Common Council denied a provision that would have settled an unnecessary force lawsuit involving a SPD officer.
N • Settlement vote Page 3
C
The Citrus Dolls are Syracuse University’s first majorette dance team, which debuted this semester.
Struggling to stay afloat
Sexual assault reporting service Project Callisto gains support amid financial woes
By Delia Rangel asst. news editor
When Project Callisto announced its imminent closing on Sept. 25, citing financial struggles, Carla Guariglia was devastated.
Guariglia, a 2024 graduate of Syracuse University and former campus ambassador for Callisto, first encountered Callisto at a Be With Survivors SU demonstration in 2022 as a sophomore.
Guariglia, the founder of BWSSU, decided to work together with the ambassador to intertwine their organization with Callisto, a non-
profit organization that allows survivors to anonymously document sexual assault on college campuses. Callisto established its SU chapter in 2020.
Though their time as campus ambassador is over, Guariglia said they’re concerned about how its closing will impact sexual violence survivors at SU.
“It was really important to keep Callisto on campus,” Guariglia said. “That’s the reality of it. You need campus ambassadors to continue the work.”
The app, founded in 2011, is available on all college campuses and uses an encrypted site, Callisto Vault, to document assault cases and flag when multiple users report the same perpetrator,
see callisto page 4
Moo Galbus won a state title in Delaware as a senior with Padua Academy before finding a role with Syracuse women’s soccer.
S • Resilient rise Page 16
Syracuse University has placed its chapter of Phi Kappa Psi on immediate interim suspension, Chancellor Kent Syverud announced in a campus-wide email Wednesday afternoon. The chapter is under investigative status for alleged violations of the Student Conduct Code, according to the email.
Phi Psi must suspend all activities amid the investigation, Syverud said. The Phi Kappa Psi national office has also ordered the chapter to cease and desist all activities. SU’s decision follows the circulation of multiple videos online that allegedly depicted members of the fraternity engaging in hazing.
“I am disgusted by the actions that appear in these videos and condemn this conduct,” Syverud said in the email. “Hazing and related actions that place our students at risk is both a serious violation of University policies and of New York law.”
I am disgusted by the actions that appear in these videos and condemn this conduct.
Kent Syverud
su chancellor
A university spokesperson did not have further comment as of 2:45 p.m. Wednesday.
The executive director of the national Phi Kappa Psi Fraternity, Ron Ransom, responded to the videos of the alleged hazing in a statement sent to The Daily Orange Wednesday evening. He described the videos’ content as “disturbing,” and wrote that the acts of hazing violate fraternity policy.
“Phi Kappa Psi will work closely with university officials to identify those responsible and ensure accountability,” Ransom wrote in the statement. “Hazing has no place in Phi Kappa Psi or in society, and we remain committed to eradicating it from our organization.”
SU’s Department of Public Safety and Office of Community Standards have opened an investigation, and DPS has notified the
City auditor report calls for Good Cause Eviction law adoption
By Roxanne Boychuk asst. copy editor
decide
thursday, oct. 17, 2024
By Julia Boehning and Henry Daley the daily orange
Project Callisto ambassadors participate in “Denim Day,” a Sexual Assault Prevention Month campaign. The initiative aims to dispel misconceptions about survivors of sexual assault. courtesy of carla guariglia
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INSIDE
The best quotes from sources in today’s paper.
NEWS
“We are changing systems, and that takes time. There are factors at play fighting against us all the time, but we’re going to keep fighting.” — Tracy DeTomasi, Callisto CEO
Page 1
CULTURE
“It just felt like ‘Damn, we did that.’ Seeing my vision coming to life, it just got me very emotional.” — Cheila Martinez, co-founder and choreographer of Citrus Dolls Page 5
OPINION
“Having a leader who truly understands the lived experiences of the people they serve gives hope for a Syracuse where the leadership and policy voice the needs of residents historically left out the conversation.” — Sarhia Rahim, columnist Page 11
SPORTS
“As long as (Galbus is) healthy, she’ll be great at any program she goes to.” — Justin Romano, former Padua Academy (Delaware) soccer coach Page 16
COMING UP
Noteworthy events this week.
WHAT: LGBTQ+ Founders Round Table
WHEN: Oct. 18, 10-11 a.m.
WHERE: Bird Library, 1st Floor
WHAT: Pet Therapy
WHEN: Oct. 18, 11:30 a.m. to 1 p.m.
WHERE: Barnes Center at The Arch, Room 103
WHAT: CNY Ancient Philosophy Fall 2024 Workshop
WHEN: Oct. 19, 9 a.m. to 6 p.m.
WHERE: Tolley Building, Room 304
city
Common Council votes against SPD officer lawsuit settlement
By Julia Boehning news editor
The Syracuse City Common Council denied a provision that would have settled an unnecessary force lawsuit involving a Syracuse Police Department officer during its Tuesday meeting.
The SPD Officer, Kelsey Francemone, shot and killed 41-year-old Gary Porter in 2016 while responding to reports of a shooting during a Father’s Day barbecue at Skiddy Park. Francemone said she believed Porter was one of multiple shooters involved in the incident and claimed to have seen him holding a gun. Investigators did not find a weapon at the scene or any evidence that Porter had one at the time.
A grand jury cleared Francemone of any wrongdoing in 2023.
In 2019, Porter’s daughter, Tanajee Maddox, filed a wrongful death lawsuit against Francemone, claiming the shooting was unjustified. The council’s provision, if passed, would have used borrowed city funds to help cover the cost of the settlement, awarding up to $825,000 to Porter’s estate.
On Tuesday, the council voted 5-3 to settle the case, but the measure did not pass because ordinances of that nature require approval from at least six councilors, Syracuse City Clerk Patricia McBride said.
At-Large Councilor Amir Gethers, 2nd District Councilor Patrick Hogan and 5th District Councilor Jimmy Monto voted to approve the settlement. Hogan, who voted in favor of the provision, commended the officer for displaying bravery while responding to the gunfire.
Hogan said it’s important for the city to demonstrate support for its police force, especially in light of the death of two SPD officers earlier this year. He said Francemone’s actions on the day of the shooting saved hundreds of bystanders in attendance.
“I believe the police officer acted heroically in a dangerous situation, in a manner that may have saved the lives of the people attending this event,” Hogan said.
In 2016, Francemone received the New York State Police Officer of the Year award from then-Governor Andrew Cuomo for demonstrating “exceptional valor” in her response to the shooting.
With the council’s decision not to settle, the case will now return to both parties’ legal counsel, who may either propose another settlement offer or proceed to court.
“This is an awful situation, and I feel for Officer Francemone (and) the victims,” 1st District Councilor Marty Nave, who voted in favor of the settlement, said. “But … I did listen to all sides and (will vote) out of respect for both sides in their decision.”
Other business:
• The council again held its vote on the designation of 727 Comstock Ave., a former Syracuse University fraternity house, as a locally protected site. The decision was initially delayed due to SU’s withdrawal of its initial demolition application for the property. The potential designation has been on the council’s agenda since its Sept. 16 meeting.
• Councilors delayed their vote on the local passage of the New York State Good Cause Eviction Law. The law, included in Gov. Kathy Hochul’s FY2025 State Budget, introduces provisions to protect tenants and prevent price gouging.
• The council approved multiple
local infrastructure funding initiatives, including a provision of up to $800,000 for pedestrian infrastructure projects in the city’s 2024-25 Complete Streets program.
jmboehni@syr.edu @juliaboehning
Remembrance Week events commemorate Pan Am 103 victims
By Duncan Green asst. news editor
Syracuse University will hold its 35th annual Remembrance Week next week from Oct. 20 to Oct. 26. This year’s programming commemorates the 36th anniversary of the Pan Am Flight 103 bombing over Lockerbie, Scotland on Dec. 21, 1988.
Over the course of the week, the 35 Remembrance Scholars and two Lockerbie Scholars for the 2024-25 academic year will participate in a series of events and activities to remember and celebrate the 270 people, including 35 SU students and 11 Lockerbie residents, who died in the bombing and subsequent plane crash.
This fall, SU announced it will not select two Lockerbie Scholars for the 2025-26 academic year. The change will not impact the scheduled programming for the upcoming week.
This year’s Remembrance Week schedule is below:
Sunday, Oct. 20
At 4 p.m., Hendricks Chapel will host a performance of “Each Moment Radiant,” a newly-commissioned orchestral piece, as part of SU’s Malmgren Concert Series. The piece was composed by composer Kurt Erickson and poet Brian Turner to commemorate the attack.
Following the concert series, the National Veterans Resource Center will host “Healing Trauma Through Poetry and Music” at 5:30 p.m. in the Daniel and Gayle D’Aniello Building. The discussion, led by Erickson and Turner, will cover the creative process behind “Each Moment Radiant” and the pair’s other works.
The Remembrance and Lockerbie Scholars will hold their annual candlelight vigil memorializing the 270 victims at 7 p.m. at SU’s Place of Remembrance in front of the Hall of Languages.
Wednesday, Oct. 23
The annual, 35-minute “Sitting in Solidarity” ceremony will occur at 2 p.m. on Shaw Quadrangle. Remembrance and Lockerbie Scholars will sit in silence for the duration of the event.
Thursday, Oct. 24
At 7 p.m., Remembrance and Lockerbie Scholars will participate in the “Act Forward Symposium” to share research posters for their plans to educate and benefit the community. The event will be held outside Gifford Auditorium in Huntington Beard Crouse Hall.
Directly afterward, a Celebration of Life will be held in Gifford Auditorium at 8 p.m. The gathering will feature poetry, art, music and dancing with current scholars and families of the victims.
Friday, Oct. 25
At 10 a.m., SU’s Pan Am 103 archivist Vanessa St. Oegger-Menn will moderate a panel titled “In The Aftermath: Documenting and Researching Victim Support Groups” in Bird Library’s Peter Graham Scholarly Commons. The panel will focus on the importance of the collection and preservation of records in the aftermath of tragedies.
