Aug. 29, 2022

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AUGUST 29, 2022 high 91°, low 72°

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N • $1.5 Million Rollover

C • Total victory

S • Run and ‘whack’

SA acquired a roghly $1.5 million rollover budget due to the pandemic and plans to use it to enhance funding for student engagement Page 3

Jay Lewis, new SU freshman, has two goals: succeed in his first year of college and win American Ninja Warrior.

The multi-faceted Steve Mahar Jr. committed to SU wanting to go around and pancake defenders.

His diverse skillset headlined a unique journey.

Page 12

Page 6

Lifelong student Cerri Banks, vice president for the student experience, died in July. She received three degrees from Syracuse University

By Kyle Chouinard news editor

W

hen Allen Groves met Cerri Banks, who was a potential candidate for his deputy in the Office of Student Experience, what was supposed to be a 15 or 20 minute Zoom call turned into an hour and a half of the pair connecting over their ideas for SU and their past work in higher education.

“We came away from it just having such an extraordinary connection,” said Groves, who is now SU’s senior vice president and chief student experience officer. “We felt, ‘yeah, that this is something we need to do.’”

Banks, who was SU’s senior vice president for student experience, died on July 31. She was 55 years old. Colleagues and friends — many of whom were one and the same — said Banks balanced her ideals. She was a scholar, a practitioner, passionate, practical, warm and professional.

Banks — a three-time alumna who received her bachelor’s, master’s and doctorate from SU — start-

photo illustration by meghan hendricks photo editor

ed as a non-traditional student. She was in her early 30s when she obtained her bachelor’s.

In 1998, while Banks was pursuing her bachelor’s degree in inclusive elementary and special education, she enrolled in a language arts methods course. The class was Kelly ChandlerOlcott’s first appointment as a faculty member at SU. Today, she serves as the interim dean of the School of Education. “(Banks) was older and had quite a bit more life experience that she brought to that group in such a lovely way,” Chandler-Olcott said. “She was open to learning from everyone and never presented herself as an authority.”

Chandler-Olcott joked with Banks that she probably deserved some refund for the class, calling her a “de-facto teaching assistant” with the way her intelligence and thoughtfulness contributed to her classroom.

Groves shared a similar reading of Banks’ intelligence.

“Cerri had an exceptional intellect — she was very, very smart — and her instincts were uncommonly good,” he said.

A decade following the completion of the language arts methods course, Cerri would sit on the School of Education’s Board of Visitors,

see banks page 4

on campus

How SU’s fall COVID-19 policies compare to peer institutions Katie McClellan asst. news editor

Many of Syracuse University’s past COVID-19 policies will not be returning this fall, marking the first time in several years that SU is starting the semester maskoptional and fully in-person.

SU discontinued mandatory random surveillance testing, ended the color-coded masking level requirements and shut down the university’s public COVID19 tracker. While some schools across the country are taking a similar approach, others have chosen to keep some protections.

“The university’s approach to public health planning for the fall semester is grounded in the premise that—for the foreseeable future— COVID-19 will represent a concern that is endemic to life on a college

campus,” Vice Chancellor Mike Haynie said in a campus-wide email.

“For that reason, it is important that our management of COVID-19 on campus and within our community reflect that practical reality.”

Both Boston University and Rutgers University are temporarily requiring masks in certain buildings. However, CUNY Hunter College in New York City is not requiring masks in any location this semester. Stephanie Woolhandler, a professor of public health and health policy at Hunter College, disagrees with this step back.

“From a scientific point of view, there is no doubt that wearing high quality masks in public indoor spaces such as classrooms would reduce COVID-19 illnesses and deaths,” she said in an email to The Daily Orange.

-PLACE GRAPHIC HEREPhilip Alcabes, a professor of

community health at Hunter College, believes that politics and community play a critical role in COVID-19 policy decisions.

“Is it worth it to be super cautious about COVID versus just cautious if super cautious means that more people with depression become suicidal, more people with anxiety need more medication, things like that?” Alcabes said. “ I don’t know the answer to that.

But I would like that to be part of the community conversation.”

Collective decision-making is key for sound COVID-19 policies for colleges and universities as well as across the country, Alcabes said. He also believes professors and students need to have a say in university COVID-19 policies.

SU is still requiring students to submit proof of vaccination on MySlice. The university is also

continuing its wastewater surveillance testing program this semester, Haynie said. Isolation housing is available for students living in university housing.

“The university will monitor on-campus isolation housing capacity and will implement contingency housing plans if necessary, guided by current public health guidelines,” Haynie said in an email to The Daily Orange.

However, SU students who have COVID-19 symptoms are only able to acquire COVID-19 tests at the Barnes Center at The Arch.

“University leadership and the Public Health Team will remain focused and diligent with regard to monitoring the public health situation on campus and in our community,” Haynie said. “If necessary, we will take action to adjust procedures and protocols in response to

changing public health conditions.”

While a negative COVID-19 test was not required to move in to SU this semester, other higher education institutions such as Hunter College and New York University are asking students to upload proof of a negative test result.

Some institutions are also continuing to monitor infection rates through COVID-19 trackers. Columbia University uses New York’s citywide tracker along with the app ReopenCU, said Steve Morse, a public health professor at Columbia. The app grants users a “Green Pass” linked to their ID if they are symptom-free.

SU used a public COVID-19 tracker last year, but the university can’t collect reliable data for the dashboard without see covid page 4

AUGUST 29, 2022

about

INSIDE The best quotes from sources in today’s paper.

NEWS t h e i n de p e n de n t s t u de n t n e w s pa p e r of s y r a c u s e , n e w yor k Editor@dailyorange.com News@dailyorange.com Opinion@dailyorange.com Culture@dailyorange.com Sports@dailyorange.com Digital@dailyorange.com Design@dailyorange.com BUSINESS 315-443-2315

The Daily Orange is an independent, nonprofit newspaper published in Syracuse, New York. The editorial content of the paper — which started in 1903 and went independent in 1971 — is entirely run by Syracuse University students.

The D.O., a 501(c)(3) nonprofit, is editorially and fi nancially independent from SU, and the paper receives no funding from the university. Instead, The D.O. relies on advertising revenue and donations to sustain operations.

This fall, the paper will be published Monday and Thursday when SU classes are in session. Special inserts are published on Thursdays before home football and basketball games. The D.O.’s online coverage is 24/7, including while SU is on break.

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“(Cerri Banks) was a sister, girlfriend, colleague.

She was someone I could talk to, be myself with, shoot ideas off of or talk about life...” Meredith Davis, former colleague of Cerri Banks Page 3

CULTURE “As you get older, you need to make sure you’re building a blueprint for those who are coming after you.” Jordan Pierre, Orientation Leader Page 5

OPINION “I am a Syracuse native, and you are now living in my city. I dare you to take a step off the University Hill and get to know your new neighbors.” Sarhia Rahim, columnist Page 8

SPORTS “I got to step up to the plate or this sh*t gonna eat me alive.” Steve Mahar Jr., Syracuse tight end Page 12

how to join us If you are a Syracuse University or SUNY-ESF student interested in contributing to The D.O. on either its advertising or editorial teams, please email editor@dailyorange.com.

COMING UP

corrections policy

Noteworthy events this week.

The D.O. strives to be as accurate in our reporting as possible. Please email editor@dailyorange.com to report a correction.

WHAT: Haudenosaunee Welcome Gathering WHEN: Aug. 29, 4 p.m. to 5 p.m.

