What was the best era of Syracuse sports?

[Vshukla]

In another thread I mentioned how the FB, BB and Lacrosse teams all ended the season with a win. Ithaca Matt then talked about the fun of 1987. That lead me to wonder, what was the best era for Syracuse sports? What are your opinions for the best 4-5 year period (which corresponds to a typical undergrad tenure)?

I am admittedly biased but when I think of my time on the hill (1985-1989) I see great players, iconic moments, and team success for the big 3 sports.

Basketball had Pearl, Sherman, DC, Rony, Stevie, and Billy. We had a Final 4 and an Elite 8. Iconic moments include Sherman hiking the ball to Stevie in MSG, Rony dunking all over Schintzius, beating NC to go to the Final 4 and the comeback win over GT in 89.

Football had Donnie Mac, Moose Johnston, Rob Moore, Terry Wooden. We went to 3 Bowl games (2-0-1) and had two 10 win seasons. We had the 2nd best year in FB history and an incredible moment (Michael Owens 2 pt conversion)

Lacrosse had the Gait brothers, Zulberti, McCabe and more. We won 2 national titles (with a 3rd in 1990 by possibly the best SU sports team in history. Imagine losing Zulberti but getting Marachek), and the incredible moment of “Air Gait”.

Has there been a better era for SU sports? What was your time like?

 

[MSOrange]

1987-98. We were one of the only programs who could count on winning records in football and basketball every year and lacrosse was an annual power.

 

[FrancoPizza]

86-92

 

[moqui]

the ten eyck era for sure. sustained dominance

 

[Sherman20]

In another thread I mentioned how the FB, BB and Lacrosse teams all ended the season with a win. Ithaca Matt then talked about the fun of 1987. That lead me to wonder, what was the best era for Syracuse sports? What are your opinions for the best 4-5 year period (which corresponds to a typical undergrad tenure)?

I am admittedly biased but when I think of my time on the hill (1985-1989) I see great players, iconic moments, and team success for the big 3 sports.

Basketball had Pearl, Sherman, DC, Rony, Stevie, and Billy. We had a Final 4 and an Elite 8. Iconic moments include Sherman hiking the ball to Stevie in MSG, Rony dunking all over Schintzius, beating NC to go to the Final 4 and the comeback win over GT in 89.

Football had Donnie Mac, Moose Johnston, Rob Moore, Terry Wooden. We went to 3 Bowl games (2-0-1) and had two 10 win seasons. We had the 2nd best year in FB history and an incredible moment (Michael Owens 2 pt conversion)

Lacrosse had the Gait brothers, Zulberti, McCabe and more. We won 2 national titles (with a 3rd in 1990 by possibly the best SU sports team in history. Imagine losing Zulberti but getting Marachek), and the incredible moment of “Air Gait”.

Has there been a better era for SU sports? What was your time like?

I grew up in Syracuse in the 80s and early 90s. The 1985-1990 period was most definitely the Golden Age for all sports. For basketball only consideration, 2003-2016 is probably better, with a National championship, two other Final Fours, an Elite Eight, 7 Sweet 16s, plus three Big East regular season titles, two BE tourney championships, and two #1 NCAA tourney seeds.

 

[Giants1973]

Best era is from 1983 the day THE PEARL got on campus to 1990 when DC and Steve Thompson graduated!!!!

 

[OrangeDW]

1)Late 80s-early 90s...both programs were elite.

2) Mid-late 90s...both programs were rock solid and consistent winners.

Basketball has had elite stretches in the 2000s, but football has been bad to mediocre the entire time.

 

[Forloveoforange]

For basketball, 2010 to 2012.