Panelists will include Jelena Watkins, co-director of the Centre for Collective Trauma in the United Kingdom and member of the Archiving Disaster Support Group Records project team, and Ezra Rudolph, research associate for Contemporary and Cultural History at the University of Göttingen in Germany.
The discussion will also be accessible via Zoom. Attendees must register beforehand.
At 2:03 p.m., SU will hold its annual Rose-Laying Ceremony to commemorate the victims of the bombing. The ceremony also honors 2002-03 Lockerbie Scholar Andrew McClune, who died after falling from a seventh-floor window of Sadler Hall in 2002.
The week will conclude with a 3 p.m. convocation ceremony to celebrate the current Remembrance and Lockerbie Scholars. The event will be held at Hendricks, followed by a reception in the Strasser Legacy Room in Eggers Hall.
All week
Throughout the week, Hendricks will display the Remembrance Quilt that 1998-99 Remem-
brance Scholars, members of the Hendricks Chapel Quilters and other contributors created to commemorate the 10th anniversary of the disaster.
The 35 empty seats will remain on the Quad throughout the week to symbolize the 35 SU students who died in the bombing.
SU’s Hall of Languages, Hendricks and the JMA Wireless Dome will be lit up in blue for the duration of the Week. The university will also display 270 blue and white flags, one for each victim, on the grass between the S.I. Newhouse School of Public Communications and Schine Student Center.
digreen@syr.edu @duncanigreen
Syracuse sees highest rate of lead-contaminated water in decades
By Madeline Goodheart asst. digital editor
The National Resources Defense Council, a nonprofit international environmental advocacy group, drafted a letter calling on Syracuse officials and state government leaders to address the city’s high rate of lead-contaminated water, according to a Wednesday NRDC press release.
Medical providers, Syracuse residents and national groups urge the state to declare a state of emergency in Syracuse due to the potential health threats of lead in the letter. The letter is addressed to New York Gov. Kathy Hochul, Attorney General Letitia James and Syracuse Mayor Ben Walsh, among other officials.
The letter lists the citizens’ concerns, including the Syracuse Water Department’s
alleged failure to adequately publicize water testing data that reflected dangerous levels of lead. NRDC’s release states that Syracuse has recorded the highest lead levels in a water system of its size in decades.
“Given our residents’ high reliance on lead service lines, the test results strongly indicate that Syracuse is in a water safety crisis,” the letter reads. “We believe much more should be done immediately to make the public aware of the severity of lead-contaminated drinking water.”
The release coincides with an Oct. 8 announcement from the Biden-Harris administration that the United States Environmental Protection Agency will now require all U.S. cities to identify and replace all lead pipes within the next 10 years.
Syracuse has exceeded the federal lead level limit for drinking water, according to an August
2024 notice from the city’s water department. City tests revealed that the lead levels are more than double those found in Flint, Michigan and “significantly worse” than in Newark, New Jersey, according to the NRDC.
More than 14,000 homes in Syracuse use lead pipes and are likely to expel high levels of lead at the tap, NRDC’s release states. Syracuse’s 70 parts per billion lead level is higher than the 27 ppb that independent testing found in Flint and the 57 ppb found in Newark. The safe limit is 5 ppb, according to the CDC.
The letter also includes seven courses of actions that NRDC urged health department officials at the city, county and state level to appropriately address the situation. In addition to declaring a state of emergency, the suggestions include informing residents about the current health dangers, providing
point-of-use filters to people with lead service lines in their homes and informing residents about how to get free blood lead testing.
NRDC requested a public meeting to discuss local, state and federal actions needed to address the crisis in the letter.
Groups involved with the letter, including Families for Lead Freedom Now and the New York Civil Liberties Union, said they hope for a detailed reply from officials by Oct. 25. If there is no response, the groups said they will file a request for an EPA emergency order. According to the EPA’s website, the agency responds to emergency orders by funding response actions directly or enforcing sanctions on the potentially-responsible parties.
Madeline Goodheart
Councilors did not settle a lawsuit involving SPD Officer Kelsey Francemone, which claimed she unjustifiably used lethal force in 2016. corey henry daily orange file photo
During Remembrance Week, Remembrance and Lockerbie Scholars will commemorate the 36th anniversary of the Pan Am Flight 103 bombing. corey henry daily orange file photo
without requiring users to formally report or publicly come forward, according to its website. If a user reports a repeat offender, Callisto offers them free and confidential Legal Options Counselor who will explain their options and help facilitate action.
In Callisto’s initial announcement, the organization asked for a “major donor” or other organization to partner with the project and keep its technology alive. Since the announcement, the organization has received a rush of support online and began a campaign to raise $1 million so it can remain open for the next year, according to its website.
In November 2020, former Student Association President Justine Hastings pushed to bring Callisto to campus. Establishing the app on campus was one of her and former Vice President Ryan Golden’s campaign promises when they ran for their positions. This year, Callisto does not have an ambassador on SU’s campus, Callisto CEO Tracy DeTomasi said.
DeTomasi called its potential closing a “perfect storm,” saying multiple factors contributed to the current situation, like the COVID-19 pandemic, its founder stepping down and other financial difficulties.
Because of its encrypted platform, Callisto doesn’t have access to users’ personal data, DeTomasi said. Consequently, the organization cannot apply for certain grants that require evidence of its success.
Since its launch across all college campuses in 2023, Callisto saw a 102% increase in accounts created, DeTomasi said. She said 6% of its users are matched with other survivors and connected with legal resources.
Callisto’s second tool, the incident log, allows users to document incidents as they decide to pursue next steps in the reporting process. The tool can assist survivors in processing their trauma and serve as a reference for victims to share with law enforcement, therapists, attorneys and friends, according to its website.
“That’s the unique thing about Callisto, if we have the opportunity to continue and to
Syracuse Police Department that some activities in the videos may be criminal, according to the email.
Syverud encouraged anyone with information to contact DPS or the Community Standards office, and said reporting will be kept confidential.
The videos of the alleged hazing were not included in the email. The D.O. obtained the videos but could not yet independently verify that those depicted in the footage were members of SU’s Phi Psi chapter.
At 3:33 p.m. Tuesday, X user @woopigbradshaw shared a video showing two unidentified men seemingly forcing themselves to vomit on two people lying on the floor. The camera then shifts to reveal another man with his mouth taped shut and his arms bound to a cross-shaped structure.
The post, which had up to 174k views as of Wednesday afternoon, claimed the footage featured members of Kappa Sigma fraternity at the
on a unit threshold and affordability percentage, but encouraged the city to choose the one-unit threshold and 345% affordability percentage like the other cities involved.
Marion’s report outlines a direct correlation between evictions and homelessness, citing data that showed an increase in homelessness since 2019 that coincided with a spike in evictions following the COVID-19 pandemic. According to the Homeless and Housing Coalition of Central New York, homelessness in Syracuse has risen 63%, and family homelessness has risen 192%, since 2019.
Rents have also risen quickly, with prices increasing 22% from February 2023 to 2024. In January, data from Zillow showed Syracuse had one of the biggest rent cost increases in New York and the country with an 8.55% increase from January 2023, according to syracuse.com.
Multiple state and city officials have backed Marion’s report in statements of support, according to the release. Sal Curran, executive director of Central New York Volunteer Lawyers Project, said in Tuesday’s release that this law is “critical” for Syracuse to ensure stable and affordable housing.
Good Cause will make sure that increases in rent are tied to reasonable landlord expenses and will make sure families are not being pushed out of their homes without cause. Evictions have serious consequences on our whole community,” Curran said in the release.
they feel “devastated”
bring more awareness to this tool, more and more perpetrators will be held accountable,” DeTomasi said.
Guariglia said during their time with Callisto, they helped organize numerous artistic events on campus, such as a Denim Day photoshoot for survivors and a love letter writing event. The ambassadors took a “community, art-based approach” to advocate for the platform and help empower survivors, they said.
Guariglia also acted as SA’s director of mental health advocacy, where they worked to cement Callisto’s partnership with the university. They said achieving support from SA
University of Mississippi. Multiple users commented on the post claiming the video was of Phi Psi at SU, not this chapter of Kappa Sigma.
A now-deleted X post from user @joe557755, shared at 6:20 p.m. Tuesday, showed a similar incident. In the clip, one man repeatedly forces himself to vomit on another man who is lying on the floor, while a group of onlookers stand around, passing around cans and drinking from them. The post was captioned, “This is at @ SyracuseU #Syracuse.”
In another clip that circulated Tuesday on Yik Yak, the man recording shouts expletives at a man lying on the floor with what appears to be an octopus on top of his face. Another video, posted to Yik Yak at around 10:40 p.m. Tuesday before being deleted, showed a man verbally berating a “pledge” with expletives and slurs while forcing him to do a plank.
Phi Psi was previously placed on disciplinary and social probation from April 2022 to April 2024 for violating SU’s Code of Student Conduct.
The Daily Orange news@dailyorange.com
helped the organization gain recognition and respect from SU administrators.
In March 2023, SA passed a bill to continue its partnership with the university and keep Callisto on campus.
Yasmin Nayrouz, former SA vice president, said SA decided to renew Callisto to give students multiple options and ways of reporting sexual assaults. She said it gave survivors the choice to choose what feels most comfortable to them.
“College campuses are unfortunately a location where there are multiple instances of sexual violence that happen, so having this resource
available on a college campus is crucial,” Nayrouz said.
DeTomasi said she and Callisto’s team are hopeful about the project’s future, and ultimately want to do the right thing for survivors and keep its resources available. She doesn’t want to “push the funding cliff” to only delay an imminent closure.
“We are changing systems, and that takes time,” DeTomasi said. “There are factors at play fighting against us all the time, but we’re going to keep fighting.”
