January 2020: Month in Review

Sunday, February 2nd

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Dr. George Brozak, Director of Athletic Bands, gives welcoming remarks to the Marching Salukis on Sunday, Aug. 11, 2019, during the opening day of band camp at Altgeld Hall in Carbondale, Ill. Students from nearly every major at the university participate in the ensemble.

January is about new year's resolutions and of course I have the same ones many do – start working out more, eat healthier and try to build myself personally. Besides the cliches, I promised myself I would get back on track blogging some of my photos each month. Albeit, I slacked on it a bit the last few months but I'm holding myself accountable and you'll be able to find pictures I've made an occasional life update on here.
I started the month out by having my photo essay on the Marching Salukis published which I worked on over the span of five months. You can view the full photo essay with a special presentation by clicking here.
The familiar sounds of brass, woodwinds and beating drums fill Saluki Stadium each weekend as the Southern Illinois University football battles on the gridiron — the rhythms and melodies of the Marching Salukis. The 59-year-old ensemble has become known as one of the most innovative and entertaining college marching bands in the nation, according to former director Mike Hanes. Founded in the 1960s by famed percussionist Don Canedy, the group has entertained and pushed the envelope in the world of college marching band — all while being dubbed the "best-dressed band in the land." This project captures vignettes from the ensemble's 2019 season.
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Mike Hanes, retired Director of Bands at Southern Illinois University, pauses while waiting to conduct the Marching Salukis on Thursday, Oct. 17, 2019, during a rehearsal for the homecoming performance at Lot 56 on SIU's campus in Carbondale, Ill.
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Cameron Reed, a senior studying plant biology from Castle Rock, Colo., and Luis Prado, a senior studying geography and environmental resources from Westmont, Ill., practice their kicks while parading on Thursday, Aug. 15, 2019, during the Marching Salukis' annual band camp at the Lew Hertzog Track and Field Facility in Carbondale, Ill.
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Dylan Symons, a sophomore studying aviation management from Aurora, Ill., concentrates while belting out a note on Saturday, Nov. 9, 2019, during a morning game day rehearsal at Saluki Stadium in Carbondale, Ill.
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Members of the SIU Marching Salukis touch the tomb of Southern Illinois' original mascot, "King Tut," on Saturday, Sept. 14, 2019, before a game against the UT-Martin Skyhawks in Carbondale, Ill. Members of the football team and band alike touch the tomb for good luck going into that day's game.
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Darryll Harlan, a junior bass drum player studying pre-medicine from Danville, Ill., weeps as he embraces Michalah Troutt, a junior bass drum player studying music education from West Frankfort, Ill., after the Marching Salukis' last performance of the season on Saturday, Dec. 7, 2019, outside of Altgeld Hall, in Carbondale, Ill.
When I first started attending Southern Illinois University, I noticed a hole-in-the-wall Hispanic bakery nestled near downtown Carbondale and found out they are one of the sole makers of "Rosca de Reyes," a pastry used to celebrate the Feast of the Epiphany in the southern Illinois region. I reached out and put together a short piece and photo package on the craft of making the Rosca - including waking up at 5 a.m. to do so.
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The business sign for "La Unica" Bakery glows against an early morning sky on Sunday, Jan. 5, 2020, in Carbondale, Ill. The bakery recently had it's ninth anniversary and serves a large variety of Mexican and Central American breads, pastries and desserts.
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Oscar Bran, lead baker at "La Unica" Bakery, places small plastic baby figurines in the dough of a "Rosca de Reyes" on Sunday, Jan. 5, 2020, in Carbondale, Ill. The figurines are a reference to the infant Jesus in the story of the Epiphany.
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Domingo Valdez, head cake maker at "La Unica" Bakery, prepares to run dough through a dough roller in preparation of making "Rosca de Reyes" on Sunday, Jan. 5, 2020, at "La Unica" Bakery in Carbondale, Ill.
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Karina Herrera, a baker at "La Unica" Bakery decorates a "Rosca de Reyes" with a sugar frosting while bakery owner Daris Herrera prepares dried fruit to place on the pastry on Sunday, Jan. 5, 2020, at the bakery in Carbondale, Ill.
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Karina Herrera, a baker at "La Unica" Bakery pours sugar on a cream frosting adorning a "Rosca de Reyes" on Sunday, Jan. 5, 2020, at the bakery in Carbondale, Ill.
