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N • Defining the deficit
Syracuse University is facing a 1.5% operating deficit due to low enrollment, a trend across higher education. Page 3
C • Syracuse speak
Before you go to the wrong cage or think SU has a castle, The Daily Orange has deconstructed common words used around campus. Page 4
S • Built together
Syracuse head coach Ian McIntyre and assistant Jukka Masalin have elevated SU into one of the ACC’s best programs since 2010. Page 24
2 august 20, 2026
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august 20, 2026 3
Defining the deficit
While Syracuse University faces a budget deficit, it’s not alone, as institutions nationwide grapple with fewer students attending college.
Why SU faces a budget deficit — and how its administration plans to address it By Vivian Collins & Fiona McHugh the daily orange
A
s Syracuse University students, faculty and staff begin to settle into a new semester, its administration is grappling with a different challenge behind the scenes – the unprecedented number of admitted students who decided not to attend SU.
There are too many institutions and not enough students. The competition is fierce, and the impact of that competition is felt differently depending on the size of the school. John Vitali principal at daval consulting
zabdyl koffa staff photographer
Chancellor Mike Haynie wrote in a campus-wide email on June 11 that the university missed its fall 2026 enrollment target, resulting in a 1.5% operating deficit for the upcoming fiscal year. Haynie wrote that SU’s deficit is “something the University has not experienced in quite some time.” In the email, Haynie pointed to heightened competition for incoming college students as one of the deficit’s main causes, as SU is not alone in navigating budget shortfalls in recent years. Many colleges and universities across the country face similar challenges due to low enrollment. “For most colleges and universities, when there’s a budget crunch, it’s driven by an enrollment dip,” Barrett Taylor, a professor of higher education at the University of Northern Texas, said. Haynie formed a committee in June hoping to address the university’s low enrollment and budget issues. He recruited Whitman School of Management see budget page 7
on campus
Dean MacPherson vows to uphold Hendricks as SU’s spiritual home By Sydney DePietto asst. copy editor
Although he grew up religious, Rev. Corey MacPherson never expected to pursue chaplaincy until he spent a semester in Hong Kong. During his time abroad working with the church, helping orphanages and the local community, MacPherson saw the “profound impact” of public service and knew he wanted to dedicate his life to it.
“I believe the Christian message is something that can be helpful in this world and call us,” MacPherson said. “It calls us to serve and care for others, calls us to serve for those in need.” After 20 years in religious leadership roles, Syracuse University appointed MacPherson as the new Hendricks Chapel Dean following Rev. Brian Konkol’s departure to Valparaiso University in December.
In his role, which he officially began Aug. 9, MacPherson will oversee 15 chaplains and more than 25 religious and spiritual groups while attempting to make Hendricks a “home” for all students. Spending over 10 years at Colgate University as university chaplain and Protestant campus minister, Dean MacPherson said SU has always been familiar to him because of its proximity to
Colgate and reputation for supporting the religious and spiritual needs of students. MacPherson explained SU’s religious center operates differently than others, as the Hendricks Dean reports directly to the chancellor, a practice he said is very uncommon. Dean MacPherson believes this factor makes a statement, signifying religious and spiritual life are a “top priority” to the university.
Dawn Singleton, co-chair of the dean search committee and vice president for the student experience, explained the committee sought out someone who will expand and deepen the partnerships between the chaplaincies, ensuring all traditions and faiths are represented. She also highlighted the “vital resources” at Hendricks, including the food pantry and emergency funds. see hendricks page 8
4 august 20, 2026
‘Cuse code
Just in time for the fall semester, The Daily Orange decodes common lingo heard around Syracuse University’s campus By Tara Binte Sharil asst. culture editor
Castle
e were all once in your shoes. We’ve all dealt with the hassles of moving into our first Syracuse University dorm and trying to figure out our class schedules. Then there’s learning how to manage finances for the first time and bracing the infamous Syracuse cold. But one reality that isn’t talked about enough is figuring out the meaning of common words SU students use on a daily basis. You get a text from a friend saying to meet them at Castle before the first football game of the season against New Hampshire, but you don’t know what Castle is. Or you need a lastminute button-up shirt at 3fifteen, but you realize you don’t even know whether 3fifteen is a store or Syracuse’s area code. To prepare for the upcoming school year, The Daily Orange decoded some commonly used lingo you’ll hear SU students using 24/7.
While Castle Court is primarily an off-campus housing complex, it’s also the best place to catch football and basketball fever before a game starts. On game days, students flock toward Castle’s parking lot off of Harrison Street to spend time with friends and listen to music before games. For Charlie DiSturco, who graduated from SU in 2019, Castle’s connected to a special memory when SU basketball beat Virginia in a 15-point comeback to head to the Final Four in 2016. “During my freshman year was the Final Four, where the team made the run and they beat Virginia in a (15)-something point comeback, and everyone stormed Castle immediately after, and it was all day there,” DiSturco said. “During the game, everyone locks in and goes to their own place, and then everyone’s like, ‘We’re going right back to Castle,’ and then you partied the night away.”
W
tabintes@syr.edu
“I’m going to Bird” If someone says they’re heading to Bird Library, it’s probably a telltale sign that midterms and finals are approaching. It’s code for, “I need to lock in.” Made up of seven floors, Bird is one of the best study places on campus, primarily for its mix of chatty and quiet spaces. But the basement of Bird is much more social than the sixth floor — take it from SU Senior Rosenblum. Though she’s a frequenter of Bird, Rosenblum avoided the library during her freshman and sophomore years. “The floors get quieter as you go up, but for some reason, I had no idea that was the case. And I went to Bird floor five, and I was actually so scared because I couldn’t make a sound, and I hated it,” Rosenblum said. “I was like, ‘Oh my God, I’m so scared of this building.’ So I refused to go back for like two years.”
Crate, Harry’s, Faegan’s and Blucy’s As you turn 21, you’ll probably hear these words thrown around. These are the four bars located on Marshall Street, boasting different atmospheres. For a more social, high-energy setting, Orange Crate Brewing Co. and Harry’s Bar will be the go-to spots, while Faegan’s Cafe & Pub features a more relaxed, sit-down layout. As for Lucy Blu Island Bar & Club, the establishment, located behind Crate, is being converted into another bar. Each spot features deals and elements that stand out from each other: Faegan’s has Flip Night on Wednesdays, where correctly calling heads or tails on a flipped quarter will earn you discounted drinks, while Crate has an indoor and outdoor setting to enjoy with your friends. However, several times throughout the year, all four bars will come together for themed bar crawls, something many SU students ages 21 and older look forward to. “During COVID, (Crate) opened a window and they were doing takeaway fishbowls, takeaway drinks,” SU 2020 alum Marie Albanese said. “We would all like social distance with our fishbowls around campus, which was insane, but super fun.”
Westcott
Dazed
Although activities are constantly happening on campus, there are plenty of offcampus options to explore in Syracuse — the Great New York State Fair, Green Lakes State Park and of course, the Westcott neighborhood. If you take a 15-minute walk northeast of campus to Westcott, you’ll be surprised by the variety of options offered in the area. For your caffeine fix, head over to Recess Coffee, while restaurants like Colucci and Alto Cinco offer a switch-up from the dining hall. Westcott also features popular brunch spot Rise N Shine and a music venue, Westcott Theater. “Me and one of my best friends would take coffee dates during senior year, just us two,” DiSturco said. “The two of us would go and drive out. We’d get the peanut butter drink they have there. That was what we loved to do.”
Before it stopped throwing weekly shows, Dazed was a music venue located on Euclid Avenue. For $7 to $10, you could enjoy a night of student bands playing in the basement of a house. Previously known as Redgate, the venue was recognizable with a red gate right in front of the house. While Dazed showcased a wide range of genres, its central focus was to highlight live student bands. Last fall, Dazed announced it would no longer be hosting house shows. “My friends and I, we had so many nights there. They all blend together, but it was a very fun place,” Rosenblum said. “Syracuse needs a good house party to come back because I feel like there were so many of them back in the day, and then they’ve all gone away, and it’s very sad.”
Disclaimer: Charlie DiSturco formerly worked as a Senior Staff Writer for The Daily Orange. DiSturco’s involvement did not influence the editorial content of this article.
august 20, 2026 5
Collegetown or CTB
Cage
Opened in September 2024, Collegetown Bagels is a bagel spot on the corner of Marshall Street. With an expansive variety of cream cheeses — like green olive and honey walnut — and speciality beverages, CTB is often full of SU students throughout the day, especially during the weekends. When it’s sunny outside, the shop’s outdoor seating is typically full with music blaring from the speakers. Across the street, students sit in front of the Whitman School of Management and Huntington Hall with their CTB bagel or sandwich. “The first time that I went, it was with my family because they were visiting, and I got their Power Plant sandwich. It’s like a vegan sandwich, and it changed the trajectory of my life,” SU senior Jade Dunn said. “Now I crave their Power Plant sandwich every single day. That’s the first thing I’m going to get when I go back to school.”
If a friend texts you saying to meet them at Cage, make sure to clarify which Cage they’re talking about. One is located in the Newhouse 2 lobby where Newhouse School of Public Communications students can check out video, audio and photo equipment. The other is located on Walnut Avenue where you can hear upbeat music booming from an apartment complex. One of the many student-run music venues on campus is the Cage Collective, simply known as Cage. While Dazed offered live student bands, Cage’s signature is student DJs who perform every weekend. Centering on house and EDM music, Cage is located in an outdoor space on the corner of an apartment complex near SU’s campus. Its accessibility makes Cage a popular party destination for students.
Dome Dogs
The Kissing Bench
Whenever there’s a game at the JMA Wireless Dome, you’ll always spot SU students holding at least one or two Dome Dogs — a game-time musthave. Dome Dogs are simply hot dogs offered at the Dome’s concessions. For only a few dollars, Dome Dogs are an affordable way to get your halftime snack fix.
The Kissing Bench serves as one of SU’s most famed legends. It’s said that if a couple kisses on the bench located between the Hall of Languages and the Tolley Humanities Building, they’ll be together for life. There have been instances where the legend of the Kissing Bench comes true and instances where it hasn’t. But just remember, if you kiss your significant other on the bench, there’s a chance you’ll be tied to them for the rest of your life.
The Quad and the Promenade
Salt City Coffee A few steps away from Collegetown Bagels is Salt City Coffee. A local coffee shop, Salt City Coffee has six locations across Syracuse. While the coffee shop offers quintessential coffee drinks like mochas and Americanos, its specialty drinks — particularly the cereal milk latte — are a popular order for SU students. With rotating flavors, the latte features different types of cereal milks like Lucky Charms and Golden Grahams. Salt City not only offers plenty of study tables, but shares the space with thrift store 3fifteen. “My sister lives in Philly, and she has a coffee shop near her that does (cereal milk coffee),” Rosenblum said. “When I learned that Salt City did it, I was like, ‘Oh my god! I was so jealous of you, but now I get to include myself in this.’”
If you ask any SU student how the Syracuse weather is, they’ll immediately tell you that it’s cold and snowy for the majority of the academic year. But for a few weeks out of the year, students can be seen filling up the grassy areas of Shaw Quadrangle. While the Quad can get busy during these weeks, the atmosphere is livelier than ever with students sprawling across the grass soaking up the sun. “The Quad was always a sign of spring during the spring semester when it would finally get warm enough that people would be out,” SU alum Jackie Homan said. “It would always be fun.” A few steps from the Quad is the Einhorn Family Walk, also known as the Promenade, the main walkway that gets students around campus. In between classes, the Promenade can get packed as people trek to their classes. With benches and a seating area outside of the Schine Student Center, the Promenade is not only a hangout spot for students, but the iconic spot where Instagram account @sufits_ takes candid photos of what SU students are wearing. You may even spot students riding on unicycles.
3fifteen After you’ve gotten your caffeine fix from Salt City and before your class begins in Marshall Square Mall, head over to 3fifteen for some shopping. A thrift shop that sells everything from affordable dresses to SU merchandise, 3fifteen is the place to go if you need a last-minute piece of clothing for a game day or date night. From SU students to professors, everyone frequents 3fifteen— even singer Ross Lynch was spotted shopping at the store before his performance at University Union’s Block Party. “If I’m making a video and need a little prop, I’ll go there. But if you need something quick for a game day, 3fifteen is really awesome,” Dunn said. “I also remember when Ross Lynch came in the spring. It was just funny because he was in 3fifteen holding matcha, so it was kind of ‘performative final boss.’”
haigi wang daily orange file photo | lars jendruschewitz senior staff photographer | emily steinberger daily orange file photo | meghan hendricks daily orange file photo | zabdyl koffa staff photographer | madison cox staff photographer | leonardo eriman daily orange file photo | daily orange file photo
6 august 20, 2026
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Micron broke ground on its $100 billion semiconductor facility in January, followed by a press conference in July celebrating the first pouring of concrete. With this early site work, Micron says the facility is “ahead of schedule” on construction. leonardo eriman daily orange file photo
city
Micron project accelerates, community pushback persists By Owen Smith
asst. digital editor
Just over half a year ago, Micron Technology executives and political leaders broke ground on a record-breaking $100 billion semiconductor facility in Clay, New York. As work on the facility heightens, so do conversations across the state. The 1,400 acre campus, once an environment of swamp and wetland, is now flat with dirt and rock. Micron held a press conference in July for the project, celebrating the first pouring of concrete.
