Carbondale Reporter

The Southern Illinois University Department of Athletics has announced the 2025 class for the Saluki Hall of Fame. The group will be formally inducted during a ceremony on Friday, October 24, and will participate in Homecoming events the following day.

This year's class includes six individuals: Jeremy Chinn and Fabray Collins from football, Shaye Harre and Brianna Jones from softball, Rodney Watson from men's basketball coaching, and Peyton Wilhoit from men's golf. In addition, the Hall of Fame will honor the university's 11 national championship men's and women's gymnastics teams from 1964 to 1974.

All inductees will take part in the annual Homecoming parade on Saturday, October 25, with Jeremy Chinn serving as the parade's grand marshal. The group will also be recognized during the Homecoming football game against Northern Iowa, which is scheduled to start at 2 p.m.

Jeremy Chinn played football for SIU from 2016 to 2019. According to the university, "A first-ballot Hall of Famer, Chinn ranks among the most accomplished players in school history as a Consensus All-American (2019) and three-time All-MVFC performer. An ADA Academic All-Star and finalist for the Buck Buchanan Award his senior year, Chinn recorded 243 tackles, 13 interceptions, 31 passes defended and 6 forced fumbles in his career. The elite safety was a second-round 2020 NFL Draft pick by the Carolina Panthers. Chinn has enjoyed a six-year pro career and is currently a member of the Las Vegas Raiders."

Fabray Collins, who played football from 1981 to 1983, "set the school record for career tackles with 443 — a mark that has stood the test of time, as he remains atop the school's all-time tackles list. A three-year starter and All-MVC selection his senior year, Collins helped lead SIU to the 1983 I-AA National Championship. He played one season in the NFL with the Minnesota Vikings, and in 2013, Collins was named to SIU's All-Century team."

Shaye Harre, who played softball from 2014 to 2017, "was a three-time All-MVC selection and two-time Academic All-American for the Salukis. Primarily playing first base, the left-handed slugger finished her career eighth in batting average (.330), first in doubles (49) and fifth in home runs (30). As a senior, Harre earned All-Region honors and helped lead SIU to a conference title and NCAA Regional appearance."

Brianna Jones, a softball player from 2016 to 2019, "re-wrote SIU's record book, setting career marks for wins (91), innings pitched (851.0), appearances (168) and complete games (90). She was a four-time First-Team All-MVC selection and two-time All-Region pick. Jones pitched three no-hitters in her career and set the school record for strikeouts in a game (20). She led the team to two NCAA Regional appearances (2017, 2019)."

Rodney Watson served as men's basketball coach from 1989 to 2009. The university states, "Watson coached 21 seasons as a member of the staffs of Rich Herrin, Bruce Weber, Matt Painter and Chris Lowery, and his teams advanced to either the NCAA or NIT in 15 seasons. He was a member of more NCAA Tournament (9) and NIT Tournament (6) teams than any coach in program history, as SIU compiled a 431-237 record and won seven regular season and four conference tournament championships during his tenure."

Peyton Wilhoit played men's golf from 2015 to 2019. "Wilhoit became the first four-time All-Conference selection in program history and led the team to the first two MVC Championships and NCAA Regional appearances in school history (2016, 2019). He also qualified for the 2018 NCAA Regionals as the MVC Golfer of the Year. Wilhoit set school records for season stroke average (71.64 in 2019) and career rounds in the 60s (14), while winning MVC Golfer of the Week honors 11 times."

The Hall of Fame will also recognize the men's gymnastics national championship teams from 1964, 1966, 1967, and 1972, as well as the women's gymnastics national championship teams from 1965, 1966, 1967, 1968, 1970, 1974, and 1975. According to the release, "SIU's men's and women's gymnastics programs won a combined 11 national championships from 1964-75. Coached by Hall of Famers Bill Meade and Herb Vogel, SIU won numerous individual national titles, as the program brought great distinction to the University."