I attended the SIU Alumni Association Distinguished Alumni ceremony today (see the link below), and as always happens, came away with an even darker shade of maroon coursing through my veins. If you ever need a booster shot for your Saluki pride, attending one of these ceremonies is just what the doctor ordered!
Seymour Bryson was an honoree today. If you aren't familiar with Dr. Bryson, you can read about him here:
He was a great Saluki player, but is an even greater man, and ambassador of the institution. His honor is truly and well deserved.
As the ceremony was about to begin, a young man came in and sat four seats to my left. When Dr. Bryson was introduced, this man sat up on the edge of his seat. His body language made it obvious that he was deeply invested in Dr. Bryson, and he soaked up every word of Dr. Bryson's acceptance speech. At the speech's conclusion, the young man to my left took several pictures of Dr. Bryson, and then slipped out through the back of the theater.
That young man was Coach Mullins.
I have seen several members of the SIU athletic department at previous years' ceremonies. Their body language was quite different... one eye on their phone, and the other on the door. They looked like me in a staff meeting that I desperately didn't want to attend. It was refreshing to see Coach's sincerity and genuine interest.
Well said and thank you for sharing. Definitely two Saluki icons.