“When we came here last time, there was sort of a trove of trees everywhere and now it’s just dirt as far as the eye can see,” Howard Lutnick, secretary of commerce, said during the conference. First announced in October 2022 and scheduled to be operational by the end of the decade, the campus will consist of four “fab” computer chip factories, producing memory chips crucial to electronic devices and the development of artificial intelligence. At the first concrete pouring event in July, President and CEO Sanjay Mehrotra announced the plant was three months ahead
of schedule and required an increase of $50 billion for domestic manufacturing spending. In June, the company announced a partnership with construction company Bechtel to build the four factories. Micron is only one of three companies in the world capable of producing high-bandwidth memory, a type of memory crucial for AI systems to process large amounts of data. As a result, Micron’s stock has surged 700% in just the past year. Neither Micron Technology nor Bechtel immediately responded to The Daily Orange’s request for comment.
Rand Wilson, a strategic advisor for CHIPS Communities United, said the demand created by AI could continue semiconductor manufacturing for years, even if the initial boom eventually slows down. CCU advocates for semiconductor investments to provide benefits to workers and communities. “People need to have high expectations for how these massive investments are going to be a shared benefit for everybody, not just the top dogs,” Wilson said. Although the company is reaching record financials, consumers have been hit by massive see micron page 8
on campus
Ongoing construction at SU brings road closures, detours By Ryan Garipoli asst. news editor
Over the summer, Syracuse University continued work on several construction projects from new dorms to campus-wide renovations, some of which will continue throughout the academic year. SU announced in May that the campus would be undergoing “one of the most active construction periods in recent years” during summer 2026. The projects will create construction zones and road closures at several different points on campus. In a statement to The Daily Orange, SU’s vice president and chief facilities officer Peter Sala answered students’ lingering questions about ongoing construction as the fall semester starts. The D.O. broke down the projects being finalized and the ones expected to continue work during the fall 2026 semester and beyond.
315 Waverly and 501 Comstock Ave:
Construction of a new underclassmen residence hall will continue for the duration of the academic year and close the section of Comstock Avenue between Waverly Street and Marshall Street, as well as partially close off one side of the sidewalk along Marshall Street. SU will reassess in 2027 for a possible early opening, Sala said in the statement.
544 University Place Residence Hall:
The west side of the sidewalk along Ostrom Avenue will remain closed as construction continues
for the duration of the academic year, Sala said. The creation of the dormitories at 544 University Place and 315 Waverly and 501 Comstock Ave is part of SU’s plan to provide main campus housing for all sophomores.
Newhouse I Plaza:
Renovations for the Newhouse I Plaza began in May 2026, including full tiling and roof replacements, a snow-melting heat system and improved drainage and electrical upgrades. SU released full details on the construction’s improvements in July. The plaza is on track to reopen in mid-October, Sala said.
I-81 Construction:
Continued New York State Department of Transportation construction projects will affect the flow of traffic throughout SU’s welcome week and the fall 2026 semester. The project will close portions of Renwick Avenue, Van Buren Street and Almond Street near West Campus during the fall semester.
DellPlain Hall:
All masonry repairs — cracks, chips and other damages in the dormitory walls — in DellPlain Hall have been completed, Sala said in the statement.
Regent Theater:
The Regent Theater’s roof replacement will be completed before classes begin on Aug. 24. The
Construction of a new underclassmen residence hall will continue for the duration of the academic year, closing parts of the surrounding streets. zabdyl koffa staff photographer
replacement has “no anticipated impact on VPA students this semester,” Sala said.
Graduate Hotel:
the summer is complete, Sala said. Electrical work was done in several places on main campus, including areas around the JMA Wireless Dome, Physics Building, and along Irving Avenue.
Underground electrical work:
Questions about SU’s construction projects can be directed to the Office of Campus Planning, Design, and Construction. More information on all construction can be found on its interactive campus map, Sala said.
SU began construction on a “Graduate Hotel” in May 2026 that will fence off an area along University Avenue. The hotel’s estimated completion date remains set for fall 2027. All underground electrical work conducted over
rcgaripo@syr.edu
on campus
SU’s AI degrees responsibly prepare students for evolving job market By Bailey Dunn
asst. copy editor
As artificial intelligence usage rapidly increases worldwide, Syracuse University has introduced over 10 new AI-centered majors, minors and certificate programs, as a part of a “larger AI push” to prepare students for the workforce, according to its website. Beginning in the fall semester, SU will offer multiple bachelor’s and master’s programs, following a national trend of university efforts to
keep up with AI’s growth. Outside degree programs, SU’s AI minors, all launched within the past year or beginning in the fall semester, will extend the network to five schools across campus with AI programs. “Though the AI degree programs are expanding nationally, not many schools are bringing the full picture into their curriculum,” Lois Agnew, vice chancellor, provost and chief academic officer, said in a release in July. The goal of the new AI programs is to have an interdisciplinary approach, rather than teaching
and consuming AI as a single subject, Julie Hasenwinkel, interim dean of the College of Engineering and Computer Science and associate provost for academic programs, said in the release. This approach will instead “weave cuttingedge technology” into “every aspect” of one’s education, such as their academics, research and career pathway.
Integrative Artificial Intelligence B.S.
The integrative artificial intelligence bachelor’s of science degree is offered through the School
of Information Studies. Baobao Zhang, Maxwell Dean Associate Professor of the Politics of AI, helped develop the integrative AI major and said it aims to pair technical AI knowledge with expertise in a specific field. The program requires students to complete 120 total credits, as well as a minor in an applied domain such as analytics, business, communications, media or policy, according to its website. “Someone who’s coming into the integrative AI major, their goal is to still learn about the see ai page 8
august 20, 2026 7
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on campus
SU dining rolls out mobile ordering, starting at Dunkin’ By Owen Smith
asst. digital editor
Syracuse University Campus Dining launched mobile ordering for on-campus dining locations through the Transact Mobile Ordering app earlier this month, according to a university release. The service will first be used at Dunkin’ inside the Schine Student Center, with other locations to follow during the fall semester. This comes after SU announced in April that the app was undergoing beta testing. Mobile orders can be placed in the Transact Mobile Ordering app, accessible through the OrangeNow app or the app store, after signing in with their NetID and
selecting “Syracuse University.” In addition to supporting Dining Dollars and ‘Cuse Cash, users can also enter another form of payment, such as a credit or debit card. “We are continually looking for ways to enhance the dining experience for our campus community, and we believe mobile ordering will make it quicker and easier to access our retail locations,” John Papazoglou, SU’s senior vice president and chief operations officer, said in the release. The mobile ordering feature arrives alongside a new Starbucks location in Bird Library, as well as an Einstein Bros. Bagels location in the Life Sciences Atrium, also announced in the release. owensmith@dailyorange.com
Syracuse University launched mobile ordering capabilities for on-campus dining locations, starting with Dunkin’ in Schine Student Center. sofia destaso contributing photographer
from page 3
budget professor Amber Anand and Maxwell professor Jennifer Karas Montez as co-chairs. In his email announcing the committee, Haynie posed questions the group has been tasked with answering, such as “What is now — and what can be in the future — the purpose and distinctive contribution of Syracuse University for the students who enroll here, and more broadly in American higher education?” “Once the semester starts, the committee will reach out to the University community to seek input on the questions the Chancellor has posed,” Anand and Montez said in a statement to The D.O. “We encourage students, faculty, staff, alumni and friends of the University to share their thoughts to help guide our report.” The committee’s report is due to the Chancellor on Nov. 15, SU’s Student Government Association President Emily Castillo-Melean and Executive Vice President Max Lachut said in a statement to The D.O. The two plan to push for student input on the committee. The work of the committee will complement, not replace, existing budget processes and shared governance, a university spokesperson said in a Tuesday statement to The D.O. Although hearing about a budget deficit may be new for the SU community, it isn’t unheard of in the world of higher education. The University of Vermont also faces a $12 million deficit after projecting a 15% decrease in freshman undergraduate student enrollment and a 7% overall decrease across all undergraduate grades. Similarly, the University of Wyoming faces a $15 million deficit caused by enrollment decline, inflation and reduced investment income, according to reporting by WyoFile. “It’s sort of a reflection of changes in demographics over the last few years,” Michah Rothbart, an associate professor at the Maxwell School of Citizenship and Public Affairs who specializes in public finance and financial management, said. SU is a tuition-dependent university, meaning 65% of its operating budget comes from student services revenue, syracuse.com reported. That revenue includes tuition, room and board costs and athletic event ticket sales. The university announced it would raise tuition by nearly 4% in May, jumping from $66,580 to $69,180, increasing the estimated cost of attendance to $95,676 for students living on campus. Rothbart said changes for tuitiondependent colleges and universities like SU have a major impact. An established university like SU that already has fixed financial expenses — including maintenance facilities, faculty and staff and buildings — struggles more significantly when facing a sudden drop in enrollment, he said. “If you’re more dependent exclusively on tuition, and the enrollments are falling, you’re much more likely to be in a situation where it’s going to be an ongoing structural issue,” Rothbart said. “The next question then also is if you do see a decline in enrollment, you have to determine is this a sort of one-off thing or…does it seem like this is a sign of things to come.” While SU faces some budget issues, the university has not reached what experts describe as a structural deficit. John Vitali, principal at Daval Consulting, which serves universities focusing on strengthening their financial and business operations, described a structural deficit as when recurring revenue can no longer support your recurring operating expenses. An operational deficit, by contrast — which the university is currently experiencing — means that some of the approved assumptions, “particularly on the revenue
SU has created a committee to address low enrollment and budget issues, while students emphasize the need for transparency amid the deficit. meghan hendricks daily orange file photo
side,” whether it’s enrollment or retention, are missed, he said. In his June 11 email, Haynie wrote that enrollment in U.S. higher education institutions has “meaningfully declined.” The Western Interstate Commission for Higher Education also predicts that the total number of high school graduates peaked in 2025 and will steadily decline through 2041. “There are too many institutions and not enough students,” Vitali said. “The competition is fierce, and the impact of that competition is felt differently depending on the size of the school.” SU will also offer an early action application option for incoming applicants, allowing prospective students to receive an earlier admissions decision without being legally bound to attend the school. SU had previously only offered early decision as an early application option. Students who apply early, “tend to matriculate at higher rates,” according to C2 Education, boosting a school’s yield. Many institutions nationwide expanded capacity in the past few years to accommodate larger classes of college students and are now feeling the strain of a smaller number of collegeage students, Rothbart said. Taylor explained that the reasons for deficits can vary across institutions, such as public funding or research-related struggles. The University of Arizona dealt with a prominent $177 million deficit due to financial mismanagement, first revealed in 2023.
In his email, Haynie wrote international student enrollment is also “down significantly,” due to visa difficulties, geopolitical pressures and federal policy disruptions. There are 111,000 fewer international students at U.S. colleges and universities in the upcoming year, according to NAFSA: Association of International Educators. In their statement, Castillo-Melean and Lachut said the deficit is “a serious institutional challenge, not an emergency.” The pair also shared that they’ve heard student concerns, the most consistent one being costs of attendance and the possibility that the deficit means students will personally have to make up the difference. “Syracuse’s financial position remains stable and structurally strong, and the 1.5% operating deficit, is one this institution can and will manage without disrupting the student or faculty experience or reducing financial aid,” SU’s spokesperson said. Transparency is an important way to address concerns, Rothbart said. He explained that it’s important for an institution to be “honest and forthright” with faculty about its planned course of action, as they’re important stakeholders and an important voice for the core mission of colleges and universities. However, Vitali warns that while transparency is important, it sometimes causes unintentional panic. He said that no one he’s ever worked with, including himself, deliberately wants to withhold information,
but the information can very easily be misunderstood or misconstrued. “Transparency is a two-edged sword,” Vitali said. “The information that’s released to people is only as valuable as their ability to understand it.” Taylor also explained that on a broader scale, financial health and public trust are directly connected and have implications for the “mission-related, social and moral health” of higher education. He said if more people begin to doubt the value of higher education, it has a cascading effect on enrollment and it becomes harder to convince people to pay high tuition rates. For public universities, this connection is direct, Taylor said, but for private universities like SU, it’s also very present and necessary to address, “even if you have to take sort of a step along the way to get there.” Castillo-Melean and Lachut encourage students to reach out to SGA to express their opinions and concerns regarding the deficit via email, SGA’s No Problem Too Small initiative and by attending their weekly assembly meetings. “Your concern is legitimate and you shouldn’t let anyone talk you out of it. But concern isn’t the same as helplessness,” Castillo-Melean and Lachut wrote. “This is a 1.5% deficit at an institution with real financial strength behind it — Syracuse has the resources and the time to get this right.” news@dailyorange.com
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from page 3
hendricks “We want to continue to honor the past and the legacy, but also ensure that it’s a place that people continue to find as a refuge,” Singleton said. “I think that’s why it’s really the spiritual heart of the university.” Dara Harper, communications manager at Hendricks, expressed her excitement about finding a permanent Hendricks dean. Now, she said the team can begin creating plans for the future, rather than being in a “limbo holding pattern” with an interim leader. Singleton said throughout their conversations with committee members, senior management, faculty and staff, Dean MacPherson demonstrated prowess in all aspects. For Dean MacPherson, a chaplain should be available to support all students in their path, not to convert or proselytize. As university chaplains are not mandated reporters, he said this also gives students greater freedom to communicate. Rather than simply answer questions, MacPherson said it’s best to lead through wisdom, advice and guidance, journeying with students. This approach was one of his favorite aspects of Colgate, as he worked with a multifaith and interfaith approach. “For some, it’s a step forward in their religious journey. Sometimes it’s a step back. Sometimes they identify religious, not spiritual. Sometimes atheists,” Dean MacPherson said. “It’s this really beautiful journey, just being able to help students.” Leading in a multi-faith and interfaith way is “critical,” Singleton explained, and a key principle for a Hendricks dean, who should support and engage inclusively and collaboratively. from page 6
micron electronic price hikes because of Micron and other chip manufacturers. AI expansion created a massive demand for memory chips commonly found in phones, laptops and gaming consoles. Despite heavy support from President Donald Trump’s administration, the Clay campus received criticism over environmental concerns and resource demands. The controversy comes as data centers and tech facilities are being protested nationwide by both sides of the political aisle. Just hours before January’s groundbreaking, Neighbors for a Better Micron, a coalition of local residents opposed to the plant, filed a lawsuit in the New York Supreme Court arguing the project’s final environmental impact statement failed to comply with the New York State Environmental Quality Review Act. In addition, the petitioners sued the Onondaga County Industrial Development Agency, the State Department of Environmental Conservation and the Town of Clay Planning Board.
