In the world of Charlotte Lillie Balogh ’17, rowing and storytelling have long played prominent roles. This fall, those two influential forces came together for Balogh with the publication of “,” (Delacorte Press), a young adult mystery novel centered on a girls’ competitive rowing team.

“I can’t help but see a story anywhere I go,” says Balogh, a Remembrance Scholar who majored in at Syracuse University’s . “I’m always people watching or taking notes.”

The Los Angeles-based author, screenwriter and former competitive rower turned coach spent eight years working on “Capsized,” which she originally pitched as a TV script. Now, in a full-circle moment, she’s developing it as a pilot for Hulu. In summer 2025, she published her first young adult novel, “Kill the Lax Bro,” (Delacorte Press), a darkly comic murder mystery.

At Syracuse, the Boston area native competed for the Orange women’s rowing team for a year and got a firsthand look at the entertainment industry through the , interning with NBCUniversal. But it was screenwriting professor Keith Giglio who recognized her affinity for superheroes and comics and put Diane Nelson ’89, then head of DC Entertainment, and Geoff Johns, an acclaimed superhero screenwriter and executive, on her radar.

She met Nelson on a Newhouse visit and built a relationship with her that eventually helped her land a job as an assistant to Johns at DC Entertainment, where she worked on numerous projects, including “Wonder Woman 1984,” and the CW series “Stargirl.”

Balogh shared more insights in a conversation with Syracuse University Today.

As a four-year member of the offensive line for the Syracuse University football team, prided himself on being a team player, someone who would do the little things every day to help the Orange succeed on the field.

That selfless strategy helped Tarullo become a starter for the final 36 games of his career, including earning First-Team All-Big East honors during his senior season.

That same approach guided Tarullo’s entrepreneurial career as partner, financial advisor and vice president of recruiting and sales for , part of Cetera Investors.

For the second straight year, Tarullo is being recognized during the University’s fourth annual��, which on Nov. 12 will celebrate 50 of the fastest-growing global businesses and nonprofit ventures owned or led by Orange alumni.

“I’m very honored,” says Tarullo, who earned dual degrees in psychology and communications and rhetorical studies from the . “It’s a phenomenal event showcasing the entrepreneurial spirit our alumni have, and I strongly encourage other alumni to be a part of this celebration.”

While he’s looking forward to the awards ceremony, Tarullo says he’s equally excited to impart his business acumen to student entrepreneurs at the ’CUSE50 Student Summit, when honorees will share insights with students at the .

Over the summer, Tarullo’s company hosted several current students for internships. Tarullo plans to use this year’s Student Summit to emphasize the importance of giving back to future students.

“It’s beneficial for students to hear stories of success, but also how we overcome problems. I tell students how important it is to have a niche, a passion that motivates your work,” Tarullo says.

for the ’CUSE50 Student Summit and Alumni Awards Ceremony.

The Student Summit runs from noon to 3 p.m. in the Flaum Grand Hall in the Whitman School, with Chancellor J. Michael Haynie and Whitman Dean Alex McKelvie delivering remarks. Latavius Murray G’20, a retired NFL running back, community builder and entrepreneur will serve as the keynote speaker, followed by two panel discussions featuring ’CUSE50 alumni entrepreneurs and a “Five for Five” pitch competition, where five student startups will compete for a winner-takes-all $5,000 prize judged by the ’CUSE50 honorees in attendance. To support student entrepreneurs, consider a gift to the which makes the student prize money possible.

The Alumni Entrepreneur Awards Ceremony begins with check-in and light refreshments at 5 p.m., followed by the awards at 5:30 p.m. in the K.G. Tan Auditorium and a reception starting at 6:45 p.m. in the Bisignano Grand Hall. All events occur in the National Veterans Resource Center at the Daniel and Gayle D’Aniello Building.

Tarullo sat down with Syracuse University Today to preview the ’CUSE50 Alumni Awards.

Syracuse University today announced the as deputy athletic director and chief commercial officer. Presson will join the department’s executive leadership team and lead commercial enterprise, with oversight of ticketing, premium experience, partnerships, customer relationship management (CRM) and customer strategy.

