Editor’s note: The article below is a fully republished story from Sept. 18, 1964. All errors and AP style mistakes are from the original copy.

The Military Academy can keep its Bandits — Syracuse University has its Spiders.

For those of you not up to date on the latest football fad in Orangeland, the Spiders are the first-string SU defensive unit.

And here’s hoping that Hill fans won’t confuse the local Spiders with the Spiders we played last season, Richmond by name. The Orange “insects” reportedly have a bit more sting than their Virginia counterparts. Group members may be recognized by the spider and web emblems dotting the fronts of their helmets, with white streaks painted down the center.

The Spider idea originated during spring practice and came to the fore at the start of sessions this fall.

Actual founder of the unit was Hal Rooney, a junior defensive back from Patchogue, L.I. Rooney acquired a tattooed spider on his ankle last spring and the name rose to prominence during pre-season practice.

The Spiders include seniors Dave Archer, Gerry Everling, Dennis Reilly and Billy Hunter, juniors George Fair, Joe Dziekonski, Ron Oyer, Charlie Brown, Ted Holman and Rooney, and sophomores Herb Stecker and Paul Nettlebladt.

Rooney, known as the “Black Widow” of the group, said the Spiders were formed merely as a way of pepping up the team. “We’re trying to get our defensive squad united, to keep the fellas hustling,” he revealed.
Coach Ben Schwarzwalder had nothing to do with the creation of the name-tag. “It was said. “But anything that provides the spark, that makes them work as a unit is OK with me.”

So the Spiders will make their debut Saturday. Let’s hope they snare some Boston College Eagles in their web.

Published on September 4, 2014 at 12:16 am