An hour before game time, in our special lot down the hill from Syracuse University.
Officials from Syracuse University deemed Friday the as a perfect time for an Orange Out.
That is one of the striking colors in Central New York’s autumn once the leaves change. That is the team name and color the the school’s sports teams. So that was the color they asked fans to wear during their daily routines at work and play throughout our city, and, of course, to the trip to the Carrier Dome to cheer on the Orange in an important Atlantic Coast Conference game against the Louisville Cardinals.
When my dear wife Karen and I pulled into our favorite and favorably priced lot down the big hill from the campus and the dome, the gray warm day was turning into a gray warm night, with a forecast for rain.
I thought the sky above stubbornly stayed away from orange.
Looking forward to the game with a hopeful get-together in our favorite lot.
Karen and I sat in my Chevy and drank a few of my specially coolered beverages as she told me about her work day at SMG and I related how I’d prepped the big bedroom for some floor work that was scheduled for the following morning.
A few cars down, a couple had set up a small but optimistic looking tailgate party. We made sure to say hello and trade good game wishes as we made our way to the climb up the hill as game time approached.
Wishes unfufilled.
Louisville dominated in the ACC opener for Syracuse, and defending national champion Florida State is coming to visit the dome Saturday at noon. By the way, I’m still waiting for any sort of sign from Commissioner John Swofford that my suggestion that the national championship trophy should come with the Seminoles to the Carrier Dome to say hello.
In any case, the fact that Syracuse’s season is now circling the toilet will be the subject of my weekly community blog on Syracuse public media site waer.org Wednesday, and I’ll post another photo and reminder here, too.
A somber mood as the rain started and the crowd filed down the hill Friday night on the Syracuse University campus.
The aura attached to the orange as fans walked down the campus hill in the rain late Friday night was 180 degrees from what the Syracuse University officials had dreamed.
Does a loss by your sports team put you into a funk, and if so, how do you deal with it? Do you think that a loss by a city’s sports team can affect the mood of the population, and what signs have you spotted? What kinds of celebrations have you thrown or attended because of a big victory?
Mark Bialczak 
As you know, I’m not that into sports… BUT you seem to make me more curious about them than I’ve ever been. I LOVE the “orange out” theme! I love that people who don’t know each other will come together and unite to cheer on a favorite team. I’m starting to see the “fun” other people must have. It’s more than just watching a bunch of grown men toss around a ball… At least now I’m getting that from your posts. 🙂
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That’s what I’m getting at, Rachel. It’s about the community, the commonality of spirit. And, pointing back to the movie, post, the pregame party would make for a great spot to meet other single people, wouldn’t it?
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Would it? Okay, maybe now you’ve convinced me for sure! 🙂
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I grew up in Cleveland and know all about sport seasons circling the commode. It’s a way of life out there. A clever local graphic designer made a coloring book called “Why is Daddy Sad on Sundays.” That says everything you need to know about being a Cleveland sports fan. One of these days…
Rooting for Notre Dame to win is like rooting for Goldman Sachs to have a strong quarter.
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It’s all relative, Mark. The folks who root for the mega-machines of which you allude, when they fall, the tumble is from great heights, and the funk is mighty dark. When a mediocre or poor squad loses again, well, we know how to bounce back. A theory to put out there, anyway.
I agree with you. That Cleveland coloring book was genius.
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When I was food shopping tonight, Mark, I saw a woman with a Jersey that said “Orange” on it. Since I’ve been noticing orange lately (for my own reasons), I looked more closely and saw “Syracuse.” I thought of you. Orange you glad? (Even though that doesn’t help you or your team, in any real way.)
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I am glad that there Oranges in your supermarket, Ann!
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I’m really sorry about the loss Mark. Especially since it was Louisville. Not much on following the games, but I sure hate when the Cards win, especially because the true Kentuckians bleed blue. And orange is my color of choice, as long as KY blue isn’t involved.
Just talked to my daughter, and the bad boys at U of K were banned from the stadium during the game yesterday – day before?, and U of k won without them. She said the letters to the editor are all saying that is punishment enough for the boys involved in the air rifle incident. Dunno, it was a bad thing to do. Scary incident, but still I would hate if they lost their scholarships for a stupid act. Really torn on this one.
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I think the one-game ban is enough. Stupid act, deed done, punishment over. Let’s hope, Angie.
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I am sorry about the weather and the game, too, Mark! I wish it had been better there in Syracuse, all around. Hope your back doesn’t hurt from working on the floor project, Mark! Take care and wish things would have turned out better. I don’t get in a funk over losses but rain can be a downer for me, Mark!
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I’m not doing the floor, just getting the rooms clear so somebody else can lay down the floor, but, that’s still work in my book, Robin, so thank you!
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😦 Everyone was watching football this afternoon, so we didn’t have to wait for Mexican food at the restaurant. So that’s a bright side if you’re not invested.
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Short lines for Mexican food. Yay, tamales!
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When any of the state teams win a game, the natives fire off their guns and burn tires on the side of the road. For a huge win, a couch might be sacrificed.
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Oh, no, Apple Pie. That smells really bad. The couches, too, when they’ve had a hard life before the sacrificial burning.
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The Washington Nationals, parent team of our Syracuse Chiefs, are killing me. Two one-run losses in the NL Division Series. Last night they blew a 1-0 lead in the 9th and lost in 18 innings. Now on to San Fran, down 2 games to 0 in a 5-game series. Bart Giamatti was right about baseball. It breaks your heart because it’s meant to. Arghhhhh!