WHERE: Shaw Quadrangle

letter to the editor policy The D.O. prides itself as an outlet for community discussion. To learn more about our submission guidelines, please email opinion@dailyorange. com with your full name and affiliation within the Syracuse community. Please note letters should not include any personal information pertaining to other people unless it is relevant to the topic at hand. All letters will be edited for style and grammar.

The D.O. is published weekdays during the Syracuse University academic year by The Daily Orange Corp., 230 Euclid Ave., Syracuse, NY 13210. All contents Copyright 2022 by The Daily Orange Corp. and may not be reprinted without the expressed written permission of the editor-in-chief. The Daily Orange is in no way a subsidy or associated with Syracuse University. All contents © 2022 The Daily Orange Corporation

WHAT: Taco Tuesday WHEN: Aug 30, 8 p.m. to 9 p.m.

WHERE: Huntington Beard Crouse Hall Patio WHAT: Virtual Reality for Experienced Players WHEN: Aug. 30, 3 p.m. to 6 p.m.

WHERE: Barnes Center at The Arch 046

NEWS

dailyorange.com news@dailyorange.com

PAG E 3

august 22, 2022

city

Local shelters face rising cat population

city

iSchool offers new majors to freshmen

By Dominic Chiappone staff writer

Central New York shelters have struggled to care for an overpopulation of stray cats. “There’s not enough hands on deck,” said Rebekah McGraw, vice president of the CNY Cat Coalition. meghan hendricks photo editor

By Madeline Rhodes contributing writer

Many of the tags noting arrival dates of the cats at the Central New York Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals are fastened to filled enclosures, and often dated within the week. In Syracuse and throughout upstate New York, the cat overpopulation is overwhelming shelters and exhausting resources.

“There just aren’t enough of us,” Dee Schaefer, an administrative assistant at the CNY SPCA, said in an email statement.

High costs and minimal resources for neutering and spaying stray cats along with limited capacity in shelters is leading to a growing cat population in New York state that is outpacing organizations’ ability to care for them.

In Syracuse and statewide, advocates are calling for increased government funding for the groups tasked with handling the overflow.

The SPCA has taken in 300 cats in the Syracuse area since January, Schaefer said. The organization is currently caring for up to 60

cats, more than twice the number it fosters for any other animal, she added. Just one veterinarian and three staff members care for the SPCA’s cats, Schafer said.

Other Central New York organizations which care for stray and abandoned cats are struggling to meet demands as well. The CNY Cat Coalition, which places cats in foster homes and provides adoption resources, has been receiving about 150 calls per week to help with stray, surrendered and abandoned cats, said Rebekah McGraw, the coalition’s vice president.

“We are very, very, very stressed out,” McGraw said. “There’s not enough hands on deck.”

Despite a high placement of around 1,000 cats in homes in 2020 due to the COVID-19 pandemic, McGraw said high adoption rates haven’t fixed the overpopulation of cats. Amid rising numbers of cats in need of foster homes, the CNY Cat Coalition wrote on Facebook explaining its capacity issues.

“Our volunteer foster parents are overflowing with cats,” the Facebook post read. “They’re burned out. They

have full-time jobs and families and other commitments and we cannot ever match the demand.”

Kathleen O’Malley, the director of community cat education at Bideawee’s Feral Cat Initiative in New York City, said cat overpopulation is an issue everywhere.

“It’s not just a Syracuse problem,” O’Malley said. “It’s definitely spread across the nation because pretty much there are community cats anywhere where people live.”

Shelters and organizations’ inability to meet high demand stems from a shortage of veterinarians to spay and neuter cats, McGraw said. The shortage has created a backup of appointments at animal clinics and expensive prices for fixing cats. In the Syracuse area, veterinarians are booked at least a month or two out, she continued.

“When people abandon unneutered pets that just starts the cycle all over again,” O’Malley said.

Nationwide, successful communities rely on “trap, neuter and release” tactics as well as animal shelters and accessible spay and neuter clinics, O’Malley said. While this decreases the cat population, communities still

need government funding to help, according to the Humane Society of the United States.

In total, over the past five years, New York state has given $20 million to animal shelters and stray services, according to the NYS Animal Protection Federation. The federation estimated in 2021 that 26 shelters need a total of $56.7 million.

In Syracuse, McGraw agreed that government funding is not enough.

The CNY Cat Coalition hopes for more government funding from Onondaga County and New York state for shots, spay and neuter accessibility and adoption services, McGraw said.

Without government funding for cats specifically, she continued, nonprofit organizations such as the CNY Cat Coalition have been put at the forefront of finding affordable care.

“We would love for the government of Onondaga County to help us fund,’’ McGraw said. “Someone to take the leadership to make the spay and neuter clinic that can be affordable to the community and to rescue organizations.” ddamron@syr.edu @dannyamron

student association

SA acquired $1.5 million in rollover funds

By Danny Amron asst. news editor

Syracuse University’s Student Association has roughly $1.5 million in its rollover fund, according to SA President David Bruen and Comptroller Nyah Jones.

The rollover fund consists of any revenue remaining from the student activity fee after registered student organizations and co-curriculars receive funding for the semester, Bruen said. The normal size of the rollover fund is anywhere from

$100,000 to $500,000, but the fund ballooned when many events were canceled or moved online due to the coronavirus pandemic.

“The (amount of money dispersed) between our past two years because of the pandemic was like half of what we used to see,” Jones said. “Even last year, with a lot of the restrictions being lifted in the second semester and organizations kind of getting back to normal, it was still at a different pace.”

SA can use the rollover funds for initiatives that are not usually pos-

sible under the organization’s fiscal codes. Last year, it used the funds to provide free food for students at Juice Jam, Bruen and Jones said.

Bruen and Jones said they hope to use the money to increase investments in sustainability at SU and continue the menstrual products initiative. They also plan to to support on-campus food pantries as well as organizations that serve underrepresented students and student-athletes.

“This is probably going to be one of the best years of student program-

ming we’ve seen in a long time,” Bruen said. “We’re also going to invest strategically in initiatives that are going to really support students’ lives for the next coming years.”

SA fiscal codes place organizations into tiers that determine the maximum amount of funding they are eligible to receive based on expected attendance and an estimated cost of $45 per student.

Tier 1 organizations can apply for up to $12,500 in funding, Tier 2 organizations can apply for up to $20,000,

see fund page 4

Students enrolled at Syracuse University’s School of Information Studies will have the opportunity to acquire two new degrees this fall — applied data analytics and innovation, society and technology.

The iSchool announced the two new majors last spring, but only a few students joined either until this year. Out of the 115 incoming students in the iSchool’s class of 2026, 29 are majoring in one of the school’s new majors, according to Adrienne Graves, Director of Undergraduate Admissions and Recruitment in the iSchool.

The applied data analytics major focuses on the role data plays in decision-making at professional companies while students with an innovation, society and technology major will learn about the impacts technology has on society.

“It’s hard for us to fathom how quickly technology has changed,” said Melody Gan, one of two students from the class of 2022 to graduate with an applied data analytics degree.“Nowadays, every company is a data company. I think broadening the options for majors reflects our changing world.”

Dan Capelli, a junior majoring in information, management and technology, which was previously the only subject iSchool students could major in, said the iSchool’s new majors give students more options within the iSchool’s curriculum.

“We’ve had IMT for the longest time,” Capelli said. “With the two new majors, IMT acts as a middle ground between the hard data side of the iSchool and the conceptual side.”

Students can also take classes in the new majors, even if they aren’t earning a degree in the subject. iSchool senior Brianna Grine is an IMT major, but has a concentration in applied data analytics. Grine said the classes she takes provide skills that companies are looking for in students after they graduate.

