Great weekend in Syracuse ...

[cto]

Flights were not delayed, it didn't snow and we had a emphatic win against a perpetual NCAA/ACC power before an enthusiastic crowd of 32,000-plus. This is why I travel 300 miles to watch a two-hour game that could be viewed in the comfort of my home!

Among the things I would not have seen on television....

1) I don't know how Dickie V looked on tv, but he was quite ill prior to the game, an apparent victim of food poisoning. For a while, it was questionable whether he could broadcast it. But I guess he's a trooper who was not going to miss his first ACC game at the Dome.

2) Don't know whether this was shown on tv, but it was reunion weekend for former players. Sadly, this event has really gone downhill since it was run by Bernie Fine and Leo Eisner -- with many fewer players attending and no "alumni game." The returning players were introduced at halftime. Much to my disappointment, the loudest ovation went to Eric Devendorf, with the fans there barely acknowledging such program builders as Roosevelt Bowie, Raf Addison and Dennis Duval. I guess it was a case of "how soon they forget."

3) There was a reception for the alumni players at Club 44 after the game. The place was seriously crowded, and people were being let in only as others left... with a considerable line outside the door. Dan Schulman (who had been invited by JB) appeared at the door, and the gate-keeper told him to go to the end of the line. I, being the shy soul that I am, left the line, put my arm around Dan's waist and told the gate-keeper that Dan had just broadcast the game and had to be let in. I suspect the gate-keeper had no idea who Dan was... much less who I was... but he grumbled and said ... "Okay, go in." Then I went back and got in line again.

4) Once inside the reception, I was approached by Jason Poles who said "I've been talking with one of your fellow board members; you might want to go over there and say hello. Not sure which of my SU boards he was referring to, I looked over and saw no one I knew. Jason then took me "over there" and introduced me to FairfaxOrange. It turned out that Jason was referring to THIS board, not one of my "official" SU boards. Kind of funny that two posters here met via the networking skills of the only SU administrator who has ever reached out to this place. Anyhow, it was great meeting Mr. and Mrs. FairfaxOrange, season ticket holders who live in Virginia.

5) I acquired another "new best friend" during the course of the game. One of the downsides of court side seats (I know, another "first-world problem" because there really are not any downsides) is that referees frequently stand directly in front of you , blocking your view of the nearer basket. At yesterday's game, said referee was Roger Ayres. For some reason, he started talking with me during the game, and he turned out to be a really nice, and surprisingly humorous guy. In all the years I 've had those seats, Reggie Greenwood was the only other ref that engaged in social conversation (before he became coordinator of officials for the Ivy, Patriot and A-10 leagues).

6) There were more UNC fans there than was apparent on tv. Many of them were wearing gray or navy or white UNC shirts, rather than the "Carolina Blue" apparel that stood out on tv. Without exception, all the ones I met were very pleasant and very impressed with both our team and with the Dome. Funny sidelight: in the huge open area behind the temporary bleachers, there are many booths and activities -- one of which is a foul-shooting booth to raise money for the Jim and Juli Boeheim Foundation. (Four foul shot for $5 and you can win a Boeheim Foundation tee-shirt; all proceeds go to the Foundation). At several points during the pre-game, it seemed most of the folks in line at the booth were wearing UNC gear. Nice of them to support the Boeheim Foundation. I wonder how many of them will actually wear their Boeheim Foundation tee-shirts!

7) It was great to see so many students at the game two days before the start of classes. Even the SSS had a good turnout. I am surprised that Tomcat did not comment on the FIVE tubas. Very impressive.

8) At Syracuse airport this morning, the flight departing from the adjacent gate was bound for Atlanta, and a huge portion of the folks waiting for it were wearing UNC gear. So many in fact... that the flight was apparently seriously overbooked, and Delta was asking (and then begging) for volunteers willing to accept a $400 voucher for a future flight ... plus a bus ride to Rochester to get catch a flight "four hours from now." Delta was not getting any takers. I suspect all those Tarheel fans did not want to spend any additional time in upstate New York!

 

[JeremyCuse]

Flights were not delayed, it didn't snow and we had a emphatic win against a perpetual NCAA/ACC power before an enthusiastic crowd of 32,000-plus. This is why I travel 300 miles to watch a two-hour game that could be viewed in the comfort of my home!

Among the things I would not have seen on television...