Delia Rangel dsrangel@syr.edu
According to the report, more than 60% of Syracuse residents are renters. In Tuesday’s release, Onondaga County Legislator Maurice “Mo” Brown said there is an urgent need for stronger tenant protections in Syracuse. By adopting the Good Cause Eviction, the city can create a more fair housing market for the community, he said.
Sally Santangelo, executive director of CNY Fair Housing, said the law’s protections will
give tenants the security of knowing they can advocate for better housing conditions without fear of retaliation.
“Good Cause lets good tenants remain good tenants,” Santangelo said in the release. “CNY Fair Housing hears all the time from people who fear that they will be evicted or that their lease will not be renewed if they try to enforce their housing rights.” In Marion’s report, he recommended that, going forward, New York state pursue the statewide right to counsel for tenants’ legal representation in court, provide rental assistance to families facing non-payment evictions and strip landlords with excessive code violations of
Project Callisto, a nonprofit that allows survivors to anonymously document assault, announced that it was struggling financially in September. Former ambassadors said
by its imminent ending. courtesy of carla guariglia
Phi Kappa Psi is now under immediate interim suspension. It must also cease all activities as SU investigates reports of hazing at the fraternity. surya vaidy staff photographer
The Good Cause Eviction Law, currently being implemented in many cities across New York state, limits rent increases and requires landlords to prove violations of the lease agreement in order to evict tenants. joe zhao video editor
CULTURE
Dolls’ debut
Citrus Dolls, Syracuse University’s first and only majorette dance team, hopes to build legacy and community
By Mia Jones asst. digital editor
After Citrus Dolls’ first performance at the halftime of African Student Union’s Afro Madness basketball tournament, Cheila Martinez, co-founder and choreographer, had tears in her eyes. With lingering excitement and nervousness, Martinez immediately watched the event videographer’s footage of the majorettes’ performance.
“It just felt like ‘Damn, we did that,’” Martinez said. “Seeing my vision coming to life, it just got me very emotional.”
Citrus Dolls, Syracuse University’s first and only majorette dance group, consisting of eight dancers, performed for the first time on Sept. 22. The team’s main goal is to eventually perform alongside the marching band at SU sporting events, like football and basketball games, while also educating students about majorette dance for years to come, Martinez said. The team hopes to partner with local high school cheer and majorette teams to grow their presence in the community.
Marcello Hernández to perform at Latine Comedy Night
“This
the event. SA is hosting the Latine Comedy Night with the Student Success Programs and Services, Barnes Center at The Arch and Orange After Dark at 7:30 p.m. in Schine Student Center’s Goldstein Audito -
rium. It’s meant to show the diversity of SU’s campus and to engage with Latine culture.
Hernández joined SNL in 2022 in its 48th season. He has been deemed “SNL’s secret weapon” by publications like Slate and The Hollywood Reporter. The Miami comedian is both Cuban and Dominican and opened for other acts like Jo Koy and Dave Chappelle before joining SNL.
Hernández’s comedy themes include his Latine heritage, baseball and status as a “short king.” His debut on SNL’s Weekend Updates with Colin Jost and Michael Che was his second-ever show and combined the themes in this skit.
“I mean, who would you rather watch play baseball?” Hernández asked. “Tanner from Kentucky or a guy they call Papí and no one knows why?”
SA wrote the night will be filled with “laughter and cultural pride.” Doors will open at 7:30 p.m. and the event will begin at 8 p.m. Tickets are required for entry, but they are free for SU and SUNY ESF students. The show will go on sale Friday through SU’s box office. The JMA Wireless Dome policy will be in place. rlboehm@syr.edu
By Rosina Boehm culture editor
Syracuse University’s Student Association announced it will host a Latine Heritage Month Comedy Night, headlined by Saturday Night Live cast member Marcello Hernández. The comedian will join the SU community on Oct. 26 for Latine Heritage Month and Mental Health Awareness Week.
comedy show is a highlight of the month-long festivities, offering students a fun way to engage with Latine culture,” SA wrote in a press release about
from the stage
see dolls page 8
citrus dolls experiment with a snake-like line formation while learning the final part of a new routine. The girls are close friends, so there is never a dull moment during practice. Its choreographer, Cheila Martinez, taught the group steps to the new dance and prepared for its next performance. alicia hoppes staff photographer
from the stage
Department of Drama’s ‘Pippin’ has a modern twist
By Sydney Brockington staff writer
The notes and lyrics of “Magic to Do” filled Arthur Storch Theatre at Syracuse Stage as the cast of “Pippin” performed the opening number. The actors broke the fourth wall and invited the audience to take a deep dive into the story of the infamous Frankish prince.
“The cast has been very close but above being close, they’ve worked well together,” Ella Femino, assistant director of “Pippin,” said. “Every night when they get up there and put on a show, or even during the rehearsal process, they really give it their all.”
The Tony-winning musical is currently at Syracuse Stage from Oct. 11 to 20 and is the first main stage production of the Syracuse University Department of Drama’s 2024-25 season. Set in the backdrop of the Frankish Kingdom, the musical tells the story of King Charlemagne’s first son and his quest to find meaning.
Pippin searches for reason in all parts of his life by joining his father’s armed forces, engaging in romantic endeavors and gaining political power. The titular character undergoes a number of trials
and tribulations — constantly driven by his passion and curiosity to find meaning in life, Connor English, who plays Pippin, said.
“This character comes into the show in the beginning just so wide-eyed and searching for someone to give him all the answers,” English said.
“There’s still this beauty in returning to this childlike state and allowing yourself to just take in the beauties of the world.”
English said he faced some difficulties when he first began playing Pippin. The character handles trauma much differently than English — tending to compartmentalize and move on while English does the opposite. This taught him “how trauma lives in the body” and served as motivation throughout life.
“Pippin” has a distinct aesthetic that is reminiscent of medieval times, English said. This aesthetic has traveled throughout all of its renditions. SU’s Department of Drama challenged the distinction by adding more modern elements to the show to fit the environment of the present day.
Femino said the department incorporated technology by using phones and social media to show how distractions can deter people from important things in life like family, friends and life goals. At
the end of Act 1, when Pippin joins the protests against his father’s tyranny, the cast holds phones to record the protest.
English said “Pippin” director Torya Beard aimed to establish a collaborative community before putting the show together. The cast spent the first few days of rehearsal engaging in bonding activities, which English said differed from other productions he’s been a part of.
“Developing that community really gave us the chance to feel and understand that at its core, everyone in this room is a creative, everyone in this room is an artist and everyone in this room has a valid opinion,” English said.
Every day, the cast and crew conducted “checkins and check-outs” at the beginnings and ends of rehearsals as a way to support each other. They asked each person if they wanted to bring anything into the rehearsal space and how they were feeling.
Femino said the cast’s physical and mental safety was crucial so they could perform their best.
The cast also dedicated themselves to the production outside of their rehearsal schedule, Amelia Brown, marketing intern for Syracuse Stage and SU’s Department of Drama, said. While
Pom Pom Squad
Inspired by “Alice’s Adventures in Wonderland,” Pom Pom Squad is performing Friday at The Song & Dance. The squad is made up of drummer Shelby Keller, bassist Lauren Marquez, guitarist Alex Mercuri, co-producer and co-writer Cody Fitzgerald and founder Mia Berrin. The band is releasing their sophomore LP on Oct. 25 titled, “Mirror Starts Moving Without Me.” This weekend, they will play a week ahead of the LP’s release.
WHEN : Friday at 8 p.m. (doors open at 7 p.m.)
WHERE: The Song & Dance PRICE: $23.64
Mimicking Mars and Ancient Spaceship are performing at dazed, the student house show venue. Join these bands Friday for an outer spacethemed show. Presale tickets are on sale Wednesday until they are sold out.
WHEN : Friday at 10 p.m.
WHERE: dazed house, DM for address PRICE: $7 presale, $10 at door
Syracuse local Mark Nanni performs in the area 225 times a year. This Friday, he is scheduled for McCarthy’s Irish Pub in Cazenovia, New York. He sings and plays a mixture of jam, classic, rock blues, jazz and more on the piano, accordion and guitar. Tickets are not yet available.
WHEN : Friday at 7:30 p.m.
WHERE: McCarthy’s Irish Pub PRICE: TBD
Sage Haus
DJ’s Laur and Jack McHale are taking on the Sage Haus basement. For the venue’s second DJ show of the semester, titled Jazz Haus, attendees need an entry password that can be found around campus. Presale is $7 and door tickets are $10.
WHEN : Saturday at 10 p.m.
WHERE: Sage Haus, DM for address PRICE: $7 presale, $10 door
Bella’s Bartok
On Saturday, Bella’s Bartok will bring their tour to Syracuse at Funk ‘n Waffles. Their musical style is punk, folk, Americana and pop. They are known for “raucous theatrical performances and an outspoken political message of finding hope in a world beset by cruel uncertainty,” according to the band’s website. Doors open at 5 p.m. but the show doesn’t start until 8 p.m.
WHEN : Saturday at 8 p.m.
WHERE: Funk ‘n Waffles PRICE: $18.22
Dar Williams
Dar Williams will be about 30 minutes south of Syracuse in Homer, New York. Williams broke out in Boston’s ‘90s rock scene, with inspiration from jazz and folk artists. In 2021, she released her 12th studio album, “I’ll Meet You Here.” Williams is also the professor for Wesleyan University’s course titled, Music Movements in a Capitalist Democracy. Buy tickets here to see her performance.
WHEN : Saturday at 8 p.m.
