SOUTHERN ILLINOIS UNIVERSITY AT CARBONDALE

ABOUT SOUTHERN ILLINOIS UNIVERSITY AT CARBONDALE

Southern Illinois University at Carbondale operates 16 varsity sports across Division I-FCS competition, serving an enrolled student body of 11,785 at its Carbondale campus, which was established in 1869. The Salukis compete in the Missouri Valley Conference, fielding both men's and women's teams across football, basketball, soccer, tennis, golf, cross country, and Olympic sports including swimming & diving, lacrosse, softball, and volleyball. This comprehensive athletic portfolio reflects the university's commitment to providing competitive opportunities across multiple NCAA-sanctioned disciplines.

The athletic program's depth spans both traditional revenue sports and Olympic disciplines, with men's basketball and football anchoring the department's visibility while women's soccer, volleyball, and swimming & diving contribute to conference competition. Baseball and softball programs round out the spring sports calendar, while individual-sport athletes compete in cross country, track, tennis, golf, and the newer addition of women's lacrosse to the varsity roster. At a university with nearly 12,000 students, the 16-sport configuration allows Saluki athletes to represent Carbondale across regional and national competition within the Missouri Valley Conference structure.