CARBONDALE, Ill. – The Southern Illinois University Department of Athletics announced its 2024 Saluki Hall of Fame class today. The distinguished class will be formally inducted in a ceremony on Friday, Oct. 11, and then make public appearances during Homecoming festivities on Saturday, Oct. 12.
The 2024 six-person class features Jorge Delgado (Swimming), Korey Lindsey (Football), Rick Murray (Baseball), Rishonda Napier (Women’s Basketball), Sally Perkins (Athletic Trainer) and Rick Walker (Swimming & Diving Coach).
Delgado (1975-76) earned four All-American honors in two years at SIU, placing sixth in the 200 butterfly at the NCAAs in both 1975 and 1976, and adding All-American marks in the 400 medley relay and 800 free relay. Delgado swam in the Olympics for Ecuador in 1972 and 1976, finishing fourth in the 200m butterfly in Munich, and was ranked among the 10-best swimmers in the world in 1978, when he swam in the 1978 World Championships. He is currently a member of the FINA Technical Open Water Swimming Committee.
Lindsey (2007-10) was a two-time First-Team All-American cornerback and a finalist for the Buck Buchanan Award in 2010, which goes to the nation’s best FCS defensive back. A two-time national player-of-the-week and a member of the SIU All-Century team, he finished his career ranked third in school history in interceptions (14). Lindsey joined an elite list of Saluki football players when he was selected in the NFL Draft by the Cincinnati Bengals in 2011.
Murray (1975-77) played third base for the Salukis and was instrumental in leading SIU to consecutive NCAA Tournament appearances, including a third-place finish at the College World Series in 1977. He was a First-Team All-American and Academic All-American in 1976, when he hit .398. Murray was a career .326 hitter with 18 home runs, 112 runs and 107 RBI. The Southern Illinois native was drafted by the St. Louis Cardinals in 1977.
Napier (2012-17) finished her career among the all-time leaders in school history in multiple statistical categories. She finished second in scoring (1,728 points), third in assists (436) and first in 3-pointers (277). Napier became just the third player in school history to earn First-Team All-Conference honors three times during her career. She was also a three-time MVC Scholar-Athlete and helped guide SIU to two WBI postseason appearances during her career.
Perkins (1976-2001) served as director of athletic training and head athletic trainer for 25 years at SIU. She was also responsible for the graduate athletic program in physical education at SIU, and was highly regarded by SIU’s coaches and student-athletes for her care and expertise. A member of the Illinois Athletic Directors Hall of Fame, she received SIU’s Student Affairs Service award for her collaborative work with the departments of psychology and nutrition for a highly acclaimed program for athletes with eating disorders.
Walker (1987-2019) spent 32 years on the coaching staff at SIU, including 26 seasons as head coach. He was a 13-time conference Coach of the Year and his teams won 16 conference championships, including five-straight, men’s MVC titles from 1994-1999. An accomplished open-water swimmer himself, he qualified for the 1980 Olympics, won a silver medal at the Olympic Sports Festival in 1979, and held a top-50 world ranking. He coached the U.S. National team at the 1998, 2001 and 2003 World Championships. A 14-time member of the USA Swimming Olympic Committee, Walker was head coach and director for USA Swimming’s Open Water National Team for 12 years.
