudu Shofar Sept. 14, 2022 at SIU campus in Carbondale, Ill. “It became the best conversation piece I could ever Imagine,” Katzen said.

“It’s really nice to see students have that experience of me and then engage with me that way.”

- Halbert Katzen

Op-Ed: The Toolbox of Harmony

Jerry Kruse, mD JKruse@siumeD eDu

I like to watch TED Talks on YouTube. Recently, I watched one delivered in 2008 by Jonathan Haidt, a social psychologist who discussed the moral roots of liberals and conservatives. As we debate issues related to many human rights, and as increasingly absolute positions are taken, this topic is particularly relevant today.

Haidt made one main assertion, and it stuck with me. To make his point, he quoted Sengcan, “If you want the truth to stand before you, never be ‘for’ or ‘against.’ The struggle between ‘for’ and ‘against’ is the mind’s worst disease.”

Haidt’s research has determined that human minds are programmed to unite us into teams, to divide us against other teams, and, in order to maintain the team, to blind us to the truth. He postulated that the large societies that have been successful in overcoming division between groups are those that have put aside the absolute mindset of “for” or “against.” He noted that harmony was achieved in those instances only by using “every tool in the toolbox.”

So, what are these tools, and where is the toolbox? As I listened to Haidt, a moment in my own education came to mind. The last two years of my medical education included a degree in public health and a Robert Wood Johnson Fellowship in Academic Family Medicine.

The fellowship had a course

in biomedical ethics. In addition to the usual course work, the class met periodically in the home of Dr. Gerald T. Perkoff, our fellowship director. Most memorable were the lively discussions of ethical dilemmas over dinner.

One evening, during a discussion of professionalism, Dr. Perkoff described the historic characteristics of the three learned professions –divinity, law and medicine. He discussed five characteristics of these professions, constant since medieval times: 1) mastery of a vast body of accumulated and changing knowledge, 2) provision of uncompensated services, 3) teaching the next generation of professionals, 4) leadership and service to the community, and 5) strict adherence to the principle of confidential relationships with clients. That is a toolbox, with five tools that can help overcome divisions.

Take a moment to broadly consider these five tools –reliance on knowledge, provision of care to those who cannot pay (and likely need it the most), teaching, service and leadership, and care to protect an individual’s right to privacy and to properly use information. These tools belong not only to a toolbox of the three age-old professions, but are rightly assets of all of society.

Our society’s use of these tools has waned, and absolutism has increased. Science, and the new knowledge it produces, is under fire. Many people rail

SIU faculty and staff get salary increase

Janiyah Gaston | @DeJaniyah

SIU faculty and staff will now receive a 2% pay increase, according to a statement made by Chancellor Austin Lane.

Lane said he has heard concerns about the lack of a pay raise from faculty and staff for sometime now.

“Today, we are pleased that for the second year in a row, SIU Carbondale can provide modest increases to employees’ salaries,”

Lane said.

The board of trustees approved a 2% increase to the salary pool yesterday.

The pay raise will be applied to faculty and staff who were hired before May 1, 2022 and will be effective July 1, 2022.

Staff reporter Janiyah Gaston can be reached at jgaston@ dailyegyptian.com or on Twitter @DEJaniyah.

against a commitment to those most vulnerable. Our teachers, especially those at the primary and secondary level, are paid a pittance compared to the worth of their work. The clientprofessional relationship is being progressively eroded. The right to privacy is beleaguered by the highest levels of authority, and information is misapplied seemingly at every turn.

Voting rights, women’s rights, reproductive rights, environmental rights, privacy rights, human rights, civil rights, the Bill of Rights, the right to life, the right to liberty and the right to the pursuit of happiness are all topics of hot debate. Our retreat to absolutism has made

each of these categories of rights more vulnerable to decay than such rights have been in more than a century. Our best tools for unity are rusting away.

The messages of Perkoff and Haidt should be heeded.

Application of the principles of professionalism to issues related to human rights takes hard work, and it takes a commitment to a greater good for all. It takes a commitment to harmony between disparate teams. It requires a retreat from absolute attitudes, so that the principles, the tools, have a chance to be applied. It takes an understanding that our fundamental rights are actually blurred at the edges, with the

grey zones that are needed for discourse to begin.

The Ninth Amendment of the Bill of Rights defines the grey zone. “The enumeration in the Constitution, of certain rights, shall not be construed to deny or disparage others retained by the people.” The writers knew that they could not possibly conceive of all of the issues that might arise in the future. Thus, there is expansive room for dialog, if we will allow it. Let’s get back to it, and use the historic tools of professionalism as our guide for engagement.

Jerry Kruse, MD, MSPH Dean and Provost, SIU School of Medicine & CEO, SIU Medicine

Mannie’s Fire Feast Review: Thai Taste

For this edition of Mannie’s Fire Feast Review, I visited Carbondale’s Thai Taste. The restaurant’s location is 100 S. Illinois Avenue

The food review is based on the following criteria: customer service, food flavor, food texture, cleanliness, value/price, food presentation and convenience.