“The iSchool is a customizable degree program,” Grine said.

“You can take it in any direction you choose and become a wellrounded IT professional.”

Christopher Perello, the director of career services and professional development in the iSchool, said he hopes the new majors allow students to have a stronger perspective on their careers they could have in the future.

Companies are becoming more reliant on data in every see maj page 4

4 august 29, 2022

dailyorange.com news@dailyorange.com

from page 1

banks sticking with the school that provided all three of her degrees.

Meredith Davis, former associate vice president of student engagement at SU, worked under Banks for months of her tenure within the university’s leadership. With Banks as her supervisor, Davis was apprehensive about friendship with her boss. After Davis left SU though, the two quickly became closer.

“She was a sister, girlfriend, colleague,” Davis said. “She was someone I could talk to, be myself with, shoot ideas off of or talk about life and some of the complexities of being a Black (female) professional in higher ed (with).”

Groves worked with Banks throughout her time in SU’s administration. In addition to being close colleagues, Groves said the pair became friends outside of their work. Their offices were across the hall from one another. Banks would walk from page 1

covid mandatory random testing, Haynie said.

Haynie recommended students selfreport any test results to the Barnes Cenfrom page 3

fund

Tier 3 organizations can request a maximum of $40,000 and Tier 4 organizations have funding requests above $40,000, Jones said.

While SA leadership is rewriting the fiscal from page 3

majors day operations, said Bruce Kingma, the director of undergraduate programs in the iSchool and a professor of entrepreneur-

into Groves’ office, sit down in a chair near his desk and talk about what was on her mind.

“There are a rare number of people in whom you can confide unreservedly what your concerns are,” Groves said. “You have to have a remarkable amount of trust with someone to kick around these kinds of ideas and, to be quite frank, to make yourself vulnerable.”

During her time in the Office of Student Experience, Banks also worked closely with Stand With Survivors SU, an organization several students formed last fall after protesting against sexual assault outside of multiple Interfraternity Council chapters. Though Banks eventually collaborated with the organization, their relationship was not always warm.

Carla Guariglia, the co-founder and former president of SWSSU and a senior at SU, said her first interaction with Banks was at a sitin the organization staged. Partially through contact with Banks and Dean of Students Rob Hradsky, the organization started to meet

with officials at SU. SWSSU’s biggest fear was the power dynamic between school officials and members of her organization, Guarglia said. The students were worried administrators at SU would not take them seriously.

“We were kind of skeptical at first thinking that maybe they just wanted to talk to us so that we would stop everything that we were doing,” Guariglia said. “But, when we would do meetings with Rob and Cerri, it became clear that that was not the case.”

Banks was a scholar of student activism, and helped work on a book titled “No Justice! No Peace! College Student Activism, Race Relations, and Media Cultures.” She also wrote about the relationship between Black university administrators and the activism of Black Students for the University of California’s National Center for Free Speech and Civic Engagement.

“She never saw (SWSSU) as an attack on the university,” Groves said. “She saw it as

‘okay, these students have a concern about something. Let’s hear them out.’”

Guariglia said Banks did hear them out.

“She was being genuine the entire time,” Guarglia said. “It just took us a little bit to realize that.”

Both Guarglia and Groves said they are not just grieving Banks’ memory, but also thinking about the work she was on the verge of accomplishing.

“It’s upsetting because of all the work that we could’ve done together in the future,” Guarglia said. “But I’m still really glad to have known her as a person.”

Groves echoed a similar sentiment, saying he feels blessed that he was able to spend a year with Banks. He said he feels cheated by the fact Banks was on the cusp of so many projects at SU. “It’s a relationship I’ll never forget and a person I’ll never forget,” he said.

ter to maintain a record of student cases.

Similarly, Haynie said he believes that the SU community is ready for the responsibility that comes with less strict health guidelines, as long as the infection rate is low at the university and surrounding area.

“We are entering our third year managing COVID, and at this point it is the responsibility of all members of the campus community to keep COVID infections low on campus,” Haynie said. “That means adhering to well-understood public

health practices, and making smart decisions given your individual level of risk.”

codes this year to improve clarity, Jones wants to ensure that smaller groups on campus that serve underrepresented students have access to funding for events, despite their size.

Jones said many of these organizations don’t even reach the $12,500 maximum they can receive in funding.

“I was hoping the minority organization

fund will fill that gap to allow (organizations) to really maximize their potential without being beholden to the cost per student,” she said. “If you see a really good event, you’re going to want to attract more people. But sometimes in order to have that really great event, it requires additional funding.”

Bruen said that even during years with nor-

mal rollover funds, SA is working to increase transparency with the process compared to previous years.

“We need to create an amazing student experience,” Bruen said. “It’s student money. It should be going to the students.”

ship in both the iSchool and the Whitman School of Management.

“One of the areas we always struggled with here at the iSchool is we don’t fit neatly into job roles,” Perello said. “Both the new majors coming in are offering students a newer, fresh-

er perspective in the professional endeavors they can encounter.”

Jeffrey Fouts, an iSchool professor and associate director of career services and data analytics at the school, said he hopes the new majors will continue to grow in

the future.

“It’s definitely attracting students that we normally wouldn’t attract,” Fouts said. “It’s really a win-win for everybody.”

All Saints Catholic Church Where All Are Welcome!

1342 Lancaster Ave Syracuse, NY 13210

Sacrament of Weekend Masses: Reconciliation Saturday – 4:00pm ~ Saturdays: 3-3:45pm in (Traditional Music) church OR call Fr. Fred at Sunday – 9:00am 315-530-8995 Daily Liturgy: 11:30am

~ (Gospel Choir) AND 11:30am ~ (Contemporary Music)

For information call our Office M-Th, 9am to 2pm: 315-472-9934

kschouin@syr.edu @Kyle_Chouinard

ksmcclel@syr.edu @katie_mcclellan

dcchiapp@syr.edu @DominicChiappo2

dcchiapp@syr.edu @DominicChiappo2

C

CULTURE

dailyorange.com culture@dailyorange.com

5 August 22, 2022

slice of life

Syracusian Strength

Syracuse Hosts 1st Welcome Fête

By Rachel Raposas

culture editor

SU freshman navigates the transition to college life while pursuing “total victory” on American Ninja Warrior

By Kate Kelley

asst. copy editor

A

side from academics, sports teams and proximity to home, Syracuse University freshman Jay Lewis also considered his access to Ninja Gyms, which offer mock obstacles for training tailored to the American Ninja Warrior show, when applying to college.

“The ultimate goal that I have been chasing for the last seven years is to win American Ninja Warrior and achieve ‘total victory,’” said Lewis, who has competed in two seasons of the extreme obstacle course show.

Lewis, who has been training for the show for seven years, is preparing to return for the 2023 season with the goal of achieving total victory, or completing the entire obstacle course. Contestants who win and complete the obstacle course receive a $1 million prize. If no one completes the course, the contestant who finishes the fastest wins $100,000.

Lewis quit his sports teams when he was 12 years old to focus on American Ninja Warrior training full time. At age 14, Lewis competed on his first season of American Ninja Warrior Junior after three years of training at his local Ninja Academy in Hamden, Connecticut.

Two years later, Lewis was invited to compete in season 12 of American Ninja Warrior, but could not participate due to COVID-19 restrictions.

Lewis continued to train and returned stronger in 2021. He earned the fastest obstacle course time in the semifinals and eventually made it to the national finals in Las Vegas.

