I'm secure enough in my masculinity to admit being near tears several times Friday night. Perhaps I even brushed one or two away from my eyes during the evening.

The occasion was the Southern Illinois University Hall of Fame banquet.

Six Saluki greats, Lori (Simpson) Fincher (volleyball), Jerry Hairston Jr. (baseball), Ron Harrer (track), Mike Kee (track), Dale Kisten (baseball) and Clint Smothers (baseball, football and track) were all inducted into the hall.

All were genuinely moved to be selected. That was obvious by the way they were able to touch the audience with emotional acceptance speeches.

However, perhaps no one was happier with the recognition than Smothers, a Marion native.

"I can really still remember in fifth grade with them winning the national championship, I've always wanted to be here and play sports here," he said. "That was just something I've always wanted to do. I'm just glad my dad can enjoy this.

"It's a big honor, it really is."

Seeing that dream come true on the field was sweet. Being named to the Hall of Fame is a rung or two above sweet.

"In your hometown, it really is," Smothers said. "I was 15 minutes away and like I said growing up, that's all I wanted to do is play football and baseball for the Salukis, going to Itchy's camps for baseball. That was my No. 1 goal to come here and play. I was fortunate the coaches gave me the chance."

Smothers won nine letters at SIU - four in baseball, four in football and one in track. Not everyone was enamored with the idea of Smothers spreading himself around so thin.

Former baseball coach Sam Riggelman wanted Smothers to concentrate on baseball. Former football coach Bob Smith gave Smothers his blessing to play two sports. So, Smothers accepted a football scholarship and made his mark on both programs.

In a remarkable feat that may never be duplicated, Smothers led the football team in tackles and the baseball team in hitting during the 1993 seasons.

On the other hand, Fincher grew up in Iowa, some nine hours away from SIU, and her selection to the hall brought her to tears. She received the call in October.

"I never thought about it," she said. "I came and did what I did. I loved to play volleyball.

"It was very emotional. I was crying when Brad (Taylor) called me. I was at work actually and everybody was like, 'Are you OK?'"

And, of course, Harrer brought the house down with his emotional tribute to his parents and coaches. It's really a shame this banquet isn't as well attended as the postseason football and basketball banquets.

There are usually poignant moments in the sports banquets, but it's just not the same as seeing former Saluki greats express their feelings about the university.

The six inductees took different routes to the Hall of Fame, but at Friday's banquet there was one unanimous sentiment: Once a Saluki, always a Saluki.

LES WINKELER is the sports editor for The Southern Illinoisan. Contact him at les.winkeler@thesouthern.com, or call 351-5088.