Daily Egyptian WEDNESDAY, FEBRUARY 21, 2018
DAILYEGYPTIAN.COM
SINCE 1916
VOL. 101 ISSUE 45
SIU athletics running on SIU chancellor used university cumulative deficit of $26 million money to move daughter’s home BRIAN MUNOZ | @BrianMMunoz
SIU athletics is running a cumulative deficit of more than $26 million, according to documents obtained by the Daily Egyptian under a Freedom of Information Act request and interviews. The cumulative operational or “day-to-day” deficit rose from $4.7 million in 2013 to $19.6 million by June 2017. During the 2013 fiscal year, a loan from the university system to SIU athletics added $8.6 million to the athletics deficit, Judith Marshall, SIUC executive director of administration and finance, said. The loan was to help pay off renovations for SIU Arena, Saluki Stadium and Itchy Jones Stadium, Marshall said. She said bond sales did not cover the full cost of the new stadium and the renovations to
the arena and Itchy Jones Stadium. “The president's office agreed to loan the money internally that they are paying back,” Marshall said. “They do pay interest – determined by the president's office.” The financial documents, which outline revenue and expenditures in athletics show football as the most expensive intercollegiate athletic team at the university. The football program lost roughly $2.6 million during the 2017 fiscal year and lost roughly $9.4 million during the four-year snapshot the Daily Egyptian analyzed. During the 2017 fiscal year, men’s basketball lost the university $966,183, women’s basketball lost the university $998,998 and all other intercollegiate athletics combined added nearly $4.8 million to the athletics deficit. Please see STORY | 8
ANNA SPOERRE | @AnnaSpoerre
One of the households SIU Chancellor Carlo Montemagno moved with university money was one in which his daughter and son-in-law lived. SIU spokeswoman Rae Goldsmith confirmed that Montemagno's daughter and son-in-law lived in the second home, which she defined as a "furnished rental." Montemagno has since refunded SIU $11,146.42 for the moving costs of the second household in addition to $4,930.03 he paid upfront to the moving company after exceeding the $61,000 in moving expenses allotted to him by the university, Goldsmith said. On Thursday, the chancellor released a statement regarding a “misunderstanding” related to moving expenses gathered to
move the two homes, which were located on the same block. This announcement was made “in the interest of transparency,” the statement read. On Feb. 2, the Daily Egyptian filed a Freedom of Information Act requesting documents related to the chancellor’s moving expenses. On Feb. 9, SIU’s FOIA office requested a five-day-extension and released the documents on Friday. Montemagno’s original employment contract of $61,000 in moving expenses was meant to cover “actual costs of expenses related to moving and storage, if needed, of household, personal, and professional office possessions from Edmonton, Alberta, Canada to Carbondale, Illinois,” the contract read. Please see Chancellor | 6
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Contact Us
Email: editor@dailyegyptian.com Editor-in-Chief:
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About Us
The Daily Egyptian is published by the students of Southern Illinois University Carbondale 43 weeks per year, with an average daily circulation of 11,000. Fall and spring semester editions run every Wednesday. Free copies are distributed in the Carbondale and Carterville communities. The Daily Egyptian can be found daily at www.dailyegyptian.com.
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 Š 2018 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 and College Media Advisers Inc. and the College Business and Advertising Managers Inc.
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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 year and major. Faculty must include rank and department. Others include hometown. Submissions should be sent to editor@dailyegyptian.com.
Wednesday, February 21, 2018
Remembering Bauer
Brian Munoz | @BrianMMunoz Robert Dunne, an Office of Homeland Security agent from Chicago, pays his respects at the site of Chicago police commander Paul Bauer's death, Friday, Feb. 16, 2018, outside of Thompson Center in Chicago, Illinois. Bauer was shot to death after chasing a man fleeing from tactical officers, according to the Chicago Tribune. "He was a person of exceptional judgment who always did the right thing," Dunne said. "He was a tremendous father to a young daughter — very devoted, dedicated and always ready to make her a priority."
Carbondale police investigating attempted sexual assault, trespass STAFF REPORT | @DailyEgyptian
A possible criminal sexual assault and trespass to residence was reported Monday in the 400 block of West Freeman Street in Carbondale, police said. The suspect, a heavy-set black man with light brown eyes wearing a ski mask with an SIU logo covering his face entered the residence without permission and "took actions to lead the victim
to believe she was going to be sexually assaulted," according to a release from SIU's Department of Public Safety. The 6-foot-tall suspect was also described as having a "unique accent." Â The victim wasn't physically injured. The City of Carbondale Police Department is investigating the incident. "Crime prevention and awareness, as well as timely reporting, may be the strongest defenses against becoming the victim of an assault," police said,
encouraging suspicious activity be reported to police. "Be mindful of your surroundings and trust your instincts." Anyone with information about crimes in this area or on campus are encouraged to call the Carbondale Police Department at (618) 457-3200 or the SIU Department of Public Safety at (618) 453-3771. For more information on safety and how to file a report, visit www. safe.siu.edu.
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Students participate in Polar Plunge and Donut Dash fundraiser FARRAH BLAYDES | Daily Egyptian
Despite current construction on the campus boating dock at Campus Lake, the university hosted the Special Olympics Polar Plunge and Donut Dash on Saturday, Feb. 17 for the first time in three years. “This is the first year we have been back at Campus Lake in over 3 years,” Shane Bennett, assistant director for the event said. “SIU has been very supportive of our event and has provided everything we need to be successful.” Currently, there is construction at Becker Pavilion, but Bennett said the future site of the pavilion after construction will be fantastic. Last year’s polar plunge was at the Student Recreation Center, according to a university press release.
