September 03, 2026
Signups underway for SIU’s Homecoming Spirit Competitions
CARBONDALE, Ill. — It’s time to show the sparkle of Saluki diamonds for SIU’s 2026 Homecoming Spirit Competition. Registration for contests involving faculty, staff and students is underway until 4:30 p.m. Sept 28.
This year’s homecoming theme — Decades of the Dawg: 75 Years of Saluki Pride — celebrates the 75th “diamond” anniversary of the Saluki becoming Southern Illinois University Carbondale’s official mascot. The weeklong celebration, Oct. 12-17, honors the history and traditions of the Saluki, while taking a nostalgic journey through the decades. Throughout Homecoming Week, the Student Programming Council's festivities will highlight a different era each day, with themes ranging from the 1950s through today.
Participants are encouraged to showcase their Saluki pride by incorporating elements inspired by the decade that best fits their vision, while also celebrating the legacy of the Saluki mascot and the traditions that have united generations of students and alumni. Whether focusing on a single era or blending multiple decades, creativity, school spirit, and a tribute to 75 years of Saluki pride are highly encouraged.
Expanded door decorating contest
The spirit competitions are growing. The popular homecoming campus door-decorating contest returns and has a new, expanded display category. This year, all registered student organizations, offices, departments and campus units are invited to show their creativity and campus pride by decorating their doors — or developing an expanded display in the theme “Decades of the Dawg: 75 Years of Saluki Pride.”
Two or three departments or offices may work together and register as one entry, though multi-unit entries are limited to a maximum of three (3) units and will be judged as one entry. All units must be named in the registration form at the time of entry.
With the exception of glitter, the sky is the limit on what you can use. Contestants are encouraged to showcase their Saluki pride through the decades, incorporating the theme with Saluki and SIU motifs.
Doors must be ready for judging by 9 a.m. Oct. 7. Judging will take place sometime soon thereafter with details to be emailed to contestants.
Sign up online for a “starter pack” to help with the project by 4:30 p.m. Sept. 21. If you miss that deadline, you can still sign up without the starter pack. The final signup to be included in the competition is 4:30 p.m. Sept. 28.
University Housing decorating contest
In addition, a University Housing decorating contest invites all staff members, resident assistants and students residing in University Housing to show their spirit and pride by decorating a door, bulletin board or residence hall entrance or lobby in keeping with the homecoming theme. Register online by 4:30 p.m. Sept. 21 to receive a “starter pack,” or by 4:30 p.m. Sept. 28 to participate.
Competition champions win a trophy and prize from the Student Programming Council.
Students can also join in the Homecoming RSO spirit competition and the .
Additional information and registration for all spirit competitions can be found on the Homecoming website.