Saluki Illustrated::The Official Magazine of SIU Saluki Athletics

Mailing Issues and Good Riddance February

2010-02-28T10:20:00.005-06:00

Mailing issues? Yes, we have had some mailing issues at Saluki Illustrated.

And let me assure you that I am as frustrated as some of those that have contacted me. I can assure you that we are not just sitting on our collective duffs while the issue persists and we are working to correct it.

SI is mailed from our printer in Paducah and therein lies the problem. For some reason a very small percentage are not being mailed in a timely manner -- and I'm part of that small percentage. Last month I inserted my name and the name of SI advertising rep Cheryl Hughey on the mailing list to see how long it would take us to receive our magazine. Cheryl received her's the day after they were mailed from Paducah and I received mine two weeks later. Two weeks late? Are you kidding me?

Based on the complaints (and so far everybody has been relatively calm) about 10 subscribers didn't receive a magazine in a timely manner. We mailed more than 500 magazines so that breaks down to less than 2 percent. But, once again this is not horse shoes or hand grenades where getting close counts. We're working on the problem and if March continues to provide difficulties we'll make a complete change in April.
In a nutshell, I can offer a blanket 'I'm sorry' and state again that we're working to correct the issues.

I feel pretty good that I got all that out of my system and never once took the name of the U.S. Postal Service in vain.

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February has brought bad weather, below-average cold temperatures and the end of the disappointing 2009-10 regular season for SIU men's basketball. The Salukis will head to next week's State Farm Missouri Valley Conference Tournament with a mediocre 15-14 overall record and a less than mediocre 6-12 mark in the MVC. What many (including me)expected to be a turnaround year has been anything but that.

The Salukis will enter MVC Tournament action coming off a lackluster 76-55 loss on Feb. 27 to Wichita State. The Dawgs will meet Drake in a play-in game with the winner getting the dubious distinction of facing top-seeded Northern Iowa. A play-in game? That sure rekindles those memories of years past when the Dawgs headed to St. Louis with a top seed and a swagger. But, it is what it is ... and 'nuff said.

Here's how the other games at the MVC Tournament shake out.

Thursday (all games at Scottrade Center, St. Louis)
No. 8 Drake vs. No. 9 SIU, 6:05 p.m.
No. 7 Missouri State vs. No. 10 Evansville, 8:35 p.m.
Friday
No. 1 Northern Iowa vs. DU/SIU winner (Fox Sports Midwest), 12:05 p.m.
No. 4 Creighton vs. No. 5 Bradley (Fox Sports Midwest), 2:35 p.m.
No. 2 Wichita State/Illinois State vs. MSU/UE winner (Fox Sports Midwest), 6:05 p.m.
No. 3 Wichita State/Illinois State vs. No. 6 Indiana State (Fox Sports Midwest), 8:35 p.m.
Saturday
Semifinal No. 1 (Fox Sports Midwest), 1:35 p.m.
Semifinal No. 2 (Fox Sports Midwest), 4:05 p.m.
Sunday
Championship (CBS), 1:05 p.m.

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The March issue of Saluki Illustrated will head to the printer this week and we are definitely putting basketball quickly behind us as we begin a transition to spring sports. The new issue will feature a story on ultra-successful SIU softball coach Kerri Blaylock along with feature stories on SIU track athlete Jeneva McCall and softball standout Mallory Duran.

Along with that we will have our usual list of insightful commentary, Saluki Shorts and our usual array of great photos.

Good bye February ... you were cold, unfriendly and I'm glad you're gone.

Evans leaves Salukis

2010-02-10T05:29:00.002-06:00

Ending a tumultuous and often-times distracting month for SIU men's basketball Nick Evans has left the team. The downward spiral for Evans, which began with a technical foul and ejection against Creighton on January 13, is another blemish on a season that began with great expectations but now finds the Dawgs scratching to stay above the .500 mark.

During the last seven games Evans played more than seven minutes only one time. A recent suspension for violation of a team rule apparently brought the situation to a head with Evans leaving the team on Tuesday. The 6-foot-11 Evans did not make the trip to Northern Iowa last weekend and was not scheduled to make the trip to Missouri State for the February 10 match up against the Bears.

