Tommy Bell monthly newsletter - July edition
07/31/2016 | 7:52:00 | General
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Greetings Saluki Nation!
It has been little more than a year since I began serving as your new Athletic Director, and I am even more confident and optimistic about the future of Saluki Athletics than when I started.
On the day I was hired, I announced a 10-Point Plan to Restore the Glory of Saluki Athletics. An important piece of that plan was to establish a culture of excellence and transparency in the department. I'm proud to report we have made great strides in both areas. In fact, the creation of this monthly newsletter will help us communicate directly with you - our valued supporter - about important accomplishments and advancements in Athletics.
Throughout our department, we are assembling a team of strong, smart leaders with high character. They come to work each day with the mindset of finding ways to improve our programs and enhance the experience of our student-athletes and our fans. Our two high-profile hires since I arrived are football coach Nick Hill and track coach Kathleen Raske. Both are accomplished alums who bleed maroon and put their heart and soul into their programs. I'm very excited about the future of those two sports. I must point out that Coach Raske just completed one of the most successful seasons in school history, which included DeAnna Price winning her second-straight NCAA title and earning a spot on the U.S. Olympic team in the hammer throw. DeAnna will be the first Saluki to represent the U.S. in the Olympics since Connie Price-Smith in 2000.
Behind the scenes, we've made key administrative hires that have strengthened the foundation of our department. Our new development team is now filled with alums, led by former football player Jason Fairfield and softball star Cristina Pisoni. Whenever you have a customer-service need, don't hesitate to contact Jason, Cristina or fellow alum Bryce Williams at 618-453-3148. I'm proud to announce that we are already reaping the benefits of their fund-raising efforts, with Saluki Athletic Scholarship Fund donations rising sharply by more than 20 percent in FY 16. I'll have final numbers from the Foundation to announce next month. Also new to our staff is a bright, young marketing director in Brian Clarke, who is passionate about enhancing the gameday experience at Saluki events. Our new strength coach is Meade Smith, who was mentored at SIU by one of the all-time greats in Eric Klein. We also have new leadership in compliance (Kevin Kendrick) and academic services (Keith Merritt). These folks are the engine that powers the ship, and we are pleased to welcome them to the Saluki family.
As I reflect upon my first year, I'm heartened by the success we achieved both athletically and academically. We won three conference championships and placed second in the MVC All-Sports Trophy standings. The volleyball program made its first NCAA Tournament appearance in school history, while both basketball programs won 20+ games, and both softball and baseball topped 30 wins. Academically, the department continues to thrive. During the past academic year, student-athletes earned a GPA of 3.193, while 68 percent recorded a GPA of 3.00 or better.
We are making strides in so many areas. Our department boldly moved into the digital realm of television broadcasting, by producing and engineering 35 live broadcasts for ESPN3 under the leadership of video coordinator Shane Gibbons and Radio/TV instructor Dennis Galloway. With tens of thousands of viewers in the first year alone, the department plans to ramp up to at least 50 live broadcasts of football, basketball, volleyball, baseball and softball games in 2016-17. We also unveiled a brand-new official Athletics website (SIUSalukis.com) on July 1, as well as an improved ticketing website.
After spending eight years away from Saluki Athletics, I enjoyed reconnecting with fans and supporters, and listening to your concerns. I heard you loud and clear, and your voice does make a difference. We made changes to add value for our donors and season-ticket holders, such as opening the First-Mid Bank Lounge at SIU Arena, for refreshments and a meet & greet with Athletics staff. I'm also excited to announce that we will be moving and expanding our official Saluki Row tailgate location for football. Beginning with the home opener versus SEMO on Sept. 10, all the good times and pre-game fun of Saluki Row will take place on the grass practice fields just south of the stadium and within a much shorter walk from the parking lots. More details on this change in next month's newsletter.
Thank you for your support and the investment of time and treasure you make in Saluki Athletics.
With Saluki Pride,
