September 24, 2009
Ultimate Saluki Challenge is this weekend
CARBONDALE, Ill. -- They may not be stranded in Samoa like contestants on this fall’s CBS reality show, but the Ultimate Saluki Challenge “survivors” will most definitely be testing their mettle this weekend on the campus of Southern Illinois University Carbondale.
The third annual Ultimate Saluki Challenge kicks off at 3 p.m. Friday, Sept. 25, and continues throughout the weekend at various spots around the campus. Just like their TV counterparts, the 16 contestants will be roughing it, doing without the basic amenities they’re so accustomed to.
Media Advisory
Reporters, photographers and news crews are welcome to cover the Ultimate Saluki Challenge. See the schedule below for locations and times of the challenges and tribal councils. Media will find particularly noteworthy opportunities Saturday at 6:45 a.m., 7:45 a.m., 3:15 p.m., 4:15 p.m. and 4:45 p.m. and Sunday at 6:45 a.m., 11 a.m., noon and 6 p.m. at the locations noted below.
For more information contact, contact Gary Tisdale at 618/453-1225 or 618/203-4500 or Lynne Thompson-Cundiff at 618/203-2511.
All the while, they’ll compete in a variety of challenges, testing body, mind, spirit and even intestinal fortitude as they try to earn rewards or immunity. In years past, contestants have solved puzzles, raced across campus lake, held gallons of water overhead, rolled giant tires and even eaten balut. For those who haven’t heard of the “delicacy,” it’s a hard-boiled, nearly developed duck fetus. This year’s challenges are, of course, a closely guarded secret.
And every few hours, the “Tribal Council” will convene. Their votes will send one contestant packing. Not to worry though; all along the way, contestants will be claiming nice prizes. Prizes for the 2009 Ultimate Saluki contest include a $500 book scholarship, an adventure trip on the Ocoee River and a Missouri Valley Conference package featuring two tickets to the basketball conference championships and lodging in St. Louis.
The final tribal council convenes to pick the 2009 Ultimate Saluki at 6 p.m. Sunday, Sept. 27, in the Alumni Lounge at the Student Recreation Center. Mike Skupin, star of “Survivor: Australia” is the guest host for the Ultimate Saluki Challenge. The Student Recreation Center is host for the contest. Spectators from the campus community and the region are welcome.
“The Ultimate Saluki Challenge is in its fourth year and it’s had a tremendous effect on our past participants. Alumni and past participant Josh Sheehan, now completing an internship in outdoor recreation in Idaho, sent me a letter saying ‘It is wonderful to see the USC going strong into its fourth year. It truly is a life-changing experience,’” said Lynne Thompson-Cundiff, assistant director of fitness for Recreational Sports and Services. “Josh even included a $100 donation to support the program. Now that is a connection to the University!”
Here’s the schedule for this weekend’s challenges and tribal councils.
Friday, Sept. 25
• 4:30 p.m. -- Reward challenge, campus beach.
• 5:30 p.m. -- Immunity challenge, boat dock fields.
• 6:30 p.m. -- Tribal Council, campus beach pavilion.
• 7:15 p.m. -- Reward challenge, campus beach.
• 8:30 p.m. -- Immunity challenge, boat dock fields.
• 9:45 p.m. -- Tribal council, campus beach pavilion.
• 10:30 p.m. -- Reward challenge, boat dock fields
• 11 p.m. -- Immunity challenge, boat dock fields.
• Midnight -- Tribal council, campus beach pavilion.
Saturday, Sept. 26
• 6:30 a.m. -- Reward challenge, campus beach.
• 7:45 a.m. -- Immunity challenge, boat dock fields.
• 9 a.m. -- Tribal council, campus beach pavilion.
• 9:45 a.m. -- Reward challenge, boat dock fields.
• 11 a.m. -- Immunity challenge, boat dock fields.
• 12:15 p.m. -- Tribal council, campus beach pavilion.
• 1 p.m. -- Reward challenge, boat dock fields.
• 3:15 p.m. -- Immunity challenge, student tailgate area.
• 4:15 p.m. -- Tribal council, student tailgate area.
• 4:45 p.m. -- Reward challenge, student tailgate area.
• 6 p.m. -- Immunity challenge, campus beach.
• 7:15 p.m. -- Tribal council, campus beach pavilion.
• 8:15 p.m. -- Reward challenge, lighted playing fields.
• 9:30 p.m. -- Reward challenge, Student Recreation Center pool.
• 11 p.m. -- Individual immunity challenge, campus beach.
• 11:30 p.m. -- Tribal council, campus beach.
Sunday, Sept. 27
• 6:30 a.m. -- Individual immunity challenge, campus beach.
• 7:30 a.m. -- Tribal council, campus beach pavilion.
• 8:15 a.m. -- Reward challenge, campus beach.
• 9 a.m. -- Individual immunity challenge, campus beach.
• 10 a.m. -- Tribal council, campus beach pavilion.
• 11 a.m. -- Reward challenge, boat dock.
• Noon -- Individual immunity challenge, boat dock.
• 1:15 p.m. -- Tribal council, boat dock pavilion.
• 1:45 p.m. -- Individual immunity challenge, boat dock.
• 2:30 p.m. -- Tribal council, boat dock pavilion.
• 3:15 p.m. -- Individual immunity challenge, boat dock.
• 4:15 p.m. -- Tribal council, boat dock pavilion.
• 6 p.m. -- Final tribal council, Student Recreation Center Alumni Lounge.
The 2009 Ultimate Saluki contestants, shown by hometown with their major and year, are:
Illinois
Barrington
• Cara Dunn, senior, outdoor recreation.
Belleville
• Tiarna Sands, freshman, mortuary science.
Cobden
• Cliff Connolly, senior, psychology.
Danville
• Christopher Turner, senior, exercise science.
Dixmoor
• Harold Wright, junior, computer engineering.
Elgin
• Courtney Munson, freshman, pre-medicine.
Fairbury
• Corey Peters, senior, psychology.
Harrisburg
• Robbie Cochrum, graduate student, exercise science.
Harvard
• Andrea Nazem, junior, mortuary science.
Homewood
• David Garland, sophomore, agriculture business.
Lombard
• Max Herlache, sophomore, physics.
Orland Park
• Ryan Siriann, sophomore, mechanical engineering.
Plano
• Mike Beck, junior, biology.
Rockford
• Kashayla Stanford, junior, mortuary science.
South Elgin
• Patrick Sutphin, sophomore, photojournalism.
Minnesota
Duluth
• Cory Dack, graduate student, outdoor recreation.