Lewis’ training schedule looks a little different now as a college freshman. The sports management major will train at Warrior Factory Syracuse

and Syracuse Ninja Barracks as well as rock climb at the Barnes Center and Central Rock Syracuse.

“I have no doubt that he will continue to train while at Syracuse,” said Linda Lewis, Lewis’ mother.

“Jay has always done a phenomenal job of balancing school, work, friends and training.”

In addition to family and friends, Lewis found support in the American Ninja Warrior community. As a young competitor, Lewis learned from the wisdom of older athletes, including ten-time American Ninja Warrior athlete Joe Moravsky, who has also been Lewis’ mentor for seven years.

The duo have a close relationship that has helped both of them succeed on the show.

Lewis spoke highly of his mentor and is proud of his accomplishments.w Despite the competitive nature of the show, Lewis said he’s inspired by Moravsky’s success, which motivates him through his own journey.

“Joe is easily one of the greatest Ninja Warrior competitors in history,” he said. “He has been the Last Ninja Standing two times, and cleared more courses than any other ninja in the history of the show.”

The camaraderie between competitors is a hallmark of the American Ninja Warrior community, Linda Lewis said. Ninjas often share strat-

egies and encourage each other, she added.

“Until Stage 4 on American Ninja Warrior, it truly is ninjas versus the obstacles, not ninjas versus ninjas,” Linda Lewis said.

Moravsky believes Lewis has what it takes. Despite leaving home, Lewis said support from the American Ninja Warrior community will follow him as he pursues his dream at SU. “I definitely think Jay can win the entire thing. But as we know, anything can happen on American Ninja Warrior,” Moravsky said. kkelle04@syr.edu

During his first week as a freshman on the Syracuse University campus, Jordan Pierre didn’t see many students of color at orientation events and club fairs. When he joined Orientation Leaders the next year, he wanted to see change — and now, as a senior, he coordinated the first orientation event specifically for students of color and their interests.

“I don’t want to say it was all me — it started with my vision, but a lot of people helped me to create it (as a) reality,” Pierre said.

The Women’s Building field echoed with excitement on Thursday as the fi rst ever Syracuse Orientation Fête progressed. Cultural organizations, social groups and professional societies fi lled the grass as students flocked from one table to the next.

Ahead of the event, Pierre was nervous. Because his goal of reaching students of color depended on everyone’s willingness to show up, he wasn’t sure his efforts would produce the outcome he wanted. Yet, slowly but surely, students arrived and found much to discover until the whole field was packed.

“People of color, we move on a certain time,” Pierre said. “We don’t come on time.”

One organization present was the Black Pre-Med Society, founded by president Zikora Nnam, a neuroscience and public health junior on the pre-med track. The society aims to connect students with similar aspirations as they navigate the challenging path to a career in medicine.

For Nnam, that sense of community was a top priority as she formed the group.

“It’s really just a space where people can feel uplifted and have a community,” she said. “Because in order to be in a profession this hard and this demanding, it’s really important that people are surrounded by other people that also have the same goals as them.”

Founded this academic year, the Black Pre-Med Society isn’t limited to black students looking to start medical school one day, Nnam said.

The organization is a safe place for any students in underrepresented groups who have an interest in entering the medical field.

For Adams, Kalabash brought a sense of belonging, and she hopes others can experience it too.

“It’s hard to feel accepted at a PWI, especially as a Caribbean person,” she said. “So I think joining Kalabash and getting involved with our group (can bring about) a very family-like feel.”

The Caribbean Student Association attends and hosts countless events around campus throughout the year, including Caribfest and Black Lounge. Their biggest goal is see orientation page 7

6 August 29, 2022

dailyorange.com culture@dailyorange.com

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events tracker

Things to do in Syracuse during the 1st week of classes

By Sophia Moore and Rachel Raposas the daily orange

Experience a traditional Haudenosaunee gathering: Hosted by Barnes Center spiritual advisor and sculptor Diane Schenandoah, the first annual Haudenosaunee Welcome Gathering will be held on the Shaw Quad on Monday from 3 p.m. to 4 p.m. Join in welcoming all students onto Haudenosaunee territory and prepare for an enriching academic year.

Learn about your libraries: Bird Library will be hosting a welcome event for all students to introduce the myriad of resources and services available through SU’s libraries.

There will be a passport activity, refreshments and prizes from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. on Thursday.

Join a club sport: Interested in learning more about SU’s club sports? Attend the Club Sports Fair in the Flanagan Gym at the Barnes Center to meet representatives from almost 50 teams. Learn everything you need to know about club sports, from how to join teams to how to start your own.

Go mini golfing: Get off campus to play mini golf or laser tag at Big Don’s Wild River on Thursday night from 9 p.m. to 11:30 p.m.

For only $3, Orange After Dark offers students food and transportation to and from the venue. The event is open to all, and tickets are required to purchase in advance.

Get crafty: Love to knit, crochet or chat with others? The LGBTQ Resource Center’s Knit 3 Spill the Tea event on Friday is an opportunity to do all the above. Head to room 132 in the Schine Student Center from 3 p.m. to 5 p.m. to get your stitch on.

Go on a weekend backpacking trip: If you’re experienced with hiking, embark on a trip along Cranberry Lake in the Adirondacks and camp at scenic locations. Because the trip will cover eight to 14 miles a day, this trip is not recommended for backpacking beginners. see EVENT page 7

The New York State Fair is back in Central New York with food, rides and games going on all week. Several performers will also take the stage for special perfomances.

meghan hendricks photo editor

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dailyorange.com culture@dailyorange.com

from page 5

orientation to bring together students with similar backgrounds and provide them with a safe space and a family, senior and CSA president Jasper Wade said.

“Culture is such an easy denominator to bond with, and we hope to really remind people of their home through sharing food, having open discussions, parties, carnivals, j’ouverts, fashion shows and serving the community we come from.”

Some other student groups at the event include the African Student Union, Renegade Magazine, Raíces Dance Troupe, Intercultural Collective, Puerto Rican Student Association, Dominican Student Association, Asian Students in America, National Black Law Student Association and others.

Towards the end of the night, Pierre rallied attendees into a massive crowd, and Black Reign Step Team performed a lively routine.

And when a spontaneous downpour descended on the field, the festivities didn’t stop — from page 5

event Play bingo — and win free groceries: If your Friday night is free and you enjoy the classic game of Bingo, head to Schine Student Center at 10 p.m.! The prize for the winner is a whole tote bag of groceries and snacks.

Go white water rafting: Looking to lean into your adventurous side? Rafters of all levels are invited to experience a professionally guided adventure on upstate New York’s expansive Black River. The trip runs from 10 a.m. to 6:30 p.m. on Saturday, and the trip fee starts at $30.

Try a mountain coaster: Go on an aerial adventure at Greek Peak Mountain Resort this weekend. Fees start at $30 and cover a day at the resort, including the mountain coaster, from 10 a.m. to 4:30 p.m.

Visit the Great New York State Fair: Packed to the brim with carnival foods, sky-

august 22 , 2022

everyone ran to 119 Euclid and music and conversation resumed.

Although he sees room for improvement in the Syracuse Orientation Fête, Pierre largely considers the first BIPOC orientation event a success. As a senior, he is putting his energy towards making sure future SU students of color can experience this event.

“As you get older, you need to make sure you’re building a blueprint for those who are coming after you,” Pierre said.

This new event is a move towards inclusivity on a large scale, but on a personal level, Pierre offered his words of wisdom as freshmen of color begin this next part of their lives.

