Photo by: Michael J. Okoniewski
Cunningham's Love Of Orange Started with '09 Team
3/6/2019 1:10:00 PM | Men's Lacrosse
Redshirt-senior captain Marcus Cunningham has been a steady leader on the defensive unit for the Syracuse men's lacrosse team over the past three seasons.Â
His lacrosse career living out a dream he first realized when his family took him to the 2009 NCAA Championship game, in what was his first Championship Weekend trip. On Saturday, the team that cemented his dream of playing lacrosse at Syracuse will be honored at halftime for the 10-year anniversary of their NCAA Championship, while Cunningham looks to lead the Orange to a win against longtime rival Johns Hopkins.
Cunningham's ascendance to one of the Orange's defensive leaders begins in a Glen Ridge, New Jersey, where he started playing lacrosse at a young age. In 2009, he went to his first final four, an event he'd have to leave the championship game early for due to a family engagement.
With Syracuse trailing Cornell 6-4 at the half, the Cunninghams left Gillette Stadium, with a few of his friends still in attendance. Through texts, Cunningham learned of the improbable late-game comeback that allowed Syracuse to win its 11th NCAA title in dramatic fashion. From that point forward, he wanted to be Orange.
"I remember getting texts from my friends saying 'wow, you'll never believe what just happened,' and watching the replay," Cunningham said. "I've been a big Syracuse fan ever since then. That was the moment that probably sealed it for me, watching that team. They had the most national championships and the most swagger."
Through nearly five years, Cunningham has nothing but positive thoughts about his time at Syracuse, cementing his love for the Orange which began a decade ago in a car ride home from Championship Weekend.
"It's been unbelievable," Cunningham said of his experience at Syracuse thus far. "Coming from a small town where I'm from and getting to play on the big stage is unbelievable. Relationships I've made with guys like Tyson and Mellen and I can go down the list. You don't really understand until you've been game-tested and battled with them through and through. I can't say enough good things about Syracuse and how good it's been to me."
Still, there's work left to do. Cunningham hopes to lead the Orange back to the place that made him first fall in love with Syracuse lacrosse.
"It would be everything," Cunningham said of leading 'Cuse back to Championship Weekend. "There's an unfortunate streak here recently where seniors haven't gotten to a Final Four. From a fan's perspective of having been there and been in that environment I'd love to be on the other side of it and set an example for young people – especially for my hometown where we have a lot of lacrosse fans."
Syracuse hosts Johns Hopkins on Saturday at 1 p.m. Tickets cost $15 for adults and $10 for youth and can be purchased online at Cuse.com/Tickets, by phone at 888-DOME-TIX or in person at the Carrier Dome Box Office.
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His lacrosse career living out a dream he first realized when his family took him to the 2009 NCAA Championship game, in what was his first Championship Weekend trip. On Saturday, the team that cemented his dream of playing lacrosse at Syracuse will be honored at halftime for the 10-year anniversary of their NCAA Championship, while Cunningham looks to lead the Orange to a win against longtime rival Johns Hopkins.
Cunningham's ascendance to one of the Orange's defensive leaders begins in a Glen Ridge, New Jersey, where he started playing lacrosse at a young age. In 2009, he went to his first final four, an event he'd have to leave the championship game early for due to a family engagement.
With Syracuse trailing Cornell 6-4 at the half, the Cunninghams left Gillette Stadium, with a few of his friends still in attendance. Through texts, Cunningham learned of the improbable late-game comeback that allowed Syracuse to win its 11th NCAA title in dramatic fashion. From that point forward, he wanted to be Orange.
"I remember getting texts from my friends saying 'wow, you'll never believe what just happened,' and watching the replay," Cunningham said. "I've been a big Syracuse fan ever since then. That was the moment that probably sealed it for me, watching that team. They had the most national championships and the most swagger."
Through nearly five years, Cunningham has nothing but positive thoughts about his time at Syracuse, cementing his love for the Orange which began a decade ago in a car ride home from Championship Weekend.
"It's been unbelievable," Cunningham said of his experience at Syracuse thus far. "Coming from a small town where I'm from and getting to play on the big stage is unbelievable. Relationships I've made with guys like Tyson and Mellen and I can go down the list. You don't really understand until you've been game-tested and battled with them through and through. I can't say enough good things about Syracuse and how good it's been to me."
Still, there's work left to do. Cunningham hopes to lead the Orange back to the place that made him first fall in love with Syracuse lacrosse.
"It would be everything," Cunningham said of leading 'Cuse back to Championship Weekend. "There's an unfortunate streak here recently where seniors haven't gotten to a Final Four. From a fan's perspective of having been there and been in that environment I'd love to be on the other side of it and set an example for young people – especially for my hometown where we have a lot of lacrosse fans."
Syracuse hosts Johns Hopkins on Saturday at 1 p.m. Tickets cost $15 for adults and $10 for youth and can be purchased online at Cuse.com/Tickets, by phone at 888-DOME-TIX or in person at the Carrier Dome Box Office.
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