SIU celebrating ‘Salukis on the Frontier’ Homecoming 2024 with activities galore

October 01, 2024

by Christi Mathis

CARBONDALE, Ill. - Salukis from far and wide will converge on Southern Illinois University Carbondale Oct. 7-12 for Homecoming 2024, and the celebration includes a kickoff event, a big block party, a concert featuring country phenom Hunter Hayes and many other activities, including the big parade, football game and tailgating, of course.

"Salukis on the Frontier" is the theme and many of the happenings are open to the public, often at no cost.

"We are excited to showcase SIU pride on campus and throughout the community, and we encourage everyone to join us in celebrating what it means to be a Saluki," said Sean Cooney, assistant director of student engagement and programming. "It's a great opportunity for current students, alumni and everyone else to come together in that unique SIU camaraderie to enjoy great entertainment, enjoyable events and intense competition sponsored by the Student Programming Council."

Show your pride

Across campus, faculty and staff as well as registered student organizations will set the mood for homecoming by participating in the annual door decorating contest. Campus departments or units and RSOs must sign up by 4:30 p.m. Oct. 4. Those who register by today, Oct. 1, are guaranteed a "starter pack." There are competitions for RSO spirit and Greek Life spirit as well a brand-new University Housing decorating contest for students and staff, too.

Launch is Oct. 7

The big kickoff and pep rally, which officially begins homecoming week, is set for Oct. 7 at 4:30 p.m. at Faner Plaza, and all are welcome. It's a bigger and better version of the traditional pep rally and includes the signing of the homecoming proclamation at 5 p.m. The kickoff also includes T-shirt giveaways, homecoming court introductions, mystery giveaways, food treats and more. Students can check out many of the hundreds of registered student organizations on campus during the fall involvement fair, which will take place simultaneously with the kickoff event.

The campus and community are welcome.

Musical entertainment

Singer/songwriter, platinum-seller and five-time Grammy nominee Hunter Hayes will be the headliner for the Salukis on the Frontier Homecoming Concert at 7 p.m. Oct. 9 at Shryock Auditorium. Doors open at 6 p.m., and Tierra Kennedy, singer-songwriter and host of Apple Music Country's "The Tierra Show," will kick things off. Tickets are on sale now at the Banterra Center box office, or you can buy them online through Saluki Athletics.

Then, local legend band Jungle Dogs, joined by Modern Day Saints, will perform during the "Off the Rails Concert" at 7 p.m. Oct. 11. The City of Carbondale, Carbondale Main Street, SIU Alumni Association and River Radio, LLC are "shutting down the strip" for this concert with a stage downtown at the intersection of Illinois Avenue and Cherry Street. Food trucks and other family-family fun are in store for those attending this free farewell concert for the Jungle Dogs.

The SIU Alumni Association is hosting a variety of other events as well to engage alumni with their alma mater. Learn more by visiting the website.

Block party and other activities slated

The Saluki Block Party has quickly become a favorite event in the homecoming lineup in recent years. It's happening from 5 to 8 p.m. Oct. 10 on campus on Lincoln Drive near the clocktower.

Students and community members come together to enjoy this free fest that is open to everyone. Participants can enjoy games, rides and climb the rock wall. Balloon artist Mr. Twist and caricature artists will add to the carnival-style flare, and there will also be a musical DJ show. Food vendors will be on-site, offering refreshments for purchase. To ensure public safety and enjoyment of all, a few rules will be in place, including prohibiting pets, solicitation, smoking, glass bottles, underage drinking and multiple-serve containers.

The Little Grassy Get Down Musical Festival at Touch of Nature Outdoor Education Center Oct. 11-13 offers a diverse selection of musicians and fun, family friendly activities for all ages. The third annual festival features predominately original acoustic Americana tunes. Various ticket options are available for the entire weekend or each day. Find tickets and additional details on the Touch of Nature website. Discounted tickets are being offered for those bringing homecoming game football tickets and for SIU alumni.

A couple of other special shows will be happening, and both are longtime public campus traditions. The Alpha Phi Alpha Step Show, sponsored by the organization's Beta Eta Chapter, is Oct. 11 at Shryock Auditorium with doors open 6:06 p.m. Campus Greek organizations will compete with their unique step routines during this ticket-only event.

The Miss Eboness pageant is at 5 p.m. Oct. 12 at Shryock Auditorium. Tickets are required.

The Saluki Saloon Old West Casino Nite, from 7-10 p.m. Oct. 8 in the Student Center Ballrooms, is a favorite student-only event featuring fake money and big prizes. Students also will be voting online to choose the winning homecoming royalty with voting from noon Tuesday through noon Friday.

Game day wraps the week with parade, tailgating and football

Downtown Carbondale comes alive with the annual homecoming parade, featuring marching bands, floats, marchers and much more, on Saturday, Oct. 12. It begins at East Mill Street at 10 a.m. and travels down Illinois Avenue onto campus.

Parade entries will be accepted until Oct. 10 at homecoming.siu.edu. Prizes will be awarded.

Following the parade, tailgating fun will be happening on Saluki Row from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. Then it's time to head to Saluki Stadium to see the Saluki football squad take on the North Dakota State Bison. Purchase game tickets at the Banterra Center ticket office, on the Saluki Athletics website or at the gate. Crowning of the homecoming royalty, announcement of the parade winners and honoring the grand marshal will happen at halftime.

Longtime Saluki announcer is grand marshal

2024 Grand Marshal Mike Reis is a 1978 radio/television alumnus who launched his sportscasting career as a student in 1975 at WSIU Radio and TV. By the next year, he was a part-time sportscaster at WCIL radio in Carbondale and went full-time in 1978.

A native of Cincinnati, he was soon doing radio play-by-play of SIU football, basketball and baseball, something he would continue for more than 44 years before retiring in June 2023.

During that time, he broadcast games for the Salukis' 1983 1-AA National Championship football team, 2007 1-AA Final Four football team, 2002 and 2007 Sweet 16 basketball teams, games in the 1977 College World Series and more.

He earned numerous awards during his storied career including:

• Induction to the SIU Athletics Hall of Fame in 2005, the Illinois Basketball Coaches Association Hall of Fame in 2006 and the St. Louis Sports Hall of Fame in 2019.
• The SIU Alumni Association Achievement Award for Service in 2007.
• Sportscaster of the Year in 2010 from the National Association of Sportswriters and Sportscasters Illinois.
• The Woody Durham Voice of College Sports Award in 2024.

More details online

Find the complete schedule of events and additional information at homecoming.siu.edu. For additional information, email [email protected] or call 618-536-3393.

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