“If I had to give a message to the first year and first generation students at this institution, I’d say first, I want you to understand that you’re of value,” Pierre said. “The second, I want you to understand that you belong. And third, I want you to understand that your voice matters.” rachel@dailyorange.com @rachel_raposas

high rides, neon lights and cows, the New York State fair has something for everyone.

The fairgrounds are open from 9 a.m. to midnight Friday to Sunday.

Immerse yourself in nature: If you love the great outdoors, a day hike at Green Lakes could be for you. Take a trip to the scenic spot from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. on Sunday for a fee starting at $5.

Play ultimate frisbee: Whether you’re a seasoned player or a newbie to ultimate frisbee, check out Discology on Sunday from 1 p.m. to 5 p.m. for a round robin-style tournament. Discology will take place on the Lower Hookway field on South Campus, and snacks will be available.

Attend a Food Truck Rodeo: Have you ever wanted BBQ, lobster and lumpia in a single sitting? Now you can — at the Syracuse Food Truck Association’s Food Truck Rodeo from 4 p.m. to 8 p.m. on Sept. 1 to 8.

Up to 50 food trucks will be in attendance. culture@dailyorange.com

Need Extra Cash?

Food Services is always hiring!

Work is available in dining centers, food courts, cafes, convenience stores, and catering.

• Starting pay $15.30 an hour • Free meal with your shift • Fun work environment • Resume builder • Many opportunities available

To apply, visit: syr.joinhandshake.com For more information about catering opportunities, Contact Sydney at: slpajack@syr.edu

The women’s building field echoes with excitement on Thursday with the sounds of the first ever Syracuse Welcome Fête. meghan hendricks photo editor

Schine Student Center will hose LGBTQ Resources Center’s knit 3 spill the tea on Friday. meghan hendricks photo editor

OPINION

8 august 22 , 2022

dailyorange.com opinion@dailyorange.com

column

Dear SU students, the Syracuse community is your home too

By Sarhia Rahim

columnist

R

ight next door to Syracuse University is a gold mine of history. Untouched and often feared by SU students, is an entire community. A community that they knowingly or unknowingly neglect, but now must call home for the next four years. I am a Syracuse native, and you are now living in my city. I dare you to take a step off the University Hill and get to know your new neighbors, starting with the one next door, Pioneer Homes.

The I-81 highway sits pretty on land that was once known as the 15th Ward. Unlike Pioneer Homes, which is public housing built between Brewster, Boland and Brockway Halls and the highway, the 15th Ward was a community made up of middle-class Black and Jewish families who had private instead of public housing up until the 1960s. For them, the neighborhood was a refuge, but not by choice. While racist housing policies forced families to only find housing in the 15th ward, it blossomed into a strong community. More than 11,120 Syracuse residents lived in the 15th Ward by 1960.

When the city proposed constructing the I-81 viaduct, 15th Ward residents rallied together and fought to keep their homes, businesses and memories from being demolished.

With the Urban Renewal Project, which brought the city the Everson Museum, government buildings and an expansion of Downtown Syracuse, it was becoming clear that 15th Ward residents had to leave. Since families living in the 15th Ward

were originally forced to live there due to redlining and racist housing policies, they still had a difficult time finding new housing.

To create a quick fix for the now displaced BIPOC families, the city began construction. Public housing such as Pioneer Homes and Central Village were then built to help accommodate. Sadly, the public housing designs clearly were not meant to last long term or accommodate more than one child. With no playgrounds or enough rooms for large families and the poor construction of the homes themselves, many looked to private housing.

Discrimination in housing was still rampent, making it seem hopeless to leave public housing.

While digging for information at the Onondaga Historical Association research center, I found conflicting stories from two different sides of the construction of I-81. Media and politicians identified the 15th Ward as a slum, painting a picture that the homes and community were in such disarray that it justified tearing down and slapping a highway on top. A Wall Street Journal headline from 1967 reads, “Syracuse & Race. New Economic, Other Forces Create the Ghetto.” The accompanying article quotes former Syracuse Mayor William Walsh and portrays politicians’ view of the 15th Ward, acknowledging that the city didn’t take any consideration for the community living there. Mayor Walsh’s quote reads, “Let’s put it this way. You didn’t have to consult with anyone to know the 15th Ward was an awful slum. And you didn’t need to consult with anyone that needed to go.” The 15th Ward

also lacked political leadership from within the community, making it an easy target.

However, Oley Scruggs, an African American studies professor at Syracuse University who grew up in the 15th Ward community, recalls the construction of the highway differently, according to the Onondaga Historical Association. “The Ward, however, was a refuge from discrimination. Social cohesion was provided by clubs, churches and the Dunbar Center, the most prominent community institution,” he states, “But most of all, the ties that bound rested on the camaraderie that blossomed from knowing virtually everyone in the community.” Locally-owned businesses, grocery stores, law offices, churches, synagogues and other community resources provided needs and jobs that residents would not be able to find elsewhere.

Social, economic and political forces destroyed and displaced a community. Current conversations around what’s next for I-81 are being more intentional of the community and acknowledging the 15th Ward’s history. With the approval of the community grid, local residents questioned what would happen to those living in Pioneer Homes and students who attend the Martin Luther King Junior Elementary School, which serves the area.

There are benefits to tearing down the highway and replacing it with a community grid. The city is aiming to increase traffic to businesses, provide safe travel for pedestrians, and develop a more connected community without a physical barrier. However, families living next to the highway worry

The I-81 highway sits on land that was once known as the 15th Ward. elizabeth billman senior staff phtographer

about noise pollution, air quality and of course whether they will be displaced during deconstruction of the highway. Education on the 15th Ward sheds light on the significance of what will happen next to I-81.

Pioneer Homes, like the 15th Ward, is a community, with real people and these are their homes. To prevent past injustices from reoccurring, it is important to take action now.

Still there is more work to be done, according to Deka Dancil, some of which falls on SU students.

“Professors can invite people to their class and educate them, host events so students can understand the history, what’s coming and how they can be involved,” Dancil said.

“They can donate to these organizations, like Syracuse Build.”

SU is present at the table when it comes to private conversations revolving around Community Grid, Dancil mentioned.“They can go out on their own and talk to

the community and see how they can leverage their power to help advocate for what the residents want to see and again what’s going to be best for them and best for everyone vs a subset of individuals,” she said. SU students should also show support for organizations involved in this fight.

Working harder to push community involvement and understanding can magnify the importance of not only the community grid, but also ensure that Syracuse doesn’t repeat history. With such a lack of communication and education, many students continue to view the city of Syracuse as dangerous or “ghetto.” Without the University better integrating alongside providing education, students will continue to have a negative outlook on the community, let alone want to become engaged with it.

Sarhia Rahim is a sophomore Her column appears bi-weekly.

column

Restrictions may be lifted, but pandemic anxiety remains

By Katherine Cefalo

columnist

A

s students return to college this month, there is anxiety in the air about Syracuse University’ COVID-19 restrictions being lifted. While some students can finally have the college experience that was put on hold for two years, we can’t ignore that there are still outbreaks, cases spreading and effects of the pandemic. We are not back to normal—we are recovering.

I entered college as a first-year student at SU in the fall of 2020, when the university’s COVID-19 restrictions were at their height. We weren’t

allowed to visit our friends in their dorms, our classes were mostly held online and the majority of us had to go through at least one isolation period.

The pool of friends many students were able to connect with was limited to those on their floor or—for those who had to endure it—quarantine ‘pods’. Many of us had no clue what the bottom half of our friends’ faces looked like for weeks.

Now, after two years, students will be returning to campus without any restrictions, except for a mask mandate on public transportation, per New York state law.

