May 20, 2009
Students can enter Ultimate Saluki Challenge
CARBONDALE, Ill. -- Could you survive for days, living off the land while competing in physical and intellectual tests? You’ve watched contestants on the “Survivor” television show compete to be the last one standing, but here’s the chance for Southern Illinois University Carbondale students to test their mettle.
Students can now enter the 2009 Ultimate Saluki Challenge. The third annual competition is a Saluki-style contest set for Sept. 25-27 on the SIUC campus. Similar to competitors on the CBS reality series, the Saluki survivors will face challenges that in previous years have included eating balut (a hard-boiled nearly developed duck fetus), solving Egyptian puzzles, rolling giant tires, holding gallons of water aloft as long as possible and much more.
Any full-time student can enter. The entry deadline is 7 p.m. Sept. 16 with all application packets due no later than 7 p.m. at the second floor administrative office reception desk at the Student Center. The field is limited. Contestants will vie for substantial prizes along the way and a big grand prize, as yet unannounced.
The contest will move about the campus and include as venues campus beach, the campus boat dock and the Student Recreation Center. Mike Skupin from “Survivor: Australia” is the guest host for the Ultimate Saluki Challenge.
Kevin Ruby of Wheeling was the 2008 Ultimate Saluki Challenge winner. He and other contestants proclaimed the contest the experience of a lifetime, saying they learned a lot about themselves and formed great friendships.
The complete application and contest details are online at www.reccenter.siu.edu. For more information about the 2009 Ultimate Saluki Challenge, you can also call 618/453-1277.