Head coach Doug Marrone chats with the media about Syracuse's arrival at the Pinstripe Bowl as fans greet the team.
Photo by: Charles Wainwright
Orange Arrives In the Big Apple
12/26/2010 6:16:53 PM | Football
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NEW YORK - While many folks today were exchanging holiday gifts and taking advantage of after-Christmas sales, the Syracuse football team travelled to New York City for the inaugural New Era Pinstripe Bowl. The Orange (7-5) will face Big 12 foe Kansas State (7-5) on Thursday, Dec. 30 (ESPN, 3:20 p.m.) at Yankee Stadium in the Bronx.
The Orange's official travel party, consisting of coaches, staff and approximately 20 student-athletes left Syracuse by train around 10:00 a.m. and arrived at Penn Station just after 3:00 p.m. For head coach Doug Marrone, a Bronx native, taking the train to New York City was something new.
“It was an unbelievable experience,” Marrone said. “You know, I've never taken the train down (to New York City) actually. Following the Hudson River, it was incredible and it was really the beginning of what's going to be a great experience for all of us.”
Tickets for the New Era Pinstripe Bowl are available online. A variety of attractive fan packages are available. Packages include various combinations of tickets, travel options, hotel accommodations and access to pre-game activities. To purchase any tickets in sections with Syracuse fans and book travel packages, click here or call 866-832-6746.
After reaching Penn Station, the group boarded buses bound for the Grand Hyatt in mid-town Manhattan. Approximately 150 cheering Syracuse fans greeted the team at the hotel. In addition, the lobby was decorated for the group's arrival. Players and coaches were offered appetizers and shown to the team's hospitality room upon check-in.
“They've been great all along,” Marrone said of the New Era Pinstripe Bowl organizers. “Since we accepted the invitation they've really gone above and beyond the call of duty. Hats off to the Pinstripe Bowl and everyone involved for really making us feel at home.”
Over the next three days, Syracuse and Kansas State will take part in a variety of events leading up to Thursday's game. Orange players and coaches were scheduled to participate in a youth clinic at the Kips Bay Boys & Girls Club in the Bronx prior to practice at the Timex Performance Center, but the youth clinic was postponed due to a snow storm in New York City. On Monday evening, both teams will attend a Pinstripe Bowl Welcome Reception in the Legends Suite Club at Yankee Stadium.
All Orange football fans are invited to the 'Bowl Before the Bowl' celebration, Syracuse's official pre-bowl party in New York City. A limited number of tickets are available for the event to be held at Bowlmor Lanes in Times Square on Wednesday, Dec. 29 from 6 to 10 pm. Tickets, which cost $42 per person, include admission, free bowling, appetizers and one drink ticket, and are available through the Syracuse University Lubin House (212-710-5583 or via email sulubin@syr.edu). All fans 21-and older are invited to the event.
For more details, visit SU Athletics Bowl Central.
Follow the Orange football happenings in New York City all week at SUathletics.com. Check back regularly for updates, exclusive photo galleries, and interviews leading up to Thursday's bowl game.
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