WHERE: Center For The Arts of Homer PRICE: $39.66 general admission
Dazed
Mark Nanni Music
Cast and crew members incorporated modern elements like cell phones and social media into the medeival tale of “Pippin” to highlight themes of family and friend relationships. christian calabrese staff photographer
SU Department of Drama’s production of “Pippin” is a musical comedy told by two narrators, voiced by Kendall Stewart and Gwendalyn Rose Díaz. The performance tells the story of King Charlemagne’s first son. christian calabrese staff photographer
see pippin page 9
CNY Indigenous Peoples’ Day heals through celebration
By Olivia Fried senior staff writer
Pairs of feet shuffled against the bristles of the turf at Tsha’ Thoñ’nhes Arena, the Onondaga Nation Fieldhouse, on Sunday. The dancers’ feet moved throughout the entire performance, their soles never lifting, staying grounded to the Earth.
“The dance is an ode to Mother Earth and a reciprocal act of nurturing her the way she nurtures us,” Sherri Waterman-Hopper (Onondaga, Beaver Clan) said of her dance.
Waterman-Hopper, coordinator of the Haudenosaunee Singers and Dancers, and her group performed at the Indigenous Peoples’ Day festival, alongside many other artists. The festival featured Haudenosaunee creators, dancers, foods and crafts to celebrate the presence and resilience of Indigenous peoples in central New York.
While the day was based in the celebration of Indigenous peoples themselves, it was rooted in their philosophy of foregrounding the natural world. The event began and ended with the Thanksgiving Address, thanking the Earth and each life-sustaining force.
A variety of organizations like the CNY Community Foundation, the Syracuse Peace Council and the Onondaga Nation organized and sponsored the event. The celebration was intentionally set the day before Indigenous Peoples’ Day as a rejection of Columbus Day’s legacy that still overshadows the holiday, Joe Heath, general counsel for Onondaga Nation said.
Heath spoke at the event to give updates on the effort to remove and replace the monument of Christopher Columbus in downtown Syracuse.
“Columbus is not a hero,” Heath said. “He is a testament to the fact that white supremacy and colonialism still stand. It’s time for justice, time for healing and time to remove that monument.”
The removal of the Columbus statue remains an important part of the celebration of Indigenous Peoples’ Day, Andy Mager, an organizer with the Neighbors of Onondaga Nation, said. The past two years of the festival have focused more on celebrating Indigenous peoples.
“Over time, (our goal) has shifted to making the primary focus be much more about lifting up Indigenous culture, talking about our shared history and the debt that we owe to Indigenous peoples,” Mager said.
Indigenous Peoples’ Day was first designated a federal holiday in 2021, recognized alongside Columbus Day, which became a federal holiday in 1937. Syracuse’s last celebration of the day was hosted at the Everson Museum of Art.
Humans don’t do anything that the Earth cannot do. We as human beings are so lucky that the Earth provides for us in the way that it does.
Freida Jacques onondaga turtle clan mother
With the hopes of having more space for the celebration, sponsors suggested the Onondaga Nation host the festival, Mager said. The change in location doubled as an opportunity for nonIndigenous community members to learn more about the land they live on.
“We thought there might be some folks who were curious about life (on the Onondaga
Nation), and don’t often have the opportunity to make it down here,” Mager said.
Artist Brandon Lazore, a member of the Onondaga Nation and the Snipe Clan, said the festival was a great opportunity for Indigenous artists to showcase their talent and amplify Haudenosaunee culture. The nearly one thousand people who entered the fieldhouse on Sunday had a chance to purchase original beadwork from Onondaga artists, and even indulge in Haudenosaunee food like corn soup or its traditional strawberry drink.
“My art is based on Haudenosaunee culture so by putting it out there I can teach a little bit about who we are through our designs and patterns, stories and histories,” Lazore said.
Karenlyne Hill, a featured artist at the festival and a member of the Snipe Clan of the Onondaga Nation, said that creating art to highlight Haudenosaunee culture is healing for her. She said her beading is her “down time.”
Joining artists like Lazore and Hill, Freida Jacques — Onondaga Turtle Clan Mother
— also spoke at the event to discuss Indigenous philosophy and the importance of giving thanks.
“Humans don’t do anything that the Earth cannot do,” Jacques said. “We as human beings are so lucky that the Earth provides for us in the way that it does.”
Jacques also discussed ways that Indigenous philosophies have been stifled by colonialism, speaking about the legacy of Native American boarding schools and the need to focus on “healing for peace” within Indigenous communities.
Part of that healing is in celebration, she said.
Mager said Indigenous peoples are a proud people and often celebrate themselves and their culture, so this year’s celebration is no exception. He emphasized the importance of helping the broader community understand the United States’ history of erasure and suppression of Indigenous culture.
“I’ve worked with a variety of Indigenous people, and they know who they are,” Mager said. “They’re very proud of their culture.”
oefried@syr.edu
Accuracy, artistry in ‘Saturday Night’ outweighs its weak spots
By Jordan Vogel contributing writer
Sketch comedy is a cornerstone of American television. Shows like “In Living Color,” “I Think You Should Leave with Tim Robinson” and “Key & Peele” are beloved for their relatability and appeal to broad audiences. The story of how this premise was once a bold risk may be just as entertaining as the shows themselves.
Jason Reitman’s film, “Saturday Night,” is a romanticized and dramatic recounting of the television industry at a time of change. Its story surrounds a movement in the 1970s when film and television were overtaken by a revolution of young artists. The film is informative but maintains the great sense of humor of the people whose lives it adapts.
The movie follows “Saturday Night Live” creator Lorne Michaels’ (Gabriel Labelle) intense struggle to debut the show with an uncooperative cast, faulty equipment and resistance from higherups at NBC.
In the 49 years since its premiere, SNL has become an icon of American culture, but the film depicts a frantic and uncertain first show. It replicates the anxiety of preparing for an on-air show.
creating a claustrophobic experience. The camera’s constant fidgeting places the viewer in the center of the chaos, causing them to feel like an active participant.
The score by Jon Batiste also contributes to the movie’s jittery tone. The fast-paced drums and trumpets mirror the famous Saturday Night Live Band, while simultaneously reinforcing the plot’s sense of urgency.
Similar to Alexander Payne’s “The Holdovers” (2023), the film uses certain techniques to appear authentic to its ‘70s setting. Lenses that mimic vintage film grain, period-appropriate hair and makeup and dim lighting emulate films of the decade like “Rocky” (1976) and “Animal House” (1978).
Another highlight performance is from Nicholas Braun, who plays both Andy Kaufman and Jim Henson. Braun is challenged with honoring two wildly different personas, each with cultural significance and established public perceptions. He does so seamlessly, accurately characterizing both.
Michaels’ uphill battle against disapproving network executives is the narrative’s most engaging thread. Authority figures like David Tebet (Willem Dafoe) and Milton Berle (J.K. Simmons) serve as symbols of the overused and outdated late-night programs that SNL seeks to divert.
The camera leads the audience through the corridors of Studio 8H where SNL is filmed. Long takes reveal the frenzy and incoordination. At every shaky turn, the frame is filled with props, sets and crew members,
The story portrays several comedic legends like Billy Crystal (Nicholas Podany), George Carlin (Matthew Rhys) and Chevy Chase (Cory Michael Smith), all of whom are brought to life with shocking accuracy. Podany in particular is almost indistinguishable from Crystal through his voice and mannerisms.
Throughout the movie, there is a looming threat of the broadcast being replaced with a rerun of “The Tonight Show.” Rather than employing a run-of-the-mill antagonist, the conflict is compelling by pitting Michaels against a system he hopes to revolutionize.
One of the few weak points in “Saturday Night” is some occasional tonal whiplash. The same breakneck pacing that creates the film’s
Haudenosaunee dancers present the Fish Dance as part of Indigenous Peoples’ Day at the Onondaga Nation Fieldhouse. ej figuerao contributing photographer
Vendors sold traditional Haudenosaunee beadwork, jewelry and foods like corn soup at the celebration on Sunday. ej figuerao contributing photographer
Our humor columnist has advice for how to conquer your first year
By Jack VanBeveren
humor columnist
In your first year at Syracuse University, you are certain to encounter some difficulties adjusting to the complicated world of college, like finding the strength to climb the stairs to Flint and Day Halls, or learning to endure a First Year Seminar class. It can be quite overwhelming without the proper advice.
Just think how utterly embarrassing it would be to get caught in the communal shower with an ugly pair of rubber slides. “Idiot freshman!” upperclassmen would surely chide in unison. Without a guide like this, you’d have no way of knowing that shower shoes went out of style three semesters ago, and that there’s little need for them anyway since you can practically eat off the pristine bathroom floors.
Using my own freshman status to collect research, I have devised the following list based on my own personal misfortunes and follies to ensure no other freshman continues to make such egregious mistakes.
DO:
Whatever an upperclassman tells you to do. This one is simple: upperclassmen are older, better,
more experienced members of this university and, therefore, reserve the right to rule over you. If they ask you to do something illegal, just do it. Even breaking a law is better than them breaking your face, as any former freshman will tell you.
DON’T:
Look at, speak to, go near or even think about an upperclassman. Freshmen should refrain from acting above their given status to avoid exile to SUNY ESF.
DO:
Snitch on fellow freshmen for breaking the rules. Rule breakers ruin the fun for everybody. It can be strenuous for your resident advisor to keep up with your floor’s shenanigans, so be sure to report any mischief or illegal activities you may see. Those you snitch on will be grateful you kept them in check in the absence of an authority figure.
DON’T:
Bother insulting your teacher by calling them “doctor” or “professor.” Instead, use “buddy” or “sweetcheeks” to create a sense of familiarity. Most professors hate the formality of
their titles and actually prefer it when students call them by a clever pet name. Try this little-known trick just once and watch in awe as your professor immediately becomes your best friend.
DO:
Use your dorm’s dryer as an oven. By combining laundry and dinner, you save time, energy and a whole lot of chores! When that timer dings and it’s time to take out your clothes alongside your tiramisu, you’’ be pleasantly surprised by the resulting taste and odor.
DON’T:
Microwave fish in your dorm room. The allure of such a remarkably ingenious idea definitely tempts those who lack any sort of culinary knowledge. Though when that timer dings and it’s time to take out your trout, you will be unpleasantly surprised by the resulting taste and odor.
