thursday, october 15, 2026
celebrating 123 years
free
O • Party pressure
C • It’s just Pete
S • Stayed the course
Page 10
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Our columnist argues college presents us with lots of social opportunities. He claims we shouldn’t have to party to have fun.
Even after becoming Palm Beach Pete, Peter Simel’s stayed true to the outgoing person he was at Syracuse University in the 1970s.
In his sixth season at Syracuse, wide receiver Umari Hatcher has emerged as its clear-cut No. 1 option.
G.O.A.T. on Genesee
on campus
Musicians bring ‘Sounds of Palestine’ to SU By Ryan Garipoli asst. news editor
From Sept. 1 to Friday, Chris Murray was on West Genesee Street painting a 30-by-50-foot mural of 25 Syracuse University basketball players. Murray lives in Philadelphia but grew up in Norfolk. sallematu barry contributing photographer
Artist jumps through hoops of approval for ‘SU G.O.A.T.’ tribute mural
By Kosta Konstantopoulos asst. copy editor
A
nyone who’s traveled through downtown Syracuse in the past month has probably seen an artist standing on top of an electric lift wearing a pair of gloves and holding cans of spray paint. From Sept. 1 to Friday, Chris Murray gradually brought Syracuse’s rich basket-
ball history to life with a 30-by-50-foot mural. He jumped from a friend’s couch to Airbnbs to see the mural through. “Syracuse has always been a basketball town,” Murray said. “So that’s part of the reason why I do these kinds of things, it’s a New York thing.” The mural, titled “SU G.O.A.T.,” is located at 208-212 W Genesee St, next to the Glazed & Confused doughnut shop near Clinton Square. Inside the outline of a goat, see mural page 4
As the war between Israel and Hamas enters its fourth year, Syracuse University’s Moynihan Institute’s Middle Eastern Studies Program hosted a Sounds of Palestine event in Hendricks Chapel on Wednesday to highlight the place of music and art during periods of suffering. The Sounds of Palestine featured a performance by the Dal’Ouna Ensemble, a FrancoArab ensemble specializing in classical and folkloric Arab and Palestinian music. For Ramzi Aburedwan, a Palestinian musician, composer and conductor, performing the songs provides an opportunity to preserve a “threatened” culture. When Aburedwan was a student at the National Regional Conservatory of Angers in France, he began studying Western classical music. His studies made him nostalgic about traditional Palestinian music, and when his peers asked him to perform, an idea formed. Aburedwan founded the Dal’Ouna Ensemble with a group of fellow students in 2000, and over 20 years later, he says the ensemble shares the stories and experiences of Palestinians living under occupation. “Music is very important for preserving culture and humanity,” Aburedwan said. “(The music) will give them this protection, and this possibility to free themselves from inside.” Aburedwan explained the stories of some of the songs he performed, including the first song titled “Mahinour” or “A Full Moon,” which he said is about a Palestinian shepherd woman tending to her flock in the beautiful mountains of Palestine. Yael Zeira, director of SU’s Middle Eastern Studies Program, said she wanted the ensemble’s event to show people more about Palestine than the news often shows. “I wanted people to see the beauty of Palestinian culture, not just to hear all the news headlines and hear all the time about violence,” Zeira said. Aburedwan said what Dal’Ouna performs is Palestinian at its core, but it’s not quite the same as traditional Palestinian music. see performance page 4
city
Signs urge midterm voting at Big Beautiful Bridge Brigade By Adler Neu design editor
Spanning from central New York to Boston across the I-90, CNY Solidarity Coalition’s Big Beautiful Bridge Brigade encouraged the thousands of vehicles passing along the New York State Thruway to “vote blue” in the upcoming midterm elections. Protesters gathered at three bridges in the Syracuse area on Oct. 10 with large banners, signs and American flags, ahead of Nov. 3. They spent the day receiving mixed reactions from the
vehicles below, but remained steadfast in their message opposing President Donald Trump’s administration. By motivating people to vote in the midterms through empowering messages on banners and social media, Christine Herb, the Thompson Road site organizer, was encouraged by the possibility of a “blue tsunami” during the upcoming midterms. Herb is a volunteer for CNY Solidarity and has gotten significantly more involved in the weekly pop-up protests across Onondaga County since the start of Trump’s second term. She said
under the current administration, the United States is at risk of collapsing into an authoritarian dictatorship, describing taking away the right to vote along with free and fair elections as a part of that process. “Even if there were elections, they would be corrupt,” Herb said. “This administration knows that they are losing.” The importance of voter registration was stressed by Herb and other participants. Even those who are registered to vote were encouraged to double-check their registration status
to ensure they haven’t been marked as inactive voters. For those who are eligible, the next step would be making a plan to “get out the vote.” For those voting by mail in New York state, ballots must be postmarked by Nov. 3 and received by the County Board of Elections by Nov. 10, according to the NY State Board of Elections. Ballots can also be returned in person at local polling stations or the County Board of Elections as long as they are turned in by 9 p.m. on Nov. 3. The primary banners sported messages associated with upcoming
election engagement, including “vote” and “gas prices don’t lie,” which Craig Russell believed would have a positive effect on drivers passing by, especially those driving semis due to high diesel prices as a result of the war in Iran. Craig Russell, a member of CNY Solidarity’s Coordinating Committee, and his wife Wendy Russell have both increased their involvement with the organization since Trump was re-elected. Craig doubled down on the purpose of the demonstration, reminding those see bridge brigade page 4
2 october 15, 2026
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city
Micron apprenticeship aims to forge path for future technicians By Owen Smith
asst. digital editor
A new apprenticeship program is giving New York students a pathway to potentially working at Micron Technology’s upcoming $100 billion semiconductor manufacturing plant. On Sept. 14, NY Creates and Micron held a signing ceremony for its first cohort of 10 apprentices into a joint workforce development program designed to train future semiconductor technicians. Announced in April, the 16-month apprenticeship will combine hands-on experience at NY Creates’ Albany NanoTech, classroom instruction and mentorship from those in the industry. NY Creates is a nonprofit organization established to “oversee and enhance” technology research and development in New York state, according to the group’s website. Organizers hope the program will allow for a “long-term” pipeline of workers to support the plant. As construction ramps up, NY Creates plans to match it with expanded workforce efforts, according to the release. At the first concrete pouring event in July, Chairman and CEO Sanjay Mehrotra announced the fabrication plant’s construction was three months ahead of schedule. The plant broke ground in January and has been subject of multiple environmental lawsuits. Michael Frame, executive vice president of MACNY, The Manufacturers Association and executive director of Manufacturers Talent
Institute said the semiconductor industry has increasingly embraced apprenticeship models. “Companies like Micron and GlobalFoundries have started developing pathways to hire individuals directly into apprenticeship programs and then begin the earn-and-learn process,” Frame said. These registered apprenticeships are paid and include on the job learning with instruction, which is unique to the NY Creates program. Although most programs are connected to educational institutions, Frame said that participants can come from a wide range of backgrounds. “We’ve had apprentices as young as 18 and as old as 71,” Frame said. “It’s a strong opportunity to recruit talent and continue them along not just in a job, but in a career pathway.” The NY Creates initiative is built off an existing framework, the Industrial Manufacturing Technician Registered Apprenticeship Program. Participants of the cohort will also complete work through Hudson Valley Community College and work alongside Micron mentors throughout the duration of the program. Capri O’Hara, the director of workforce development at NY Creates, described the first cohort as the “beginning” of NY Creates’ efforts to increase semiconductor training. The cohort will be the first of three before 2029, she explained, with other cohorts being selected in 2027 and 2028, respectively. Success will be measured by the apprentices’ improved technical competency, instructional readiness and ability to build a “lasting” career in semiconductor manufacturing, O’Hara said.
She said the “majority” of apprentices over the next three years will transition to full employment with Micron, and each apprentice is guaranteed an interview for a full-time technician position after completing the program. Spencer Tracy, an apprentice selected in the first cohort, said the opportunity was a great step for his future in semiconductor manufacturing and goal of becoming a professional technician. Tracy worked as a clean room operator at NY Creates before joining the program. “Graduating high school with a love for technology made it an easy choice to want to be a part of NY Creates, and now even Micron. It all sounded like an absolute dream come true,” Tracy said. Tracy previously studied HVAC through Capital Region BOCES and he quickly developed an interest in troubleshooting “complex” technical systems. That program let him broaden his skills by working with some of the industry’s more advanced equipment, he said. “The Micron-Creates apprenticeship program assists in letting me experience most if not all aspects of semiconductor equipment,” Tracy said. “It has made me able to extend my troubleshooting skills to some of the most complex machinery in the world.” O’Hara said one of the biggest challenges facing Micron and NY’s semiconductor workforce at large is developing specialized skills “at scale” and keeping pace with the rest of the industry.
“That includes cleanroom protocols, contamination control, equipment maintenance and troubleshooting,” O’Hara said. “We also need people who can apply critical thinking, follow rigorous safety standards, and adapt as semiconductor technologies evolve.” Frame acknowledged that never before seen industry growth will create challenges. However, he believes the broader impact of the increased effort will benefit all manufacturers across the state. He emphasized how rare the opportunity was for workers to develop skills at the new semiconductor plants and data centers. “I think this is going to have a tremendous impact for manufacturing across the board,” Frame said. “The associated supply chain opportunities as well as the region becoming a destination for manufacturing will create opportunities across the I-90 corridor.” Local political leaders have debated the plant’s benefits and faults, arguing over the environmental impact along with the potential economic benefits. NY Creates’ role, O’Hara said, is to form a smooth transition to a prosperous manufacturing-heavy New York. “Micron’s investment in Clay represents a transformative opportunity for Central New York, but realizing that opportunity requires more than building a world-class facility,” O’Hara said. “It requires a skilled, sustainable talent pipeline to support it.” owensmith@dailyorange.com
on campus
Panelists evaluate ‘State of Democracy’ ahead of midterms By April Stelle staff writer
Syracuse University’s Maxwell School of Citizenship and Public Affairs held a virtual State of Democracy Lecture, hosting professors and national journalists to discuss polling numbers, states to watch and the issues driving voters to the ballot box on Nov. 3. The event is part of the State of Democracy lecture series, supported by the Maxwell School’s Dean’s Office and co-sponsored with the Institute of Democracy, Journalism and Citizenship. Moderators included Margaret Talev, the Kramer director of INDJC, and Chris Faricy, director of the Campbell Public Affairs Institute, who began the event by posing questions surrounding the midterm election. With the polls favoring Democrats come Election Day, the panel discussed what the United States might look like following President Donald Trump’s second term. “We’re getting a massive test of how transferable MAGA energy is, and we know that MAGA is not a worldview or a set of policy principles,” Mike Allen, co-founder of Axios, said. “MAGA is Donald Trump, and we don’t know how transferable it is. We’re about to find out.” Allen took Axios Senior Political Reporter Marc Caputo’s place on the panel, who left to work on a breaking news story.
