Development Staff Profile -- Director of Community Outreach and Engagement Jimmy Karayiannis

What is your connection to SIU? (you can talk about degrees, family, etc.)
I've lived in Carbondale almost my entire life. I graduated from SIU with a Bachelor's degree in Marketing. My wife is a former Saluki softball player as are her twin sister and older sister. My brother-in-law is a former Saluki baseball player.

Why do you give to SIU Athletics/SASF? Why should others give?
My family gives to the SASF for a lot of reasons…it's the best way to contribute to athletes of all sports. Being a business owner in the community that caters to a lot of students and university faculty I believe it's the responsible civic minded way to give back. I believe people should give to the SASF for a lot of the same reasons and because SIU Athletics are a vital part of the identity of not only our SIU and Carbondale communities but the whole Southern Illinois region.

Tell us about some of the best SIU memories that you have?
My fondest Saluki memories are many so it's hard to pick only a few but the 1983 Football 1-AA National Championship is the first that comes to mind because I was only 9. Some of the players worked for my father in the offseason and they were always great about taking me behind the scenes and making me feel special as an impressionable 9 year old boy. The Rich Herrin led Saluki Basketball teams who made three straight NCAA appearances in the 90's were special because my roommate Marcus Timmons played on the team. And who could forget the Weber, Painter and Lowery led teams of the 2000's. The NCAA bound softball teams of 2003 and 2004 are probably my proudest of all because my wife and her twin were key contributors on the team and I was lucky enough to watch them first hand.

Anything that you want to add?
As a lifelong Saluki fan and supporter I figured what better way to help the Salukis than by coming on board to work with Coach Kill and his Athletic Department staff. When the opportunity was presented to me it was a pretty easy decision. Coach Kill is someone I have always believed in and it's an honor to work with him every day.

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Development Staff Profile -- Director of Community Outreach and Engagement Jimmy Karayiannis

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Development Staff Profile -- Director of Community Outreach and Engagement Jimmy Karayiannis

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