“This is the first year we have been back at Campus Lake in over 3 years.” - Shane Bennett assistant director
This year’s polar plunge is also celebrating the 50th anniversary of the Special Olympics fundraiser. Supporters and volunteers gathered at Campus Lake Saturday morning and participated in the 5k run and polar plunge to try to raise money for athletes. Though the temperatures were low, spirits were high as the Special Olympics Donut Dash walk/run 5k participants prepared to run. John Lenz, a junior at the university studying Business Administration and
a first-year participant in the fundraiser, said he was eager for the run. “I heard about it through my RSO Student Alumni Council,” Lenz said. “It seemed like something important to participate in so I decided to run it.” New and veteran participants alike remained optimistic as weather conditions worsened as it began to sleet at approximately 10 a.m. Saturday. Alyssa Newmar, a senior at the university studying Marketing and Chinese and a fourth-year participant in the plunge and run said, “the weather is bad but it’s fun to come out here and support the cause.” Newmar said she likes participating in the fundraiser every year and supporting its cause because it’s close to her birthday. The fundraiser proved to be a success in both raising awareness and money for the Special Olympics athletes Bennet said. The plunge was organized by The Illinois Law Enforcement Torch Run, a grassroots effort that is made up of over three thousand local, state and federal police and corrections officers, Bennet said. “We are the largest fundraising source for Special Olympics Illinois, donating approximately $4.4 Million in 2017 alone,” Bennet said. “There are numerous volunteer opportunities at the more than 25+ events we offer throughout the year.” According to the Southern Illinoisan, the next polar plunge will be at South Sandusky Beach at Rend Lake on March 3. Those interested in volunteering can visit www.soill.org to learn more about the Illinois Law Enforcement Torch Run and Region K, which represents the majority of southern Illinois residents. Staff writer Farrah Blaydes can be reached at fblaydes@dailyegyptian.com.
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Daily Egyptian wins big at annual Illinois College Press Association awards STAFF REPORT | Daily Egyptian
The Daily Egyptian earned 25 awards Saturday at the annual Illinois College Press Association awards. The winners were announced at the ICPA convention in Chicago, where dozens of Illinois college newspapers attended and submitted more than 1,000 entries for competition. Entries are judged by the Illinois Press Association, an organization composed of various newspaper professionals from around the state. The IPA assigns those professionals as judges from within the organization’s structure. SIU’s independently run student newspaper scored five first place awards, eight second place awards,
seven third place awards and five honorable mentions. Daily Egyptian editor-in-chief Athena Chrysanthou said she was proud of the staff’s achievements this past year. “Working in the newsroom everyday and seeing the staff grow gives me an immense sense of pride to be a part of the Daily Egyptian,” Chrysanthou said. “The awards we received today gives us something to show for the work we do and also a reminder of how important we are to the community and SIU.” Of the 25 awards, the Daily Egyptian advertising department took four awards, design took three awards, reporting took six awards and the photography staff took home nine awards. The Daily Egyptian
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staff received honorable mentions in ‘Entertainment Supplement’ and in ‘General Excellence.’ The following awards are in the “Dailies over 4,000” category: Honorable Mention, General Excellence: Daily Egyptian Staff Honorable Mention, Entertainment Supplement: Daily Egyptian Staff First Place, In-House Promotional Advertisement: Bridget Moroney Second Place, In-Depth Reporting: Nathan Dodd, Brian Munoz and Denton Giovenco Second Place, Headline Writing: Abbey LaTour Second Place, Feature Writing other than Sports: Olivia Spiers Third Place, Feature Writing Story – Other Than Sports: Abbey LaTour
Third Place, Sports News Story: Sean Carley and Luke Nozicka Third Place, Sports Game Story: Sean Carley Second Place, Sport Page Design: Reagan Gavin Third Place, Feature Page Design: Reagan Gavin First Place, General News Photograph: Brian Munoz First Place, Spot News Photograph: Brian Munoz First Place, Photo Essay: Jacob Weigand First Place, Feature Photograph: Jacob Weigand Second Place, Chicago Press Photojournalism Competition: Brian Munoz Third Place, Sports Photo: Jacob
Weigand Honorable Mention, Spot News: Ryan Michalesko Honorable Mention, Sports Photo: Jacob Weigand The following awards are open to all participating schools, no matter enrollment or publication frequency: Second Place, Graphic Illustration – Open: Reagan Gavin Second Place, Advertising Campaign – Open: Abby O’Brien Third Place, Advertising Campaign – Open: Abby O’Brien Honorable Mention, Full Page Advertisement – Open: Abby O’Brien The Daily Egyptian’s news desk can be reached at 618-536-3397 or editor@dailyegyptian.com.
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CHANCELLOR CONTINUED FROM
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“The amount agreed to in his contract anticipated inclusion of his personally owned laboratory equipment which the chancellor desired to donate to the University,” SIU President Randy Dunn said Tuesday. Dunn said he was not aware of the second home at the time of contract negotiations, but that the “misunderstanding” was addressed with Montemagno’s reimbursement to the university. Amy Sholar, chair of SIU's Board of Trustees, said she had an expectation during contract negotiations that the money would be used for one household, adding that when contracts are negotiated, there is an attempt to be as clear as possible. “What was to be included in the contracted amount was not part of a detailed listing, so there was a misunderstanding about what could be covered in the move,” Thursday’s statement from Montemagno read. The original announcement, made “in the interest of transparency,” can be found on the chancellor’s blog. The readjusted final moving cost following contract guidelines is $49,853.58, according to a moving invoice. This covers the cost of moving just one household. A final decision has not been made regarding the pending move of Montemagno’s lab equipment — which he said he intends to donate to SIU. “At some future point, the SIU Board of Trustees may take a separate vote on providing funding for moving the laboratory equipment after they review what the equipment is, its potential utilization by SIUC scientists and researchers, and the appropriate facilities to house the equipment,” Dunn said. This conversation comes less than a month after the Daily Egyptian reported Montemagno’s daughter and son-in-law were hired into positions that they never formally applied for and that were never advertised. Montemagno’s appointment was approved by the Board of Trustees on July 13. On July 24, Montemagno sent his daughter’s resume to Goldsmith, according to documents obtained by the Daily Egyptian. Two weeks later Melissa Germain signed her new contract, making her assistant director of university communications. Jeffrey Germain’s civil service contract was signed Sept. 28. Before coming to SIU, the Germains worked at Montemagno's Ingenuity Lab at the University of Alberta. At least four individuals with whom Montemagno previously worked interviewed for positions or were brought to campus for consideration since his
Brian Muñoz | @BrianMMuno Southern Illinois University Chancellor Carlo Montemagno gives the "State of the University" speech Sept. 26, 2017, at Shryock Auditorium. Montemagno spoke on his vision for the university and the steps administration plans to take to increase enrollement numbers.
appointment. On February 1, SIU’s Office of Internal Audit, Compliance and Ethics opened two inquiries related to the hirings of Chancellor Carlo Montemagno’s daughter and son-in-law, as well as the searches involving previous coworkers.