Questions about how many people will vote in the upcoming election were an early topic of discussion. Only 46% of those eligible voted in the 2022 midterms. Chris Jackson, senior vice president and civil society division lead for SSRS, broke voters down into three groups: ideological Democrats, ideological Republicans and those without strong party ties. The latter group is the one to watch, Jackson said. “That’s really the group that Republicans are really scared about right now because it is the group that voted for Trump in 2024 because he promised to reduce prices back down to essentially 2019 levels,” Jackson said. “He’s not delivered on that.” Kadia Goba, a political reporter for The Washington Sun, pointed to the war in Iran and spikes in gas and grocery prices as “letdowns” for Trump voters. Caputo agreed, citing those issues as ones that plague the everyday lives of Americans. Trump’s shortcomings in lowering prices combined with the impact of the Jeffrey Epstein files have resulted in very few wins for Trump during his time in office, Caputo said. Grant Reeher, an SU political science professor, also noted domestic issues like the economy and international issues like the war in Iran and U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement. Across the country, Republicans are losing their grip on states like Texas and Kansas and each panelist is watching different states as
indicators of where the country stands on the party’s policies. Goba said she finds the Texas race “fascinating,” and Jackson shouted out the Florida Senate race. Reeher said he’s interested in the Michigan Senate race and Allen framed Maine as the Republicans’ last hope. Some panelists said they don’t believe “dummymandering,” when the party in control of a state with redrawn districts loses the state election, will have an impact on the midterm results. California, Florida, Texas, Missouri, North Carolina, Tennessee and Ohio have each redrawn their districts to the advantage of the state’s controlling party, with Louisiana, Alabama and Utah’s districts redrawn due to litigation, according to a Harvard study. Allen said Ohio is a state to watch as an indicator for the future of data centers and artificial intelligence legislation at large. Through his reporting, Allen said he spoke to many people across the country who fear AI, citing job security worries, concerns about water and environmental degradation and the general unsettling nature of the technology. “I think that’s going to be a lot of the postgame is going to be based,” Allen said. “There’s going to be a bunch of candidates coming out who have very specific views on AI. I think that’s going to help to set the national agenda.” Republicans’ spending choices and Trump’s travel choices, including his recent Syracuse visit, indicate that the party is extremely wor-
ried, Reeher said. There’s a shift to individual candidate support rather than party support, leading to more money coming from a large number of small donors who’ve favored Democrats this cycle, Jackson said. “The money no longer equals a guaranteed win,” Jennifer Stromer-Galley, professor in the School of Information Studies, said. “It’s hard to predict election night and who the winners will be. That’s what makes this one kind of fun. Also, I’m sure, for some, kind of scary.” Local elections in New York state may yield some shocking results, Goba said, as some national issues may not resonate with local audiences. In 2022, Goba found that abortion was resonating with voters around the country. New Yorkers, however, felt abortion rights were protected in their state and were more concerned about local crime. The New York Democratic Party lost four House seats that year. In this election, Goba looks at Rep. Mike Lawler’s district and sees the “rhetoric” around communism hitting home for New York voters in that district. Jackson said a California ballot initiative about a wealth tax will be a precursor for what 2028 will bring for corporate-friendly Democrats like Gov. Gavin Newsom. The panelists believe Trump will be on defense no matter how the midterms pan out. “Whatever happens, (Trump) is not going to blame Donald Trump,” Allen said. ajstelle@syr.edu
on campus
SU’s Latine student groups celebrate culture at ‘Miércoles Gigante’ By Sydney DePietto asst. copy editor
Several SU Latine organizations collaborated for an end of Latine Heritage month celebration in the Schine Student Center on Wednesday. kaitlyn galeazzi staff photographer
Growing up, Naomi Gopar, the events coordinator for Syracuse University’s Mexican Student Association, watched ‘Sabado Gigante.’ It wasn’t just a show, but a way to connect. The iconic Latine show was the inspiration for Miércoles Gigante, the concluding celebration of Latine Heritage month. Along with MEXSA, the Central American Student Association, South American and Latine Student Association and La L.U.C.H.A. collaborated to organize Miércoles Gigante. Held Wednesday in Goldstein Auditorium at SU’s Schine Student Center, the event included music, drinks, food, games and tables hosted by several other Latine and other registered student organizations. “It’s very hard to collab with one another and align an event with all the organizations,” Gopar said. “So with a game night, not only are we all together in the same room, but we’re all connect-
ing and engaging and talking to other people that we may or may not know.” The two-hour event saw around 100 attendees and began with food, refreshments, mingling and activities. Later, representatives from each organization participated in games including musical chairs and relay races. La L.U.C.H.A. President Jesús Tiburcio Zane said the organization wanted to focus on unity and community. In previous years, Latine Heritage month featured a large opening celebration, but this year Zane said a community-focused closing was the “missing” piece. Zane said although each organization has its own niche, the event focused on bringing students together though shared traditions, cultures and college experiences. “Especially at a predominantly white institution, it can be somewhat difficult to find your place, your community, your niche, especially in classrooms,” Zane said. “Knowing that it’s completely different (from high see latine heritage month page 4
4 october 15, 2026
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city
Common Council approves youth performing arts plan By Vivian Collins
asst. news editor
The Syracuse Common Council unanimously voted to approve an agreement with CNY Jazz Arts Foundation’s “One Culture Curriculum” mini-course initiative in its weekly meeting. The initiative uses performing arts to benefit at-risk youth in the Syracuse community, according to its website. CNY Jazz will provide “professional teaching artists,” volunteers, supplies and activities that require no prior knowledge of how to play an instrument, according to the meeting’s agenda. The program will run from Nov. 1 to June 30 and be held at the Southwest Community Center.
The council also approved a $15,000 settlement between Natalee Crandall and the city of Syracuse. In a Feb. 2 complaint, Crandall alleged that Jessica Gardner, a city employee, collided with Crandall’s car while operating a snow plow owned by the city on March 2, 2025. According to the complaint, the collision caused property damage and personal injuries “due solely to the negligence of the Defendant without any negligence of the Plaintiff.” Common Councilor At-Large Helen Hudson, on behalf of all the councilors, also approved the installation of an honorary street sign to be designated as “Onetha Gethers Way.” Gethers was the second
Black woman to fully own and manage a funeral service in Syracuse, according to the agenda. “Her legacy continues through her family, as they have supported the family business, Gethers Funeral Services, alongside the rest of the dedicated staff,” the agenda reads. “This dedication recognizes her extraordinary sense of faith, family and compassion.” The street sign will be up for one year from the date of installation and then given to Gethers’ family. Other Business: • The council approved agreements with CNY Centro, SUNY Upstate Medical
from page 1
performance “I’m not completely representing purely Palestinian music because I had my education in France, and I had the chance to learn the different styles of music of the world,” Aburedwan said. “But the main sound, it’s sound from Palestine because these songs are inspired from their daily life.” Another song performed, called “Youma Mouil El Hawa,” or “Mother, Love is Calling,” tells the story of the displacement and separation of Palestinian families. The song centers around a Palestinian girl’s longing for freedom and desire to die rather than live under oppression, Aburedwan said. Because a scheduled guest singer wasn’t able to make the performance, Zeira was asked to recite poems alongside the ensemble during two songs. Though she hadn’t expected to be part of the performance, when she took the stage, Aburedwan joked that Zeira had practiced the poem for months. “It was one of the most beautiful and memorable experiences of my life. The instruments sound different when you’re up there, and you can really see the conversation that’s taking place,” Zeira said. “I was honored to be up there.” Different artists have performed with the ensemble since its founding. While a majority of the artists who have performed for Dal’Ouna are Palestinian, Aburedwan said people outside of the culture have contributed as well. from page 1
bridge brigade who are eligible to “vote and vote blue” on election day. “It’s important for us to be out here today to remind people to vote,” Craig said. “Any communication that we can have, any method that we can use, is very effective.” Craig said his role is “co-equal” to that of other board members, adding that the committee acts as an advising board because policy is set by all members, not just those occupying seats on the board. Independent issues such as gas prices, the reduction of Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program benefits, immigration and others brought concerned citizens like Judy Holmes to the Oct. 10 pop-up protest. Holmes drew from decades of lived experience with changing administrations and policy in the healthcare sector. Under the current administration, Holmes worries those dealing with “catastrophic” illnesses such as cancer will be forced to turn to fundraising to cover medical expenses. This is an issue she believes was nearly eradicated during the prime of Obamacare. “They couldn’t kill Obamacare six years ago,” Holmes said. “What they are doing is starving it to death by defunding it.” Wendy sees the current issues through a broader lens, encompassing the entire Republican Party, rather than just the Trump administration. from page 3
The Dal’Ouna Ensemble, a Franco-Arab musical group, performed in Hendricks Chapel Wednesday to display Palestinian culture amid ongoing conflict. zabdyl koffa staff photographer
French musician Michael Geyre has played accordion with the Dal’Ouna ensemble for the last two years. For him, performing with the Dal’Ouna ensemble is about the music itself rather than politics. “You don’t have to share your opinion with people, it’s up to you to have an opinion. You can share your experience,” Geyre said. “To me, music and politics should never be related.”
On the other hand, Aburedwan sees displaying Palestinian culture around the world as an opportunity to incite action. He hopes attendees walked away from Wednesday’s event with one important takeaway: something can always be done. “The most important element is to be aware and then everyone can do something, even if it’s small,” Aburedwan said. “Changing the world is not gonna happen by one person. It’s gonna happen when everybody participates.”
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University and the Syracuse Housing Authority to purchase white road salt from the Department of Public Works for the winter season. Drive Media & Consulting will now provide the city with a Traffic Safety Coordinator on behalf of the Department of Police to help with traffic safety education and outreach and make the city’s streets safer. The council approved two special permits to install bars on two separate properties. One property, located at 711 South Beech St., will be built by converting existing garage space. viviancollins@dailyorange.com
Greater awareness makes it more difficult to hide the truth, Aburedwan said. He believes people are less likely to accept what he described as “the lies” when they have a better understanding of the conflict. Syracuse local Tamice Gates said she attended the event for an opportunity to experience a different side of Palestinian culture beyond what’s typically portrayed in the news. “The war and the genocide that’s happening kind of dominates the headlines, and some of the cultural parts of the world is lost,” Gates said. “This is a sort of a way to separate yourself from the headlines and experience the beauty of this country.” Gates said the experience of hearing the music live was a “wonderful” moment for her. “I don’t know that I’ve ever experienced anything like it, and I hope we continue to have these moments facilitated for us,” Gates said. She described the stories the ensemble performed as “moving” and said it helped deepen her understanding of Palestinian culture. Going forward, Aburedwan is especially interested in connecting with younger audiences, like the attendees at Wednesday’s performance, because they’re more open-minded, he said. “So many people have been formed to think one way and then to not go outside the box,” Aburedwan said. “Because young people are much more flexible, once they understand they have no other choice than advocating for justice.” rcgaripo@syr.edu
“I oppose everything that the Republicans stand for,” Wendy said. “What has happened to this country is disgusting, and Republicans need to be held accountable for all the wrongdoings that have been happening during this administration.” Throughout the day, Wendy proudly sported a sign with “vote blue” printed on one side and “democracy needs your courage” on the other. Aligned with the message of her sign, she encouraged those participating in upcoming elections to act courageously and “vote their heart.” “People need to vote for what they truly believe is going to benefit the people of this country,” Wendy said. “It might go against the grain of what friends and neighbors and family are thinking, and that’s where the courage comes in.” Due to the volume of people passing by on the interstate compared to a street corner, Herb said the Bridge Brigade protests are a great way to reach large numbers of people as the state of the nation becomes more critical. Marianne Barone-Trent, a lifelong advocate, has carried the belief that everyone is equal to 74 protests and counting since 2024. As a single mom to adult children, Barone-Trent felt isolated and “horrified” by the return of the Trump administration. By participating in movements like the Bridge Brigade, Barone-Trent said she found purpose through visibility. To her, this means people can say they don’t feel alone. “I want them to see that we are visible, we’re kind,” Barone-Trent said. “Hatred is taught, but
love comes naturally. All of the things we are struggling with come from corruption.” The protest at the Thompson Road overpass didn’t have a strong youth demographic, but organizers and participants encouraged youth to educate and involve themselves in these movements. The collective experience from protestors was a blaring reminder that by not getting involved, younger generations will believe we are living in a “normal political climate.”
During her childhood, Barone-Trent recalled holding signs, participating in the Civil Rights Movement, and hearing from her World War II veteran father about the dangers of fascism. Carrying on this legacy is important, BaroneTrent said, because it allows her to advocate for the rights of those who are “not as privileged as we are.” “Look inside yourself and find your courage,” Barone-Trent said. “Get involved. Ask questions.”
Zumba said he’s in touch with his heritage,
attending celebrations throughout the month
“You have a sense of belonging here, and you
from is something he values. CASA President Shelsea Romero-Lizama said Miércoles Gigante is about celebrating heritage and acknowledging it’s OK to take up space. She said students can sometimes tend to close themselves off, which is why having an event like this is really important. Romero-Lizama, like many other Latine RSO members, mentioned an increase in engagement throughout their time at SU. As a freshman, she said she felt “lost” in finding community on campus, but now as a senior, “the word” about Latine organizations has grown. For freshman international students Barbie Trevino Almaguer and Daniela Leon Silvera,
many colleges or universities had events like these and was pleasantly surprised and excited to share her culture. “I can hear my music again. I can commemorate my culture in another country, and I can also share my culture with other people, which is really important to me,” Trevino Almaguer said. Leon Silvera said she felt confident attending events and speaking about her experience after seeing others do the same. She said she felt seen and appreciated, and having these celebrations has allowed her to meet others for advice and support. Leon Silvera said she also didn’t expect the university to hold these gatherings, and she plans to attend more in the future.
Gopar added that several other events will be hosted to celebrate Latine heritage, and this month isn’t the only time to commemorate Latine culture. As a senior, it makes Zane happy to see how the community has grown and will continue to do so. “Our presence and our existence and our heritage will always continue beyond that, just like beyond those 30 days allocated from September 15 to October 15,” Zane said. “There will still be a place for other students of Latine heritage background, culture, ethnicity, that they can always grow and continue to go after this.”
