Southern Illinoise University Athletics
SIU Announces Six-Person Saluki Hall of Fame Class for 2026
06/30/2026 | 9:00:00 | Baseball, Football, General, Swimming & Diving, Track and Field
CARBONDALE, Ill. — SIU Athletics will welcome six distinguished former student-athletes into the Saluki Hall of Fame as part of the 2026-27 class, honoring individuals whose accomplishments helped shape the legacy of Saluki Athletics across multiple programs.
This year's class includes Andrea Estrada (volleyball), Byron Honore (football), Kevin Koski (baseball), Kyle Landon (track and field), Dave Smith (football), and Sherry Zhang (swimming and diving).
The Saluki Hall of Fame induction ceremony will be Friday, Oct. 16, at the Tedrick Welcome Center at SIU. The inductees will also be involved in Homecoming festivities on Saturday, Oct. 17.
Andrea Estrada, Volleyball (2014-17)
Estrada was one of the most productive and consistent players in Saluki volleyball history, earning All-Missouri Valley Conference honors three times during her career. A four-year leader in kills, she finished with 1,385 career kills (fifth in program history) and 1,375 career digs (fourth), becoming one of only five players in program history to surpass 1,000 in both categories.
She recorded 57 career double-doubles, the third-most in SIU history, and earned MVC All-Freshman Team honors in 2014. Estrada played a key role on the Salukis' 2015 NCAA Tournament team and established herself as one of the program's most complete outside hitters.
Byron Honore, Football (1976-79)
Honore anchored the Salukis' offensive line during a four-year career that saw SIU post a 26-19 record. A two-time First-Team All-MVC selection in 1978 and 1979, he made an immediate impact by starting eight games as a true freshman and every game thereafter.
Honore played a key role in the success of SIU's offense, blocking for Hall of Fame running backs Andre Herrera and Burnell Quinn. His durability and consistency helped define one of the program's most stable offensive lines of the era. He passed away on Dec. 22, 2022.
Kevin Koski, Baseball (2004-07)
Koski combined elite production on the field with excellence in the classroom during his Saluki career. The 2007 Abe Martin Award winner, he earned First-Team All-MVC honors in 2005 and was named to the MVC All-Tournament Team that same year. He also garnered MVC Scholar-Athlete recognition and CoSIDA/ESPN The Magazine Academic All-District V honors.
One of the most accomplished hitters in program history, Koski holds the SIU single-season hits record (92) and the career runs scored record (191). He ranks tied for second in career hits (285), second in at-bats (893), third in games played (227), fourth in walks (103) and tied for ninth in stolen bases (55). During the 2005 season, he posted a 42-game reached-base streak and recorded 30 multi-hit games.
Kyle Landon, Track and Field (2014-17)
Landon is one of the most decorated student-athletes in SIU track and field history, highlighted by a runner-up finish in the high jump at the 2017 NCAA Indoor Championships. He also earned a silver medal at the 2016 U.S. Olympic Trials, solidifying his status among the nation's elite competitors.
A five-time First-Team All-American, Landon claimed nine MVC championships and earned four MVC Most Outstanding Field Athlete awards, along with two MVC Most Valuable Athlete honors. He was a 13-time All-MVC selection and excelled academically, earning three CoSIDA Academic All-America honors, including first-team recognition in 2017.
Dave Smith, Football (1984-87)
Smith was the leader of the SIU offensive line during his four-year career at Southern. He was named first-team All-MVFC and honorable mention All-American in 1987 and second-team All-MVFC in 1986. He blocked for Byron Mitchell in 1985 when he rushed for 1,211 yards, the second-most yards in school history at the time.
The 1986 Saluki Football squad finished 7-4, good for second in the Gateway Conference, beating two ranked teams in Murray State and Northern Iowa.
After graduating from SIU, Smith was signed by the Cincinnati Bengals, appearing in 14 games. The Bengals went 12-4, winning the AFC Central and playing in Super Bowl XXIII. The ultimately fell to the Joe Montana-led San Francisco 49ers.
Sherry Zhang, Swimming and Diving (2013-16)
Zhang established herself as one of the top divers in SIU history, earning All-America honors twice after placing third in both the 1-meter and 3-meter dives at the 2014 NCAA Championships.
