by John Lock- Associate Sports Information Director, Southern Illinois University, Carbondale

CARBONDALE, IL –  The Southern Illinois football team returns a deep and experienced group of offensive linemen in 2017. The unheralded unit has been key in SIU leading the league in total offense in each of the last two seasons.

“There’s a lot of experience coming back,” head coach Nick Hill said. “Seven or eight guys have played a lot of football for us, and those younger guys have taken that step forward. They’re really pushing for starting spots, or pushing people to get better. The first five have to bring it every day, or there’s someone there to take their spot.”

Eight players–Ben Bailey, Ernest Dye Jr., Aaron Harris, Jacob Marnin, Austin Olsen, Josh Podzielinski, and DeVondre Seymour–have all started games for SIU on the offensive line, so even without Reid Sealby, who started all 11 games last season, SIU has as much experience on the offensive line as anyone in the MVFC.

In pass protection, last year’s offensive line showed dramatic improvement throughout the year. In the first seven games, SIU allowed 24 sacks. In the final four games under offensive line coach Trevor Olson, SIU allowed just five sacks.

“Coach Olson is one of the best young offensive line coaches in the country,” Hill said. “He played the position 54 starts in a row–played an entire season with a broken wrist and didn’t miss a game. Personally, I sit in on his meetings probably more than any position group because that’s where it starts. I learn things from Trevor.”

When the line got going at the end of the year, the Salukis got going. SIU won two of its last three games and averaged 536 yards per game over than final three-game stretch. Especially impressive: facing a Youngstown State defense that was allowing only 280 yards per game, the Salukis put up 301 yards in the second half alone.

“It’s always a transition,” Olson said. “We were patient as we went along, and they got the hang of it. Now, it’s year two. We have to go right away.”

Southern Illinois has one of the best tackle tandems in the country. Austin Olsen has started 22-straight games at left tackle and is a preseason All-MVFC pick. DeVondre Seymour took over at right tackle halfway through last year. Now, they have switched, with Seymour at left tackle and Olsen at right tackle where they are more comfortable. They both have great size (Olsen is 6-5, 320 and Seymour is 6-6, 305), and both have NFL scouts watching them.

“This is the best he’s been,” Hill said of Seymour “I don’t know if there’s a more improved player since he’s been here. With his body and his conditioning, he’s ready to play a Division I season. Physically, he’s as gifted as anybody.”

In the interior line, Jacob Marnin started all 11 games at center. Josh Podzielinski started seven games at guard, and Ernest Dye Jr., whose father played in the NFL as an offensive lineman, started three games late in the season.

“We have guys pushing them, too.” Olson said. “It’s not like anything is being given to them. Ben (Bailey) has played a bunch. Wags (Bryce Wagner) has done great things in practice. Graham (Lawrence) is pushing those guys, too. It’s a very competitive room for those five spots.”

In the high-scoring Saluki offense, the offensive line gets the least amount of credit–and that’s just fine with them. They’ve adopted the mentality of Coach Olson.

“Come to work every day. Don’t let anything phase you,” Olson said. “We don’t get any glamour. It’s about putting your nose to the grindstone, and working each day to get better.”

 

by Tom Weber, Associate AD in Communications, Southern Illinois University, Carbondale

CARBONDALE, IL – Southern Illinois men’s basketball coach Barry Hinson announced the promotion of two members of his staff today. Director of operations Justin Walker was promoted to assistant coach, while director of player development John Clancy was elevated to director of operations. An opening on SIU’s staff was created when assistant coach Terrance McGee took a coaching position at the University of Milwaukee.

“First, I want to thank Terrance for his tremendous contributions to Saluki Basketball during the last five years,” Hinson said. “It’s bittersweet for me personally, because I coached Terrance at Missouri State, and he’s been with me since the start of the rebuilding process at SIU. At the same time, he and his wife are both Milwaukee natives, and I’m happy for them to get the opportunity to return home. He’ll be a great asset for Coach Baldwin’s staff.”

Walker enters his fourth season on Hinson’s staff, beginning as a graduate assistant in 2014, before assuming the administrative role of director of operations in 2015. He was responsible for team operations, including team travel, academic support, summer camps and fund-raisers. Those duties now go to Clancy.

“Behind the scenes, Justin has been doing the thankless jobs that no one but the head coach really appreciates,” Hinson said. “At the same time, he’s been involved in every aspect of our program and has earned this opportunity. We’re fortunate to have a coach of his caliber already in our system.”

Clancy joined the staff in 2015 as a graduate assistant before being elevated to director of player development last season. He was instrumental in the development of All-Conference forward Sean O’Brien last year and has helped the program post back-to-back winning seasons.

