History made at SIU as Saluki Stadium is opened
08/24/2010 | 12:00:00 | Football
Aug. 24, 2010
By Jason Clay
SIUSalukis.com
CARBONDALE, Ill. - Southern Illinois football fans, the day has come - Saluki Stadium is now open.
Those were the words used by Saluki Hall of Fame Broadcaster and Master of Ceremonies Mike Reis right before University officials and project supporters cut the ribbon to officially open Saluki Stadium. The grand opening ceremony on Tuesday, Aug. 24 will forever mark a new era in Southern Illinois athletics.
SIUC Chancellor Rita Cheng spoke on the role athletics plays in energizing the University community in complementing the academic strengths and enriching the student experience.
"(The stadium) is bringing the region and the campus closer together," Cheng said in front of a crowd of nearly 2,000 fans. "Athletics are among the many important threads in the fabric of a vibrant institution. Saluki Way is another chapter we are adding to our University's rich history of serving this region and the State of Illinois."
Although Saluki Stadium is a football facility, Tuesday's opening represented just one phase of Saluki Way and a greater effort on campus-wide facility improvements. SIU System President Glenn Poshard talked of the numerous facility improvements that have been made and the ones to come in the future behind the leadership of Roger Tedrick, Chairman of the Board of Trustees.
"What we see today is what can be accomplished when we work together," Poshard said. "This project would not have been possible without the cooperation of our faculty, staff, students, the Carbondale community and our elected local, state and federal representatives, who each fully comprehend the education and economic contribution this region makes to the State of Illinois."
SIU Director of Athletics Mario Moccia said that the University is very fortunate to have a tremendous team, who worked very hard to make Saluki Stadium one of the best on-campus venues to watch college football.
"As we are about to enjoy Saluki Stadium, we know that it will have an impact on our community's economy, our University and our athletic program," Moccia said. "We are all anxious to see the two-time Missouri Valley Football Conference Coach of the Year Dale Lennon's No. 5-ranked Salukis in action next week."
Lennon hopes that this stadium becomes an event that the community wants to be a part of, that the crowd feels the impact that they can make on a game, that the students buy into it and that the alumni that come back feel a sense of pride in this University and what has been accomplished here.
"On behalf of the Saluki football team, we would like to thank everyone who has been involved with Saluki Way," Lennon said. "(The stadium) is incredible and it is something that you can truly be proud of."
Senior wide receiver Joe Allaria, who is a Preseason All-MVFC selection, spoke on behalf of the team and said that they are humbled everyday that they walk into these facilities.
"We are all honored and privileged to call this beautiful place home," Allaria said. "We're grateful to all the players that have gone before us, that have laid the foundation for us to build on. Without them, we wouldn't be here today. Most importantly, we're grateful to the community of SIU, the community of southern Illinois and everyone who has made this entire project possible."
Now that the stadium is open, the Salukis look to retain the dominance of the last seven seasons that was created in the old McAndrew Stadium.
The Saluki football team is holding their final scrimmage, which is open to the public, on Thursday at 7 p.m. inside their new home.
Saluki Stadium's inaugural game will be played on Thursday, Sept. 2 against Quincy at 7 p.m..