Six individuals, gymnastics national champions inducted into Saluki Hall of Fame
10/28/2025 | 2:47:00 | General
CARBONDALE, Ill. – On Friday, Oct. 24, Saluki Athletics proudly inducted its 2025 Hall of Fame class, featuring six outstanding individuals and 11 national championship teams.
The 2025 six-person class featured Jeremy Chinn (Football), Fabray Collins (Football), Shaye Harre (Softball), Brianna Jones (Softball), Rodney Watson (Men's Basketball Coach) and Peyton Wilhoit (Men's Golf). The Saluki Hall of Fame also inducted the school's 11 national championship men's and women's gymnastics teams from 1964-75.
Jeremy Chinn
Football (2016-19)
A first-ballot Hall of Famer, Chinn ranks among the most accomplished players in school history as a Consensus All-American (2019) and three-time All-MVFC performer. An ADA Academic All-Star and finalist for the Buck Buchanan Award his senior year, Chinn recorded 243 tackles, 13 interceptions, 31 passes defended and 6 forced fumbles in his career. The elite safety was a second-round 2020 NFL Draft pick by the Carolina Panthers. Chinn has enjoyed a six-year pro career and is currently a member of the Las Vegas Raiders.
"I remember getting that offer (from SIU), and I cried. I called my mom and told her, 'We did it,'" Chinn said. "This is a place that believed in me. I'm still grasping the fact that I got put into my college hall of fame. This is so cool."
Fabray Collins
Football (1981-83)
Collins set the school record for career tackles with 443 — a mark that has stood the test of time, as he remains atop the school's all-time tackles list. A three-year starter and All-MVC selection his senior year, Collins helped lead SIU to the 1983 I-AA National Championship. He played one season in the NFL with the Minnesota Vikings, and in 2013, Collins was named to SIU's All-Century team.
"It's a great day to be alive, a great day to be here. Southern Illinois has been really good to me," Collins said. "I want to give thanks to (coach) Rey Dempsey for recruiting me, because I had a chance to go to Iowa."
Shaye Harre
Softball, 2014-17
Harre was a three-time All-MVC selection and two-time Academic All-American for the Salukis. Primarily playing first base, the left-handed slugger finished her career eighth in batting average (.330), first in doubles (49) and fifth in home runs (30). As a senior, Harre earned All-Region honors and helped lead SIU to a conference title and NCAA Regional appearance.
"This award is for that little 8-year-old girl who was drug along to all her older sister's softball games, who was able to fall in love with the game," Harre said. "It's for every teammate … all the coaches … all of my family … and everyone I met along the way who made me a better person."
Brianna Jones
Softball (2016-19)
A dominant pitcher, Jones re-wrote SIU's record book, setting career marks for wins (91), innings pitched (851.0), appearances (168) and complete games (90). She was a four-time First-Team All-MVC selection and two-time All-Region pick. Jones pitched three no-hitters in her career and set the school record for strikeouts in a game (20). She led the team to two NCAA Regional appearances (2017, 2019).
"When I first arrived (at SIU) … I was fortunate to have a team and coaches who welcomed me, and soon, this place became my home," Jones said. "My time at SIU was full of incredible highs. I will always be grateful for my people and my time at SIU."
Rodney Watson
Men's Basketball Coach (1989-2009)
Watson coached 21 seasons as a member of the staffs of Rich Herrin, Bruce Weber, Matt Painter and Chris Lowery, and his teams advanced to either the NCAA or NIT in 15 seasons. He was a member of more NCAA Tournament (9) and NIT Tournament (6) teams than any coach in program history, as SIU compiled a 431-237 record and won seven regular season and four conference tournament championships during his tenure.
"Over 21 years, there are so many to thank – the brilliant student body, outstanding faculty, staff, and administration. Saluki Nation, you are second to none. All of you made this such an enjoyable ride," Watson said.
Peyton Wilhoit
Men's Golf (2015-19)
Wilhoit became the first four-time All-Conference selection in program history and led the team to the first two MVC Championships and NCAA Regional appearances in school history (2016, 2019). He also qualified for the 2018 NCAA Regionals as the MVC Golfer of the Year. Wilhoit set school records for season stroke average (71.64 in 2019) and career rounds in the 60s (14), while winning MVC Golfer of the Week honors 11 times.
"When I came to SIU, this would have never crossed my mind," Wilhoit said. "I will definitely not take this for granted. There's no way I'm here it wasn't for the team. I wouldn't be here without them."
Men's Gymnastics National Championship Teams (1964, 1966, 1967, 1972)
Women's Gymnastics National Championship Teams (1965, 1966, 1967, 1968, 1970, 1974, 1975)
SIU's men's and women's gymnastics programs won a combined 11 national championships from 1964-75. Coached by Hall of Famers Bill Meade and Herb Vogel, SIU won numerous individual national titles, as the program brought great distinction to the University.
"We would like to honor and thank Herb Vogel for beginning a women's program at SIU. He was visionary for his time and knew how to get the best out of his gymnasts," said Karen Smith-Buttsman.