“As a successful high school coach before coming to Carbondale, John was willing to start over at the bottom of the ladder to achieve his dream of becoming a Division I coach,” Hinson said. “He has all of the qualities you look for in an ascending coach — high basketball IQ, strong organizational skills, and a team-first mentality. I believe he has a bright future in this business.”

from John Lock, Associate Sports Director, Southern Illinois University

Hometown Heroes Brochure

CARBONDALE, IL – Saluki Athletics is proud to announce Hometown Heroes Night, which will offer free advanced tickets to all law enforcement, firefighters and EMS personnel for Saluki Football’s season opener Sept. 9.

The game vs. Mississippi Valley State will kick off at 6 p.m. All Hometown Heroes can receive free advanced tickets to that game for their service and sacrifice to our local community. Additional tickets for guests are discounted to $8. To secure tickets, contact Bryce Williams at 618-453-1803.

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by John Lock – Associate Sports Information Director – Southern Illinois University at Carbondale

DENVER, CO – Saluki Baseball assistant coach Ryan Strain has been named the head coach at Metro State University. Strain has served as the Southern Illinois hitting coach for the last seven seasons.

“This is a good hire by Metro State and a great opportunity for Ryan to be a head coach and return to his hometown,” SIU head coach Ken Henderson said. “I am happy for him, his wife Katie, and their family. I also appreciate his hard work and loyalty to Saluki Baseball over the past seven years. We will look forward to following his future success and wish him all the best.”

Under Strain’s guidance, 13 Salukis have earned All-MVC honors in seven seasons and Chris Serritella was an All-American and fourth-round MLB Draft pick in 2012. Strain implemented a new running game in 2017 and turned the Salukis into one of the fastest teams in the nation. SIU stole more than twice as many bases as any other team in the MVC and ranked 11th nationally during the regular season.

Southern stole 100 bases during the season while also having the highest success rate on steals in the MVC. The 100 steals were the most for SIU as a program since 1991.

“It’s bittersweet for me to be leaving such a great place,” Strain said. “I met and worked with some tremendous people. I am very thankful for the opportunity Hendu gave me seven years ago. I learned a lot from him along the way that prepared me for this head coaching opportunity. I also want to thank P.J. Finigan and the other coaches I worked with. I will always look back at my time in Carbondale with fond memories. Thank you to all the support staff that helped me along the way, and thank you to the Saluki fans. Great times are ahead for the baseball program. Go Dawgs!”

Prior to Southern Illinois, Strain spent three seasons as an assistant coach at Northern Colorado from 2008-2010. At UNC Strain was in charge of hitting, infield defense, as well as serving as the recruiting and camp coordinators. Strain helped lead the team to set 28 new school records. In 2010 the team went 34-24 overall and 22-6 in the Great West Conference. That year UNC also saw its first freshman All-American and Great West Conference Newcomer of the year.

Previous to Northern Colorado, Strain spend two years as the graduate manager with the Nebraska Cornhuskers. At Nebraska he assisted the coaching staff with on-field duties, including helping with batting practice, overseeing the undergraduate managers, and helping with team video. Strain also assisted with on-campus recruiting, day-to-day program operations, and was an instructor in the Nebraska Baseball Academy.

In 2006 Strain served as the assistant coach for St. Cloud Riverbats in the Northwoods League. With the Riverbats he was the hitting and infield coach helping St. Cloud lead the league in hitting during the 2006 season.

Strain began his career playing at North Carolina State before transferring to Nevada. Following his collegiate career, he played two seasons in the San Francisco Giants organization and one year for the Rockford RiverHawks in the independent professional Frontier League.

by Tom Weber- Associate AD/Communications – Southern Illinois University, Carbondale

 

 

ST. LOUIS, MO – The Missouri Valley Conference will honor its past when the league conducts its annual Hall of Fame induction ceremony in St. Louis on Friday, March 2, 2018.

The 21st MVC Hall of Fame class features two long-time administrators in Bill Rowe (Missouri State) and Lois Patton (Evansville); a women’s softball Olympian in Dani Tyler of Drake; two former track/cross country standouts in Mary Ellen Hill-Schupbach (Bradley) and Christian Goy (Illinois State); and Southern Illinois’ Darren Brooks, the only player in league history to win both the Larry Bird Trophy and men’s basketball Defensive Player of the Year honor twice.

The league will conduct its annual Hall of Fame ceremony as part the State Farm Missouri Valley Conference Men’s Basketball Championship next March 1-4. The March 2 festivities will begin with an 8:00 a.m. breakfast, followed by the induction ceremony at 8:30 a.m.