Presson comes to Syracuse from Rock Entertainment Group, the sports and entertainment enterprise that includes the Cleveland Cavaliers and a portfolio of professional sports and entertainment properties, where he currently serves as senior vice president of Business Operations. Throughout his career, Presson has led teams and venues, built championship organizations, overseen roster construction and generated revenue across virtually every facet of the sports business.

“The landscape of college athletics demands that we think differently about how we operate and generate revenue, and Chris is exactly the kind of experienced builder we need at this moment,” Blair said. “We conducted a broad search because we intend to build something different at Syracuse. Chris has spent nearly 30 years in professional sports building teams, growing businesses and finding creative ways to generate revenue, most recently as part of one of the NBA’s most successful business operations. What sets him apart is that he has spent his career building, not simply inheriting. His experience, entrepreneurial mindset and willingness to challenge conventional thinking make him the right leader to help us build something special at Syracuse.”

In the newly created role, Presson will align revenue generation, brand strategy, marketing, fan engagement, content creation, premium experiences and corporate partnerships into one integrated commercial strategy for Syracuse Athletics. He will oversee sponsorship, ticketing, premium seating, licensing, merchandising and venue commercialization, while leveraging data and technology to drive decision-making, deepen fan relationships and grow revenue. Presson will also build and lead a high-performing commercial team and expand Syracuse Athletics’ presence as New York’s premier collegiate athletics brand, including a deeper footprint in New York City.

“Syracuse has a history and a fan base that most organizations could only dream of,” Presson said. “Bryan’s vision and energy combined with the opportunity to build something new here, to bring a professional sports approach to how we connect with fans and grow revenue, is what drew me to this role. I’m ready to get to work.”

Joining From One of the NBA’s Premier Business Operations

At Rock Entertainment Group, Presson helped guide a portfolio anchored by the Cleveland Cavaliers, named the 2026 NBA Team of the Year following record-breaking success across business operations. The Cavaliers produced a record-breaking 2024-25 season across revenue, partnerships and attendance, including nearly 70 percent year-over-year growth in new season-ticket memberships, the most successful City Edition retail campaign in franchise history and a home sellout streak that reached 170 games.

“Chris is a builder,” said Nic Barlage, CEO of Rock Entertainment Group. “His ability to strategize and relentlessly execute at a high level consistently drives both positive commercial outcomes and community impact. His track record leading several of Rock Entertainment Group’s commercial ventures across the Great Lakes, in Cleveland and Detroit, will position him and Syracuse University well for this new chapter.”

The broader Rock Entertainment Group portfolio also includes the AHL’s Cleveland Monsters, the NBA G League’s Cleveland Charge, WNBA expansion franchise Cleveland Sirens and Rocket Arena. The organization also launched HIPP, a members-only luxury club inside Rocket Arena recognized by the NBA as the league’s Premium Experience of the Year, and secured a historic 25-year partnership extension with Cleveland Clinic.

His current work also extends beyond REG’s owned properties into third-party sports business and revenue-generation opportunities. Presson recently helped lead the naming-rights and sponsorship sales process for a planned $80 million professional soccer stadium in downtown Cleveland, one of several projects where Rock Entertainment Group advises other sports organizations on commercial growth and monetization.

Nearly Three Decades Building Sports Businesses

Presson has spent nearly three decades building and leading sports businesses across basketball, football, hockey, baseball and entertainment. His career has been defined by broad operating responsibility, progressing from leading entrepreneurial professional sports organizations—where executives are responsible for virtually every aspect of the business—to serving as president and CEO of a major Canadian Football League franchise and, most recently, helping lead business operations within one of the NBA’s most sophisticated sports and entertainment enterprises.

Presson’s earlier career included leadership roles across professional hockey, basketball, baseball and venue management. He is a two-time Central Hockey League Executive of the Year and was part of four championship organizations across three sports before taking the helm of the CFL’s Edmonton Elks football franchise.

He launched the Northern Arizona Suns, the Phoenix Suns’ NBA G League affiliate, from the ground up in 2016, while simultaneously serving as president of the Arizona Rattlers. Under Presson’s leadership, the Rattlers earned three consecutive Franchise of the Year honors from 2017-19. He was named the 2016 Arena Football League Executive of the Year after the Rattlers led the league in attendance and significantly increased sponsorship partnerships.

