SIU Honors Marion Rushing
</element><element id="paragraph-1" type="body"><![CDATA[The Southern Illinois University Department of Athletics honored Saluki Hall of Famer Marion Rushing during a midday ceremony Thursday, renaming Tennis Drive to Marion Rushing Lane.
About 125 people, the bulk from Perry County, attended the activities despite temperatures approaching 100 degrees.
SIU's Board of Trustees approved the name change at one of its regular meetings last December.
"Today is the first in a series of events over the next two months that will highlight the the Saluki Way project," SIU athletic director Mario Moccia said. "Mr. Rushing had a very prestigious career here and now holds a prestigious place, literally, on this campus for years to come."
Rushing earned a total of 13 varsity letters at SIU from 1954-58 while competing in football, basketball, wrestling and track. No other athlete since-male or female-has approached the 13-letter mark.
Fred Huff of Du Quoin, retired longtime sports information director at SIU, suspects Rushing's record -along with his legacy-will continue forever in Saluki land.
"I've never been one to say never on anything," Huff admitted. "But I think we can safely say that 13 letters in four different sports will never be broken here. That's simply amazing."
Huff recalled first learning of Rushing's exploits on the gridiron some 60 years ago as Rushing starred as an underclassman in Pinckneyville's Armistice Day football game with Du Quoin, where Huff was working as sports editor for The Evening Call.
"Football without a doubt was his best sport," Huff said. "But he was truly a man for all the seasons."
Pinckneyville mayor Joe Holder presented Rushing's wife Bonnie with a commemorative plaque and sign marking the event. Holder recalled as a youngster growing up in Pinckneyville "how everyone wanted to be like Marion Rushing."
Ryan Rushing, son of current PCHS football coach Tod Rushing, also spoke and talked about living the legacy "that Marion's created not just as an athlete, but as a Saluki and person."
Ryan is a red shirt freshman on the current SIU team.
Hall of Fame SIU broadcaster Mike Reis emceed the ceremonies, which were attended by current SIU coaches Dale Lennon (football) and Chris Lowery (basketball). Several of Rushing's teammates were also there.
"Marion's roots go very deep in Pinckneyville," Bonnie Rushing said. "But there's no question where his permanent address would be," she said moments after the new sign christening Marion Rushing Lane was unveiled.
A charter member of the SIU Sports Hall of Fame, Rushing played a decade in the NFL and old AFL at linebacker for the Bears, St. Louis Cardinals and Houston Oilers. After his playing days, Rushing remained in Pinckneyville and enjoyed a long career in coal mining.
A two-time winner of the Henry Hinkle Award as SIU's top all-around athlete, Rushing has battled Parkinson's disease for the past 25-plus years.
"Marion has so many great memories from SIU," Bonnie said. "They are memories he cherishes today."
Marion Rushing earned four varsity letters in football (1954-57). four with the track team-where he once held the SIU javelin record (1955-58)-three in basketball (1955-1957) and two more in wrestling (1958-59) that included a 15-2 dual record.