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I watched the extra innings yesterday, Jim, and had my heart twisted and turned and yanked out of my chest … Well, not quite that bad, the Nats down 0-2 and heading to San Fran for two need-to-wins, but at least as bad as a noogie.
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But it’s a wedgie of sorts.
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I don’t normally get into a funk about sports teams but in 2004 our beloved Calgary Flames were on the brink of winning the Stanely Cup but they didn’t. They lost to Tampa. I could hear the sighs and sadness from people’s windows. I cried – yes – I cried over the controversial goal that refs said didn’t count by our beloved team – a goal that looked good to me.
Calgary was a sea of red that year, our team delivering game after game. 30,000 people flooded onto 17th Ave SW between 4th Str and 8th Str every day. It was a sea of red. These playoffs united everyone whether they were big sports fans or not – my daughter and I had been caught up as well, so much so that I cried at the 11th hour, when we lost.
Diana xo
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See, Diana, that’s the power of sports, to unify a city of sports lovers and casual fans to cry over a goal/non-goal call. Thank you for sharing that story. Sorry it did not go your way, but considering what it was all about, may I call it good grief? 🙂 Unifying the city is a great thing.
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Yes you may and yes it is Mark. 🙂
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I’m sorry Mark. I’m sad that the Orange Mood didn’t hit full force and carry on through the day and week. 😦
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Thanks, Colleen. It went stale like an open can of soda pop left out in te sun. Pffffft.
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Flat and not worth the calories eh ? 😦
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Last night as I passed by the tv room I happened to see the last few minutes of Arizona and USC, I think it was USC, anyway I saw a bomb of a pass being thrown and it was actually caught. I was so excited for Arizona, now that’s what I like to see!
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Yep, that was one of a series of exciting college endings last night, Dora. Yay Arizona!
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I’m a Jets fan, Mark, so if a loss by my team put me in a funk, I’d be a permanent resident at the local mental hospital. I’ve just learned to shake off yet another Jets loss and get on with life.
Of course, it helps that Notre Dame is 5-0. 🙂
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Funk management is needed for we Jets fans, Austin. We ought to be in the James Brown fan club.
And congratulations on the Irish comeback win over Stanford. How did you keep Seamus from running amok in the House on the Hill?
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The Irish are up to #6 in the polls. It was a great game. I just kept giving Seamus pints to keep him settled.
The Jets are on TV up here, so I am mentally preparing myself. Hope they don’t embarrass us…
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Yeah, they are embarrasing, Austin.
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So far, not so bad…
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Final 31-0. So bad, Austin. Our squad is in turmoil.
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They switched games up here, so I didn’t have to suffer to the end. I think it’s time for a new coach…
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It’s time to not watch our team if we want to remain happy guys, Austin.
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I’m just going to focus on Notre Dame right now…
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Good call, Austin. I am still going to the Syracuse-Florida State game, because I want to see the defending national champion. And I have this thing about using our season tickets that I had to pay for by the end of March.
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Notre Dame gets to beat Florida State later this month…
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i love the picture of the hill at night so much. sorry about syracuse, but i think that is the thrill of sports, the ups and downs, though the ups are much better ) as for home, it is a very bad time in ann arbor for our team, and the tigers – well…..)
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We will get through these downs, Beth, I know we will, both of us.
Thanks for the kind words on the hill photo. I appreciate it. ))
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A loss of a football game does change the next few moments, but I can’t say that it ruins my day, Chum. I guess I’ve gotten used to it being a K-Stater and all. 🙂 However, yesterday was good for us.
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You got the W. Good few moments for you, Aud. I hope the joy lasts longer for the son’s team’s victories!
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3 and 0….My son, Brady, had a recent single sack to the opposing receiver to help win the game 6 to 0. 7th grade team looking good, Chum.
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Fantastic news, Aud. Congratulations on the big tackle, Brady! Keep up the hard work. Remember it’s the effort that you put into the game in preparation that will pay off in life every step of the way, son, not just between the sidelines.
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Yes, he is a stand up boy, Chum. Very proud mother. Student of the year out of 200 sixth graders and chosen by his teachers. He’s a keeper.
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The student-of-the-year news is for more significant than the football victories, of course, Aud. 🙂 Put them together for a well-rounded young man, and the keeper is swimming toward a happy life. Yay!
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I’M GONNA HAVE TO PAY MORE ATTENTION TO SYRACUSE NEXT TIME I COME THRU…
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You better let me know ahead of time when you’re coming through, Trey, please and thank you!
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10-4
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I don’t follow professional sports much Mark, but for sure a local win does effect the morale of the city. The conversation and mood of the city changes a great deal for the positive when a local pro team wins or is on a winning streak. I enjoy the upbeat feel when it happens.
thanks for teh post Mark and i’m sorry your team did not win.
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I’m trying to shake it off, Paul. And my alma mater got blown out yesteday, too. Double whammy. Thanks, my friend.
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Hi Mark, I was in Boston the year the Red Sox finally won the World Series. The lead-up to the game was just incredible. Dormant snow plows with Go Sox spray painted on the blades. Go Sox on the electronic traffic boards on the Mass. Pike. And so on. I’m not a sports fan but the enthusiasm was so contagious that it was really an overwhelming experience when they won!
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That must have been great, Barbara, the Boston celebration after all those years of collective almosts and not-this-times.
I remember my Mets in 1969, I was only 11, but in Levittown, Long Island, people of all ages were out in the streets banging on pots and pans. Unforgetable for me.
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