From 2019 to 2021, he served as president and CEO of the Elks, overseeing the business operations of one of Canada’s most established professional sports organizations during a period that included the COVID-19 pandemic and the franchise’s rebrand.

Presson earned a bachelor’s degree in journalism from Oklahoma State University. He and his wife, Tracy, have three daughters.

When the , outfitted in new uniforms, climbed up the Hendricks Chapel steps to perform prior to the Sept. 5 Syracuse Orange football home opener, it carried with it the of making music and memories.

That legacy has been shaped by generations of students, performers and traditions, as the band has evolved from a small campus ensemble into the nationally recognized organization it is today.

For current members, that legacy is reflected not only in the band’s traditions but also in the relationships and experiences it fosters.

Emma Holman ’27, a percussionist and drum major, says the SUMB has�� given her best friends, her partner and the opportunity to be surrounded by her people.

“When you’re drum major, 200 people are waiting on your cue. That kind of pressure either breaks you or teaches you how to lead calmly, and I think I’ve become a steadier, more decisive person because of it,” Holman says.

The stories of students like Holman, alongside the milestones and traditions that have shaped the band for more than a century, are central to a new exhibition celebrating the SUMB’s 125th anniversary.

The exhibition, “The Pride of the Orange: 125 Years of the SU Marching Band,” will run throughNov. 7. There will be an open house Friday, Sept. 25, from 5:30 to 7:30 p.m. in the , located in the Nancy Cantor Warehouse, 350 W. Fayette St., Syracuse.

The exhibition, curated by museum studies alumnus Daniel Griffaton G’26, explores the history and traditions of the band.

A Universitywide Community

Current band members come from all years and majors, as they are not required to be music majors or to audition for the band. The band is a one-credit course offered in the fall semester through the Setnor School of Music in the .“We have a great collection of students from across campus and from our partner colleges in the area. Many people think that college marching bands are made up entirely of music majors, but that is far from the case,” says Tim Diem, associate professor in the Setnor School and director of SU Bands. “Every year we have over 80 different majors represented, and when you include minors, there are over 110 areas of study, including every college on campus, that these students are pursuing.”

Longtime director of SU Bands Bradley Ethington retired this summer and Natalie Smith, visiting assistant professor in the Setnor School and assistant director of SU Bands, has joined the community.

Planting Orange Musical Roots

Now known as “The Pride of the Orange” and “New York’s College Band,” the band was brought together for the first time in 1901. Hamilton E. Cogswell, supervisor of music for the Syracuse Public School District, directed the first rehearsal of the band on Feb. 4.

The band performed its first concert, in uniform, on May 9 of that year in the Crouse College Auditorium. Its first football game appearance also took place that year, on Oct. 9, at a Syracuse vs. Lafayette College game, and its first men’s basketball appearance happened on Jan. 9, 1909, at a game against St. Lawrence.

The band’s fight song, “Down the Field,” was first played on Nov. 4, 1913, and continues to be played today.

The Evolution of the SUMB Through the Years

��The SUMB has a deep and storied history that has helped it evolve into the modern collegiate band it is today. Among the changes along the way:

• Women were welcomed as part of the band for the first time in 1941, as most of the male band members had shipped off to fight in World War II. Majorettes and the first baton twirler, Jessie Anne Harp, made their debuts in 1945.
• Second twirler Dottie Grover performed at the men’s basketball game in 1952 accompanied by the first-ever basketball pep band. That pep band continues on today as the .
• The band’s first postseason appearance was in the 1953 Orange Bowl. Numerous other bowl appearances, a Super Bowl appearance in 2014, a performance in the Macy’s Thanksgiving Day parade and performances around the country and abroad have since taken place.
• Judy Delp, the twirler during the 1962 season, was the first referred to as “The Orange Girl.” By the fall of 1966, women were invited to march with the band as musicians; 22 joined the band that year.
• The band toured Europe in August 1970 and won three awards at the World Band Festival in Kerkrade, Netherlands. Upon returning to the field in Syracuse that fall, the public address announcer introduced the band as “The Pride of the Orange,” tagging the band with the moniker it is still known by today.

The uniforms were last updated in 2013, and this year’s refresh is a special nod to this historic anniversary.