Each criterion will be given a score ranging from zero to five. Instead of using the same old boring numerical identifiers, this food review uses fire symbols to measure the restaurant’s performance. For example, no flames would equal no fire, and five flames would be extremely fire.

At the very end, all scores will be averaged, and the restaurant will receive an overall score. So without further ado, let’s start the review!

Food Flavor: 4.5

To start, I ordered a tofu wonton soup with a coke. The soup contained thin wonton skins stuffed with tofu, cabbage, carrot and spices in a clear broth. I selected a four out of 10 spice level for the soup because I do not do well with too much spice.

The soup was delicious and came at the perfect temperature for immediate consumption. The four spice level was considerably hot, so I would probably scale it down next time. The veggies complimented the soup well.

For the main course, I ordered the Three Delight, which contains chicken, shrimp and roasted pork with vegetables and ginger in a special sauce. Instead of having the roasted pork, I substituted it with beef.

I ordered a four-spice level for the Three Delight meal, which wasn’t too bad. The chicken and beef were tender and wellseasoned. The shrimp were of a great size and tasted fresh. I added some sweet-and-sour sauce to the dish, but it didn’t need it because it was already tasty. I’m giving the food flavor a four and a half because the leftovers tasted the same the next day.

Food Texture: 5

The soup’s texture felt light and not too filling before the main course. Again, the soup’s temperature was perfect for you to dig right in without having to cool it off, but the cabbage was a bit too long and stringy and at times the cabbage fell off the spoon.

The Three Delight’s food texture was juicy and tender. The meal was well cooked and did not leave me feeling bloated. The food texture receives five flames.

Food Presentation: 4

The restaurant has put some thought into the plateware that they use. The restaurant’s ambience is more minimalist and sleek, which is complemented by the modern dishware that they serve.

The soup came in a large round bowl halfway filled to prevent spills. The Three Delight came out on a medium-sized plate with a small rice bowl on the side. It could’ve been on a bigger plate and I had to request a separate plate to dish the rice and main course together. The food presentation will be four fire flames.

Customer Service: 5

I arrived on a busy night with seven full tables and only one server named Kenny. He introduced himself to me and seemed very pleasant. He also educated me on the spice levels for the food I could request for every meal I ordered.

Kenny was very busy, but he gave every table the same amount of care and attention to detail. He even apologized for the food wait because there was a big party that night celebrating a life event. Once the food arrived and I began to eat, he checked on me several times and asked how everything turned out.

Although the restaurant was busy, I thought the staff did a fantastic job under pressure handling the dine-in and takeout orders. Customer service receives five flames.

Value/Price: 5

Both meals before taxes and other service fees were less than $20. For the restaurant to be located in a college town, it gives you a fine-

dining type of feel at a budgeted price. The portion size was large enough for leftovers, making it an even better deal for anyone looking to ball on a budget. I am giving the value/price criterion a total of five flames.

Cleanliness: 4.5

Up next is the restaurant’s cleanliness. I did a full scan of the restaurant and was amazed by the venue’s ambient scenery, smooth jazz and fresh smell. There were also hand sanitizer dispensers as soon as you walked inside. This is a bonus for anyone who is germaphobic like me.

The tables were clean and had a lit candle planted at the center. The only slight downside was the silverware. The napkin was very clean, but the utensils were slightly smudged. But dishwashers can sometimes cause this to happen. I am giving the cleanliness criterion four and a half.

Convenience: 2.5

I arrived at the Thai Taste restaurant on a

Wednesday evening around 7 p.m. and dined alone. The restaurant does not have a private parking lot. Patrons are forced to pay for street parking or walk if they can.

The restaurant is located on the corner of a busy street, so few parking spots are available. There is also a public parking lot across the street from the restaurant but it services other businesses too. Generally, parking in Carbondale can be complicated if the destination does not have a private lot. However, on this day, I luckily found a parking spot nearby. The convenience score that best fits the restaurant is two and a half flames.

Overall Score: 4

The overall score Thai Taste will receive is four flames. In the future, if the restaurant can improve its parking, there is no doubt it can be close to a near-perfect score.

Staff reporter Mannie Henderson can be reached at ehenderson@dailyegyptian.com

Mannie Henderson eHenderson@dailyegyptian

Three Delight dish sits on a table at Thai Taste Sept. 14, 2022 in Carbondale, Ill. Mannie Henderson | ehenderson@dailyegpytian.com

Entertainment Column:

What to watch this Halloween season

Zaden dennis Zdennis@dailyegyptian coM

There’s no time quite like the beginning of fall. The early gusts of cold air, the cozy clothes and especially the start of Halloween festivities: decorations, costume parties, hayrides, and not being able to go three feet without running into something with pumpkin spice in it. But easily my favorite part of every October is getting an excuse to watch all the horror movies I’ve been putting off watching or revisiting. Not just any old horror movies will do though, the best are those that have an especially autumnal atmosphere. No disrespect to films like “Friday the 13th” but they don’t quite fit the season.