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During the interview process, Singleton said Dean MacPherson talked about his ability to collaborate with various faith leaders at his previous roles. He emphasized looking at students’ needs to ensure they had access to resources for their faith, which is “really important” at SU. Dean MacPherson also highlighted the importance of listening to others. Since officially beginning his position, he’s started talking with associate deans about different program options for the school year. He explained that he has no agenda to shut anything down or start something new, but rather to make decisions as a community. Dean MacPherson said he’s focused on what’s best for SU students, looking at what can be improved and deciding together. In addition to his time at universities, Dean MacPherson served as a chaplain with the United States Army Reserve’s 403rd Civil Affairs Battalion in his 50s, spending 13 weeks in Fort Jackson, South Carolina. He joined after hearing there was a chaplaincy shortage in the military, as many members are 25 or younger. MacPherson felt he could help given his experience working with students and younger generations. Though he leans strongly toward pacifism and nonviolence, he said it’s important not to forget about military personnel even if some may not agree with every aspect of the government or military. “We have soldiers in there that need support, and our chaplains are one source of support and care for soldiers,” Dean MacPherson said. As Hendricks Dean, MacPherson’s role is “shifting” away from the battalion, but he said he still wants to prioritize SU’s military community. His focus is now on veterans, and he’s The project was previously delayed three times due to regulation issues, and construction came to a halt for a year and a half after a discovery of an endangered bat species preventing tree clearing. On August 3, NBM filed another complaint alleging Micron’s approved wastewater and air permits aren’t valid and will allow the company to leak “forever chemicals” into the Oneida River. The plant will use polyfluoroalkyl substances, also known as PFAS, that are known to contaminate waterways and ecosystems. Don Hughes, a member of the local Sierra Club and professor of chemistry at Le Moyne College, hopes Micron will do a better job at monitoring and controlling the amount of PFAS emissions. “There’s no PFAS limitations on either the air permit or the wastewater permit,” Hughes said. “I would love to see them establish a robust monitoring program which samples the water so that we can see what kind of impact this plant is having.” NBM is an association of Jobs to Move America, a national advocacy organization that
corey macpherson has been appointed as the new Hendricks Chapel dean, overseeing 15 chaplains and more than 25 religious groups. courtesy of dara harper
looking forward to working with them at The National Veterans Resource Center. More generally, MacPherson said he hopes people find Hendricks to be a home for all students, not just for those who identify as religious or spiritual. Whether it’s attending services or getting coffee at People’s Place, he believes the chapel should be a place where every student feels welcome. As Hendricks approaches its 100th birthday, after opening in 1930, Harper is looking forward to the celebration — with Dean MacPherson leading the school in remembering the chapel’s history and looking toward the future. At the time of its construction, Hendricks’ 1,450-seat sanctuary was the third-largest university chapel in the U.S., according to SU. Under former Dean Konkol’s leadership, the university
saw a 150% increase in student engagement at Hendricks over eight years. Dean MacPherson highlighted all the “amazing and wonderful” things happening at the chapel, citing Hendricks’ great past and the support he hopes to give all students in this new role. He said Hendricks’ mission is “beautiful,” due to its inclusive environment and welcoming nature. That ties into his first point of emphasis — encouraging all students to visit religious tradition gatherings to explore what “religious journeys look like.” “It’s a home for all faiths and a place for all people,” Dean MacPherson said. “And I hope that all students feel not just those who identify as religious or spiritual, truly feel it’s a place for them, a home.”
ensures public spending and investments create “healthier communities,” according to the group’s website. Several NBM members say the permit’s shortcomings could harm residents living near the site, including a family caring for an elderly woman with respiratory issues and a resident who relies on fishing in Oneida Lake for food, according to a JMA press release. “We believe strongly in the economic potential of the Micron project and want to welcome it to Central New York, but we don’t believe this progress has to come at the cost of environmental health and safety,” Paul Sidberg, a senior staff attorney with JMA, said. Those economic prospects include a claim of 50,000 new jobs for the upstate region, along with 9,000 high-paying positions by 2045, practicing “good faith” hiring practices to “disadvantaged communities.” In addition, political leaders like New York state representative John Mannion have claimed Micron’s investment in American manufacturing “strengthens national security” amid com-
puter chip tensions and trade tariffs with China. The domestic investments have also helped earn the support of the Trump administration. Syracuse University plans to aid Micron and its efforts as the university has hired over a dozen engineering and computer science faculty since 2023, syracuse.com reported. The College of Engineering and Computer Science is expected to double in size over the next few years as a result of the project. Former dean of ECS, Cole Smith, claimed the new size will help enroll about 150 more students and hire about 30 additional professors. Onondaga Community College also opened a Cleanroom Simulation Lab to teach students and prepare them for careers in semiconductor manufacturing. The project was completely paid for by Micron. “A project like the Micron facility can be politically significant, economically powerful and desired in a community,” Sindberg said. “All of those things can be true. However, it must follow the law.”
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Bachelor’s and Master’s of Science in AI Science
The two new programs housed in the College of Engineering and Computer Science, the Bachelor of Science in AI Science and the Master of Science in AI Science, take on a more technical approach, built to train students in the algorithmic foundations of AI systems. According to Bipartisan Policy Center and Lightcast research, jobs in America requiring AI-focused skills grew by 144% as of April 2026, compared to only a 7% growth in overall job postings, which SU cites in the school’s explanation of the new degrees.
Bachelor’s of Science in AI Science
The bachelor’s degree in AI science within the ECS school is a “rigorous” program, focused
owensmith@dailyorange.com
posed by AI systems and “evaluate governance approaches” while building AI tools for government and public sector applications, according to its website. In addition to its nine-credit AI policy core and electives, there’s also a threecredit analytical skills foundation requirement alongside domain specific electives.
ai
technical aspects of AI to a sufficient degree, but to be really able to apply it in various professional contexts,” Zhang said. Regardless of the field, Zhang said the major aims to apply AI to subjects with a “detailed understanding” of the risks and opportunities involved. “There are a lot of job opportunities nowadays where businesses and nonprofit organizations, schools, governments want to adopt AI, but can’t just go and hire computer scientists who have no understanding of their specific professional context,” Zhang said. “You need someone who can speak both languages.” The major requires students to take core technical courses alongside classes in ethics and governance, to help students understand the “limitations” and “harm” that can come with AI, Zhang said. The integrative AI major received approval from the New York State Education Department, the release said. Both new and current students can enroll in courses in the major starting this fall.
sadepiet@syr.edu
Applications of AI Minor
The applications of AI minor in the ISchool focuses on AI’s role in “transforming industries everywhere, from business and healthcare to the arts and social sciences.” The minor is 18 credits with a six-credit core and nine-credit elective requirement with three core elective credits. sarah yudichak contributing illustrator
on “computing, machine learning, knowledge representation and large language models,” its website says. The 120-credit bachelor’s degree includes a 60-credit general foundation, 22-credit computing core, 15-credit AI core, eight-credit senior capstone sequence, nine-credit concentration and six credits of upper-division AI electives.
Master’s of Science in AI Science
The 30-credit MS program includes two 500level courses meant to “eliminate prerequisite barriers” for students coming from other STEM backgrounds, making it accessible to any “mathematically mature” STEM graduate. Students will take a 12-credit advanced AI core, a three-credit specialization track in either AI hardware or natural language processing, a six-credit thesis or capstone and round out the degree with six credits of AI electives and a three-credit engineering elective.
AI and Emerging Media Minor
The 18-credit AI and emerging media minor in the Newhouse School of Public Communications is an 18-credit program designed to give students a “competitive edge in rapidly changing fields” by
“combining AI literacy, ethical decision-making, data strategy and hands-on content creation,” according to its website. The minor requires four three-credit foundational courses and six credits of tailored electives.
AI in Business Applications Minor
The goal of the College of Professional Studies’ AI in business applications minor is to expand students’ “abilities to critically analyze and apply key digital technologies and tools in industry scenarios,” to prepare them for the future of the workforce.
AI Science and Engineering Minor
The 18-credit AI science and engineering minor in the ECS is new starting this fall. The minor is designed to “create technical experts” who will thrive in changing environments through teaching skills that are sought after by employers. The program combines both core computing and technical principles with AI coursework.
AI Policy Minor
The AI policy minor in the Maxwell School of Citizenship and Public Affairs is an 18-credit program designed to address policy problems
Applied Digital Process Automation Minor
The applied digital process automation minor within CPS is designed to cover the basic concepts of digital automation. The minor is 18 credits and includes classes such as AIA 210, Foundations of Digital Automation and AIA 215, Generative AI in Digital Automation.
Data Centers, AI and Energy Systems Minor
This minor is available to all ECS students, with the goal of creating computer scientists and engineers who can immediately impact each of their respective industries, according to its website. Outside of the majors and minors, SU will also offer certificates and an online degree. The certificates offered are one in AI business automation and another in AI business applications. The online degree is in AI in business process automation. The majors are one of SU’s responses to the expansion of AI in higher education and the workforce. “Even if you’re not thinking about going into this for professional reasons, you might still want to consider taking the major, given how prevalent AI is in everyday life,” Zhang said. badunn@syr.edu
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CULTURE
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Warm welcome
Goon Squad members help first-year students move into Shaw Hall in 1971. While the Goon Squad’s primary duty is helping students move into residence halls, volunteers also play an integral role in shaping new students’ first experiences on campus. courtesy of special collections research center
Since 1944, the Goon Squad has become a helping hand for incoming new students, with traditions beginning and evolving throughout the years By Joel Pelachik
asst. culture editor
A
s the first college to adopt the color orange, a sea of orange T-shirts across Syracuse University’s campus is a common sighting. But during Welcome Week, non-first year students — often spotted energetically wheeling move-in carts around freshmen dorms — wear distinct orange tees labeled “Goon Squad.”
For some former Goon Squad members, those T-shirts are more than just a piece of fabric volunteers had to wear. Years later, after donning the orange shirt from 200608, SU alum Cathy Zöld still has her tee. “It was fun helping other people move in, seeing who else was going to be in the dorm. If I saw people that I had helped move in, like in the hallway or in the cafeteria, I’d go over, say hi to them, try to be welcoming,” Zöld said. “That’s what people did for me when I moved into Lawrinson, and
so (I was) just trying to continue on that tradition with being really welcoming.” Earlier this week, the approximately 400-person Goon Squad returned to SU’s dorms, checking new students in, carrying dorm essentials up flights of stairs and sharing advice to newcomers. But the annual practice dates back to before many of the freshman dorms were even constructed. Founded in 1944 by SU’s Traditions Commission, the Goon Squad initially see goon squad page 13
food and drink
Tips, tricks and recipes to help you concoct convenient dorm meals By Caroline Erskine asst. copy editor
There’s a special kind of despair that comes from staring down yet another dining hall dinner of chicken and rice or a lukewarm slice of pizza. Some college students spend their time debating the pros and cons of each dining center, but ultimately, the truth is that these meals can become tiring after a while. DoorDash and late-night Marshall Street options are solid alternatives,
but those who are balling on a budget have to make the most of what they’ve got. After a few weeks, many students begin looking for a way out; some turn to microwavable meals or makeshift cutting boards on their dorm room desks. At Syracuse University, dining hall menus rotate, but many of the stations have the same options. I’m not a picky eater, but there are only so many times I can eat the same meal. The night I had microwave popcorn instead of dinner, I
knew it was time to hunt around for other options. For students with dining hall plans or ones that like cooking with simple recipes, The Daily Orange has a solution for you.