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Oscar Bran, lead baker at "La Unica" Bakery, pulls out a baked "Rosca de Reyes" from the oven on Sunday, Jan. 5, 2020, at the bakery in Carbondale, Ill. Owners expect to make 200-300 pastries for the holiday celebrated largely in Hispanic communities.
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"Rosca de Reyes" sit to cool after being baked on Sunday, Jan. 5, 2020, at "La Unica" Bakery in downtown Carbondale, Ill. Hundreds of cakes are delivered across Southern Illinois, Kentucky and Indiana leading up to the Feast of the Epiphany on Jan. 6.
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"The Southern Sound" in print. The Southern Illinoisan - 01/05/2020
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"Sweet Traditions" in print. The Southern Illinoisan - 01/05/2020
Later in the month, roughly 400 Illinois National Guard soldiers with the 2nd Battalion, 130th Infantry Regiment, gathered for a deployment ceremony at the Banterra Center in Carbondale, Ill. While these folks know there is always a chance of them being deployed, it finally became a reality in an emotional afternoon as the group ventures off to Afghanistan in support of "Operation Freedom's Sentinel."
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Specialist John Schuette, 27, of Effingham, Ill., hugs his son Jameson, 3, while he gets emotional on Tuesday, Jan. 21, 2020, after a deployment ceremony for the Illinois Army National Guard 2-130th Infantry Regiment at the Banterra Center in Carbondale, Ill. The group will deploy to the Middle-East in support of "Operation Freedom's Sentinel."
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Joseph Ralph, of Vergennes, Ill., hugs Ben Farmer, of Johnston City, Ill., on Tuesday, Jan. 21, 2020, after a deployment ceremony for the Illinois Army National Guard 2-130th Infantry Regiment at the Banterra Center in Carbondale, Ill. "There's an emotional factor about everything but I'm excited to be deploying and going to be part of something bigger than myself," Ralph said. "This is an unmatched feeling — there's nothing else like it."
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Members of the Illinois Army National Guard 2-130th Infantry Regiment stand at attention on Tuesday, Jan. 21, 2020, during a deployment ceremony at the Banterra Center in Carbondale, Ill. The group will deploy to the Middle-East in support of "Operation Freedom's Sentinel."
The Miss America pageant has recently gone through big changes, including ending the swimsuit judging portion of the competition. While changes have been made swiftly on the national stage, changing culture is slow to come in the rural pageant circuit and some worry changes may be damage the organization’s legacy. It was a highlight of my month working with Scout Brobst on her piece which analyzes the effect of this through the lens of the Ms. Southern Illinois contest.
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Emily Lang, an archeology student at Southern Illinois University Edwardsville from Edwardsville, Ill., answers a practice question during a pageant rehearsal on Saturday, Jan. 11, 2020, before the Miss Southern Illinois Pageant at the Marion Cultural and Civic Center in Marion, Ill.
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Bella Rose, 2020 Ms. Heartland Outstanding Teen from Gibson City, belts out a high note while singing on Saturday, Jan. 11, 2020, before the Miss Southern Illinois Pageant at the Marion Cultural and Civic Center in Marion, Ill.
Most of what I do these days revolves around sports and let me tell you, southern Illinois is no joke when it comes to its local sports. I've had the opportunity to follow the SIU Basketball teams through their seasons so far, in what at times seems to include the craziest of outcomes on some tough matches.

A standout game on the men's side was Bryan Mullins, first-year head coach at Southern Illinois, and his Saluki team facing off with Porter Moser, head coach of the Loyola Ramblers, for the first time at Banterra Center since Mullins left his post as an associate head coach at Loyola. Some close calls between both college teams, a sprinkling of the high school basketball circuit and high school wrestling capped out this month.
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Cathy Creed, of Murphysboro, Ill., watches the video board as the Southern Illinois Salukis are introduced on Sunday, Jan. 19, 2020, before a game against the Drake Bulldogs at the Banterra Center in Carbondale, Ill.
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Southern Illinois Salukis center Barret Benson (40) reaches for the ball on Saturday, Jan. 4, 2020, during a the first home conference game of the season against the Illinois State Redbirds at the Banterra Center in Carbondale, Ill.
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Southern Illinois Salukis center Barret Benson (40) pushes to the basket past Drake Bulldogs forward Antonio Pilipovic (11) on Sunday, Jan. 19, 2020, during a game at the Banterra Center in Carbondale, Ill.