If you’re struggling to pick which movies to watch or have no idea where to start, here’s a select few to get the ball rolling. What better film to start with than the most obvious classic?

Halloween: Whether it’s your first or hundredth time, nothing quite beats John Carpenter’s 1978 classic “Halloween.” Even under its strict budgetary limitations and being shot in California, it pulls off the perfect Illinois Fall atmosphere.

A masterclass of camerawork, lighting, score and minimalism all packaged into one of the most iconic films of the season. While the original will always reign superior, it ties in perfectly with what can be a mini marathon.

Director David Gordon Green’s new trilogy of “Halloween” films function as direct sequels to the 1978 film, including “Halloween” (2018), “Halloween Kills” and concluding with “Halloween Ends” which releases this October 14.

These can be the perfect start to the season and leave you with something to look forward to once the new film releases in theaters and, if you’re really dedicated, there’s nine other sequels to unpack.

Barbarian: If you’re looking for a terrifying theatrical experience for the season, then look no further. “Barbarian” released in theaters on September 9 and has been making waves among horror fans since. The directorial feature debut from comedian Zach Cregger is one of the most intense horror films to see in a theater in years.

While the less that’s said about the plot the better, the film is expertly crafted in almost every way and delivers something that is becoming increasingly hard to come by within the genre: genuine tension.

Grab a group of friends and watch this with a crowd, as I promise you have no idea where it will take you.

It Follows: Another film that serves to feel as equally cozy as it is terrifying is 2014’s “It Follows.” Serving up immaculate autumn imagery as well as centering around a group of friends working together to defeat an unknown force.

Our main character Jay finds herself being stalked by a shapeshifting entity that never stops its pursuit. This film’s scares also hinge on its mystery, so it’s best viewed blind. The film serves up some amazing and tense camerawork that elevates the horror as well as an unforgettable score that I find myself throwing on every

October.

While this film may not literally take place during Halloween, it serves up the vibe better than most.

X/Pearl: Earlier this year “X” was released by A24 and has since become a fan favorite slasher. “X” is a brutal, subversive and hilarious film that simultaneously pays great homage to films like “Texas Chainsaw Massacre,” while still feeling fresh and original. The film falls more into a summer feel in terms of atmosphere, but with the release of Pearl this month on September 16, the rules can be bent a little.

“Pearl” serves as a prequel to “X” taking place nearly 60 years beforehand, showing the origins of the previous film’s villain. “Pearl” is unprecedented in that it’s a prequel that’s releasing within the same year as the film before it. “Pearl” is equally as subversive and is a horror film that begs to be seen on the big screen.

Even more surprisingly, a third film, “MaXXXine” was just announced and will follow the events of “X.” If you haven’t caught these yet, there’s never been a better time to catch up.

The Evil Dead: Director Sam Raimi has seen no shortage of media coverage in the last year, with his first film in ten years being released this summer, “Doctor Strange in the Multiverse of Madness.” He also saw some attention last December with the release of “Spider-Man: No Way Home,” with his version of the character, starring Tobey Maguire, making a surprise return to the role.

Raimi’s influence on the film industry is at its height with his “Spider-Man” trilogy in the early 2000s, but he was making waves far earlier in his career within the horror genre. 1981’s “The Evil Dead” is arguably one of the most influential horror films of all time as well as a huge moment for independent filmmaking.

Made for basically nothing, with a bunch of friends in the middle of the woods in Tennessee, you’ll be hard-pressed to find a more effective horror picture, even today. Cutting-edge special effects, unprecedented camera wizardry and the birth of many horror tropes with a wholly unique autumn atmosphere to boot.

This is another film best experienced with a group of friends in the middle of the night, preferably with a cool fall breeze coming through an open window. And if you’re looking for another marathon, “The Evil Dead” franchise is by far the most consistently excellent out of its contemporaries. With two direct sequels in “Evil Dead 2” and “Army of Darkness” as well as a 2013 reboot that is surprisingly just as great, and a new film “Evil Dead Rise” hitting theaters next March.

Staff reporter Zaden Dennis can be reached at zdennis@dailyegyptian.com and you can find his other reviews at letterboxd.com/Zadenator.

Devon Moon | dmoon@dailyegyptian.com

Humans of

A study group goes over microbes outside of Lindegren Hall on Sept. 19, 2022 in

Will Browning (left) and Victor Schwan take soil samples for a class project around Trevor Reaman | treaman@dailyegyptian.com

Brandon Macer, assistant director of marketing for the SIU media department, sets up a headshot booth for the job fair on Sept. 20 in the Student Center on Sept. 19, 2022 in Carbondale, Ill. Trevor Reaman | treaman@dailyegyptian.com

Students pass the time by reading inside the Student Center on Sept. 19, 2022 in Carbondale, Ill. Trevor Reaman | treaman@dailyegyptian.com

Kiva Schobernd (left) and Madison Piazza enjoy the nice fall day out on Morris Lawn Sept. 19, 2022 in Carbondale, Ill. Trevor Reaman | treaman@dailyegyptian.com

Carbondale, Ill. Trevor Reaman | treaman@dailyegyptian.com

around campus lake on Sept. 19, 2022 in Carbondale, Ill.

