Imagine this very possible scenario: twice a week, a Syracuse University student walks down the steps of Mount Olympus, past Carnegie Library, through the Shaw Quadrangle, under the upper floors of Huntington Beard Crouse Hall, and into the Hall of Languages. It’s a habitual journey that one can safely assume has occurred in past semesters and will occur in future semesters.

But this semester, that routine stroll might be diverted by something that does not physically exist. Like a Pikachu. Or, if this hypothetical student is lucky, maybe an Aerodactyl.

These imaginary creatures could appear on the SU campus — or on the smartphone screens of Pokemon Go players — at any time. And with the seasonal influx of residents on University Hill, it’s likely that SU will also see an influx of players. Because of the game’s location-based nature, relocating to a new area is almost like adding new content to the game. Some Pokemon are more likely to appear in certain places, and there is a plethora of Pokestops to be explored both on the SU campus and in downtown Syracuse.

Catching Up

Pokemon Go is a location-based, augmented reality video game available on both android and iOS smartphones. Released in the United States on July 6, the game quickly rose to be the top grossing app on the Apple App Store in a matter of days. It’s free to download, but does offer optional in-app purchases.

Once a player opens the game on their phone, a map of their location appears and they walk around in search of Pokemon. Real world locations, often historical landmarks, business establishments or artistic structures, act as Pokestops — places where players can restock on in-game items such as Pokeballs and potions. Other locations pose as gyms, where players can put the Pokemon they’ve caught to the test by battling other players’ Pokemon.

Let’s Get Real

Pokestops offer more than just giveaways of in-game items — they are real locations that often hold significance in the community. Aaron Robinson, a senior political science and international relations major, just started playing “Pokemon Go” on Saturday, and quickly realized there is some benefit in paying attention to what the Pokestops are, rather than collecting his items and moving on.

“Some of the things I didn’t know existed,” he said. “But then there are some things that I just didn’t know the actual name to it, or I had heard their name but never taken too much mention to it. So I kind of learned more. I felt a little bit better. I was like, ‘oh, so I’m not the worst Syracuse student ever.’”

Disregarding the real life location of Pokestop doesn’t make anyone a bad person, but it is possible to learn a thing or two from some of the Pokestops right here in Syracuse. Here are just a handful that might be especially enlightening.

Joe Bloss | Assistant Features Copy Editor

“Supplicant Persephone” by Ivan Mestrovic

At first glance it’s just a statue of some lady. But this 1945 sculpture, neighboring Schaffer Art Building, is the work of Ivan Mestrovic, a world-famous Croatian sculptor. Mestrovic created the piece in Rome in 1945. Portraying Persephone, who according to Greek mythology was forced to remain in the underworld during autumn and winter, the bronze sculpture is inspired by Mestrovic’s struggles during and after WWII. He was nearly killed in 1941, lived in The Vatican for a year of exile, and became terribly ill in Switzerland in 1943. After refusing to live under Eastern European communism and living in Rome with his daughter, he came to America. From 1947 to 1955, SU became a haven for Mestrovic as he worked as an artist-in-residence and a professor of sculpture.

Joe Bloss | Assistant Features Copy Editor

Washington Elm Marker

If not for “Pokemon Go,” it might be very easy to go four years at SU without ever knowing this exists. The Washington Elm marker is a tiny rock at the end of the football field in Thornden Park. It states that on May 3, 1932, an elm tree was planted in memory of George Washington by the Syracuse chapter of the Sons of the American Revolution. Washington’s connection to the elm stems from the tale claiming he first took command of the Revolutionary Army under an elm tree in Cambridge, Massachusetts on July 3, 1775.

Joe Bloss | Assistant Features Copy Editor

Jerry Rescue Monument

This monument lives in the shadow of the much larger Soldiers and Sailors Monument that accompanies it in Clinton Square. Erected in 1990 and created by Sharon BuMann, the structure depicts an incredible story from 1851. William “Jerry” Henry, an escaped slave from Missouri living in Syracuse as Jerry McReynolds, was arrested under the Fugitive Slave Act of 1850. After abolitionists freed him once, he was immediately recaptured. Then, a crowd of roughly 2,500 people rushed the building Jerry was held in, rescuing him a second time and hiding him in the city until he was able to escape to freedom in Canada.

Joe Bloss | Assistant Features Copy Editor

“S.Alt City” Mural

From a distance, this mural appears to be a blurry image of a boat. Looking closer, you’ll find that the image is made up of hundreds of pixelated QR codes. Together, they form an archived picture of an old salt barge at a brine distribution facility. But individually, each code links to an arts organization in the Syracuse region when scanned. The mural, which can be found on the rear of 300 S. Warren Street, was created in 2012 by Brett Snyder and Irene Cheng.

Joe Bloss | Assistant Features Copy Editor

Walt, The Lock West Monster

This one is actually a gym, but nevertheless it is a “Pokemon Go” destination that is worth checking out. Located where the Onondoga Creekwalk meets Fayette Street, Walt watches over the Warehouse in Armory Square. Born in 2011, the steel, wooden and concrete creature was the project of then Syracuse Public Artist in Residence Brendan Rose and the students of one of the design classes he was teaching at SU. Since it is positioned on the Creekwalk, it’s not a bad starting point for some more exploration.

SU‘s Poketrail

If you’ve got some time to kill in between classes, here’s the quickest route to refill your bag by hitting a lot of Pokestops in a row. Start at the College Place bustop. Head towards the quad, then veer left after Shaffer Art Building and continue on towards Carnegie Library and the statue of the Saltine Warrior. Next, move onward to Hendricks Chapel, and after that, loop around the physics building to finish at Boeheimburg. By now you should have hit 12 Pokestops and averted your Pokeball crisis.

For a limited time only…

The Great New York State Fair is in town, and it’s a solid opportunity to further your quest of becoming a Pokemon Master. There are a handful of Pokestops that often have lures placed on them. And don’t worry, there’s no shortage of the inescapable Drowzees and Zubats — two  Pokemon very common in the region. Plus, all the walking is good for hatching eggs, which produce Pokemon when players walk a certain distance with app open.

Published on August 28, 2016 at 9:37 pm

Contact: jtbloss@syr.edu | @jtbloss