She captured seven MVC titles, including four consecutive championships in the 3-meter dive (2013-16) and three in the 1-meter dive (2014-16). A three-time MVC Diver of the Year, Zhang earned 18 MVC Diver of the Week honors and set school records in both the 1-meter and 3-meter events. Her dominance helped elevate the Salukis' diving program to sustained conference success.
This year's class includes Andrea Estrada (volleyball), Byron Honore (football), Kevin Koski (baseball), Kyle Landon (track and field), Dave Smith (football), and Sherry Zhang (swimming and diving).
The Saluki Hall of Fame induction ceremony will be Friday, Oct. 16, at the Tedrick Welcome Center at SIU. The inductees will also be involved in Homecoming festivities on Saturday, Oct. 17.
Andrea Estrada, Volleyball (2014-17)
Estrada was one of the most productive and consistent players in Saluki volleyball history, earning All-Missouri Valley Conference honors three times during her career. A four-year leader in kills, she finished with 1,385 career kills (fifth in program history) and 1,375 career digs (fourth), becoming one of only five players in program history to surpass 1,000 in both categories.
She recorded 57 career double-doubles, the third-most in SIU history, and earned MVC All-Freshman Team honors in 2014. Estrada played a key role on the Salukis' 2015 NCAA Tournament team and established herself as one of the program's most complete outside hitters.
Byron Honore, Football (1976-79)
Honore anchored the Salukis' offensive line during a four-year career that saw SIU post a 26-19 record. A two-time First-Team All-MVC selection in 1978 and 1979, he made an immediate impact by starting eight games as a true freshman and every game thereafter.
Honore played a key role in the success of SIU's offense, blocking for Hall of Fame running backs Andre Herrera and Burnell Quinn. His durability and consistency helped define one of the program's most stable offensive lines of the era. He passed away on Dec. 22, 2022.
Kevin Koski, Baseball (2004-07)
Koski combined elite production on the field with excellence in the classroom during his Saluki career. The 2007 Abe Martin Award winner, he earned First-Team All-MVC honors in 2005 and was named to the MVC All-Tournament Team that same year. He also garnered MVC Scholar-Athlete recognition and CoSIDA/ESPN The Magazine Academic All-District V honors.
One of the most accomplished hitters in program history, Koski holds the SIU single-season hits record (92) and the career runs scored record (191). He ranks tied for second in career hits (285), second in at-bats (893), third in games played (227), fourth in walks (103) and tied for ninth in stolen bases (55). During the 2005 season, he posted a 42-game reached-base streak and recorded 30 multi-hit games.
Kyle Landon, Track and Field (2014-17)
Landon is one of the most decorated student-athletes in SIU track and field history, highlighted by a runner-up finish in the high jump at the 2017 NCAA Indoor Championships. He also earned a silver medal at the 2016 U.S. Olympic Trials, solidifying his status among the nation's elite competitors.
A five-time First-Team All-American, Landon claimed nine MVC championships and earned four MVC Most Outstanding Field Athlete awards, along with two MVC Most Valuable Athlete honors. He was a 13-time All-MVC selection and excelled academically, earning three CoSIDA Academic All-America honors, including first-team recognition in 2017.
Dave Smith, Football (1984-87)
Smith was the leader of the SIU offensive line during his four-year career at Southern. He was named first-team All-MVFC and honorable mention All-American in 1987 and second-team All-MVFC in 1986. He blocked for Byron Mitchell in 1985 when he rushed for 1,211 yards, the second-most yards in school history at the time.
The 1986 Saluki Football squad finished 7-4, good for second in the Gateway Conference, beating two ranked teams in Murray State and Northern Iowa.
After graduating from SIU, Smith was signed by the Cincinnati Bengals, appearing in 14 games. The Bengals went 12-4, winning the AFC Central and playing in Super Bowl XXIII. The ultimately fell to the Joe Montana-led San Francisco 49ers.
Sherry Zhang, Swimming and Diving (2013-16)
Zhang established herself as one of the top divers in SIU history, earning All-America honors twice after placing third in both the 1-meter and 3-meter dives at the 2014 NCAA Championships.
She captured seven MVC titles, including four consecutive championships in the 3-meter dive (2013-16) and three in the 1-meter dive (2014-16). A three-time MVC Diver of the Year, Zhang earned 18 MVC Diver of the Week honors and set school records in both the 1-meter and 3-meter events. Her dominance helped elevate the Salukis' diving program to sustained conference success.
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