Anika Svancarek | asvancarek@dailyegyptian.com

Culture Column: Blonde, Gay, and Thin – The Lucky Ones

AAron Elliott AElliott@dAilyEgyptiAn com

Staring at the scale that seems to be calling my name, I huffed and stood up and walked its way. I chucked out my own scale years ago, but while visiting a friend the other day, I thought perhaps that I would check to see what my stats were. Stepping onto the plate of doom, I watched the numbers zoom upwards. Like stepping foot on a landmine, standing still for what seemed like an eternity, in agony waiting for the bomb to go off. A number in blood red flashed across the little screen and read my weight aloud to the room of my lonesome. Shushing the little robot I muttered to the silent bathroom “Oh, big whoop” as I exited.

The person I was four years ago would be so bored of who I am now. He would make fun of how I talk, dress, and act, but most of all he would be confused on why I don’t fit all of his good jeans. Being a little gay boy that came out during the fast pace years of Tumblr and YouTube, of course I had a terrible outlook on my own self appearance. I was watching girls with swoopy bangs talk about their size double zero low rise jeans and belly button rings while I sat in cargo shorts and an Abercrombie and Fitch shirt that was just a bit too tight.

My eighth grade class had only 20 people in it, and most of the girls weren’t even allowed to wear makeup or dye their hair. Although influenced by outside cultural standards and aesthetics, I was still rather a bit

sheltered. The sad part is, my mother was the most lenient of them all. At that time in my life, I recall thinking about how I was the most mature one of the class.

High School rolled around, and I could feel change on the horizon, but did I realize how much?

Terribly confident for being a part time pubescent, I entered into the domain of public education thinking “well at least I wont be the only gay kid anymore,” to which I would be right. A handful of homosexuals walked the halls of Herrin High, and I thought peerhaps I would finally have a friend or a confiant that would be like me, and not just some girl asking me if she looked cute in her khaki skirt. I couldn’t have been more wrong.

Ice tipped blonde hair and deep set collar bones, with a glare that would send chills down your spine, every gay kid here looks… the same? I had been out since fifth grade, and I had experienced my fair share with the gay community via social media (thanks Kik), but at least there was some diversity. Around these parts, if you dont fall under the category of blonde, gay, and skinny, you are not going to be accepted for who you are.

Let me state this now: I have no issue with what people of the world would call “twinks.” A twink (gay slang) is someone of slim stature, usually lacking body hair, with a slight femme twang to them. I have many friends who would be classified as one, and I could say that for a brief moment in my time, I would have been grouped

with them. Femme gay men men are always the first to be picked on for not being manly enough by society.

I was very fortunate not to have been bullied in highschool except for by other LGBTQ+ community members, whether they were out of the closet, or in the depths of it. It is hard being the one rather frumpy and femme kid surrounded by a millions guys that look like Kenn dolls. I wasn’t, am still not, much of anyone’s type. Having only small things with boys that would rather me not tell anyone that we see each other and delete their messages was more normal for me than anything else.

A stigma among homosexuals is that when a couple is together, they somehow look alike. This of course is noted among straight cis couples as well, but it is far more noticeable when the couple is of the same gender, and it usually is always the tiny twinks that go for their own doppelgangers. My girlfriends and I have coined a label for this phenomenon, naming it after a boy that we all know that somehow looks as if he shares DNA with every guy he courts.

You could accuse vanity for this strange occurrence, and that would aid to the real root problem: aesthetics and the need for male accessories.

Aesthetics can be oh so important to oneself’s identity, and finding who you are as a person means finding out what you like and do not like. The only way to figure out what taste you have is by experimenting, but that usually isn’t the case in these situations. Aesthetics

can be found on their own, but in the gay community, it is far more common to have them pressed upon you.

A few years ago, I only exclusively wore 1960s golf pants, most of which I inherited from my grandpa’s dead cousin. It was 2017, and everyone owned a “Golden Girls” shirt and a handful of funky pants. A good three inches from my ankle, I walked around plenty of places looking as if I was preparing for a flood. Thanks to the honest words of many friends and a good long look in the mirror, I no longer wear these trousers.

I wanted to be trendy, but most desperately, I craved to fit in. I didn’t care about straight fashions, as they did not apply to me, but I knew that it was easier to wear a flannel with jean shorts and my birkenstocks and be a quirky cookie cutter homo, rather than the guy that only wears flats three times a week. It is widely understood that fitting in is much easier than standing out, and being subjected to criticism and bullying is not worth the trouble sometimes.

The only time I ever really subjected with rudeness in my years of younger academia was by other gay people, shaming me for being just a little too kooky for them. I didn’t fit their aesthetics. We have moved into a period where these men pick men that resemble not only themselves, but what they want their aesthetics to be portrayed as online. They do it as a cry for attention in a hallway full of mirrors.

