SIU celebrates 150 years during 2019 homecoming

It’s time for Homecoming 2019, Saluki style, at Southern Illinois University Carbondale. 

As the university marks its 150th anniversary, the theme of this year’s Oct. 14-19 homecoming is “One Team, Saluki Dream: Celebrating 150 Years Strong.”

Homecoming activities kicked off Monday morning, Oct. 14.

A 150th Block Party is planned from 5 p.m. to 8 p.m. Thursday, today, on Lincoln Drive in front of Pulliam Hall. Alumni and community members are invited to join SIU students and the campus family for the activities.

A pep rally is on tap for 11 a.m., Oct. 18, on Faner Plaza. 

Coach Hill and Athletic Director Liz Jarnigan, along with representatives of the Alumni Association and the SIU Foundation, will be contributing to the merriment.

On Saturday, Oct. 19, a homecoming parade through downtown Carbondale kicks off at 10 a.m. 

Guests in the parade are scheduled to include the Southern Illinois Spirit Squad, the 2019 Saluki Hall of Fame inductees and DeAnna Price, an SIU alumna, Olympic medalist and recently the first American woman to win gold in the hammer throw at the World Championships.

The Spirit Squad is comprised of outstanding high school students from throughout the region. 

The eight-person Saluki Hall of Fame athlete inductee group include: Jake Alley (baseball), 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.)

Tailgating follows on Saluki Row prior to the 2 p.m. football game when the Salukis host Youngstown State. 

A complete schedule of events and additional details about everything related to homecoming 2019 can be found online at homecoming.siu.edu.