“I welcome a review of faculty hiring and systemapproved employee hiring at SIU,” Montemagno said in a Feb. 1 statement. “I have not had nor will I have any role in hiring or supervising the employees and faculty members in question. It is my understanding that these hirings were done in
“What was to be included in the contracted amount was not part of a detailed listing, so there was a misunderstanding about what could be covered in the move.” - Carlo Montemagno Chancellor
compliance with SIU policies.” The agreement to allow for family hiring was made verbally since Dunn and the General Counsel deemed it inappropriate to put in the written contract. The inquiries have since been taken to the state level and are under investigation by the Illinois Office of the Executive Inspector General as of Feb. 2. The decision to pass the inquiries on to the state level was made to ensure an independent review, SIU President Randy Dunn said. The inquiries are still under review. Staff writer Anna Spoerre can be reached at aspoerre@dailyegyptian.com or on Twitter @annaspoerre.
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New RSO hopes to bring domestic and international students together FARRAH BLAYDES | Daily Egyptian
Mass Communications and Media Arts student Ivy Lu created a new registered student organization this spring semester in hopes to bring domestic and international students together. The new RSO is called Buddhists for World Peace. "World peace is important right now. With all of us together we can change the world,” Lu said. Buddhists for World Peace is an RSO where students can come together to discuss their obstacles and overcome them together by using Buddhist Literature. The new RSO is an opportunity
for students to explore Buddhism if they haven’t before, Lu said. Lu encourages people from all backgrounds to join the RSO. The Vice President of Buddhists for World Peace Siubhan Stormont, said those wanting to join the RSO don’t need to know anything about Buddhism. “This isn't an RSO based on a religion. It's more of an RSO that follows a particular philosophy that stems from Nichiren Buddhism,” Stormont said. Nichiren Buddhism is the teaching of hope, Lu said. “It is a great philosophy, affirming that we possess within ourselves the infinite power to surmount all hardship and break through all obstacles,” Lu
said. “Anyone can join our primary focus is discovering and achieving true happiness through freedom.” The RSO plans to use Daisaku Ikeda’s Buddhist guidelines for promoting peace, culture and education, Lu said. Ikeda is a Buddhist philosopher, peace builder, educator and author who focuses on the concepts of happiness and world peace. He is the president of Soka Gakkai International, a worldwide Buddhist network which promotes his Buddhist guidelines through personal transformation, according to SGI’s website. In recognition of his work, Ikeda received an honorary Doctorate of
Humane Letters from the university in 2006. Lu said she felt with Ikeda receiving such high honors from the university its important to use his literature as a guideline for promoting the ideas of togetherness, global citizenship and Buddhahood. Buddhahood is the inherent potential that is referred to as Buddha nature. Buddha nature is a state of life characterized by limitless courage, wisdom, and compassion Lu said. The RSO plans to do more outside of reading and applying Buddhist literature into the member’s daily lives. One event Buddhist for World Peace will be participating in is
SGI-USA Youth Peace Festival on Sept. 29 2018. The festival is themed “50,000 Lions of Justice: Ushering in a new era of Hope and Respect.” The festival will occur simultaneously in nine cities including Chicago, San Francisco, New York, Miami, Honolulu, Atlanta, Los Angeles, Dallas and Phoenix. Lu said the primary focus of the festivals is to spread knowledge of the principles of SGI Nichiren Buddhism, promote peace and help one another become better citizens.
and not just silenced,” Buice said. “They are a part of us, they are apart of SIU and they deserve to be treated as such.” Buice said USG supports the ten demands in the resolution, created by seven local organizations in carbondale. Some of the demands listed in the resolution include: the addition of a scholarship specifically for undocumented students, funding for counseling and psychological services for DACA students, that DACA students remain eligible for the same scholarships available to them prior to the termination of DACA and refuse to turn over student information to immigration enforcement authorities except if a court order is issued. The organizations that created the ten demands are Define American at SIU, SIU Hispanic Student Council, Latino Cultural Association, Action Alliance Southern Illinois, Carbondale
Racial Justice Coalition, Race Unity of Carbondale, Southern Illinois Immigrant Rights Project and Jackson County’s DACA/undocumented community members and allies. “Making these resources available to undocumented students would be very beneficial," said Oneida Vargas, a DACA student studying Political Science. "I also think it would help for incoming DACA/Undocumented students to the university." USG Senator Eric Zhi Hao Tsang — who proposed the resolution — said he hopes the document expresses USG’s support to the university’s DACA students as a student body and creates more social awareness about DACA and undocumented student issues. “This is the very moment that we should take a stance because they might get deported if we fail to mobilize the community,” Tsang said.
Vargas said that few resources were made available before the resolution. When asked what her feelings would be if the the university's administration didn’t respond to the resolution, Vargas said she’d be disappointed but not surprised since the university didn’t make SIU a sanctuary campus last year. “It wouldn’t surprise me if they rejected this resolution because it comes with more things than just making the university a sanctuary campus. It comes with additional resources and additional money allocated to DACA/ Undocumented students that I know people would not really agree with and I know the university would want to avoid that conflict,” Vargas said. Buice said she would also be disappointed if the university does not take action. “I would feel like they weren’t listening to their students' voices and
that they weren’t taking into account that students took the time to make these demands,” Buice said. “This is a way for us as a student body to say we stand with you, 'we understand and we’re here to support you and we want to help you.'” Buice believes the university should take the demands into account and move forward in implementing them on campus so that SIU is a student body that is inclusive of DACA students. “They maybe weren’t in charge of their choice to come here, but they are here now and they have become Americans in their beliefs and in their thinking and in the ways they’ve contributed to our country and to our community,” Buice said.
Staff writer Farrah Blaydes can be reached at fblaydes@dailyegyptian.com.
USG sends administration list of demands to support DACA students KITT FRESA | @KittFresa
The Undergraduate Student Government sent a resolution to the university's administration on Feb. 13 with a list of demands that SIU should provide to DACA students. When DACA was rescinded by President Donald Trump on Sept. 5, 2018 Chancellor Carlo Montemagno sent an email to university students saying that the university supports DACA students and will protect their rights “under applicable statutes and regulations." Newly appointed USG President Emily Buice said she thinks the resolution is substantial because it provides demands for the university to provide resources to DACA students. “The resolution is really great in making sure that these students are understood, seen and heard on campus
Features Editor Kitt Fresa can be reached at kfresa@dailyegyptian.com.
