The SIU Alumni Association and City of Carbondale team-up produced a Homecoming home run in October, as roughly 3,500 alumni and community members packed "The Strip" (South Illinois Avenue) on a Friday night for a farewell concert by Jungle Dogs, with an opening act by Modern Day Saints.
Perfect autumn weather, an atmosphere of excitement about Southern Illinois University, and a curtain call for one of the most popular local bands of the 1980s and '90s set the stage for many alumni to experience Carbondale the way they remember doing it as students.
The university, community, and alumni are excited about sparking new life into that distinctive SIU Carbondale scene.
"It's hard to tell you what will happen next, but after the response we've gotten from everyone about shutting down "The Strip" and bringing a great party to the heart of Carbondale, the momentum is too good to make this a one-off thing," said Molly Hudgins, executive director of the SIU Alumni Associaton. "We've got the resources and ability to keep it going because, at the end of the day, it helps us get alums excited about reconnecting with SIU."
SIU has already announced the dates for the 2025 Homecoming, October 20 - 26, with a theme of "Saluki Spooktacular," given the close time frame to Halloween. While the university and city have a complicated past with the holiday, the Association and city officials are already planning events meant to harken back to the best days of Halloween celebrations in the 1970s and early '80s.
"The momentum is too good to make this a one-off thing."
Molly Hudgins, Executive Director, SIU Alumni Association
The City of Carbondale rejuvenated Halloween as a community event in 2018, after nearly two decades of tamping down on activity because of unruly crowds and damages to property along The Strip.
Since 2018, Eva Fisher, Carbondale's public relations officer, and Dena Haun, the tourism and special events coordinator, said Halloween activities now extend across the last three weekends of October. With the university's 2025 Homecoming dates, they see the Halloween theme as an extra draw for alumni who want to experience another staple of their college days.
"This year's Homecoming was an incredible opportunity for Carbondale to showcase our vibrant community spirit and strengthen the bond between the city, SIU, and its alumni," said Stan Reno '99, Carbondale's police chief and interim city manager. "The downtown Jungle Dogs concert was a highlight that drew an enthusiastic crowd. The event demonstrated the potential of our downtown as a hub for celebration and connection. From the perspective of the city, it was a success in building community pride and engagement."
Chancellor Austin Lane said Homecoming is all about encouraging alumni to return to campus, relive what made their SIU experience so special, and reconnect with what's currently happening at the university.
“Homecoming is an exciting time. It was wonderful to see so many alumni come back to Carbondale in October and enjoy the festivities on our beautiful campus and in the community," Lane said. "I am grateful to everyone who organized, volunteered, or assisted with the celebrations. I look forward to next year’s event. With a Halloween theme, it promises fun for Salukis of all ages.”
500-plus for Homecoming Tailgate
The SIU Alumni Association and the Carbondale in the '80s and '90s Group hosted more than 500 alumni, family, and friends for their annual Homecoming tailgate on Saluki Row before the football game. This year's event was one of the best attended in several years.