Don’t have a car and don’t want to Instacart
It’s okay, we’ve all been there. But don’t worry! There are plenty of ways to get creative with dining hall ingredients in your dorm room.
Overnight Oats
½ packet brown sugar oatmeal ½ packet plain oatmeal ⅓ dining hall mug of milk ⅓ dining hall mug of yogurt Pinch of shredded coconut Handful of whatever fruit or other toppings are available Simple, but delicious. This tends to work best if you have easy access to dining halls like Sadler and Graham, because they have more ingredients
available throughout the day, but this recipe can work anywhere. Overnight oats take about five minutes to prep and stay fresh for several days. They’re also easily customizable — I once had a friend make me five different types, one for each morning of the school week. The one catch: you’re going to need a container to store them in. I used mason jars from Target that cost around $2 each. see recipes page 13
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WELCOME
beyond the hill
Vintage Yard petitions for campus presence WEEK EVENTS By Alex Rice
asst. digital editor
Looking for secondhand clothing at 3fifteen and The Vintage Yard are two completely different shopping experiences for Jared Dowling, who graduated from Syracuse University in 2024. When Dowling was still living in Syracuse, he went to 3fifteen when he needed budget-friendly clothing options he could sift through and The Vintage Yard when he wanted a vintage jersey. “I’ve frequented (The Vintage Yard) as well as (3fifteen), and I would say that they serve two different kinds of niches,” Dowling said. “I feel like they don’t necessarily compete with each other, but they kind of just work together in a way.” Because of the shop’s distinct positions, Dowling immediately signed The Vintage Yard’s petition to support their goal of securing a local storefront when he came across it on Instagram — even after moving to Pennsylvania. In 2023, The Vintage Yard was denied a vacant retail space in Marshall Square Mall because it would serve as competition for 3fifteen. The Vintage Yard owners Andrew Rainbow and Steven Davis are now looking to apply again for a permanent spot in the mall — which is owned by SU. Even with support from the local community, residents and students, The Vintage Yard hadn’t previously made much progress toward moving to the mall. Because their clothing is primarily centered around SU, their priority is finding a spot near campus where they could comfortably expand. Two weeks ago, Rainbow and Davis launched the petition to garner support for the shop’s move to a permanent storefront, which had reached over 170 signatures as of Tuesday.
3fifteen did not immediately respond to The Daily Orange’s request for comment on the storefront denial. The Vintage Yard opened about five years ago in 2021 when Rainbow, a Syracuse native, began collecting hats for himself. He and Davis randomly decided to sell apparel in local events like the Central New York Regional Market. As the business began picking up, Rainbow moved into a house at 1203 Madison St., where The Vintage Yard currently operates. “I really wanted a chance to kind of explain to them that we provide a more personal experience,” Rainbow said. “Our clothes are much more curated. I think the prices are reflected in the process and the uniqueness of the items.” Other clothing stores have previously opened in the mall that carry student-inspired clothing, while more recently other vintage clothing stores, like Scholars & Champs, have also launched storefronts near competitors — like 3fifteen — on South Crouse Avenue. When Dowling had visited The Vintage Yard’s yard sales in the front of its current location every Saturday morning while he lived near campus, he noticed the variety of vintage clothing the business offered. The apparel differed from items typically sold at a chain store, Dowling said. Rainbow wants nothing more than to become part of the campus community. He understands the confusion about the similarities between selling used items but believes The Vintage Yard targets a different niche. At a traditional secondhand store, you may find something you weren’t specifically looking for; at The Vintage Yard, customers already have an idea of their target purchase.
“No one could ever walk into a thrift store and say ‘Hey, I’m a Miami Dolphins fan, can you give me a jersey?’ They’re going to laugh at you,” Rainbow said. “But here, we would be more than happy to pick your size, pick the year, pick the color and work really hard on finding that item for you.” Rainbow and Davis believe The Vintage Yard and 3fifteen would thrive off being in close proximity to each other — opposite of what the property owner thinks. Davis and Rainbow have made numerous connections locally and in New York City throughout their years of vintage collecting, allowing them to buy better quality wholesale products and make them accessible to students, Davis said. Davis has noticed immense support from SU students, which has allowed him and Rainbow to partner with Greek life organizations and even OttoTHON. Rainbow has seen how much the student community appreciates them for providing interesting pieces, he said. It isn’t just something he and Davis occasionally make money at, it’s become a store students consistently come to. If both stores existed in the mall, they might complement each other well, Dowling said. And, he added, bringing a small business into Marshall Square Mall would only further the sense of community around campus. “You’re kind of supporting that, what is it they say? That you’re bleeding orange,” Dowling said. “It’s really supporting community-driven initiatives as a large university, and I think that speaks volumes to where they’re prioritizing their efforts.” arice19@syr.edu
The Slice is Right In this optional event for new students, they compete against other first-years in a game show-esque challenge. Competitors will learn about the history and traditions of Syracuse University. WHERE: JMA Wireless Dome WHEN: Wednesday, 8:15 to 9:30 p.m. PRICE: Free
New Student Convocation All new students are required to attend this ceremony that marks the beginning of their SU journeys. The ceremony will include remarks from the Chancellor and Provost. Parents, families, supporters and other students are welcome to join. WHERE: JMA Wireless Dome WHEN: Thursday, 10 to 11 a.m. PRICE: Free
Orange Blast Involvement Fair Before class begins, meet representatives from over 50 student organizations, club sports and Greek organizations. Students can also enjoy food, inflatables and mini golf. WHERE: Shaw Quadrangle WHEN: Thursday, 6:30 to 8:30 p.m. PRICE: Free
campus life
Pack smarter, not harder: Dorm living do’s and don’ts By Ava Demcher
Receive your Welcome Week T-shirt and meet fellow first-year and transfer students. During this required event, incoming students will arrange themselves for the iconic block “S” photo. WHERE: JMA Wireless Dome WHEN: Saturday, 4 to 5 p.m. PRICE: Free
asst. digital editor
Move-in day has a way of exposing every hasty decision and unnecessary, last-minute Amazon find. Each August, incoming Syracuse University students line up outside freshmen dorms with more possessions than their room could ever hold. As soon as you get to campus, it’s time to unload your car’s worth of belongings and cart them up to your dorm. The minifridge gets plugged in, the fitted sheets are put on and all of a sudden there’s a heaping pile of stuff with nowhere to go. Blue Ikea bags lay forgotten as you try to cram your closet with junk. Dorm rooms have a way of humbling even the most organized packers. Here’s what you should bring — and what you should leave in the garage — for your first year in the 315.
Drumlins Summer Block Party To celebrate their centennial, Drumlins Country Club is throwing a summer block party with food, drinks, lawn games, fireworks and more. Local rock band Prime Time Horns will be providing live music from 5 to 9 p.m. while the fireworks show will begin at 9:15 p.m. WHERE: Drumlins Country Club WHEN: Saturday, 4 to 9 p.m. PRICE: Free
Do bring: Mattress topper
A standard dorm mattress is thin, old and stiff. Long story short: They’re not built for eight months of sleeping. A 4-inch memory foam mattress topper is essential for a good night’s sleep. Pair it with a mattress encasement and a couple of pillows for maximum comfort.
Don’t bring: Extra bedding
Additional blankets or throw pillows are bulky and will take up more space than they’re worth. Instead of crowding an already crammed room for an item that you may use twice or that’ll fall off your bed, opt for a duvet or comforter that’s easy to wash — and only grab one extra set of sheets.
Do bring: Woozoo fan
If you’re on social media, chances are your algorithm is filled with college and dorm necessities. You’ve definitely been inundated with content about the IRIS Woozoo fan. The crazy part is — the fan’s actually worth it. Compact and remotecontrolled, the fan offers big benefits in a small footprint. The cooling device may be small, but it sure is mighty. As an alternative, bring any small oscillating fan with multiple settings.
Don’t bring: Space heater
Most dorms prohibit a space heater entirely, including SU. Not only is it an obvious fire hazard, but the heater makes the room feel more stuffy and tiny than it actually is. Rely on your dorm radiator, which often blasts heat in the Syracuse winter, and let your resident advisor know if it gets too cold.
Do bring: Reusable water bottle and mug
A water bottle that can be refilled at water stations across campus will save money on vending machines and plastic bottles — and is easy to wash in any communal sink. Mugs mean that you can
Dome Sweet Dome
sarah yudichak contributing illustrator
make tea or coffee in your dorm room for a latenight self-care session or an early exam.
Don’t bring: Full kitchen set
Not only will you end up schlepping to the dining hall anyway for meals, but a set of pots, pans and dishes will overpower the bit of storage capacity that you do have. Plug-in appliances with open flames are against code, and they’re a hassle to begin with. If you don’t want your dorm to smell like grease or fire, stick to basic microwave ramen.
Do bring: Small or vanity mirror
Whether it be for makeup, hair or touching up before your 8 a.m. class, a small standing mirror for your desk works wonders. Portable enough to be tucked away for extra room, a small mirror is great for retouches.
Don’t bring: Full-length mirror
Do yourself a favor and don’t worry about packing or shipping a full-length mirror: Most SU dorms already have one hanging in the closet.
Do bring: A basic first-aid kit
Ibuprofen, antacid tablets and Band-Aids are a standard kit — and probably the things you’ll use most. Throw in some cold medicine for the winter months, and you’ll be set for a year’s worth of sneezes and sniffles.
Don’t bring: A full medicine cabinet
Overpacking applies to the practical part of dorm living too. Instead of spending hundreds of dollars on medications you might need for any illness under the sun, build your collection as you go. The CVS just off Marshall Street will be your best friend.
Do bring: Command hooks
Coats, towels and bags all need places to go too. Instead of overfilling your closet, pop command hooks on the edge of your bed or on the side of your desk to add extra storage for the little belongings you might not have considered.
Don’t bring: Extra furniture
Contrary to the belief of some interior designers specializing in dorm rooms, you do not need a love seat for your open double. Extra chairs and seats will leave zero wiggle room in your room. Bring a pillow or blanket to cover your SU-provided desk chair to add comfortable seating. By the time your bed is lofted and the posters go up, your room might not look like the one on your Pinterest board. But it will be somewhere you can live functionally for 75% of the year without getting cabin fever (most of the time). Pack smart, and ditch the things that would end up in the dumpster by October. ahdemche@syr.edu
Unapologetically Unfiltered In a space of unfiltered storytelling, hear stories from Black women about healing, motherhood, pain, love and more. The event is organized by the Syracuse Black Maternal Health Committee. Speakers will include Tenekqua Davis-Cauthen, Terrice Hamilton, Tasha Benjamin and more. There will also be a preshow reception from 5 to 5:45 p.m. Attendees must be 18 or older due to sensitive themes. WHERE: Community Folk Art Center, Black Box Theatre WHEN: Saturday, 5 to 8 p.m. PRICE: Free
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from page 11
goon squad ensured that new students wore their orange beanies — a requirement that originated in an 1890s student handbook. Since then, the Goon Squad has evolved into volunteers greeting new students to campus and assisting them on move-in days. “I just remember as a freshman, five or six kids on a team would grab all of your stuff, and in one trip you’d be up in your room,” former Goon Squad member Ross Relyea said. “It just made everything so much easier.” Before Relyea graduated in 1985, he remembers reading move-in information as an incoming student. The Goon Squad’s help was unexpected; Relyea knew they’d be around campus, but he wasn’t sure what the group was. During the early Goon Squad days, “The Goon Show” — a talent competition that’d later become Welcome Week’s “The Slice is Right” — entertained new students. And in the 1970s, the Goon Squad’s orange T-shirts became standard, swapping out their initial uniforms that featured decorated straw hats and Jiminy Cricket button pins. Toryn Kimberley Stewart became a Goon Squad member in 1991 because she was eager to return to campus, but her experience welcoming students made her feel more connected to the SU community. “In addition to wanting to get back to school early, I was glad to be one of the people helping,” Stewart said. “We also got T-shirts. Back in those days, you could pretty much get a college student to do anything by giving a free T-shirt.” In 2005, the orange-shirt wearing Goon Squad helped Zöld move into Lawrinson Hall. Zöld felt like she immediately belonged at SU because of how seamlessly the Goon Squad transferred her possessions into Lawrinson. Her friends that went to other colleges faced more difficult move-in days, Zöld said. Thanks to the Goon Squad, she met people and became acclimated to her new surroundings quicker. “I had a lot of anxiety at first, and I feel like my first day, and especially just with the move-in process, everything was so profoundly positive,” Zöld said. “(The Goon Squad) gave me such a great experience that I wanted to do that for other students.” At a freshmen orientation event, Zöld ran into the two Goon Squad participants who helped her move in. After they told her more about the Goon Squad, she kept an eye out for sign-ups.