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Allocation of funds for Athletics from the State of Illinois Appropriations, in millions per fiscal year $2.0
$1.7
$1.5
$1.5
$1.3
$1.0
FY ‘15
FY ‘16
$1.1
FY ‘17
FY ‘18
MVC total Gain/loss 2015-2016
$3,000,000
Wichita state $2.5 million
$2,000,000 $1,000,000 $0 -$1,000,000
Missouri State $0
Illinois state $590,00 Indiana state -$58,000
Northern Iowa -$765,000
-$2,000,000 -$3,000,000 -$4,000,000 -$5,000,000
Southern Illinois -$4.3 million Reagan Gavin | @RGavin_DE
DEFICIT
CONTINUED FROM
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Chancellor Carlo Montemagno said in a statement sent to the Daily Egyptian that he has been looking into the financial situation in athletics since arriving at SIU. “Since arriving in August, I have been closely looking at the very challenging and complex financial situation facing Saluki athletics,” Montemagno said. “The deficit has greatly increased over the last five years and answers to stemming the tide are difficult to find.” The university’s expenditures and revenues are similar to other Missouri Valley Conference schools, according to Mark Scally, deputy director of finance at SIU Athletics. Southern Illinois University spent the most on athletics in the Missouri Valley Conference during the 2016 fiscal year at $27.5 million, according to USA TODAY. Missouri State spent $26.2 million, Wichita State $25.96 million, Illinois State $25.93 million, Northern Iowa nearly $18.5 million and Indiana State $14.7 million, according to the USA Today database. SIU also had the highest loss in the MVC, according to the database. During the 2016 fiscal year SIU athletics lost $4.3 million. The second highest loss was the University of Northern Iowa at $765,000. “If we were in a big city like Wichita or Chicago we may be selling more tickets,” Scally said. “Being in a small, rural, community like this I think we do pretty well at most of the things we do.” The deficit that athletics faces is due to the decreased enrollment on campus, Scally said. “Our business model at athletics is strongly reliant on the student fee – it composes about half of our revenue,” Scally said. “When we have large shifts in enrollment, that’s problematic.” Marshall agreed. “[Athletics] has been impacted by the decrease in enrollment because they are heavily reliant on the student fee,” Marshall said. “They also rely
upon ticket sales and if you go to basketball or football, attendance is down.” The student fee of $315 per semester per full time student given to athletics totaled $8.1 million in 2017, down from $8.5 million in 2014, according to the financial documents. The current funding model in university athletics is unsustainable, Montemagno said. “The university must take an indepth review of Saluki athletics to create a plan that will first lead to realizing a balanced budget on an annual basis and then address the significant long-term deficit position while maintaining our position as a competitive NCAA Division I program,” Montemagno said. A contributing factor to the financial woes of the university is the reduction in state appropriations and athletics was not immune to those reductions, Marshall said. Athletics received $1.7 million from the university’s state appropriations in 2015 but that has been reduced to $1.1 million for fiscal year ‘18, Marshall said. Scally said the solution to athletics’ deficit is increasing enrollment instead of eliminating programs. “There is a limit to how much you can cut in the athletic department and on campus,” he said. Athletics attempted to cut spending by reducing swimming scholarships and cutting the men’s and women’s tennis programs in early 2017 to save the department an estimated $660,000. SIU will add a women’s soccer team after the university was found to be in violation of federal Title IX. That will cost between $650,000 and $700,000, according to an internal memo sent by SIU President Randy Dunn that was obtained by the Daily Egyptian. But a press release sent by athletics Jan. 16 said the operating budget for soccer would be less than $400,000. Scally said finances are not a factor in adding the women’s soccer team. “Bringing back tennis [would] not add enough female student athletes
Wednesday, February 21, 2018
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File Photo | Daily Egyptian Football fans fill the stands during the Salukis' 50-17 win over the Murray State Racers on Sept. 17, 2016, at Saluki Stadium.
to our headcount,” he said. “Soccer will bring 20 to 30 [female] student athletes where a tennis roster maxes out about nine or 10.” Athletics has tried to find new revenue sources. “One of the things we added this year was the sale of beer and wine at athletic events, hoping that we could generate some new revenue and try to close the gap that way,” Scally said. Despite being one of the largest contributors to the current deficit, the football program has not seen substantial cuts to its program due to
the deficit, according to the reports obtained by the Daily Egyptian. “Very few football programs at our level make money,” Scally said. “I think you’ll find that most of them don’t.” The football program has used multiple money-saving tactics, he said. “Next year we will play at the University of Mississippi,” Scally said. “Some teams would fly but we’re going to bus down there.” Oxford, Mississippi, home to the university, is almost 300 miles from Carbondale.
“The deficit has greatly increased over the last five years and answers to stemming the tide are difficult to find.” - Carlo Montemagno Chancellor
SIU will receive roughly $400,000 to play in Mississippi, Scally said. “So football does create some value and some revenue … there are a lot of positives that go with it.” Cutting scholarships in the football team would lessen SIU's ability to compete in the Missouri Valley Conference. “When you’re competing against North Dakota State with their full 63 scholarships and we don’t give out as many, we’re not going to be able to compete,” Scally said. Cutting football scholarships would also contribute to the decline in enrollment at the university, Scally said. “We have 63 scholarships in football that covers about 80 to 85 students, but they all go to class here,” Scally said. “When you start eliminating some of those students from the campus, our enrollment troubles campus-wide go down.” Photography and multimedia editor Brian Muñoz can be reached at bmunoz@dailyegyptian.com or on Twitter at @BrianMMunoz.
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89-year-old man sketches weekly cartoons for townie bar JEREMY BROWN | @JeremyBrown_DE
89-year-old Robert Hunter has been drawing weekly cartoons of PK’s Bar for as long as he can remember. “It’s like he just kind of fell into everything,� Gwen Hunt said, owner of PK’s. “You have to put yourself where Bob is, because sometimes I can’t understand where he got his ideas.� Hunt said Hunter is very unique, so his ideas can be hard to follow, but she thinks he’s a very funny man. She said Hunter drew a lot of the images on PK’s beer mugs. “On his, he’s got a finger. If you ask him how he’s doing, he’ll show you,� Hunt said. Hunter, the artist who creates these cartoons for PK’s, still makes a new cartoon to put on the wall every week. He said he started them for one reason. “I wanted to get out of the basement,� Hunter said. “I was in the basement doing woodwork. For
many years, I carved wood. I'll tell you, you get so tired of being in the basement that you will do anything to get out of it.� Hunter said even though the wall space is very commercialized in PK’s, his cartoons have commandeered a permanent space. “There are a lot of people that want to advertise what they want to advertise,� Hunter said. “[But] they will not violate that place.� Hunter said that he used to do cartoons for the paper. When asked which paper, Hunter laughed, telling other customers at the bar what the interviewer had just asked. “There’s only one,� Hunter said. “I used to do it for the Illinoisan. I did that for a long time, and it became boring.� Hunter said he didn’t intend for his sketches to become a weekly cartoon when he started. Originally, the cartoon sketches were also less wild than his more recent sketches. “I was originally less spidery,
Brian Munoz | @BrianMMunoz Stained glass at PK's bar juxtaposes Robert Hunter's drawings Tuesday at PK's bar in Carbondale. Hunter, a retired comic book artist from Carbondale, has been drawings sketches at PK's bar in Carbondale over the past 10 years. Note: This is an in-camera double exposure.