Tickets to the 2018 Hall of Fame event – scheduled to be held in the Peabody Opera House which is adjacent to Scottrade Center – can be obtained by calling the league office at (314) 444-4300. Tickets are available on a first-come, first-served basis.

“The Missouri Valley Conference has always been recognized for the great success of its athletics programs, with a rich history that dates back more than a century,” said Commissioner Doug Elgin. “Our MVC Hall of Fame has provided us with an opportunity to honor the student-athletes, coaches, administrators and contributors who have played important roles in the Conference and in intercollegiate athletics.

“The individuals we will be honoring in the Class of 2018 are representative of the men and women who have preceded them in our Hall of Fame. They’ve brought significant honor to themselves, their institutions and to the Conference. We are truly humbled to have this opportunity to salute them for their achievements. In a year in which we are celebrating 25 years of women’s athletics in the MVC, we’re excited to announce our six-person class, which includes three women who positively impacted women’s athletics at their institutions.”

DARREN BROOKS, SOUTHERN ILLINOIS
A native of St. Louis, Mo., Brooks is the only player in Valley history to win both the Larry Bird Trophy, awarded to the league’s top men’s basketball student-athlete, and the league’s Defensive Player of the Year honor two times, sweeping the awards in 2004 and 2005.
While he was at Southern Illinois (2001-05), the Salukis won four-straight regular-season conference titles, made four-straight NCAA Tournament appearances and won three NCAA Tournament games, including a Sweet 16 run in 2002 (defeating Texas Tech and Georgia as an 11 seed).
Brooks finished his career ranked fifth in all-time scoring at SIU with 1,761 points; he remains the school’s career steals leader with 258, and he ranks fourth in career assists with 410, eighth in career 3-pointers made with 156 and 12th in career rebounds with 673.
He was a two-time AP Honorable Mention All-American (2004, 2005), a three-time member of MVC All-Defense team (2003-05) and a two-time member of MVC All-Tournament team (2004, 2005).
Brooks is a member of both the SIU All-Century Team, announced in 2013, and the Missouri Valley Conference All-Centennial Team, announced in 2007. He is a member, too, of the Saluki Hall of Fame.
He currently is an athletics director and K-12 teacher in the Dallas area where he lives with his wife Danielle and daughters Darionne, Nevaeh, Niah and Nadiah. In addition to his duties as athletics director, Brooks coaches the boys and girls basketball teams, and he also operates the Brooks Basketball Academy.

by Reece Rutland – Sports Information Director, Rend Lake College

INA, Ill. (Aug. 4, 2017) – Rend Lake College Baseball has a host of Warriors moving on to continue their careers at the next level. In total, 10 from RLC’s 2017 team will be competing on the diamond next season at the four-year-level.

Sam Troyer (Goshen) has committed to play for University of Evansville. Troyer finished the regular season leading the NJCAA in being hit by pitches. He finished fourth nationally in stolen bases with 39.

Tanner Maskey (Springfield) has committed to play for Southern Nazarene University. Over 45 games, Maskey averaged .267 with 14 RBIs.

Jake Vernon (Elkhart, Ind.) has committed to play for Southern Nazarene University. Vernon hit .280 on the season with 18 RBIs and 24 runs.

Jack Wolfe (Orland Park) has committed to play for Eastern Illinois University. Wolfe tossed 67.1 innings with a 4.81 ERA and 51 punch outs.

Ostin Clark (Camden, Ind.) has committed to play for Kentucky Wesleyan. Clark hit .264 with 26 RBIs and 24 runs.

TJ Satterly (Louisville, Ky.) has committed to play for Morehead State University. Scatterly recorded 71 innings pitched with a 2.92 ERA and 81 Ks and four complete games.

Zach Zarifian (Beach Park) has committed to play for University of Wisconsin-Oshkosh

Bailey Schimpf (Zeigler) has committed to play for the University of Lindenwood-Belleville. Schimpf hit .273 with the Warriors last season over 23 games. He had an on base percentage of .353.

Blake Deatherage (O’Fallon) has committed to play for Southern Baptist University. Deatherage had 18 RBIs over 39 games with 21 hits. He also drew 17 walks. On the mound, Deatherage tossed 33 innings with a 3-3 record. He carried a 2.45 ERA and recorded 42 strikeouts.

Jay Benard (Metropolis) has committed to play for Trevecca Nazarene University. Benard pitched 22.2 innings for the Warriors. He carried a 3-2 record with a 3.57 ERA and 16 strikeouts.