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Southern Illinois Salukis center Barret Benson (40) reacts after a basket made on Saturday, Jan. 4, 2020, during a the first home conference game of the season against the Illinois State Redbirds at the Banterra Center in Carbondale, Ill.
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Southern Illinois Salukis forward Marcus Domask (1) reacts after sinking a three-point basket on Wednesday, Jan. 22, 2020, during a conference game against the Northern Iowa Panthers at the Banterra Center in Carbondale, Ill.
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Southern Illinois Salukis guard Ronnie Suggs (3) reacts while talking to a teammate on Sunday, Jan. 19, 2020, before a game against the Drake Bulldogs at the Banterra Center in Carbondale, Ill.
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Southern Illinois Salukis forward Marcus Domask (1) looks to push past Northern Iowa Panthers defense on Wednesday, Jan. 22, 2020, during a conference game at the Banterra Center in Carbondale, Ill.
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Southern Illinois Salukis head coach Bryan Mullins gives directions to his players on Wednesday, Jan. 22, 2020, during a conference game against the Northern Iowa Panthers at the Banterra Center in Carbondale, Ill.
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Southern Illinois Salukis guard Trent Brown (24) gestures towards the scorers table after being hit by the Northern Iowa Panthers on Wednesday, Jan. 22, 2020, during a conference game at the Banterra Center in Carbondale, Ill.
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Southern Illinois Salukis center Barret Benson (40) gestures to the bench after coaching staff instruct the players to not foul on Wednesday, Jan. 22, 2020, during a conference game against the Northern Iowa Panthers at the Banterra Center in Carbondale, Ill.
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Southern Illinois Salukis guard Ronnie Suggs (3) celebrates a three-point basket on Sunday, Jan. 19, 2020, during a game against the Drake Bulldogs at the Banterra Center in Carbondale, Ill.
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Southern Illinois Salukis assistant coach Jevon Mamon reacts as Southern Illinois Salukis guard Eric McGill (4) shoots a free throw on Wednesday, Jan. 22, 2020, during a conference game against the Northern Iowa Panthers at the Banterra Center in Carbondale, Ill.
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Southern Illinois Salukis guard Lance Jones (5) and guard Ronnie Suggs (3) celebrate on Wednesday, Jan. 22, 2020, after defeating the Northern Iowa Panthers at the Banterra Center in Carbondale, Ill.
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Southern Illinois Salukis guard Trent Brown (24) hugs forward Will Keller (21) on Wednesday, Jan. 22, 2020, after defeating the Northern Iowa Panthers at the Banterra Center in Carbondale, Ill.
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Southern Illinois Salukis head coach Bryan Mullins and Loyola Ramblers head coach Porter Moser hug on Wednesday, Jan. 29, 2020, before a matchup between the teams at the Banterra Center in Carbondale, Ill. Mullins previously served as the associate men's basketball coach at Loyola.
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Southern Illinois Salukis guard Trent Brown (24) looks to pass the ball on Wednesday, Jan. 29, 2020, during a matchup against the Loyola Ramblers at the Banterra Center in Carbondale, Ill.
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Southern Illinois Salukis forward Marcus Domask (1) attempts to block a basket by Loyola Ramblers freshman guard Marquise Kennedy (12) on Wednesday, Jan. 29, 2020, during a game at the Banterra Center in Carbondale, Ill.
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Southern Illinois Salukis guard Eric McGill (4) slams a dunk on Wednesday, Jan. 29, 2020, during a matchup against the Loyola Ramblers at the Banterra Center in Carbondale, Ill.
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Southern Illinois Salukis guard Aaron Cook (10) reacts to a Saluki three-point basket on Wednesday, Jan. 29, 2020, during a game against the Loyola Ramblers at the Banterra Center in Carbondale, Ill.
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Loyola Ramblers head coach Porter Moser reacts to a call on Wednesday, Jan. 29, 2020, during a game against the Southern Illinois Salukis at the Banterra Center in Carbondale, Ill.
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Southern Illinois Salukis cheerleader Kaitlyn Lee Hall, of Benton, Ill., hypes up the crowd on Wednesday, Jan. 29, 2020, during a game against the Loyola Ramblers at the Banterra Center in Carbondale, Ill.
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John Wallace, of Simpson, Ill., cheers on the Southern Illinois Salukis as the clock runs down on Wednesday, Jan. 29, 2020, during a game against the Loyola Ramblers at the Banterra Center in Carbondale, Ill.