DO:
Pay your weekly freshman dues to your nearest upperclassmen. If you already paid your dues and are approached by another upperclassman,
simply pay again to avoid looking suspicious. Breaking the bank is better than them breaking your face, as any former freshman will tell you.
DON’T:
Even think about dropping out. You don’t like it here? Too bad, bucko, because you’re here to stay. Dropping out as a freshman promises to ruin your social life, and you will definitely never earn the respect of your peers if you do. Of course, it wouldn’t mean much to you anyway since you dropped out, but that doesn’t mean you won’t have to pay the price. In the end, it is best to just roll with the punches because a broken face is better than a broken FAFSA agreement, as any former freshman will tell you.
Hopefully, you have now been endowed with the skills necessary to avoid making mistakes as a freshman. As many former freshmen have told me, the key to success is failure. So, don’t stress if you continue to make these embarrassing blunders. Live your life, microwave your trout if you really want, and roll with the punches, but DON’T even think about dropping out.
news@dailyorange.com
Majorette dance blends hip-hop, contemporary, jazz and ballet. The dance is traditionally performed at historically Black colleges and universities, especially southern schools, alongside schools’ marching bands during football and basketball games.
Citrus Dolls wear a navy blue crop top, Spandex shorts, blue gloves and a sparkly orange headband. The members plan to update their uniforms to include more school spirit and majorette flair, junior Aniyah Jones, the vice president of internal affairs and a Syracuse native, said.
Martinez and Penda Diop, both seniors from New York City, co-founded Citrus Dolls last year after dreaming about the idea since they were freshmen. To Diop, Citrus Dolls is more than a dance team. She hopes it will inspire future students who come to SU.
By bringing majorette dance to SU, Citrus Dolls wants students of color, especially Black women, to have a safe space on campus and share the same love for dance that HBCU’s majorette teams have, Martinez said.
“We just wanted a chance to have that HBCU culture at a PWI. We didn’t want to give up on that,” Diop said.
Like several other team members, Diop was on a cheer team in high school. Meanwhile, Martinez had wanted to start a majorette team since she was in middle school, and grew up teaching herself everything she knows about how to dance. Martinez said that going from watching majorette dance teams at other universities to now bringing a team to fruition at SU has been surreal.
“I just kept asking myself, like, ‘Is this really going to happen? Do I really want to do this?’ And, every time it was a ‘yes’ for me,” Martinez said.
As a self-taught dancer, Martinez has spent up to five hours at a time in the dance studio working on Citrus Dolls’ choreography. Martinez ensures all the dancers understand the choreography, even doing one-on-one meetings with each team member, freshman Karri Stewart said.
Described by Martinez as an “angel sent from God” to help her fulfill her dream of starting a majorette team on campus, Diop’s social nature brought people together in support of their vision.
Stewart, the co-public relations officer of Citrus Dolls, was captain of a majorette dance team in high school, which pushed her to pursue the dance style in college. Stewart joined Citrus Dolls after committing to SU
and connecting with Diop on the Citrus Dolls’ Instagram account.
Sophomore Sarah Ishmael cheered in highschool and wanted to find a similar dance community on campus at the start of her sophomore year. When she spoke with Citrus Dolls at this fall’s Involvement Fair, Martinez told students that if they joined the team, they would become part of something bigger on campus.
“It feels like it is going to be a legacy,” Ishmael said. “We’re going to go down as the first members to start this up and get it off the ground.”
As other majorette teams are making their debuts across the country, like the University of Southern California’s majorette team, The Cardinal Divas of SC, Jones said the women of Citrus Dolls are adamant about majorette dance having a place on SU’s campus.
“It’s something that will make this PWI a little bit more comfortable for people who look like me,” Diop said.
Beyond creating more space for Black women at SU, Citrus Dolls is a self-confidence booster and an outlet for them, members said.
While participating in majorette dance in high school, Stewart said her confidence grew by the time she reached her senior year. She hopes being part of the team will have the same effect on others, especially with a diverse group of women.
“Nobody on our team looks the same,” Stewart said. “We all have different body types and skin tones, hair types, but we all look so good together and we can dance different styles.”
The team mixes various talents and dance styles as each dancer has different experience levels. Some girls have a coached background in dance, while others are self-taught.
Diop said the group has withstood some judgemental or unsupportive comments from peers, but the team has remained passionate despite. The dancers aspire to be recognized by SU and the campus community so they can perform at official games and represent the school in the future.
“It hits harder when people didn’t believe in your dream, and then it comes to life,” Martinez said.
The birth of Citrus Dolls on campus has blossomed into new partnerships with other student organizations, like Renegade Magazine and the Kappa Lambda chapter of Delta Sigma Theta Sorority, Incorporated.
“I’m going to shoot for the stars and land on the clouds, but either way I’m going to be way further than where we were when we started, and that’s our goal,” Stewart said. “In terms of being first and only, someone’s gotta do it.” mjones58@syr.edu
emma lee contributing illustrator
creating content and organizing cast takeovers for the department’s Instagram page, she saw firsthand the cast’s commitment to the production in their everyday lives.
“(The takeovers) really show the extent of everyone’s involvement and dedication and makes it all the more fulfilling to see the final result,” Brown said.
The cast and crew meticulously put the show together to give the characters an “inner life,” English said. They honed in on crafting their
movements and dialogue to create impulse and drive within their respective characters.
Between this and trying to incorporate new ideas into the script, the production process proved to be no easy feat for the cast, English said. Through engaging with plenty of table work, they constantly threw ideas back and forth
about how to best formulate their characters in the show.
“This cast and crew is the most eclectic combination of comedic professional people I’ve maybe ever met,” English said. “Everyone was always concerned about getting things done.”
sabrocki@syr.edu
Rosie Shuster (Rachel Sennott), Dan Aykroyd (Dylan O’Brien) and Laraine Newman (Emily Fairn) are briefly addressed and then brushed over.
frenetic energy also leads to plot points that aren’t fully developed.
Subplots like Garrett Morris’ (Lamorne Morris) identity crisis and the love triangle between
The movie relies heavily on its audience’s familiarity with SNL, which is rewarding to long-time fans, but isolating to the average moviegoer. An avid viewer of the show will revel in picking out subtle
references like the short film by Albert Brooks that was featured in the first episode. However, the movie spends very little time establishing the identities of each character or how the show came to be, assuming the audience is already familiar.
“Saturday Night” does an excellent job at juggling fast-paced laughs, a stressful “ticking
clock” plotline and heartfelt themes of perseverance. Its message of pushing the envelope and challenging the establishment is a valuable pro-art sentiment. Because of its entertainment value and artistic merit, it may just be the best film of the year.
Jdvogel@syr.edu
Actors and dancers circle Connor English, who plays the title character in “Pippin.” The production fostered a close community by doing “check-ins and check-outs” and Instagram takeovers, which showed the cast’s everyday lives.
christian calabrese staff photographer
In celebration of RESPECT for LIFE MONTH
All Saints Roman Catholic Parish
welcomes
Carl Siciliano
Founder of the Ali Forney Center, sheltering homeless LGBTQ+ youths living on the streets of New York
AND author of Making Room: Three Decades of Fighting for Beds, Belonging & a Safe Space for LGBTQ+ Youth.
Ali Forney was a homeless gender-nonconforming youth who was forced to live on the streets at the age of 13. In December of 1997, Ali was murdered on the streets when just 22 years old. Their tragic death called attention to the atrocious conditions for homeless LGBTQ+ youth in New York. In 2002, committed to making a difference and honoring Ali, Carl founded the Ali Forney Center (AFC), which in addition to providing shelter, educates teens about safe sex and HIV prevention; and has grown to provide medical and mental health services, volunteer mentors, educational and career programs, life skills training, and much more - transforming the lives of thee young people so that they may reclaim their lives and never live on the streets again. While Ali's murder has never been brought to justice, their spirit lives on in the work of the aFC and in each of the lives changed
Speaking at all Masses the weekend of October 19 & 20
All Saints Church
1340 Lancaster Ave., Syracuse
Saturday, Oct. 19: 4pm
Sunday, Oct. 20: 9 & 11:30am
Siciliano is a nationally recognized advocate for homeless LGBTQ+youth, dedicated to this population since 1994. He was named a White House Champion of Change by President Obama citing the wide recognition AFC's programs have received for their quality and innovation. He will be available to sign copies of his book: MAKING ROOM: Three Decades of Fighting for Beds, Belonging & a Safe Place for LGBTQ+ Youth . (2024: Convergent Books, NY).
Representation matters in the city of Syracuse’s next mayor
By Sarhia Rahim columnist
In high school, I served on the Syracuse Common Council Youth Advisory Board. It was my first time being in city hall, and I had no interest in wandering the halls alone to look for my group. I sat in the lobby, waiting, and observed the massive wall of mayors from past to present.
It didn’t take me long to recognize a pattern. There was no one on that wall that looked like me, and I was surprised to learn that day that Syracuse has never had a Black mayor.
Coming from a predominantly Black high school and neighborhood in Syracuse, it struck me as odd to not see a single Black representative elected as mayor. Although the cohort of youth on the advisory board mirrored the diversity in Syracuse and we were encouraged to think more about civic engagement, on my first day I quickly noticed a gap in leadership. Despite the diversity among us, I saw a lack of representation in the city’s highest offices, which made me realize the need for more inclusive leadership at the top.
This realization stirred something in me. It wasn’t just a matter of personal identity but one of representation in leadership. How could Syracuse, a city that prides itself on being a melting pot of cultural diversity, a city with such a rich history of immigration, not have leadership that reflected those realities? From that day, I became determined to understand local government better, hoping one day I might even run for mayor to change that narrative.
As Mayor Ben Walsh’s term began to reach its end, I kept my ear to the ground to hear who might throw their hat in the ring. I was extremely excited when I heard the announcement that Deputy Mayor Sharon Owens confirmed her campaign for mayor.
