Syracuse marked a historic season for their men’s and women’s basketball teams by holding a pep rally at Manley Field House on Wednesday afternoon.
The event helped celebrate both teams advancing to the Final Four for the first time in school history, and just the 13th time in NCAA history a school has pulled off the feat.
Syracuse fans young and old packed the bleachers in Manley to see the teams off. Both Jim Boeheim and Quentin Hillsman joined their players onstage to show their appreciation.
“As we move forward through this Final Four, we only have one goal, and that’s to bring home a national championship trophy,” Hillsman said.
Syracuse alumni Lt. Gov. Kathy Hochul ’80, County Executive Joanie Mahoney ’87, L’90, and Mayor Stephanie Miner ’92 all spoke to congratulate both teams.
Coach Boeheim then took the stage and exhibited a bit of his trademark dry humor.
“The one thing about these Newhouse graduates: they learn how to talk and they never stop,” Boeheim said.
Boeheim went on to show his appreciation for the constant support his team received through what has been a tumultuous season.
“There’s no second-guessers here, there’s no naysayers here,” Boeheim said. “Everybody here is for Syracuse University, Syracuse basketball, and they were with us when we lost five straight games, everybody in this room. I know that.”
