How We Began

Mike McElroy did it all in his career at SIU. He helped lead the Salukis to a No. 1 national ranking, a pair of Missouri Valley Football Conference Championships, and was a candidate for the Buck Buchanan Award, which goes to the most outstanding defensive players in the FCS. He was an Academic All-American, a two-time All-MVC honoree, and was a preseason All-American in 2010.

Moving forward to the fall of 2011, McElroy, along with SIU Athletics crafted one of the most unique ideas ever seen in college athletics on giving back. The Blackout Cancer game was created and was very successful in bringing awareness and support to cancer patients in the southern Illinois region.

In the fall of 2012, in keeping Mike's dream alive, SIU Athletics reached out to the SIH Foundation to partner for the Salukis Blackout Cancer game and so the tradition continues.

The SIH Foundation has designated all proceeds from the Blackout Cancer event to benefit the Coach Kill Cancer Fund. The fund provides assistance to cancer patients in need throughout the southern 16 counties of Illinois. The fund provides help with expenses such as prescriptions, nutritional needs, transportation and fuel costs, and treatment-related medical bills.

For more information about the Coach Kill Cancer fund, visit www.sih.net/coachkillcancerfund.