Hats off to the Fans

Mike Norrington has been coming to the Saluki men's basketball games since he was a student at SIUC 30 years ago. When his wife of 38 years, Debie, passed away in December, he kept the tradition alive by attending the games to keep his wife's spirit alive.

"She was a tremendous fan and just loved the Salukis," Norrington said. More than 500 fans, like Norrington, poured into SIU Arena Tuesday night for Fan Appreciation Day where the men's basketball team was on hand to sign posters, T-shirts and basketballs.

The night was to honor the fans, but most importantly the players for all of their hard work throughout the year. The Salukis compiled an impressive record of 27-8 and won their fourth straight Missouri Valley Conference regular season championship. Senior forward Lamar Owen said he has never witnessed so much support during the Salukis' run.

"I appreciate everything the fans did for me," Owen said. "They made me who I am." Killan White, an 8-year-old from Marion, has been coming to basketball games since he was six. White came tonight to have his favorite former player, current graduate assistant Brad Korn, sign his cast. "It's a lot of fun to come every game because we have season tickets," White said.

Sophomore guard Jamaal Tatum said the crowds were great and helped push them in key wins against Creighton and Wichita State at home this year. Max and Sarah Doerr from Murphysboro attend every home game and traveled to St. Louis for the Missouri Valley Conference Tournament and Oklahoma City for the NCAA Tournament. Doerr said she thinks this year's team outshines any from the past.

"I think it's the greatest team we have ever watched," she said. The Salukis started the year by winning the Las Vegas Tournament in November by beating the University of Texas El Paso. Darren Brooks was the first Saluki player to receive back-to-back MVC Player of the Year and Defensive Player of the Year awards.

In addition to their fourth consecutive regular season title, the Salukis earned their fourth straight at-large bid into the NCAA Tournament, where the No. 7-seeded Salukis knocked off St. Mary's 65-56 in the first round. The Salukis led No. 2 seed Oklahoma State 46-39 at halftime in the second round before falling 85-77 in front of a home Cowboy crowd. Oklahoma State head coach Eddie Sutton said the Salukis were a tremendous team with great potential and could play in any major conference in NCAA basketball.

The Salukis also kept alive their home winning streak against conference teams at 24. Kyle Jasper, an 8-year-old from Nashville, said he loves the Saluki games because of their winning streak. "I like it because they win every time I come here," Jasper said. Athletic Director Paul Kowalczyk said he was happy for the team and all of the success, but was more thankful for another reason.

"It's March 29th, and I am not looking for a new coach," Kowalczyk said. Mark Styninger, who has been coming to SIUC games for six years, said despite coaching setbacks, he is proud the Salukis have managed to reign supreme in the MVC. "Considering it's their third coach in three years, I thought they did an outstanding job," Styninger said.