Townies v. Alumni

[OrangeinDC]

Someone asked me this question today, who are the more loyal fans—townies or alumni. It got me thinking what the breakdown is of fans on this board. I am both, grew up in Syracuse and graduated in 07.

Here's my thoughts, not an alum but grew up there. I would say local... Here's a perspective sometimes the alums may not always understand if they are not from the area, but the name on the university also represents the name of the city, and like most cities there is a certain pride to your hometown/region and things that represent it. Growing up there, SU is part of everything you do or know without ever attending a class. Families will recite history of their relationship with the school from kids and family members that attended and the historical games they were at.

The city of Syracuse actually has great history by itself, however the university provides a great face and name to others all over the world as a great school, quality athletics, legendary coaches but also represents the actual "personality" of Syracuse and CNY. SU put Syracuse on the map for many.

For locals, the investment is not measured by donations to the sports department specifically but more in support of the school (driven by sports lol) that include many things that help support the school's surrounding infrastructure, neighborhoods, small businesses, local community and vice versa. SU is symbiotic with the City of Syracuse/CNY to most locals and not a 4-6 year thing we decide at 18 (I know I'm gonna get killed for that one). Most importantly, generations of locals are what show up on those cold snowy nights when the damn game is on TV. They show up to support the sports programs loudly, WITH the students and local alum because the name on the jersey says SYRACUSE!

I could break down the last 38 years of my life in four year increments based on SU basketball or football! So... sad, but with 5 kids it just makes life easier..

True fact... I have never had a conversation in Syracuse or CNY with somebody that's an SU fan about SU sports and the question of did I attend there come up. Facts!

 

[OrangeinDC]

Maybe that might require research. DMV is filthy with SU grads. Barely a day goes by where I don't see SU stickers on cars.

And Syracuse Townies...

 

[OrangeinDC]

Then youre disenfranchised. Sorry.

Or a Gtown fan... With a great SU banner pic!!!

 

[gmoney44]

Let's look at this a different way:

Are the majority of fans calling for Dino's head alums or locals?

I think the alums are more loyal to the team and coach. They are much more lenient then the townies like me.

 

[pattycuse]

Some great stories here. I will share mine…

Father was an SU grad and worked there for 25 years. Our family obsessed over SU sports- season tickets in football and basketball, and growing up in the 80s/90s in Syracuse was an unbelievable time to be a fan. I was an Olympic athlete and wanted to compete in college so I went the D3 route as I wasn’t quite fast enough to go D1.

After college I moved back to Syracuse and started working. But when it was time to get a masters degree it was an easy choice- SU was local and my “first love”, had a great program and I could attend part time while I worked. Four years later and suddenly I was an alumnus.

Interestingly, of all my friends who are diehard Syracuse fans, including people who support programs financially and travel constantly for road games- I am the only one who actually attended the university. But these guys are obsessed with SU sports…whereas I know people who went to SU undergrad who are barely affiliated with the university (no one on this board obviously!)

So what does this mean? No idea. We all have different paths. I just fervently hope that we somehow regain some semblance of our past glory, the Dome is full once again with alumni and townies alike and we spend most of our time arguing which bowl we want, versus whether we will actually qualify…

LGO

 

[Bayside44]

And Syracuse Townies...

Yeah but those people live way out in the sticks