Southern Illinoise University Athletics
Football Presented Gateway Championship Trophy
11/23/2003 | 12:00:00 | Football
Nov. 23, 2003
By Seth Whiteheadwww.SIUSalukis.com
CARBONDALE - The Southern Illinois University football team wrapped up a share of its first-ever Gateway Conference championship two weeks ago with a win over Youngstown State.
But it wasn't until Sunday's championship trophy presentation at SIU Arena that the magnitude of that accomplishment truly set in.
With hundreds of Saluki fans in attendance, SIU Chancellor Walter Wendler presented the team with the hardware and some brief, yet emotional words.
"The plaque says it all," Wendler said before a brief pause for dramatic effect, "Gateway Football Conference Champions."
And with that proclamation - followed by a rousing standing ovation - it became official.
A team that was picked sixth out of eight teams in its conference, a team that was 1-10 just two years ago, a program that hadn't had a winning record since 1991 was holding a championship trophy.
"What this team has done is just remarkable," Wendler said. "These are men of tremendous character. They've made Southern Illinois proud."
SIU head coach Jerry Kill followed Wendler and echoed his sentiments.
"The reason we're where we're at are these young men," Kill said of his team, deflecting credit from the coaching staff. "I can't even put into words what I think of these young men."
Kill took time to individually recognize all seven of his seniors, including Wes Proctor (OL), Tom Koutsos (RB), Muhammad Abdulqaadir (RB), Courtney Abbott (WR), George Mooney (OL), Brandon Robinson (FB) and Eric Egan (LB).
He took extra time to thank his Egan, Koutsos and Mooney, fifth-year seniors that stuck with the program through a coaching change and four consecutive losing seasons.
Kill praised Koutsos, SIU's all-time leading rusher and scorer, for his massive contributions to the program - especially when times were bad.
"I'm not sure if Koutsos hasn't been here for 10 years," Kill said. "Me and him have been through some struggles. I've been hard on him at times. Maybe a little too hard. I think sometimes I think he wasn't sure what I stood for. But I think we've grown to respect each other."
Kill also thanked Egan, a three-year starter at linebacker for the Salukis.
"Eric has played tremendously this year," Kill said. "He's made himself into a player."
Kill noted that the 6-foot-4, 340 pound Proctor serves as his personal body guard as well as a tremendous blocker for SIU's vaunted running backs.
He also praised Abbott's versatility and work ethic, both on and off the field.
Abdulqaadir, who has rushed for 2,300-plus yards in just two years at SIU, was praised by Kill for his leadership and ability to overcome adversity.
"I think he's given the program a tremendous jump-start," Kill said. "He's been a great leader. He's had every opportunity not to succeed and has prevailed each time."
Robinson, who has served as a special teams player, fullback, wide receiver and tailback for SIU, also got some well-deserved time in the spotlight.
Pointing to Robinson, Kill said: "The most underrated player we have on our football team. He's one that could have been selfish - but not at all."
And just moments before what was once unthinkable, SIU being selected for the I-AA playoffs on ESPN News, Kill pointed to his team.
"These are the reasons we're 10-1 and are going to see our names on the big screen," Kill said.
