Our Competition - Syracuse University Athletics

Our Competition

Out of nine schools in the expanded BIG EAST Football Conference, Syracuse ranks eighth in facilities. Here’s a brief look at what our competition has to offer.

“The Syracuse University Community must step forward once again with a major investment in the Football Program as it did with Archbold Stadium, Manley Field House and the Carrier Dome.

“There can be no question that our program is at another crossroads – just as it was the mid-1950’s and in the late 1970’s.

“What I find frustrating is that most Syracuse Football fans – even the knowledgeable ones – believe that all is well with our infrastructure – that we compare quite favorably to our college football competition. And that I think is what breeds some of the negativity. I think that most assume that the Carrier Dome remains the game-changer it was in the 1980’s. Most assume that we have top flight lockers, study halls, and practice and sports medicine facilities. And most wonder why, with all we have, we do not
compete with the Ohio States or Floridas or USCs. It probably is not feasible, but I believe that the fan base needs to know.”

Andrew E. Greenberg, ’84 College of Law
Washington, DC

“State of the art athletics facilities will play a key role in SU's ability to compete, recruit and maintain a national presence in football. This year, the coaching staff and student-athletes re-established our program and winning tradition. I am confident that the indoor facility will provide our coaches with the right environment to ensure our success for many years to come.”

Russ Carpentieri, ‘83
Former Syracuse kicker

“The indoor practice facility is not a luxury. It is a basic necessity and should have been built in the 90's. Upon completion, the new facility will put us on par, not ahead, of the other BIG EAST schools and other football programs that Syracuse recruits against. As a former player and big Doug Marrone fan, I believe it is
essential that all alumni, former players and fans of Syracuse University support this project financially.”

Ted Lachowicz, ‘72
Former Syracuse defensive lineman

Jefferson Avenue Sports Complex The University of Cincinnati’s Jefferson Avenue Sports Complex serves as a practice space for the football team. The complex includes two lighted fields, one 100 yards in length and the other 50 yards. The 100-yard field becomes an indoor practice facility via an air-supported bubble.	UPMC Sports Performance Complex The UPMC Sports Performance Complex features expansive training rooms, team meeting and film-viewing rooms, weight rooms and dining facilities. The football team has access to three practice fields. The Panthers have two outdoor grass fields with lighting, which allow for night workouts. Additionally, the complex's indoor practice facility features a three-lane track and FieldTurf. Pittsburgh's locker room features 128 spacious lockers, which are personalized for each Panthers player.	Mark R. Shenkman Training Center The Mark R. Shenkman Training Center at the University of Connecticut is utilized by the football program. The 85,000-square foot building features a 120-yard long state-of-the-art FieldTurf playing surface, an18,000-square foot strength and conditioning area, and state-of-the-art video capabilities.	Trager Center The University of Louisville's Trager Center indoor practice facility features a 120-yard FieldTurf field and a 100-meter four-lane sprint track. The 90,068-square foot facility has 85,440-square feet of playing surface with 5,168-square feet of building support, consisting of restroom facilities, offices and a lobby.
The Bubble The Rutgers Indoor Practice and Conditioning Facility, commonly referred to as “the Bubble,” is the nation’s largest air-supported indoor structure. It features a FieldTurf surface. "The Bubble" is located across from Rutgers Stadium on the Busch Campus. Measuring 430 x 230 feet in length, it reaches 80 feet at its highest point.	The Frank Morsani Practice Facility The Frank Morsani Practice Facility is made up of two full-sized grass fields, which use Celebration Bermuda grass, the same kind as Raymond James Stadium, and one full-sized turf field. It is accompanied by a 40-yard turf area, which can be used for drills, and a 2,500-square-foot storage building that includes open-air storage, closed storage, video equipment storage, athletic training facilities and areas for both lighting and sound controls.	The Sam Baugh Indoor Practice Facility The Sam Baugh Indoor Practice Facility and Cox Field is an 80,000-square foot complex. The climate controlled facility measures 60 feet from turf to the highest point of its vaulted ceiling, which allows for all passing and kicking drills.	The Caperton Indoor Facility is located adjacent to the Puskar Center and Mountaineer Field. The versatile modern indoor workout space is equipped with FieldTurf. Total length from wall to wall is 105 yards, with more than 75,000-square feet of practice room.