An SIU Legend.
Although I was not a Marching Saluki, I was blessed to have known and was conducted by Mr. Hanes through SIU'S summer music camps and other events back in the late 80's. He still recognized me years later and was always kind. The last time I talked to him was last fall at a football game. Very sad day.
This man deserves a public service on campus for everything he's done not just just for SIU's music and performing arts departments, but for the university as a whole.
"The bureaucratic mentality is the only constant in the universe." ~Dr. Leonard H. McCoy
Thanks, Rabid.
I knew Mike Hanes for well over 40 years because of the Marching Salukis. He was a very special man. A lot of the folks that I know that went into music education as their career raves about the things they learned from Mike. And he loved the sports teams at SIU, as well. This is what I put in my Facebook post yesterday.
It's a tough day in Saluki land today. SIU lost a true friend. Mike Hanes had many roles at SIU but where I knew him was as the long-time director of the Marching Salukis. Every fall, he would take a hundred or so knuckleheaded college kids (for some, their first week away from home) and mold them in to a group that worked hard for each other, enjoyed life together and became life-long friends. He was passionate about the kids, passionate about the music and passionate for the University. Mike was the kind of guy that would remember you (even 40-50 years later), ask how your family was and where had life taken you. Our condolences to Mike's daughter, Lisa, and the rest of his family and to the thousands of Salukis who knew Mike and loved him.
Rabid, I do know that the family is planning a private burial service but there are plans in the works for a public memorial service. Not sure where or when, though.
Why not have the public service during Homecoming weekend?
The Marching Salukis have always held a special place in my SIU memory banks. During my 1971-1975 tenure in The Dale, I seem to remember a little bit of craziness associated with halftime performances...entrance onto the field...the Saluki Steinway...and just plain fun.
One of my favorite memories was when the Dawgs were playing at St. Louis as part of a basketball doubleheader; N.C. State played UCLA in the nightcap. Wolfpack and Bruin fans had the best seats while I was in the nosebleeds. During a timeout, the band jumps up and plays the opening bars of "Go Southern Go." As we all stand and start the to clap along, the band abruptly stop playing and sits down. Now that was funny.
RIP Mike Hanes
Why not have the public service during Homecoming weekend?
Right now, the family is planning on a public visitation at the Methodist church in Carbondale on July 14th and the service on Friday. the 15th. I haven't heard anything yet but I am sure the Alumni Group will do something special Homecoming Weekend.
RIP
