Camtastic Newsletter November 2024

Beyond the Game

By Taylor Lawrence, Graduate Student in Professional Media and Media Management, School of Journalism and Advertising 
 
Gameday brings excitement to Southern Illinois, as local fans come together to cheer on the Salukis, hoping for a win. Yet for the college athletes who are fueling the excitement, it’s about much more than just touchdowns and the glory of gameday; they must balance their sport with their studies, navigating the demands of practices and games alongside their classes and homework. 
To juggle it all, it takes a dedicated person like Vontrell Chairse, a junior defensive end for the Southern Illinois University Carbondale football team. Chairse’s journey to SIU is a testament to his resilience and determination. He graduated from Wendell Phillips Academy in 2021 with a 3.9 GPA. A standout at his school, he went on to play for the University of Toledo, appearing in five games over two seasons. In 2024, he decided to transfer to SIU. He’s now majoring in journalism within the School of Journalism and Advertising, hoping to turn his love and deep knowledge of sports into a career in sports broadcasting.
“I love the game, but I also want to ensure I have a solid career after football, especially while doing something I love to do,” Chairse said. 
Chairse's passion for sports, paired with his desire to communicate and share stories, paints a picture of an athlete who is not just focused on gameday victories but is also building his own future. 
Assistant SIU Head Coach and Defensive Coordinator, Antonio James said that Chairse is successful because of his outstanding work ethic and team spirit.
“Vontrell is not only a talented player but also a leader on the field. He approaches every practice with determination, and he’s never shy about speaking up and asking questions whenever he’s trying to understand the play call.”, James said.“He’s articulate with his language and he understands what is going on. As an individual, I want him to be the best version of himself and he’s truly displaying the standard of what it means to be a student-athlete at SIU”.  
Benjy Jeffords, the journalism instructor leading SIU’s Saluki Sports View class, said Chairse also works hard academically and is integral to the hands-on student-led sports talk show that is a hallmark of the program. "It's wonderful to have Vontrell as a student in class," Jeffords said. 
"He’s always willing to step up and volunteer for any position that needs to be filled when we’re rehearsing in the studio. It's also beneficial for the class to have someone on the football team who has knowledge of how things work behind the scenes while producing Saluki Sports View." 
A key member of the SIU community, Chairse is definitely someone to watch and support throughout the season and beyond as he strives to leave his mark on the field and in the dynamic world of sports journalism.