Marrone Welcomed to the BIG EAST
8/4/2009 5:20:56 PM | Football
2009 Schedule
Orange head coach Doug Marrone, along with seniors Arthur Jones and Mike Owen, kicked off the 2009 season at BIG EAST Media Day in Newport, R.I. on Tuesday. The first-year Orange mentor is the lone new coach in the league for 2009. The Syracuse trio addressed questions from more than 125 members of the national and local media about the season, the program, and expectations for the season.
"My job is to win football games," Marrone said. "People have said, 'Coach you have 'x' amount of years to win.' I don't look at it that way. The time is now. I have to take advantage of this opportunity now. We are going to out every week and do our best job to win. We are going to put the best players out on the field and play football."
In returning to his alma mater as head coach, Marrone has repeatedly discussed his responsibility to the University, the community and the program. The media in Newport were no exception, inquiring about advice he has received since taking the job in December.
"What stands out in my mind is just how tremendous the bond is between teammates, letterwinners, faculty, the community," Marrone said. "It has been a great experience from that standpoint. The message is, 'We are behind you. Let's go get ''em.' It has been encouraging and it has been great to re-connect with everyone here."
The Orange report for preseason camp on Sunday, August 9 and begin practice on Monday, August 10. The 2009 campaign begins on Saturday, September 5 when SU hosts Minnesota (12:00 p.m., ESPN2) in the Carrier Dome for Patriotic and Military Day. Tickets are available online and at the Carrier Dome Box Office. Individual game tickets and family packs go on sale on Wednesday, August 5th at 10:00 a.m.
Adult Individual game tickets for all eight home games are $38 each. Youth tickets (ages 12 & under) for seven home games are $18 each. For the game against Maine on September 26, Youth & Senior Citizen day, all youth and Senior Citizens (ages 60 & over) tickets will be $15 each.
Family Packs are available for all home games when purchased in advance, with the exception of games against Maine and Akron. A $99 Family Pack, which is a $28 savings, includes two adult tickets, two youth tickets (12 and under), $5 concession coupon and a $10 parking pass.
The Minnesota Two-Game Pack offers fans the opportunity to purchase a ticket to Syracuse's home-opener, which is new head coach Doug Marrone's Dome debut, and any other home game of their choice ($66 adult/$26 youth). Fans are invited to save up to 40% on the ticket price by purchasing tickets in groups of 35 or more and 100 or more. For questions about Group Sales, please call (315-443-3212).
After a trip to Penn State to play the Nittany Lions on September 12, Syracuse returns home to host Northwestern (9/19) for Legends Day. Join the University in honoring former head coach Dick MacPherson for his National Football Foundation College Football Hall of Fame induction. On September 26, the Orange will host Maine for Youth and Senior Citizen Day followed by the University's Homecoming Weekend on October 3 when South Florida comes to the Dome. A visit from West Virginia on October 10 will be Courage Day and the University will host Family Weekend when Syracuse faces Akron on October 24. All Orange fans will be recognized as part of Fan Appreciation Day when Syracuse hosts Cincinnati on October 31. Syracuse's final home game on November 21 against Rutgers will be Celebrate New York Day.
For further questions and details call the Carrier Dome Box Office during business hours of 8:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. at 1-888-DOMETIX.
