Jake Alley selected for induction into SIU Athletics Hall of Fame
The Southern Illinois University Department of Athletics has announced its 2019 Saluki Hall of Fame class.
The distinguished, eight-person class will be formally inducted in a ceremony which is scheduled on Friday, Oct. 18, and then make public appearances during SIU homecoming festivities on Saturday, Oct. 19.
The 2019 class features former Anna-Jonesboro Community High School standout Jake Alley (baseball), as well as Karlton Carpenter (football), Craig Coffin (football), Deke Edwards (wrestling), Kelly Gerlach Hovland (women’s golf), Deb Heyne Gross (volleyball), Tim Kratochvil (baseball) and Chris Lowery (men’s basketball).
“It’s an honor to be recognized,” Alley said about his selection to the Saluki Hall of Fame. “I’m very proud of it.”
Alley pitched at Southern from 1999 to 2003 and compiled a 22-15 record in 77 appearances with 44 starts.
He set the school record for career strikeouts (284) and innings pitched (324.2) and finished ninth in wins.
Alley began his career out of the bullpen and recorded seven saves as a freshman.
He ended his career as a first-team All-MVC selection and as an Itchy Jones most valuable player award winner, going 7-4 with a 3.22 ERA.
He was head coach of the A-J baseball team from 2005 to 2015.
Alley currently resides in Anna and works as a nursing home administrator.
Jerseys to be Retired
The Saluki Hall of Fame selection committee also announced that two Hall of Fame members will have their jerseys retired during the upcoming academic year.
Baseball coach Itchy Jones (No. 1) and women’s basketball player Amy Rakers Fogle (No. 34) will have their jerseys retired at separate ceremonies during their sport’s seasons, with dates to be announced.
The number “1” has not been used since Jones left in 1990 and will not be used in the future.
The number “34” is currently worn by senior Nicole Martin and will remain eligible for future use.
A 1982 inductee into the Saluki Hall of Fame, Jones played second base under Abe Martin from 1957 to 1960 and then played one season in the Baltimore Orioles minor league system.
He returned to the program in 1970 and created a baseball dynasty in 21 years as head coach at his alma mater from 1970 to 1990.
He led the Salukis to a 738-345-5 record, including 10 NCAA Tournament appearances and three trips to the College World Series.
Upon his retirement from coaching in 2005, the American Baseball Coaches Association Hall of Fame inductee ranked among the top 20 winningest coaches in NCAA Division I. Jones is retired and lives in Champaign.
A 1996 inductee into the Saluki Hall of Fame, Rakers was a two-time first-team All-Gateway selection and finished her career as the program’s all-time leading scorer.
During her junior season, she averaged 20.7 points and 10.5 rebounds per game to lead the Salukis to a 21-win season, which included a game-high 32 points in the Gateway Conference championship game to take home tournament MVP honors.
She still holds SIU’s single-season records for points (643) and field goals made (267).
She went on to play a season of professional basketball for the Japan Women’s Basketball Association. Rakers resides in Anacortes, Wash., where she coaches high school basketball.