Spirit of Tradition: Athletic Traditions and Mascots
An exhibit highlighting traditions that have shaped student life at Syracuse University.
#44
In professional sports, certain numbers evoke images of greatness. From Joe Montana's sweet #16 and Michael Jordan's #23 to Joe DiMaggio's 56 game hit streak and Roger Maris' 61 homeruns.
At the collegiate level, no number is more revered by fans than Syracuse's own #44.
The legacy began in 1954 when equipment manager Al Zak tossed the jersey at an 18-year-old sophomore whose freshman year left much to be desired. That year he was SU's third leading rusher, then became their star as a junior. By his senior year, Jim Brown was an All-American and topped SU's all-time rushing list. However, amazing rushes and dazzling plays were not the last things Brown did before becoming one of the greatest running backs in NFL history.
He helped to recruit #44's next brilliant star.
But tragedy struck in 1963. As Davis prepared to join the Cleveland Browns, and join Jim Brown in a backfield only Syracuse and Cleveland football fans would dream of, he died from leukemia before he would ever rush a yard in the NFL. Even in his death, Ernie Davis continued to win over SU football fans with his amazing acts.
He helped to recruit #44's next brilliant star.
When Floyd Little heard of Davis' death, he called then SU coach Ben Schwartzwalder and told him he would like to come to SU and wear Davis' #44. Just as Davis surpassed Brown's record marks, so Little did of Davis. The three-time first-team All-American gave meaning to the number made famous by those before him.
With Brown, Davis, and Little, #44 became magical. Those who would be next to wear the famed jersey, would have the enormous pressure of living up to their predecessors weighing on their shoulders before they ever suited up for a game. No other #44 has ever lived up to the standards set by these three amazing individuals.
Cheerleading
Cheerleaders are the ultimate visual representation of school spirit. At one time, only males were permitted to participate. Females were eventually allowed to cheer on the field for the women's seating section. Finally, when gender-segregated seating was abandoned after the second world war, the squads were integrated. As time marched on, the cheerleading squad became dominated by female students.
Sweater worn by Cheerleader Edgar Workman '43 - donated by Flora Ablondi Workman '46
100 Men and a Girl – Dot Grover
Dottie - take a bow. Twirling a thing-a-mahob for four years in sub-zero weather is one thing, but to win every award in the book is impossible.
And when you step on the Archbold grass tomorrow, don't think it's your last. From now to eternity every Syracuse undergrad who has ever feasted his peepers upon your twirling figure will be seeing Dottie Grover at every halftime show, no matter who's twirling.
Sure there are a lot of guys, just like me, who'd trample down a Maxwell prof just to open those 20-ton doors for you.
And there are a few million or two more who'd give their fraternity button for an autographed picture of Syracuse's Miss Everything.
A rundown on your collegiate activities would scare Marilyn Monroe back to whence she came.
- National sweetheart of Sigma Chi.
- 1951 National Drum Majorette.
- Look Magazine cover girl.
- Old Forge Winter Carnival Queen.
- Miss Syracuse - 1952.
- Barnstorming Queen for the College All-stars. But to a few thousand Orange fans you're the drum majorette of the Syracuse University marching band -- the "girl" of that "100 Men and a Girl" combination.
Some claim it's your smile.
I think it's just you.
Statistically you're no bigger than that bonnet you wear on cold autumn afternoons. When I try to count the number of revolutions your baton makes in a single routine I need a Philadelphia lawyer and 13 IBM machines.
Your bagful of twirling tricks is replete with mid-air twists, fire routines, double baton magic and that Grover extra-special-something that makes you indescribable.
How one girl can say "hi" to so many men and mean it defies the law of Noah Webster.
To tell you that you've made football at Syracuse synonymous with spectacle would be a half-truth. Multiply the 40,000 gasps of grid fans times 25 football games and you'll have a rough estimate of the appreciation and deep admiration that we all have for you.
Miss Dottie, if the Daily Orange were to give you a special orange as the personality of the day, the trucks would line highways from here to Orlando and back again with their cargos.
There isn't one of us who can say it right.
Just... we love you
Daily Orange , November 14, 1952
* Majorette Costume shown on your right was worn by Dot Grover at 1953 Orange Bowl - donated by Dorothy Grover Bolton '53.
The Saltine Warrior: Big Chief Bill Orange
As Syracuse is known as the Salt City, the image of the football player became synonymous with the imagery of the Saltine Warrior. This is exhibited in a football song written in 1913 and appropriately entitled, The Saltine Warrior. The Indian Chief mascot was born in a hoax. In 1931 the Syracuse University humor magazine, The Orange Peel, made up the story that the bones of a 16th Century Indian Chief were found when the women's gymnasium was excavated in 1921. This story was responsible for the evolution of Syracuse University's first mascot which became the Indian Chief Bill Orange. So from the mid-1950s to 1978, the majestic warrior-chief rallied the Syracuse fans.
In the 1950's Lambda Chi Alpha fraternity began a nearly forty-year tradition of Lambda Chi brothers serving as S.U.'s mascot, until in 1990 the University expanded the mascot tradition to the entire body.
Saltine Warrior Outfit Worn by Brian Masters 1974-76 - donated by Brian Masters '76
The Roman Gladiator
In 1978 a new mascot appeared on the scene in response to displeasure with the Native American motif. Although the Indian apparel of the Saltine Warrior was retired, the name lived on but with a new form: a roman warrior. However, this Saltine Warrior, with his shield, breastplate, sword, and plumed-helmet was not well-received by the majority of the student body. Consequently, in the early 1980's, Syracuse's roman soldier was retired.
Otto the Orange
In the early 1980s it was time again to look for a new sports mascot. Several candidates were taken under consideration, including a penguin with an orange scarf, an orangutan, the Abominable Orangeman, the Orangeman, Egnaro the Troll, and an Orange. In the end, it was a warm, fuzzy, and lovable Orange (known by several names through the years) won the day. Despite recent attempts to give him a facelift, Otto has remained the same and is here to stay.
NOTE: Thanks to alumus Mitch Messinger '92, G'93, former Otto the Orange, for the following information:
The mascot was known as "The Orange" until 1990 when the name Otto first came into use. The first Orange costume was dubbed "Clyde" by the Lambda Chi Alpha brothers, and the second called "Woody". In 1990 a third costume was being produced and needed a name. The cheerleaders were at Cheerleading Camp in Tennessee that summer and narrowed the field down to two potential names - Opie or Otto. Figuring the name Opie would lead to the inevitable rhyme with 'dopey', they settled on Otto. Later that fall word got out that the cheerleaders were calling the latest mascot costume, Otto and the name stuck.