1) I don't know how Dickie V looked on tv, but he was quite ill prior to the game, an apparent victim of food poisoning. For a while, it was questionable whether he could broadcast it. But I guess he's a trooper who was not going to miss his first ACC game at the Dome.

2) Don't know whether this was shown on tv, but it was reunion weekend for former players. Sadly, this event has really gone downhill since it was run by Bernie Fine and Leo Eisner -- with many fewer players attending and no "alumni game." The returning players were introduced at halftime. Much to my disappointment, the loudest ovation went to Eric Devendorf, with the fans there barely acknowledging such program builders as Roosevelt Bowie, Raf Addison and Dennis Duval. I guess it was a case of "how soon they forget."

3) There was a reception for the alumni players at Club 44 after the game. The place was seriously crowded, and people were being let in only as others left... with a considerable line outside the door. Dan Schulman (who had been invited by JB) appeared at the door, and the gate-keeper told him to go to the end of the line. I, being the shy soul that I am, left the line, put my arm around Dan's waist and told the gate-keeper that Dan had just broadcast the game and had to be let in. I suspect the gate-keeper had no idea who Dan was... much less who I was... but he grumbled and said ... "Okay, go in." Then I went back and got in line again.

4) Once inside the reception, I was approached by Jason Poles who said "I've been talking with one of your fellow board members; you might want to go over there and say hello. Not sure which of my SU boards he was referring to, I looked over and saw no one I knew. Jason then took me "over there" and introduced me to FairfaxOrange. It turned out that Jason was referring to THIS board, not one of my "official" SU boards. Kind of funny that two board members here met via the networking skills of the only SU administrator who has ever reached out to this place. Anyhow, it was great meeting Mr. and Mrs. FairfaxOrange, season ticket holders who live in Virginia.

5) I acquired another "new best friend" during the course of the game. One of the downsides of court side seats (I know, another "first-world problem" because there really are not any downsides) is that referees frequently stand directly in front of you , blocking your view of the nearer basket. At yesterday's game, said referee was Roger Ayres. For some reason, he started talking with me during the game, and he turned out to be a really nice, and surprisingly humorous guy. In all the years I 've had those seats, Reggie Greenwood was the only other ref that engaged in social conversation (before he became coordinator of officials for the Ivy, Patriot and A-10 leagues).

6) There were more UNC fans there than was apparent on tv. Many of them were wearing gray or navy or white UNC shirts, rather than the "Carolina Blue" apparel that stood out on tv. Without exception, all the ones I met were very pleasant and very impressed with both our team and with the Dome. Funny sidelight: in the huge open area behind the temporary bleachers, there are many booths and activities -- one of which is a foul-shooting booth to raise money for the Jim and Juli Boeheim Foundation. (Four foul shot for $5 and you can win a Boeheim Foundation tee-shirt; all proceeds to the Foundation). At several points during the pre-game, it seemed most of the folks in line at the booth were wearing UNC gear. Nice of them to support the Boeheim Foundation. I wonder how many of them will actually wear their Boeheim Foundation tee-shirts!

7) It was great to see so many students at the game two days before the start of classes. Even the SSS had a good turnout. I am surprised that Tomcat did not comment on the FIVE tubas. Very impressive.

8) At Syracuse airport this morning, the flight departing from the adjacent gate was bound for Atlanta, and a huge portion of the folks waiting for it were wearing UNC gear. So many in fact... that the flight was apparently seriously overbooked, and Delta was asking (and then begging) for volunteers who were willing to accept a $400 voucher for a future flight ... plus a bus ride to Rochester to get catch a flight "four hours from now." Delta was not getting any takers. I suspect all those Tarheel fans did not want to spend any additional time in upstate New York!

Great post, very Tomcatesque.

 

[OttoMets]

Thought the same thing about the alumni ovations (and, of course, about the recent rushing of the whole event).

How could anyone get a louder cheer than Raf? And why does the person who deserves the coldest welcome get the loudest ovation? Sad.

 

[llandz]

Great post. We had a post going about Vitale vomiting before the game. I thought he had the flu and immediately went to the photo I saw of you, Bill Orange and Laurie the night before, and hoped you didn't catch what he had. I had wondered why Schulman, and not Vitale interviewed JB after the game, and now know why.
They did not show any of the alum players at the game. I was also surprised about that. In past years they did show them sitting there.
Love Jason, Seriously the best addition to the athletic department.
Carolina Blue probably not made in warmer clothes, lol.

