CARBONDALE, Ill. — Every August, prior to the start of the new school year, Southern Illinois University alum and former associate professor George Sheffer makes his mark on the campus he loves. For the past 13 years, Saluki paw prints have been painted on the streets of Carbondale. This is a direct responsibility of Sheffer, who had the vision of creating community pride and campus buzz through the prints. 

“When paw prints started, the overall goal was to show to the students of SIU that the community cared and supported them all,” Sheffer explained. He also envisioned visiting teams being intimidated by the sight of the prints, knowing they were officially in Saluki country.

Originally, the prints were placed around campus and streets such as Grand Avenue and Giant City Road, but the project has grown to include major thoroughfares throughout town and can be used as a navigation path to campus. 

“This job could never be done by one person,” said Sheffer. He credited the help of the community and volunteers for the continuation of the prints. Members of SIU athletics teams, professors and student body, along with Carbondale residents, have all pitched in on early Sunday mornings in August to assist the tradition.

Sheffer covers the expenses of the initiative, but the community has also done its share. SIU’s paint shop donates materials for each year’s prints. The Carbondale Police Department ensures the safety of volunteers by using squad cars to escort the painting teams. Sheffer has also received donations from members of the community to fund the prints. 

When discussing the future of paw prints, Sheffer hopes to see a new generation of volunteers step up and is optimistic the tradition will continue for decades to come.