Protestors hung large banners, signs and American flags off of overpasses over I-90 as a part of CNY Solidarity’s Beautiful Bridge Brigade. adler neu design editor
aneu03@syr.edu
having a space on campus to come together, has helped them feel welcome at SU. can find your community even if you are not in latine heritage month and have fun and be reminded of where they come Trevino Almaguer said she didn’t think your own home” she said. school), but that somebody’s here to support you no matter what.” Additionally, conversations about setting up the next generation for success have come up at their meetings, he said. Zane touched on students learning how to succeed after college, saying engagement like this is just “the first step.” SALSA president Michael Zumba echoed that sentiment. For Zumba, and other first-generation college students, he said events like these are “bridging that gap.” “My parents didn’t have the chance to do that,” he said. “So being here and doing all of this is very important to me personally, and I feel like a lot of people can relate to that.”
sadepiet@syr.edu
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Divisive visit Protest, rally surround Trump’s campaign for Blakeman in Syracuse photos by tara deluca photo editor & reese niccolls video editor
A guitarist performs at Bruce Blakeman’s “pre-game” rally at Jammer’s Sports Bar & Restaurant in Syracuse. In his speech, Blakeman declared New York would no longer be a sanctuary state if he’s elected.
Attendees stationed on a lamppost hold signs at Clinton Square during the CNY Solidarity protest Friday, with one referencing Otto the Orange and President Donald Trump. The protest garnered thousands of attendees and multiple notable speakers.
Republican gubernatorial candidate Bruce Thousands in Clinton Square on Friday listened as speakers Blakeman shakes hands with a supporter emphasized the importance of voting, abolishing U.S. Immigration as he takes the stage during the rally. and Customs Enforcement and fighting President Donald Trump.
Thousands of people from a CNY Solidarity protest make their way to the Oncenter Convention Center, where President Donald Trump campaigned for Republican gubernatorial candidate Bruce Blakeman on Friday.
Syracuse Mayor Sharon Owens made a brief appearance, imploring attendees to vote in the November midterm elections.
A Bruce Blakeman supporter cheers as the Republican gubernatorial candidate enters the stage. More than 100 attendees listened to Blakeman speak ahead of the midterm elections on Nov. 3.
CULTURE
6 october 15, 2026
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LOOK AGAIN
A swarm of fans gather around Peter Simel after his appearance on the UpDating Show at City Winery at Pier 57. Simel, 71, attended Syracuse University in the 1970s and is known as Palm Beach Pete on social media. paul hakimain staff photographer
How an ex-SU student, now Florida retiree welcomes life as Palm Beach Pete By Lily Zuckerman culture editor
N
EW YORK — It’s 9:30 p.m. on a Thursday night in October. Peter Simel, 71, just appeared on the UpDating Show at City Winery at Pier 57. Before Simel can make it down the venue’s stairs and out the door, he’s met by throngs of fans. Whether they’re asking for a selfie or congratulating Simel on his feature, about 10 groups of fans swarm Simel before he can escape the venue. When Simel finally exits the building onto the sidewalk, he’s surrounded by more crowds — but it’s just another day in Simel’s retirement life as an influencer. “I was a little bored, and this whole influencer thing kind of fell in my lap,” Simel said. “How many people at my age
can say they make fun content, hang out with the coolest influencers, make money from it and have a blast? I don’t think many people can.” Before Simel was known by the sobriquet Palm Beach Pete, he was a recent retiree living in Palm Beach, Florida, who had briefly attended Syracuse University. One day in March, Simel was driving from Palm Beach to Boca Raton, Florida, to play tennis. Wearing a backwards baseball cap and driving with the top down in his convertible, an observer filmed Simel unbeknownst to him. With an on-screen caption that said “Epstein out here in South Florida,” the video blew up, amassing over 10 million views. But it wasn’t the disgraced Jeffrey Epstein — it was Simel. When the video first gained traction, Simel said his phone was dead. After he finally opened his phone, he was met with several texts from friends and family, including his “honorary” nephew, Justin Friedman. Friedman told Simel they were “going to make a brand out of this,” Simel said. Months later, he’s accumulated over 385,000 Instagram followers and 1.2 million TikTok followers. When Simel attended SU in the 1970s, his friends, like Michael Lewis, described him as “a happy-go-lucky guy.” Since turning into Palm Beach Pete, that persona hasn’t changed, Lewis said.
Simel originally attended Temple University for tennis, but he didn’t enjoy it. So in January 1974, he transferred to SU — his mom’s alma mater — where he lived in Watson Hall. At SU, Simel joined a fraternity and studied accounting, but he left early before he could graduate in 1977. “I spent almost three years there, and I wasn’t taking my studies seriously enough. So I came home, and I studied at home,” Simel said. “I was popular.” Simel and Lewis have known each other since their days at SU, when they met in an egg fight between their rival fraternities. Lewis, who graduated from SU in 1976, said he and Simel instantly became friends and have talked every day since. Lewis has been with Simel when crowds gathered next to their dinner table at a restaurant or when passersby ask Simel for a selfie on the sidewalk. Before the viral video of Simel, Lewis said he had never made the connection between Simel and his lookalike. “I know he’s not Epstein,” Lewis said. However, other longtime connections, like 32-yearold Friedman, said Simel’s resemblance to Epstein has been a running joke in his family for years. March wasn’t the first time that Simel had been chronicled as an Epstein doppelganger. see pete page 8
beyond the hill
John Lennon’s 1971 birthday gave Syracuse ‘Beatlemania’ By Ava Demcher
asst. digital editor
A slice of John Lennon’s 31st birthday cake has sat in Mark Mahal’s freezer for 55 years. The cake was served in Syracuse at Lennon’s birthday party on Oct. 9, 1971, the same day his wife, Yoko Ono’s, “This Is Not Here” exhibit opened at the Everson Museum of Art. Mahal, owner of the Lennon cake slice, was 14 when he convinced his mom to drive from central Pennsylvania to the former
Hotel Syracuse, now the Marriott Syracuse Downtown. He’d seen Lennon and Ono promote the exhibit on “The Dick Cavett Show.” “I just wanted to go up hoping to get a glimpse of John Lennon,” Mahal said. “The art was less of a concern.” Syracuse isn’t usually deemed a part of the Beatles’ story. But for a weekend, Ono’s show at the Everson and Lennon’s party at Hotel Syracuse occurred in the Salt City less than two years after the Fab Four broke up. Decades
later, fans who were at these events are still trying to convince people it happened. For anyone who grew up with the band, “Beatlemania” is easy to explain. Les Rose, a broadcast and digital journalism professor at the Newhouse School of Public Communications, was an Air Force kid whose family moved 20 times in 13 years. The Beatles were Rose’s constant. “It was the same music no matter where you were across the country,” Rose said. “It was a real form of connection for me.”
For Mahal, his journey to the Hotel Syracuse and close encounter with Lennon is what turned him into a die-hard fan of the Beatles. When Mahal and his mom pulled into the Hotel Syracuse’s parking garage the day before Ono’s exhibit opened, Mahal spotted Lennon’s Rolls Royce. Mahal was climbing out the car window before his mother had parked, he said. When Mahal approached the Rolls Royce, to his luck, it was unlocked. Mahal took a see lennon page 9
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campus life
Beyond ratings, Letterboxd acts as social outlet for some By Joel Pelachik
asst. culture editor
sarah yudichak contributing illustrator
Last May, Sophie Riva spent part of her 19th birthday at work, prepping East Hampton’s Guild Hall venue for an afternoon performance. As a film fanatic, Riva hoped to receive a personal birthday acknowledgement from Letterboxd, a New Zealand-based social platform for cinema lovers like herself. While on a break from work, Riva decided to shoot her shot by sliding into Letterboxd’s Instagram messages. She asked the account to post a line of dialogue from one of her favorite movies, Wong Kar-wai’s “Fallen Angels.” Just over an hour later, Letterboxd posted Riva’s message, stills from the film and included the line, which coincidentally matches Riva’s birthday: “On May 30, 1995, I finally fell in love for the first time.” The post racked up over 60,000 likes, and “Heated Rivalry” star François Arnaud even shared it on his Instagram story, Riva said. “That was the best day ever, best birthday ever,” Riva, a Syracuse University sophomore studying television, radio and film, said. “I was so shocked.” For some SU students like Riva, Letterboxd serves as a diary to keep track of movies and a way to foster a film-centered community. Founded in 2011 by Matthew Buchanan and Karl von Randow, Letterboxd has amassed approximately 29 million users who can log, review or rate movies out of five stars on the app or website. Tiny, a Canadian private equity firm that acquired Letterboxd in 2023, is currently trying to sell its majority stakes, gathering interest from The New York Times, A24 and Sony Pictures Entertainment, among others. While the future ownership of Letterboxd is unknown, its users remain engaged with the platform. The first entry Riva logged on Letterboxd was “Dune: Part One” in 2021, and the app has become part of her daily routine. She’s either see letterboxd page 9
screentime column
‘The Social Reckoning’ is messy but provokes vital dialogue By Owen Smith
asst. digital editor
From the opening of Aaron Sorkin’s “The Social Reckoning,” the story is convoluted. Sorkin, who graduated from Syracuse University in 1983, depicts a woman filming police officers and accusing them of racism. The audience understands the message right away: Social media can twist narratives. However, the scene is dragged out and makes a clear message unnecessarily confusing. Although the movie stumbles over pacing issues, cliche moments and confusing dialogue, Sorkin’s “The Social Reckoning,” the sequel to Sorkin’s Academy Award-winning “The Social Network,” asks questions about social media regulation, journalism ethics and the reality of big tech in the 2020s. The film’s inconsistent and random time jumps — flipping between 2019, 2020 and 2021 — make the story hard to follow. Despite providing thought-provoking messages, they’re confusing and cliche. Launched in Oct. 2010, “The Social Network” told the true story of Mark Zuckerberg — a genius Harvard University student depicted as a selfish innovator. “The Social Reckoning,” set in the modern-day, tells the story of journalist Jeff Horwitz (Jeremy Allen White) and Facebook whistleblower Frances Haugen (Mikey Madison) as they break the “Facebook Files,” a series of reports published in 2021. White plays a Wall Street Journal reporter who gets assigned to cover technology — though he knows next to nothing about it. In one remark, White’s character doesn’t even know how to work a GPS. Haugen is an engineer at Facebook on the Civic Integrity team. When she starts investigating Facebook’s algorithm, she becomes skeptical of how posts are shared on the platform. That serves as the catalyst for the movie’s story. The film’s best moments take place in 2021, when Zuckerberg (Jeremy Strong), is preparing and practicing lines for an upcoming congressional hearing. There, we learn about the movie’s central conflict: Facebook’s Meaningful Social Interaction ranking. Jesse Eisenberg, the actor for Zuckerberg in The Social Network, refused to return to his role for the sequel, which I would’ve preferred as a way to connect the two films.
emma soto illustration editor
The Facebook metric scores posts based on comment quality, shares, reactions and relationship strength, influencing how content appears in a user’s news feed. In order to improve the platform, Zuckerberg weighs allocating more metric points to reposts, although engagement and profit would decrease. However, the most shared content on Facebook includes misinformation and content made to make people angry, which Zuckerberg and executives knew before pushing reposts. The move to emphasize shares couldn’t come at a worse time amid worsening political violence in the United States during the early 2020s, headlined by the COVID-19 pandemic and Jan. 6 Capitol insurrection.