The Salukis (13-10, 5-8 in MVC) will try and regroup and put the distraction behind them on the road in Springfield, Missouri tonight. The Salukis beat Missouri State last week by a score of 73-67.

Evans is the 10th scholarship player in the past five years to leave the SIU program. Evans' departure leaves SIU with three available scholarships for the 2010-2011 season. The Salukis will lose senior Tony Freeman but could return 10 scholarship players and three walk-on players next year.

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The February issue of Saluki Illustrated will be hitting the streets early next week and once again I think it's chocked full of good stuff.

Here's a preview:

It's easy to write about the coach and the team that is playing well and gearing up for post season play but what about the coach that is in trying to rebuild a program and in the throes of a losing season. Do those coaches and teams simply coast to the finish line? If the coach is Missy Tiber and the team is the SIU women's basketball team the answer is 'no' and 'heck no.' SI caught up with Tiber and got her thoughts on the progress that has been made and the work still left to complete.

The February edition will also feature a story on legendary high school coach Bob Dallas, an SIU grad, who led tiny Ridgway to a state title in 1973 on his way to becoming the 10th winningest coach in Illinois high school basketball history.

And as icing on the cake we have a feature about JUCO transfers Jack Crowder, Nate Mitchell and John Freeman and a "Catching Up With" feature on former SIU men's basketball standout Sylvester "Sly" Willis.

Saluki Illustrated is available at 710 Bookstore, Subway, Circle K Convenience, Farm Fresh and various other outlets throughout the region.

Tying Up Some Loose Ends ...

2010-01-21T14:24:00.003-06:00

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....

2009-12-17T00:04:00.004-06:00

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

2009-11-04T07:50:00.002-06:00

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.

2009-11-04T07:38:00.002-06:00

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

2009-11-03T21:49:00.002-06:00

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.

'Tween Time'

2009-11-03T21:43:00.001-06:00

What an exciting time it is to be a Saluki fan! This specific time of year provides Maroon-clad faithful with a double dose of Saluki pride as we approach the final month of what is shaping up to be a very good 2009 football season and the beginning month of Saluki basketball.

To say anticipation is reaching a fever pitch on both fronts would be an understatement. In fact, let’s just call these glorious late fall days ‘tween-time’ – the time ‘tween’ (between) football and basketball. It's a veritable feast for die-hard Dawg fans.

Really, the only thing to say is ‘enjoy the heck out of it.’

First things first ...

2009-11-03T21:27:00.004-06:00

In the words of legendary rocker Bob Dylan ... the times they are a changin.'

And so is the personnel at Saluki Illustrated.

As you may have noticed on a previous post on this site Toby and Christi Brooks are no longer associated with Saluki Illustrated Magazine.

The Brooks will soon be moving to Lubbock, Texas where Toby has accepted a position with Texas Tech. Toby and Christi have been an integral part of getting SI off the ground (literally) and their contributions will always be greatly appreciated. I speak for everybody at SI when I say good luck to the Brooks' family in their new endeavors.

Contact info updated

2009-10-24T22:18:00.005-05:00

Should you have any questions or concerns, please direct them to Jim Muir at jmuir@salukiillustrated.com or phone 618.525.4744. Toby and Christi Brooks are no longer associated with the publication, so for fastest service, contact Jim directly. Thanks!

October Issue on the Way!

2009-10-12T14:26:00.003-05:00

Hey all you subscribers!

We have received a few phone calls asking where the October issue is. Have no fear, it is on the way. It was mailed out on Friday, October 9, so you should receive it any day. We got the September issue out a little earlier than normal and the October issue out a little later than normal, so it was a long stretch between issues this time. Please accept our apologies!

Thank you for your patience and understanding!

Saluki Illustrated staff

New Raffle Winner!

2009-10-01T08:11:00.002-05:00

Prentice Thomas is the winner of the Saluki rug raffle! Congratulations Prentice! Although the rest of you didn't win this raffle, be sure to stop by our table at the home football and men's basketball games to see what new raffle or promotion we have going on.