Her candidacy holds the promise of a new era of leadership, one that is inclusive and reflects Syracuse’s evolving demographics. For years, this city has grappled with issues of systemic inequality, from racial and economic disparities to challenges in education and housing.
These are not new problems, but they demand fresh perspectives and innovative solutions. I believe these solutions can come from leaders who understand the lived experiences of underrepresented communities, like Owens.
Owens is also more than qualified to run for mayor.Prior to her time as Deputy Mayor, she graduated from SU and focused her time afterward on public service. She started her career at the Dunbar Center and then moved on to other community nonprofit organizations such as P.E.A.C.E. Inc.
Looking past her career path, she has even spent time working with families in Syracuse that are facing poverty and seeking ways to better their situations. Her work at Home Headquarters, for example, involved helping families with foreclosure prevention. These are the kinds of experiences that shape a leader who is both connected to the community and deeply invested in its future.
For a city like Syracuse, previous experience in the community that involves working alongside residents and understanding their needs, helps better shape a leader who can craft solutions that are meaningful. It is not just about credentials looking good on paper, but reflecting a track record of commitment to equity and community.
Having a leader who truly understands the lived experiences of the people they serve gives hope for a Syracuse where the leadership and policy voice the needs of residents historically left out the conversation.
Representation and diversity are key to building inclusive policies and opening the doors for others to run in future elections. But representation alone isn’t enough. Leadership must be coupled with actions and policies that reflect the needs of the people. This upcoming election, Syracuse is at a crossroads.
It does mean something to future voters and young people that they don’t see themselves represented in positions of political power. There is something inspirational to know that people who look like you are capable of entering spaces previously excluded from them.
The time for leadership that truly reflects Syracuse is now. Let’s make sure our next mayor understands that and is ready to act on it.
Sarhia Rahim columnist
Talking about what representation means for Syracuse also requires us to reflect on the past. One clear example of this is the lack of representation that impacts a community such as the Urban Renewal Project.
Not too long ago, Black and impoverished communities living in the 15th Ward did not have voice or political power in Syracuse, which
allowed for political leaders to create their own narratives about the neighborhood. Minority needs were pushed aside, creating long term effects for the future families that now reside next to I-81.
Even now, residents don’t feel heard by officials, requesting more transparency about the redevelopment of public housing. When leadership does not reflect the people it serves, decisions are made by those who don’t understand or prioritize the marginalized communities that policy affects.
What Syracuse needs is someone to fight for the voices of their constituents and effectively represent the people who elected them into office. Displacement, housing insecurity and economic inequality are not new issues, they are a part of a longer legacy of exclusion and disregard.
The issues we face are complex, so the solutions must be equally nuanced. This is why representation and diversity in leadership are necessary ideals to create policy changes to address the root of an issue. Whether it’s addressing the affordable housing crisis or food insecurities, Syracuse’s next mayor will need to take bold, thoughtful action to serve the greater good.
Deputy Mayor Owens’ candidacy represents a step forward in the right direction. But beyond her, I hope that this moment will inspire other young people in Syracuse to participate in its political landscape.
The time for leadership that truly reflects Syracuse is now. Let’s make sure our next mayor understands that and is ready to act on it.
Sarhia Rahim is a senior policy studies major. Her column appears bi-weekly. She can be reached at slrahim@syr.edu.
Stephanie Wright
Cooper Andrews
Cassandra Roshu
deputy mayor sharon owens is in the race to become Syracuse’s next mayoral elect. Our columnist argues that Owens is the perfect candidate to break the trend of non-diverse elected officials representing the city of Syracuse. lars jendruschewitz photo editor
3 receivers over 70 yards per game
In his lone campaign as the Buckeyes’ starter, McCord threw for 3,170 yards. Of those, Marvin Harrison Jr. had 1,211 receiving yards, accumulating 38.2% of McCord’s yards. Thus far at Syracuse, McCord has done a much better job spreading the ball to his weapons.
SU’s three leading receivers, Jackson Meeks, Trebor Peña and Oronde Gadsden II, are the only trio on the same FBS team averaging 70 or more receiving yards per game. Meeks paces the team with 459 receiving yards, while Peña follows with 458 and Gadsden has 433.
Because of how frequently McCord throws, it gives room for all three targets to thrive. In SU’s most recent game against NC State, each player notched six or more receptions, totaling 265 receiving yards. While Peña and Gadsden succeeded early on and stayed consistent, Meeks’ breakout began in the Orange’s win over Holy Cross on Sept. 28.
But Syracuse’s options in the passing game advance beyond its three leading receivers. Zeed Haynes, who began the season as one of SU’s starters, has missed the last several weeks due to personal matters. Umari Hatcher, who caught a touchdown last week against NC State, and Darrell Gill Jr. have emerged as trusted options in the passing game while running back LeQuint Allen Jr. is on pace to tally over 60 receptions.
61.3 Pro Football Focus special teams grade Syracuse’s special teams have been a major cause for concern thus far. Per PFF, its 61.3 special teams grade ranks 120th among 134 FBS teams. The Orange’s Week 2 win over Georgia Tech kickstarted their problems.
SU had a field goal and a punt blocked in the first half alone, but still led 21-14 at halftime. Despite holding on for the win, its special teams miscues extended in the final 30 minutes when Brady Denaburg began the second half by kicking the ball out of bounds. Later in the half, Syracuse’s 17-point advantage
slipped to just three after they failed to recover an onside kick.
While Syracuse bounced back in most facets in its ensuing game against Holy Cross, its field goal-kicking struggled. After Denaburg missed two field goals, Brown called upon then-backup Jadyn Oh in the fourth quarter. Yet the result didn’t change, clanking his lone attempt off the upright.
SU’s special teams woes were exacerbated against UNLV on Oct. 4. In the second quarter, Rebels wide receiver Ricky White III pressured punter Jack Stonehouse right as he received the snap, which caused Stonehouse to take a sack. UNLV scored a touchdown a couple of plays later. Then, in the third quarter, White blocked a Stonehouse punt that was scooped up in the end zone by Charles Correa to tie the game at 31-31. Additionally, Denaburg had another kickoff land out of bounds.
Last week versus the Wolfpack, Oh missed a 43-yard field goal while Devin Grant was penalized for lining up over the long snapper on
a field goal attempt. After Grant’s penalty, NC State finished the drive with a touchdown.
52.5 Pro Football Focus tackling grade Syracuse’s defense has played well for the most part, but its tackling has been a major weakness. According to PFF, SU’s 52.5 tackling grade ranks 117th among FBS teams.
In three (Ohio, UNLV and NC State) of its first six games, PFF has given Syracuse a tackling grade below 50 while also rating it at a 54.8 grade against Stanford. For comparison, the Orange’s tackling was graded under 50 just once (48.2 versus Georgia Tech) last year.
A key difference between this season and last has been star linebacker Marlowe Wax’s absence. The fifth-year senior sustained an injury in Syracuse’s season opener and hasn’t appeared in a game since. The linebacker seems likely to return to the lineup in SU’s next game versus Pitt.
justingirshon@gmail.com
@JustinGirshon
They again fell flat in the second half. Alex Perez’s free kick in the 60th minute put the Hokies in front before Malick Thiaw doubled their advantage two minutes later.
“You’ve got to ensure those next five minutes, but that’s when we showed a little bit of naivety with our group,” McIntyre said postgame. McIntyre’s team didn’t learn from previous mistakes in their next three matches.
Syracuse let up a goal in the final minute against Louisville on Sept. 20, leading to a 1-1 draw. Four days later, Cornell’s Connor Miller broke a scoreless tie in the 86th minute. Then came the disastrous result against Wake Forest.
It left the Orange without a win in their first four ACC games for the first time since 2019. The youthful team had more questions than answers. Outside of a 5-1 win over Canisius, Syracuse had been outscored in the second half 6-2 from Sept. 6-27.
“We created a lot of chances … We talked about it before the game, just keep knocking on the door and the goal was coming,” SU striker Nicholas Kaloukian said after the Wake Forest loss. “But this is ACC play, and if you don’t put them away, you get punished.”
In its last three matches, Syracuse has turned the corner. It started with a comfortable 3-1 win at UAlbany on Oct. 1. The Orange were up 2-0 within 10 minutes and left no drama for the second half, winning its first game since Sept. 17. They’d soon be tested against Notre Dame, the reigning national runners-up. For the fourth time in ACC play, Syracuse scored first, when Ben Rosenblatt scored the opener in the 54th minute.
The Fighting Irish leveled the game through Mathew Roou before the hour mark. Once again, it looked like Syracuse would blow a lead. Then, Threadgold put SU back in front 96 seconds later.
During the final stretch, SU’s backline of Layton, Dominic Bell and Andre Cutler-DeJesus — along with help from defender-turnedmidfielder Chimere Omeze — held strong. Tomas Hut provided clutch saves in net and Syracuse held on for a 2-1 win.
The relief from SU players was evident postgame. Players streamed onto the field, exchanging long-winded embraces while bearing ear-to-ear grins. It was almost as if Syracuse finally cleared a mental hurdle in the second half.
“From experience, conceding, in the last minute, we knew what our job was and to make sure that we wouldn’t let that happen again,” Omeze said postgame. “We made sure we were always focused and on top of things and doing everything we can to not concede a late goal.”
In its next game on the road against Providence, another back-and-forth battle ensued. This time, like against Notre Dame, Syracuse came out on top.
The Orange led 1-0 at halftime, via Carlos Zambrano’s first goal of the season. Steban Lopera Betancur knotted the game in the 59th minute, but Omeze scored the game-winner with 20 minutes left.
SU’s win over the Friars marked the first time all season the Orange won three straight games — something they didn’t accomplish in 2023. Before this stretch, Syracuse had an uphill climb to make its third straight NCAA Tournament. Its place in the 48-team field is still up in the air, but SU has a chance to improve its resume across the final three games.