Though, it’s important to acknowledge the pandemic remains a fluid situation and cases still persist.

The pandemic gave new students an excuse to ease into social interaction while adjusting to the stress of college classes and newfound independence, so many returning students could be nervous about entering their first “normal” year.

The pandemic has led to increases in emotional distress, risk of mental health issues, anxiety levels in students and negatively affected sleep patterns, according to conversation.com. We need to prioritize our mental health more than ever so we can truly return to normalcy.

SU students can participate in counseling, group support and other resources that SU has implemented

for mental health awareness.

A new unrestricted social environment can feel overwhelming for anyone after two years of extreme restrictions. Everyone is processing the pandemic and its effects in their own way and SU students should keep in mind that we are still recovering.

Now, many of us feel the pressure to make the most of the time we have left. We’re joining every club, attending every event and going to every party that we weren’t able to under the restrictions, and we feel like a failure if we don’t make a million new friends while doing so.

I can’t lie, I do envy the incoming class that will have the opportunity

to live the first-year experience that I dreamed of when committing to SU. Hopefully, unlike us sophomores, juniors, and seniors, these students will be able to experience a freshman year undisrupted by COVID-19 or any other outbreaks.

It’s important to remember that the COVID-19 pandemic has been shared by all students. We’re all excited and relieved to see what a semester unconstrained by pandemic restrictions looks like, but it is important to remember that we’re all a little nervous too.

Katherine Cefalo is a junior television, radio and film major. Her column appears bi-weekly. She can be reached at kbcefalo@syr.edu.

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from page 12

mahar duck walk everywhere. Catching always came naturally for Mahar, so he mainly focused on blocking in high school.

“At the next level, you can’t block, what was the point?” he said.

In Mahar’s junior season, Aquinas (121) stormed through the regular season. A No. 5 seed entering the state championship, Aquinas faced No. 1 New Rochelle High School. It was loud, Mahar said, in the same stadium he’d watched Syracuse defeat Tulane five years ago. from page 12

penn state physically, so we tried to play faster and not slower.”

While Syracuse took their throw-ins on the run, Penn State often waited for as long as they could before returning the ball to play. The Orange were determined to not let Penn State’s slower play affect their tactics.

Shakes bled as much time off the clock as he could on goal kicks.

“Shakes is very good at doing that, very good at getting in people’s heads,” Biros said. “We try to stay out of that, stay out of their game and play ours.”

Part of Syracuse’s relentless pressure came through reliable and fresh reinforcements from the bench. On the contrary, the Nittany Lions hardly used their substitutes and the starters’ fitness levels declined towards the end of the match.

While Syracuse got 123 minutes from its bench, Penn State only recorded 38.

Biros was excellent in 52 minutes off the bench. He continually supplied Syracuse’s forwards with incisive balls into the box and offered a jolt of energy into the midfield.

“We needed someone like Colin Biros who has that calmness on the ball,”

Jordan Forrest, now an offensive threat for Holy Cross, played running back for New Rochelle. Mahar didn’t put up many statistics, helping instead against Forrest as a defensive end. His speed and ability to stay low allowed him to take up blocks and kick out pulling guards.

Annechino remembers being wowed by the New Rochelle players’ size, specifically Forrest, and thinking they’d be in for a rough day. But Aquinas — with Mahar’s defensive help — won by a touchdown, fulfilling a four-year process that began when the team finished 1-8 in Mahar’s freshman year.

McIntyre said. “He’s a really intelligent player and he’s playing his best soccer since he’s been here at Syracuse.”

The energy from the bench allowed the Orange to constantly pressure the Nittany Lions on the ball. Penn State was never truly comfortable and only had a couple stretches where they possessed the ball for a long period in Syracuse’s half.

“We tried to be tight on them and give them no time on the ball because average players become really good players with time on the ball,” Levonte Johnson said.

Biros said Penn State’s backline was more inexperienced than its 2021 group, which posted eight clean sheets on its way to a Big Ten title. Biros also pointed to the graduation of centerback Brandon Hackenberg, who was drafted in the first round of the 2021 MLS Superdraft by Orlando City SC. After Syracuse broke through in the 80th minute, Penn State immediately began wasting as little time as possible and lofting balls into the box. But it was too little too late, as goalie Lucas Daunhauer ensured the Orange hung on to the win.

“I thought in the second half we were terrific,” McIntyre said. “We deserved victory.” connorpignatello@gmail.com @c_pignatello

A week before Aquinas’ sectional final game the following season, Mahar got gator-rolled on a tackle, his foot trapped underneath the defender. Mahar heard a pop, but tried to play the next week. Each time he practiced, he put his foot in the ice bucket for 30 minutes, and even after that he had trouble moving it. Eventually, Matt Rollins, Aquinas’s team trainer, recommended surgery, ending his basketball season as well.

So Mahar had a few screws and a piece of metal put into that ankle the following January. He committed to Syracuse and went up early for training with sights set

on the following college season.

Mahar Sr. bought an old yellow school bus with a few mechanical issues that he and his son easily fixed. They planned on gutting the inside and transforming it into a luxury tour bus, one the entire family would tailgate in for Syracuse football games.

They only got around to removing the seats.“That probably made me the best person I can ever be, just looking out in the world as a grown man,” Mahar said. “I grew up so much in these last two years.” anthonyalandt29@yahoo.com @anthonyalandt

Syracuse’s quick tempo finally broke through on a Colin Biros goal in the 80th minute to defeat the Nittany Lions. jacob halsema contributing photographer

10 august 29, 2022

dailyorange.com sports@dailyorange.com

women’s soccer

Syracuse clinches its 3rd win in 2-0 victory over Siena

By Wyatt Miller asst. copy editor

Kylen Grant reset on her own in the farright corner before sending a high cross over Siena’s defense in the 62nd minute.

Blue Ellis ran toward the ball before planting her feet in the middle of the box and heading it into an open net.

Syracuse took a 2-0 lead when the graduate transfer scored her first goal for the team. It was the Orange’s first goal after 26 attempts. The former Vanderbilt player had attempted four shots already before she finally capitalized in the second half. The team’s stout defense allowed Syracuse (3-1) to cruise past Siena (0-3-1) in a 2-0 win.

Syracuse dominated the time of possession from the start against a Saints team that could not keep them out of enemy territory. The Orange outshot Siena by 26 shots in a seemingly onesided victory. While SU head coach Nicky Adams was happy with the win, she said the team needs to come out stronger and more accurately.

“We have got to do a better job of coming out and showing them what our game plan is,” Adams said. “The adjustments at halftime were really well done. I thought most of the time of possession in that second half was ours. We have to do better in the final third, especially inside the 18 (yard box), it wasn’t good enough.”

Despite SU controlling the ball for most of the game, only 14 of the Orange’s 34 shots were on goal. Their 41% accuracy rate during the match was lower than their total 48% accuracy rate from 2021, when they averaged less than one goal per game.

The first goal of the game came from freshman forward Anna Rupert in the ninth minute, immediately swinging the momentum in favor of the Orange.

Receiving the ball from a throw-in, Chelsea Domond put a move on her defender to get inside leverage. From there, she drove down the middle of the field and drew the goalie toward her before dishing the ball to Rupert. She scored with ease as the team rallied around the pair of them.

“We did so much repetition in practice

on that play, so Chelsea knew how to play the ball,” Rupert said. “I had missed it a couple times in practice, so by game time I was prepared.”

Rupert has scored two goals in as many matches as she continues to shine in nonconference play. She said that scoring early is a big point of emphasis for SU and was glad to be able to give the team that spark.