“The character of the place has to do with the people who come here. This is a townie bar.� -Robert Hunter cartoonist
earlier on,� Hunter said. There is no real purpose or direction for Hunter’s sketches, he said that customers were interested in the creatures he would draw, so he started to do them regularly. “It’s whatever is in your head,� Hunter said. “If you have no hair, you just say whatever’s on your head.� The concept of the cartoon is to take the same template of a bar, typically with eight stools and put something on it. The idea that the characters are the only ones changing appeals to him. “The character of the place has to do with the people who come here,� Hunter said. “This is a townie bar.� Jim Eagelston, a regular at PK’s, said Hunter had been doing the cartoons for at least as long as Eagelston has been coming. “I don't know when he started doing them,� Eagelston said. “I've only been coming in here about 10 years.� Eagelston said Hunter likes to do eccentric drawings, so there are many cartoons with nude characters. “He actually draws them to real form,� Eagelston said. “You won't get a comic chick up there with big boobs. They're all frumpy and weird, that's the way he likes it.� Hunter said he has no issues with drawing nude characters. “I do not object to any nudity or so forth,� Hunter said. “I would do
so much more of it because it’s easy to do. You have no idea.� Hunter’s cartoons add to the atmosphere of the bar. Some people come in just to see the latest cartoons, and don’t even order a drink Eagleston said. “He’s got so much going on in
his brain, I’m surprised he doesn’t explode,� Eagelston said. “He does more at his age than I do at 50. I really respect the man.� Staff writer Jeremy Brown can be reached at jbrown@dailyegyptian.com or on Twitter @JeremyBrown_DE.
SPICE MONTH AT THE CO-OP
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Wednesday, February 21, 2018
Letter to the Editor: A “plan” with no plan
PATRICK DILLEY | ASSOCIATE PROFESSOR
I attended the meeting Chancellor Carlo Montemagno called with the Faculty of the College of Education and Human Services on Monday, January 23. I would like to convey, in this letter, both the content and the tenor of the questions from the Faculty and the answers, and other information, provided by the chancellor. The chancellor began his presentation/ conversation by including a statement that the proposed restructuring was not about saving money. “I wish people would stop bringing up the $2.4 million,” he said. “It’s a sideshow distraction - fake news.” He implied that were it not for department chairs having fiduciary roles in the current FA contract – chairs who had abused their roles and acted in their own self-interest – there would be no need for a reorganization. He stated that the reason he proposes doing away with chairs is because of the collective bargaining agreement. I pointed out that this statement contradicted his statement at the Board of Trustees business meeting in December, where he said his proposal was to work around the collective bargaining agreement’s designation of “departments” as the organizational unit. I do not believe he
“I wish people would stop bringing up the $2.4 million. It's a sideshow distraction-fake news.” - Chancellor Carlo Montemagno
responded to my comment. The chancellor told us that his plan for the reorganization of our units had changed, as he learned that SIUC had started as a normal school, training teachers; consequently, details of his “plan” for us had changed, including nomenclature of the administrator who would be in charge of this new “School of Education” as well as units within it. The chancellor said he wanted to return “faculty lines” back to the head of this school, to the “programs.” He stated his expectation was that Faculty would decide which programs needed to be kept and strengthened, and which needed to be cut. The chancellor posited that the remaining faculty in this school would create its own operating papers, its own rationale for voting and system of governance, on its own; he confirmed that the administration would have no role in creating this system. He stated directly, however, that his expectation was that faculty positions would be eliminated through this process. I asked him, as did others, repeatedly, how such a system would work, indeed, a “one faculty member, one vote” would give one “unit” - Curriculum and Instruction, in our current organization - the ability to override the votes of all of the remaining faculty in other units. He said we should work out those issues on our own. This “hands off” doctrine seemed only to extend to inter-school struggles for survival, sort of an academic version of Survivor. Nonetheless, whatever the faculty would decide would only be advisory to him; if he did not agree with our decisions, he could overrule them. The chancellor went on to say that “I write your paychecks,” and that we all worked for him. The chancellor claimed he wants to return control of hiring lines and program funding to the new school, but the implication was clear: resources and self-control, such as it would be, would only come from conforming to the chancellor’s plan. That plan was scant on details, as it has been in every setting in which I have seen or heard the chancellor speak of it. I, and other faculty, asked for more information about specifics of his proposal; I asked him several times to explain, precisely, operationally,
“We were depicted as irresponsible academic citizens, shirking our duties and doing little to nothing to help the University.” - Patrick Dilley, Ph.D. Associate Professor
what he was proposing; at one point, I said, “I’m not trying to be an ass; I don’t understand this.” The chancellor seemed unable or unwilling to respond with specifics I specifically asked him how his administration was prepared to deal with the State educational accreditation bodies and licensure agencies. He stated that there would be “no problem.” I responded that while I am no expert on the issue, I am aware that the State currently requires programs to be approved in advance. Assistant Vice-Provost Chevalier responded, saying she would be pleased to meet with me about accreditation questions; when I spoke with her after the meeting, she stated that she would be so busy with the Faculty meetings about the proposed reorganization, she would not have time to speak with me “for weeks:” in other words, after the Contractually-required “vote” on this proposed change. When faculty asked the chancellor about how programs with fewer faculty than curriculum and instruction would survive, the chancellor stated that such faculty could teach service or other courses for other programs. When I pointed out that we would not necessarily be qualified to do so - nor desirous to abandon our professional affiliations and training - the chancellor spoke eloquently of rising above our personal interests. “You should put the interests and needs of the university, and the school, and the programs above your personal interests.” The chancellor said faculty needed to become “responsible citizens of the university,” so that if we “finished our work” in a given week, we would go do more work
in another area. He stated that we needed to do more “research” (not scholarship; all of his examples were of producing marketable processes or products). He stated that he wanted faculty to become more responsible in shared governance, which he said “means more than telling me ‘No.’” He told us, “Trust me.” As someone who annually assesses and evaluates future postsecondary administrators in presentations, I could not say that the chancellor would have passed this assignment. The faculty were no less informed than prior to the presentation; our questions were not answered, and, if anything, what we had previously had been told was contradicted. We were depicted as irresponsible academic citizens, shirking our duties and doing little to nothing to help the university. I, at least, felt insulted: the chancellor does not know what our programs are, what they do, what they need for accreditation for our students, nor what our college faculty has done (and given up) to stay functioning. How can I trust a plan with no details, crafted for reasons that vary weekly, promulgated by an administrator whose ethics I question? As always, I stand ready to respond to questions for information that the board might have. Patrick Dilley, Ph.D. Associate Professor of Higher Education and Qualitative Research, and Associate Professor of Women, Gender, and Sexuality Studies at Southern Illinois University Carbondale can be reached at pdilley@mac.com.
