The Syracuse men’s basketball game against Colgate on Saturday, for the most part, felt like any other game this season for fans. But it was the little details — an empty seat next to head coach Jim Boeheim and national news cameras scanning the crowd — that reminded attendees this game was different.

The game was the first since an investigation into allegations of child molestation against associate head coach Bernie Fine were made public Thursday. Game attendance was 21,084, but with the university’s Fall Break in session, campus was quiet and few students attended the game.

Michelle Neadom, a Syracuse resident, said the atmosphere was no different from when SU played Albany on Tuesday. Other fans agreed but also said it was especially important for the team to feel supported by the community Saturday.

‘I made an extra effort to come to the game today to show support for the team and the university in light of the allegations,’ said Tim DeBlois, a Syracuse native who recently moved back to the area.

DeBlois said he was a fan of Syracuse growing up. A childhood friend of his was a ball boy for the team.DeBlois said the position was considered a privilege and an honor.

‘All of his friends, including me, thought it was the coolest thing,’ he said, adding that even menial tasks like running errands seemed exciting.

Guy Bourdon, a Syracuse native and season ticket holder for the past eight years, said he was in shock when he heard the allegations against Fine. He didn’t think the bad news would affect how the team played, but he still wanted to make sure he was there to root for the Orange on Saturday.

‘I’m a huge SU fan, but I also wanted to show my support for the team,’ Bourdon said.

The allegations have put the national spotlight on Syracuse University, and local and national media were in Syracuse to cover the game. Syracuse police and Department of Public Safety officers were present at the game, but neither the Syracuse Police Department nor DPS could be reached to determine whether there was an increased presence in light of the Fine allegations. Boeheim received a police escort from the locker room at the start of the game.

Unlike when Penn State football played Nebraska the weekend after the campus was rocked by a sexual abuse scandal, there were no obvious signs or protests regarding the news that a former SU ball boy accused Fine of sexually assaulting him for more than 12 years.

Kevin Holh, a season ticket holder since 1983, said the news about Fine did not stop him from attending the game. He said he is still waiting to hear more about the allegations against Fine.

But whether they are true, SU and Syracuse community members are still talking about the investigation.

In the section of the Carrier Dome where Phil Schuls, a 1959 SU graduate, and his wife, Joanie, were sitting at the game, everyone was ‘chattering’ about Fine. Both agreed the atmosphere was not solemn or different from other games they have attended but did say the investigation is something everyone is talking about.

The Schuls noticed an empty seat next to Boeheim during the game and wondered if it was symbolic, but other than that, they said nothing was different from other games.

Schuls said he thought it was important to remember the players and how the situation must be affecting them.

‘Regardless of the allegations, there are a whole lot of great kids playing basketball, and it’s a great university and we support it,’ Schuls said.

dkmcbrid@syr.edu

Published on November 19, 2011 at 12:00 pm

Contact Dara: dkmcbrid@syr.edu | @daramcbride