“I think scoring early is always really good,” Rupert said. “It’s nice when you can score early because you can control the game a little bit. Starting early is a really big key for our team and we are going to keep working on it.”

Rupert said that first goal, as well as some halftime adjustments, helped the entire offense move better without the ball, allowing SU to retain possession for significant periods of time. The Orange constantly put pressure on the Saints inside their territory. An inescapable barrage of shots came from SU’s side while Siena did not even manage double digits.

Only four of the Saints’ eight shots were on goal, evidence of the smothering defense

that SU played all game. Goalkeeper Shea Vanderbosch racked up four saves, getting her hands on every shot on goal from Siena.

The Orange have attempted to set new expectations this season after last year’s disappointment. Adams said she knows they won’t get the same volume as they did today once ACC play starts.

“We’re going to be playing teams where we aren’t going to get that many opportunities and we have to be confident in ourselves to finish,” Adams said.

Adams wants to get them ready to capitalize offensively at an ACC level. Repetition in training is the way she plans to prepare the team for that increase in skill level.

“We are a week into really focusing on our attack and we are going to continue to do it,” Adams said. “It’s repetition in training and doing it at the highest intensity possible so it’s not a shock when they have someone tight on them. We have to do it more efficiently in practice.” wbmiller@syr.edu @wymill07

men’s soccer

Aggression, compact backline boosts SU past Penn State

By Cole Bambini

asst. sports editor

Syracuse regained possession in its own defensive third and began looking to transition. The ball made its way to Colin Biros in the midfield who dumped out wide left to Jeorgio Kocevski who crossed it in to Nathan Opoku. The sophomore forward had set up Biros for the match-winning goal in the 80th minute, finishing off a sequence that was propelled by the defense.

Constant pressure, strong play in the back and control of the midfield allowed SU (2-0-0, 0-0 Atlantic Coast) to continue creating several offensive opportunities in its 1-0 victory over No. 21 Penn State (0-1-1 Big Ten). The Orange outshot the Nittany Lions 29-10 and only had four saves, while PSU had nine.

“That front four (Penn State) has got is really dangerous,” head coach Ian McIntyre said.

“But trying to get pressure on the ball, trying to ensure that we stopped that service into them, our front guys, forwards and attacking midfield worked really hard.”

Majority of possession was in SU’s attacking half, mostly because Penn State couldn’t get behind the Syracuse backline. The Nit-

tany Lions had their share of opportunities, but none of them were that threatening. PSU’s best attempt came in the match’s final minutes as goalkeeper Lucas Daunhauer made an outstretched diving save off a header.

Tonight, Syracuse was without Abdi Salim, who on Thursday, played in his first match since tearing his ACL. Head coach Ian McIntyre said Salim is still having some lingering effects from the injury and isn’t quite ready for a full 90 minutes. A specific date for Salim’s return to the pitch remains unknown.

Defender Olu Oyegunle filled Salim’s role, playing alongside Buster Sjoberg as the centerback duo. Sjoberg consistently shielded any Nittany Lion attackers from the ball and won many 50-50 balls.

Though Penn State notched 10 shots, only few posed a threat, one of which came early in the first half. Midfielder Andrew Privett crossed the ball to a wide-open Sean Bettenhausen. Again, Daunhauer made an outstretched diving save, getting the ball just outside of the goal. Other times, Penn State shots were blocked by SU defenders.

“It wasn’t maybe perfect, but we did a good job,” Sjoberg said of the defensive performance.

“There was never really any good chances. I

think, overall, very good performance.”

On one play in the first half, Penn State’s Tyger Evans used a nifty move in the corner to get around an SU defender. Driving towards the box, he was met with several SU defenders who blocked his shot.

Though it only listed four defenders, Syracuse sometimes in its formation looked like it had a five-back formation, but once it realized it was dominating the match offensively, the outside defenders continued to press high and pressure PSU. Once SU got the ball wide, it would slip either Kocevski or Levonte Johnson down the sideline and send a cross or create a corner. And if they couldn’t get on the end of the through ball, the pressure would force Penn State to play the ball out of bounds.

“The defense is really strong, they tried to stay compact,” Opoku said. “If you are leading, it’s tough to defend the last few minutes of the match. We just had to stay compact and active.”

Johnson had multiple attempts on the left sideline, but it usually resulted in Penn State clearing the ball out or Johnson creating one of the Orange’s 10 corners.

When Penn State tried to build out of the back and even on goal kicks, Syracuse maintained a

high line, with the backline on the midfield line.

On one clearance, PSU goalkeeper Kris Shakes felt his intended target should’ve kept running in his run. It was a small pocket of space that would have continued a potential attack, but the player stopped his run, watching the ball trickle out of bounds, with Shakes visibly and verbally frustrated.

Syracuse kept piling on the opportunities, which all started from the aggression, control of the midfield and strong backline. McIntyre kept telling his team throughout the match to maintain formation by shouting for players to “pinch in,” making sure the formation wasn’t too sporadic with empty pockets of space.

The Orange struggled to finish as only one of its 29 shots found the back of the net, but Penn State wasn’t threatening other than in the final minutes. PSU also had one goal waived off because of goalie interference against Daunhauer.

“I think Penn State just kind of came back into the game towards the end of the second half,” McIntyre said. “We closed it out. We were solid, but I challenged the guys to have a real strong start to the second half.”

colebambini@gmail.com @ColeBambini

women’s soccer

Anna Rupert, Erin Flurey dominate in SU’s victory over Siena

By Matt Hassan staff writer

Syracuse was making its way into the right side of Siena College’s zone with a series of quick passes. In the ninth minute, Chelsea Domond chipped the ball right in front of Anna Rupert on the edge of the goal box. Siena goalkeeper Angela Fini came out to challenge her, but Rupert side stepped to her left and drilled the ball into the back of the net to give the Orange a 1-0 lead.

“It was a really great pass, so it was more of ‘let’s just make sure it goes in the goal.’”

Rupert said.

Both Rupert and Erin Flurey found success on offense for Syracuse (3-1, 0-0 Atlantic Coast) during a 2-0 win over Siena (0-3-1, 0-0 Metro Atlantic Athletic) on Sunday. With her ninth-minute goal against the Saints, Rupert has two goals in her first four NCAA matches and is tied for first on the team in goals. She’s knotted up with Flurey, who also leads the Orange in shots, for most goals on the team.

Flurey got off seven shots on Sunday alone, with three on goal.

“She’s great on a dribble. She can play with her back to goals. She’s feisty. She can score goals,” head coach Nicky Adams said.

Just a few minutes after her goal, Rupert jumped up for a pass from Blue Ellis. She got control of the ball and made a quick move to her right. But in a flash, a Siena defender stepped in and Fini quickly collapsed on the ball and took control.

Flurey began to press Siena’s defense from the moment Adams subbed her in during the 22nd minute. Further into the half, defenseman Alyssa Abramson gathered a Saints clear and sent the ball up to the midfield. After a sequence of short passes, Flurey received a pass from her right and took the ball to the left side of Siena’s zone.

As she crossed into the goal box, Flurey took a hard shot at the top right corner, but Siena’s Grace George got in the way and the ball deflected out of bounds. Syracuse had nine shots blocked by defenders on Sunday,

three of which were from Flurey.

Flurey continued to push up the middle of Siena’s zone. Shortly after her shot was blocked, the Saints snatched the ball from her as she approached the box. Just minutes later, Flurey took a pass from center up field and collided with Siena’s Lexi Bartlow and the Saints got possession. Adams said Flurey’s pressure in the middle of the Saints’ zone was key to creating opportunities on Sunday.

