My first game was at the Coliseum, I must have been around 4 years old. My uncle put me on his shoulders so I could see. Not only did the smoke impede viewing but then there were those steel pillars that supported the structure.
The Nat's also played some games at the Jefferson Street Armory before they built the War Memorial. I attended some games there as well. When I was nine I used to take the bus downtown by myself to watch games there. It's a different world now, no parent in their right mind would allow that now.
My favorite games to attend were the Celtics, they would sell out and people would be seated in the aisle throughout the arena. They used to send the most high profile refs in the league which also juiced the atmosphere. Usually guys like Sid Borgia, Mendy Rudolph, Richie Powers or Norm Drucker. The first two were the 50's version of Burr & Higgins.
One of my proudest moments as a Syracuse National's fan was 1961, the year they selected us to host the NBA All Star game. Fifty cents is all it cost for a kid to go to a game back then. Dolph Schayes (21), Hal Greer (14) and Larry Costello (2) represented our town. The West won 153-131.
Although Bob Pettit lead all scores with 29 points Oscar "The Big O" Robertson was named MVP nearly putting up a triple double with 23-14 & 9.
Tom Gola was in the starting line-up for the East along with Wilt Chamberlain, Bill Russel, Bob Cousy and Dolph Schayes. Elgin Baylor, Jerry West, Bob Pettit, Clyde Lovellette & Robertson started for the West.
8,016 attended that game
I still have the program