 

[SaltLakeOrange]

Thanks Joyce! It was great meeting you too...we'll see you on 2/1...

 

[cto]

Great post. We had a post going about Vitale vomiting before the game. I thought he had the flu and immediately went to the photo I saw of you, Bill Orange and Laurie the night before, and hoped you didn't catch what he had. I had wondered why Schulman, and not Vitale interviewed JB after the game, and now know why.
They did not show any of the alum players at the game. I was also surprised about that. In past years they did show them sitting there.
Love Jason, Seriously the best addition to the athletic department.
Carolina Blue probably not made in warmer clothes, lol.

That Facebook post by Bill Orange was a joke. Dick Vitale did not take that photo (fortunately we did not eat at the place where he got the food poisoning). A waiter took the picture in question. The picture was of such poor quality that Bill Orange decided to blame Dickie V for it as a joke.

 

[Eric15]

volunteers who were willing to accept a $400 voucher for a future flight

I always volunteer to have my flight changed, if possible. Those vouchers are transferrable, and you can sell them on Craigslist… i.e. sell a $400 voucher for $300 - it's just free money, and you earned it.

 

[llandz]

That Facebook post by Bill Orange was a joke. Dick Vitale did not take that photo (fortunately we did not eat at the place where he got the food poisoning). A waiter took the picture in question. The picture was of such poor quality that Bill Orange decided to blame Dickie V for it as a joke.

That is funny. I know Dickie V was at the mall as he posted pictures on a twitter account. Probably got the food poisoning there somewhere. Amazing that he still broadcast the game, and was still pretty animated.

 

[stuckinbig11]

That Facebook post by Bill Orange was a joke. Dick Vitale did not take that photo (fortunately we did not eat at the place where he got the food poisoning). A waiter took the picture in question. The picture was of such poor quality that Bill Orange decided to blame Dickie V for it as a joke.

I was wondering why you did not get sick also.

 

[two3zone]

That is funny. I know Dickie V was at the mall as he posted pictures on a twitter account. Probably got the food poisoning there somewhere. Amazing that he still broadcast the game, and was still pretty animated.

He ate at TGI Fridays. My buddy saw him in there and got a picture of him when he came out.

 

[longislandcuse]

Thought the same thing about the alumni ovations (and, of course, about the recent rushing of the whole event).

How could anyone get a louder cheer than Raf? And why does the person who deserves the coldest welcome get the loudest ovation? Sad.

Why does Devo deserve a cold ovation? I'm 30 so I fit the demographic that would probably annoy you in terms of ovations but Devo played with awesome passion and clearly bleeds Orange.

 

[thebigeast44]

I was surprised by the alumni event. I don't recall SU mentioning it before the game. Certainly didn't prep the Dome crowd that it was going to happen yesterday at half time. Another example of how SU simply does a very poor job with many such events. I saw Raf out later in Armory Square and told him I would have loved to see him play in the 3 point shot era Dickie V mentioned eating at some Italian joint I had never heard of near the end of the boadcast.

 

[cliftonparksufan]

I was surprised by the alumni event. I don't recall SU mentioning it before the game. Certainly didn't prep the Dome crowd that it was going to happen yesterday at half time. Another example of how SU simply does a very poor job with many such events. I saw Raf out later in Armory Square and told him I would have loved to see him play in the 3 point shot era Dickie V mentioned eating at some Italian joint I had never heard of near the end of the boadcast.

He had photos on Tweeter that he ate at Attilio's. Don't know much about the place. The alumni thing was very rushed and poorly done. You would think when they introduced these Cuse legends they would tell something about them but nothing. Also later on Raf Addison and someone else (I forgot who) shot FT's for a 4 day cruise. They didn't win the cruise but were representing a fan. I thought that was nicely done.

 

[OttoMets]

Why does Devo deserve a cold ovation? I'm 30 so I fit the demographic that would probably annoy you in terms of ovations but Devo played with awesome passion and clearly bleeds Orange.

30 also. You don't annoy anyone, of course, but the response -- in contrast to some great players and human beings -- was disappointing.

Unlike everyone else on that court, he was a headache for coaches for four years. We could go right down the list of why he's unique among that group (violence, et al.) and note that he gave very little effort on the defensive end for most of his career.

If people like the player, so be it - there's no accounting for taste. Based on most criteria for celebrating a player, though, it's curious that Devendorf would get the loudest cheer.

