Syracuse Orange: As a ‘Cuse sports fan, tons for which to be thankful

I’m fortunate to have been a Syracuse Orange sports fan since 1996, when I began my freshman year as a student on the Hill.

Certainly, over the past 25 years or so, the ‘Cuse has witnessed tremendous highs across its various sports, as well as some disappointing lows.

Syracuse basketball won a national title in 2003, the football team had a 10-win season in 2018 and was nationally ranked, and other Orange sports have done extremely well within the Atlantic Coast Conference and on a national scale.

On the flip side, Syracuse football has endured many rough seasons in recent years, Syracuse basketball was assessed several sanctions by the NCAA, and there have proven other controversies and scandals within the ‘Cuse sports community.

Through the ups and downs, there is a lot to admire about the Syracuse Orange.

Since it’s Thanksgiving, I’m reflecting on the many, many things for which I’m thankful as a ‘Cuse sports fanatic. This list isn’t meant to be entirely exhaustive, but it absolutely gives a sense of my passion for the Syracuse Orange.

I’m thankful for:

Jim Boeheim. He’s second all-time in career victories in Division I men’s basketball, and he’s never had a losing season in nearly 50 years at the helm in Central New York.

Buddy Boeheim and Jimmy Boeheim. The brothers are going to be so much fun to watch this season.

Carmelo Anthony, Gerry McNamara, Hakim Warrick and the 2003 national-championship team.

The Syracuse basketball Final Four runs in 1987, 1996, 2013 and 2016. Sure, it stings to make it to the national semifinals and lose, but going on a journey to the Final Four is awesome.

The Carrier Dome, especially the recently renovated Dome.

Dino Babers. He’s a stand-up guy, regardless of his record on the field.

Eric Dungey and the 2018 Syracuse football squad that went 10-3 and was ranked No. 15 in the major polls.

The Syracuse football national-championship team of 1959.

Jim Brown, Ernie Davis and Floyd Little.

Sean Tucker, who has been magnificent in the 2021 stanza.

Donovan McNabb and Don McPherson.

Pearl Washington.

The glorious run by the Syracuse basketball women’s team to the NCAA Tournament title contest in 2016.

The Syracuse basketball men’s squad knocking off No. 3 seed Michigan State and No. 3 seed West Virginia in the round of 32 during the 2018 and 2021 NCAA Tournaments, respectively. A shout-out to Braedon Bayer.

Let’s give a lot of love to the many other Syracuse Orange sports out there, including men’s and women’s lacrosse, women’s ice hockey, women’s tennis, field hockey, cross country, track and field, rowing, softball, women’s volleyball and soccer.

John Wallace. The ‘Cuse is in da house, oh my god, oh my god.

John Gillon’s buzzer-beater to beat Duke at the Dome in 2017. The crowd went nuts.

Brandon Triche, who is perhaps my favorite all-time Syracuse basketball player, and who went an astounding 121-26 in his four years with the ‘Cuse.

Syracuse basketball versus Georgetown. I’m so glad that these long-time rivals continue to play each other.

The 2009-10 Orange hoops team that went 30-5, the 2011-12 squad that went 34-3, and the 2013-14 group that started out 25-0.

The 2022 recruiting class for Syracuse basketball, which is going to be really, really good.

The Orange’s 127-117, six-overtime victory against UConn in the 2009 Big East Tournament.

The Syracuse basketball 91-89 overtime win against Duke on the Hill in 2014. I was there. It was an electric atmosphere.

The ‘Cuse stomping Marquette in the 2013 Elite Eight, 55-39, to advance to the Final Four. The game was in Washington, D.C. I was there. I screamed my head off.

My Inside The Loud House colleagues, and my fellow Syracuse Orange fans. Love you all.

Boeheim’s Army, and its stellar journey to the TBT title this past summer. Eric Devendorf is simply the best.

Sherman Douglas, Billy Owens, Lawrence Moten, Mike Hopkins, Derrick Coleman, the Louie and Bouie Show, Rony Seikaly, Dave Bing, C.J. Fair, Rakeem Christmas, Kris Joseph and so many other wonderful SU hoops players.

The epic comeback versus top-seeded Virginia in the 2016 Elite Eight. Malachi Richardson. Always Reppin’ …

Otto the Orange. So adorable.

Finally, I’m most thankful for my family, as they cheer on the Orange with me, and put up with how fanatical I am about the ‘Cuse.

Special love goes out to my 5-year-old-son, Kethan Reddy Adler. He isn’t quite a Syracuse sports fan yet, but he does think highly of the color Orange.

Have a wonderful Thanksgiving, my friends!