Carbondale Reporter

The Big Dawg Leadership Society is the next step in what SIU Athletic Director Tim Leonard calls "Saluki World Domination."

The newly formed society recognizes Saluki Athletics' most resolute supporters and provides them with unique access and opportunities that enhance the fan experience. By making annual gifts to support Saluki Athletics and commitments to the Pride of Little Egypt (the athletic department's name, image, and likeness program), fans can make a transformative impact on student-athletes, coaches, and the university.

The Big Dawg Leadership Society includes three levels:

- Legendary: $25,000+ annual commitment to Saluki Athletics and $2,500 for three years to the Pride of Little Egypt

- Hall of Fame: $10,000-$24,999 annual commitment to Saluki Athletics and $2,500 for three years to the Pride of Little Egypt

- Champion: $5,000-$9,999 annual commitment to Saluki Athletics and $1,000 one-year commitment to the Pride of Little Egypt

Each level includes benefits such as exclusive events, deepened connections with student-athletes and coaches, Saluki gear, and more. To learn more, contact Todd Reeser at toddr@foundation.siu.edu or Kat Martin at katm@foundation.siu.edu.

"A new day is dawning, and this is your chance to officially become a Big Dawg," Leonard said. "To build and maintain championship-caliber programs takes an investment from all Salukis. We have made commitments to our student-athletes and coaches, and now we need our fans join us on this mission."

Recently, many programs and athletes have enjoyed historic success:

- Swimmer Celia Pulido and track-and-field alumni DeAnna Price and Raven Saunders participated in the Summer Olympics in Paris.

- Softball won 44 games and reached the NCAA Regional Finals.

- Football hosted and won the first home playoff game in Saluki Stadium history.

- Men's golf made the NCAA Regionals for the third time in five years.

- Men's basketball saw its highest average home attendance in a decade.

- Saluki student-athletes maintained an overall GPA of 3.23, highlighted by Saluki Softball earning the highest GPA of any NCAA softball team in the nation.

Last fall, Leonard announced Imagine: Salukis Unleashed—a $100 million fundraising campaign scheduled to continue for a decade. That vision includes game-changing projects ranging from basketball and football practice facilities to an updated baseball clubhouse; improvements to Lingle Hall; equipment upgrades; a new soccer stadium; and more.

"We want you to dream big with us," Leonard said. "We love seeing our fans at every game but the Big Dawg Leadership Society goes beyond season tickets. We are asking for enhanced annual commitments that drive us forward in exciting ways. It is time for Saluki Athletics to dominate like never before."

To make a gift online visit give.siu.edu/athletics. Checks can be mailed to Southern Illinois University Foundation at Colyer Hall – Mail Code 6805 1235 Douglas Drive Carbondale Illinois 62901. To make a gift to the Pride of Little Egypt visit prideoflittleegypt.com.