The Goon Squad Trouble Shooters smile at the camera in 1972. Beyond making move-in easier for new students, Goon Squad members participated in traditions like “The Goon Show” and painting an orange stripe on University Avenue. courtesy of special collections research center
The next two years, Zöld welcomed freshmen into Sadler Hall as part of the Goon Squad. During her senior year, Zöld met new students at Lawrinson, where she first discovered the Goon Squad four years before. Even when Zöld’s Goon Squad duties were done, she maintained a welcoming spirit, interacting with students she recognized on campus. “It was an opportunity to meet new people, and you were helping out too,” SU alum Seth Mendelson said. “It wasn’t all just about us.” Although the Goon Squad’s primary goal is to support new students, like Stewart, heading back to campus early was an incentive for Mendelson to join. Mendelson served on the Goon Squad during his sophomore and junior years in 1977 and 1978 — when New York’s legal drinking age was 18. With rumors of free beer being served, Mendelson attended a dinner with other Goon Squad volunteers at then-SU Chancellor Melvin Eggers’ house. Mendelson recalled hot dogs and hamburgers being on the menu but can’t remember if he drank any brews.
Nonetheless, Mendelson said there was a sense of camaraderie between Goon Squad volunteers who worked together. “Almost everybody at (Kimmel Dining Hall) was a Goon Squadder,” Mendelson said. “For that one or two days, you felt a little special.” Stewart’s most memorable tradition was hanging out at Hungry Chuck’s after a hard day’s work of moving luggage in the sun. The classic Marshall Street-area bar featured student carvings on the walls and tables, as well as in the bathroom, Stewart said. In the 1980s, Goon Squad participants also painted an orange stripe on University Avenue around midnight before incoming students arrived, which welcomed them to campus. When Relyea was part of the squad, he said SUNY ESF students painted green over the stripe, prompting SU students to bust out the orange paint again to fix their calling card at around 3 a.m. However, not everyone was familiar with the Goon Squad tradition. Relyea said the welcoming group once got in trouble with a Syracuse Department of Public Works employee, who
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1 large tortilla ¼ cup shredded cheese 3 tablespoons filling — shredded chicken, black beans or leftover veggies
It’s also easy to just grab the premade oatmeal packets from the dining hall and take them up to your room — all you need is a microwave and it’s oats-o’clock.
My personal favorite. While you’ll never be able to top Falk Cafe’s chicken quesadillas, you can try to recreate them from your dorm room. Fold the tortilla in half once the filling is added, and cook until both sides are golden and crisp. Microwave until the cheese is nice and melted.
Yogurt or acai bowls
Scoops of acai or yogurt Fruit from the salad bar Handful of granola A drizzle of honey (can be found at the tea station)
Pancakes
A yogurt bowl is a personal favorite of mine — it’s healthy while still being filling and tasting like dessert. Plus, SU splurges on Chobani, so you’re getting the good stuff.
1 cup pancake mix ¾ cup water or milk, or as directed on the box 2 tablespoons chocolate chips or ½ sliced banana, per batch
Have grocery access but only a fridge and microwave
College classics: microwavable noodles
The first “recipe” is the easiest: instant ramen and mac-and-cheese cups. These are classics for a reason. You may look down on them now, but they take five minutes to make, they’re cheap, filling and they’re always waiting for you after a long night out. Many people I know would probably choose ramen over a mediocre dining hall dinner, and they all had different ways of elevating their instant ramen recipe. Some people like to drain the water and add cheese and an egg. Others go for some leafy greens, peanut butter and soy sauce to bring the ramen to the next level.
Eggs à la microwave
2 eggs 1 tablespoon milk Pinch of salt Shredded cheese, hot sauce or leftover veggies, to taste You don’t know true desperation until you’ve stooped to microwave eggs. But they taste
jdpelach@syr.ed
Quesadillas
recipes
Congratulations — the world is your oyster. If you’re willing to spend a little extra money on groceries, your options are almost endless. All it takes is a microwave and a dream. I didn’t level up to this stage until sophomore year, but it really saved my 2 a.m. snack quests.
wanted to charge the Goon Squad members to repaint the road because he didn’t want cars following a crooked line — the painters, after all, were intoxicated students. During Relyea’s junior year in 1984, he joined the Traditions Commission, which oversaw the Goon Squad. As the commission’s internal chairperson, Relyea’s informal title was “Mama Goon,” while his friend was the external chairperson, or “Papa Goon.” “It was an opportunity to help out,” Relyea said. “I think at that point you’re still kind of freshly remembering when you walk in there as a freshman how overwhelmed you are with everything.” By creating a welcoming environment, new students could be more encouraged to attend orientation events and meet new people, Zöld said. And the Goon Squad has played an integral role in shaping that initial experience. “(The Goon Squad) embodies the spirit of SU, just being welcoming and friendly, but also community, being able to connect with people,” Zöld said.
emma soto illustration editor
exactly like ones made in a pan, and don’t come from a bag like the ones in the dining halls. Crack two eggs into a microwave-safe mug with a tablespoon of milk and a pinch of salt, then whisk with a fork. Microwave for 45 seconds, stir, then microwave in 15-second intervals until just set — usually another 30 to 45 seconds total.
Hot dogs
1 hot dog 1 bun from the dining hall Condiments of choice (I prefer just ketchup and mustard, but to each their own) During my freshman year, two roommates in my dorm made a hot dog restaurant out of their dorm room. They were very successful until they were shut down by the residence hall — do with that information what you will. But there are ways to make these safely while following the rules. Wrap one hot dog in a damp paper towel to keep the microwave from turning into a grease explosion, and microwave for 45 seconds.
Follow the ratio on the box, then dress it up with mix-ins from the dining hall if you’re feeling fancy. Microwave on high for 60 to 90 seconds until risen and firm on top. For an extra boost of flavor, add toppings like chocolate chips or bananas to the mix.
Vodka penne
1 pouch of microwaveable rice ½ cup canned beans ¼ cup shredded chicken or precooked meat 2 tablespoons salsa or hot sauce A small handful of shredded cheese
2 ounces dry penne ⅓ cup jarred vodka sauce, or make your own using tomato sauce, vodka and heavy cream 1 tablespoon milk or cream 1 tablespoon grated parmesan A pinch of red pepper flakes
Many of these ingredients can be taken straight from the dining hall — if you have a meal plan — but you can also buy them yourself to make a bowl on demand. Microwave the rice first, then add the other ingredients. Put them in for two minutes, stir, and microwave for another minute if needed. It all comes together in under five minutes and reheats well for leftovers.
My best friend’s favorite recipe. When the dining hall was picked over or had no good options, we could always rely on this for dinner. Microwave the pasta (yes, you can actually microwave pasta) with water until al dente. Then, warm the vodka sauce with the milk and red pepper flakes. Toss the drained pasta into the sauce and top with parmesan, letting it melt in before serving.
Upscale microwavable meals
Editor’s recommendation:
Burrito bowls
If you’re really missing your kitchen, there are a few Martha Stewart-worthy meals that can be made with just a microwave. Whether you’re craving a warm, home-cooked meal or have some time on your hands, there are options that can make your microwave feel like a stovetop.
Whether you believe it or not, the possibilities are endless. You don’t have to live on South Campus or be an upperclassman to enjoy some good home cooking. But don’t forget: be a responsible chef, clean up after yourself in common areas and maybe keep a fire extinguisher around, just in case. cberskin@syr.edu
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OPINION
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letter to the editor
Chancellor Haynie: I plan to put students at the forefront of decisions By J. Michael Haynie
This week, thousands of students are arriving at Syracuse University to launch their academic careers. They’re starting something new. They’re not alone. This fall semester is my first as Chancellor of Syracuse University. It’s a new beginning even for someone like me, who has been part of this university for nearly two decades. But one thing about Syracuse University hasn’t changed since I’ve been here: the fact that we have the most outstanding students. They’re tenacious, entrepreneurial and welcoming. For two decades, I’ve witnessed our students use their time at Syracuse to build something larger than themselves and leave our community better than they found it. Our faculty and staff make that possible, showing up each day ready to invest in our students just as they invested in me 20 years ago.
I’ve witnessed thousands of students grow in ways they never imagined during their time at Syracuse. My advice to our newest members of the Orange community is to be open to everything that makes this university special. Join a student organization, try a club sport, seek new experiences — they could be your next great passion. Our faculty and staff will be there alongside you, offering mentorship, expertise and encouragement that turn ambition into achievement. Students: you will see a great deal of me on campus this year — in the dining halls, in classrooms, at student organization events and at games in the Dome. When you do, I hope you’ll stop and tell me what’s working well and where we can do better, because your voice will help shape what we build next. I ask for that voice now because higher education faces real challenges at this moment.
Even so, I remain genuinely optimistic about how Syracuse will meet them, because I know the people who make this place what it is. Our students are our north star, and keeping them at the center of every decision is how I intend to lead through whatever this year and the years ahead bring. This year will bring something new to all of us: our newest students, our new faculty and staff and me as a new chancellor. But one thing never changes. We’re all Orange. Welcome back, and to those arriving for the first time, welcome to Syracuse University. I’m excited to begin this year with all of you. Sincerely, J. Michael Haynie Chancellor and President Syracuse University
avery magee development editor
personal essay
Starting over as a transfer student at SU made me who I am today By Peyton Tapp
personal essayist
My parents’ car had just disappeared down the street, yet I was already lost. The wind was blowing snow sideways, and I hadn’t even zipped up my new winter coat all the way. My jeans were soaked at the bottom, and my Ugg boots, which I thought were made for cold weather, were completely ruined. I couldn’t feel my hands, which meant no checking my phone for directions to the student center that I was certain I’d walked past twice. The walkways and quad were nearly empty. It was just me, apparently, who was dumb enough to go out in this weather. Somewhere under the four layers that I was wearing all wrong, one thought kept coming back to me: I’ve made a huge mistake. After wandering for far too long in the snow, I found my orientation group. I wasn’t excited to be there. I’d already been to college orientation. I felt no need to sit through one again. I remember people warning me that transferring to Syracuse University as a secondsemester sophomore during the brutal winter would make it difficult to make friends. At orientation, I realized this was far from the truth. My group members and I bonded over having to walk in the horrible storm. We chatted about the different parts of the world we were from. Our
orientation leader let us give our hot takes, and we ended up sitting in that classroom together for almost two hours. Afterwards, we traded phone numbers. It felt amazing to know a group of people who were going through the same thing I was. I started to see how the cold bonded SU students together.
I understood what I’d done. I found exactly where I was supposed to be. Peyton Tapp personal essayist
That first week of class, I was tussling with an IKEA shelf that I’d ordered, spending my afternoon trying to assemble it. A girl that I hadn’t met from down the hall approached me and asked if I was new. Before I’d even realized what was happening, she invited me to a game night she was hosting that weekend. I’d been dreading the first weekend since I knew no one on my floor, and suddenly that weight was lifted. My shelf, which stood sideways in my room for the entire year, was suddenly unimport-
ant. I had a group of people who I actually knew on campus. I felt like I could start to fit in and find my place. Finding that group of people changed something. I went from surviving SU to experiencing it socially. Thanks to this, I started paying attention to new opportunities and saying yes to things out of my comfort zone. A professor of mine suggested a research job, work that I previously wouldn’t have been encouraged to take, and now care deeply for. After receiving an email about applying for student government, I applied on a whim, and now serve as a Board of Elections commissioner with an inspiring group of people around me. It felt strange being trusted with important work this early, but I knew that I’d gotten these positions for a reason. Starting over didn’t just introduce me to some of the things that define me, it’s what made them possible in the first place. If I could tell my snow-soaked, lost-on-thequad self anything, it would be to ask for help. I quickly learned that people here want to help you if you let them. My first week, I was too stubborn and embarrassed to ask where my classes were, and it cost me excessive time in negative temperatures. I’d also tell her that you’re not behind, even if it feels like you may be. I started over at SU in
the middle of my sophomore year. Everyone had friends from their freshman dorms, knew certain professors and had made a life in Syracuse over the past year and a half. They all had a rhythm that I hadn’t found yet. But it didn’t matter. Some of the best things that’ve happened to me only occurred because I was willing to take the leap. However you’re arriving here, as a freshman or a transfer student, you have time to figure it out. The last week of April, it snowed again in Syracuse. This time, I didn’t think twice about it. I zipped up my coat, pulled on real snow boots and walked to class not wondering if I would make it on time or if I was lost, because I wasn’t — I was home. I knew the paths, I greeted friends on the way and even made plans to go to my favorite local restaurant, Colluci, that night. If you’d told that freezing cold girl on the quad that this campus and these people would turn into things she couldn’t imagine her life without, she wouldn’t have believed you. But here I am. I understood what I’d done. I found exactly where I was supposed to be. Peyton Tapp is a junior political science and philosophy major. She can be reached at petapp@syr.edu.
personal essay
Rely on others to help build your roadmap at Syracuse University By Trayson Blain personal essayist
I arrived at Syracuse University like the Fresh Prince of Bel-Air: with one suitcase and blinding optimism. There are two key differences between Will Smith and I. Smith is from Philadelphia. I’m from Brooklyn. Secondly, Smith had Aunt Viv and Uncle Phil to guide him through his new world. I didn’t. My family couldn’t move me in due to unforeseen circumstances, but that didn’t stop me. I did it myself. I dragged my suitcase into Boland Hall, convinced I was ready for the bright lights of SU. Move-in day was my first time seeing my new home. I’d skipped the campus visit because I figured finding my way around couldn’t be that difficult. In hindsight, it probably would’ve been helpful to know where the academic buildings are before classes began. In the elevators and hallways, I introduced myself to nearly everyone I passed. Part of it came from unshakable enthusiasm, part from wanting to make a good impression and the rest from survival instincts. If I was going to spend the next four years here, I figured I’d better start making friends. When I finally reached my room, my roommate, Will, was blasting a self-produced beat. This was our first time meeting in person. I entered dancing, dragging my suitcase behind me, while he flicked his fingers to the beat. We both jumped around the room, excited, like kids. Will and I clicked immediately, beginning a friendship that would become a brotherhood. For all my confidence, it took only a few minutes of unpacking to expose how unprepared I was.
