Updated: Feb. 12, 2015 at 11:11 a.m.

Syracuse University alumni, Orange fans and former student athletes will gather in Goldstein Auditorium at 3 p.m. Saturday for a tailgate event leading up to the Orange’s game with its Atlantic Coast Conference rivals, the Duke University Blue Devils.

The celebration is expected to feature performances by the Sour Sitrus Society pep band, the Spirit Team featuring the cheerleaders and dance team and Orange Girl baton-twirler Meghan Sinisi, a sophomore in the College of Arts and Sciences. SU mascot Otto the Orange is also expected to make an appearance, along with several former student athletes.

Former players who will be at the event include former football player Floyd Little, and former basketball players Lawrence Moten, Howard Triche and Roosevelt Bouie, who will have his number retired at the men’s basketball game on Feb. 21.

Notable former athletes will be autographing and socializing with fans and alumni on the Goldstein Auditorium stage, said Cristina Swift, one of the tailgate’s primary organizers.

“It’s a great opportunity for alumni, friends and family to have fun and network,” Swift said.

So far, more than 400 people have registered for this year’s event. Registration closes on Wednesday, Swift said.

This is only the second year that the pre-Duke tailgate event has been held, as last year marked the beginning of the two schools’ ACC rivalry. The 2014 Duke tailgate event, which featured additional appearances by former basketball player Dave Bing, had over 650 attendees, Swift said.

The Office of Alumni Engagement is employing staff and students to manage the tailgate’s array of attractions. These will include setups on the floor such as buffets and a photo booth that will project images up on the auditorium’s screen.

“Since many alums are coming from out of town and staying at hotels, it gives us the opportunity to tailgate, meet up with friends from other cities and get in the spirit of the game,” said Daryl Wolke, who graduated in 1984 with a dual major in public relations and speech communication. “It’s also a lot warmer than hanging out in a Dome parking lot.”

Despite the postseason ban that was recently self-imposed by the SU men’s basketball program, which will keep the Orange from competing in postseason tournaments, Wolke said she expects a big showing from alumni and fans at the tailgate.

“School spirit always runs high when alums get together and of course, we need to support our student athletes,” Wolke said. “This is also the last time some of us will see (Rakeem Christmas) — so it’s sort of his unofficial senior day.”

The event will conclude around 5:30 p.m. on Saturday as alumni and fans trickle down toward the Carrier Dome to watch the Blue Devils and the Orange tipoff at 6 p.m.

Correction: In the Feb. 12 article ” Former players, alumni to attend tailgate event prior to men’s basketball game,” there were several errors: The Sour Sitrus Society and the Pride of the Orange Baton Twirler will be performing at the event. The Spirit Team, featuring the cheerleaders and dance team, will also be performing. Cristina Swift, the assistant director of alumni engagement, was also misquoted. Only former student-athletes will be in attendance. Derrick Coleman was also not at the 2014 Duke tailgate. The Daily Orange regrets these errors. 

Published on February 12, 2015 at 12:01 am

Contact Thomas: tjbeckle@syr.edu