Wednesday, February 21, 2018
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Letter to the Editor: 'I have full confidence in the chancellor' WILLIAM SCHEFELBEIN | STUDENT
Chancellor Carlo Montemagno, thank you for your vision. Thank you for your drive. Thank you for your willingness to change. Thank you for a strong backbone. Thank you for your passion for students. Thank you for your commitment to the community. Thank you. As a student who has received his highest degree of just a high school diploma and will soon acquire a Bachelor’s of Science degree in business management, I could not comprehend the journey to a Ph.D., nor do I think I ever will. At this point in my life, I have no desire to become a chancellor of a university. After spending almost 21 years of my life in education, I could not see myself going an extra eight or even more. To become a chancellor, you need numerous educational experiences, a vast number of publications, letters of recommendations, and many more checks to assume the position. So, for me, a student, to criticize such an accomplished individual with experience that could double my age, is irresponsible. I am not equipped to make such rationale. I am, however, equipped to make observations of my student peers. Intimidation will not be tolerated at this institution. A lack of respect towards fellow students will not be tolerated at this institution. A lack of respect towards our leaders will not be tolerated at this institution. Crude and obscene remarks will not be tolerated at this institution. This is not the SIU I, nor many others, have come to call home. Who do we think we are? We are students. We are students without knowledge and experience in higher education. We are students guided by emotions and the emotions of others. Have any of us served as Professor? Have any of us served as Dean? Have any of us
served as Provost? Have any of us served as chancellor? No. None of us have. What gives us the right to criticize educational protocols and procedures when we haven’t even served in the roles of the individuals making them? There is a reason job descriptions have minimum requirements. This allows ill-equipped individuals from assuming those positions. That means us, the students, are ill-equipped. This institution is changing whether we like it or not. We cannot fight it. If we try, we will fail. The educational climate in this state is in a downturn. More students are leaving this state than ever before. Why? Who knows? What we do know is that SIU is the economic engine of this region. We know that SIU cannot fail. To those students who are opposing such drastic change, I appeal to you. Give it a rest. Lower your weapons. This goes way beyond us. Reform is needed at this institution. We have an individual who is willing to make change, and what do we do? We attack him and his family. That is not the SIU spirit I have been taught. That is not a Saluki. Enrollment and morale are at a substantially low point. Do most individuals on this campus really think this can be sustained? I chose SIU because of the enthusiastic individuals I came in contact with on my first campus visit day. My heart breaks for those individuals now that have almost nothing left to give. As a student at this institution for almost three years, I almost have nothing left to give. To prospective students, we appear a united front. We NEED to be a united front. Chancellor Montemagno has come with ideas that we have not been exposed to before. With his implementation, he has changed his mind, he has revised his vision, he has met with multiple constituent groups multiple times, he has gathered feedback, and with all this,
"So, for me, a student, to criticize such an accomplished individual with experience that could double my age, is irresponsible. I am not equipped to make such rationale." - Will Schefelbein senior
he still makes time to immerse himself in the same students that have verbally opposed him. This is the leader I want as chancellor. This is the leader SIU and the community need. I am only speaking for myself in this letter, but I hope that this letter appeals to more students to speak up for what they believe in. We cannot put our collective opinions in the hands of a few undergraduate and graduate students. I may not be the undergraduate student government, graduate and professional student council, or the student trustee, but I have full confidence in chancellor Carlo Montemagno. To the chancellor, keep your head up like I know you already do, and know that you have many students behind you. We support you, we want to see you succeed, and we are keeping you and your family in our thoughts and prayers. SIU is as much your home as it is ours. Thank you. William Schefelbein is a senior studying management at Southern Illinois University and can be contacted at wschefelbein@siu.edu.
Wednesday, February 21, 2018
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FOR RELEASE FEBRUARY 21, 2018
Los Angeles Times Daily Crossword Puzzle Edited by Rich Norris and Joyce Lewis
ACROSS 1 Your business is her business 6 Tiny cut 10 Jeans line 14 Spreadsheet program 15 Comes to the rescue of 16 “The Time Machine” race 17 Like a cowboy in denial? 20 Emotional wound 21 “At __, soldier!” 22 Quartet in “Whose woods these are I think I know” 23 Fodder for Forbes, initially 25 Play a part 26 Like an eager cowboy? 35 Riveting icon 36 Overplay a part 37 Mission lead-in 38 Potentially offensive, for short 39 Tends to the sauce 40 Nerve 41 Early 16thcentury date 42 Earthquake 43 “Impression, Sunrise” painter 44 Like a cowboy out of retirement? 47 Ky. neighbor 48 Show stoppers 49 Limoges product 52 Entertainment show VIP 55 Builder’s map 59 Like a cowboy in charge? 62 Area behind an altar 63 Wonder Woman’s friend __ Candy 64 Temporary tattoo dye 65 Get weepy, with “up” 66 State openly 67 More curious DOWN 1 Trees that sound like sheep 2 Corporate VIP
2/21/18
By Amy Johnson
3 Final Four letters 4 Marvelous 5 “Hidden Figures” actor Mahershala __ 6 Epic tale 7 They may be fine points 8 Sit in traffic 9 Tire gauge no. 10 Tranquil 11 Periodic table listing: Abbr. 12 Limited choice 13 Fail to see 18 Vegas illuminator 19 Nook or cranny 24 Peach dessert 25 Many “Suits” characters: Abbr. 26 Busser’s target 27 Maker of Clarity alternative fuel cars 28 Jelly made from meat stock 29 “Capisce?” 30 Anabaptist descendants 31 Velvet-voiced Mel 32 Like most books 33 Recon goal 34 Palate 39 FedEx, say 40 “Safe travels!”