If the perfect guy doesn’t visually

match the look they are going for style wise, somehow two weeks into their relationship, that ideal man will be blonde and wearing baggy clothes while making a pouty face for thousands of followers in their boyfriends third post of the day.

The mute button on Instagram is a gift from heaven when it comes to having self image issues. You cannot scroll through your feed without seeing every single person that you despise, but refuse to unfollow because it would seem quite tasteless. Instead of wallowing in the annoyance of their constant and vain postings, you can just shut them off.

I will be the first to call myself out; this opinion is rooted in jealousy and insecurities. It’s not my fault that I don’t look like them physically, but I could put a little more energy into my appearance. It is already a struggle to get up in the mornings, but adding on a whole routine of intense pampering to make sure that I am looking “dewy” and youthful makes me want to do drastic things. Perfection is only achieved through practice, and if I haven’t had enough practice, how have they?

Twinks are the lucky ones. Born to be pretty, and treated like prince’s among the masses. Almost always guaranteed a seat at the table among the rest, and they know it. Is that where the attitude comes from? I know where mine is rooted, but what’s their excuse?

Staff reporter Aaron Elliott can be reached at aelliott@dailyegyptian.com

2022 recruiting class gives SIU Volleyball new energy heading into conference play

colE dAily | @cdAily

The Salukis’ women’s volleyball team sits at 7-4 this season, with quality wins in their last couple of tournaments. The squad hopes to improve upon last year, which left plenty to be desired.

“Last season doesn’t define who we are because last year’s team was completely different,” sophomore setter Anna Jaworski said.

Last year’s group only won five games, none of which were conference wins. Jaworski said it was tough for the team to keep their heads up at times. This season however, they have already surpassed their total wins, which could be a sign of improvement.

There are definite similarities between this season and last, as the Dawgs started last year nearly as well, going 5-6 before going into a tailspin. However, Jaworski said this season has a whole new feel.

“Coach talks a lot about our depth and ball control, and I think these new players have been the pieces we’ve needed,” Jaworski said.

SIU’s 2022 recruiting class is certainly part of the reason behind that success. Each freshman has played substantial minutes in almost every game this year.

First year student Ceci Bulhman, an outside hitter, said the hardest part of adjusting to the college level was the speed of the game.

“All of the freshmen have had to communicate faster and be able to adapt quicker,” Buhlman said.

It hasn’t affected her too much on the court for the Salukis. Buhlman has totaled 76 kills so far this season and has proven to be a quality young player for the team.

Both she and libero Claudia Bobb said they feel capable on the court due to the comfortability in the locker room.

Not only do new players have to transition their game to the college level, but they also have to adjust to college life. But Bobb said her teammates have done a remarkable job supporting her and helping her stay focused.

“The girls on the team have been super supportive.They’ve given me a lot of advice and helped me through that transition,” Bobb said.

Bulmahn said she loves spending time with the team outside of practices and events.

“The team has been super welcoming and we all get along really great,” Buhlman said, “The older girls on the team call us freshmen ‘The Pack’ because we’re always with each other. It’s really just been awesome.”

Jaworski said all of the first year players have done a great job adjusting to the locker room environment. Each contributes something to the whole of the team.

“Every single one of them brings something different to the team. They almost complete us in a way,” Jaworski.

The Salukis feel they have played much better this season, and Jaworski said the main driver behind that was their work in the off-season. The team got much better at its ball control.

“Last year, we had issues siding out quickly and handling the balls that weren’t perfect. But right now we have all the skill to make each contact better than the last,” Jaworski said.

Even a newcomer like Bobb said the team is getting better and better with each game it plays. The Salukis are determined to put themselves on the map this coming season.

“I think our progress has already shown in our record so far. We’re moving in the right direction and everyone on the team has the same goal,” Bobb said.

This week, Southern Illinois will start conference play with a matchup against the newly-joined Racers of Murray State. Jaworski said the Salukis have already blacked out the bad memories from last season.

“We’ve put it behind us already but I think it’s really important for us to remember how we felt after those losses. We know that it’s going to be one game at a time,” Jaworski said.

This will be Bobb and Buhlman’s first time experiencing conference play, and they’re going to need to be ready for the moment.

“We’ve had some great competition in the past couple tournaments that

have gotten us ready for conference play,” Bobb said, “All of us freshmen are just as competitive and share the common goal of making winning a priority.”

The Dawgs have high hopes for this year’s team. They view last year as a fluke and hope to remain competitive in the Missouri Valley.

“I’m really excited to show everyone how much better we really are,” Jaworski said.

The Salukis are very young compared to other teams in their conference, but Buhlman said the team has the perfect blend of young talent and experience.

“Youth can be a disadvantage, but it shoudn’t be a problem for us,” Bulmahn

said, “Our coach has talked a lot about what he expects from us. Plus, we have great leadership within the team.”