The SUMB of Today

The Marching Band continues the traditions of the past, such as performing on the Kenneth A. Shaw Quad before each football game and celebrating home victories by “flipping the banner” at Varsity Pizza.

Holman, the drum major, says her favorite memory of the past three years in SUMB was her first show on the Quad. “Quad shows are different from anything else we do because for those few minutes all eyes are on the band. We’re not an extension of the football team’s halftime, and we’re not background noise for anyone else’s event. We are our own organization, performing as ourselves,” she says.

“We are thrilled to be celebrating the first 125 years of the SU Bands. The thousands of students that have taken part over the years have built a great tradition and added greatly to the atmosphere on the SU campus,” says Diem. “Here’s to the next 125!”

The Syracuse University community is coming together this week to mark 25 years since the Sept. 11, 2001, terrorist attacks. Special events will honor those who lost their lives and recognize the sacrifices of our nation’s first responders and military-connected members who showed extraordinary courage in the face of unimaginable tragedy.

On the morning of Sept. 11, 2001, attacks at the World Trade Center, the Pentagon and aboard United Airlines Flight 93 killed 2,977 people, including 30 Syracuse University alumni.

In observance of the day, and the (OVMA) are holding a starting at 8:46 a.m., the same time when hijacked American Airlines Flight 11 crashed into the World Trade Center’s North Tower.

At precisely 8:46 a.m., there will be a moment of silence in the chapel, followed by a chime ringing 25 times in honor of those who died that day. At the conclusion of the service, 25 candles will be lit to remember the victims.

Here’s a complete rundown of the events happening on campus:

• Sept. 11: Hendricks Chapel 9/11 Remembrance Ceremony, an interfaith memorial service, from 8:30 to 10 a.m. The event will be and will include remarks from several of the chapel’s chaplains and performances from the and José “Peppie” Calvar, director of the Hendricks Chapel Choir and professor and assistant director of choral activities at the Setnor School of Music.
• Sept. 11: 9/11 , JMA Wireless Dome. Registration starts at 8 a.m., followed by an opening ceremony at 8:30 a.m. The climb starts at 8:46 a.m. and ends at noon.
  • Note: the Hendricks Remembrance Ceremony and the Syracuse University Ambulance Stair Climb and Walk will happen simultaneously starting at 8:46 a.m.

• Sept. 11: College of Law ’Cuse Vet Fest, 10 a.m. to 1 p.m., Levy Atrium. Syracuse-area veterans are invited to a , hosted at the College of Law. This is a joint effort between the��, the College of Law’s����and the . Free admission and free parking in the Irving Avenue Garage.
• Sept. 12: , noon to 3 p.m., Women’s Building Field. Celebrate our and enjoy free food, non-alcoholic beverages, a cash bar, games, music and shuttled transportation to and from the event. This is a collaboration between the OVMA, the , and the .

• Sept. 12: vs. the University of California, Berkeley, 3:30 p.m., JMA Dome.
• Sept. 14: , 4 to 7 p.m., National Veterans Resource Center at the Daniel and Gayle D’Aniello Building, K.G. Tan Auditorium. Following a moment of silence for those who lost their lives, there will be a panel discussion from 4 to 5 p.m. featuring Chris Meek��’92, G’18, founder and CEO of the ; , dean of the S.I. Newhouse School of Public Communications��who reported from the Pentagon on 9/11; and professors����and��, who will reflect on the enduring legacy of the first responders, survivors and everyday citizens. Following the discussion will be a screening of the documentary, “,” from 5 to 7 p.m. Both events are free and open to the public.

A new era for Syracuse University begins this month.

The University will formally install as its 13th chancellor and president during an Investiture Ceremony at 2 p.m. Friday, Sept. 18 in the JMA Wireless Dome. The moment is part of a , Sept. 17-18, to mark this historic University milestone.

The events are a chance for the University community to come together, honor Chancellor Haynie’s leadership, affirm its values and look ahead to Syracuse University’s shared future.

Students, faculty, staff, alumni and friends of the Orange are encouraged to .

What to Expect at the Investiture

The ceremony will feature performances from the Syracuse University Marching Band, University Singers, Hendricks Chapel Choir and Otto Tunes; remarks from trustees, faculty, students, staff and alumni representatives; and a keynote address from Melvin T. Stith G’73, G’78, dean emeritus of the .

