Syracuse University welcomed the Class of 2014 last week as they begin the four (or maybe six) year journey to becoming a Syracuse grad. I don't know about you but just looking at the number makes me feel old. And I say that knowing that many of you will look at the year I graduated from SU ('00) and even that will make you feel old. So just know I feel your pain.
Not to make you feel even older but a 2014 SU graduate will have almost certainly been born in or around 1991-92. Whether you attended SU or live in Syracuse, you know how much has changed since then. But do these newbies? Do they know what they missed out on, for better or worse?
Just in case they're reading, here's a handy list of The Way We Were back then when the Class of 2014 was born.
Jim Boeheim - These days he's lovable curmudgeon, National Champion and Big East elder Jim Boeheim. Back in 1992, he was NCAA-rules-violating, living in the shadow of John Thompson, can't-win-the-big-one Syracuse coach Jim Boeheim. How times change.
Doug Marrone - He's the head coach of the soon-to-be-good-again Orange football team. But in 1991, Marrone was wrapping up his pro football career as a member of World League of Football's London Monarchs (World Bowl champions, I'll have you know).
Daryl Gross - The good doctor who oversees all our athletic programs? Back in '91, Gross was still working his way up the front office ladder. He jumped from being a scout for the New York Jets to working in the USC athletic director's office. One Pete Carroll later and the rest was history.
The Carrier Dome - Not much has changed here. While your class will attempt to break last year's basketball attendance record of 34,616, they didn't dream that big back then. The 33K barrier still had yet to broken. Keep dreaming bigger, young Syracuse fans.
Gary Gait - In 1991, we bid adieu to Gary Gait, arguably the best lacrosse player in SU history. He began his pro career, which would be equally impressive to him time with us. These days you'll recognize him as the head coach of our women's lacrosse team, which is pretty good under his leadership as you might imagine.
Manley Field House - You know that building with all the construction going on and the fancy new turf floor? That used to be a basketball court. I swear! And the women's basketball team played there. Yep! And the men's basketball team practiced there. I know!
Carmelo Anthony - Syracuse basketball's one-year-wonder was probably easily-found playing hoops on a Baltimore basketball court. He was seven at the time.
The Big East Conference - Big East Football was quite literally in its infancy in 1991. The first year of the conference saw Miami begin its domination, which would reign almost the entire time they were in the Big East. Oh, right...Miami used to be the Big East. So did Virginia Tech, Boston College and Temple. Oh, and Big East basketball consisted of eight teams instead of sixteen.
Otto The Orange - Today, Otto and Syracuse are inseparable. In 1991, Otto was around...he just wasn't called Otto. Nor was he the official mascot of Syracuse. He was a rogue piece of fruit that roamed the campus in search of his next freshman meal. Sleep tight.
Georgetown - Still sucked.
Sean Keeley is the founder of Syracuse blog Troy Nunes Is An Absolute Magician and the author of "How To Grow An Orange: The Right Way To Brainwash Your Child Into Becoming A Syracuse Fan". Click here to read previous SU sports articles from Sean on CNYcentral.com.