I didn’t bring bed sheets. Somehow, I thought college worked like a hotel, providing essentials like sheets, toothbrushes and toothpaste. I was very wrong. I stood staring at my bare mattress, trying to figure out what to do. Will noticed the look on my face and reached into his closet, offering me extra bedding to borrow until I could buy my own. Those sheets became my first reminder that although I’d arrived at college without a long-term plan, I wouldn’t have to navigate SU alone. We don’t all enter college with the same level of preparation, but we all must learn how to make this unfamiliar place our own. This was only the beginning. Over the next few weeks, I realized college came with an entire set of unwritten rules I’d never been taught. Maintaining a social life required knowledge and money I didn’t have. Marshall Street and frat row were active during move-in week. While other students planned nights at Harry’s Bar, I was focused on my finances and figuring out how to afford life on campus. My friends and I still found ways to have fun on our floor, but I wondered if I was missing anything. I was learning that even belonging seemed to come with a price. At least in New York City I could have fun even if I was broke. I remember the first time I walked into CVS to buy the essentials I’d forgotten. The supplies that would’ve cost me $40 in Brooklyn ended up being $80 on University Hill. I was shocked. I realized quickly that independence is expensive. It was also confusing and more humbling than I’d imagined. But each mistake also forced me to ask questions, seek help and become more resourceful.
I remember the first bursar charge appearing on my account. Then came another, and another. By the end of the semester, I was afraid an outstanding balance might prevent me from returning to SU. Then, I found the TRIO Student Support Services office. Craig Tucker, Director of SSS, listened as I explained that I was afraid I might not be able to return. Despite my panic, he stood still, silently absorbing my fear. After I finished, there was a pause. The wrinkles in his concerned eyes shifted into a warm smile. He assured me that everything would get figured out. And it did. Early sophomore year, I was admitted into the SSS program. A major financial burden was lifted from my shoulders. SSS gifted me significant financial support. Staying enrolled allowed me to keep building my roadmap. After receiving support from SSS, I found another community in Phi Beta Sigma Fraternity, Inc. Phi Beta Sigma Fraternity, Inc. brothers are known for significant achievements on campus, like becoming the third Black class marshal in SU history. My new brothers forced me to look at myself closely, knowing I wanted to be surrounded by successful people who looked like me. They saw a fire in the person I was becoming sophomore year. They challenged me to uphold my chapter’s standard and take my academics and future more seriously. When I didn’t see my own potential, they did. Over time, the student who arrived without bed sheets became a two-time Dean’s
List student and an Our Time Has Come participant. But the greatest change wasn’t a title or an award. I understood SU well enough to tell a story about it. During my junior year, I turned those lessons into “Underneath the Orange Sky,” a collection of poems tracing my path through Syracuse. The book is the foundation for Manifesto, an independent media company I began building from the ideas and experiences I developed at SU. Writing the book allowed me to make sense of a university that once felt impossible to navigate and preserve what SU taught me for whoever might need it next. None of it would’ve been possible had I not remained a student thanks to the help of others. Looking back, I don’t remember my time at SU characterized by my mistakes. I remember it because every time I needed assistance, someone was there. People are eager to help you. Will gave me bed sheets and friendship. Craig gave me a chance. My brothers and friends gave me belonging. Each person contributed to the plan I thought I was supposed to arrive with. I came to SU with one suitcase, a book bag and blinding optimism. I will leave with a book, my own publication, a community and a roadmap. If you’re arriving without a plan, don’t be discouraged. Ask questions. Accept help. Keep showing up. One day, you’ll realize you’ve contributed to someone else’s roadmap. Trayson Blain is a senior majoring in psychology. He can be reached at tblain@syr.edu.
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from page 24
coaches and how that individual can support you and challenge you. That relationship has developed and changed.” Every fall since 2010, McIntyre and his “righthand man,” Masalin, have shared the sidelines at SU Soccer Stadium. They both admit there’s no one without the other, and their players admit there’s no Syracuse men’s soccer program — at least not one that’s as good as it is — without both of them. They’ve reached the pinnacle of Division I soccer, winning a national championship in 2022, and they’ve spent years as cellar dwellers, posting five wins across 2010 and 2011 as they tried to spark a paling program. And they have. “They’ve really turned (Syracuse) into a national title contender year after year,” said D.C. United goalie Alex Bono, who played for SU from 2012-14. “The fact that they’ve been able to sustain the success they’ve had speaks to the character of both of them.” Syracuse is 148-107-53 in McIntyre and Masalin’s 16 seasons. The coaching pair were part of the 2022 United Soccer Coaches National Staff of the Year and the 2012 Big East Coaching Staff of the Year. They’ve become so close that McIntyre says he speaks “Jukka,” a language full of “Jukkarisms.”
They’ve really turned (Syracuse) into a national title contender year after year Alex Bono former su goalie
With their 17th season at Syracuse — and 19th together — beginning Thursday against UConn, the duo is focused on leading the Orange to their fourth winning campaign in the last five years. Ask them to reflect on their time together, though — even just those five seasons — and they’ll pause. The words don’t come immediately. “I think we’ve both grown and evolved,” McIntyre hesitates. “The years go pretty quickly.” Nineteen years ago, the two were supposed to meet on opposite sidelines. But one dire phone call from Masalin to McIntyre laid the groundwork for their future together. In 2008, Masalin’s Rochester Rhinos were scheduled to face McIntyre’s Hartwick Hawks in the preseason. McIntyre was a Hall of Famer at Hartwick, a D-III program in Oneonta, New York. He played four seasons with the Hawks before coaching for seven. from page 24
4 questions Who will step up in Syracuse’s WR corps?
What’s a quarterback without someone to throw to? Syracuse’s newest position group might be its wide receiver room. In the offseason, SU’s top pass catchers Johntay Cook II and Darrell Gill Jr. darted to Ole Miss while promising redshirt freshman Emanuel Ross transferred to UConn. Justus Ross-Simmons looked primed to join them, but he’s reportedly returning to Syracuse upon receiving an extra year of eligibility. Ross-Simmons’ return is welcome, but Brown didn’t bet on it. He snagged players like Cole Weaver from Miami (Ohio), Elijah Moore from Florida State and Matt Outten from Penn State to pair with returners Umari Hatcher, Tyshawn Russell, Darius Johnson and Darien Williams. Five-star freshman Calvin Russell remained committed to SU, though he’ll likely miss most of the year with a torn Achilles. Everyone in camp has lauded the group’s play, including Angeli and wide receivers coach Josh Gattis. They’ve acknowledged it’s an open competition for snaps, but Hatcher said they’re still “the closest group in the facility.” “When you look at the room, I really do think we’ve got eight or nine guys that could go out there and play for us Game 1,” Gattis said. “I’m used to having about four or five.” Still, the group is largely unproven. Outten didn’t appear with PSU last year, and Moore compiled 69 yards across the past two seasons. Hatcher and Ross-Simmons, the group’s veterans, have both dealt with injuries amid promising seasons with SU. It’s up to them to ensure Angeli has open targets.
Will SU’s pass rush improve?
Syracuse’s pass rush was one of its weakest units last year. The Orange placed 14th of 17 Atlantic Coast Conference teams with 20 sacks while accumulating 21 quarterback hurries. To make
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Masalin’s Rhinos were a member of the USL First Division, a professional league in the United States’ second tier — just below MLS. Not long before their matchup, Masalin shared some unfortunate news with McIntyre. “Listen, we are canceled. Sorry man. We have no players, no more club existing.” The Rhinos declared bankruptcy. Masalin lost his job. He expected a simple response and maybe some condolences from McIntyre. Instead, he virtually received a job offer. “What are you doing now?” McIntyre asked. “I’m going to find a job, and let’s move on.” “I need an assistant coach. You want to drive down and have a chat?” Three hours from Oneonta, Masalin barely hesitated. “I’ve never done anything else in my life except soccer,” Masalin said. “The game is my passion.” The two talked for hours in McIntyre’s Hartwick office. They discussed the possibilities of joining forces. McIntyre described the interaction as a step outside of his comfort zone, having previously hired coaches he played with or met along the way. But Masalin “brought in a different pair of eyes, a different philosophy and a freshness that challenged me,” McIntyre said. Masalin returned home, discussed the meeting with his wife Carmen and accepted McIntyre’s offer. “When one door closes, another one opens,” McIntyre said. “We were so fortunate to pick up Jukka.” Two years and 17 wins later, McIntyre left Hartwick for Syracuse. And with him came Masalin. Their journey with the Orange hasn’t been as easy. McIntyre wasn’t a local legend like at Hartwick, and at a D-I program, the coaches’ roles and resources expanded. When they arrived at SU, Masalin carried a clicker, the old-fashioned kind baseball umpires often use to count pitches. He paced the sidelines every game, clicking the button for each completed pass. Over a decade later, he says the analytics have improved, but he and his partner remain as busy as ever. “We wore many hats,” McIntyre said. “We still wear many hats.” Their first two seasons at SU were challenging, but they shared future goals. They wanted to keep central New York kids in Syracuse. They wanted to connect with the community. They wanted to bring a winning culture to the Orange (SU had finished above .500 once in the previous 10 seasons). Bono remembers the calls, when McIntyre insisted wins were coming. Being from Syracuse, Bono had no reason not to believe him. “It’s a leap you have to take. You have to believe that what they’re saying is actually going to happen and you want to be a part of the solution,” Bono said. “And that made it a lot easier to join the project.” Bono posted three All-American campaigns before forgoing his final season of eligibility to join MLS’ Toronto FC. As he matters worse, their sack leader — Kevin Jobity Jr. (five) — headed to the NFL. SU needs a boost from the group in 2026, which would make Samuel and Peal more effective in coverage. New defensive coordinator Vince Kehres should help. He’s optimistic Syracuse will have a consistent pass rush and pegged players like senior David Omopariola, UNLV transfer Tunmise Adeleye and UT-Martin transfer Keyshawn Johnson as those who can step up. Defensive line coach John Scott Jr. also pointed out Nissi Ogbebor, Dillan Fontus and Rashard Perry, who can create interior pressure. He said they remind him of players he’s coached who became first-round NFL draft picks with long pro careers. “The defensive line, I think we got a little bit bigger, we got a little bit more depth. We could stay healthy in that position,” Brown said in his season-opening press conference. “I feel like sometimes (last year) there were guys that didn’t have enough (of ) a guy in the back of them that he knew could push them. Let me stop that. We just got more depth, and we’re ready to go.” Kehres said he’s emphasizing strip attempts in practice, which extends to the secondary but should also help SU’s front seven. The Orange forced six fumbles last year, tied for the second-fewest in the ACC, and none were by a defensive lineman. “We might not get the ball out, but we’re attempting to strip at it,” Kehres said. “That’s some points on the production chart in practice. Playing with great effort, getting more people in the area of the ball, you would hope that will result in some more takeaways.”