Investiture Chairman and Board of Trustees Chair Jeff Scruggs will formally install Chancellor Haynie by bestowing the chancellor’s medallion before Haynie outlines his vision for the University’s path forward during his inaugural address.

Attendees will end the ceremony by singing the alma mater. The Investiture Ceremony will be livestreamed for those who cannot attend in person.

Keep the Celebration Going at Orange Fest

Immediately following the Investiture Ceremony, the celebration continues with Orange Fest, a free, family-friendly event from 3:30-5:30 p.m. in the Dome. Orange Fest will include food, student performances, carnival games, service dogs, hoops and a dunk tank starring University leaders and hands-on activities at the Maker’s Market craft stations.

Before the Ceremony: The Summit and a Prime-Time Game Watch

The Investiture Ceremony caps the on-campus festivities, which begin Thursday, Sept. 17, with “The Summit: Syracuse University Into the Future,” a campuswide showcase from 9 a.m. to 6 p.m.

Among the highlights of the summit are the following:

• The Syracuse Summit Showcase, an exhibition featuring poster sessions, talks and hands-on demonstrations from every school and college, organized around five themes: artificial intelligence, experiential inquiry, creation and innovation, global engagement and access, from 9-11:30 a.m.;
• “Charting Our Future Together,” an interactive art installation where attendees share their vision for the University’s path forward;
• “,” an exhibition at Bird Library honoring all 13 Syracuse chancellors, and “,” a pop-up exhibition that spotlights the students who have driven transformation throughout the University’s history;
• “The Keynote: Future in Focus” is an afternoon of storytelling that showcases members of the Orange community reflecting on what it means to navigate change thoughtfully and intentionally; and
• Cross-campus workshops that highlight the breadth and impact of the University’s academic excellence through interdisciplinary experiences and collaborative partnerships between schools and colleges.

That evening, fans can cheer on the Orange as the football team plays Atlantic Coast Conference foe Pittsburgh during a free Chancellor’s Inauguration Game Watch Party at Miron Victory Court inside the JMA Wireless Dome. Doors open at 6:45 p.m. with kickoff at 7:30 p.m.

Attendees can enjoy snacks and appetizers, test their knowledge at trivia, receive fun giveaways and witness a halftime performance from the Marching Band and the Dance Team.

Both the Game Watch Party and Orange Fest are free and open to the public.

At Syracuse University, Orange isn’t just a color; it’s an identity. The new ’Cuse Friday initiative gives students, faculty, staff and alumni a weekly reason to wear it, gear up for game day and win prizes all year long.

Starting Friday, Sept. 4, pull on your best Orange T-shirt, sweatshirt or jersey, snap a photo and share it with #CuseFriday.

During the year, by engaging with Syracuse University and , fans can win fun giveaways—some even personally delivered by Otto the Orange—and show others what it means to Be Orange.

“’Cuse Friday is about bringing our entire community together around what makes Syracuse Athletics special: our fans and their passion for the Orange,” says , director of athletics. “Whether you’re on campus, back home or halfway around the world, every piece of Orange gear you wear is a reminder that you’re part of something bigger. We want Fridays to feel like game day, every week, and we can’t wait to see Orange Nation show up in force.”

The start of the ’Cuse Friday campaign aligns with College Colors Day, an annual, nationwide celebration where alumni, students, faculty and staff wear their favorite college or university apparel and team colors leading up to the first full week of the college football season.

Under head coach Fran Brown, opens the 2026 season in the JMA Wireless Dome against the University of New Hampshire at noon on Saturday, Sept. 5.

The game is part of the University’s annual Faculty and Staff Appreciation Day, where faculty, staff and their guests (up to 10 total) can purchase tickets at special rates, starting at $12.99. Tickets are����through Friday, Sept. 4, at 11:59 p.m.

#CuseFriday, which runs throughout the academic year, is a collaboration between Syracuse Athletics, the and the .

Two Syracuse University leaders have been tapped for national roles in college athletics governance. will serve on the Atlantic Coast Conference (ACC) Board of Directors for the 2026-27 academic year, while Jeremy Jordan, dean of the David B. Falk College of Sport, has been appointed vice chair of the NCAA Division I Committee on Infractions.

