New York state of mind

It is time Syracuse opened a satellite campus in metro New York.

The SU Department of Athletic Communications announced the Orange men’s lacrosse, the two-time defending national champions, have the distinct honor of christening the New Meadowlands Complex this spring. 

The SU laxers face Princeton at 6:30 p.m. on April 10, 2010 as part of the Big City Classic tripleheader event.  Delware and Hofstra play the first game at 1 p.m., followed by Virginia versus North Carolina (4 p.m.).

The slow decline of St. Johns and Seton Hall as New York athletic powers (mainly for basketball) gives ‘Cuse the opening to take the over the Big Apple, and the Empire State for that matter with SU Director of Athletics Dr. Daryl Gross taking full advantage.

The “Syracuse as New York’s Team” campaign is in full swing with several marquee match-ups taking place away from campus. The football team recently announced plans to play games against Southern Cal (2012) and Notre Dame (2014 and 2016) in the New Meadowlands Stadium, the men’s basketball team plays the big-name games of the 2K Sports Coaches vs. Cancer Classic (California, and either UNC or Ohio State) in early November at Madison Square Garden while signage graces much of the NYC subways and upstate New York highways.

“At Syracuse, we believe that we should represent the entire state of New York, including New York City,” Gross said in 2006 before announcing the initiative on "The Stephen A. Smith" radio show on 1050 ESPN Radio in New York City.

Consider mission accomplished.

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