Southern Illinoise University Athletics
SIU Celebrates Team Anniversaries During Year of Saluki Legends
06/24/2026 | 8:59:00 | Baseball, Football, General, Men's Basketball, Softball, Women's Basketball
CARBONDALE, Ill. — SIU Athletics will honor its history during the 2026-27 season with "The Year of Saluki Legends," a yearlong celebration of teams and individuals who built the program's tradition.
The Salukis' success spans decades and generations. Beginning this fall, SIU will recognize eight teams across five sports celebrating milestone anniversaries.
The celebration begins with Saluki Football in the fall, continues through the men's and women's basketball seasons, and concludes in the spring with softball and baseball. Players and coaches from these teams and others will be invited back to Southern to be recognized and celebrated.
The Salukis posted a 7-4 record in 1976, their final season as an independent before joining the Missouri Valley Conference. The team won seven games after totaling just seven victories over the previous four seasons.
It marked the first season for head coach Rey Dempsey, who later led SIU to the 1983 national championship. Running back Andre Herrera finished second in the nation in rushing with 1,588 yards, trailing only Tony Dorsett. The offensive line featured Byron Honore, and the team included Saluki Hall of Famer Oyd Craddock.
The 1976 team will be honored during SIU's Homecoming game on Saturday, Oct. 17. The game will be televised nationally on ESPN. Kickoff time will be announced approximately two weeks in advance.
One of the most celebrated teams in SIU history, the Salukis won the 1967 NIT Championship with a 71-56 victory over Marquette at Madison Square Garden. Led by Saluki Hall of Famers Walt Frazier, Dick Garrett, and head coach Jack Hartman, the Salukis finished 24-2. The team was inducted into the SIU Hall of Fame in 2000.
50 Years — 1976-77
SIU finished 22-7, won the MVC Tournament, and advanced to the NCAA Tournament for the first time. The Salukis reached the Sweet Sixteen behind Saluki Hall of Famers Mike Glenn, Gary Wilson, and brothers Corky and Wayne Abrams.
20 Years — 2006-07
The Salukis went 25-5 (15-3 MVC), earned a No. 4 seed in the NCAA Tournament, and reached the Sweet Sixteen. SIU fell 61-58 to eventual national champion Kansas. The team featured Saluki Hall of Famers Randal Falker, Bryan Mullins, and Jamaal Tatum.
Coached by SIU and MVC Hall of Famer Cindy Scott, the Salukis went 28-3 and completed their second consecutive undefeated conference season (18-0). SIU finished ranked No. 16 nationally and defeated LSU in the NCAA Tournament before falling to Louisiana Tech, the eventual national runner-up. Key contributors included Ann Kattreh, Mary Berghuis, and Bridgett Williams.
35 Years — 1991-92
Also under Scott, SIU posted a 23-8 record and went 16-4 in the Gateway Conference. Led by Saluki Hall of Famers Kelly Firth and Anita Scott, the Salukis upset No. 7 Colorado in the NCAA Tournament.
All five basketball teams will be recognized during a single home weekend. Dates will be announced following the release of the MVC schedules.
Led by Saluki Hall of Famer Kay Brechtelsbauer, SIU went 20-10 and advanced to the Women's College World Series for the third time in program history, finishing 12th. Key players included Hall of Famer Robin Deterding, along with Helen Minor and Karen King.
One of the top teams in program history, the Salukis finished third at the College World Series after going 3-2. SIU posted a 38-10 record under head coach and Hall of Famer Richard "Itchy" Jones. The roster included MVC Player of the Year George Vukovich and his fellow Saluki Hall of Famer Dewey Robinson.
The softball and baseball teams will be recognized during the 2027 season. Dates will be announced after schedules are finalized. More information on dates and events will be released as it becomes available.
The Salukis' success spans decades and generations. Beginning this fall, SIU will recognize eight teams across five sports celebrating milestone anniversaries.
The celebration begins with Saluki Football in the fall, continues through the men's and women's basketball seasons, and concludes in the spring with softball and baseball. Players and coaches from these teams and others will be invited back to Southern to be recognized and celebrated.
Football
50 Years — 1976The Salukis posted a 7-4 record in 1976, their final season as an independent before joining the Missouri Valley Conference. The team won seven games after totaling just seven victories over the previous four seasons.
It marked the first season for head coach Rey Dempsey, who later led SIU to the 1983 national championship. Running back Andre Herrera finished second in the nation in rushing with 1,588 yards, trailing only Tony Dorsett. The offensive line featured Byron Honore, and the team included Saluki Hall of Famer Oyd Craddock.
The 1976 team will be honored during SIU's Homecoming game on Saturday, Oct. 17. The game will be televised nationally on ESPN. Kickoff time will be announced approximately two weeks in advance.
Men's Basketball
60 Years — 1966-67One of the most celebrated teams in SIU history, the Salukis won the 1967 NIT Championship with a 71-56 victory over Marquette at Madison Square Garden. Led by Saluki Hall of Famers Walt Frazier, Dick Garrett, and head coach Jack Hartman, the Salukis finished 24-2. The team was inducted into the SIU Hall of Fame in 2000.
50 Years — 1976-77
SIU finished 22-7, won the MVC Tournament, and advanced to the NCAA Tournament for the first time. The Salukis reached the Sweet Sixteen behind Saluki Hall of Famers Mike Glenn, Gary Wilson, and brothers Corky and Wayne Abrams.
20 Years — 2006-07
The Salukis went 25-5 (15-3 MVC), earned a No. 4 seed in the NCAA Tournament, and reached the Sweet Sixteen. SIU fell 61-58 to eventual national champion Kansas. The team featured Saluki Hall of Famers Randal Falker, Bryan Mullins, and Jamaal Tatum.
Women's Basketball
40 Years — 1986-87Coached by SIU and MVC Hall of Famer Cindy Scott, the Salukis went 28-3 and completed their second consecutive undefeated conference season (18-0). SIU finished ranked No. 16 nationally and defeated LSU in the NCAA Tournament before falling to Louisiana Tech, the eventual national runner-up. Key contributors included Ann Kattreh, Mary Berghuis, and Bridgett Williams.
35 Years — 1991-92
Also under Scott, SIU posted a 23-8 record and went 16-4 in the Gateway Conference. Led by Saluki Hall of Famers Kelly Firth and Anita Scott, the Salukis upset No. 7 Colorado in the NCAA Tournament.
All five basketball teams will be recognized during a single home weekend. Dates will be announced following the release of the MVC schedules.
Softball
50 Years — 1977Led by Saluki Hall of Famer Kay Brechtelsbauer, SIU went 20-10 and advanced to the Women's College World Series for the third time in program history, finishing 12th. Key players included Hall of Famer Robin Deterding, along with Helen Minor and Karen King.
Baseball
50 Years — 1977One of the top teams in program history, the Salukis finished third at the College World Series after going 3-2. SIU posted a 38-10 record under head coach and Hall of Famer Richard "Itchy" Jones. The roster included MVC Player of the Year George Vukovich and his fellow Saluki Hall of Famer Dewey Robinson.
The softball and baseball teams will be recognized during the 2027 season. Dates will be announced after schedules are finalized. More information on dates and events will be released as it becomes available.
Wednesday, June 24
Monday, June 22
Friday, June 19
Wednesday, June 17