Consisting of the presidents and chancellors of the ACC’s 18 member institutions, the ACC Board of Directors “provides strategic oversight and governance for the league,” which is “dedicated to upholding the league’s founding values of academic excellence, athletic competition at the highest level and integrity,” according to a .

Chancellor Haynie was appointed to the ACC Executive Committee, along with Virginia Tech President Timothy D. Sands, University of Pittsburgh Chancellor and CEO Joan Gabel, University of California, Berkeley Chancellor Rich Lyons, University of Notre Dame President Robert Dowd and Stanford University President Jonathan Levin.

Additionally, , dean of the , was appointed vice chair of the . Jordan, who currently serves on the committee alongside Director of Athletics Bryan Blair, will take over as vice chair effective Sept. 1.

In this role, Jordan will work closely with both the chair and the staff members on the Office of the Committee on Infractions to adjudicate cases involving Division I member schools.

Jordan was appointed dean of the Falk College in September 2023, and leads the academic departments of exercise science, nutrition and food studies, sport analytics and sport management.

competes in the ACC in the following sports: basketball (men’s and women’s), cross country (men’s and women’s), field hockey, football, lacrosse (men’s and women’s), soccer (men’s and women’s), softball, track and field (men’s and women’s), tennis (women’s) and volleyball (women’s).

In its 74th year, the ACC supports 28 NCAA sports—15 for women and 13 for men—and features 18 member schools. Besides Syracuse, the conference includes Boston College; California, Berkeley; Clemson University; Duke University; Florida State University; Georgia Tech; University of Louisville; University of Miami; University of North Carolina; NC State University; Notre Dame; Pittsburgh; Southern Methodist University; Stanford; University of Virginia; Virginia Tech and Wake Forest University.

Syracuse University faculty and staff are invited to head to the JMA Wireless Dome on Saturday, Sept. 5, for Faculty and Staff Appreciation Day, as the opens the 2026 season against the University of New Hampshire at noon.

The event is a chance to celebrate the faculty and staff whose work helps the University thrive, with a day of football, community and Orange pride.

Here’s what’s happening and how faculty and staff can participate:

Discounted Tickets

Faculty, staff and their guests (up to 10 total) can purchase tickets at special rates, starting at $12.99.

Tickets are����through Friday, Sept. 4, at 11:59 p.m.

Pre-Game Fun on the Kenneth A. Shaw Quadrangle

Don’t miss the team’s Quad Walk, led by head coach Fran Brown, at 9:45 a.m. on the Shaw Quadrangle as part of the ’Cuse on the Quad pre-game festivities. Stick around and enjoy live music from the Pride of the Orange Marching Band, visit with Otto the Orange and grab a bite from food and beverage concessions.

Game Day Concession Coupons

The first 400 faculty and staff (full-time, part-time or temporary) who visit the Faculty and Staff Appreciation tent on the Quad with their Syracuse University I.D. will receive a concession coupon for use inside the Dome.

Expressions of Gratitude

New this year, as a way for faculty and staff to express their gratitude and appreciation to members of the campus community, the Office of Human Resources is holding a “postcard of gratitude” station. Stop by and pen a note of gratitude to a faculty or staff member who makes a difference on campus. Postcards will be distributed in the days following the game.

Win an Upgraded Game Day Experience

Purchase your tickets by Friday, Aug. 28, to be entered in a drawing for seat upgrades, participation in the on-field fan tunnel and enhanced concession vouchers. Winners will be notified before game day.

Season Ticket Discount

Faculty and staff can also receive 20% off up to four football season tickets. To learn more or request a call from a sales representative, fill out the��.

Parking Details

University parking permits will be honored for free game day parking at the Skytop lot. If you don’t have a permit, you can pick up a complimentary one-time-use Skytop pass between Aug. 27 and Sept. 4, from 8:30 a.m. to 4 p.m., at the Office of Human Resources (621 Skytop Road, Suite 1001). Bring your Syracuse University I.D. and proof of game ticket.

��Questions?

• HR Shared Services: 315.443.4042 or��hrservice@syr.edu
• JMA Wireless Dome Box Office: 315.443.2121 or��athsales@syr.edu

Let’s make this a game day to remember—see you at the Dome!

Otto is in a marathon race and needs the support of Orange Nation.

