Babers Surprises Mom for 80th Birthday

SYRACUSE, N.Y. – Faith, family and football.

Those are the priorities for Orange head coach Dino Babers. But as Babers noted Monday morning after Syracuse's third practice of fall camp, sometimes the line between No. 2 and No. 3 can become blurred. Coaches, players and staff often spend an extraordinary amount of time away from their families during the football season.

"You're embarrassed about it sometimes, how close that line is between No. 2 and No. 3," Babers said. "And it has to be that way because if you love the game it's going to be like family to you."

So this past weekend when family and football had a conflict, Babers asked his more than 100 stepsons for permission to do something a coach rarely does. Babers asked his players if he could miss the first two practices of preseason camp. The reason: to attend a surprise 80th birthday party for his mother, Patsy Ann, in California.

The team didn't hesitate granting Babers permission to go, and for the first time in 40 years, Babers, who has been playing or coaching college football since 1979, was there in person to wish his mother happy birthday.

"To have an opportunity to spend that day with her was extremely, extremely emotional and exciting at the exact same time, Babers said.

After celebrating with his family Saturday night, Babers did something football coaches do often. He hopped on a plane Sunday morning and flew across the country to be on the field with his team Monday morning.

"My family and my mom understand that this is my job and on that date I'm in camp and I'm doing things," Babers said. "But for the football team to give me an opportunity to go back and celebrate that day with her and my family, I really appreciate it."

Syracuse continues fall camp tomorrow with its second practice in helmets and shoulder pads. Tuesday's practice session will mark the end of the NCAA's mandated four-day acclimation period. The Orange will don full pads for their fifth camp practice on Wednesday.

This year's Orange squad returns 17 starters from last year's team that went 10-3 and defeated West Virginia in the Camping World Bowl. Syracuse is ranked No. 22 in this year's preseason Amway Coaches Poll and kicks off the 2019 campaign at Liberty on Saturday, Aug. 31. The Orange's first home game is Saturday, Sept. 14 versus Clemson.

Season and single-game tickets for Syracuse football are on sale now online (Cuse.com/tickets), by phone (888-DOME-TIX) or in person at the Dome Box Office located in the Ensley Athletic Center. Season tickets start at $125.

Syracuse's single-game ticket allotment for the Clemson game is sold out. The only way to guarantee a seat to watch the Orange and Tigers is through the purchase of a season ticket.

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