The Ernie Davis Football Fund - Syracuse University Athletics

Ernie Davis was a two-time first-team All-American halfback at Syracuse University, the only Syracuse player ever to win the Heisman Trophy, and also the first African-American player to receive the coveted honor. He led SU to an undefeated national championship season in 1959 and was voted Most Valuable Player of the 1960 Cotton Bowl and the 1961 Liberty Bowl.

Ernie Davis was selected first in the 1962 NFL draft. He was signed by the Washington Redskins, and then traded to the Cleveland Browns which already had former Syracuse Orangeman, Jim Brown ’57 on their roster. They were two legendary players that were bound to make a lasting impression on professional football. Unfortunately, Ernie Davis was stricken with leukemia during the off season and never played in a professional game. In less than a year after his diagnosis, Ernie Davis passed away on May 18, 1963 at the age of 23.

The Ernie Davis Football Fund was created in 1982 as a way to honor this legendary player. Ernie believed that to succeed in life you must pay the price; you must remember that success comes from hard work, dedication and determination all traits that he exemplified. This mantra is what our football coaches look for as they recruit future Orangemen to Syracuse University.

Donations to this fund directly supplement the recruiting budget of the SU football program. As an active member you receive various benefits which are highlighted in the chart below. Two new levels have been added.

ERNIE DAVIS FUND BENEFIT LEVELS	Champion $10,000	MVP $4,000	All-American $2,000	Orange $800	Blue $600
Complimentary Travel Accommodations for Two to a Football Road Game with the Team (includes transportation from Syracuse, hotel and game tickets) *	X
Complimentary Admission to all Ernie Davis Tailgate Parties	X (for 4)	X (for 2)
Complimentary Admission to the Syracuse Athletic Department Golf Outing	X (foursome)	X (foursome)	X (twosome)
Opportunity to Attend Private Practice with the Team	X	X
Complimentary Parking Pass for Home Football Games	X	X	X
Picture Autographed by Head Coach	X	X	X
Complimentary Invitation for Two to the Annual Year-End Football Banquet	X	X	X	X
Complimentary Invitation for Two to the Ernie Davis Recruiting Report	X	X	X	X
Bonus Orange Pack Priority Points	X	X	X	X
Complimentary SU Gift	X	X	X	X
Complimentary SU Football Media Guide	X	X	X	X	X
Priority for Bowl & Away Game Tickets	X	X	X	X	X
Opportunity to Purchase Preferred Parking	X	X	X	X	X
Name Listed in Game Program	X	X	X	X	X

* game based on availability

At the Champion, MVP, All-American and Orange Levels, Orange Pack priority points can be accumulated at an accelerated pace. This is a significant way to upgrade your priority especially if you are just joining the Syracuse University Athletics family. If you join at one of those three levels for five consistent years, your points to the Fund will double. After ten years of continuous donations, your points to the Fund will triple. For example:

At the Champion Level - $10,000 annually you will receive 100 points (1 for each $100) and 3 points for your annual contribution – Total = 103 points

After five years of continuously donating, instead of receiving 103 points in that year for your donation you will receive 206 points. After ten years of continuous support, you will receive 309 points per year. As you can see, donating at this level will have a major effect on your Orange Pack priority points within a relatively short amount of time.