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The Syracuse football program's new home, the Football Performance Center at the John A. Lally Athletic Complex, opened in April 2025.
The building, which was fully funded through philanthropic gifts from Legends Society donors to the ’Cuse Athletic Fund, provides a new, state-of-the-art hub for the football program. It includes a new locker room, athletic training room, dining center, position meeting rooms, offices and player lounge, among other amenities.
“Today is a monumental day for the Syracuse football program,” said Director of Athletics John Wildhack. “I am grateful for the support of Chancellor Syverud, Board of Trustees Chair Jeff Scruggs, and Athletics Committee Chair Steve Ballentine for their support.
“The Football Performance Center was made possible through the incredible generosity of our lead donors, John and Laura Lally and all Legends Society donors who contributed this project. It demonstrates Syracuse’s commitment to football success on and off the field of play.
“This facility will also enhance the experience for all Syracuse student-athletes, especially in the areas of nutrition and sports performance.”
The project comes at an exciting time for the ‘Cuse football program. Syracuse finished 10-3 in 2024, under the leadership of first-year head coach Fran Brown, who earned multiple national coaching honors. The Orange finished inside the top-20 of the final Associated Press Poll following a victory in the DIRECTV Holiday Bowl.
“I’m so thankful that our players have this new building, especially our seniors who have poured blood, sweat and tears into this program and now get an opportunity to experience this," Coach Brown said. "I’m incredibly grateful for the constant support of John and Laura Lally, the Legends Society donors, alumni and fans that made this possible.”
In positioning the program for continued success, the Football Performance Center will provide additional resources to student-athletes, including cutting edge improvements to the athletic training room and upgraded nutrition spaces to improve recovery, training and performance.
The expansive new space also includes areas for team bonding, including lounge spaces with video game consoles and arcade games, a movie theater and barber shop. Updated branding that pays homage to the distinguished history of Syracuse football is displayed throughout the facility, highlighting the numerous Hall of Famers, football legends, national honors and bowl victories that the Orange have produced.
It is the most recent commitment to Syracuse’s athletic facilities and second building addition constructed at the John A. Lally Athletics Complex in the last-three years. The complex’s entranceway, which expanded the building and provided additional office and meeting space, opened in 2023.
Additionally, at the JMA Wireless Dome, Miron Victory Court opened this past fall. It expands and redefines the Dome’s footprint and provides a large, enclosed gathering space prior to and during events held at the Dome. The home stadium to five Syracuse teams, the Dome has also seen a new fixed roof, center-hung video board, air conditioning, chairback seating, upgraded lighting and sound systems, renovated locker rooms and JMA’s 5G system added in recent years, plus the addition of the Kuhn Gameday Lounge presented by Hidden Level, a new field-level hospitality space.
Construction of the football performance center began in July, 2023, and was completed this month by Hayner Hoyt, culminating in the football team moving in on March 16.
The move also benefits all of Syracuse’s student-athletes across 20 varsity programs. The football team’s current space that was recently vacated will undergo renovations to create the One Team Lounge, providing a new sports medicine center, student-athlete dining area and team lounge for all programs to utilize.
Philanthropic support continues to be a core component of Syracuse’s ability to recruit, retain and develop championship-caliber student-athletes. Through Champion ’CUSE, a sweeping $50 million fundraising campaign aimed at leveling up success - on and off the playing fields - and across all its 20 NCAA Division I programs, you can make a direct impact on the success of Syracuse’s teams and student-athletes. To learn more or to make your contribution today, please visit cuse.com/championcuse or contact the 'Cuse Athletics Fund at caf@syr.edu or 315-443-1419.
Season Tickets for the 2025 season are on sale now. Visit Cuse.com/Tickets to be part of more exciting times at Syracuse.
