Why We Back Saluki Market—And the Entrepreneurs Behind It
When the SIU Alumni Association approached us about becoming the first Champion Sponsor of the new Saluki Market, our answer was immediate: Absolutely.
Sure—we’ve got a lot on our plate. In addition to running Black Diamond Harley-Davidson, one of the largest Harley dealerships in the Midwest, we’re also developing a slate of ambitious projects within the growing Thrillville District in Marion, just 20 minutes from campus. That includes:
• The Oasis Sports Complex—a cutting-edge, tournament-ready venue designed to host national-caliber youth baseball, softball, and soccer events on modular, convertible fields
• The Oasis Fieldhouse, a multi-sport competitive-social concept designed to bring out the competitor in everyone with exclusive games you can’t play anywhere else, plus unique restaurant & bar experiences fueling the fun.
• The Oasis Outdoors Retail Destination, featuring Oasis Powersports (the 130,000 square foot home to ATVs, motorcycles, and watercraft), and the future Oasis Family Entertainment Center, complete with go-karts, bowling, arcade games, virtual sports, and more
So, why support another project like Saluki Market?
Because the entrepreneurial spirit at the heart of this platform is the same spark that ignited our own journey. Seventeen years ago, Rodney Cabaness and Shad Zimbro took a big leap and launched Black Diamond Harley-Davidson from scratch—building a business that has grown to support hundreds of local jobs and anchored a family of Southern Illinois businesses. We see that same kind of grit and hustle in the alumni vendors on Saluki Market. And we’re proud to help them grow.
We also believe in supporting small business and economic development right here in our region. When one Saluki succeeds, it lifts all of us. That’s why this partnership matters—not just to us, but to the future of Southern Illinois.
And there’s a personal connection, too. Many of our team members — including me — are proud SIU grads and lifelong members of the SIU Alumni Association. We don’t just support Saluki Market. We bleed maroon.
Finally, this platform lets us talk directly to you — our fellow alumni. As Thrillville continues to take shape in SIU’s front yard, we’ll use this space to keep you in the loop on new developments, events, and ways to reconnect with Southern Illinois.
Thanks for supporting Saluki Market—and the dreamers and doers behind it.
About the Black Diamond Family of Businesses
What started with Black Diamond Harley-Davidson in Marion, Illinois has grown into a dynamic group of businesses spanning retail, powersports, entertainment, hospitality, and youth sports. We’re proud to call Southern Illinois home—and to invest in the people, places, and possibilities that make this region thrive.
Written by Herby Voss, Class of ’85 | On behalf of the Black Diamond Family of Businesses