SU’s next test is a trip to Charlottesville for a matchup with Virginia. In their last five regularseason meetings, Syracuse has lost four. Then comes two straight games against arguably the best teams in the ACC. First, a meeting with No. 8 Clemson, the reigning national champions, which has won five out of its last six games.
Then, the Orange close out the regular season with a home bout against No. 4 Pittsburgh. The
its
to
Panthers spent the last three weeks atop the United Soccer Coaches Top 25 poll. Two straight
defeats halted Pitt’s momentum, but it remains a formidable task for Syracuse. Yet, throughout this season, SU has proven it can stick with the upper echelon of the ACC. What’s
Syracuse has become one of the best offenses in college football with Kyle McCord throwing an FBS-leading 46.8 passes per game. However, SU has had numerous special teams blunders, while poor tackling has been the defense’s downfall. jacob halsema staff photographer
Following
loss
Wake Forest, Syracuse fell below .500 for the first time since 2018. Since then the Orange have won three straight. leonardo eriman staff photographer
Luke Mizro is following brother’s legacy to Army lacrosse
By Will Moffit contributing writer
Luke Mizro and his older brother, Jacob Morin, grew up playing their own Army versus Navy lacrosse matchups in their Auburn, New York, backyard. The duo often fed each other passes, taking game-like shots and imagining themselves scoring big-time goals.
Morin, who’s six years older, has played in the real game four times. From 2020-24, Morin starred for Army, scoring three times against Navy in his career. Mizro will soon get his chance to do the same.
“I want to create my own path, but (Morin) pushes me to live up to it,” Mizro said.
As a senior at Skaneateles High School, Mizro excels in both hockey and lacrosse. As a midfielder, Mizro scored 31 goals in 2023. On the ice in his junior season, he tallied 37 points in 20 games en route to an undefeated season and state championship. Following his senior year, Mizro will follow in his brother’s footsteps and play lacrosse at West Point.
Before transferring to Skaneateles ahead of his junior season, Mizro was a standout at Auburn High School. In April 2023, the Maroons trailed in the third quarter against East Syracuse Minoa. Amid a torrid stretch to mount a comeback, Mizro completed it with a goal to take the lead.
Delaware, when she was 4. As she continued to develop, Galbus struggled to find local teams that could improve her skills. She spent most of her youth career competing in other states.
Galbus honed her craft with Penn Fusion Soccer Academy, a program located in West Chester, Pennsylvania, for the next seven years. Though the program didn’t allow players to play for their high schools. But entering her senior year already committed to UNC, Galbus decided to play for Padua.
“Not a lot of schools in Delaware had a good soccer team, but Padua was one of the only ones,” Galbus said. “I decided to just have fun my senior year.”
Coming into the season, Galbus was recovering from a torn ACL that she suffered while competing at Penn Fusion during her junior year, which kept her out for nine months. Not long after Romano stepped in as head coach, he reached out to Galbus.
“I told her, ‘Whatever you want from the program and however I can assist your transition to college, I’ll do,’” Romano said. “I truthfully did
For Auburn head coach Matt Smith, who has been coaching Mizro since he was around 8 years old, the goal was a culmination of years of work. Though his talent was always there.
“It was immediate,” Smith said of Mizro. “He had a big body, big shot and was not afraid to use it.”
After Mizro’s sophomore year, he transferred to Skaneateles, a hockey powerhouse in central New York. The move appeared to be an opportunity to develop Mizro’s secondary sport. However, he viewed it as a chance to take skills from the ice to the lacrosse field and vice versa. The hand-eye coordination, mixed with open ice or field agility makes the two sports similar to work off of.
In his first season with the Lakers’ hockey team, he scored 19 times. Skaneateles outscored its opponents by a combined 15921 margin. The season culminated in a state championship win over Queensbury. Mizro notched a hat trick in the first round and finished with six points in the New York High School Section II Tournament.
“Nothing has hit harder than that state championship win,” Mizro said. “It all paid off, and that’s a moment I’ll never forget.”
The day after his hockey team finished their season, Mizro began his lacrosse campaign. Mizro finished the season with
not think that she was going to be playing soccer games that season.”
Galbus pushed herself to get healthy. Just three games into the 2022 campaign, she returned to the field and wasted no time making an impact, scoring a game-winning goal over the Charter School of Wilmington.
But Galbus’ triumphant return was quickly cut short. In a matchup against Saint Mark’s High School on Sept. 21, 2021, Galbus broke her collarbone and wrist. The injuries effectively ruled her out for the rest of the Pandas’ regular season.
Whenever she had time away from physical therapy, Galbus offered advice to her teammates on the sidelines. The Pandas rallied late in the season, winning five-of-seven matches to secure a spot in the 2022 DIAA Division I playoffs with a 10-4 record.
“Seeing (Galbus) go down I think fueled us more,” former Padua forward Haley Dougherty said. “She is amazing to be around, really uplifting. She was an amazing teammate on the sideline.”
After appearing in just eight games, Galbus was cleared to rejoin her team for the state tournament. In Galbus’ first game back,
49 goal contributions from the midfield, and helped the Lakers finish atop their division and second in their conference. Skaneateles ultimately fell short in the sectional championship, but his first season at the school was filled with highlights.
Before representing any team for Skaneateles, Mizro committed to Army’s men’s lacrosse program on Sept. 28, 2023. Despite interest from Rutgers, the decision wasn’t too difficult for him, partly because of his brother’s legacy.
Morin started every game at Army from 2022-24. During his final season, he was named a unanimous All-American and FirstTeam All-Patriot League selection. Morin helped Army to Patriot League regularseason championships in his final two seasons and an NCAA Tournament round one win in 2023.
Through Morin, Mizro got to know the Black Knights’ coaching staff well. Army head coach Joe Alberici also is an Auburn native, knowing the family from years past.
However, the connections weren’t the only reason Mizro chose Army. He appreciates the historic program, the campus and people who the United States Military Academy attracts. Morin sees his little brother fitting in well.
Padua blew a 2-0 lead in the second half to Smyrna High School. But with 15 minutes left, Galbus came up clutch again, scoring a game-winning goal.
Padua soundly defeated Caesar Rodney High School 3-1 in the semifinal, but Galbus’ impact was limited. While battling for possession early in the game, Galbus rolled her ankle. Despite her best efforts to power through, she couldn’t return to the field.
Ahead of Padua’s championship game, Galbus remained a game-time decision. Romano was unsure whether it was in the best interest of the team and Galbus’ safety to place her in the starting 11.
“I looked over to our assistant coach before the final game and I told him that (Galbus) is either gonna play and she’ll be very poor because she wasn’t healthy, or she’s going to be the best player on the field,” Romano said.
Romano rolled the dice by starting Galbus. It paid off. In the fourth minute, she opened the scoring with a tap-in off a corner.
Middletown reclaimed the lead with backto-back goals, but Galbus drew the Pandas back even with a blistering shot to close the first half.
“Knowing what he’ll have there and the people he’ll be surrounded by makes me unbelievably happy for him,” Morin said.
Mizro’s accomplishments have also stretched to the national circuit. He was recently selected to the United States 2024 U18 boys lacrosse select team among a group of 48 players.
After multiple regional tryouts, more than 150 players were selected for a three-day combine in late July. Mizro was named to the team after the combine. He competed in a development camp from Sept. 20-22 and will play in Sparks, Maryland, for the Brogden Cup from Oct. 25-27.
Mizro still has one more high school season to make his mark in both hockey and lacrosse. While he’s already experienced a state championship, he’s hungry for another in both sports.
Scoring big goals in big moments started in the backyard with Morin. Scrimmages against his brothers turned into playing on competitive travel teams, excelling on high school squads and a national team invite. But now, he’s set to carry on the family legacy.
“I always wanted (Mizro) to be his own person and follow the path that excited him most,” Morin said. “But him wanting to go to West Point is one of the most rewarding feelings as a big brother.”
wmoffit@syr.edu
“I think anybody who’s seen her play knows that when she plays within herself,” former Padua forward Anna Poehlmann said. “I feel like once she got past thinking about how she had been hurt (for a while), she was able to play again.”
By full time, the score was tied 3-3, sending the contest into penalty kicks. After Galbus’ tally put Padua ahead 2-1 in the shootout, a goal from teammate Madison Mosier sealed the Pandas’ state title victory.
“We were just happy that she (Galbus) got to experience that Padua tradition that she had always wanted,” Dougherty said.
Now, past the midway point of the 2024 season, Galbus has become an active part of Syracuse’s lineup as a sophomore. Fully healthy and playing for a program where she’s set up to be a key contributor in the future, Galbus aims to rekindle her best moments from playing at Padua.
“Her ceiling is really high. Hopefully she’s healthy and just gets to play the game she loves,” Romano said. “As long as she’s healthy, she’ll be great at any program she goes to.” mgray06@syr.edu @Ma77hew_gray
During her lone season with Padua Academy in 2022, Moo Galbus helped lead the Pandas to a Delaware state championship victory. Galbus battled through injuries in the regular season, only playing eight games, but returned for the state playoffs, helping Padua to its 12th-ever state title.
SU’s improved 2nd half outings leads to win streak
By Zak Wolf sports editor
Syracuse’s 2-1 loss to Wake Forest on Sept. 27 marked a new low. It was SU’s third straight game without a win, while winning just one of its previous seven matches. The Orange stood at 3-4-2, their first time below .500 since 2018.
The loss to the Demon Deacons was another game where Syracuse threw away points. Sam Layton put the Orange in front with a firsttime volley in the 66th minute. They looked well on their way to their first Atlantic Coast Conference win, but the game was quickly flipped on its head.
Dylan Borso leveled the game at 1-1 in the 78th minute. Borso then set up Basit Umar two minutes later for the game-winner. The loss was the fourth time SU failed to win a game despite holding a lead.
