SIU students and members of the community, including first responders, participate in the 9/11 Saluki Stair Climb. (SIU Carbondale photo)
August 15, 2025
SIU’s 2025 stair climb to commemorate 9/11, War on Terror
CARBONDALE, Ill. – Southern Illinois University Carbondale will pay tribute to the victims of Sept. 11, 2001, with a workout session at 6 a.m. Thursday, Sept.11.
The 9/11 Saluki Stair Climb at SIU’s Banterra Center involves a simulated 110-floor stair climb, representing the 110 floors of the World Trade Center twin towers. This year’s climb includes an increased number of steps to more accurately reflect the journey through the towers that were destroyed that day. The public can participate individually or as a team. Participants should plan to arrive by 5:45 a.m.
Alternatively, participants have the option to walk for 2 miles around the Banterra Center concourse. The distance represents the evacuation from Ground Zero to a site across the Brooklyn Bridge.
The workout, annually carried out by SIU Air Force and Army ROTC cadets, honors first responders, members of the military and civilians who lost their lives as a result of the 9/11 terrorist attacks and ensuing War on Terror.
The event is free and open to the public, but registration and a waiver are required. SIU departments, colleges and offices are invited to challenge each other on which unit has the largest team. To participate, they simply need to register in advance and check in at the Unit Challenge station on the day of the event.
Organizers will give away a limited number of T-shirts commemorating the event, which people can pick up or order on site. food vendors are Cold Blooded Coffee and Dave’s Bagels.
Sponsors of the event include Banterra Bank, Air Force ROTC, Army ROTC, In Sync Mind Body Therapy Center, Silkworm, Saluki Athletics, SIU Department of Public Safety, SIU Events and Outreach, SIU Veterans Services and the SIU Office of the Vice Chancellor for Anti-Racism, Diversity, Equity and Inclusion.
Learn more about the event and register at on the 9/11 Saluki Stair Climb webpage.