Saluki Athletics holds Waterfowl Hunt
01/25/2009 | 12:00:00 | General
Jan. 23, 2009
By Les Winkeler
Southern Illinoisan
WARE, Ill. - Southern Illinois University athletics and Grassy Lake Hunting Club are trying to revive a Saluki tradition that dates back to 1993 - the Saluki Waterfowl Hunt.
A couple dozen hunters gathered at the club Friday to take the opportunity to hunt ducks and geese, as well as visit with SIU football coach Dale Lennon and athletic director Mario Moccia.
Moccia said funds derived from the hunt will be used for the Saluki Way project. Although not a waterfowler himself, Moccia liked the concept of the hunt.
"Sometimes, I think in athletics we get tunnel vision," he said. "We have a lot of Saluki fans involved in a lot of different activities."
Collin Cain, owner of Grassy Lake and an SIU graduate, said the hunt was born during the Rich Herrin era. For a number of reasons, including years of poor goose hunting, the hunt was discontinued.
Cain was pleased with the turnout, despite the fact the hunt was rescheduled.
"We had it scheduled for last Friday," he said. "It was zero outside. I told them we wouldn't see anything."
Hunters managed to bag a few birds and enjoy lunch talking football with Lennon and various sports with Moccia. Moccia said considering the turnover in staff in recent years, reviving the hunt was an excellent idea.
Lennon, a North Dakota native, seemed quite at home around the hunters.
"I grew up hunting in northern North Dakota," Lennon said. "The last time I hunted was 1985. That's one thing I always tell young coaches, understand the commitment of coaching."
The commitment of coaching at the collegiate level includes driving all night to attend fundraising events. Lennon was on a recruiting trip Thursday in Birmingham, Ala.
"For me, especially, it's a chance to meet more people and understand the area more than anything else," Lennon said. "With the season going as long as it does, I may be able to start hunting again."
In the meantime, the Saluki football coach enjoyed lunch with Ken Reichert of Karnak.
Reichert said he was content to discuss hunting and not offer coaching advice.
"I won't give any coach any advice," he said. "I coached baseball for 21 years. I try to help the referees."
