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The Daily OrangeSU students, alumni try to bring back #44
By Talia Pollock
Posted: 1/13/09, 2:52 AM EST Section: News
Jim Brown, Ernie Davis and Floyd Little wore number 44 at their time with the Syracuse University football team. Later, the number became the last two digits of the university zip code, as well as the first two digits of university phone numbers.
The number transcended athletics to a part of the university's identity and culture, being the name of one of the most popular student hangouts on campus.
Now, more than three years after SU retired the number, students and alumni are feeling the effects of seeing 44 hanging from the rafters of the Carrier Dome rather than running out onto the field.
"I think it was a misunderstanding to retire the number in the first place," said Brian Roll, a 1998 Syracuse alumnus. "We should make a U-turn and un-retire it."
Roll said the retirement of 44 has been bothering him for many years. He voiced that opinion to some of his fellow graduates and found they shared in his discontent. He started the Facebook group "Restore 44" to see what kind of reaction the idea would have.
He immediately received e-mails from current students and graduates from as far back as the class of 1960. What he called "a cross spectrum of football fans," all had the same message: "bring 44 back, it's so unique to Syracuse, it should never have been retired."
Josh Lukin, a 2002 graduate of the S.I. Newhouse School of Public Communications, said he supports bringing back the number.
"We own number 44," he said, "If the number stays retired and simply adorns the roof of the Carrier Dome, the legacy will be lost.
However, if the number is passed down from team to team, then the stories and tradition of Syracuse football can be passed from generation to generation and maintain its place in highlight reels for years to come."
But some students said they don't see the need for the protests. Tom Flynn, a senior sport management major and a life-long Syracuse football fan, said, "You never hear anybody talking about the number. It's not a big deal. It's just a number."
The number transcended athletics to a part of the university's identity and culture, being the name of one of the most popular student hangouts on campus.
Now, more than three years after SU retired the number, students and alumni are feeling the effects of seeing 44 hanging from the rafters of the Carrier Dome rather than running out onto the field.
"I think it was a misunderstanding to retire the number in the first place," said Brian Roll, a 1998 Syracuse alumnus. "We should make a U-turn and un-retire it."
Roll said the retirement of 44 has been bothering him for many years. He voiced that opinion to some of his fellow graduates and found they shared in his discontent. He started the Facebook group "Restore 44" to see what kind of reaction the idea would have.
He immediately received e-mails from current students and graduates from as far back as the class of 1960. What he called "a cross spectrum of football fans," all had the same message: "bring 44 back, it's so unique to Syracuse, it should never have been retired."
Josh Lukin, a 2002 graduate of the S.I. Newhouse School of Public Communications, said he supports bringing back the number.
"We own number 44," he said, "If the number stays retired and simply adorns the roof of the Carrier Dome, the legacy will be lost.
However, if the number is passed down from team to team, then the stories and tradition of Syracuse football can be passed from generation to generation and maintain its place in highlight reels for years to come."
But some students said they don't see the need for the protests. Tom Flynn, a senior sport management major and a life-long Syracuse football fan, said, "You never hear anybody talking about the number. It's not a big deal. It's just a number."
Viewing Comments 1 - 6 of 6
scott
posted 1/13/09 @ 8:46 AM EST
If Dr. Gross really wanted to honor Ernie Davis they would figure out some way to rename the Carrier dome in his honor. The tradition and relevance of #44 will be lost over time if it stays retired. (Continued…)
Dominic
posted 1/13/09 @ 8:53 AM EST
What the hell does Gross know about SU tradition? This guy is a joke and should have been gone a long time ago along with Cantor. Bring back 44 and the OrangeMEN!
Bob Paine '74
posted 1/13/09 @ 10:52 AM EST
"44" has been retired and unretired several times by the University. It was first retired in either the late 1960's or early 1970's and was the unretired to bring a highly touted recruit (I believe it was Ron Page) to campus. (Continued…)
M
posted 1/13/09 @ 2:01 PM EST
the football team is too much of a disgrace now for any of those players to wear such a prestigious number. the last thing we need is them making a mockery out of 1 of the greatest football players in SU history
Brian
posted 1/13/09 @ 3:06 PM EST
It's pretty apparent that Dr. Gross just continues to have no idea what this number means...he just doesn't get it. Maybe some day we can catch Doug Marrone's attention, at least he understands - truly understands - this number's unique place in SU football history. (Continued…)
Dennis Wesolowski '76
posted 1/14/09 @ 2:33 AM EST
44 should stay retired. If you want to honor the number give a current senior class player on the team the honor of wearing it on the last home game of the year. (Continued…)
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