"When I came to SIU, it was for one reason, and that was to be coached by the best coaches possible and to be around the best gymnasts possible," said Rick Tucker.
The 2025 six-person class featured Jeremy Chinn (Football), Fabray Collins (Football), Shaye Harre (Softball), Brianna Jones (Softball), Rodney Watson (Men's Basketball Coach) and Peyton Wilhoit (Men's Golf). The Saluki Hall of Fame also inducted the school's 11 national championship men's and women's gymnastics teams from 1964-75.
Jeremy Chinn
Football (2016-19)
A first-ballot Hall of Famer, Chinn ranks among the most accomplished players in school history as a Consensus All-American (2019) and three-time All-MVFC performer. An ADA Academic All-Star and finalist for the Buck Buchanan Award his senior year, Chinn recorded 243 tackles, 13 interceptions, 31 passes defended and 6 forced fumbles in his career. The elite safety was a second-round 2020 NFL Draft pick by the Carolina Panthers. Chinn has enjoyed a six-year pro career and is currently a member of the Las Vegas Raiders.
"I remember getting that offer (from SIU), and I cried. I called my mom and told her, 'We did it,'" Chinn said. "This is a place that believed in me. I'm still grasping the fact that I got put into my college hall of fame. This is so cool."
Fabray Collins
Football (1981-83)
Collins set the school record for career tackles with 443 — a mark that has stood the test of time, as he remains atop the school's all-time tackles list. A three-year starter and All-MVC selection his senior year, Collins helped lead SIU to the 1983 I-AA National Championship. He played one season in the NFL with the Minnesota Vikings, and in 2013, Collins was named to SIU's All-Century team.
"It's a great day to be alive, a great day to be here. Southern Illinois has been really good to me," Collins said. "I want to give thanks to (coach) Rey Dempsey for recruiting me, because I had a chance to go to Iowa."
Shaye Harre
Softball, 2014-17
Harre was a three-time All-MVC selection and two-time Academic All-American for the Salukis. Primarily playing first base, the left-handed slugger finished her career eighth in batting average (.330), first in doubles (49) and fifth in home runs (30). As a senior, Harre earned All-Region honors and helped lead SIU to a conference title and NCAA Regional appearance.
"This award is for that little 8-year-old girl who was drug along to all her older sister's softball games, who was able to fall in love with the game," Harre said. "It's for every teammate … all the coaches … all of my family … and everyone I met along the way who made me a better person."
Brianna Jones
Softball (2016-19)
A dominant pitcher, Jones re-wrote SIU's record book, setting career marks for wins (91), innings pitched (851.0), appearances (168) and complete games (90). She was a four-time First-Team All-MVC selection and two-time All-Region pick. Jones pitched three no-hitters in her career and set the school record for strikeouts in a game (20). She led the team to two NCAA Regional appearances (2017, 2019).
"When I first arrived (at SIU) … I was fortunate to have a team and coaches who welcomed me, and soon, this place became my home," Jones said. "My time at SIU was full of incredible highs. I will always be grateful for my people and my time at SIU."
Rodney Watson
Men's Basketball Coach (1989-2009)
Watson coached 21 seasons as a member of the staffs of Rich Herrin, Bruce Weber, Matt Painter and Chris Lowery, and his teams advanced to either the NCAA or NIT in 15 seasons. He was a member of more NCAA Tournament (9) and NIT Tournament (6) teams than any coach in program history, as SIU compiled a 431-237 record and won seven regular season and four conference tournament championships during his tenure.
"Over 21 years, there are so many to thank – the brilliant student body, outstanding faculty, staff, and administration. Saluki Nation, you are second to none. All of you made this such an enjoyable ride," Watson said.
Peyton Wilhoit
Men's Golf (2015-19)
Wilhoit became the first four-time All-Conference selection in program history and led the team to the first two MVC Championships and NCAA Regional appearances in school history (2016, 2019). He also qualified for the 2018 NCAA Regionals as the MVC Golfer of the Year. Wilhoit set school records for season stroke average (71.64 in 2019) and career rounds in the 60s (14), while winning MVC Golfer of the Week honors 11 times.
"When I came to SIU, this would have never crossed my mind," Wilhoit said. "I will definitely not take this for granted. There's no way I'm here it wasn't for the team. I wouldn't be here without them."
Men's Gymnastics National Championship Teams (1964, 1966, 1967, 1972)
Women's Gymnastics National Championship Teams (1965, 1966, 1967, 1968, 1970, 1974, 1975)
SIU's men's and women's gymnastics programs won a combined 11 national championships from 1964-75. Coached by Hall of Famers Bill Meade and Herb Vogel, SIU won numerous individual national titles, as the program brought great distinction to the University.
"We would like to honor and thank Herb Vogel for beginning a women's program at SIU. He was visionary for his time and knew how to get the best out of his gymnasts," said Karen Smith-Buttsman.
"When I came to SIU, it was for one reason, and that was to be coached by the best coaches possible and to be around the best gymnasts possible," said Rick Tucker.
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