 

[OttoMets]

He had photos on Tweeter that he ate at Attilio's. Don't know much about the place. The alumni thing was very rushed and poorly done. You would think when they introduced these Cuse legends they would tell something about them but nothing. Also later on Raf Addison and someone else (I forgot who) shot FT's for a 4 day cruise. They didn't win the cruise but were representing a fan. I thought that was nicely done.

Attilio's - good. My favorite Little Italy place.

Free throw contest - fantastic idea. Would love to see more stuff like that.

 

[Eric15]

it's curious that Devendorf would get the loudest cheer.

I think it's as simple as: young people cheer the loudest, and Devendorf was the player that is most familiar to them.

 

[cto]

He had photos on Tweeter that he ate at Attilio's. Don't know much about the place. The alumni thing was very rushed and poorly done. You would think when they introduced these Cuse legends they would tell something about them but nothing. Also later on Raf Addison and someone else (I forgot who) shot FT's for a 4 day cruise. They didn't win the cruise but were representing a fan. I thought that was nicely done.

I believe it was Shumpert

 

[OrangeDW]

30 also. You don't annoy anyone, of course, but the response -- in contrast to some great players and human beings -- was disappointing.

Unlike everyone else on that court, he was a headache for coaches for four years. We could go right down the list of why he's unique among that group (violence, et al.) and note that he gave very little effort on the defensive end for most of his career.

If people like the player, so be it - there's no accounting for taste. Based on most criteria for celebrating a player, though, it's curious that Devendorf would get the loudest cheer.

I think it boils down to Devendorf being recent, and basically everyone in the crowd watched him play.

Figure, you'd have to be at least 35 or so to remember Addison, and in your 40s-50s to remember Bouie or Duvall. And consider that the majority of the crowd is not as diehard as those on this board to where they care as much about players before their time unless it's a top tier legend like Pearl or Coleman or something.

 

[OttoMets]

I think it's as simple as: young people cheer the loudest, and Devendorf was the player that is most familiar to them.

That's a fair explanation. I think only he and Gorman played in the last decade.

 

[OttoMets]

I think it boils down to Devendorf being recent, and basically everyone in the crowd watched him play.

Figure, you'd have to be at least 35 or so to remember Addison, and in your 40s-50s to remember Bouie or Duvall. And consider that the majority of the crowd is not as diehard as those on this board to where they care as much about players before their time unless it's a top tier legend like Pearl or Coleman or something.

Yeah, I wonder if the school could help by honoring some of the guys who aren't big donors but were deserving players. Fans could use a little education about some of the guys whose pro careers were quieter but who were great SU players.

Raf was my first favorite player; I remember very little of his career, but he finished as our second-leading scorer (would've passed Bing if we hadn't lost to Navy). He and Bouie should have had their jerseys retired by now.

 

[cliftonparksufan]

Th

Yeah, I wonder if the school could help by honoring some of the guys who aren't big donors but were deserving players. Fans could use a little education about some of the guys whose pro careers were quieter but who were great SU players.

Raf was my first favorite player; I remember very little of his career, but he finished as our second-leading scorer (would've passed Bing if we hadn't lost to Navy). He and Bouie should have had their jerseys retired by now.

Like Marty Byrnes. Very underrated pro career.

 

[OburgOrange]

Who were the alumni players that attended? Sounds as though it was a poor turnout. No DC? He normally attends a pile of games

 

[cto]

Who were the alumni players that attended? Sounds as though it was a poor turnout. No DC? He normally attends a pile of games

In addition to the ones mentioned in various posts here, I also recall Marty Head, Hal Cohen and Otis Hill. There were several others, but the introductions were done so poorly and so matter-of-factly as fans were noisily rushing out for halftime, it was hard to follow them. (Also Scott Shafer grabbed me as I was walking by him, and he was enthusiastically talking to me while the players were being introduced. It was impossible to follow both him and the PA announcer).

 

[SaltLakeOrange]

I believe it was Shumpert

Yes, it was Preston...

 

[OburgOrange]

In addition to the ones mentioned in various posts here, I also recall Marty Head, Hal Cohen and Otis Hill. There were several others, but the introductions were done so poorly and so matter-of-factly as fans were noisily rushing out for halftime, it was hard to follow them. (Also Scott Shafer grabbed me as I was walking by him, and he was enthusiastically talking to me while the players were being introduced. It was impossible to follow both him and the PA announcer).

No DC sighting? Odd isn't it?