Father’s Day Reflections: My Son And Syracuse University

With his first Father’s Day now here, Inside The Loud House’s Neil Adler ruminates on his infant son, his alma mater (Syracuse University), and how the two intertwine.

Three things matter the most to me. In order of importance, they are: My family and friends. The company that I co-own. Syracuse University, and more specifically, SU hoops.

As it pertains to my family, I love and treasure my parents, my twin brother, my other siblings, my nieces and nephews, etc. However, nearly one year ago, on July 6, 2016, my son came into this world. And I will never, ever adore and love someone more than him.

Fatherhood changes everything. I’m experiencing my inaugural Father’s Day this Sunday, which has led me to spend a lot of time lately thinking about Kethan Adler. How much he’s grown. How enthusiastic and sweet he is. How much fun we truly have together. How I can’t wait to see him begin walking, and talking, and the list goes on and on and on.

And, on a superficial level, I’ve thought to myself, gosh, Kethan knows nothing about how important my beloved Orange basketball squad is to me. How I’m a crazy, fanatical fan. How I’m a proud contributor to Inside The Loud House. How I have way too much information on Jim Boeheim and his decades of players lumped into my brain.

It’s not his fault, he’s 11 months old. Sure, I’ve dressed him up in ‘Cuse gear on countless occasions. We’ve watched a few games together. I’ve read him passages from Boeheim’s recent book. I talk to him about my four blessed years at Syracuse University. But he has no idea.

He has no idea that I majored in broadcast journalism at Syracuse University’s fantastic Newhouse

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school. That my professors told me I had a face for radio, and a voice for newspapers. Alas, I became a print reporter after college, until I started a marketing firm 10 years ago with my twin brother, Dan, and our best friend, Mark, who are also ‘Cuse alums.

Kethan has no idea that I rushed the ZBT fraternity. That I bartended at the old Maggie’s on the Hill, along with my twin, and it proved the most fun job I’ve ever had. He has no idea that I was super nerdy, and never earned anything below an A- in school. By the way, I expect the same outcome from him.

Kethan has no idea that Dan, Mark and I studied abroad in London for a semester. We had some wild adventures there, let me tell you. He has no idea that it snowed pretty much every single day, save for the late spring, summer and early fall. His clumsy father would slip on the icy sidewalks all the time, and split open his jeans.

Kethan has no idea that, back then, Syracuse University had a pretty good football outfit, with a quarterback by the name of Donovan McNabb. The hoops roster proved solid, but not spectacular. We had a Sweet 16 run my senior year. That was about it.

My son has no idea that I received an introduction to Wegmans during my stay in Central New York, along with Dinosaur, which is barbecue at its best. Kethan has no idea that, once I graduated, my infatuation with Boeheim and his boys only intensified.

When Syracuse claimed the 2003 national championship, as the contest came to a conclusion, I screamed at the top of my lungs. On the other hand, Dan, whom I lived with then and for many years after, couldn’t even watch the final few minutes. He was that nervous.

Syracuse University — Mandatory Credit: Mark Konezny-USA TODAY Sports

My little munchkin has no idea that Dan, Mark and I made the trip to Atlanta for the 2013 Final Four. Sure, the ‘Cuse lost in the semifinals to Michigan (yuck), but it still proved tons of fun. We also witnessed, in person, the overtime thriller in February 2014, when Syracuse squeaked past Duke before the largest on-campus crowd in NCAA history.

These, and an abundance of others, are beautiful memories that I will always cherish. And that Kethan knows nothing about. One day, however, he will.

As he gets older, I will tell Kethan about my passion for Syracuse University. We’ll watch many games together, both on TV and live. I’m going to buy him a ridiculous amount of Orange merchandise. I want to take him to the Carrier Dome. I want to take him to the ACC Tournament, wherever it is held. I want to take him to the Final Four, when my alma mater appears in it yet again.

I have so much to share with my son about ‘Cuse Nation. I look forward to us getting excited about basketball season together. Who knows: maybe he’ll write for ITLH someday.

My hope is that Kethan will grow to love Syracuse as much as I do. Whether he attends there or not. Speaking of that, I actually would prefer that he choose another college or university. One someplace warm.

This way, when I come to visit, and I’ll do that a lot, I won’t have to worry so much about falling on my butt due to the ice and snow. Teenagers are way too embarrassed by their parents as it is.

My dear Kethan, your Daddy’s clumsiness would only make matters worse.