Carbondale Reporter

With a $1 million donation, Jamie and Netta Hayes have reinforced their family's connection to Saluki Athletics. This generous contribution will lead to the naming of the Jim Hayes Stadium Club inside Saluki Stadium, as announced by SIU Director of Athletics Tim Leonard. Part of the funds will be used to enhance this space.

"For Jamie and Netta to step up in this way says a ton about them and where we are headed," Leonard stated. "They see the vision. They see the passion. They know how valuable Saluki Athletics is to SIU and all of Southern Illinois. This is massively important for us, and I want to thank them on behalf of Saluki Nation."

The Jim Hayes Stadium Club, a key location on campus, will continue serving the community for significant events and announcements.

"For my dad's name to be further etched into Saluki history this way is incredible," said Jamie Hayes. "We wanted to make a statement about how we feel about SIU and what the Salukis mean to us and this community. We wouldn't be able to do this if it weren't for him. I think he would be proud."

Jim Hayes, who came to Southern Illinois University (SIU) in 1961 on a football scholarship, graduated with an education degree in 1962. He later moved his family to Harrisburg in 1976 after establishing Jim Hayes, Inc., a car dealership.

"My dad played linebacker at SIU. He had a great nickname, 'The Axe,'" Jamie Hayes shared. "From there, it was just always following the Salukis."

Jim Hayes passed away in 2018 but left behind a strong legacy at Southern Illinois University through his support of Saluki Athletics.

Jamie Hayes also graduated from SIU in 1994 with a degree in speech communication from the College of Liberal Arts and has been actively supporting Saluki Athletics through his business endeavors.

He recently joined the Big Dawg Leadership Society, which honors donors who contribute annually to Saluki Athletics.

"The success of SIU can do nothing but help the region," Jamie added. "Now, more than ever, it's time to step it up a little bit more. You're going to need more community involvement. You have to bleed maroon no matter what."