Syracuse Orange: As SU sports fan, many things for which to give thanks

I want to wish every single Syracuse Orange sports fan out there a happy, healthy and safe Thanksgiving holiday.

To that end, I’d like to give thanks to all of my fellow ‘Cuse fans out there. As the editor of Inside The Loud House, a position that I’m truly blessed to have, I get the opportunity to engage with a ton of passionate, knowledgeable and kind SU sports fans on social media and in chat rooms.

Sure, we don’t always agree. Yes, I sometimes get roasted by my fellow fans for the opinions that I share, and that’s all good. It’s to be expected.

So long as we all continue to respect one another’s takes, even when we adamantly disagree, then spirited, invigorating debates will carry onward, and that’s all I can ever hope for when it comes to the sports teams of my beloved alma mater, Syracuse University.

I have a lot to be thankful for as a Syracuse Orange sports fan.

In the spirit of Thanksgiving, I want to give some love to various Syracuse Orange sports teams, players and coaches. This list isn’t meant to be fully comprehensive, so if I leave anyone out, it’s not meant to be a slight in any way, shape or form.

These are merely some Syracuse Orange teams and individuals for which I’m thankful.

Sean Tucker
An All-American in 2021, the star running back hasn’t produced the same kinds of numbers this term as he did a year ago. But Tucker is so talented, and his tweets are the best.

Eric Devendorf
The former Syracuse basketball star helped lead Boeheim’s Army to a TBT title in the summer of 2021. Eric, these days, does so many wonderful things in the Central New York community.

Felisha Legette-Jack
Beginning with the 2022-23 season, this former Syracuse basketball women’s legend came back to the Hill to coach her alma mater. The Orange, a few days ago, did suffer its first loss of the present campaign, but Legette-Jack is going to do wonderful things at the helm of the ‘Cuse.

Her energy, her enthusiasm, her positivity – all of these wonderful character attributes that Legette-Jack possesses will prove contagious during her tenure as the team’s head coach.

Syracuse men’s soccer
What a fabulous 2022 season to date for this squad. The Orange recently captured the ACC championship and will play CNY neighbor Cornell at home this coming Sunday afternoon in the NCAA Tournament’s Sweet 16.

Syracuse field hockey
The Orange’s 2022 stanza may be over, but the ‘Cuse (16-6) put forth a stellar run this fall. Syracuse reached the NCAA Tournament’s Elite Eight, where it fell to Maryland in a 3-2 shootout decision.

Syracuse women’s and men’s cross country
Both squads fared quite well at the recently held NCAA championships.

The men’s team finished at No. 12, its best performance since 2016, while the women’s group had a 23rd-place finish, its best result dating back to 2015. Love it.

Other SU sports
Let’s give a shout-out to a variety of other Syracuse Orange sports teams that compete in the fall, winter or spring months, including men’s and women’s lacrosse, men’s and women’s track & field, women’s soccer, men’s and women’s rowing, women’s ice hockey, women’s tennis, women’s volleyball and women’s softball.

Dino Babers and Syracuse football seniors
We’re all disappointed that the Orange has dropped five in a row after starting out the 2022 season at 6-0. That being said, the ‘Cuse is still going bowling for the first time since 2018.

I’m proud of this roster, which has been hit hard by injuries throughout the entire fall term. I have a lot of respect and admiration for Syracuse football seniors and other players who will depart the program after the current stanza.

A sizable contingent of the Orange fan base wants head coach Dino Babers gone. I get it. For me, regardless of the team’s record on the field, Babers is a stand-up, classy human being.

He’s kind, he’s a great motivator, and he has integrity. That’s the kind of person whom I want leading Syracuse football.

Jim Boeheim
Much like Babers, a lot of Syracuse basketball fans are ready for head coach Jim Boeheim to retire. It’s understandable. The Orange program isn’t the same as it used to be, and the ‘Cuse was under .500 in the 2021-22 term.

We’ll have to wait and see how everything shakes out in 2022-23, but for me, I have always loved Jim Boeheim, and I always will. He’s given his life to Syracuse University.

He’s won 1,000 career games twice (hi, NCAA). He’s been to 20 Sweet 16s and five Final Fours. Boeheim cut down the nets in 2003. He’ll be riding off into the sunset sooner rather than later, and I’ll miss him terribly when that transpires.

Melo and son
Carmelo Anthony, the ‘Cuse legend and long-time NBA star, had a freshman season for the ages in 2002-03, guiding Syracuse basketball to its only national title.

I love Melo. And recently, Orange coaches offered a scholarship to his son, 2025 four-star shooting guard Kiyan Anthony. It remains to be seen whether Kiyan will suit up for the ‘Cuse down the line or not, but it sure will be a blast following his recruitment now and in the future.

Pearl Washington, Jim Brown, Floyd Little and Ernie Davis
I don’t think I need to add anything more here.

Have a beautiful Thanksgiving, my Syracuse Orange friends!