Right before halftime, Flurey emerged from a struggle just outside of Siena’s goal box and booted one high to the net. Fini threw herself to the upper right of the goal and tipped the ball out of bounds with both hands.

In the 59th minute, Flurey took the ball up field in the Siena zone. She cut to the middle and faked out a defender as she entered the goal box. Flurey then sent a ball to the bottom right of the net. Fini leapt toward it and put a hand on the ball for a save.

Syracuse ended up scoring two minutes later via an Ellis header to extend the lead to 2-0. Flurey was taken out of the match in

the 64th minute, putting in 42 minutes as a sub and finishing another aggressive performance on offense. But Flurey’s shots on goal percentage sits at just 36% this season, missing the net on 57% of her shots against the Saints.

The opposite is true for Rupert, who has capitalized on much fewer opportunities. Two of the freshman’s three shots this season have found the back of the net. Rupert started and ended the match for the Orange, playing for 55 minutes in total.

“She’s just being an incredible sponge right now and absorbing, but the great thing is she’s really trying to do what she’s absorbing,” Adams said. “It’s not just me telling her. She’s really trying to get it done on the field.”

Rupert said it felt great to put two goals in for her team already, but she knows she couldn’t have done it by herself.

“I’ve been really lucky,” Rupert said. “My teammates have been sending me really good balls, so I just finish them.” mahassan@syr.edu

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men’s soccer

SU’s stamina aids in 1-0 upset

By Connor Pignatello asst. copy editor

STEVE MAHAR JR. became an integral part of the Orange’s tight end room this training camp, and kate harrington staff photographer is set to play a big role in passing game.

‘GROWN MAN’

Steve Mahar Jr., poised for a breakout season at Syracuse, was forced to grow up fast after his dad passed away two years ago

By Anthony Alandt senior staff writer

W

hile driving home from work on June 17th, 2020, Sean Torregiano got a call from Steve Mahar Jr. It was about 4:30 p.m., and Mahar was in Cape May, New Jersey, on his senior trip. Mahar had just gotten a call from his mother, Jennifer Coccia, and was screaming and sobbing, Torregiano said. Mahar doesn’t remember the phone call — too much was going on. He just remembers that he was on the road back home to Rochester, New York within 10 minutes of his mother calling.

Torregiano couldn’t figure out what was wrong. All Mahar could muster was “My dad, my dad, it’s my dad.” Steve Mahar Sr. went to work that morning, a typical Wednesday at his contracting and electrician job, which he’d held selfemployed for over 25 years.

“My dad died,” Mahar told Torregiano, his high school offensive line coach.

Mahar remembers the last texts with his father surrounding a conversation about their relationship, how from the outside looking in it was “funny sarcasm.” His dad died at 51 years old, following a heart attack, one month before Mahar went to Syracuse to begin football workouts.

For the next two years at SU, Mahar mostly appeared on special teams.

Though his dad wasn’t there, his mother and grandmother traveled down to watch, something they continue to do

when his mom isn’t working. This year, he’s part of an experienced tight end room, hoping to become a larger part of the passing game.

“I got to step up to the plate or this sh*t gonna eat me alive,” Mahar said he remembers thinking.

The Orange’s sophomore tight end chose SU over schools like Buffalo and Boston College. Mahar wanted to be close to home, though Syracuse didn’t utilize tight ends and BC offered him a spot in around 15% of its formations, according to Torregiano. He impressed in training camp, flashing his ability to be a slot receiver threat and his skill as a blocking tight end.

Mahar went to SU football games with his dad, going to his first in 2013, when Syracuse blew out Tulane. Mahar remembered being awestruck while looking around the Dome.

A confused Torregiano asked Mahar why he chose a school that recruited him as a tight end, slot receiver and “glorified H-back.” Mahar told Torregiano that he was going to run around and “whack” people. Mahar couldn’t be happier.

In high school at the Aquinas Institute of Rochester, Mahar was tall and awkward in his movements. His primary sport was basketball, and it was clear to head coach Derek Annechino that he hadn’t experienced a lot of time in the weight room. The coachability was there, the height was there—he just needed to learn how to catch, block and move within his body. The basketball

player cosplaying as a football player quickly turned into a Swiss Army knife for Annechino.

“He stood out,” Torregiano said.

“Even though he kind of looked like a baby deer, didn’t have much of a clue what he was doing. He just knew, ‘I got to handle this guy ’.”

Aquinas didn’t use tight ends before Mahar came up to varsity, preferring four-wideout sets. But Mahar fit the bill, especially as a blocker.

His size helped him slide in seamlessly with the offensive line, aiding Aquinas’ run game. Mahar also fit in easily as a slot receiver, the position in which Annechino said he received the most touchdowns.

Former teammate Jack VanDenBush said Mahar excelled as a receiver, using his long legs and tall frame to become “very deceptively fast.” Former Aquinas quarterback Tyler Szalkowski said Mahar was his first option when he scrambled out of the pocket, and stood as either a first or second option as a receiver. “(Mahar) gives your offense a lot of dimensions,” Szalkowski said. “I mean, it makes your life a lot easier as the quarterback.”

Mahar spent the individual drills of practice with the linemen, using the 45 minutes to learn run and pass block schemes. He’d sit in the chutes for about 15 minutes each day, practicing staying low and driving through a lineman.

With his knees bent, Mahar would see mahar page 9

Syracuse had just missed on back-to-back point-blank chances at goal – its best two of the match so far. One was saved by the Penn State goalkeeper himself and the rebound was deflected by his defenders.

While the Orange had thrown threatening attack after threatening attack against the Nittany Lions, they still hadn’t scored.

They outshot Penn State 10-0 for the first 30 minutes of the second half.

With just fifteen minutes left, the Orange followed a familiar script. Last season, they lost six games by one goal and three of them in overtime. But just five minutes later, Syracuse went on the counterattack.

Christian Curti booted the ball downfield off an interception from a Penn State throw-in deep in Syracuse territory. In a matter of seconds, Colin Biros streaked downfield with the ball and serviced Jeorgio Kocevski on the left wing. Kocevski crossed it to Nathan Opoku, who lobbed it up to Biros. Biros nutmegged his defender at the left corner of the 6-yard box and slotted the ball into the bottom right corner of the goal to break the 0-0 tie.

Shakes pumped his fist in disgust and was promptly caught in the middle of a Syracuse dogpile.

“I was hoping Nate would play it to my feet but he put it up in the air anyway,” Biros said. “I knew that if I tried to just touch it to my left that he would bite, so I cut it a little inside and he did, went through his legs and then I put it over [number] six.”

Syracuse (2-0, 0-0 Atlantic Coast) dominated No. 21 Penn State (0-1-1, Big Ten) for much of the contest, but finally secured the win with Biros’ finish in the 80th minute to win 1-0.

Penn State took every opportunity to shorten the match, but Syracuse relentlessly attacked the Nittany Lions’ goal on their way to a 29-10 advantage in shots and 10-4 in shots on target.

McIntyre constantly reminded his players to keep the formation tight to keep Penn State off the ball and uncomfortable. He especially praised Amferny Sinclair for an “outstanding” performance on Penn State midfielder Seth Kuhn.

The Orange pursued Penn State aggressively at every turn and tried to speed the game up every chance they got.

“We wanted to keep the tempo going, that was a big part,” Ian McIntyre said. “Maybe on another day we would have finished that game 0-0, but we kept pushing and we saw their guys were in distress see penn state page 9