By: Zuzanna Gaik
Southern Illinois University has so much to offer when it comes to getting involved on campus. The Dawg Pound is a great place to start! The Dawg Pound is the student section we have on campus. They attend every game for each sport and support all of our Saluki Athletics. If you are just looking for something to do or need to step away, attending any sports game is a must!
The SIU Dawg Pound cares about the student body and making sure they enjoy athletics. There are themes for every game, occasional giveaways, and free food! The best place to wear your maroon and white is at a football game or basketball game. No matter the sport, these colors are a must! Even if you know nothing about sports, I promise you will still have fun. Sitting with the Dawg Pound creates an incredible game-day atmosphere!
I have been involved with the Dawg Pound since I started attending SIU. This is my 3rd year here and most of my favorite memories are with the Dawg Pound. During my freshman year, I attended as many games as I could. I became friends with the board members and I knew I wanted to get involved. In my second year, I applied to be on the Dawg Pound committee. I was able to help come up with themes and giveaway ideas for games. I loved the hands-on experience and once again, I knew I wanted more. This year, I am the Chief of Operations on the Executive Board. It is very busy, but I enjoy every second of it!
Personally, my two favorite memories are the travel game to SEMO in 2023 and the basketball season in 2023. The cheering and chanting at both events is something I love! I get to step away from the stress of school and focus on supporting my team. Dressing to the theme with my friends and being able to get more students involved is something I am passionate about. I love being able to connect with the student body, however it may be. If that’s handing out cookies, grilling burgers, or even just chanting together, it makes my day.
There are a couple of ways to get involved with the Dawg Pound. You can find and sit with them at any game. They often stand out as it is a large section of students. It is encouraged for everyone to cheer and chant as loud as you can! If you really enjoy it, you can become a member. They have a Legacy Membership that you can purchase on the Saluki Superfan app for $20. A lifetime, one-time fee. It includes a member-only shirt, other goodies, and perks that other students can’t access! If you want more information, you can find it on their Instagram @siu_dawgpound.
