Dawn of a New Era: Orange Joins ACC
7/1/2013 12:00:00 AM | General
SYRACUSE, N.Y. - A new era in Syracuse Athletics begins today, as the Orange is now officially a member of the Atlantic Coast Conference.
Today's move to the ACC represents the next step in Syracuse University's commitment to providing the best championship-level experience for its student-athletes and fans. This new chapter in Orange Athletics is sure to provide excitement and challenges for the 18 programs that will compete in the ACC, while ensuring the competitive and financial futures of all 20 athletic programs at the university.
"We have a great history in the BIG EAST that we will always recognize and cherish," Director of Athletics Daryl Gross said. "This is an amazing opportunity coming to the ACC with extraordinary competition, great academics, and tremendous resources that should be able to enhance our programs as well. We are really excited about this. This is a very historical moment for Syracuse Athletics. We are going to have the opportunity to go after some major goals we have set for ourselves and with our wonderful coaching staff, this just bodes well for the future of Syracuse Athletics."
The move comes at a fitting time for Syracuse as it recently concluded the most successful year in school, finishing in the top 40 of the NACDA Directors' Cup for the first time. The Orange athletic programs across the board have elevated their level of play, including four teams that advanced to the NCAA Final Four in their respective sports: men's basketball, field hockey and men's and women's lacrosse. Football recorded its second bowl victory in the last three years at the New Era Pinstripe Bowl, while men's soccer, men's cross country and women's basketball all advanced to the NCAA Tournament.
"We could not be more proud of our outstanding coaches and student-athletes for our historic performance in the Directors' Cup," Gross said. "We are filled with the utmost confidence as our teams competed at the highest national level during the year and now enter this new era of SU Athletics in the ACC. It has been an amazing climb to get to this point and the challenge now is to continue the momentum and reach even higher."
Syracuse's first ACC contest is Sept. 6 when the men's soccer team plays Virginia Tech in Blacksburg. The Orange's first home ACC event is the men's soccer team's Sept. 13 match versus Notre Dame. The football team opens its ACC schedule at home on Oct. 5 against Clemson, and this year's home ACC men's basketball slate features visits by perennial powers Duke and North Carolina.
To celebrate the addition of Syracuse to the conference, along with Pittsburgh and Notre Dame, the ACC and Commissioner John Swofford are hosting events in New York City today. Swofford, as well as representatives from the conference, including Orange head men's basketball coach Jim Boeheim, will appear at NASDAQ for a 2 p.m. press conference emceed by Brad Nessler. Afterwards the participants will ring the stock market's closing bell at 3:45 p.m. Other special guests scheduled to attend are: Frank Beamer, Virginia Tech head football coach; Jimbo Fisher, Florida State head football coach, Larry Fitzgerald, former Pittsburgh All-American and Pro Bowl wide receiver; Mike Brey, Notre Dame head men's basketball coach; and Roy Williams, North Carolina head men's basketball coach.
The press conference and closing bell ceremony will be carried live by The ACC Digital Network on theACC.com and ESPN3.
In honor of the Orange's first day in the ACC, Syracuse is offering a special "1st Team All-ACC Ticket Package". The $44 package features one ticket to the ACC home opener for all sports and is only available on July 1. Click here to order.
SU's spirit squad and Otto will also be making appearances throughout the city to celebrate New York's College Team's big day.
If you can't make it to NYC for the festivities, be sure to participate via social media:
Twitter: @Cuse and use #CuseACC
Facebook: /SyracuseOrange
Instagram: /SyracuseAthletics
Also, visit SUathletics.com for a wrap-up of the day's events as well as exclusive video content.
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