The Salukis hope to surprise fans and their Missouri Valley counterparts with an outstanding year. Even if they don’t live up to the hype they have set for themselves this year, there now is undoubted confidence in the foundation being laid for Southern Illinois volleyball.

Whether or not they capitalize upon it, will be at the hands of the players and coaching staff.

Assistant Sports Editor Cole Daily can be reached at cdaily@dailyegyptian.com or on Twitter @cdaily_de

Anika Svancarek | asvancarek@dailyegyptian.com

Dawgs bite the Cats: SIU upsets

Northwestern for second-ever Big Ten win

Brandyn Wilcoxen | @ @BrandynWilcoxen

Saturday marked one of the biggest upsets in school history, as the Salukis (1-2) beat Northwestern (1-2) in Evanston 31-24. It is the team’s secondever win over a Big Ten school; the first came against Indiana on Sept. 16, 2006.

“I can remember, however many years ago that was,” Saluki head coach Nick Hill said. “It’s something that you’ll always remember.”

Hill was the quarterback for that 2006 team, and threw the winning touchdown pass, one of four total that afternoon. One day after the 16th anniversary of that game, Hill’s team repeated the feat.

“We said all week, it’s not a moral victory to come up here and play with them,” Saluki linebacker Branson Combs said. “We came up here to win, and we did that.”

When the 2022 Saluki football schedule was released, few would have predicted that the team would start 0-2. Even fewer would have said that SIU would go on to beat the Northwestern Wildcats of the Big Ten, a conference that is 66-4 all-time against the Missouri Valley Conference.

Southern Illinois is no stranger to competitive games against FBS teams. It entered Saturday having led at halftime in six of its last seven games against such opponents. The Northwestern game was little different, as both teams entered the locker room at halftime tied 14-14.

A big driver for the Salukis to keep pace with the Wildcats was their success through the air. Quarterback Nic Baker started the game 11-for-11 for 138 yards and a touchdown, which proved that SIU could match Northwestern’s offense.

“It was huge to get off to a good start, just to give our team the confidence, to show that we could move the ball on these guys,” Baker said.

Three of SIU’s biggest weaknesses to open the season became its biggest strengths on Saturday. Most notably, the Salukis committed no penalties in the first half after committing 23 across their first two games, including some late-game calls that cost the team a win against SEMO in week 2.

Additionally, Southern Illinois forced two interceptions in the final two minutes of the first half, which led to the game-tying touchdown. This came after the team did not create a single turnover in the first two weeks.

Finally, their pass defense played a big part in their upset win. Those two first-half

interceptions came with just 62 passing yards allowed in the first half for a defense that had previously been torched by Incarnate Word and SEMO.

“What a great response by our defense, [defensive coordinator Jason] Petrino, his staff. Backs against the wall, just came up here and just battled,” Hill said. “All of their plays that they scored on, we made them earn every inch of it. No explosive plays.”

Later in the second half, the defense came up big in two spots that shifted the momentum permanently in SIU’s favor. It forced a fumble midway through the fourth quarter deep in Saluki territory to protect a seven-point lead, and followed that up with a strip sack that set Southern up for a touchdown to push the lead to two possessions.

Baker finished the day 23-for-34 with 241 yards, three touchdowns and one interception, which was subsequently wiped by a pick by the Saluki defense. Baker frequently targeted tight ends Tyce Daniel and Jacob Garrett, who combined for over 100 yards and caught all three of Baker’s touchdowns.

“He’s a leader, he’s a captain on this team,” Baker said of Garrett, who had three career touchdown catches in 39 games for the Salukis before catching two on Saturday. “Some of his work goes unnoticed.”

Baker was looked at as a recruit in high school by Northwestern, but was not offered a spot on the

team partially due to his height. The 5-foot-8 quarterback ended up with the winning score on a QB sneak to punch it through the goal line.

“I even had a 7-on-7 here when I was in high school and I was tearing up everybody here,” Baker said. “These guys didn’t even bat an eye, and I was like, I’ve just got to show them what they missed out on.”

Javon Williams Jr. was featured much more than in previous games, getting several looks in the Wildcat formation. He ended the day as the Salukis leading rusher with 55 yards on 10 carries, as well as catching four passes for 48 yards.

For the first few weeks of the season, the Salukis played well below expectations. They came into the season ranked No. 9 in the FCS, but a blowout loss to Incarnate Word and a close loss to SEMO at home sent them out of the Top 25 entirely.

“A lot of teams, easily, 0-2, two not good losses to start the season with big expectations. Easily that could blow up in your face,” Baker said. “I’m just so proud of our guys for keeping the mission in mind.”

Given what they had shown thus far, it was expected that they would struggle against Northwestern, which is less than two years removed from playing in the championship game of one of the best conferences in the country. Instead, the Salukis pulled off the fifth upset of a Big Ten team by a Missouri Valley school in history, and the second

such upset in SIU history.

“With the circumstances of how we came up here… As a coach I’ve never been as proud of a group of guys,” Hill said. “Two tough losses, and the fashion that we got beat week 1, and the way we got beat last week coming down to the last second.”

