2021 SIU Alumni Association Distinguished Alumni Awards: Saluki Spirit
Patrick Hart ’88 — College of Mass Communication and Media Arts
Hailing from tiny Mill Shoals, Illinois, about 85 miles northeast of Carbondale, Patrick is serves as a Medicare Benefits Specialist with Crosspointe Insurance Advisors in Evansville, Indiana. Prior to entering the insurance business in 2016, Patrick had a long career with AT&T in Evansville and Hoffman Estates, Illinois. While living in the Chicagoland area, Patrick joined a group of fellow SIU alums who gathered for Saluki watch parties at the Cubby Bear North in Lincolnshire and made lifelong friendships with several dozen rabid Saluki fans.
“I even stood on a table once and not so nicely told the entire restaurant to get up and root for the Salukis” who were playing Kansas in the 2007 Sweet 16 on TV. To his surprise, more than half the restaurant obliged!
Patrick attends as many Saluki football and basketball games as possible, both in Carbondale and away and is well known as a boisterous supporter who dons the Maroon and White; there’s no mistaking his loyalty. His favorite “road” games were a narrow loss to Marshall in Huntington, West Virginia, when the football Salukis came close to pulling off a win in 2009 and the biggest football upset of all time: A Saluki football victory over the Indiana Hoosiers in 2006. Patrick enjoys socializing with friends at the Arch Madness tournament each year and tailgating with fellow Salukis outside of Saluki Stadium in beautiful fall weather.
Patrick in single and enjoys watching his nieces and nephew in their athletic endeavors and serves on his church’s tech team in Evansville.
The SIU Alumni Association Distinguished Alumni Awards have been recognizing notable SIU Carbondale alumni for over 20 years. Former recipients include leaders in the business industry, famous actors, and world-class athletes. For more information about the program please visit: SIUAlumni.com
