A Behind-the-Scenes Look at SU Basketball Games: Marketing & Promotions

This season thousands of fans will gather in the Carrier Dome 21 times to cheer on their beloved Syracuse men’s basketball team. While Gerry McNamara is hitting three-pointers and Terrence Roberts is performing high-flying slam dunks, Carrier Dome and Athletic Department staff work behind-the-scenes to make sure that the game goes on flawlessly. Some of these people sit courtside and are directly involved with the game. Others are tucked away in corners of the Dome and don’t see a minute of the action on the court. Regardless of their role, this group works tirelessly to make sure that every fan’s experience in the “Loud House” is a memorable one.

Marketing & Promotions
by Ericka Mitton

What is one of the most entertaining parts of a Syracuse football or basketball game? Fans enjoy the up-tempo feeling of being in the Carrier Dome to witness the Orange take a last-second shot or score the game-winning touchdown. Other memorable moments in athletic events are the halftime or courtside entertainment during halftime and timeouts. The Athletic Department’s marketing team of assistant athletic director Lael Chealander, assistant director of marketing Ann Ronchetti and marketing coordinator Kevin McNeill are responsible for the action that takes part during these games.

While much of the planning for these activities takes part prior to the start of the season, preparation for game day takes five days for the group. The setup on game day for a basketball contest takes place two hours before tip off.

During the game, Ronchetti is on a headset with the band, cheerleaders, dance team and video board booth to make sure that everyone knows the schedule of activities and everything is timed down to the second. McNeill coordinates the on-court activities, including contests and halftime presentations. Even the music that is played during a game is planned by the marketing team.

The activities fans in the Carrier Dome witness are the result of a joint effort. The marketing staff works closely with ISP Sports to match the marketing and entertainment aspect that is needed to correctly fulfill a sponsorship. The basic idea is to create a triangle where the sponsor, fans and marketing staff all work together. The marketing is than incorporated in the game. One of the sponsorships is with Dunk and Bright Furniture and Lane Recliners. During basketball games a fan has a chance to win a recliner by shooting in the “lane.”

The best part of the job for Ronchetti and McNeill are the wide range of people and the ever-changing events they coordinate. The marketing team has student interns that help setup and put on events during games.

Without the marketing team the atmosphere at the Dome just wouldn’t be the same.

Syracuse University Athletics

A Behind-the-Scenes Look at SU Basketball Games: Marketing & Promotions

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