Those real-world events are mentioned in the film but feel brought in for next to no reason. Although both served as examples of events rattled by misinformation specifically shared on Facebook, the way the events serve as the climax of the film leaves much to be desired. Instead of an ending focused on Horwitz and Haugen, the movie instead focuses on the Jan. 6 insurrection, which is introduced in the film’s final 10 minutes. Haugen hoped to prove Facebook executives knew about the dangers of the ranking system when they implemented the feature. The film follows her as she meets with Horwitz and leaks
internal documents proving the danger of the technology. Although the ranking algorithm is an important issue, Instagram — also owned by Zuckerberg — and its dangers for teens, specifically young girls, is lightly touched upon in the movie. If “The Social Reckoning” focused more on those issues, which matter more to Gen Z, maybe it would be doing better at the box office than its predecessor. My favorite moments in the movie were the scenes that provoked a crucial question: Should social media be regulated? Or should it serve as a democracy without restrictions? Bill Burr plays Charlie Garrigan, a former Facebook investor and member of see social reckoning page 9
8 october 15, 2026
from page 1
mural Murray featured 25 former men’s and women’s basketball players, celebrating athletes across generations of Syracuse University basketball, Murray said. For Murray, who grew up going to SU basketball games and summer camps, painting “SU G.O.A.T.” is a way to share his childhood experiences with the city that shaped them. Growing up about two hours from Syracuse in Norfolk, Murray spent much of his childhood watching the Orange play. Even though he’s lived in Philadelphia for the last 20 years, SU basketball holds a special place in his heart — enough to bring him back for his second mural. For the past 15 years, Murray has worked professionally as an artist, creating illustrations and artwork in Philadelphia and for clients such as Coca-Cola, Fortnite and Ticketmaster. Murray’s artistic style draws inspiration from graffiti, music and streetwear culture, which he highlights with bold colors, expressive characters and layered illustrations. Murray returned to Syracuse last year to paint his Jim Boeheim “Legacy” mural at 215 W. Fayette St., which depicts moments throughout the former men’s basketball coach’s 47-season career. Murray said he chose to keep both murals close to one another — roughly a five-minute walk — so residents and visitors can experience different parts of SU basketball history through public art. Unlike Murray’s “Legacy” mural, which focuses on one coach, “SU G.O.A.T.” incorporates his favorite SU athletes into the outline of an actual goat. Within the lines, former SU basketball legend Carmelo Anthony is the largest figure, surrounded by Dwayne “Pearl” Washington, Gerry McNamara, Tiana Mangakahia and others. Murray first created the mural with an 8-by-12inch laminated paper mockup before sketching the design onto the wall. Murray then worked section by section, weaving individual portraits into the larger design, from Lawrence Moten to Felisha LegetteJack. He said the long hours and rough weather made completing the large-scale artwork physically demanding. The mural includes 25 players throughout the Orange’s history, which Murray chose strategically. “The hardest part was selecting which players to have up there, honestly,” Murray said. “At the end of the day, I thought of my time when I was a kid and who I heard about, and a few more to be fair.” Despite the mural’s focus on SU basketball, Murray said he didn’t receive support from the university. When he reached out for assistance contacting former athletes and obtaining their permission to appear in the artwork, Murray said the university didn’t provide help, leaving him to coordinate the process independently. However,
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the positive reactions to the project made it worthwhile, he said. Additionally, navigating Syracuse’s public art approval process is complicated for any independent artist, a hurdle that extended the process before starting the project, Murray said. The Syracuse Public Art Commission is an 11-member volunteer body that reviews proposed public artwork throughout the city. Bennie Guzman, chair of the commission and the Programming Director for La Casita, said the group evaluates whether projects are feasible, appropriate for public viewing and representative of the communities in which they’ll be installed. “We want works that are reflective of the city, the communities that we’re representing,” Guzman said. “We also want the works to represent a diverse range of experiences and ideas.” Guzman said administrative requirements can sometimes delay public art projects. While the commission aims to support artists, city regulations and other institutional requirements can make the approval process more complicated. Though the commission oversees the approval process, it doesn’t directly fund the artwork that passes, Guzman said. While some projects receive funding from the city, many are supported by outside organizations, including United Way of Central New York, the Downtown Committee of Syracuse and Tomorrow’s Neighborhoods Today. Self-funding the project meant Murray reached out to potential investors himself. Working from Philadelphia, he contacted individuals and businesses while also traveling to Syracuse for committee meetings. His expenses extended beyond paint and materials. During his weeks in Syracuse, Murray moved between Airbnb rentals and friends’ homes while working on the mural. Travel, lodging and daily expenses added to the financial demands of the project, but it was worth taking on, Murray said. Overall, he spent $10,000 to complete “SU G.O.A.T.” “While it was a demanding process to say the least, it was important on a deeper level to me,” Murray said. “This, coming into this city, going to a game and hanging around was artistic exposure in itself.” While they didn’t contribute to Murray’s mural or his living expenses, SU-affiliated organizations have supported artists through other initiatives. In June, SU announced an $18,200 National Endowment for the Arts grant awarded to the Community Folk Art Center for its “Rooted & Rising” residency program. The residency will support four central New York artists of the African diaspora through 2027, providing opportunities to develop workshops, exhibitions and free public events. The university also announced Syracuse STEAM Engines in October 2025, a program bringing together local artists, STEAM-focused high school students and city planners to create temporary public artwork in underused spaces throughout Syracuse.
Every year, the public art commission typically reviews eight to 10 proposals, and interest has grown over the past several years, Guzman said. However, without a dedicated funding source, the commission often receives proposals from the same organizations and established artists. The lack of funding limits opportunities for emerging artists, placing the commission in a difficult position, Guzman said. “There’s not a lot of opportunities for young artists to learn how to do these things,” Guzman said. “We try our best to promote local artists and initiatives that residents care about.” Increasing the number of public artworks requires greater investment in artists and stronger top-down community involvement when it comes to determining what artwork represents Syracuse, Guzman said. For Amanda Jenson, who moved to Syracuse from Alabama 30 years ago, it’s always been a challenge to define the city’s identity. Throughout her time living in Syracuse, she’s watched its public art evolve — developments she considers both positive and negative. “I’ve seen so much go up over my time here like political messages to beautiful works of art,” Jenson said. “Some though feel more homey than each other.” Jenson, who passed by the mural last Thursday, said the work left her with mixed emotions. While she admired the wall and said it was “colorful,” she also recognized it as just another basketball mural for the city. Still, she said she’s grateful for people like Murray who have the courage to do work like this, especially when things become complicated. While the mural celebrates SU’s athletics, Jenson also said artwork like Murray’s can help introduce newcomers to the city, drawing them in through SU’s recognizable identity before encouraging them to explore the communities and local culture beyond the Hill. Despite the funding challenges and navigating the process of getting approval for public art, Murray’s mural now stands as a tribute to SU’s athletic history and an addition to Syracuse’s growing public art landscape. The project also spotlights broader questions about institutional support for local artists and how public art can celebrate the city and university while connecting more deeply to the lives of local residents and history. Spending over a month in Syracuse painting his second mural helped Murray better understand the landscape for local artists. “As an artist, I’ve heard similar conversations about what similar work should represent and be, and it was important for me to hear these conversations within the community,” Murray said. “I hope people can see the mural, but also the incredible city it’s in.” kkonstan@syr.edu
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THIS WEEKEND Thinning of the Veil: The Damsel and the Damned Wear a paper masquerade mask and walk through a guided tour of aerial arts, dance and visual art inspired by the women of silent film. Deviant Productions said the show isn’t scary, it’s eerie and beautiful. WHEN: Friday, 7 p.m., Saturday, 5 and 7 p.m., Sunday, 2 p.m. PRICE: Suggested donation of $40 or pay what you wish WHERE: Venue at Lakeside
Kevin Bozeman at Funny Bone Comedy Club Catch Chicago-born comedian Kevin Bozeman, known for a smooth, clever stand-up style that often explores relationships and daily life. The event is first come, first served, and you must be 21 or older to attend. WHEN: Friday, 7:30 p.m., Saturday, 6:30 and 9:15 p.m. PRICE: Tickets start at $22 WHERE: Funny Bone Comedy Club at Destiny USA
The Folkus Project Presents Jake Blount Hear Jake Blount, an award-winning scholar and performer of Black folk music blend centuries-old songs, perform live. Blount plays banjo, fiddle, electric guitar and synthesizer. He’s performed at Carnegie Hall and on NPR’s Tiny Desk Concerts. WHEN: Friday, 7:30 p.m. PRICE: $25 general admission, $22 for Folkus members WHERE: May Memorial Unitarian Universalist Society
Making Strides Against Breast Cancer Join the American Cancer Society’s annual walk celebrating survivorship and raising funds for breast cancer research and support. Participants can either walk on their own or on a team with Crouse Hospital. WHEN: Sunday, 10 a.m.. PRICE: Free, but donations accepted for the American Cancer Society WHERE: Clinton Square
pete
A few months before Simel went viral, Friedman said he was out with two people. Friedman and one of the others both claimed they knew an Epstein lookalike: Simel. In the early days of Simel’s virality, he played into his lookalike — even coining the handle “Not Jeff Epstein” on Instagram. Soon after, Simel was deplatformed by Instagram. He posted a TikTok addressed to Mark Zuckerberg in responseto clarify his creative intentions. The day after the video went viral, Simel was contacted by producers from “Jimmy Kimmel Live!” about appearing in a segment on the show, which he did in March. After that, Simel’s Instagram account was back up, but he and Friedman wanted to steer away from the Epstein references. “We distanced and always denied that I was not him, that I’m just Palm Beach Pete living my life,” Simel said. “So we do a little rage baiting because that’s what draws eyeballs, obviously, but we totally stay away from that whole Epstein vibe and whatnot.” That’s why Simel prefers being called Palm Beach Pete. “There’s a level of satire to the page, by him saying he’s not him, he’s ultimately playing into it, and that’s naturally the correlation is gonna exist,” Friedman said. “There is a bit of natural rage baiting that comes from it.” Friedman, who lives in Brooklyn, is not only Simel’s “nephew,” but his manager, too. When Friedman saw the viral video, he knew Simel had influencer potential. Other friends of Simel’s, like Nadine Marder, have mixed feelings about Palm Beach Pete, especially since people associate him with Epstein. “He’s the only person I know who could probably enjoy that kind of attention,” Marder said. “I’m upset with the fact that he’s aligned with not a great person.” Marder has known Simel for over 40 years, since they both met at SU. Even after Marder transferred to another school, the pair remained friends and found themselves both working in the fashion industry.
EVENTS
University Union’s Harvest Fest
peter simel smiles in New York City. Simel, known as Palm Beach Pete, has over 385,000 Instagram followers and 1.2 million TikTok followers. paul hakimain staff photographer
Before retiring, Simel owned a denim showroom and then worked in commercial real estate in New York City. However, creating videos and interacting with fans fits Simel’s “social and outgoing” personality, Friedman said. After his UpDating Show feature, some fans couldn’t get enough of Simel. Groups of collegeaged kids followed Simel as he walked about seven blocks to his after-party. It wasn’t because they were invited; it was because they wanted more photos of him. But Simel didn’t mind. He sported green Adidas Gazelles, navy trousers, a blue button-up, a gray vest and a bright red Supreme phone case, to relate to his primarily “Gen Z audience.” Since March, Simel’s been featured on The Nicky Gordo Show (also known as “Fat Nick”), The Alex Jones Show, cameos and brand deals. He even decided to run for mayor of Palm Beach, Florida. Free Botox. Expanded pickleball and tennis courts. Free to use tennis courts. Free tennis lessons. These are among some of Simel’s goals for his mayoral race platform. After interviewing Palm Beach residents, Simel hopes to address the needs of locals. Simel, who will be running as an independent for
the 2028 mayoral election, said transparency is the most important part of his race. The idea to run for mayor came about one day when Simel was filming on the beach. He said Friedman had always referred to him as Palm Beach’s mayor because of how many people he knew, so Simel thought, why not make it official. Although SU didn’t play a major role in Simel’s career trajectory or Palm Beach Pete’s journey, Simel said it was the place where his amiability flourished. “The first day, he called me and told me this craziness, and I immediately looked at the picture of him driving in the convertible and saw the video,” Lewis said. “Only you, Peter. Couldn’t happen to a nicer guy.” Becoming an inf luencer wasn’t part of Simel’s life plans. At SU, he dreamt of retiring at 35-years-old on the French Riviera, he said. Still, Simel said he hasn’t changed much. “My personality is like how you see me: outgoing, friendly, curious,” he said. “I like aesthetic culture. I was well into that from an early age, so it really hasn’t changed much. Now it’s on a bigger scale. lvzucker@syr.edu
Close out the week with fall food, fresh produce and a student DJ competition, where the winner picks which charity receives the proceeds. Harvest Fest, hosted with the Student Government Association and Greek Council, will have six food trucks and a farmers market. WHEN: Sunday, 12 to 5 p.m. PRICE: Free for SU and SUNY ESF students WHERE: Walnut Park
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from page 6
