Tying Up Some Loose Ends ...

Everybody knows what it's like cheering on the Salukis from your particular corner of the world but what would it be like tracking the success of the Dawgs from 6,000 miles?

And while fighting a war to boot?

Those two questions are explored in the January issue of Saluki Illustrated in a story entitled "Emails from Iraq." The story explains how an email from Major Scott Russell, a 1992 SIU grad, to Sharon Lipe, Saluki football secretary, led to a series of email exchanges, several "Care" packages with SIU football gear being sent to Iraq and a touching story that we just had to share with readers. I think more than anything it shows that boundaries, borders and distance cannot separate the die-hard loyalty of a true SIU fan.

The January issue of SI is now available at various outlets around Southern Illinois including more than 20 Subway locations. One word of advice about "Emails from Iraq" -- keep a box of Kleen-Ex handy.

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Did you happen to see the 2009 Special Football Edition Saluki Illustrated that highlights the success of the remarkable just-completed football season. Featuring the same high-quality, color-glossy content that SI fans are used to, the magazine has feature stories, quotes from coaches and key players and is a realy collector's item. The Special Edition can be purchased on-line by going to www.salukiillustrated.com or you can send a check or money order for $4.95 (plus $1.55 for shipping and handling) to:
High Road Publications
PO Box 174
Sesser, IL 62884

This is a must-have for all SIU fans.


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Coming in February ...

The February issue of Saluki Illustrated is fast coming together with a wide array of stories including a look at the rebuilding project of first year SIU women's basketball coach Missy Tibor and a look at SIU's JUCO players John Freeman and Jack Crowder plus a "Catching Up With ..." featuring former SIU basketball standout Sylvester "Sly" Willis. And of course we'll have our usual outstanding selection of columns and commentary. That's the February issue of SI ... coming to locations throughout Southern Illinois.

Busy times here at SI....

Although football season is over, we at SI are busy, busy, busy (of course we can't forget about roundball)!

We are in the middle of putting together a 40-page commemorative issue honoring the great year of Saluki Football! Once again, great job guys!

Speaking of football, we've added something special in the SI Store. If you check out the "Centerfold Posters" section of the store, you'll find the posters that were in this month's issue of SI. These posters would make a great gift for any Saluki football fan! Check those out and order yours today!

Also, it's not too late to get your favorite Saluki fan a subscription before Christmas!

A Sneak Peek at November

The November edition of Saluki Illustrated is what I like to refer to as one of our smorgasbord issues. That's because there's a little something for everyone.

Our cover story is about Benny Dunn, the first-ever captain for SIU baseball back in the mid-1940s. Certainly all SIU fans have heard of Abe Martin Field -- well, Dunn played for Martin. Perhaps the most amazing thing is that he played at age 30 after fighting in World War II where he was a POW for three years. Amazing.

We also have feature stories on Deji Karim, Kyle Walker, a preview of SIU basketball with Coach Chris Lowery and of course our usual selection of columns and tidbits.

Be sure to grab your copy of SI as soon as it hits the newsstands. Or, better yet you can subscribe to Saluki Illustrated by going to our website (www.salukiillustrated.com) or simply by mailing a check or money order for $39.95 to PO Box 174, Sesser, IL 62884.

Go Dawgs!

Too Early? I think not.

Game day for the SIU vs. South Dakota State is still three days away but already the anticipation and excitement is building. Sure, two more regular season games remain but this one has a lot of post-season implications.

SIU, third-ranked and sporting a 7-1 (6-0 Missouri Valley Football Conference) record and a seven game win streak will meet No. 9 ranked South Dakota State, with an identical 7-1 and 6-0 mark.

While the season is approached one game at a time the fact that SIU plays against Missouri State (5-4)in the 'Last Hurrah' at McAndrew Stadium on Nov. 14 and then finishes the regular season on Nov. 21 against Southeast Missouri State (1-7 and 0-6 in Ohio Valley Conference play) adds more to the importance of this road game.

This is a battle of heavyweights so it's certainly not too early to get your game face on. So, as I post this (about 77 hours until game time) let's all join together with a mid-week battle cry. Are your ready, OK ... one ... two ... three ...

GO DAWGS!

November SI Update

The November issue of SI is in the hands (as I write) of our new graphic designer Karie (Denault) Vaughn, an SIUC grad. We anticipate having the magazine to the printer perhaps as early as Wednesday and look to have it on the streets and in your mailboxes by later this week.

And speaking of mailboxes ...

We're all human and that certainly showed last month. We had been handling the mailing chores in house but last month opted to have the process handled by our printer. Whether it was our mistake in compiling the list or their mistake in transferring the list to the postal service is really irrelevant. The main point is that approximately 10-12 subscribers were left off the list and didn't receive a magazine.

In a nutshell, that is unacceptable and I want to take this opportunity to apologize again. In the future we're going to adopt the motto of that fat guy who comes around every December. In other words, we're making a (mailing) list and checking it twice.