#CampCuse: Putting the 'Fun' in Family Fun Fest

SYRACUSE, N.Y. – A good time was had by all on Saturday, as Syracuse Athletics hosted the annual Preferred Mutual 'Cuse Family Fun Fest inside Manley Field House.

The day started with loads of activities for kids. Stations included a caricature artist, balloon animal-maker, and a team selfie station. At the selfie station, fans were invited to pose with Ernie Davis' 1961 Heisman Trophy and to try on an official Syracuse football uniform.

Preferred Mutual Family Fun Fest was a hit with @CuseFootball.

Thanks for coming out, #OrangeNation. Can't wait to see you in the Dome! pic.twitter.com/DbyiDOk8uB
— Syracuse Athletics (@Cuse) August 18, 2018

At approximately 1:30 p.m., the Orange football team entered the arena and the "Fans vs. Football" skills challenge began:

THROWING DARTS
David, a young fan from Syracuse, won the youth division for the right to go head-to-head with redshirt sophomore quarterback Rex Culpepper in the passing accuracy contest. Five targets were set up at various points on the field from five to 20 yards away. Culpepper also started five yards behind David to help even the playing field. The competition went down to the wire, with Culpepper grazing the furthest target on his last throw for the walk-off win.

In adult age group, Jeff from Manlius (N.Y.) defeated redshirt junior Clayton Welch. Jeff hit four of the five targets, while Welch went deep each time, taking aim at the furthest target on all five of his tosses.

BORN TO RUN
In the 40-yard dash, Jeff from Manlius (N.Y.) claimed another title, winning a head-to-head race in the adult division. His victory set the stage for the highly-anticipated 'Sports Media Challenge' where Central New York media members would run to determine the fastest scribe/broadcaster in Syracuse. However, it was Orange softball student-athlete Alicia Hansen who stole the show. A late entry in the competition, Hansen narrowly edged Brent Axe of Syracuse.com and ESPN Radio Syracuse at the wire to win.

KICKIN' IT
In the field-goal contest, a young fan named Ryder emerged victorious in the youth division and advanced to challenge freshman kicker Corey Smigel. Ryder made a 10-yard kick, while Smigel connected from 15 yards away and was 1-for-2 from 30 yards out.

In the adult division, Alex LeMay of Ilion (N.Y.), a former placekicker at Division III Ithaca College, went up against Orange redshirt freshman Andre Szmyt. With the entire team urging them on, both connected from 35 yards away. They moved back to 40 yards and Szmyt easily split the uprights again. LeMay pulled his first 40-yard try wide left. On his second his attempt, LeMay's kick fell just short.

Following the skills competitions, Orange head coach Dino Babers thanked the crowed and fans were invited onto the field for pictures and autographs with Babers and members of this year's team.

Syracuse kicks off the 2018 campaign Friday, Aug. 31 at Western Michigan. The Orange's first home game is Saturday, Sept. 8 versus Wagner.

Season and individual game tickets for Orange football are on sale now online (Cuse.com/tickets), by phone (888-DOME-TIX) and at the Carrier Dome Box Office (Gate B). Season tickets start at $125 for Syracuse's six home games. Single-game tickets start at $20 for Wagner and $25 for the Connecticut game on Sept. 22. For Syracuse's four Atlantic Coast Conference games, tickets are available for as little as $35.

For complete coverage of Syracuse football, follow us on Twitter (@CuseFootball), Instagram (@CuseFootball) and like us on Facebook (Syracuse Football).

Syracuse University Athletics

Players Mentioned

Rex Culpepper

Andre Szmyt

Clayton Welch

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