Tuesday’s Puzzle Solved
©2018 Tribune Content Agency, LLC
42 Egyptian peninsula 43 Satiric magazine since 1952 45 Less harsh 46 Fill and then some 49 Converse 50 Partner of pray 51 Ingrid’s “Casablanca” role 52 “Tiny House Hunters” cable channel
2/21/18 2/14/2018
53 Bart and Lisa’s bus driver 54 Professor Higgins’ creator 56 Swedish soprano Jenny 57 Hathaway of “The Intern” (2015) 58 Winter Palace resident 60 Org. for teachers 61 17th Greek letter
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Wednesday, February 7, 2018
Versatility leading to career-year for Armon Fletcher RYAN DEMER | @RyanDemer_DE
Due to the significant amount of injuries the SIU basketball team faced this season, junior guard Armon Fletcher was forced to move into the power forward position, stretching the floor as the fourth guard on the court. Fletcher has thrived in his new hybrid position, posting career-high numbers across the board with 14.4 points and 5.2 rebounds per game. “It’s put me in a position to be around the basket more,” Fletcher said. “I wasn’t expecting this coming into college. I feel like my past experiences have molded me into a player that can play multiple positions.” At Edwardsville High School, Fletcher noted that he played the five position. In his senior year, Fletcher averaged a doubledouble with 17.1 points and 13.4 rebounds per game. However, the physicality between high school and Division I basketball is a steep difference. “I’ve added more physicality to my game and I’m getting used to it,” Fletcher said. “In the game at Bradley, against [senior forward] Donte Thomas, he really woke me up and made me realize I needed to improve more.” Fletcher did, in fact, improve his physicality as Thomas went from scoring 22 points in the first matchup against SIU to only nine points in the second meeting. There are numerous instances of Fletcher making big stops defensively while guarding the bigger man. As recently as the matchup against Missouri State game on Feb. 14, Bears senior forward and MVC Preseason Player of the Year Alize Johnson posted Fletcher up in an attempt to hit a shot to win the game in overtime. Fletcher knocked the ball out and set up an SIU possession in which he hit a layup. Fletcher also provided a heads-up play that effectively ended the game in the matchup against Indiana State on Jan. 2. When he saw the Sycamores rushing down the court to score, Fletcher stepped in front of the guard and drew a charge. The Edwardsville native not only has made big stops defensively with tremendous amounts of hustle but has possessed the clutch gene on offense. In the second game against Valparaiso, Fletcher broke a tie and won the game on a
Brian Munoz | @BrianMMunoz Junior guard Armon Fletcher attempts to push the ball past Bradley guard Jayden Hodgson Sunday, Feb. 11, 2018, during the Salukis' 74-57 win against the Bradley Braves at SIU Arena. The Salukis are now the lone second place team in the Missouri Valley Conference.
3-pointer with 44 seconds left. “It’s just the want to make that shot; it’s the confidence to be able to shoot it and live with if you miss it or make it,” Fletcher said. “My teammates know that and try to find me in those moments. Some have been good and some have been bad.” Although Southern suffered a loss, Fletcher stepped up in the first game against Valpo this season. He scored a career-high 32 points and grabbed a career-high 14 rebounds against the Crusaders' two sevenfooter that guarded him. Fletcher attributes his success as a converted post player to the coaching of assistant Brad Autry. “He does the big workouts in practice, he
has a lot of energy and wants to fight 24-7,” Fletcher said. “From being with the guards down to the bigs, I was kind of shell-shocked at first, but coach Autry has brought that dog out of me and helped me with the mentality to keep fighting.” He said that Autry constantly points out the bad things, but what Fletcher likes about his coach is how quick he is to praise the good things he does. "He's a really talented kid and figured out how to go really hard," Autry said. "I think he's really improved his physicality and his activity level on both ends of the floor." Now, as senior forward Jonathan Wiley returns from injury when everyone thought his season was over, Fletcher will no longer
be playing the four when he is on the court. “I’m versatile now, I can play the four, three or two,” Fletcher said. “Whatever coach needs me to do, I’ll do it.” Autry said that Fletcher has stepped into a different role each season for SIU and excelled each time. He noted that Fletcher is on a natural incline in all areas of the game like initiating and absorbing contact, attacking off the dribble and rebounding. The 6-foot-5 junior has held a team-first mindset throughout the season, emerging as a leader on the floor. “At Illinois State, we’re coming off a timeout and Armon yells at everyone and says, ‘act like you’ve been here before'," head coach Barry Hinson said. “I didn’t even think to say that. That’s a veteran move and a guy that’s making strides.” With career-highs across the board, there is one aspect to Fletcher’s game that he feels needs improvement: 3-point shooting. “Mainly with me it’s just shot selections and repetition,” Fletcher said. “It’s just me getting back in the gym, getting a lot of reps and getting that muscle memory back." Although he made more shots from beyond the arc last season, Fletcher's shooting percentages have seen a slight increase. Fletcher continues to work on all facets of the game, determined to end the season on a high note. “I feel like the amount of work I’ve put in the offseason has set me up for a big year,” Fletcher said. “It’s been that so far this season, I just want to keep it going and go to the NCAA Tournament.” Sports writer Ryan Demer can be reached at rdemer@dailyegyptian.com or on Twitter @RyanDemer_DE.
“I feel like the amount I've put in on the offseason has set me up for a big year.” - Armon Fletcher Junior
Wednesday, February 7, 2018
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Wednesday, February 21, 2018
Column: Dawg talk with Dodd
From managing season-ending injuries to key players and playing a majority of the year with a six or seven-man rotation, Hinson should be the MVC's choice for Coach of the Year.
Brian Munoz | @BrianMMunoz Head coach Barry Hinson calls out to his players Jan. 21, during the Salukis’ 64-53 victory over the University of Northern Iowa Panthers at SIU Arena.
NATHAN DODD | @NathanMDodd
In his fifth season at the helm of the SIU basketball program, head coach Barry Hinson has faced more adversity this year than in any other season as a head coach. From managing season-ending injuries to key players and playing
a majority of the year with a six or seven-man rotation, Hinson should be the MVC's choice for Coach of the Year. There are two games left in the season and the Salukis are locked in a race to secure a spot in the top three of the Missouri Valley Conference standings.