C a n S U ’s O - l i n e Br ow n’s p rais e?
live
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When Brown spoke at the start of camp, he said Syracuse’s offensive line was a position to watch. Under O-line coach Juan Castillo, who has almost 30 years of NFL experience, Brown
Syracuse men’s soccer groups together on the SU Soccer Stadium grass. Led by Ian McIntyre and Jukka Masalin, the Orange have gone 148-107-53 in 16 seasons. joe zhao daily orange file photo
watched Syracuse from afar, he missed conversing with Masalin and McIntyre. Masalin, a former international goalie, worked closely with Bono, who gravitated to Masalin’s “comfortable intensity.” “Coach Mac is the stern parent, and Jukka is the one you ask to stay over at your friend’s house and let him soften the blow to the one you’re more afraid to talk to,” Bono said. More than anything, Bono regrets missing his senior dinner, an annual meal hosted by Masalin with the team’s graduating class. It’s often dubbed the “Jukka Dinner.” Carmen cooks “amazing Cuban food,” said Andre Cutler-DeJesus, who played for Syracuse from 2023-24. Max Kent, an SU defender from 2020-21, said there was lots of food, drinks and conversations with coaches-turned-friends. “When you get to Syracuse, you have to know you’re entering Mac’s team,” Kent said. “Jukka is the mastermind next to him who’s thinking about how to get the best out of his players, physically, mentally, emotionally, so they can execute as a group.” Masalin’s approach includes being blatantly honest. Sometimes that means serious conversations, like when, at one of those dinners, he told Cutler-DeJesus he received head coaching opportunities elsewhere but declined them to remain with the Orange. Other times, his blatant honesty is a simple gesture after an enthusiastic McIntyre halftime speech. “I’ve never seen someone who’s been able to understand a person more than Jukka understands Mac,” Cutler-DeJesus said. “Seeing their relationship, how they’ve been able to grow teams, grow players, it’s unbelievable. You can just tell they’re a perfect pair.” Bono can’t recall the specifics, but in a nonconference match early in his career, he remembers solemnly walking across the pitch to the
Orange’s makeshift halftime locker room. The gameday locker rooms in the fieldhouse weren’t built yet, so Syracuse entered a 12-by-12 canvas tent, lined with string lights and support beams to withstand inclement weather. SU was trailing 2-1 to what Bono called an “inferior opponent.” As McIntyre stepped in, his whiteboard in hand — which Bono said he brought everywhere — he rattled off a passionate speech. McIntyre dropped the whiteboard, kicked it across the tent and nearly hit a player. The board landed against the side of the tent. McIntyre’s yelling continued. When the speech finally concluded, Bono looked to Masalin. There he was, leaning against the support beams, nodding his head in agreement before raising his eyebrows and shrugging at Bono as if to say, “What the f-ck did you expect?” Syracuse came back to win. “(McIntyre has) always been that very stern, that tough voice, that driving force that holds the standard at Syracuse because that’s what the program has thrived on for over a decade now,” Bono said. “But you might walk home with a little bit of anger in your heart for Jukka at the same time.” That frustration, Bono says, never lasts long. The next morning, McIntyre and Masalin will reconvene at the field. McIntyre jokes he doesn’t know Masalin’s schedule, but it’s practically ingrained in his mind at this point. Players will trickle in shortly after, and the two coaches will fall into the same shorthand they’ve followed for years. From there, Masalin and McIntyre split into separate directions. They lead separate groups doing separate tasks. Neither one needs to check on the other. Masalin stays in the background. McIntyre takes the spotlight — it’s an unspoken agreement. They’re right where they belong. jordankimball28@gmail.com @JordanKimball_
Steve Angeli participates in a drill during SU Aug. 17 preseason practice. Angeli suffered a season-ending injury in SU’s fourth game last year. madison cox staff photographer
said the Orange’s linemen have “outworked everybody on the team.” “I think our O-Line will make the whole team better,” Brown said. “They’re leaders on the field. Quarterback’s of course, naturally (going to) be the guy, but I think Coach Juan and that offensive line, they’re gonna run the team.” Last year, the Orange mostly rocked with an offensive line of Trevion Mack, TJ Ferguson, Austin Collins, Joe Cruz and Da’Metrius Weatherspoon. Only Mack, SU’s starting left tackle, and Cruz, who rotated with Byron Washington at right guard, remain. Naquil Betrand, Zach Rice, Kam Pringle and Washington appear to be early candidates to start after serving as backups in 2025. But with the influx of new bodies protecting Angeli, the question remains — how effective will they be?
Brown is certainly confident in them. He said Buffalo Bills tackle Dion Dawkins, a nineyear NFL veteran who Brown and Castillo have coached, has attended Syracuse practices, helping answer players’ questions. If any of Dawkins’ knowledge rubs off on the Orange’s linemen, that’s a bonus. Castillo also works with each lineman for 20-30 minutes every day to refine their skills, offensive coordinator Jeff Nixon said. Only time will tell if that pays off. “They walk around with a different swagger about themselves, the same way Juan does, and it’s humble confidence,” Brown said. “They understand and know where they’re getting accounted for, but they’re confident because they put the work in.” njnussba@syr.edu @Noahnuss99
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women’s soccer
Maya Naimoli’s composure marks seamless move to SU’s GK By Jordan Fendrich asst. copy editor
Maya Naimoli’s preseason was full of uncertainty. She didn’t know if she’d become Syracuse’s starting goalkeeper. She didn’t know how long it’d take to adjust to a new defense. She was also unsure how quickly she’d acclimate to the faster pace of play at a Power Four school. And even after earning the starting spot, she knows it’s not permanent. “I need to keep working and need to keep earning my position,” Naimoli said. “This is my fourth year of college soccer. I have experience prior, and I’ve worked really hard to make it back into a Power Four program.” Through two games, Naimoli’s experience has given SU (1-0-1, 0-0-0 Atlantic Coast) a steady defensive presence following Shea Vanderbosch’s four years of success in net. The Youngstown State transfer has made six saves and allowed one goal through two games. Naimoli saved four shots in the Orange’s scoreless draw with Villanova Thursday, including a pair of clutch stops in the final five minutes, before making two more in a win over Holy Cross Sunday. Naimoli moved to Syracuse after two seasons at Youngstown State, where she started 36 games and tallied 196 saves. She entered the transfer portal this spring looking to return to a Power Four program after previously redshirting at Ohio State. Her commitment gave Syracuse something it lacked after Vanderbosch graduated: experience. Vanderbosch finished her career as SU’s alltime saves leader (380). She also led the ACC in total saves and saves per game from 2023-25. But Naimoli isn’t trying to replicate Vanderbosch’s career. “I have a lot of confidence in myself as a player,” Naimoli said. “All I could control was coming in and doing what I do best and focusing on that itself.” Against Villanova, Naimoli faced her most pressure late. With under 30 seconds remaining, Wildcats forward Dez Zapata received a cross near the 6-yard box with a virtually open net in front of her. Naimoli shifted across the goal and stuck out her left leg, keeping Syracuse’s season-
opening shutout intact. Five minutes earlier, she made another difficult one-on-one save after coming off her line. “With new personnel in front of me and getting comfortable playing with people, I think I’ve done well keeping my composure and confidence,” Naimoli said. For Naimoli, that composure has been especially important while adjusting to a new backline, as she’s spent just a few months with Syracuse’s defenders. Vanderbosch, in contrast, spent four seasons learning the tendencies of SU’s defense. Rather than trying to immediately recreate that familiarity, Naimoli has leaned on communication and prevention. “A big aspect of goalkeeping, aside from just making the save, is being as preventative as possible,” Naimoli said. “How can I prevent a shot from coming at me? How can I help my players get in the right position that maybe they aren’t seeing, so the ball doesn’t even come in for that shot?” That was evident against Holy Cross, when Syracuse’s defense limited the Crusaders to three shots on goal. Naimoli was rarely forced into difficult saves but remained involved with crosses, set pieces and organizing the backline. The role requires more than reacting to shots. “It’s such a sport within a sport,” Naimoli said. Goalkeeper coach Michele Barletta — who coached Naimoli at Youngstown State — has aided Naimoli’s transition to SU. Barletta arrived at Youngstown State during Naimoli’s sophomore season, giving the two over a year of experience together before Barletta joined Syracuse. When she entered the portal, Naimoli said finding the right goalkeeper coach was a major priority. She had conversations with several Power Four programs, but Barletta’s presence made the Orange stand out. Barletta had already seen Naimoli at her best and worst. He knew her work rate, how she responded to pressure and what she needed to improve. At Youngstown State, he saw her face several Power Four opponents, including Indiana, Texas Tech, Missouri and Michigan.
SU goalkeeper Maya Naimoli shouts toward her teammates in its win over Holy Cross Sunday. Naimoli has started the Orange’s first two games in net. courtesy of su athletics
During the preseason, he challenged all four Syracuse goalkeepers through detailed sessions focused on shot-stopping, distribution, crosses and one-on-one situations. “He does a really good job of session planning and making sure to isolate not only the big areas of the game but also the little nitpicking areas,” Naimoli said. SU’s goalie competition included returning goalkeeper Lilly Heaslet, freshman Lindsay Parker and Houston transfer Maggie Manning. Naimoli won the job, but she doesn’t view the
position as settled. That mentality fits how she got to Syracuse. “I knew I could potentially regret leaving Youngstown, but I knew for a fact I would regret not trying to go back into Power Four because I know the kind of player I am,” Naimoli said. “I knew I had to bet on myself.” Two games into her bet, Naimoli has given Syracuse exactly what it needed: stability in goal. And through two games, it’s been enough to keep SU unbeaten. jfendric@syr.edu
volleyball
What to know about SU volleyball ahead of 2026 campaign working together. Ledermueller said getting everyone “engaged and incorporated into the game” is key to finding rhythm once the season begins. This focus has been felt defensively, where everyone is new to Syracuse’s playstyle. Smith said everyone is participating in drills to ensure they’re all in sync. “We have a very diverse team; everyone’s from everywhere,” Smith said. “We’ve been really working on everyone being on the same page defensively.” Similarly, offensive players are adapting to the system. However, nobody has gone through this experience alone, Laurio said. “ We have a really good foundation right now, and just being able to lean on each other, learn from each other,” Laurio said. “It’s been really exciting to see the chemistry grow.”
By Jamie Quinn staff writer
Syracuse volleyball’s 2025 season started with promise. The Orange were 9-2 after opening Atlantic Coast Conference play with a win over Notre Dame. It seemed it could be SU’s first winning season since 2021 and first winning ACC season since 2018. But the Orange stumbled in October, going just 4-4 in their next eight conference games. The final game of that stretch, a nailbiting 3-2 win over Boston College on Oct. 22, showed flashes of SU’s potential to compete in the ACC. It was all for nothing, as Syracuse fell flat, losing its last 11 games to end 13-17 (5-15 ACC). This story played out in 2022 and 2024, when SU’s winning records vanished after lateseason skids. Fifth-year head coach Bakeer Ganesharatnam and Co. look to break that cycle with their new-look roster. Here’s everything you need to know about Syracuse volleyball before its 2026 campaign begins against Cincinnati Aug. 29:
Challenging stretches, road-game struggles
Roster overhaul
Following the 11-game collapse, Syracuse experienced a player exodus. Among exiters were outside hitter catalysts Gabriella McLaughlin and Skylar George, setter Tehya Maeva and defensive stalwart libero Rana Yamada. Only one player from 2025, outside hitter Marie Laurio, returned, sending the program back to square one. For the first time, Ganesharatnam had to build a roster from scratch. Despite being seventh in digs in the ACC in 2025, SU was 14th in kills against and 16th in blocks. No player recorded 100 blocks. Therefore, Syracuse brought in three fifth-year defensive players — middle blockers Abby Nicholson and Bo Nijenhuis and libero Anna Smith — to rebuild the defense. Nicholson is a two-way player who tallied 145 kills and 96 blocks at Lafayette last season. Nijenhuis brings experience from Rivo Rijssen, a championship-winning team in the Netherlands’ top amateur league. Smith recorded 174 digs in three seasons at Coastal Carolina.
Syracuse volleyball gathers during its loss to Georgia Tech on Nov. 9, 2025. SU returns just one player from its 2025 roster. tara deluca photo editor
SU added five freshmen this offseason, its most since 2023. Three play defensive positions — middle blockers Emma Faerber and Kiera Hagler and libero Queen Howse. Faerber was VC Wiesbaden’s middle blocker during four straight German National Championship trips, and Hagler started for Alabama Performance Club and Calera High School (AL). Howse finished second at the 2025 AAU National Championship with Tennessee Performance Club and was AllDistrict and All-Region at Brentwood High School (TN). Smith said everyone has a voice on the team, regardless of age, and they’re learning from each other. “No matter who you are on the team, you have a right to your opinion, to talk to the team,” Smith said. “I feel like with us being here since
the end of June, we’ve all really established relationships on the court.” Offensively, the biggest loss was Maeva, who led the team in assists last year with 1004. No other player on SU reached 100. To replace Maeva, Ganesharatnam returned a familiar face in setter Mira Ledermueller. Ledermueller, who played for the Orange from 2023-24, left for UT Arlington last season and posted a career-high 943 assists, the most in the Western Athletic Conference. “I think as we grow closer, we can be very successful,” Ledermueller said. “So just seeing everyone grow into their roles and executing is something that I’m looking forward to.”