The beloved University mascot is one of 20 finalists nationwide as part of . From now through Aug. 17 at 11:59 a.m., supporters can claim the title.

The nomination isn’t the first time Otto’s central role in the Syracuse community has been recognized. The adored orange, who participates in 800 events a year, was a member of the 2023 class of the Mascot Hall of Fame.

, the University’s mascot coach, says when she told Otto about the USA Today nomination, the orange’s excitement was palpable.

“Otto, of course, can’t talk—but when I gave Otto the news, you’d think that orange was shouting with delight,” she says. “Otto did a lot of excited dancing and jumping, but then got very focused. Otto wanted a strategy—because Otto likes to win!”

More Than a Mascot

Walas says the USA Today nomination shows Otto’s legacy and impact are still “very much alive and growing.”

“It means everything,” she says of the nomination. “Otto has been part of this community since the early 1980s and became our official mascot in 1995. To be recognized nationally, alongside just 20 finalists from across the country, is a huge honor for our entire program. This isn’t about one costume or one performer; it’s a reflection of 40-plus years of students who have poured their hearts into making Orange Nation smile.”

Otto, she says, is the “one constant” that shows up for every version of the Orange community, from first-year students at their first football game and alumni returning to campus to kids’ birthday parties and families at a hospital visit.

Otto’s devoted presence on and off campus, powered by cheering fans, is what makes the lovable orange a symbol of Syracuse’s community spirit, not just a mascot, Walas says.

“Otto doesn’t just cheer for wins; Otto shows up in the hard moments too,” she says. “Otto is a unifier. Otto welcomes you no matter how long you’ve been an Orange fan, Otto just wants everyone to feel like they belong.”

How Orange Nation Can Help

Walas says Otto’s message to Orange fans right now is simple: “Thank you for making me who I am! Now let’s bring this one home together.”

With voting open now through Aug. 17 at 11:59 a.m., once per day, every day, until the polls close.

“We are encouraging students, alumni, families and fans to set a daily reminder and vote every single day,” Walas says. “Every vote counts, and with daily voting allowed, consistency is everything.”

For more than 40 years, Otto has shown up for the community—now it’s time for the community to show up for Otto, she says.

“This nomination belongs to every fan who has ever hugged Otto, danced with Otto at a game or cheered with Otto in the stands,” says Walas. “Otto is one of four ACC nominees this year, and we’d love nothing more than to bring this title home to Syracuse. Thank you to everyone who has supported Otto for every award, induction and initiative—let’s show the country why Otto’s the best.”

At the dedication of Miron Victory Court on Nov. 8, 2024, Robert J. “Bob” Miron ’59 told the crowd that he was “blown away by the whole thing,” as he and his wife Diane were able to experience and enjoy the fruits of their philanthropy.�� It was a powerful moment for Miron to truly feel the impact of his vision and generosity. Now, the impact of his passing on July 29, 2026, at the age of 89, is being felt across campus, Central New York and beyond.

The man who shaped the cable television industry was also seen as its moral conscience in transforming the way Americans received news, information and entertainment.

“His judgment was thoughtful, his ethics unwavering and his word absolute,” according to his

Generosity and Service to His Alma Mater

Miron’s judgment, vision and trust also helped shape his beloved alma mater, which became the primary beneficiary of his generosity. His connection to Syracuse University spanned more than six decades, beginning with his 1959 bachelor’s degree in marketing management from the . Miron went on to serve the University as a voting trustee from 2002 to 2014, vice chair from 2005 to 2009 and life trustee thereafter. He was twice named the Dritz Life Trustee of the Year, in 2015 and 2024, and received the highest alumni honor, the . He was also longtime member of the Newhouse Advisory Board.

“Bob’s impact on Syracuse University will endure for generations,” says Chancellor J. Michael Haynie. “He was far more than a generous donor. For decades he served as a trusted adviser to University leaders, and he never stopped showing up for this institution. Bob’s own experience at Syracuse shaped a lifelong commitment to giving back, and that commitment touched countless students and programs across this university. He was kind and humble and generous with his time, and Syracuse is better for having known him.”

