CARBONDALE, Ill. – Saluki Basketball Hall of Famer Mike “Stinger” Glenn will have his iconic No. 34 jersey retired during the 2025-26 men’s basketball season.
The date for the jersey retirement ceremony is still being finalized. Southern Illinois University will announce the details once confirmed.
“Mike Glenn is the epitome of what it means to be a Saluki,” said SIU Director of Athletics Tim Leonard. “He excelled on the court and in the classroom. His legacy extends far beyond basketball, and we’re thrilled to welcome him back to the Banterra Center for this momentous occasion.”
Glenn’s No. 34 will become the third retired jersey in Saluki men’s basketball history, joining Charlie “Chico” Vaughn (No. 20) and NBA Hall of Famer Walt Frazier (No. 52).
“It will be magical for the rest of my life,” Glenn said. “Something that I’ll always be proud of is that this is what I did at my university that meant so much to me. I’ll always treasure that and remember that forever.”
Glenn scored 1,878 career points, ranking fourth on SIU’s all-time scoring list. He helped lead the 1976-77 team to a Missouri Valley Conference title and a berth in the NCAA Tournament’s Sweet 16. A two-time first-team Academic All-American, Glenn earned a bachelor’s degree in mathematics.
He was selected by the Chicago Bulls in the second round of the 1977 NBA Draft and played for the Buffalo Braves, New York Knicks, Atlanta Hawks and Milwaukee Bucks during a 10-year professional career. After retiring from the NBA, Glenn became a sports broadcaster and author.
In 1980, he founded the first summer basketball camp for deaf and hard-of-hearing athletes. The camp is now in its 45th year.
This summer, SIU’s Morris Library Special Collections hosted Glenn as part of the Freedom to Freedom celebration. He was introduced by historian and author Rosemary Sadlier, former president of the Ontario Black History Society, who helped establish Canada’s Black History Month and Emancipation Day. Drawing from his collection of rare African American books and memorabilia, Glenn shared powerful lessons in history, hope and inspiration.
