#CampCuse: Orange Host 'Fort Drum Football Youth Day'

SYRACUSE, N.Y. – For the second year in a row, the Orange welcomed youngsters to the Ensley Athletic Center Sunday for "Fort Drum Youth Football Day," an engagement initiative featuring a skills clinic, presentations, and an autograph session with 'Cuse players. The participants were youth football players whose family members serve in the U.S. Army's 10th Mountain Division stationed at Fort Drum.

The children and their families arrived just prior to the end of Sunday morning's practice and watched the final team period from the sidelines before joining in the fun. They also presented the Orange with a signed Fort Drum Mountaineers helmet, which was accepted on behalf of the team by senior quarterback Eric Dungey and redshirt senior defensive tackle Chris Slayton.

During the clinic, the campers rotated through six stations, including a blocking station with the offensive lineman, a ball-security station with the running backs, and a tackling station with the linebackers.

Following the skill instruction, the campers and their families heard from Orange senior wide receiver Ben Brickman, who served four years in the Marines before enrolling at Syracuse.

Brickman enlisted right out of high school and completed two tours in Afghanistan before going back to school to get a degree in business. He spent two seasons at Hudson Valley Community College before transferring to Syracuse and joining the football program in March 2017. He emphasized the importance of perseverance both on and off the field.

"Do what you want to do and follow your heart," Brickman told the campers.

Sunday's event aligns with and supports Chancellor Kent Syverud's commitment to make Syracuse University the best place in America for veterans. That effort has included a series of strategic initiatives, including the creation of the Office of Veteran and Military Affairs (OVMA) and the Institute for Veterans and Military Families (IVMF). It's also one piece of the overall Syracuse Athletics Military Appreciation Program, presented by SEFCU, which includes a variety of military-themed recognitions across all SU sports throughout the academic year.

One of those engagement initiatives is the "Cuse for the Troops" ticket program. For $20, fans can sponsor a ticket to the Syracuse-Connecticut football game on Sept. 22 and send a member of our armed forces to the game for free. To sponsor a ticket, click here or call the Carrier Dome Box Office at 888-DOME-TIX.

Syracuse Athletics also offers the "Military Pass," which grants active-duty military personnel and veterans two (2) complimentary tickets to a home football game each month of the 2018 season. Complimentary tickets are available for SU's Oct. 20 game against North Carolina during Orange Central Weekend and the Nov. 9 game against Louisville. Veterans and active-duty military may receive up to four (4) free tickets to the Connecticut game on Military Appreciation Day, presented by SEFCU.

Complimentary tickets are available on a first-come, first-served basis and must be requested at least five (5) days prior to the game. Military personnel should register here with their Troop ID to reserve tickets.

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Syracuse University Athletics

#CampCuse: Orange Host 'Fort Drum Football Youth Day'

Players Mentioned

Ben Brickman

Eric Dungey

Chris Slayton

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