“Bob and his wife Diane have been extraordinary champions of the University through both service and philanthropy,” says Board Chair Jeff Scruggs. “As a trustee, Bob brought the same judgment and integrity to Syracuse’s boardroom that defined his career in the cable industry. He asked hard questions, he listened carefully and he always kept the University’s best interests at the center of every conversation. Bob’s generosity, wisdom and devotion to the University leave a legacy that will endure for generations.”

The Diane and Bob Miron Fund for Academic Success supports academic and student success initiatives within , including the Blackstone LaunchPad, student services, technology enhancements and student spaces. The in Newhouse 2 is named in their honor and is dedicated primarily to news, talk and magazine-style production, with multimedia capabilities, a contemporary news set, a green screen, state-of-the-art lighting systems and cameras. The Miron Learning Commons on the first floor of Bird Library was dedicated in 2022, and the Miron Victory Court, the space connecting the JMA Wireless Dome and the Barnes Center at The Arch, was dedicated in 2024. The Mirons have supported many initiatives in the , the , and Syracuse University Libraries.

Mark J. Lodato, dean of the Newhouse School, says Miron mentored students, supported leadership and helped to transform programs and facilities at Newhouse. Even last week, Miron participated in a virtual advisory board meeting, encouraging others to support the school’s future.

“Bob was someone you could always pick up the phone and have a genuine conversation with,” Lodato says. “He was optimistic and kind, always looking for the positive in a difficult situation. It was wonderful to have someone like Bob in your corner.”

“Bob Miron loved Syracuse University in action, not just in words,” says Chancellor Emeritus Kent Syverud. “For more than six decades as a Whitman School graduate, a pioneer who helped build Discovery Channel into a global powerhouse and a devoted life trustee, he gave Syracuse University his time, his generosity and his belief in what it could become. Miron Victory Court, where thousands of people pass through each year for some of the University’s most seminal academic, social and athletic events, stands as a lasting testament to that commitment. Syracuse is stronger because of Bob Miron, and I’m grateful to have called him a friend.”

A Distinguished Career in the Communications Industry

Beyond Syracuse University, Miron had a distinguished career in the communications industry. He joined Advance/Newhouse Communications and its predecessor companies in 1966. He led the company’s cable TV interests for more than 50 years, pioneering improvements in customer service, expanding programming through early microwave distribution, helping fund and guide C-SPAN and promoting Cable in the Classroom and other educational initiatives. He retired as chairman and chief executive officer in 2010. He also served as chairman of Discovery, a global leader in real-life entertainment reaching billions of viewers, and as non-executive chairman of the board of directors of Discovery Inc.

He chaired the board of directors of C-SPAN and served two terms as chairman of the board of directors of the Internet and Television Association, formerly the National Cable and Telecommunications Association (NCTA), where he led numerous committees and oversaw the Music Licensing Committee for more than 25 years. He also served as vice chair of the board of directors of the Cable Center.

His industry honors include induction into the Cable Hall of Fame in 2001 and the Broadcasting and Cable Hall of Fame in 2002, the CTAM Grand TAM Award in 2009, the Cable Television Public Affairs Association’s President’s Award in 1995, NCTA’s Distinguished Vanguard Award for Leadership in 1991, NCTA’s President’s Award in 1990 and the New York State Cable Television Association’s Chairman’s Award in 1987. He was the inaugural recipient of The Cable Center’s Bill Bresnan Ethics Award, recognizing the qualities colleagues believed defined him more than any title ever could: integrity, humility, fairness and ethical leadership.

Miron also served on the board of directors of Crouse Health in Syracuse, as president of the board of directors of the Jewish Community Center of Syracuse and as vice president of Temple Adath Yeshurun, which named him Citizen of the Year in 2000.

Miron is survived by his wife of 64 years, Diane, their children, Trustee Nomi Bergman G’24 (Neal), Steve Miron (Jackie) and Lisa Sidel (Jaret Seiberg); grandchildren Becca Hayworth (Justin), Jimmy Miron (Elizabeth Hodges), Dori Bergman (Brandon Hacken), Danny Miron (Shay), Rachel Sidel, Anna Sidel, Allie Bergman, Ellie Sidel and Josh Sidel; great-grandson Solomon Hayworth; his sister, Mitzi Miron Shure (Jerry Wische); and many nieces, nephews, and cousins, including fellow Trustee Michael Newhouse.