Cornell fan base ready to paint the dome Big Red
By Anne Ju
SYRACUSE, N.Y -- Syracuse is seeing red.
About 400 students, alumni, friends and fans turned out for a pep rally in Syracuse March 25 to get in the mood for the Cornell Big Red men's basketball team's toughest matchup yet: the top-seeded University of Kentucky Wildcats in the NCAA tournament East Regional semifinal -- known to the basketball faithful as the Sweet 16.
The event, sponsored by Alumni Affairs and Development, took place at the Sheraton Hotel on the Syracuse University campus.
The party was filled to capacity with lots of red, lots of food and an air of confidence that 12th-seeded Cornell would put its best foot forward on the court. The pep band, cheerleaders and dancing Big Red Bear got the crowd amped and ready. Television screens were set up for those who couldn't get game tickets.
Attendees traveled from far and wide. Christine Barnett '11, an engineering major, drove five hours from New Jersey with her family and boyfriend to watch the game. Her whole family has been following the team since she was a freshman and has attended many away games.
"We're not fair-weather fans," said Lawrence Connor, Barnett's uncle.
Win or lose, Barnett said, "They should be proud of themselves," she said of the team.
Mike Todaro '10, Ryan Hemmel '10 and Tracy Chan '10 cut their spring break a day short to come to the game. Faces painted and holding signs, they reflected on following the team for four years and watching them progress.
"It's been amazing watching the stands fill up," said Todaro of Newman Arena, which now routinely sells out basketball games.
Normally hockey fans, Tom Brenna '82, Cornell professor of nutritional sciences, and his wife, Pat Brenna, converted to basketball after watching the team play this year. They made the drive from Ithaca for tonight's game.
Tom Brenna said he was especially impressed with how the student-athletes have conducted themselves in press conferences, interviews and other public appearances. "They've done a wonderful job" in that sense, as well as on the court.
"I know what exposure like this can do for an institution, so that's another thing to celebrate about this wonderful success," Brenna said.
Andy Noel, director of athletics, addressed the crowd and recognized not just the basketball team, but several winter sports teams including women's and men's hockey and wrestling. He thanked alumni for their "loyalty, care and interest," and for the many ways they've supported athletics over the years.
"I'm overwhelmed by this crowd, yet I'm not surprised," he said.
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