One win is not enough to save a season, but if any win could put the Salukis back on track, this would be the one. Defeating an FBS team is a major accomplishment for any FCS school, no matter how their season had gone to that point. To not only beat the Wildcats as heavy 14-point underdogs, but to do so in a fashion that shows great improvement from the team’s biggest issues coming into the game, is a massive achievement for this Saluki team.

“I think it’s a credit to us that our confidence didn’t waver even a little bit,” Baker said. “We came into practice, and we knew we didn’t put our best product on the field the first two weeks. We just wanted to do that. We wanted to play good ball.”

With the win, SIU finishes its non-conference schedule with a 1-2 record. While the record is not what the Salukis would have liked, they can look at this win against Northwestern as a sign that things may be turning around for them. However, the most difficult stretch of the season may still be ahead of them.

“We needed this one. We’ve spotted ourselves two losses,”

Hill said. “Right now we’re going into a eight-game stretch… It’s gonna be a week-by-week grind.”

Next Saturday, the Salukis will host the North Dakota Fighting Hawks, who entered week 3 ranked No. 22 in the FCS with a 1-1 record. The rest of their Valley schedule features three more FCS ranked teams, and two on the outside looking in. The MVFC is always a gauntlet of some of the best teams at its level, and it was important for Southern Illinois to get right before it entered conference play.

“We’re gonna be in battles similar, and be behind in this conference season,” Hill said. “It’s a great test for us for the Missouri Valley Conference.”

No matter how the rest of the season goes, fans, alumni and everyone in between will look back at this game with pride. Whether it’s later this year or 15 years down the road, Southern Illinois will always be able to claim this win over a Big Ten school on its resume.

Fans can hope that the common thread connecting the school’s two Big Ten victories, former quarterback turned head coach Nick Hill, can continue to guide the team to more wins over its conference foes in an effort to save what at one time looked like a lost season.

Staff reporter Brandyn Wilcoxen can be reached at bwilcoxen@ dailyegyptian.com or on Twitter at @BrandynWilcoxen.

Students pack the Dawg Pound in support of the Salukis for the home opener against Southeast Missouri State University (SEMO) Sept. 10, 2022 at Saluki Stadium in Carbondale, Ill. | @lyleegibbsphotography

From Cinderella to Saluki: Clarence Rupert brings March Madness magic to Carbondale

Brandyn Wilcoxen | @BrandynWilcoxen

In March, the little-known Saint Peter’s Peacocks became the “Cinderella story” of the NCAA Tournament, upsetting No. 2 Kentucky, No. 7 Murray State and No. 3 Purdue on their way to the first Elite 8 run by a No. 15 seed team in tournament history.

Clarence Rupert, who started all of the Peacocks’ tournament games, remembers the experience well.

“That was the goal from the jump, to make it to The Tournament,” Rupert said. “I’ve been watching that tournament since forever, so for me to make it that far and actually to play in it was a real blessing for me.”

Rupert was a true freshman forward for Saint Peter’s, and like many of his teammates and coaches, he took advantage of the national fame and transferred to a larger school. The transfer portal landed him at Southern Illinois University.

Saluki men’s basketball head coach Bryan Mullins knows what it takes to make it to “The Dance.” He was a player on SIU’s Sweet 16 team in 2007, and was on the coaching staff at Loyola-Chicago when it made its own Cinderella run to the Final Four in 2018.

In Rupert, Mullins sees a player that could potentially help bring similar

success to Carbondale for the first time since that 2007 season.

“[Rupert] impacts the game in a lot of ways that do not show up on the stat sheet,” Mullins said. “I love the passion that he plays with. His team’s success in postseason motivates him to want to get back to the NCAA Tournament.”

Run Baby Run Arena in Jersey City, New Jersey, the home of the Peacocks, seats 3,200 people for men’s basketball games. Its capacity is closer to SIU’s Davies Gym, which the Salukis use for practice, than the Banterra Center, which seats 2.5 times as many fans.

On the other hand, Jersey City has a population of around 262,000 people, compared to just 25,000 in Carbondale; the difference between the two schools’ environments could not be much greater.

“Coming from a city to like a rural area like this, it’s a big adjustment for me because I’m not used to it,” Rupert, a Philadelphia native, said. “I’ve been in a city my whole life.”

The first two games of Saint Peter’s March Madness run were at the Gainbridge Fieldhouse in Indianapolis, before advancing to Rupert’s hometown of Philadelphia for the Sweet 16 and Elite 8 rounds. Even though going from the Northeastern United States to the

Midwest is a big adjustment, Rupert had plenty of positives to take away from his most recent time in the area, including a win over Murray State, which joins the Missouri Valley Conference this year.

The 6-foot-8 sophomore has been touted for his physical style of play. While his scoring numbers don’t light up a box score, his toughness and passion were praised coming into Carbondale.

“Clarence is just scratching the surface of what type of player he can be,” Mullins said. “He has a great feel for the game and plays with toughness and competitiveness at all times.”