Rebuilding chemistry
SU’s primary focus this preseason has been ensuring players are connecting and
The Orange open against two Power Four opponents for the first time since 2020. They’ll face Cincinnati and Illinois back to back in Urbana-Champaign, Illinois. Under Ganesharatnam, SU is 1-5 in nonconference Power Four matchups with its lone win coming over Iowa State in 2024. Syracuse’s struggles don’t end there. Over the past four years, the Orange are a dismal 12-36 away from home. The first five games of the season are on the road, and while three are against non-Power Four teams, SU could face early adversity. However, the conference play is historically where Syracuse crumbles, and the first four games will immediately test their resolve. SU opens ACC play against No. 7 Louisville, then faces No. 11 SMU and No. 4 Pittsburgh. It also plays No. 5 Stanford and No. 19 North Carolina on the road. Under Ganesharatnam, the Orange are 15-61 against ACC opponents without a ranked win. Despite this, SU’s 5-4 ACC start last year showed consistency. If the Orange recapture and sustain the consistency that gave them hope in previous years, the 2026 squad can attain success. jquinn13@syr.edu @jamison1356323
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men’s soccer
To top 2025, SU’s forwards must provide more attacking potency By Quinn Postman
digital managing editor
All things considered, Syracuse men’s soccer had a solid 2025 campaign. Following a season without an NCAA Tournament appearance, Ian McIntyre’s side secured one after reaching the Atlantic Coast Conference Tournament Semifinals. While the Orange sputtered out late, there were clearly identifiable areas of the pitch that explained Syracuse’s success. Its forward line wasn’t one of those areas. Syracuse’s five forwards — Michael Acquah, Bright Nutornutsi, Emanuel Cappello, Callum Lugton and Sachiel Ming — combined for just four goal contributions (three goals, one assist) in 2025. That wasn’t only SU’s worst mark in McIntyre’s 16-year tenure, but the fewest in the ACC by six, behind Clemson’s 10. To address the lack of front-line production before the 2026 season, which begins Thursday against UConn, McIntyre added three strikers. Jordan Grey, Dakota Jonke and Pedro Gulli were involved in Syracuse’s three preseason matches, with Grey and Jonke scoring in wins over Marist and Mercyhurst. Though some of its exhibition results have been “flattering,” McIntyre has learned more about his team and his new No. 9s each match. “If we get good service into these players and put talented players around them, I think all of them can score goals,” McIntyre said. Grey, a 6-foot-6 striker from Ajax, Ontario, played his first collegiate season at the University of Toronto. With the Varsity Blues, Grey scored nine goals in 11 starts and was named the Ontario University Athletics East Rookie of the Year. The sophomore is a threat anywhere near the 18-yard box, especially when the ball is on his left foot. In the OUA Championship Semifinal, the ACC Tournament equivalent,
Syracuse striker Jordan Grey celebrates his goal in SU’s exhibition win over Marist on Aug. 8. Grey scored nine goals in 11 starts at the University of Toronto in 2025. courtesy of su athletics
Grey scored twice — on a header off a corner and a driven left-footed finish just outside the 18 — to help Toronto advance to the final, which it won. Syracuse recruited Grey out of high school and kept tabs on him at Toronto. With Syracuse, he’s started strong after scoring a penalty versus Marist and a well-taken poacher’s goal against Mercyhurst.
McIntyre said Grey’s athleticism and size give him “a very high ceiling” at SU. Jonke, by contrast, is a plug-and-play acquisition. The only one of the three with U.S. college soccer experience, Jonke has “always been a difficult player to play against,” McIntyre said. The 6-foot-2 Avon, Ohio, native played Syracuse in 2025 with Duquesne and in the 2022 NCAA Tournament Sweet 16 with Cornell.
Across his four-year college career, he’s totaled just 11 goal contributions, as his role significantly decreased in his second year at each school. Still, Jonke is an instinctive finisher who can score from open play — as highlighted by his first SU goal — and dead-ball situations with both feet. His ability to make darting runs between the full back and center back fits SU’s style of playing through the middle of the pitch. “Having that experience coming back as a fifth-year player is vital,” McIntyre said. Gulli was another experienced Canadian player that Syracuse followed last year. A McGill University alum, Gulli scored three goals in nine matches for the Redbirds in 2025. His sheer pitch presence, accentuated by his 6-foot-3 stature, rapid pace and nifty footwork, adds another “dangerous dimension” to McIntyre’s attack, which suits Gulli’s will to press from the front. Most importantly, the three give Syracuse depth to rotate up top. While midfielder Carlos Zambrano almost acted as a striker, Landon Darko and Ming were the most potent and dangerous attacking forwards last year. But if that well dried up, the Orange’s scoring also did. Five of SU’s nine wins in 2025 came by one, and it often relied on defenders Tim Brdaric and Chimere Omeze to score frequently and importantly. Syracuse may not have multiple forwards with 10-plus goals as it did in 2022 with Nathan Opoku and Levonte Johnson. But if they provide more of an attacking threat in 2026, McIntyre’s squad should improve. “It’s going to take a little time to develop relationships to get the best out of this attacking group, but it’s been a good start,” McIntyre said. “Let’s see how it goes.” qdpostma@syr.edu @quinnpostman_
women’s soccer
SU women’s soccer has used set pieces to remain undefeated By Jason Glick
asst. sports editor
The two gaffers stood face to face along the sideline’s midfield stripe. Syracuse’s Nicky Thrasher Adams on the left and Holy Cross’ Ben Graham on the right. In the 66th minute of Sunday’s matinee, Graham challenged for contact inside the 18-yard box after Gabby Wisbeck shoved Ava Graham to the ground. Referee Gloria Martinez Resendiz approached the coaches and confirmed a penalty kick. Thrasher Adams clapped her hands in frustration before retreating to her side. It’s a justifiable reaction. Play is stopped, and the Crusaders assume control with a penalty kick. Maya Naimoli correctly guessed Sam Halligan would shoot left but couldn’t save the shot. It tied the game at one. Allowing a set-piece goal is a bitter feeling. So, in the next four minutes, the Orange removed the sour taste from their mouth and fed it to Holy Cross by drawing four fouls and scoring two setpiece goals to clinch the win. Set pieces have been essential in Syracuse’s (1-0-1, 0-0-0 Atlantic Coast) undefeated start through two games. In Thursday’s scoreless draw versus Villanova, the Orange logged seven first-half corner kicks, their most in a half since Aug. 17, 2025. In Sunday’s 3-1 triumph over Holy Cross, the aforementioned second-half goals — which came off a free kick and a penalty — paved the way for SU’s first victory of the year.
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Set-piece goals in Syracuse’s win over Holy Cross
“One of (the) things we stand out on are our set pieces,” SU midfielder Sarah Weisberg told The Daily Orange. “Just making that noticed is definitely a good strength.” Set pieces consist of goal kicks, throw-ins, corner kicks, free kicks and penalty kicks. They occur when play stops, whether the ball goes out of bounds or a referee whistles. They often jumpstart offenses and are risky to defend. Control swings toward the team possessing the dead ball. Syracuse started last season with setpiece success, too. A 5-0 thumping of Charleston Southern featured a penalty-kick goal. Syracuse accrued a season-high 15 cor-
ner kicks, 12 in the second half, two days later against Niagara. But from then on, the Orange’s attacking opportunities dwindled. They plummeted to 4.5 corner kicks per game — tied for the third fewest in the ACC — and 2.8 in conference play — ranking dead last. Villanova — which hasn’t reached the Big East Championship in seven years — is far below the level of competition Syracuse will see in the ACC. But if Thursday proved anything, SU mended those deficiencies. Eight minutes in, the Orange earned backto-back corner kicks in a 43-second span, allowing Anna Croyle to glance a header wide and Julia Arbelaez to record SU’s first shot on goal of the season. The half’s final eight minutes resembled the first. SU logged two more corners in 64 seconds, during which Vickie Jones’ attempt hit the post. For the final few minutes of the stanza, Syracuse pressured the Wildcats’ defense with another pair of corner kicks. While the Orange only had one second-half corner, they adjusted well to Villanova’s four. In the 71st minute, Emery Streets cleared a Wildcats corner and found an open Farrah StephensMartin for a breakaway. Weisberg said corners are emphasized in practice, with several players rotating to take kicks on their swinger side. That means leftfooted Wisbeck takes them on the right and right-footed Arbelaez takes them on the left so the ball swings toward the net. SU had multiple set-piece opportunities Thursday and stood its ground on Villanova’s double-digit free kicks. However, Syracuse never capitalized. But on Sunday, the Orange pieced it together. After Halligan tied the game in the 66th minute, SU stormed downfield. A throw-in landed on StephensMartin’s cleats before she was clipped by Holy Cross’ Caroline Bierfeldt, leading to a free kick. A few yards outside the box, Abby Incorvaia bounced the ball right of the Crusaders’ threeplayer wall, allowing Jasmine Nixon to redirect it into the cage with her left foot for the go-ahead goal. Following the ensuing kickoff, Syracuse recovered from a Holy Cross corner by earning its own set piece. Naimoli’s path was obstructed during a save attempt, one of three Crusaders fouls in a three-minute span. The third occurred when Bierfeldt elbowed Ali Howard’s head inside the 18-yard box, resulting in a penalty. Once again, the coaches marched toward the midfield line. But this time, Graham was the infuriated one. “Oh, come on,” he exclaimed following the call.
Syracuse defender Jasmine Nixon kicks the ball in SU’s loss to Virginia on Sept. 20, 2025. Nixon scored her first Syracuse goal off a set piece Sunday. aaron hammer staff photographer
After what happened four minutes prior, Thrasher Adams and Co. were refreshed to have a set piece served on a silver platter. But the Orange still had to convert. They opted for Jones — on the cusp of her firstcareer two-goal game after a first-half screamer. She slotted the ball in the bottom-right corner, fooling goalie Antriana Mila, who jumped the other way. “I always go to my right,” Jones told ACC Network Extra postgame. “I just take a few deep breaths and place it where I want it.” Without the Orange’s two second-half setpiece goals Sunday, they would be winless a couple games into nonconference play, a dropoff from last year’s 4-1-3 nonconference stretch. But
because they drew contact to secure set pieces, that isn’t the case. It’s ironic SU had fewer set-piece opportunities than Holy Cross — fouling 17 times to the Crusaders’ 14 — and still converted more. Holy Cross also limited Syracuse’s corner kicks, taking five to its two. There’s only so many times in a 90-minute match when the ball remains stagnant for a set-piece chance. So when Thrasher Adams and Graham react the way they do to a set-piece call, their fears are legitimate. Syracuse happened to be on the right end of the ones that mattered most. jaglick@syr.edu @jason_glick
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SPORTS
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‘A PERFECT PAIR’ The decadeslong partnership that transformed Syracuse men’s soccer By Jordan Kimball sports editor
O
ver the last 16 years, Jukka Masalin and Ian McIntyre have figured out exactly where they fit best. Masalin has sharpened Syracuse’s goalkeepers after playing the position professionally in Europe. He’s an integral part of SU’s recovery and fitness, drawing on his experience as an exercise science major at Lander University. As a youth coach for Syracuse Development Academy, washing pinnies and setting up cones are second nature to him. Masalin’s flexibility has made him the ideal associate head coach. But he’ll leave the spotlight for his longtime coaching partner and good friend McIntyre. “If I’m honest with you, I’d rather be the supporting guy,” Masalin said. “I’d rather work in the background.” “It’s like being a married couple,” McIntyre said of his relationship with Masalin. “You get used to one another see coaches page 20
ian mcintyre and jukka masalin roam the pitch before Syracuse’s 2025 win over Boston College. The duo enters their 17th year at SU after joining the program in 2010. aaron hammer staff photographer
football
4 questions surrounding SU football before 2026 season By Noah Nussbaum managing editor
The last time Syracuse took the field, it left with an eighth straight defeat. Its season was lost once Steve Angeli landed awkwardly on his left leg and tore his Achilles tendon in SU’s Week 4 win over Clemson. Now, Fran Brown and Co. can prove last year’s freefall was a fluke. They’ll do it with returning stars and several new faces. Of course, Angeli will lead SU under center. Many of his weapons
from last season departed, including six of Syracuse’s top seven receiving yards leaders and its best two rushers. Defensively, the Orange’s secondary might be their strongest unit, led by returners Demetres Samuel Jr. and Chris Peal, but their pass rush remains suspect. Here are four questions surrounding SU before its 2026 season-opener Sept. 5 versus New Hampshire:
Will Angeli pick up where he left off? Assessing last season’s regression,
it’s safe to say Syracuse’s 2026 campaign likely hinges on Angeli again. The Notre Dame transfer ranked second nationally in passing yards and led SU to a 3-1 record after four games in 2025 before his seasonending injury. Through the start of fall camp, Angeli’s emphasized he’s now “100% healthy.” He said he added about 10 pounds of muscle this offseason to “withstand the load of the season” and spent time with Syracuse’s defensive coaches to see how they attacked him in practice.
“I’m 100%, I’m back,” Angeli said on Aug. 7. “I just like to focus on 2026. 2025 is in the past. I’m healthy, I’m good to go, so really just looking forward to getting back out there.” If Angeli picks up where he left off, SU is in a good spot. In all four games he played, including against strong programs like then-No. 24 Tennessee and Clemson, Angeli looked like one of the country’s best quarterbacks. But after his injury, the Orange never mustered 20 points again.
To cover his bases, Brown snagged quarterbacks like Kennesaw State’s Amari Odom, UTEP’s Malachi Nelson and Georgetown’s Danny Lauter. But make no mistake, if the Orange rebound, Angeli will be the catalyst. “We got some other guys (that are) trying to push him, so they’re gonna get out there,” Brown said. “I think they’re gonna bring the best out of Steve or move in front of him. You’re gonna see a better Steve Angeli than you saw last year.” see 4 questions page 20