As Syracuse prepared to open its season against in-state rival Hobart, hundreds of orange-clad students rose to their feet and cheered. However, something seemed amiss about the rowdy roars coming from the students. The problem with the cheering – it was in support of the away team.

The lack of Syracuse students in attendance at SU men’s lacrosse games in the Carrier Dome has been recognizable for years now. Despite Syracuse maintaining one of the strongest legacies in college lacrosse across the nation, the absence of Syracuse students at lacrosse games continues to puzzle those part of the Syracuse community.

‘The guys said going into that game that Hobart usually brings a big crowd with (Hobart) being (located) right around the corner,’ said freshman Max Bartig of his first-ever game playing for the Orange. ‘That was kind of discouraging seeing how Hobart brought a bigger student fan base than we did that game.’

Syracuse placed second in the nation in lacrosse attendance last year. Yet in the Carrier Dome the expected element of a wild college crowd remains missing from the cluster of spectators who cheer on one of the most heralded lacrosse programs in the country.

Players on the lacrosse team worried if students even knew games were free, and they hoped to see more publicity for the sport directed at students.

‘It’s kind of like an older crowd with their families,’ defenseman Steve Panarelli said. ‘You go to some of these away games like Hobart and Massachusetts and you see the whole student section show up and they’re throwing things at you and doing chants and stuff like that.’

Syracuse director of marketing Lael Chealander explained men’s lacrosse receives the same amount of promotion as sports like men’s basketball and football.

However, it’s difficult to tell how often marketing emphasizes interesting students. One of the most prominent lacrosse ads on campus seems confused to who it’s trying to attract. During basketball games, a video sequence showcases the Syracuse lacrosse team delivering hard hits and making fantastic goals. A rap song blares in the background.

The montage seems geared for college students, but as the film ends, all that’s listed, in small print, is a number to call for lacrosse ticket information. Nothing in the ad screams for Syracuse students to attend lacrosse games or mentions the price is on the house.

Other factors also appear to play a role in the dearth of students in attendance. While lacrosse is a sport primarily enjoyed by those living in the New England area, Syracuse University attracts students from across the country. Many students who attend Syracuse arrive unaware of the SU lacrosse legacy or simply are not interested in learning the sport, said Meghan Dilks, the lacrosse chair for Otto’s Army. Otto’s Army is an organization made up of students who help promote SU athletics.

Goalie Nick Huertas invited a couple friends to the SU opener against Hobart. They enjoyed the experience, but Huertas’ friends felt awkward sitting among parents with younger children and senior spectators. They asked Huertas why no official student section existed. Huertas had no answer, so he inquired to Otto’s Army, at basketball and football games. Dilks responded a section was in the works.

‘I think the section is key,’ Dilks said. ‘I think there’s something about college fans that you can just let loose if you’re surrounded by other college fans. You can be so much more enthusiastic about it. If you’re not sure of your surroundings, then maybe you’ll be a little more cautious about what you say.’

Otto’s Army planned to set up a student section for SU’s second lacrosse game of the season against Army. The idea was publicized on Facebook and by sending out e-mails. The section was a hit as students decked out in orange applaud. She estimated between 300 and 500 students joined together to root for the Orange.

The only setback for Otto’s Army was the other Army in the Carrier Dome as the Black Knights defeated SU, 7-5.

Still, players and coaches immediately noticed the difference in the atmosphere as a boisterous student section cheered on the Orange.

‘We’ve never really had a great student turnout for any games,’ SU head coach John Desko said. ‘That’s the first game where I really noticed the students. I just thought they were tremendous.’

Veteran players like Panarelli and Greg Rommel announced the following week they wanted to apologize to fans who attended the Army game for the team’s poor performance, noting the student crowd was the largest they had seen since joining the SU lacrosse program.

Since the Army game, student attendance has dwindled. Part of the explanation could result from the Orange’s struggles this season. It holds a 3-5 record entering tonight’s contest against No. 1 Cornell.

Throughout the country there’s a belief in the 12th man – the idea that a home crowd can swing the momentum of a game. It’s one facet of the Syracuse legacy that up until this point remains almost nonexistent.

‘I came to Syracuse to win,’ Bartig said. ‘It’s not killing me that there’s not huge crowds there, but any player you ask will tell you it’s and a lot more fun and they’d much rather have a big crowd there.’

Published on April 8, 2007 at 12:00 pm