As¬†The Fizz reported back in July, an Upstate vs. Downstate All-Star Football game was in the works after the cancellation of the annual NY vs. NJ Governor’s Bowl.
Now we know, with the blessing of Syracuse’s head man, the All-Star game is a go.
The¬†most recent buzz said,¬†“With big help from Syracuse coach Doug Marrone, there will now be an Upstate vs. Downstate All-Star game, which will be held in the summer at the Carrier Dome.”
The Fizz worked the phones to see what Coach Marrone’s involvement was in the whole process.
Not an easy code to crack. According to a source in the athletic department, Marrone is obviously in support of such an event. But neither the university nor its coaches can be affiliated with the game because it involves high school athletes and potential recruits.
Here’s some of the early details of the game:
-It’ll be held June 6th at the Carrier Dome
-Practices will be held over the four days prior to the game, also at the Dome
-Rosters are 50 players for both sides
-“Downstate” includes Sections 1 (Dutchess, Putnam, Rockland), 8 (Nassau), 9 (Orange, Sullivan, Ulster), 11 (Suffolk) and NYC
-“Upstate” includes Sections 2 (Albany region), 3 (Central New York), 4 (Southern Tier), 5 (Rochester), 6 (Buffalo), 7 (Champlain Area), 10 (North Country)
A coaches meeting is scheduled for January 5th and the game may be aired on MSG Varsity.
How about the cost of such an undertaking? Initial reports said a bill of anywhere from $30,000 to $60,000. Yikes.
This whole effort feels like a group of coaches working together for the greater good (the players), and making something big happen.
Also a few notable beneficiaries to take note of here too:
-High-level recruits, who gain more exposure
-Mid-to-low level recruits, who now have an in-state forum to potentially gain interest from coaches
-New York State, which has a stage to spotlight its football coaches, athletes and programs
-Syracuse football, which gains… um… everything
Why wouldn’t Marrone work hard to make this happen? Syracuse immediately becomes the epicenter for the state’s high-school football community.
He’ll have the best NY has to offer at his doorstep. Not only are they playing and practicing in the Dome, but you have every top-level athlete in the state on campus, and steps away from your classrooms and facilities. High-school kids will aspire to play… at the Carrier Dome every season.
It’s hard to fathom at these early stages just how beneficial this can be for SU’s recruiting purposes. But this event could tilt the entire Empire State prep landscape in favor of Marrone’s Marauders. This. Is. Big.
