Southern Illinois University hosts Saluki Spooktacular

CARBONDALE, Ill. (KBSI) – “We just want to make sure everybody knows we’re here for them.” 

Southern Illinois University football player Miles Wash said this is really what the Saluki Spooktacular is all about. 

“We love being out here. We love seeing beautiful faces. Just making sure we’re all happy, and making sure everybody knows the Salukis, we’re a family,” he said.

And the entire Saluki athletics family filled the Banterra Center on Sunday, handing out candy, taking pictures, and much more. 

And perhaps no one enjoyed the festivities more than swimmer Alex Cimera. 

“It’s been awesome. I’ve been seeing so many good costumes,” Cimera said. “I love interacting with kids and handing out candy, and their faces just light up, I just love that.” 

Cimera says today provided a good opportunity for a little extra team bonding, as well. 

“When kids come in, we comment on the costumes and rate them, and we just laugh and have fun, and also, they take my candy all the time,” he said.

Softball player Addi Baker said this day also gave the visitors a chance to interact with the athletes in a way they normally don’t get a chance to do.  

“People hardly ever see us out just not in our uniforms or out on the field, so it was super awesome to talk to people who come to our games,” she said.

And Wash echoed these sentiments. 

“It’s awesome because so many kids look up to all of us, every sport,” he said. “Just to let them see our faces and let them know we’re just like them. We used to be little kids wanting to look up and see great football players, great soccer players, you know. It’s awesome just letting them know that we were in their position at one point, and they can be just like us. They can be better than us if they want to be.”

The Salukis also collected canned goods that will be distributed to the community.