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Saluki Hall of Famer Susie Rashid establishes endowed scholarship for Swimming & Diving

by Ron Reeves

CARBONDALE, Ill. — Saluki Hall of Fame swimmer Susie Rashid, a College of Business alumnus (1987) and University of Chicago MBA graduate (1998), has established the Saluki Spirit Swimming Scholarship, the Saluki Athletic Scholarship Fund announced on Wednesday. Rashid was a member of the Saluki women's swimming team from 1983-1987 and was inducted into the Athletics Hall of Fame in 2002.

"We are very appreciative of Susie Rashid's contribution to Saluki Athletics," said Director of Athletics Jerry Kill. "Scholarship endowments directly support our student-athletes and are an important part of our success."

Rashid was a stellar student-athlete at SIU. She maintained a near 4.0 GPA in accounting and was named a Third Team CoSIDA Academic All-American and a Coaches Association All-American in 1986. Along with her Athletic Hall of Fame induction, she was also inducted into the SIU College of Business Hall of Fame in 2008.

"The passion of the professors and the individualized attention they gave helped shape my academic career at SIU," said Rashid.

Rashid is a nine-time All-American in four swimming relay events (the 200 Free Relay, the 200 Medley Relay, the 400 Medley Relay and the 800 Medley Relay) and a key contributor of the 1985 team that finished ranked fourth in the nation. 

Rashid's excitement for SIU continues to show through her words about her experience at SIU. 

"Led by coach Tim Hill, our team had unbelievable dedication, talent and support," said Rashid. "The fabulous group of teammates, both men and women, was a family who supported each other and pushed each other."

The endowed scholarship will go to a student-athlete who understands the work that it takes inside and outside of the classroom or pool, the extra time spent away from home, and the true grit that it takes to be a Saluki.

"Spring weekends in Giant City or the Spillway - the bagel man…," said Rashid, recalling her favorite memories at SIU. "Compiling computer science programs at 3 a.m. before morning workouts. Staying in Trueblood over Christmas training..."

Currently Rashid works as the owner and consultant of SWR, LLC, a consulting company in Chicago. 

"The athlete experience for me was as profound as the academic experience, and swimming is a sport that has seen cuts to the funding of scholarships and programs over the years," said Rashid. "As a result, those who have had success in their adult lives wanted to pay it back."

The Saluki Athletic Scholarship Fund (SASF) helps cover scholarship costs for more than 350 student-athletes in 17 intercollegiate sports.

"SIU is an incredible institution that provides student-athletes an incredible education and life experience that gets them ready for their adult lives," said Rashid. "Given the state budget cuts and the priority toward bigger-named institutions (i.e. University of Illinois), SIU advocates need to ensure SIU's future success by supporting SIU financially."

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