lennon photo in the back seat celebrating his victory and even stole the Hotel Syracuse parking stub from the windshield. The next day, as the exhibit opened, word spread of a gathering for Lennon’s birthday at the hotel. While Mahal struggled to get inside, another fan had already gained insider access. Brooke Halpin, a self-proclaimed expert on the Beatles, was working at the University of Hartford radio station when a fellow student invited him to travel to Syracuse for Ono’s exhibit. Halpin went along, bringing a tape of an original song he wrote and recorded for Lennon’s birthday. “The Beatles gave me so much: their music, their fanbase,” Halpin said. “I figure I could put something together in return.” At Hotel Syracuse, Halpin said he got Lennon’s room number after asking the front desk. But a security guard stopped the-then 19-year-old Halpin from entering Lennon’s door and offered to give Lennon the tape Halpin made him. “To this very day, I don’t think he ever did,” Halpin said. The next day, Halpin ran into drummer Jim Keltner, who Lennon worked with on the album “Imagine,” in a hotel elevator. The two bonded over recording music at the same Los Angeles studio, and Keltner invited Halpin to smoke a joint with him and Lennon. When Keltner and Halpin arrived at Lennon’s hotel room, he was asleep, and the smoking plans were cancelled. Before Halpin gave up hope, Keltner asked him his plans for the night. Halpin said he was free, and the next thing he knew, Halpin was added to the guest list for Lennon’s 31st birthday party. Inside the party, Halpin said he met Lennon, Ono, Ringo Starr and Allen Ginsberg. Lennon seemed unsure who Halpin was. After Halpin introduced himself and wished Lennon a happy birthday, Lennon shook his hand; Halpin said it felt like “an electric volt of energy.” “Nice to meet you, Brooke,” Halpin recalled Lennon saying. “Thanks for coming to my birthday party. Be cool, man. Be cool.” Outside the party, fans like Mahal, who didn’t make the guest list, tried anything to get in. For about five hours, Mahal took the elevator up and down, only to be turned away by security every time, he said. Around 3 a.m., he tried again. from page 7
letterboxd scrolling through other people’s reviews, adding recommendations to her watchlist or logging a flick she watched that day. Letterboxd gives Riva a break from short-form content, she said. Sara Woodside, an SU junior studying English and textual studies, said she’s been using Letterboxd since her sophomore year of high school in 2022. One of her first reviews was a joke about Marvel’s “Morbius,” but she also pens more serious evaluations, like a review discussing the immersive atmosphere of Ridley Scott’s “Blade Runner.” While recently binging the “Twilight” series, Woodside read through Letterboxd users’ comedic, tongue-in-cheek reviews — what she calls “Twitterized quips.” “People will genuinely have a really good joke, and there’s no other real venue for it,” Woodside said. “Letterboxd is a good venue for people to have their little quips, and I just really like the creativity that people have.” Unlike Woodside, SU junior television, radio and film student Chasden Gilson-Walker downloaded Letterboxd around two months ago. Gilson-Walker doesn’t spend time rating or reviewing movies, rather, he uses the app’s list feature to keep track of what he’s watched, even documenting his favorite foreign-language films. “I don’t really care to try and figure out a humorous comment to post to get likes or from page 7
social reckoning Zuckerberg’s legal counsel. Burr asks Zuckerberg to do one-simple thing: fact-check all political ads on the platform. Zuckerberg argues that Facebook serves as a “public square,” not a regulator. He calls himself a “prophet” of free speech, refusing to regulate content on the platform. Garrigan argues that the lack of fact-checking misinforms millions of Americans and harms the public. Based on acting alone, Strong and Burr stand out in stellar roles. Strong’s impersonation of an older Zuckerberg that is cold and awkward was so spot on that it made me feel like I was watching the tech
“I expected the same security guards that were waving goodbye to my punk self every time I came up all night, but they weren’t there,” Mahal said. “My heart jumped out of my chest, and I darted out of the elevator.” A few feet from Lennon’s, security turned down Mahal and sent him downstairs, Mahal said. The next morning, Mahal shot some photos of Starr, Lennon and Oko as they left the hotel. Dejected, the hotel’s bellhop stopped Mahal to hand him a piece of Lennon’s birthday cake and the neck of his guitar. The guitar piece has joined the parking stub on display in Mahal’s Minersville, Pennsylvania, music studio. For years, almost no one believed Mahal. “You go to a party and say, ‘I did this,’ and they’d be like, ‘Oh, sure you did, buddy,’” Mahal said. Those doubts changed with the internet. After Mahal’s story made the front page of a local newspaper in the 1990s, he received audio from the “‘lost Lennon tapes,’” a recording of the party that included jam sessions. Halpin received the same skeptical reactions, he said. So Halpin wrote his story down. The result was a book, “A Magical Mystery Time,” and a screenplay adaptation that Halpin said is becoming a feature film. Over five decades after Lennon’s party, The Beatles fandom is still turning up on Syracuse University’s campus. Rose said a student outside his major kept stopping by his office to say hello. When Rose asked why, she told him she “had a thing” for tshe Beatles. Rose’s Newhouse office is decked in The Beatles’ memorabilia, including a California license plate with the word “BRITR0K.” Mahal later attended professional school in Syracuse, and his commencement was held at the Everson — a full circle moment, he said. Since then, Syracuse has felt like “home,” and Mahal and his wife have returned for years, often staying at the now-Marriott Syracuse Downtown, where he once saw Lennon when it was Hotel Syracuse. When Lennon was assassinated in December 1980, Mahal lived in Syracuse, where he was studying at the former Simmons Institute of Mortuary Sciences. Mahal was among thousands of people at the Shaw Quadrangle candlelight vigil, Mahal paid his final respects to Lennon. “Out of all of these people there, I would just about bet my life on it that no one here has anything close to the type of connection that I had with John Lennon,” Mahal said. “And that sort of blew me away.” ahdemche@syr.edu
brooke halpin strums a guitar in the 1970s. Halpin, a self-proclaimed Beatles expert, said he met John Lennon at Hotel Syracuse in 1971. courtesy of brooke halpin
A parking stub sat on the dashboard of John Lennon’s Rolls-Royce in 1971. Mark Mahal, then 14 years old, took the stub from the unlocked vehicle. courtesy of mark mahal
whatever. And maybe some people don’t do it for likes, but either way, it doesn’t really click with me,” Gilson-Walker said. “So instead, I use it for ranking and making lists, because all I really care about is remembering what movies I watch and how I feel about them.” Engaging with Letterboxd is a way to be present in the filmmaking world, Gilson-Walker, an aspiring director, said. While on medical leave this semester, he started watching a movie or two a day to pass the time, which has turned into a creative outlet. On Sept. 21, Gilson-Walker launched the first part of his Instagram series “Becoming a Letterboxd Cinephile.” Gilson-Walker said it’s hard to decipher what the term “cinephile” even means, but the series is a way for him to discover famous movies and deep cuts that film fanatics enjoy. “I was already laying on the couch watching movies, so I was like, ‘Why don’t I film myself now that I’m getting better as time goes on?’” Gilson-Walker said. “‘Let’s do the movie series.’” The first films he discussed, “Lady Vengeance” and “The Vanishing,” GilsonWalker found through Letterboxd. In the series, he summarizes a film, analyzes it and gives a star rating for fun — although he avoids ratings on Letterboxd because the five-star scale is overwhelming and “concrete.” Although Gilson-Walker said Letterboxd can be complicated to navigate, he appreciates the app’s aesthetic. Instead of scrolling through the Notes
app, the visual aspect of Letterboxd, like displaying a film’s poster on the app, helps him stay organized and remember specific films he’s watched. For Kenzie Armstrong, an SU senior studying television, radio and film, Letterboxd’s limitations, like only being able to log movies, made her opt for a different app called Queue. “I like to log TV shows as well. When I first started hearing about Letterboxd, I got upset about that,” Armstrong said. “I was like, ‘Well, I also watch TV. I want to be in the conversation about TV, too.’” Queue, which Armstrong said she’s used for over two years, allows users to log TV shows in addition to movies, something Letterboxd hasn’t incorporated. Before switching to Queue, Armstrong tried Letterboxd, but she couldn’t log her favorite shows, like “Stranger Things.” She also said it was overwhelming to hop on the platform because it was already established among people. “Letterboxd just feels like, I’ll say performative,” Armstrong said. “There’s probably a better word for it, but when I want to log my things, it’s more for me than for what people see I’m watching.” Like Gilson-Walker, Armstrong thinks the five-star rating system is convoluted. Instead of explicit numbers, Queue gives users the option to rate movies on a different scale: disliked, meh, liked or loved. While Armstrong logs media on Queue for her own enjoyment, Woodside was drawn
billionaire himself. Garrigan’s dynamic with Zuckerberg made me rather want to watch that hypothetical movie instead. Strong and Burr’s back and forth arguing in multiple scenes is when the movie presents you with its core messages, all stemming from a dispute over fact-checking political ads. Unlike Garrigan and Zuckerberg, Horwitz and Haugen’s interactions are marked with so much confusing dialogue that I’m not sure the actors even understand what they’re saying. Every conversation is marked with statistics that add nothing to the story and odd references that miss the mark. Although the acting in The Social Reckoning could’ve been better, both Haugen and Zuckerberg achieve notable character arcs by the end of the movie.
Haugen believes in her role at Facebook, preaching the company’s drive to connect people. However, when she realizes the work she’s doing is causing more damage than good, she gives up her role at Facebook and stands up against the giant tech company. Along the way, she becomes more confident in herself, more open and fearless for what might happen to her. On the contrary, during the Capitol insurrection, Zuckerberg finally gives in to some regulation. President Donald Trump, who denied the 2020 election results, posts encouraging videos for the rioters on Facebook, while executives urge Zuckerberg to take them down. After minutes of silence, Zuckerberg finally gives in, taking down Trump’s
to Letterboxd for the community aspect. Woodside said she doesn’t use Letterboxd to meet people, but it helps her get to know people better by discussing movie tastes in person. She also follows her friends and cousins, which lets her keep up with what they’re watching. With the possibility of Letterboxd being acquired by a big-time suitor, Woodside’s concerns aren’t about the app’s design. She hopes the heart of Letterboxd remains intact. “The point of Letterboxd is to connect people and to help people get more interested in movies,” Woodside said. “I really hope that it gets to retain what makes it so special.” Riva, who’s already logged around 200 films this year, is subscribed to Letterboxd’s Patron membership, which provides customizations, like choosing alternate movie posters and backdrops. Benefits aside, Riva said she’s just happy to support the platform. “The app is so much more than just logging movies,” Riva said. “I think that having a platform where you can truly say anything you’d like and be an open critic about any movie ever is really amazing. And it really, honestly, is freeing in a way.” DISCLAIMER: Chasden Gilson-Walker is a contributing writer for The Daily Orange. GilsonWalker did not influence the editorial content of this article. jdpelach@syr.edu
posts and banning him from the platform. Although never mentioned by name, the film directly references Trump multiple times, adding more complexity to Zuckerberg’s regulation dilemma. Anyone with concern over social media and the current state of tech should watch this movie. In recent years, Facebook has been the subject of numerous mental health lawsuits and criticisms. Facebook proves to be bigger than any oversight in the movie. The film ends with a jarring statistic: 43% of American adults receive their news from Facebook. After watching, I was left wondering: If major news publications go through rigorous fact-checking (including the one you’re reading right now), why doesn’t Facebook? owensmith@dailyorange.com
10 october 15, 2026
OPINION
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column
College is full of social avenues. Don’t let FOMO force you to party. By Jude Magnotti columnist
Long before students set foot on college campuses, they’re bombarded by the sensationalized, almost mythological depictions of college life: the ragers, the alcohol, the downright unhinged nature of a sudden life on your own. From pop culture portrayals to accounts from friends, we’re trained to idealize college as the ultimate place to embrace independence. Yet, that freedom to let loose also puts pressure on students who don’t want to party, leaving many dissatisfied with normal experiences that don’t resemble the glamorous version of college they expect. Syracuse University has long been known as a premier party destination. Niche just ranked SU among the top 15 party schools in the nation. While this culture shapes many students’ social identity, it can also leave those who don’t participate feeling like they’re missing an essential part of college. B ecause party culture is so visible, students often confuse its prevalence with its importance. This mindset creates unnecessary pressure to participate in an environment that can be overwhelming and, at times, dangerous, turning what should be a personal choice into a social commitment. O ne major concern with this environment is personal safety. Binge drinking, drug abuse and the risk of sexual assault can make parties dangerous, particularly for young women. Crowded social atmospheres can create pressure to engage in behaviors students might normally avoid. While students can attend parties responsibly, no one should feel obligated to enter an environment where their safety or boundaries could be compromised. Alcohol consumption intensifies this pressure. It’s illegal for many college students, yet is inextricably linked with most party settings. This constant pressure to drink doesn’t just make those who abstain feel excluded; it forces many students to surrender their values in an effort to fit in. Instead of an individual decision, drinking becomes a requirement of social admission. Party culture can also harm your academic performance. Hangovers, late nights out and
maria masek contributing illustrator
a lack of sleep reduce productivity and make it harder to keep up with assignments or maintain a consistent routine. When social plans consistently take precedence over schoolwork, students risk sacrificing their long-term goals for short-term social validation. Money is another consideration. Many college students operate on tight budgets constrained by tuition costs. Transportation, food and entry fees can make frequent partying expensive. Your money is yours to spend, but it shouldn’t be wasted on an experience you feel compelled to take part in. While glamorous on the outside, parties are often little more than standing around awkwardly with a red solo cup. Rather than using them as the definitive standard for social
success, we must focus more on the quality of our interactions, the meaningful relationships we build and the memories we create with the people around us. Whether it’s grabbing dinner on Marshall Street, dressing in all orange for a big sports game or walking around campus late at night with a friend, define how you want to embrace your college experience instead of surrendering to others’ expectations. There isn’t anything wrong with partying. For many students, parties are an enjoyable way to unwind, meet new people and form lasting memories. But a social experience pursued out of FOMO rather than genuine interest is unlikely to provide the same fulfillment.