After a 3-4 start in MVC play, the Salukis rattled off five consecutive wins and also won eight of its last nine contests. Not only has Hinson kept an injury-riddled team in contention for a Valley championship, SIU is only one game away from a 20-win season.
If the Salukis reach the 20-win mark, it will be the second time in Hinson's tenure at SIU to reach that plateau. There has not been a Saluki team that posted two 20-win seasons in three years since the 2005-06 and 2006-07 teams did so. The Salukis also have another thing going for them this season: a chance for postseason play. Hinson has made it clear that, if selected, the Salukis are only interested in the NCAA Tournament or the NIT. Since Hinson has taken over, the Salukis have failed to appear in either. However, Southern is ranked at 79 in RPI by the NCAA amongst all Division I programs. A win on Wednesday against the first-place Loyola Ramblers, who hold a ranking of 42 in the RPI, could push SIU's ranking into the top 75. In the last 16 years, there have been 68 MVC teams finish with an RPI ranked 75 or higher and every team received a bid to the NIT or NCAA Tournament. There is the argument, however, that Loyola's head coach Porter Moser should be the favorite to win Coach of the Year honors. After all, in just two seasons the Ramblers have improved from a 15-17 club to, currently, a 23-5
team. All of this season's success also came with the departure of star player Milton Doyle. Picked to finish third in the MVC preseason polls, Loyola surpassed expectations and is likely on its way to the program's first MVC regular-season title. However, Hinson's squad was selected to a fifth-place finish in the same poll and has exceeded expectations without multiple key players. The resilience and grit that Hinson has instilled in his players have reestablished the "Floor Burn U" mentality that used to grace the hardwood of SIU Arena. With tournament hopes in sight, Southern still sits at a 1910 record. While not impossible, the Salukis could find themselves in a first-place tie if they win out and see Loyola fall in its final two matchups. For now, all that Hinson is worried about is the task at hand: defeating the Ramblers at SIU Arena for Senior Night. No matter what happens in the final two games, in my opinion, Hinson should be locked in as the league's choice for Coach of the Year. Sports editor Nathan Dodd can be reached at ndodd@ dailyegyptian.com or on Twitter at @NathanMDodd.
Wednesday, February 21, 2018
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Passing the baton: Eason and Maloney setting records for Saluki track DILLON GILLILAND | @DillonGilliland
With the Missouri Valley Conference Indoor Championships less than a week away, it is only appropriate to look at one of SIU's most successful teams, the female sprinters. The Salukis have two young women who have led the way for the team; sophomore Shafiqua Maloney and junior Tyjuana Eason. Both have made their mark on the season by making history and taking home several event victories. Maloney hails from St. Kitts and Nevis, a small, dual-island that lies between the Atlantic Ocean and the Caribbean Sea. The sophomore attended Verchilds High School and, in her short time at SIU, she has shown nothing but great potential. Maloney did not have much time for preparation when she came to a Division I college as she was recruited only a month before her first meet. “She did not have any time for preparation,” sprinter and hurdler coach Kathleen Raske said. “She had to adapt and adjust quickly.” In her first year as a Saluki, Maloney was named All-MVC in the 400-meter and one of the members of the MVC championship relay team in both the 4 x 100 and the 4 x 400 relays. Maloney’s 4 x 100 relay team set a record for the fastest time at the MVC
Outdoor Championships with a time of 44.30 and qualified for the NCAA West Regional. The St. Kitts native is most known for her energy, positive vibes and keeping a lively mindset. “She is a very happy person,” Raske said. “She’s always laughing and giggling, but when she is on the track she is serious.” Her teammates stated their love for the sophomore and their joy in training with her. “She motivates me in ways that no one else can,” senior sprinter Chrissa Harris said. “She pushes me inside and out of practice. She helps me keep a positive mindset.” So far this season, Maloney has taken home three wins in the 400-meter along with a solo win in the 200-meter. Maloney's teammate, Eason, reigns from Kankakee and attended Kankakee High School where she was not only known for her speed but her volleyball skills, as well. The Kankakee native stated that she showed more interest in track because she liked to compete on her own and not have to always depend on a team. Although Eason had several Division I scholarship offers, she only considered Southern Illinois. “I just liked the vibe I got when I visited SIU,” Eason said. “I really liked the coaches and the campus was nice.”
“We are a family here. We want to see each other do good and no matter what we are always proud of each other.” - Chrissa Harris senior sprinter
Morgan Timms | @Morgan_Timms Freshman sprinter Shafiqua Maloney races in the 4x100-meter relay March 25, 2017, during the Bill Cornell Classic in Carbondale. The Salukis won the women's relay by about two seconds.
When beginning her Saluki career, Eason suffered a strained hamstring. However, the junior returned to compete in the outdoor season where she earned All-MVC in the 4 x 100 relay. “I feel my injury made my comeback stronger,” Eason said. “It helped me get in the right mindset.” In her second year at SIU, Eason had her breakout season and was named All-MVC in both indoor and outdoor. The junior was also a member of the relay team that took the MVC Championship in the 4 x 100 relay and was an NCAA West Regional qualifier in the 4 x 100 relay and the 200-meter dash. “My sophomore year I started to feel like I was a part of the team,” Eason said. “I started to realize that I could achieve my goals.” In her junior year at SIU, Eason still
continues to improve on her craft, as she currently sits on two wins in both the 200-meter and 60-meter. At the Illinois Open, Eason broke SIU’s program record in the 200-meter. She later followed up her performance with an even faster time at the Black and Gold Premier, breaking her own record. “It’s amazing,” Eason said. “I honestly never thought I would own a school record in an event.” Although she has been excellent for the Saluki track and field team, the SIU record holder is still not pleased with her times. “I want to build on my times,” Eason said. “I’m still not where I want to be.” Both Eason and Maloney have led their relay team to victories in the 4 x 400 relay and, currently, have the second fastest time in the
event in the MVC. “It’s the chemistry,” Harris said. “It is so much more than just running around really fast and passing around a baton. It’s our chemistry.” With the team showing more and more success as the season goes on, they are hoping that fans will come to their meets and continue to cheer them on. “We need a great deal of support,” Raske said. “We hope that people will come out and support us.” More than anything, the team has shown that track is more than just a sport. “We are a family here,” Harris said. "We want to see each other do good and no matter what we are always proud of each other." Sports reporter Dillon Gilliland can be reached on Twitter at @DillonGilliland or dgilliland@dailyegyptian.com.
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Wednesday, February 21, 2018
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