#44 Jersey Retirement Highlights 2005 Syracuse Football Gameday Events
4/20/2005 11:03:55 AM | Football
The legendary #44 Syracuse University football jersey will be retired in a special ceremony at halftime of the Orange football game against South Florida on November 12, SU Director of Athletics Dr. Daryl Gross announced today. Every home game during the 2005 season will have a special theme day.
“Our theme this year is respect the past and represent the future," Gross said. "We are tying the old with the new, tying the greats of the past with the Greg Robinson era. It's a perfect year for it. If there was ever a number that needed to be retired it is 44. If you can't take 44 off the table, then you're just never going to retire a jersey."
The retirement of the #44 is in honor of SU’s Heisman Trophy winner, Ernie Davis, Jim Brown and Floyd Little.
“I think it probably should be (retired),” said former #44 and SU great Jim Brown. “I think it’s very difficult to try to pick an individual prematurely that’s going to be able to fulfill the shoes of 44.”
"Show me another football team -- college or professional -- that has a number with such tradition and history as the #44 at Syracuse University," said SU head coach Greg Robinson. "I am just honored that I have the good fortune to be part of this. It is very special and will be meaningful to a lot of people."
SU’s 2005 season-opener on September 4 against West Virginia will be “Opening Day” as the Orange host West Virginia on September 4. It will be the first opportunity to see the new attacking defense and wide open offense Robinson has installed in his first year as SU's head coach. 
On September 10 when the Orange host Buffalo, the University will hold a remembrance and tribute to the heroes of 9/11 with “Military and Emergency Services Day”. The day will also be “Youth Day.”
On September 17 there will be a celebration of the “25th Anniversary of the Dome” when the Orange host Virginia.
The first annual “Legends Day” will occur on Oct. 15 against Rutgers as former SU gridiron greats return to Syracuse.
The Oct. 29 Parents Weekend game with Cincinnati will be “Fan Appreciation Day.”
The annual Syracuse University Spring Football game will kick off at 1:00 p.m. on Saturday, April 23 in the Carrier Dome. There is no admission charge. Fans attending the game will have the opportunity to purchase their 2005 season tickets through the “Select Your Seats Day” program, which begins at 11:00 a.m. At the conclusion of the game, all fans are invited to meet Robinson and their favorite student-athletes and coaches and get their autographs.
“Select Your Seats Day” begins at 11:00 a.m. and the Box Office will remain open throughout the Spring game. Groups of the best available seats throughout the Dome will be identified to enable fans to sit in various areas and choose their location to watch all of the 2005 games. Box Office and Athletics Department staff will be available to answer questions and assist customers. All lower level gates at the Carrier Dome will be open at 11:00 a.m.
Season tickets are $168 in all non-preferred seating locations and $135 for third level end zone area seats. Youth season tickets, for ages 18 and younger, cost $80 and are located in the end zones.
Everyone who purchases a season ticket on or by Saturday April 23, will be eligible to win several prizes at the Spring Game, including: two tickets to the Syracuse vs. Notre Dame game at South Bend, Indiana on November 19; two sideline passes to West Virginia and autographed footballs from Coach Robinson and the SU seniors.
Season tickets are currently on sale and can be purchased by calling the Carrier Dome Box Office at 443-2121 or 1-888-366-3849 between 8:30 a.m. and 4:30 p.m. Monday through Friday. Single game tickets will go on sale August 3.