New fan forum launched

2009-09-13T08:41:00.003-05:00

In our continuing attempts to bring you more of what you crave, we are happy to present the SI Fan Forum. Geared primarily toward discussion of or about the magazine, it is also a place to share great Saluki memories and discuss things important to you, the SI family. It is NOT a place for personal attacks and it is a family board, so keep it clean, ya'll! Those that bleed the maroon, come on in. Those that hate can check their Haterade at the door!

It is also COMPLETELY FREE and you need not be a subscriber to join in.

Raffle Winner!

2009-09-08T09:03:00.003-05:00

Congratulations to Matt Diemer! He is the winner of the Saluki rug we raffled off at the football scrimmage the other night. We will be holding another raffle at the first home football game, so stop by our table for another chance to win!

Thanks for Coming Out!

2009-08-28T09:04:00.002-05:00

An extra special thank you to all the great fans who came out to see this year's edition of the Football Salukis on Thursday night. For those of you we got to meet and greet, we appreciated the chance to get to know you a little better, and look forward to bringing closer to the action than you ever thought you could be!

See you at the scrimmage!

2009-08-27T11:33:00.003-05:00

Saluki Illustrated will be in the house tonight at the Saluki Football scrimmage. Be sure to stop by and see us! We'll have a drawing to win a FREE SIU rug and we'll have plenty of magazines on hand for you to checkout! Hope to see you there!

Taaaa Daaaa!

2009-08-21T16:52:00.003-05:00

It's here! It's here! The newest installment of Saluki Illustrated should be hitting mailboxes and newsstands in the next few days! We've got tons for you to enjoy and love. If you haven't subscribed yet, what on earth could you possibly be waiting for? Your buddies are talking and there's a nasty rumor flying around that you might be a closet Creighton fan. Quick! Subscribe now and show 'em you bleed maroon, baby!

A Family Affair

2009-08-21T15:49:00.003-05:00

Christi and Brynnan spent the day labelling and bagging the mags so that they can get in the mail tomorrow. We hope you enjoy this month's issue!

It's getting worse...

2009-08-12T02:54:00.003-05:00

Another slick wallpaper to show the world (or at least your co-workers) that you've got it...you've contracted Saluki Fever. And the prescription is Saluki Illustrated!

IT'S SPREADING...

2009-08-10T23:20:00.004-05:00

You've got a fever. Saluki Fever. And the prescription is Saluki Illustrated. Seek treatment immediately!

Lots goin' on!

2009-08-10T22:07:00.002-05:00

Hey gang! If you haven't signed up for your TOTALLY FREE subscription to Saluki News, now is the time! We've got a great little feature this month on SIU fan favorite Bryan Mullins and his battle against injury and adversity to pursue his dreams. Written by SI's Riley Swinford, you are sure to enjoy!

We are running a little later than normal on this month's issue, but that is because our primary features on football and volleyball players had to wait for the players to return to campus. We'll kick it in gear and get it rolling to you soon though. As always, thanks for your support!

September SI coming soon! Sneak peek!

2009-08-06T21:01:00.004-05:00

Here's a little taste of what we've got in store for September here at SI...A feature on your VERY talented and VERY deep Saluki linebacker corps, with special emphasis on SIU's Buchanan Watch List candidate Brandin Jordan. Click the picture to see a larger image. We've got other stuff, too, but I gotta get back to it! SUBSCRIBE TODAY!

September issue in full swing

2009-07-28T01:40:00.003-05:00

We are gearing up for a good one here at Saluki Illustrated. We've got a number of stories you won't want to miss, including an exciting feature on SIU's Brandin Jordan and the Saluki linebacker corps. We've also got tons more fun stuff, like the little known secret that legendary Notre Dame coach Frank Leahy was a closet Saluki fan! Stay tuned...more on the way!

And the winner is...

2009-07-23T04:08:00.003-05:00

Looks like most people like this one the best so far, so I dolled one up with some award decals. Obviously this picture was taken after about four minutes of play in the season opener ;)

This does foretell of an upcoming feature on Brandin Jordan and the Saluki linebacker corps in the September SI. Trust me when I tell you that you WILL NOT want to miss it!

One more...

2009-07-21T21:45:00.000-05:00

Inspired by bigjsaluki, this is my new favorite!