It's preseason awards season for Syracuse football and other Orange sports. That's where we'll start off today's edition of 'Cuse news.
Syracuse football's Steve Angeli, who was named the team's starting quarterback for the upcoming campaign earlier this week, resides on the preseason watch list for the 2025 Johnny Unitas Golden Arm Award, which is doled out annually to the premier upperclassman signal-caller in the sport.
Wide receiver Johntay Cook II, a junior who transferred to the Hill from Texas, is on the watch list for this year's Earl Campbell Tyler Rose Award, which will go to the nation's top offensive player who is either from, or plays in, the state of Texas. Cook, a former five-star prep recruit from DeSoto, Texas, will be a key contributor at receiver for the Orange in 2025.
Redshirt senior running back Will Nixon, who missed most of last season after unfortunately suffering a Lisfranc injury, is on the watch list for the 2025 Comeback Player of the Year Award. Nixon, who should see ample time on the field this season, previously played for Washington and before that at Nebraska.
More Syracuse Orange news to share.
Soccer programs in action
The men's team will begin its 2025 season when the Orange hosts Connecticut on Thursday, Aug. 21, beginning at 7:00 pm. This week, head coach Ian McIntyre announced that graduate students Tomas Hut, a goalkeeper, and Giona Leibold, a midfielder, will serve as the squad's captains in 2025.
On the women's side, Syracuse is 1-1 so far in the current campaign. The Orange also plays on August 21, when the 'Cuse will welcome Buffalo, N.Y.-based Canisius to the SU Soccer Stadium starting at 3:00 pm.
Women's lacrosse players honored
This week, the Nike/ILWomen Power 100 freshman rankings were disclosed. For Syracuse women's lacrosse, Mackenzie Borbi is at No. 22, Julia May O'Connor is at No. 32, Ella Peers is at No. 35 and Ireland Mistretta is on the watch list.
Field hockey star lauded
Graduate student defender Bo van Kempen of Syracuse field hockey is on the preseason All-ACC squad after being an All-ACC first-team performer a year ago. The Orange opens its 2025 season by hosting Lock Haven on Friday, Aug. 29, beginning at 5:00 pm.
New ice hockey assistants
Syracuse women's ice hockey head coach Britni Smith has brought on board Jordan Lipson and Dan Ringwald as assistant coaches. Lipson comes to the 'Cuse after two seasons at Robert Morris University, while Ringwald had a Hall of Fame career at RIT. Here's the Orange's schedule for the 2025-26 campaign.