Posted: D.A.
The Syracuse athletic department believes it may have stumbled upon the perfect solution to mounting football losses every season: more graduations.
This week the men’s lacrosse team has been unable to practice in the Carrier Dome before its NCAA tilt with Army due to preparation for Sunday morning’s graduation ceremony.
“It feels like we‚Äôre almost the away team now,” SU junior goalie John Galloway said. “But Army‚Äôs not going to get in there, either, so it‚Äôs really a pretty equal playing field.”
But Darryl Gross believes he sees opportunity here. “Why can’t we have graduation every Saturday in the fall? At least for the next three to four years, until Coach Marrone can get the program back to winning form.”
It’s a bold plan, one the NCAA is reportedly looking into already. The idea would be for the university to hold ceremonies every Saturday of the first semester. This would eliminate the potential for any home games (and home losses), the hope being a .500 road record could make the Orange bowl-eligible for the first time under the new regime.
“We understand Syracuse fans would ultimately like to attend a home game or two over the next few seasons,” said Gross. “But it’s only a temporary fix. We would reinstitute home games in 2013 or ’14, when we feel we have the ability to beat Louisville or UConn. The real benefit is, judging by our attendance figures, many fans won’t notice anyway.”
The plan is still in its working stages, but as it stands drama majors would walk the first weekend of the school year, since their diplomas are useless any way. Each weekend, a different school would schedule its graduation, ending with Newhouse on the final Saturday of the semester, with the thinking SU’s quarterbacks need as much education as possible without any pro playing prospects.
“Is it bold? Yes. But to have a 3-2 record and grab an International Bowl invite you have to be bold,“ says Chancellor Nancy Cantor.
In other news, Marrone has petitioned Onondaga County to eliminate Turning Stone Casino and snowballs.