There’s no single way to have a rewarding college experience. For some, it means crowded parties and late nights; for others, it means getting involved in clubs and spending time with a close circle of friends. None of these experiences are more effective than another. What matters isn’t the experience itself, but that you choose it. Spend college finding what makes you happy, not chasing an idolized version of fun. Because if college is truly about finding yourself, there’s no reason to lose yourself trying to fit in. Jude Magnotti is a freshman majoring in public relations and political science. He can be reached at jpmagnot@syr.edu.
column
Trump’s midterm tour, policies are a scramble to overcome disapproval By Declan Berry columnist
On Oct. 9, there was a great commotion in Syracuse. Residents woke up to find their cars towed, while students struggled to make their flights. Thousands filled downtown in red caps while waving flags. Many more waited in Clinton Square with signs to voice their dissatisfaction with the day’s events. All this because the president was in town. President Donald Trump’s appearance in Syracuse was his first as sitting president to support Republican gubernatorial candidate Bruce Blakeman. It showed an embattled man making up for the failures of his own policy actions with new strategies and familiar talking points. Trump’s visit to Onondaga County is part of a larger 32-day tour in support of numerous midterm races. Many of his stops are in traditionally red areas; when visiting swing states, the president prefers red counties. Onondaga may have voted blue in the last presidential election, but Trump can count many residents outside of Syracuse as supporters. Trump’s remarks blamed opponents for affordability troubles while extolling his own successes in the economy, border security and the Iran War. But outside the opinions of ardent supporters that come out and see their president, reassurances of success aren’t enough. Blakeman is forecasted to lose the race. While not guaranteed, this wouldn’t be much of a surprise in a New York that hasn’t elected a Republican as governor since 2002. But in other red areas nationwide, Republicans are facing massive polling gaps, which can be attributed to the president. Supporters at the Oncenter may have heard Trump boast of his achievements and the grandeur of an America he made great, but reality tells a different story. In the first half of his term, Trump mishandled government reform, immigration and the war in Iran, as well as an expedited affordability crisis that left many Republicans questioning their party and president.
Trump’s approval rating dropped from 47% at the start of his term to 30% entering the midterms, according to Pew Research Center. These pressures have pushed Trump to hit the trail and show support for allies, and try a mix of new strategies for better or worse. The recent executive order regarding mailin voting was an attempt to muddle a system that he viewed as favoring Democrats in terms of turnout. Trump-supporting Political Action Committees are cutting spending in districts viewed as losses while reinvesting in more important races in a defensive spending posture. The most unorthodox strategy came along with the loss of the White House press corps. When the White House launched its own broadcast coverage, funds from the Department of Homeland Security were appropriated to fund ads bolstering Trump’s image. When Trump took over, he proclaimed that he’d been given a mandate by a majority of the country to govern as he saw fit. It’s unclear if he believed this to be the case or if it was rhetoric, but regardless, this manner of governing causes him issues. These aren’t just the electoral strategies of a president facing a lull of support in the midterms, they’re those of a president who knows he’s facing the consequences of an unpopular platform. “You got to win the midterms, because if we don’t win the midterms, it’s just going to be — I mean, they’ll find a reason to impeach me,” Trump said. If Democrats were to gain majorities in the House of Representatives and the Senate, Trump wouldn’t only lose the trifecta, but he’d once again face possible impeachment and have his agenda fall flat legislatively. With these considerations, it’s no wonder why Trump hit the campaign trail. Not only is he working to get Republicans elected, he’s trying to save himself. Declan Berry is a freshman majoring in journalism and data science. He can be reached at deberry@syr.edu.
Trump visited Syracuse on Oct. 9. Our columnist says his campaign trail is founded in fear of Republicans losing in the midterms. tara deluca photo editor
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ranked foes While the Orange bowed out of the United Soccer Coaches Poll on Tuesday, Wake Forest entered at No. 23. The Demon Deacons, Virginia and Virginia Tech have given Syracuse trouble in recent years, but SU’s performances from four straight ranked matches show it’s not “too far” from knocking them off. It’s not there yet, though. “We’re coming up and playing against three really hot teams,” McIntyre said after Syracuse’s loss to Louisville. “I think (the) Virginia Tech we end up with are terrific. Virginia’s winning games, and Wake Forest is a team that can win our ACC. We got three gauntlet games.” That makes seven straight. Syracuse started its four-game stretch swimmingly. Odds favored Notre Dame, especially after the Fighting Irish upset then-No. 1 Stanford a few days before. A slow start put SU on its heels, but Ivan Irinimbabazi played hero in the 71st minute with his first collegiate goal. Syracuse trusted its game plan. It trusted Juan Martinez-Bastidas in net and capitalized on dead balls, something it struggled at against Louisville. Cal Poly transfer Jackson Miller also stepped up in the midfield, adding another tempo setter to a team that’s lacked go-to scorers since Nathan Opoku and Levonte Johnson in SU’s national title-winning 2022 season. “I think we’ve got 15, 16 starters on this team,” McIntyre said. That depth McIntyre mentions, whether Miller, Jordan Grey, Gabriel Oksanen or Badr Laghjibi, sometimes off the bench, sparked Syracuse a few days later against Pitt. The Orange fell behind early before Pedro Gulli — who’s made two starts in 13 appearances — scored his team-leading fourth goal in the 78th minute. Syracuse was up a player for over half the game yet didn’t make apparent adjustments until the second half, when it created more chances. The Orange tried 15 second-half shots after attempting just six in the first. McIntyre said Syracuse would likely reflect on the tie and “say this was a good point,” but the numbers say otherwise. Between the player advantage and outshooting Pitt 21-8, the Orange were positioned for a massive win before facing Akron, an unusual October foe. McIntyre was pelted with questions about the Zips. Why was Syracuse facing a ranked noncon-
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ference opponent in October? The last time it did so was during its magical 2022 campaign. “It’s fun. This is why we do it,” McIntyre said. “As a player, student-athlete, coach, you wanna play against the best teams not just in our conference, but (also) out of conference.” The Orange’s strength of schedule improved with Akron, but their record didn’t. It very well could’ve, though. Like in previous matches, Syracuse started slow. Kristjan Fortier equalized in the 16th minute after the Zips’ Jack Roman scored in the ninth. Then, in the 86th minute, things went south. Irinimbabazi and Kelvin Da Costa got caught at a crossroads, and Akron’s Remi Agunbiade raced past them to face Martinez-Bastidas oneon-one. Agunbiade whizzed a shot into the left corner of SU’s net to win the game. McIntyre said the Orange would learn from the Akron loss. He said conceding late is no fun, and his team understood it’d be punished for making mistakes. But he also said it knew playing ranked foes offers higher rewards. Before Wake Forest entered the poll on Tuesday, Louisville was SU’s final chance to make a statement versus a ranked opponent. MartinezBastidas settled in net for the sixth consecutive match, strongly suggesting he’s SU’s starter over Kyle Jansen, despite McIntyre’s reluctance to say so. He and Syracuse’s defense did their job, limiting the Cardinals to three shots on goal, their second fewest in a game this season. Yet this time, SU’s offense floundered. The Orange tried eight corners to Louisville’s three and were regularly awarded free kicks — the Cardinals committed 16 fouls — but failed to capitalize. In the end, the scoreboard read 1-0 Louisville, ending Syracuse’s gaudy stretch at 1-2-1. “Not good enough tonight, but I’m proud of them,” McIntyre said of SU after the loss. “This was one where we just lacked a little bit of quality.” McIntyre can say Syracuse is pretty good, and some metrics back him up. SU earned its first win at Notre Dame since 2015. It outshot a top-10 Panthers squad by 13. It fell to Akron and Louisville by one goal and, at times, looked poised to top both. But with the postseason looming, wins are what matter. Syracuse is running out of time to definitively prove its head coach right. “As difficult as this is, we’re not too far away from being able to come on the right side against some of these good opponents,” McIntyre said. jordankimball28@gmail.com @JordanKimball_
ian mcintyre speaks with Jordan Grey during SU’s campaign. McIntyre and the Orange recently completed a four-game ranked stretch. cole christopher staff photographer
gabriel oksanen jukes a Louisville player during Syracuse’s 1-0 loss. The Orange matched the Cardinals with 10 shots but never scored. peter hua radosh asst. digital editor
from page 15
burge With four older sisters playing volleyball and her father coaching at Metro, Charis was destined to follow in their footsteps. But her parents never pushed her to play. They wanted their daughters to be involved in some sort of activity. All six naturally gravitated toward volleyball. Charis first dabbled in other sports, playing softball and basketball in her youth. Basketball was her main focus until she made Metro’s Under-13 travel team. “I had to quit basketball because it was too much,” Charis said. “That was probably the best decision (I) ever made.” The decision paid off but not without work. Charis didn’t play much at first, which led her to work harder and ask for more feedback from coaches. Her skills began to show as her playing time increased. Jerry knew she’d excel, saying when she was young that “the kid is an athlete.” Coming from a family of setters, it was only fitting that Charis found success at the position. “(She’s) really intelligent, and she’s a calming factor on the court. Those kinds of things lend themselves to being a setter,” Jerry said. “She had the fortune of older sisters being setters ahead of her.” Once Charis got more playing time, people took notice. In 2022, her freshman year at Urbana High School (Maryland), she was named to the Prep Volleyball Watch List. But that wasn’t her biggest achievement of the year. At Urbana, Charis joined her sisters, Kaelynn and Logan, and her dad — the head volleyball coach. The Hawks were borderline unstoppable, finishing 20-3 and second in the Maryland 4A rankings. Urbana reached the state championship for the first time in four years and claimed its first-ever state title. Charis was a solid contributor in the final, recording 12 assists, four kills and three blocks. “It was the first time since I was 7 that my dad was coaching me, and then to have two of my older sisters with me, that was really special,” Charis said. “I’ll never forget that.” Following the championship, Charis transferred to Bullis High School (Maryland) for a “more competitive offseason.” But she didn’t stay away from Urbana for long, transferring back after one season.
charis burge cheers during Syracuse’s loss to Louisville. In her first season with the Orange, Burge has posted a team-high 402 assists as one of their top players. cole christopher staff photographer
In her senior year, Charis led the Hawks to a 17-5 record and another championship berth. Urbana fell just short, losing in three sets, but Charis earned First-Team All-County and All-Region recognition. Throughout her time at Urbana and Bullis, Charis still shone for Metro. “(My life was dominated by volleyball), but I was OK with that because I knew coming to a big school and playing volleyball was a goal of mine,” Charis said. In her final club season, she played alongside other future Division I commits under coach Silvia Johnson. She’d come a long way since struggling to get on the court at age 12, but she still had work to do. “She’s naturally strong and just fluid with her motion,” Johnson said. “As she got older, she developed more of the, ‘How do I open up this hitter in this situation versus this situation?’” Charis credits Metro and Johnson with developing the skills that translate to Atlantic Coast Conference play, like her IQ as a setter.
After watching four sisters play in college, Charis set her sights on the next level and started reaching out to schools at 14. She watched four sisters go through the process and leaned on their experience. She asked questions about teams and coaches, using her sister’s feedback to narrow her search. When recruiting opened in Charis’ junior year of high school, Syracuse reached out and set up a call. It was pouring rain when Charis visited campus, but it didn’t matter. She committed just three days later. “I felt the pride in Syracuse and how much the university means to everybody,” Charis said. She had good conversations with Syracuse’s coaching staff throughout the process, and their relationship has continued to evolve. “There’s been an opportunity to have open communication with them, but also I respect them as coaches,” Charis said. “I can be myself and be goofy, but they can also coach me.”
Charis graduated high school early and arrived at Syracuse in early 2026. She spent the summer training with her teammates, building the chemistry needed to succeed as Syracuse’s next setter. “For me, it’s important to be humble, and if (my hitters) hit poorly, I can be like, ‘My bad, what do you need?’” Charis said. “I think my hitters all trust me, and I trust them.” The trust is evident. Charis’ teammates back her at every turn, and she’s hardly left the court this season. Her team-leading assists total included a 50-assist performance in SU’s win at Cornell. In the first set of the Orange’s game against Arkansas, Charis’ mind flashed back to this summer with her sister. The ball came across the net, and she settled under it. She set up for the assist but chose to dump the ball across the net, dropping it down for a point. Kaelynn wasn’t in the stands, but her advice remained with Charis. It’ll stay with her forever. bglofy@syr.edu @benlofy
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ryan moesch attempts a layup in SU’s exhibition loss to UConn. Moesch is poised for a big freshman season after flipping from Siena to the Orange. from page 16
top 10 7. Amarri Monroe, forward, graduate
For over a month, Amarri Monroe has fought to reach the court for Syracuse. Now, armed with an injunction against the NCAA, the fifth-year forward can finally do so. Monroe starred over three seasons at Quinnipiac, earning MAAC Player of the Year honors after the 2024-25 campaign. He started 94 of his 96 appearances, averaging 15.5 points, 8.1 rebounds and 2.1 steals per game. He likely won’t start for the Orange, but he can provide scoring off the bench, as shown by his nine points against UConn. “His versatility is really big for us,” Morano said of Monroe. “He can get wherever to shoot, he can drive, he can pass.”
