One of the most significant moments in any Syracuse freshman’s first few weeks on campus is their first game day. The fans milling around, the smell of Four Loko lingering in the air, the noise that fills the Dome when ‘Cuse scores a touchdown — it’s magical.

It can, however, all be very overwhelming for a first timer. What do you wear? Where do you go before? How do you get into the Dome?

Have no fear, Pulp has you covered with a guide for everything you need to know on your first game day.

Before the Game

Syracuse football kicks off its season on Friday at 7 p.m., so make sure you have plenty of time to get ready beforehand. That means covering your body with every single piece of orange apparel possible. Don’t have any? Stop in the bookstore or either of the stores along Marshall Street, Manny’s and Shirt World. Together, they offer pretty much any Syracuse-related item of clothing you could possibly imagine. Ballin’ on a budget? Check out 3Fifteen, the thrift store next to Café Kubal. Though the selection is pretty hit-or-miss, the prices are much lower and you can occasionally find a vintage gem.

After you get your outfit, be sure to put a couple lines of orange paint on your face. Or cover your entire face. Either way, go all out. You won’t look weird because the entire campus will be there right there with you.

After you get all ready to go, you have a couple of pregame options, if that’s your thing. The most notable tailgate will be at Castle Court, which is located at the end of Walnut Park. This is one of Syracuse students’ favorite party locations and you will truly be lost in a sea of orange and the smell of beer.

During the Game

After you have had your fill of the shoving and drunken screaming at the tailgate, it’s time to go to the Dome. The Dome, short for the Carrier Dome, is the school’s indoor sports complex, home to Syracuse football, basketball and lacrosse. The 49,250-seat complex is the largest indoor stadium on any college campus, so definitely take a moment to take in the Dome’s sheer size.

To get into the Dome, you will walk through the student-only Gate E, affectionately known as Boeheimburg. You’ll wait in a smelly, hot, probably drunk crowd of students until you get your Otto’s Army wristband, which grants you access into section 125: the student section.

This is where the fun really begins. Though you may not be a player on the field, you are certainly getting a workout. Rule no. 1 of truly enjoying a Syracuse football game is never sit down. And make as much noise as possible. This means banging on the seat in front of you, stomping your feet and screaming until you lose your voice.

At some point, you will probably become sweaty from all this action, and therefore most likely hungry and thirsty. Luckily, the Dome has a wide selection of food and drink options to satisfy a buzzed college student. Chicken fingers and nachos are a fan favorite, but you shouldn’t leave without trying one of the classic Dome hot dogs. The food stands also sell soda and water to wash down the last bites of food, and even offer beer for the first half of the game — one of the only colleges to still do so.

After the Game

As the final seconds fall off the clock and the crowd begins to clear out of the Dome, try and keep the magic alive by heading down to Marshall Street. Herds of students will be crowding in and out of bars and eateries, catching up and continuing the excitement of the night.

Whether the end of the night means mozzarella sticks at favorite late-night spot Acropolis or a cup of Chuck’s Juice at the Marshall bar of the same name, know that you’ve just survived your first of many game days at Syracuse.

Published on August 31, 2016 at 11:19 pm

Contact Hanna: hrhorvat@syr.edu