Athletics Director Dr. Daryl Gross' Remarks on Retiring #44 Jersey
“The reason we are here is to officially announce the retirement of jersey No. 44. It is obviously, to me and to everyone here in the department, a great day for Syracuse University. Every athlete that wore 44 in football it has been an honor for them to wear it. There has been so much productivity out of this jersey and now it is going to live in perpetuity inside the Dome. Every time you come in the Dome you will find this displayed very prominently. Just as some of the great jerseys all over the country have retired, Syracuse has a place in its history for greatness as well. We will start it out with No. 44.”
Why Now?
“We have a theme this year of “Respect the past, Represent the future.” We have a new football coach in Greg Robinson, who is going to do wonderful things. There is a lot of change going on and the timing is just right. There is good energy and some positive things going on. I can’t think of a better time than right now, heck, we are 0-0 in football. We’re undefeated and things are going really well. In my heart, it is overdue a little bit. I think we are doing the right thing.
“I love the history of this school and I love the legacy of this school. I am one to go and ask questions. And it just seemed to make sense to all of us once we started talking about retiring the jersey.”
Why did it take so long to retire this jersey?
“They had great reasons. I mean, everyone was looking for the next “44”, the next Ernie Davis, the next Jim Brown, the next Michael Jordan, the next Babe Ruth and all those kind of people. Who would have thought that Jim Brown, Ernie Davis and Floyd Little could have gone back-to-back-to-back and done such a wonderful job. Everyone had their reasons and I am sure there are people who believe it should still be out on the table. With all due respect, I think this is the right time.”
Will there be others in the future, #5 or #22 in lacrosse?
“We will look at all those things. I think going into the football season we were trying to generate the momentum that we have and it was the right time. I got to spend some time with Jim Brown and it was obvious to me that Syracuse meant a lot to him. He was flattered by and there was a sense of pride like, ‘hey that is great.’
“The lacrosse program is terrific. I mean 22 final four, speaking of 22. And those numbers are just incredible, they are crazy numbers. I have so much respect for that program. So when the timing is right we will look at that as well.”
Will Jim Brown be back for the ceremony on Nov. 12?
“He told he would be back for it. We are hoping to have Jim Brown, Ernie Davis’ family, Floyd Little and his family and all the people who wore 44 to come back.”
Does it take away from recruiting?
“I was at Southern Cal, and if a kid didn’t get #32, or O.J.’s jersey or Marcus Allen’s jersey, I don’t think it hurt them. I think it is really respected. In some cases, it can be kind of a pressure thing. It is like trying to follow Michael Jordan. I the recruits coming in will look at it as a positive.”
What are your impressions of the football team so far in spring practice?
“Oh gosh, I love it. I love the energy. I love the enthusiasm. I love the scheme. I love the things they are utilizing with the quarterbacks now and working with their strengths. They have strong arms and they can take off and run. There is a lot of freshness to the offensive approach.”
When did the idea strike you?
“Just kind of walking around the Dome and thinking about it and football. Thinking about the things we can do for football.”
Themes for other games:
“Every game has a theme this year. Starting with the West Virginia game, the opening day. It is kind of like with baseball where you should be there and everyone should be there to check it out. That place should be full and packed.
“The Buffalo game is on Sept. 10, which is close to 9/11. So, it is our Military and Emergency Services Day. We are going to do a really nice tribute to those folks that work in those areas. In addition, it will be Youth Day, so we will have all kinds of packages for the youth.
“This year is the 25th anniversary of the Dome and we are using the Virginia game on Sept. 17, because that is close to the birthday of the Dome, to really mark that day. That whole week the Dome is going to be open to the public, where people can come and run around on the field. (SU Director of Athletics Emeritus) Jake (Crouthamel) got the Dome going and I think it is one of the greatest things in all of college sports. I am just amazed by it. If there are seven wonders in sports, then that should be one of them. I believe that.
“When we play Rutgers on Oct. 15, that will be Legends Day. We will bring back some past, great gridiron heroes to come and be recognized and run out of the tunnel one more time for the Syracuse Orange.
“October 29 will be Fan Appreciation Day so we’re going to have some giveaways and really take care of our fans that day. It is also Parents’ Weekend.
“And finally, the South Florida Game our Homecoming Weekend, its on Nov. 12, that is when we are going to retire the jersey of No. 44. We’ll have that whole celebration and a lot of highlights and hopefully some speeches from some players.
“We have six great themes and our season tickets are online. We will have an announcement for the sale of season tickets on the internet and making it really easy for our fans to get involved with Syracuse football. It is going to be a great year and hopefully everyone will be out there.”
