Thursday event will be broadcast live on WSTM-3, WTVH-5, WIXT-9, Empire Sports Network and ESPN Radio 1260
Presentation of the National Association of Basketball Coaches (NABC) national championship trophy to Syracuse University men's basketball head coach Jim Boeheim and the raising of SU's national championship banner will be among the highlights of Thursday night's Carrier Dome community-wide celebration of the 2002-03 Orangemen.
The event is free and open to the public. Start time is anticipated at 7:30 p.m. Gates open at 6:30 p.m. Free public parking is available in the Skytop, Manley and Drumlins lots. Shuttle buses will run continuously to the College Place bus stop on North Campus beginning at 6 p.m. Fans are encouraged to arrive early to avoid possible traffic delays.
For easiest parking, OnTrack trains will be in operation from Armory Square to the Carrier Dome from 5:30 to 10 p.m. Roundtrip fare is $3.
The celebration will also be broadcast live in the Syracuse area on WSTM-TV (Channel 3), WTVH-TV (Channel 5), WIXT-TV (Channel 9), Empire Sports Network and ESPN Radio 1260.
Mark Johnson, the play-by-play voice of Orangemen basketball and football on the Syracuse University Radio Network, is the event's emcee.
The night's activities will include video highlights of the Orangemen's victories over the University of Texas Longhorns in the NCAA tournament semifinals and the Kansas University Jayhawks in the title game, individual introductions of players and coaches, NABC President Ken Kaufman's presentation of the association's crystal national championship trophy, and the raising of a 30-foot by 50-foot national championship banner.
Speakers will include Coach Boeheim, men's basketball players, SU Chancellor Kenneth A. Shaw, Syracuse Mayor Matthew Driscoll, Onondaga County Executive Nicholas Pirro, state Assemblyman Bill Magnarelli and state Sen. John DeFrancisco.
Upon entry, fans will be given a commemorative, two-sided color placard similar to ones handed out at the April 2 Final Four pep rally at Manley Field House and the April 5 and 7 Final Four events in the Carrier Dome. The placards specially printed for the community celebration feature a national championship message on one side and a team photo on the other.
Dome food and beverage stands will be open (no alcohol will be served), and concession stands will have SU, Final Four and national championship merchandise for sale.
NOTE TO EDITORS: Media parking for the community celebration is in the Campus West lots. Dome access is through Gate C. SU season media credentials may be used for admission. Deadline for requesting event credentials is 1 p.m. Thursday. Questions about credentialing and event coverage opportunities may be directed to SU Director of Athletic Communications Sue Cornelius Edson, 443-2608. Requests for interviews about the community celebration may be directed to University Spokesman Kevin Morrow, 443-3784.
Photographers and videographers covering the event are requested to be at the media area (on the floor between sections 108 and 109) at 6:15 p.m. Thursday to go over event protocols.