“To not get something out of this game tonight, it’s brutal,” SU head coach Ian McIntyre said postgame.
“Moments kill you, and goals kill you. (We) just got to make sure we’re focused for 90 minutes,” Layton added.
Since its crushing defeat to Wake Forest, Syracuse (6-4-3) has flipped a switch. It’s started to buck the previous trend of blown leads. Wins over UAlbany, Notre Dame and most recently, Providence, proved it. SU’s inexperienced squad, composed of 12 freshmen, has displayed growth over the past month as it heads into the final stretch of ACC play.
Throughout the past two seasons, McIntyre’s teams have made a habit of winning tight contests. During its national championship run in 2022, Syracuse totaled 11 one-goal victories, while only losing twice by a score. Its first four NCAA tournament games came via one-goal wins.
The trend slowed last season, though the Orange displayed the same grittiness to squeeze out results. SU finished 4-2 in games decided by one goal. Syracuse’s winning
success stemmed from strong second-half performances. It only lost two games from winning positions in 2023 and zero the year prior.
Through the first half of their season, the Orange struggled in that department. The
By Quinn Postman staff writer
When Syracuse traveled to Chapel Hill, North Carolina, for its Atlantic Coast Conference opener against UNC in September, it was in a much better spot than when it started conference play in 2023. Bakeer Ganesharatnam’s team was 2-8 entering its first conference match against Louisville last season.
This year, the Orange boasted a 12-0 record after an unbeaten nonconference slate, highlighted by wins at home against Iowa State and Cornell. But once Syracuse touched the court in ACC play, its season became reminiscent of the one prior.
Through its opening six ACC games, SU is winless and has seen a drastic dip in its kills, total attempts, hitting percentage, assists and blocks. At the same time, its attack and service errors have steadily increased against stronger opposition.
After winning two games last year, Syracuse (12-6, 0-6 ACC) has sextupled its win total before October. Yet, many victories came against non-Power Four programs and teams with a sub-.500 record. SU’s nonconference opponents are 52-131 as of Oct. 16. Its momentum from nonconference play has not translated into garnering quality wins within the ACC.
There were six ACC teams in the Week 7 American Volleyball Coaches Association D1 Poll. Despite flashes against No. 12 SMU, No. 1 Pitt and No. 5 Stanford, Syracuse has lost in straight sets four times in ACC play.
“If you look at the schedule, the first six, seven, eight matches are really tough for us,” Ganesharatnam said after losing against No. 12 SMU on Oct.4.
“We have six ranked teams we’re going to compete against, so we understand that. However, we want to make sure we learn throughout this process so that when we get over that hump of the first eight matches, we can capitalize on the next eight matches.”
The Orange have struggled to generate offense in ACC play, ranking last in the conference in kills per set. Ava Palm (2.33), who transferred from CSU Bakersfield, is SU’s only player to average two or more kills per set.
Sydnie Waller, who delivered her seasonhigh 16 kills in a five-set loss to California, is the closest with 1.89 kills per set. Skylar George, Anastasiia Nikolnikova and Zharia
Harris-Waddy are all under 1.5 kills per set, while Sydney Moore and Sara Wasiakowska are below one kill per set.
“So many of my teammates are capable of getting 10 kills. You look at the attempts and I think everyone’s capable of producing,” Palm said after Syracuse’s loss to No. 1 Pitt. “It’s just a matter of trusting yourself and not being afraid.”
The Orange are also last in the ACC in total kills and points in conference play, with 189 and 259, respectively. In its most recent match against California, Syracuse was on its way to its first conference win since November 2022 after winning the first two sets. However, a string of errors and missed opportunities allowed Cal to rally and win the match 3-2. The loss marked SU’s 28th straight ACC defeat.
Syracuse is 14th in ACC play in total attempts with 678, above No. 12 SMU, No. 5
Stanford and No. 1 Pitt. SU is creating more chances than these ranked teams but because it’s less efficient than most ACC programs, the Orange have just three single-set wins in six conference matches.
Syracuse is not creating enough chances to register kills in ACC play, and when it does, defenses thwart it. In nonconference play, the Orange averaged 41.5 assists per game. In Syracuse’s first six ACC games, that number decreased to 29.5. SU’s average attacking attempts per game have only risen 2.5%, while its average hitting percentage per game has decreased by over 70% and its average assists per game by over 25%.
Before the season, Ganesharatnam said he wanted an offense with multiple hitters. Syracuse brought in 12 new players, 10 transfers and two true freshmen after
injuries derailed its campaign last year. However, most of its transfers came from schools outside the then-Power Five Conferences. George, who transferred from Utah, is the only one who came from a Power Four school.
Last year, Ganesharatnam asked for patience when trying to build a team that could compete in the ACC. With 14 conference matches left in 2024, he’s kept that same message, feeling SU hasn’t scratched the surface of its potential thus far.
“We’re on the right track. We might not get the result from a win-loss standpoint throughout this first phase,” Ganesharatnam said. “It’s really important for us that we stay together and that we focus on the process of improving as a team.”
lapses started on Sept. 6 in SU’s ACC opener against Boston College. Following a shocking 1-0 loss to Le Moyne earlier in the week, the Orange looked to bounce back in Chestnut Hill.
Gabe Threadgold scored within the first minute to make it 1-0, but Michael Asare equalized 20
minutes later. Heading into halftime tied 1-1, Syracuse’s offense faltered in the second half, recording just one shot on goal.
A week later against then-No. 17 Virginia Tech, the Orange entered halftime scoreless.
After going undefeated in nonconference play, Syracuse has struggled against ACC opponents. The Orange have lost six straight games while seeing significant dips in almost every offensive category. liann downs contributing photographer
Across its first 10 games, Syracuse struggled to hold onto wins, dropping points in four games from winning positions. During the Orange’s three game win streak, they’ve bucked that trend.
meghan hendricks senior staff photographer
MOOVING
UP
Moo Galbus has carved out a role with Syracuse after developing at Padua Academy in her home state of Delaware
By Matthew Gray asst. digital editor
Moo Galbus stepped up to take a penalty kick for Padua Academy in the 2022 Delaware Interscholastic Athletic Association State Final. Tied at 1-1 in the penalty shootout against Middletown High School, Galbus looked to regain the lead.
Middletown’s goalkeeper taunted Galbus, attempting to throw her off. Despite typically having nerves before penalty kicks, the goalkeeper’s antics lit a fire under Galbus before she scored the go-ahead goal. The Pandas eventually tacked on one more goal en route to securing the Delaware Division I State Championship.
“(Galbus) was probably the one player who, when she got up there, I knew exactly where that ball was about to go,” former Padua head coach Justin Romano said. “She didn’t even celebrate. She was just like,
‘This is my job, and it’s going in.’ That’s the type of kid that she is.”
Galbus helped seal Padua’s 12th-ever state championship as a senior. But she weathered a laundry list of injuries before then. She entered the offseason coming off a torn ACL, then broke her collarbone and wrist early in the 2022 season. Though Galbus returned before the postseason, where she finished with four goals and one assist to spark Padua’s title run.
She then continued her soccer career at North Carolina in 2023 but didn’t play, which prompted her to enter the transfer portal. She reached out to Syracuse head coach Nicky Thrasher Adams after entering the portal and, following a phone call, knew where she wanted to start her next chapter. She’s appeared in 11 games for the Orange this year, helping them win their most games since 2022.
Galbus’ development began in recreational leagues in Wilmington, see galbus page 14
transferring in from North
appearances thus
she didn’t play as a
in
Data Dive: Detailing the numbers behind Syracuse’s 5-1 start
By Justin Girshon asst. sports editor
Syracuse has had a near-flawless start in its first year under head coach Fran Brown. After defeating NC State last Saturday, the Orange are 2-1 in Atlantic Coast Conference play and are receiving votes in the AP Top 25 Poll.
Anchored by transfer quarterback Kyle McCord, SU has emerged as one of the best offenses in college football. Special teams blunders, though, have
nearly cost the Orange in several games, while poor tackling has been their defense’s downfall.
Here are the key numbers defining Syracuse’s (5-1, 2-1 ACC) first half of 2024:
46.8 pass attempts per game
After ranking 125th in the Football Bowl Subdivision with 23.2 pass attempts per game in 2023, Syracuse has more than doubled that figure in 2024 with 46.8 per game — the highest total among FBS teams.
Last year, the Orange resorted to a run-heavy wildcat offense due to quarterback Garrett Shrader’s injury in November. With McCord, SU’s biggest weakness has turned into its biggest strength. And Syracuse has consistently allowed McCord’s to sling it as much as possible. Since dropping back 39 times versus Ohio in Week 1, the Ohio State transfer has attempted 42 or more passes in each of the Orange’s last five games — including a career-high 63 against UNLV.
When asked about McCord’s volume, Brown and McCord have repeatedly said the quarterback’s attempts are inflated because of quick hitters and taking easy completions off run-pass options. This is seen in McCord’s average depth of target — aDOT — which indicates the amount of yards downfield a player was targeted on average. Among 197 FBS quarterbacks, McCord’s 9.0 aDOT ranks 151st.
Even while attempting numerous short passes, McCord has excelled in taking shots down the field. His 21 “big-
time throws” — which Pro Football Focus defines as a high-value, high-difficulty pass — lead all FBS quarterbacks. Michael Penix Jr., who led Washington to a national-title game appearance last season before becoming a first-round pick in the 2024 National Football League Draft, led FBS quarterbacks with 43 big-time throws across 15 games. This season, McCord is on pace for 45 big-time throws if he stays healthy for SU’s remaining six regularseason contests and its likely bowl game.
After
Carolina, where
freshman
2023, Moo Galbus has earned a more consistent role with Syracuse in her first season with the Orange. Galbus has made 11
far in 2024, recording her first career assist on Sept. 8 against St. Bonaventure. arnav pokhrel staff photographer