Imagine: Salukis Unleashed
$100,000,000
over the next 10 years
Through the Imagine: Salukis Unleashed initiative, and in conjunction with the ongoing Imagine SIU in 2030 fundraising campaign, we plan to increase our revenue by $100 million over the next 10 years. This will include a combination of strategic fundraising and other revenue increases.
We have set the goal high because we have big dreams, and we are confident that together we can reach all of them.
In Saluki Athletics, we believe the future belongs to those who dream big.
We are looking toward a future built on a foundation of generous student-athlete support, top-tier coaches, and facilities that reflect a championship culture.
Facilities
Our vision for victory centers around an unprecedented expansion of Saluki Athletics facilities that highlights our dedication to a renewed championship culture. We are planning the types of facilities that attract top student-athletes, provide coaches with the spaces they need to build successful programs, and exemplify our unwavering commitment to winning.
SIU’s student-athletes represent the best of our university. They arrive on campus driven to excel, both in the classroom and in competition.
It is imperative for Saluki Athletics to provide scholarships that demonstrate our commitment to them as athletes and future leaders; coaching staffs who foster a culture of sportsmanship and success; and facilities that communicate the message that we are all in on winning.
National Championships
Olympians
Academic All-Americans
More than ever, we find ourselves recruiting against major conference teams for student-athletes. Changes to the transfer portal give bigger schools access to our most talented players. It is up to us to make SIU a place to which they want to commit and the place they want to stay.
How do we do this?
First, it’s time for Saluki Athletics to grow. Our vision for victory includes a major expansion of the footprint of Saluki Athletics on campus. The facilities we are going to build are necessary for us to reach new heights of recruiting and preparation that will lead to winning more games and hanging championship banners.
Next, we are long overdue for major improvements to many of our existing facilities. From some of the most basic infrastructure in places such as Lingle Hall to refreshing the look of the Banterra Center concourse, our facilities need a facelift that showcases where we are going.
Beyond the physical, we must keep our end of the bargain with our student-athletes. It’s our job to ensure they feel welcome and supported at SIU. What begins with increasing scholarship opportunities must be followed with robust nutrition programs, physical and mental health support, and educational guidance that allows them to flourish.
We are already making strategic improvements with the funds currently available that highlight our commitment to this vision. Investments have been made in stunning new scoreboards for many of our facilities, including the Banterra Center, and new turf and fencing for Richard "Itchy" Jones Stadium.
It is an exciting time on the Carbondale campus, and Saluki Athletics plays a leading role in the university’s bright future. We are looking toward a future built on a foundation of generous student-athlete support, top-tier coaches, and facilities that reflect a championship culture.
Together, through this initiative, we will unleash the Saluki spirit and make sure the entire country knows who we are and how we do things in Southern Illinois.
We are asking our most resolute and passionate supporters to be the catalyst that infuses new life into the future of Saluki Athletics while clearing a path for others to join. Through regular investment and incredible philanthropic support, we are confident we will reach our $100 million goal in the next 10 years.
Scholarships
The lifeblood of every successful athletics program is the existence of robust scholarships. The more support we can offer to our student-athletes the more likely they are to commit to SIU and stay with us for the duration of their athletic careers. Through scholarships, not only do we ease their financial burden, but we also help them remain focused on being the absolute best they can be for their program.
The life of a student-athlete is a hectic one. While they are some of the most driven students on campus, they are pulled in many directions. The vast majority go on to futures outside the realm of athletics and enjoy successful lives. They can do this through financial support that allows them to stay focused on their studies while performing at the highest level during practice and competitions. There is little to no time for employment, and while the expansion of name, image, and likeness deals helps, it plays only a small role for some student-athletes.
Your scholarship dollars make the difference that can set us apart from others. Those dollars make an impact that lasts a lifetime.
Wraparound Services
The demanding schedule of student-athletes requires investment that goes beyond the courts, fields, and classrooms. Our student-athletes have made a commitment to us, and we must ensure we are matching it with a commitment to their well-being.
It is critical to our mission that our student-athletes have access to nutrition services and physical and mental health assistance that works in their best interest. They can face immense pressure as they strive for greatness and maintain the winning mindset of a Saluki. These young adults must know and see that Saluki Athletics and our alumni and fans are there, supporting them, throughout their journey.
The Value of Support
The Salukis Unleashed initiative is the opportunity to make your greatest impact yet. We are prepared to build on our rich history and build a future the likes of which has not yet been imagined. This is the time for all Salukis to come together and consider what they can do to leave a legacy.
Whether it’s naming an entire building, a section inside a building, endowing a scholarship, funding an initiative, providing equipment, or donating regularly as you are able, the opportunities are boundless.
Over the next 10 years, we are going to push as hard as we can to reach new heights and go beyond what was previously thought possible.
Tim Leonard Director of Intercollegiate Athletics Southern Illinois University
618/453-7250 OFFICE
Todd Reeser Assistant Vice Chancellor for Athletic Fundraising and Executive Deputy Director of Athletics SIU Foundation
404/831-5886 MOBILE 618/453-4044 OFFICE 618/453-2262 FAX