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Loyola Ramblers junior guard Lucas Williamson (1) flops while Southern Illinois Salukis center Barret Benson (40) pushes the ball over Loyola Ramblers junior center Cameron Krutwig (25) on Wednesday, Jan. 29, 2020, during a game at the Banterra Center in Carbondale, Ill. The call resulted in a foul on Benson.
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Rob Dozier, Southern Illinois Salukis basketball graduate assistant, embraces Southern Illinois Salukis guard Eric McGill (4) on Wednesday, Jan. 29, 2020, after defeating the Loyola Ramblers at the Banterra Center in Carbondale, Ill. Before tonight's game, the Ramblers were in first place in the Missouri Valley Conference.
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Southern Illinois Salukis center Barret Benson (40) is embraced by the Dawg Pound, SIU's student section, on Wednesday, Jan. 29, 2020, after defeating the Loyola Ramblers at the Banterra Center in Carbondale, Ill. Before tonight's game, the Ramblers were in first place in the Missouri Valley Conference.
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Northern Iowa Panthers head coach Tanya Warren screams out after a call on Friday, Jan.10, 2020, during a game against the Southern Illinois Salukis at the Banterra Center in Carbondale, Ill.
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Southern Illinois Salukis guard Brittney Patrick (10) goes airborne after being knocked down by Northern Iowa Panthers guard Karli Rucker (3) on Friday, Jan. 10, 2020, during a game at the Banterra Center in Carbondale, Ill.
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Southern Illinois Salukis forward Abby Brockmeyer (25) looks to push the ball past Illinois State Redbirds forward Lexy Koudelka (5) on Friday, Jan. 31, 2020, during a game at the Banterra Center in Carbondale, Ill.
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Southern Illinois Salukis head coach Cindy Stein calls out to her team on Friday, Jan. 31, 2020, during a game against the Illinois State Redbirds at the Banterra Center in Carbondale, Ill.
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Southern Illinois Salukis forward Abby Brockmeyer (25) lines up a free throw on Friday, Jan. 31, 2020, during a game against the Illinois State Redbirds at the Banterra Center in Carbondale, Ill.
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Zeveyon Furcon, a Southern Illinois senior from Joliet, Ill., reacts to a call on Friday, Jan. 31, 2020, during a game between the Illinois State Redbirds and the Southern Illinois Salukis at the Banterra Center in Carbondale, Ill.
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Illinois State Redbirds guard Juliunn Redmond (23) reacts after having a foul called against her on Friday, Jan. 31, 2020, during a game against the Southern Illinois Salukis at the Banterra Center in Carbondale, Ill.
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Michael Holtgrave, a Saluki Pep Band saxophone player, attempts to distract a member of the Northern Iowa Panthers women's basketball team while she throws a free-throw on Friday, Jan.10, 2020, during a game at the Banterra Center in Carbondale, Ill.
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Sesser-Valier Red Devils senior guard Logan Kirk (22) attempt to pass the ball while under Benton Rangers pressure on Friday, Jan. 24, 2020, during a game at the 47th Annual Benton Invitational Tournament in at Richard Herrin Gymnasium in Benton, Ill.
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Carbondale Terriers sophomore Cordero Ward (33) goes for the rebound on Saturday, Jan. 18, 2020, during the second half a game against the Nashville Hornets at Carbondale Community High School in Carbondale, Ill.
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Benton Rangers sophomore guard Reid Baumgarte (12) lines up a free throw on Wednesday, Jan. 22, 2020, during a game against the Vandalia Vandals at the 47th Annual Benton Invitational Tournament at Rich Herrin Gymnasium in Benton, Ill.
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Benton seniors Josh Leonard plays the tenors while being held upside-down Friday, Jan. 24, 2020, during halftime of a game between the Sesser-Valier Red Devils and the Benton Rangers at the 47th Annual Benton Invitational Tournament in at Richard Herrin Gymnasium in Benton, Ill.
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Mascoutah's Caleb Grau attempts to take down Carbondale's Luke Daly on Saturday, Jan. 11, 2020, during the 170-pound final of the 59th Annual Murdale Wrestling Invite at Carbondale High School in Carbondale, Ill.
I can't wait to show you everything February has brought! I always welcome story ideas and suggestions on events to capture – you can reach me by email at info@brianmmunoz.com! Additionally, I also photograph portraits and events – you can view my commercial work here.