Southern Illinoise University Athletics
Marion Rushing honored with street name
08/09/2010 | 12:00:00 | Football
Aug. 12, 2010
www.SIUSalukis.com
CARBONDALE, Ill. - The Southern Illinois University Department of Athletics will honor Saluki Hall of Famer Marion Rushing by renaming Tennis Drive, Marion Rushing Lane. SIU is hosting a ceremony that is open to the public Thursday, August 12, at noon on campus.
The ceremony will be held in the grassy area at the intersection of Physical Plant Drive and Tennis Drive on the SIU campus. Guests may park in the visitors' parking lot across from the Student Center.
Southern Illinois University Board of Trustees approved the name change at one of its regular meetings last December. Pinckneyville Mayor Joseph Holder will present a commemorative sign and plaque, stating SIU's approval to rename the street to honor and recognize the achievements of Marion Rushing, a life-long Pinckneyville resident. Holder, along with master of ceremonies Mike Reis, SIU Director of Athletics Mario Moccia, Marion's wife Bonnie, former SIU Assistant Athletic Director Fred Huff and Ryan Rushing, a current Saluki football player and cousin of Rushing, will all speak at the ceremony.
Rushing earned more athletic letters than any other athlete in Saluki history and was inducted into the inaugural class of the Saluki Hall of Fame in 1978. He was diagnosed with Parkinson's disease at age 46.
He earned a total of 13 letters while competing in football, basketball, track, and wrestling for SIU. He played on the defensive line for the Salukis from 1954-57, and was named to the All-Interstate Intercollegiate Athletic Conference team in football in1956 and 1957. He also set a new school record in the javelin in 1958 and was a two-time winner of the coveted Henry Hinkley award, which was given to SIU's top all-around athlete.
Following his career at SIU, Rushing went on to play 10 seasons of professional football in both the NFL and AFL at linebacker for the Chicago Bears, St. Louis Cardinals and Houston Oilers.
