Syracuse Offers 'Home Stretch Package' to Watch the Orange in the Dome Against Top 25 Teams

The 2007 football Orange have five home games remaining on the schedule, including #13/12 West Virginia, #21/21 Rutgers, Buffalo, #6/9 South Florida and #20/24 Cincinnati. The 'Home Stretch Package' offers Orange fans a chance to catch all the action. The packages begin at $70. Tickets are available online (click here) and at the Carrier Dome Box Office (888-DOMETIX). Fans are invited to use the 'Print at Home' ticket feature on the internet to avoid waiting in lines on gameday.

When the Orange host West Virginia on Saturday, October 6 (12:00 p.m., ESPN Regional), the 1987 undefeated Syracuse squad will be on hand to celebrate its magical season 20 years later. Team tri-captains Don McPherson and Paul Frase and the rest of the team will be honored at haltime. Prior to the game, fans are invited to enjoy the activities on the SU Quad, including the team's Quad Walk at 9:50 a.m. and a pre-game concert by the legendary rock band Orleans. From “Still the One” to “”Dance with Me” to the recent “Dancing in the Moonlight,” Orleans is marking their 35th year of making their original brand of music with this pre-game concert that also celebrates its first free concert on the University Quad – a performance for Syracuse's incoming freshmen in 1972. Orleans will also perform the National Anthem in the Carrier Dome prior to kickoff.

Syracuse plays its second of three straight home games against #21/21 Rutgers on October 13 (12:00 p.m., ESPN Regional) on the University's Homecoming Weekend. Country music legend Larry Gatlin will perform prior to the game on the Quad and at halftime in the Carrier Dome. He will also sing the National Anthem prior to the game. The 43rd LetterWinner of Distinction class, which includes Brent Clark '50 (swimming), Bob Dixon '38 (tennis), Richard King '65 (football), Roger Praetorius '73 (football), Thomas C. Schlendorf '67 (wrestling), James R. Shreve '51 (basketball/football), will be honored at the 'Night of Distinction' on Friday, Oct. 12 at the OnCenter and during of the game on Saturday. Tickets for the 'Night of Distinction' event are available at The Events Company ( 315-422-9400 or SUathletics@theeventscompany.com). A reception begins at 6:00 p.m. followed by dinner at 7:00 p.m. In addition, the 1964 Orange Gator Bowl team and the 1967 Syracuse Sugar Bowl team will be recognized at the Night of Distinction, and the men's rowing program will honor the 1964 and 1967 during its' reunion weekend celebration.

On October 20, Syracuse will celebrate Fan Appreciation Day when the Orange host Buffalo. Throughout the game fans will have a chance to win prizes, including a PS3, an Xbox 360, a PSP, a 26-inch flat screen television, a grill, a Berkline Couch, a Berkline Recliner, a desktop or laptop computer, a portable dvd player, and much more.

Syracuse will honor All-American fullback Larry Csonka with a jersey retirement on November 10, at halftime of the game against #6/9 South Florida. Csonka is enshrined in both the Professional Football Hall of Fame and the College Football Hall of Fame. He is still considered to be the prototype for all NFL fullbacks. He led the Miami Dolphins to an undefeated season and the Super Bowl title in 1972.

The Syracuse Eight Courage Award will be presented to Syracuse's NCAA Gymnastics Champion Sidney Ogelsby during Syrsacuse's game against #20/24 Cincinnati on November 24. The first African-American to win an NCAA title, Ogelsby was a three-time ECAC Champion and participated in an AAU sponsored gymnastics tour or Africa. He was one of 18 African-American student-athletes attending Syracuse at the time. Ogelsby continues to be an active member of the Syracuse community, as an elected official on the Syracuse Common Council and the Onondaga County Legislature, and on numerous community organization boards. In 1998 he became the first African-American to serve as Democratic floor leader for the County Legislature. He currently serves as Commissioner of Jurors for Onondaga County and is vice president of the New York State Commission of Jurors Board.

The Syracuse Eight Courage Award, established in 2006, is presented annually student-athlete who has overcome a socially, economically or otherwise disadvantaged background or serious injury and, in the opinion of his or her coaches and teammates, has demonstrated uncommon bravery or highly principled behavior in the face of adversity. Moreover it will be awarded to that athlete, regardless of race, color or gender, whose actions, like the actions of the men in whose honor this award is being made, both reflect these values and a commitment to sportsmanship and academic achievement.

In October, 2006, the University honored the Syracuse 8, who is a group of African-American student-athletes who had the courage to stand up for their convictions. To honor these brave men and the important contributions they made in the university quest to achieve diversity and understanding, the athletic department has created the award of courage.

Syracuse University Athletics

Syracuse Offers 'Home Stretch Package' to Watch the Orange in the Dome Against Top 25 Teams

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