Mullins knows well from his time playing at Southern in the mid-2000s, as well as his experience coaching in the conference since 2013, that the Missouri Valley Conference favors tough, physical play. Mullins was a two-time Valley Defensive Player of the Year, and made the MVC All-Defensive Team all four years.

That brand of basketball makes Rupert feel at home in the Missouri Valley.

“I’ve always been physical,” Rupert said. “I’ve always been tough my whole life. So coming into a conference where it is physically tough, I feel like I fit in perfectly honestly. They’re playing my game now, so we’re gonna see how they play me.”

Joining a new team would obviously come with the challenge of getting integrated with the system, and with the players themselves. So far, the transition has worked out well.

“We’re all a family,” Rupert said. “We’ll all be in each other’s rooms on Sundays, Thursday watching the football games. We all hang out with each other before and after practice.”

Rupert joins a Saluki frontcourt that features J.D. Muila, as well as freshmen Scottie Ebube and Cade Hornecker. No matter what the former Peacock’s role will be as he begins his Saluki career, he is prepared to help his team.

“My role is anything they want me to be,” Rupert said. “I’ll go on the court and defend. If you want me to score the ball, I’ll score the ball. If you want me to grab somebody a water bottle, I can grab a water bottle. I’m just here to do whatever they want me to do.”

The first Saluki men’s basketball game will be on Nov. 7 against Little Rock at the Banterra Center. The team typically hosts an exhibition game in late October, although details for this year’s game have not yet been announced.

Staff reporter Brandyn Wilcoxen can be reached at bwilcoxen@dailyegyptian.com or on Twitter at @BrandynWilcoxen.

Soccer team gets that winning feeling

Joei Younker | JYounker@dailYegYptian com

After the termination of head coach Grant Williams’ contract in November of 2021, a 25 game losing streak, and the hiring of a new coach, the Saluki Women’s Soccer team wasn’t sure what to expect for the 2022 season.

Senior forward Liz Brechtel said the losing streak was hard for the team to get through.

“It was… hard for us to stick it out,” Brechtel said.

After not only winning their first game in two years, but being on a five game non-losing streak, with a 3-2-2 record, the Salukis are looking forward to a very successful season and a big turn around from their prior efforts.

Junior forward Sam Dodd transferred to SIU at the beginning of her sophomore year from UW Milwaukee where she won a conference championship and the team went undefeated.

Dodd said the difficulties of going to such a new program would hit her eventually, but she also knew SIU was the right program for her to continue her career at.

“To come here from a winning program and be blindsided by everything was really hard, but I knew that eventually everything would fall into place, I knew there was a reason I transferred here,” Dodd said.

The turnaround has been a long time coming, she said.

“We all knew we were capable of it, but

we were missing something,” Dodd said.

The piece that the Salukis were missing seems to be new head coach, Craig Roberts.

“He brought a new energy that rebuilt

us as a team and gave us a lot more hope,” senior midfielder Sam DeJulio said.

Brechtel said the players feel way more connected with each other and confident in their abilities.

During the off season, Roberts set up multiple team bonding exercises, including their ROTC Challenge event, team trivia night, and a team lantern lighting where the players wrote goals for the season for themselves and the team.

Brechtel, Dodd and DeJulio all said that the new found chemistry between the team is what played the biggest part.

Dodd and DeJulio both said that all of these things have put more confidence in the players’ heads.

“It helps to have someone in your corner at all times, I know that any of us could go to Craig on and off the field,” Dodd said.

“He believes in us and he cares a lot about us. He’s been really tough on us but it’s only making us better,” DeJulio said.

“At the end of the day I think that has the biggest impact. We’re playing for each other, not just ourselves,” Dodd said.

Brechtel said, “We’ve never been closer as a team.”

With high expectations for the remainder of the season, the Salukis have their newly instilled confidence to thank for the turn around of Saluki soccer this season.

The Salukis will try to continue their undefeated streak with a match against the Belmont Bruins September 25 in Nashville, Tennessee with a 1 p.m. start time.

Sports reporter Joei Younker can be reached at jyounker@dailyegyptian.com.

As the Salukis tie up the game with only minutes left on the clock, the rest of the team and coaches celebrate the tying point on Sept. 18, 2022 at the Lew Hartzog Track & Field Complex in Carbondale Ill as the Salukis face against Drake University. Lylee Gibbs | @lyleegibbsphotography

Riley Maulick (20) kicks the ball down the pitch while playing the first conference play of the season on Sept. 18, 2022 at the Lew Hartzog Track & Field Complex in Carbondale Ill. Salukis tied with Drake University Bulldogs with only minutes left on the clock. Lylee Gibbs

@lyleegibbsphotography

The Saluki soccer team huddles together before the second half of the match against Drake University Bulldogs on Sept. 18, 2022 at the Lew Hartzog Track & Field Complex in Carbondale Ill. Lylee Gibbs | @lyleegibbsphotography

Sophie Whitten

Sophie Whitten swhitten@dailyegyptian.com