Join Syracuse Athletics in Celebrating Black History Month
As we celebrate Black History Month, we reflect on the history, contributions, culture, and accomplishments of Black Americans who have enriched communities, organizations and entire industries. We also recognize the sacrifices of those who have committed themselves to social justice and equity. This month reminds us that we must be steadfast and vigilant in our commitment to human rights, equality and justice.
Visit Cuse.com as we highlight the accomplishments and contributions of Syracuse’s Black community throughout the month.
'Cuse Student Athletes Dedicated to Making a Difference
Syracuse student-athletes are focused to achieve a win for the athletics department, Syracuse University and the greater Syracuse community. They are working to support and engage people from all backgrounds and experiences to foster a culture of mutual respect , enhance the student-athlete experience, and forge a bond with the community they call home during their Orange careers. The Syracuse University Diversity and Inclusion Student-Athlete Board (DISAB) is developing communication between student-athletes, their teammates, the athletics administration, and Syracuse University as a whole to help the greater Syracuse community, enhance the student-athlete experience and foster a culture of mutual respect.
MLK Celebration
Syracuse University hosted the 40th Annual Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Celebration, the largest event of its kind on any college campus in the country. Orange student-athletes joined the rest of the community in coming together to remember, celebrate and learn at this impactful event.
Rayla Clemons ACC Unite Feature
Syracuse women's ice hockey junior forward Rayla Clemons shares her experience as one of the Orange representatives on the ACC Unite trip to Montgomery and Selma, Alabama.
Orange Profile | Veronica Tearney
As part of Black History Month, we take a look at the stories and experiences of Orange student-athletes and staff. In this edition, director of strength and conditioning Veronica Tearney shares her journey from coming to Syracuse as a student-athlete to now being someone who mentors and trains Orange student-athletes on a daily basis.
Orange Profile | Herman Frazier
As part of Black History Month, we take a look at the stories and experiences of Orange student-athletes and staff. In this edition, Deputy Director of Athletics Herman Frazier shares what took him from inner city Philadelphia, to law school, the Olympic Games, and a long career in college athletics administration.
Bing Inducted into the Ring of Honor
Syracuse University Athletics added Naismith Memorial Basketball Hall of Fame member Dave Bing '66 to its Ring of Honor at the JMA Wireless Dome on Saturday, Jan. 27, 2024, when the Orange hosted NC State.
Bing enrolled at Syracuse University in 1962 and became part of a basketball resurgence. In 1963-64, his first campaign with the varsity, Bing helped the Orange to a 17-8 record and a berth in the National Invitational Tournament (NIT).
As a senior, Bing led Syracuse to its first NCAA Tournament appearance since 1956-57. He keyed a lineup that combined to average a school-record 99.0 points per game. Bing averaged 28.4 points an outing. Bing earned consensus All-America honors.
He was the second overall pick in the 1966 draft by the Detroit Pistons and the 1967 NBA Rookie of the Year. He played 12 seasons and was an eight-time NBA All-Star. Bing was inducted into the Naismith Memorial Basketball Hall of Fame in 1990.
Legette-Jack Returns Home to Lead Orange
Syracuse University "started a new era in the history of its women's basketball program" with the introduction of former Orange All-American Felisha Legette-Jack '89 as head coach, on March 28, 2022. With the basketball banner-adorned walls of the Carmelo K. Anthony Basketball Center as a fitting backdrop, Legette-Jack capsulized the moment in three words delivered with unbridled enthusiasm:
"I AM HOME!"
Legette-Jack returned to her alma mater – an institution where she excelled as a student-athlete and later an assistant coach – to take charge of the Orange basketball program.
Sidney Oglesby
Sidney Oglesby was a two-time All-American, NCAA champion (vault), three-time ECAC champion and three-time letter winner. He was the first African-American gymnast to earn All-America honors and to be an NCAA champion, which he accomplished in 1964. Ogelsby, along with 17 other African-American student-athletes at SU, as a group, publicly supported a University Senate proposal, backed by the Faculty Senate and Equality Committee, to ban further interscholastic competition with segregated schools in 1964. The proposal was subsequently adopted by the University and put into effect for the 1970 school year.
The Syracuse 8
When the Syracuse University football team took the field to play the Orange's home opening game on September 26, 1970, they did so with eight talented players noticeably absent from the team. These eight African American men were not on the field because they chose to boycott the Syracuse University football program until their request for changes was met. The nine players, who were known as the Syracuse 8, made their stand at a significant personal cost. The sacrifice made by Greg Allen, Richard Bulls, John Godbolt, Dana Harrell, John Lobon, Clarence "Bucky" McGill, A. Alif Muhammad, Duane Walker, and Ron Womack ultimately brought about many much needed changes to Syracuse University.
Syracuse 8 Celebrated in the JMA Dome
The story of the Syracuse 8 is officially on display for every Orange fan to see in the concourse of the JMA Wireless Dome. On Sept. 3, 2022, the University and the Department of Athletics unveiled a visual presentation of the Syracuse 8 to recognize the courageous stand the members of the group displayed.
Orange Celebrate the Life of Floyd Little
Syracuse University, the athletics department and the Orange football program lost a legend and a friend on Jan. 1, 2021 with the passing of Floyd Little.
A three-time All-American for the Orange from 1964-66, Little famously followed Jim Brown and 1961 Heisman Trophy winner Ernie Davis in Syracuse's trinity of legendary running backs who wore the No. 44. Little attended Syracuse University to keep a promise he made to Davis before Davis' untimely passing in 1963. The pair were with Syracuse's Hall of Fame coach Ben Schwartzwalder at dinner during a visit to New Haven. Little told Davis he would sign with Syracuse, but he didn't make if official until the day he learned of Davis' death a few months later.
Orange Legend: Wilmeth Sidat-Singh
Wilmeth Sidat-Singh was the first star Black student-athlete at Syracuse University. He came to SU in 1935 and was a dominant player in both basketball and football, playing guard for basketball and quarterback in football. He was subject to the discrimination and indignities that plagued many Black athletes of the era. In 1943, Sidat-Singh joined the U.S. Army Air Corps and was assigned to the legendary Tuskegee Airmen. Tragically, he died on a training mission and is buried at Arlington National Cemetery.
Jim Brown & Ernie Davis Featured in National Football Foundation Tribute