6. Kiyan Anthony, guard, sophomore
Kiyan Anthony, one of SU’s two returners on scholarship, is stuck in a backcourt logjam, similar to a year ago. He’ll likely be McNamara’s first guard off the bench. But with Dual, Aiden Tobiason and Gavin Doty expected to start, he might not play much more than the 18.7 minutes per game he averaged a season ago. To receive more minutes, improving his defense and scoring efficiency is paramount. He had SU’s second-worst defensive rating (115.1) last season, and his 8.0 points per game came on a paltry 44.6% effective field-goal percentage. If he can strengthen those parts of his game, he could play a bigger role in Year 2. “Our conversation became about the effective field goal percentage and shooting more volume threes, becoming a great shooter,” McNamara said of Anthony on Friday. “Because you already do these other things so well. How do we evolve your game?” from page 15
kicking “We just have to make them when we get the opportunity. And I’ll talk to those guys who are upset about it. It’s a room that we have to get better in. It’s an important room.” Barker and first-year special teams coordinator Alex Bayer weren’t made available to the media this week. The kicking troubles appeared out of nowhere. The Orange converted 85.7% of their field goals in 2025, with Iowa transfer Tripp Woody knocking in 12-of-14. Syracuse had the 16th-fewest attempts; Woody reliably knocked them in once SU reached field-goal range. This year, Syracuse consistently marches down the field, stalls, but can’t score via field goals. Through five games, the Orange have already totaled one fewer field goal attempt (13) than they did throughout 2025. During fall camp, Bayer said Woody was looking to expand his range beyond 55 yards. However, after being perfect from within 40 last season, Woody was off-target from close in and hasn’t attempted a kick past 50 yards to start 2026. Woody clanged a 31-yarder off the left upright in the fourth quarter of the Orange’s three-point
5. Luke Wilson, center, junior
Last year, the Orange had a rim-running, former mid-major Defensive Player of the Year manning their paint. This year, the Orange still have a rimrunning, former mid-major Defensive Player of the Year manning their paint. In many ways, Luke Wilson could be the perfect William Kyle III replacement. The Appalachian State transfer earned Sun Belt Defensive Player of the Year honors last year and was second in the conference with 1.8 blocks per game. He also averaged 10.7 points and 8.3 rebounds on a strong 64.2% shooting mark. Kyle led Syracuse with 3.5 win shares last season and made his impact felt by scoring on low volume with high efficiency, grabbing rebounds and protecting the paint. There’s no reason Wilson — at 6-foot-10, an inch taller than Kyle — can’t fill that same role. “Back at App State, we were always known for rebounding, defense and being a real physical team,” Wilson said postgame Tuesday. “They prepared me a lot for this level.”
4. Garwey Dual, guard, senior
“The first time I went to see Garwey in high school, I thought he was a lottery pick,” McNamara said Friday. “He’s one of the best on-ball defenders I’ve ever been around.”
3. Aiden Tobiason, guard, junior
If you looked at Tuesday’s box score, you’d think Tobiason wasn’t expected to do much this season: two minutes, zero points, two turnovers. If you watched Syracuse play UConn, however, you’d know Tobiason’s box score was only empty because of a hamstring injury he suffered two minutes in. You’d also know Tobiason’s injury was a significant reason Syracuse mustered only 52 points and shot 31% from the field.
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Aiden Tobiason’s points per game in sophomore year at Temple
For the first time in his four years of college basketball, Dual enters a season as a team’s unquestioned starting point guard. He’s bounced between three schools — Providence, Seton Hall and McNeese — in three years, but now at Syracuse, he’s trusted as McNamara’s starting floor general. Dual, a top 50 four-star recruit in the 2023 class, didn’t see that pedigree translate into much success until last season at McNeese. He began on the bench before finishing with 17 starts and a career-high 8.4 points and 4.4 assists per game. However, he shines most on defense, evidenced by his 1.6 steals per game. He struggled Tuesday, playing just 10 minutes before entering foul trouble. But McNamara will give him every opportunity to be his starting point guard.
This is no surprise. Doty was Siena’s most valuable player throughout its NCAA Tournament run, leading the Saints in field goals, rebounds, points and minutes. He played so
loss to Cal on Sept. 12. Then, a would-be gametying bid with 1:39 left from 46 yards was short and wide right. A winnable first ACC game was lost partly due to field-goal inefficiency and quarterback Steve Angeli’s three interceptions. Woody ’s 6-for-6 mark from under 30 yards ended when he scuffed his kick into another zip code wide left versus Pitt on Sept. 17. After his blunder, Woody was benched for Barker, who nailed a 42-yarder to end the first half and a cosmetic 30-yard kick late in the fourth quarter. “I felt like we might have fixed that right away because you see Shay come in and he made his kick, so that helps us a little bit,” Brown said after the Pitt game. Coming off its bye week before a matchup at UConn, Brown confirmed Barker was SU’s starter moving forward. But his strong start soon went awry. He missed two field goals versus the Huskies from 46 and 44 yards. The latter attempt would’ve won the game as the fourth quarter expired, so Syracuse needed overtime to escape UConn. “We just missed the last field goal,” Brown said postgame. “That was it. I mean, should have got it. It wasn’t the snap. It wasn’t the hold. It just went right. I think they moved the goalpost over a little bit after they kicked it. I was like, ‘No, it was just a miss right.’”
Brown then stressed Barker’s youth as a true freshman, saying he had “a lot of faith in Shay.” “Shay’s a tough kid,” Brown said. “He’s going to bounce back. He may go kick a game-winner this week.” Barker didn’t Saturday — SU couldn’t get a first down on its final drive with fourth-string Danny Lauter under center. But Barker did err on two kicks in the three-point defeat from 47 and 41 yards. Amid Barker’s struggles — 1-for-5 in the past two games — Brown said Saturday he couldn’t switch back to Woody because his hamstring is “messed up really bad.” The injury was suffered against UConn, he added. Brown added Monday he doesn’t plan any kicking changes. Instead, Brown said Barker just needs enough time to get in the zone. Syracuse returns to the JMA Wireless Dome Saturday for the first time since Sept. 12 to play Louisville. Brown hopes the return indoors will help SU’s kicking game. “The wind, the rain, playing on grass or turf, and all those things; this week, we don’t have to worry about grass or the outside elements,” Brown said Monday. “Hopefully, playing in the Dome this week will make things a little better for us, and we won’t have to worry about those factors. He’ll send it right through the middle of the uprights.”
“Him being one of our main shooters, it was definitely a big hurt for us,” Wilson said of Tobiason’s injury Tuesday. Before transferring this offseason, Tobiason averaged 15.3 points per game in a breakout sophomore campaign at Temple. The aforementioned hamstring injury complicates things, but if he recovers for the regular season, he’ll likely stuff stat sheets when games actually count. “He’s a pretty talented player,” McNamara said.
2. Gavin Doty, guard, junior
zoe xixis asst. photo editor
many minutes that he led the MAAC with a gaudy 1,287. McNamara rarely wanted him to leave the court. That trend isn’t changing at Syracuse. He led SU’s starters with 30 minutes Tuesday and tied Moesch and Anthony for the most on the team. He didn’t do the most with those minutes — finishing with five points, zero rebounds, zero assists and three turnovers — but that doesn’t matter. Just like at Siena, Doty will always have McNamara’s trust. “I watched him go from sixth man to starter to arguably the best player and most consistent player in the league in the span of, like, five weeks of his freshman year,” McNamara said.
1. Sadiq White Jr., forward, sophomore
When Syracuse took the court against UConn, only one returner was in its starting lineup. On a related note, when SU walked off the court, only one player scored in double figures. It’s the same player: Sadiq White Jr. Entering this offseason, McNamara made retaining White a priority, and the sophomore validated that decision tenfold against UConn. White told reporters he worked on his jump shot during the summer, translating to two 3-pointers and 17 points against the Huskies. He also laid down two monster dunks, showing the high-flying athleticism that made him an elite recruit out of IMG Academy. White averaged 6.1 points in a primary bench role last season, but Donnie Freeman is gone now. It’s his time to shine. The scariest part — there’s still room for him to grow. “Ultimately, I can’t go out there and have one rebound,” White said postgame Tuesday. “That’s unacceptable on my behalf.” mjpalmar@syr.edu @PointPalmar
But Brown also didn’t place blame solely on Barker and the Orange’s kicking. Syracuse, after all, has the 31st-lowest red-zone conversion rate at 76.47%. “I know we didn’t put up the points we wanted to put up,” Brown said. “We have to score more, and we have to score in the red zone so we don’t put our freshman kicker in a situation where he has to miss a field goal.” However, Brown emphasized he hasn’t lost faith in the Orange’s kicking five games in. SU is doing the hard part — it’s reaching the red zone 4.3 times per game, tied for 28th in the country and third in the ACC. Now, when the kickers are called upon, they can make the difference. “Without them, we can’t win,” Brown said of the kickers Monday. “That room has to be as good as it can possibly be, and those guys have to be on their game.” “They understand what’s happened, and I understand what’s happened,” Brown continued. “But it’s just as much my fault as anyone else’s. There’s no point in trying to point the blame. Everything that goes down in that room is on me. I know those kids continue to work hard, and we’ll get a lot better in that room.” njalumka@syr.edu @nalumkal
14 october 15, 2026
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football
Syracuse reaches the red zone, but its kicking costs it games By Nicholas Alumkal senior staff writer
Fran Brown can see it. The head coach knows it’s hurting Syracuse. But he seemingly can’t fix it. Syracuse’s kicking game is struggling. “It’s tough, man. It’s just really tough,” Brown said after Syracuse’s three-point loss at Virginia Saturday, where it missed two field goals and botched a punt. The Orange’s kickers are in a rut. SU has attempted the most field goals per game of any Football Bowl Subdivision team this season (three), but it’s also missed the most, going 6-for-13 through five games. Syracuse’s (2-3, 0-3 Atlantic Coast) 41.67% conversion rate — seventh-worst nationally — has partly held it back from beating Cal and UVA and flipping the script of its season. The Orange thought they had a fix when they turned to freshman Shay Barker, the No. 7 kicker in the 2026 class, per 247Sports, three
games in. But the switch hasn’t paid off, and the woes have persisted. “I feel for those guys,” Brown said of the kickers Saturday. “It’s not about myself and all those things. It’s about those kids and all the weight they have to carry on their shoulders. So, just got to keep working, keep kicking, keep getting better. Honestly, you want the ball to go through the uprights. I know they want the ball to go through, but it’s not happening for whatever reason.” Brown had no clear-cut explanation for the misses. He said he’ll continue supporting the kickers, push them and give them more opportunities in practice. “It’s a little deeper when it comes to field goal kicking at times,” Brown said Monday. “At the end of the day, we just have to make them when we get the opportunity. And I’ll talk to those guys who are upset about it. It’s a room that we have to get better in. It’s an important room. see kicking page 13
shay barker steps to the ball during Syracuse’s loss to Virginia. Barker has made just three of his seven field goal attempts this season. eli schwartz asst. photo editor
men’s soccer
Last 4 games show SU isn’t ‘too far’ from beating ranked foes By Jordan Kimball sports editor
After three straight ranked matches — with one more to go — Ian McIntyre stood outside the Ensley Athletic Center and said what the scoreboard recently hadn’t. “I think we’re pretty good.” Syracuse was fresh off a 2-1 loss to then-No. 12 Akron, in which it missed a penalty kick and outshot the Zips 12-10. Before that, it tied then-No.
10 Pittsburgh up a player for most of the match and narrowly beat then-No. 10 Notre Dame. Then-No. 11 Louisville was on deck. It was a stretch McIntyre said SU treated like “national tournament” games. He said each match is a test, whether facing Colgate on the road, hosting crosstown rival Le Moyne or traveling to South Bend’s Alumni Stadium, a venue Syracuse hadn’t won at since 2015. But in this specific slate of tests, despite what McIntyre said, the Orange fell short.
