Tribute to Ernie Davis is Installed
3/10/2009 3:15:13 PM | Football
A permanent memorial to Syracuse football legend Ernie Davis, the first African-American Heisman Trophy winner, was installed this morning on the University Quad. The specially commissioned statue was created by sculptor Bruno Luchessi.
“We appreciate Bruno's hard work in sculpting this beautiful statue and working with us to make the necessary adjustments,” said Director of Athletics Dr. Daryl Gross. “We are so pleased that the statue is now back in place. It will serve as a lasting tribute to a great man who has meant so much to our University and to the sport of football.”
The life-size statue depicts Davis, known as "The Elmira Express," standing in his Syracuse uniform holding a helmet under his left arm and a football in his right hand.
Davis came to Syracuse from nearby Elmira in 1958. He led the Orange to the school's only national championship in 1959 and became the first African-American to win the Heisman Trophy in 1961. Despite being the first player taken in the 1962 NFL draft, Davis never played a single game of professional football. He died of leukemia in 1963, at the age of 23. His story was shared with millions through the Universal Studios film “The Express,” based on the book “Ernie Davis: The Elmira Express” by Robert Gallagher, which opened in theaters in October after a world premiere in Syracuse in September.
Davis was truly an All-American on and off the field and his records, achievements and spirit will forever be a part of Syracuse University.