They proved they could be pretty good at times, like in their shutout victory over the Fighting Irish. But their 1-0 loss to Louisville on Saturday, when they dominated possession and set pieces, capped their four-game “gauntlet” with a 1-2-1 record. “We’re in the business to get ACC points,” McIntyre said after the Louisville loss. “We didn’t tonight.” With three games left, the Orange sit 11th in the Atlantic Coast Conference, having gone
1-3-1 in conference play thus far. Their lone win came over Notre Dame, and they’ve fallen to Louisville, Clemson and Boston College. Rating Percentage Index, which measures strength of schedule and results, largely determines NCA A Tournament seeding, and Syracuse ranks 33rd. The top 48 Division I squads make the tournament, so SU is in a good spot. Yet its final three games aren’t walkovers. see ranked foes page 13
volleyball
Charis Burge’s volleyball roots spurred increased role at Syracuse By Ben Lofy staff writer
The lights seemed a bit brighter, and the cheers seemed a bit louder as Charis Burge took the court in Huff Hall. She was determined to take it all in. Alongside her Syracuse teammates, Charis strode onto the court in Champaign, Illinois, prepared to face Cincinnati in the Orange’s first match of 2026. It was her first collegiate game and start. from page 16
hatcher energy made that team “the funniest group of guys” he’s ever played with. But just as Umari was settling in, SU fired Babers and brought in Brown. Umari stayed through the change because Brown was authentic to him, Irvin said. Umari’s faith in Brown didn’t help, though. While the Orange battled to a resurgent 2024 season, he battled injuries. In the preseason, he broke his collarbone. Once he recovered, he tore his right PCL and MCL and missed the campaign’s final two games. During his recovery, Umari received opinions from doctors that only confused him. They told him he was healed and good to return to action at the start of the 2025 season. But he didn’t feel that way. In a sport where you need explosiveness, and at a position where you need to make cuts on routes, Umari didn’t think he could do either effectively, Sherry said. He had a noticeable limp and described his knee as weak. “You can tell he was not very comfortable digging in,” Sherry said. “Even though (his knee) was healed, he didn’t really know how to get back to where he was before.” It was Umari’s first major injury, so he said he wasn’t “mentally in tune” with his rehab and didn’t know what to expect. “I messed up myself,” he said. “I feel like I could have got back and played, but first time being hurt, (I wasn’t) really (used) to sitting out.” Umari tried to return for the 2025 season, though all he did was delay the inevitable. He came back for SU’s third game against Colgate but was immediately shut down for the rest of the year. Sherry said she talked to Brown about the decision, and they agreed Umari didn’t look like himself, physically or mentally, despite working tirelessly. He missed the rest of the season and applied for a medical waiver to return in 2026. While sidelined, Umari was relegated to the “pit,” an area on the side of Syracuse’s practice field where injured players work out.
Charis’ family watched from the stands, including her sister, Kaelynn Burge, who plays at Kent State. The two have always turned to each other seeking volleyball advice. Just a few months prior, Kaelynn taught Charis how to “dump,” a move where the setter lofts the ball over the net to deceive opponents. So in this match, Charis glanced up to Kaelynn. They made eye contact, and Charis asked her sister for advice. “Can I dump?” Charis mouthed. In full pads, Umari did curls, sit-ups, pushups, ladder drills and more for as long as practice ran to keep “his body warm.” Villari estimated Umari’s typical day consisted of two hours of treatment, followed by the pit, followed by another treatment session. “It’s not fun when your guys are going out to practice every day, and you’re on the side of practice doing a brutal workout,” Villari said. “I’ve been in the pit, and it’s not fun. It’s actually worse than practice.” Umari finally started feeling right once his parents took him to a physical therapist over winter break after the 2025 season. Before those sessions, Umari couldn’t even touch his rear with his foot, Sherry said. Once he restored that mobility, Umari saw improvement on the field. Irvin said he knew his son was back when he started racing his teammates and cutting with ease. His loyalty was tested — Umari had trusted Syracuse through time on the bench, a coaching change and an over year-long injury fiasco. He was loyal to the Orange until he felt they weren’t loyal back. The way Sherry describes it, Umari and Brown had a “misunderstanding.” Umari felt underappreciated by his head coach while injured, and that active players weren’t being treated the same way, Irvin added. Brown cared deeply about Umari, Sherry said. He’s a “tough love type of guy,” she added, but that’s not what Umari needed at the time. Umari didn’t perceive Brown’s care as such. He viewed it as pushing him aside. So, after talks with his family, Umari entered the portal on Dec. 26, 2025. “He’s talking to me and his mom about it, and we’re like, ‘Well, if that’s the way you feel about it, we’re with you 100%,’” Irvin said. Two weeks later, Umari sat down with Brown to clear things up. He also talked to quarterback Steve Angeli and offensive coordinator Jeff Nixon about the value of having an older guy in a receiver room that lost top targets Darrell Gill Jr. and Johntay Cook II. It was a sign of maturity — Irvin said Umari
“No, they’re gonna pick it up,” Kaelynn mouthed back. The sisters broke it down after the game, just like they had in high school and the backyard as kids. “As a front row setter, just learning from someone who I think does it really well, it’s easy for me to ask those questions and for her to respond,” Kaelynn said. “I think she’s the best volleyball player in our family.” In the Burge family, that’s a high honor. Charis’ parents, Jerry Burge and Evie Beall-
Cottrell, met playing volleyball, and all six of their daughters played, with five reaching the college level. Charis learned the sport tagging along at her sisters’ club practices. Before long, she rose through Metro Volleyball Club of DC’s ranks and competed for high school state championships. Now a freshman at Syracuse, she’s emerged as the Orange’s primary setter and a key part of their new-look squad, leading them with 402 assists. see burge page 13
umari hatcher grips the ball in the end zone during Syracuse’s win over UConn. Hatcher leads the Orange with 560 receiving yards this year. avery magee development editor
never expressed concerns with Babers in his early years. Umari had visits to other schools scheduled, Sherry said, but he canceled them after he and Brown made up. Gill and Cook’s departures to Ole Miss made his decision easier, he added. He had no qualms about returning to Syracuse anymore. “When he didn’t feel wanted there, he felt like he could no longer be loyal,” Sherry said. “But once it was clear that was only how he perceived it, and that wasn’t the intent, it was a no-brainer.” “I hit the portal with a lack of confidence in myself and just not really trusting the process,” Umari added. While Syracuse has been anything but steady in 2026, Umari’s been one constant. He dominated with 100-plus yards and multiple touchdowns against New Hampshire and UConn, earning ACC Receiver of the Week recognition for the latter. On Saturday against Virginia, he added another 126 yards and a touchdown while working with the Orange’s third- and fourth-string quarterbacks.
Recently added to the Biletnikoff Award Watchlist, which recognizes the nation’s best receiver, Umari said his confidence has reached an “all-time high.” His success stems from his loyalty. Umari, like many of his high school teammates, has “O.T.F.” tattooed on his hand as a permanent reminder of the message. Like most college football players, he’s always had NFL aspirations, but he and his family believed moving from school to school wasn’t the way to go. By staying, he only needed to prove himself to one staff, instead of rebuilding trust with every subsequent transfer, Irvin said. There are countless players, like Gill and Cook, who’ve played less after switching schools. It took six years, but Umari is finally seeing the benefits of his decision. “We’re loyal people in general. We believe in sticking to something and not jumping from ship to ship to ship,” Sherry said. “That’s what we instill in our children.” njnussba@syr.edu @Noahnuss99
SPORTS
16 october 15, 2026
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LOYALTY PAYS Umari Hatcher ‘couldn’t walk away’ from Syracuse. Now, he’s its top WR.
umari hatcher celebrates a first down in Syracuse’s loss to Virginia. In his sixth year with the Orange, Hatcher has starred as their top receiver.
By Noah Nussbaum
U
managing editor
mari Hatcher has always followed one motto throughout his football career — “Only The Family.” It symbolizes sticking with your people through adversity or redirecting them when they’re off course. Umari and his teammates adopted the saying at Freedom High School (Virginia), and it’s stuck with them since. Umari’s head coach at Freedom, Darryl Overton, quickly recalled four of his players who’ve played for their current colleges for at least five years. That’s because they learned the value of loyalty early. Umari was one of them. He’s now in Year 6 with Syracuse. Despite constant turbulence at SU, Umari has stayed with the Orange. He warmed the bench his first two years, yet he stayed. He tore two ligaments in his knee in 2024 and missed most of the 2025 season, yet he stayed. Even after miscommunication between Umari and SU head coach Fran Brown led to Umari entering the portal in December, he stayed.
In today’s college football world, which sees over 10,000 players transfer every year at the first sign of danger or financial opportunity, Umari is an outlier. His loyalty has finally paid off in 2026. Umari is 11th in the country with 560 receiving yards while adding six touchdowns — both career- and team-highs. He’s a legitimate All-Atlantic Coast Conference First Team contender for the program that’s always stuck by him, six years later. “I’m a loyalty guy,” Umari said. “Even when I told Coach Fran I was hitting (the) portal, it really didn’t sit right with me ‘cause I’ve been here my whole time. I couldn’t walk away.” “There was a lot of guys that went into the portal and had situations like that, but he was able to come back, and then look at what he’s done,” Brown said on Sept. 7. “That’s a way to face adversity head-on and not run.” Syracuse committed to Umari early. SU stayed in constant contact with him during his recruitment, including a Zoom call with head coach Dino Babers. With little game action to watch amid the COVID-19 pandemic, the Orange attended Umari’s private workouts at Freedom, his father, Irvin Hatcher, said.
eli schwartz asst. photo editor
Umari chose SU on Sept. 4, 2020, but that trust wasn’t reflected right away. He played in four games, recorded empty stat lines, and redshirted in 2021. The next year, Umari played eight games but made just three catches for 42 yards. Through it all, he was homesick, affected by Syracuse’s gloomy weather and missing his family. His mother, Sherry Hatcher, said they did everything together. Umari talked to his parents every day, and they’d often travel to SU for one or two weeks at a time to relieve his stress. You’d never know that by his actions. Former SU tight end Dan Villari said Umari remained “stoic” and “never caused any problems” despite his low usage. Damien Alford, who also played with Umari from 2021-23, noted he continued making plays for the scout team. Umari considered leaving during those years, Overton said. But Overton steered him away. “It doesn’t really change the circumstance,” Overton said. “If it’s training, getting new coaches, it’s the same thing. He felt good about his decision after we talked.” He finally got a chance in 2023 and was Syracuse’s secondleading receiver with 482 yards. Alford said Umari’s constant see hatcher page 15
men’s basketball
SU’s most important players entering McNamara’s 1st year By Mauricio Palmar development editor
UNCASVILLE, Conn. — When Iker Martinez, Syracuse’s freshman center, was asked by The Daily Orange why fans should invest in this team at SU’s media day on Friday, his answer was simple. “I mean,” Martinez began, “We have really good size. A really good defense. We got really good (shooters) here, including myself. We got everything. We got every player you need.” During Tuesday’s exhibition against UConn at Mohegan Sun Arena, Syracuse fans got their first glimpse at those reasons Martinez highlighted Friday. In its first outing under Gerry McNamara, SU hung
with the Huskies before faltering late in a 72-52 loss. But even in defeat, the contest helped clarify where certain players fit in McNamara’s rotation. With those insights in mind, here’s Syracuse’s 10 most important players before the 2026-27 season:
10. Francis Folefac, forward, sophomore
In last season’s iteration of this list, Georgia Tech transfer forward Akir Souare slotted in as SU’s 10th most important player. Souare averaged 8.2 minutes and 0.9 points per game in 29 appearances for the Orange. The fact Francis Folefac occupies this spot a year later is a testament to Syracuse’s newfound depth. Folefac came off Siena’s bench in nine of
his first 12 college games, but after Tasman Goodrick — now a Syracuse teammate — went down with an injury, he seized the opportunity. Folefac finished the 2025-26 season averaging 11.3 points per game in 26 starts, and he earned a spot on the Metro Atlantic Athletic Conference All-Rookie Team. After following McNamara to the Orange, he’ll have a chance to keep growing.
9. Mark Morano, forward, freshman
It’s no hyperbole to suggest Mark Morano might be Syracuse’s best shooter. “I’m on record saying, ‘He’s one of those ones,’” McNamara said Friday. “I’ve been around a lot of great shoot-
ers. You see the guy’s release point, it’s elite.” In an interview with Syracuse. com, DraftExpress’ Jonathan Givony compared him to “five-star talent.” The Slovenian wing spent years building his name in European circuits and played for Slovenian First League’s Helios Suns last season. In 27 contests with Helios, he averaged 13.4 points, 2.9 rebounds and 2.2 assists per game. Morano was out with a lower-body injury Tuesday, and his scoring presence was sorely missed, as the Orange shot 21% from deep.
8. Ryan freshman
Moesch,
guard,
Entering Tuesday, it was unclear how
much opportunity Ryan Moesch — a 6-foot, 180-pound freshman guard — would receive this season. Now, there’s seemingly an answer: a lot. After Garwey Dual entered foul trouble early, Moesch played 30 minutes against a Huskies squad fresh off a national championship appearance. He was fearless, grabbing seven rebounds and driving into the paint to dish out five assists. He occasionally played too loose, leading to a few sloppy possessions, and his 1-of-10 shooting line indicates he could improve shot selection. But after Tuesday, it’s clear Moesch’s potential is sky-high as Syracuse’s backup point guard. see top 10 page 13