Mark Lamping, president and CEO of New Meadowlands Stadium Corporation, and Dr. Daryl Gross, Syracuse University director of athletics, announced today that the NMS and SU will extend their current working relationship to include 10 additional Syracuse football games.
The new agreement extends an existing partnership between the NMS and Syracuse, adding 10 games to four previously announced match-ups with the University of Southern California in September 2012, Penn State in August 2013, Notre Dame in September 2014, and Notre Dame in September 2016. The 10 additional games will be scheduled between 2019 and 2038.
"A Syracuse University football game showcases the school's signature levels of energy, spirit, and high-caliber competition," said Lamping. "We are thrilled to extend our partnership with the Orange and their huge fan base."
"Our games in the New Meadowlands will provide a great opportunity for alumni in the tri-state area to attend games with family and friends and for our fans in Central New York to take family and friends to New York City for a nice weekend that includes Syracuse football," said head coach Doug Marrone. "New Meadowlands is a state-of-the-art facility that provides a special experience for our student-athletes. For our team to play there on a regular basis in the coming years will greatly enhance to the profile of our program and the university."
"Syracuse University appreciates the opportunity to play at New Meadowlands Stadium, a first-class facility that also happens to be home to many of our most loyal fans," said Gross. "Our alumni base in the New York metropolitan area is strong. Just as our fans have followed the basketball team for many years at Madison Square Garden, we expect the same dominant orange crowd support for New York's college team at the New Meadowlands.
"As the only BCS team in the state of New York, we feel it is our responsibility to represent the state and the region to the best of our ability. Playing at the New Meadowlands allows us to showcase the Syracuse brand in the most global way while generating tremendous recruiting opportunities and resources to enhance football."
Syracuse Football first visited the Meadowlands in 1979, playing two 'home' games, vs. Penn. State and vs. West Virginia, when the Carrier Dome was under construction. The Orange have a 5-3 record in the Meadowlands, including three victories against Rutgers and wins against Wisconsin and West Virginia.
Syracuse is the 14th-winningest program in college football. It is one of only two schools with national championships in football, men's basketball and men's lacrosse. Syracuse has 22 bowl game appearances and has earned invitations to all four Bowl Championship Series Bowl games.
With 17 former players and coaches in the College Football Hall of Fame, Syracuse is one of just seven schools with that many representatives. Syracuse has six representatives in the Pro Football Hall of Fame, one of eight schools with at least six alums enshrined. Syracuse is one of just 35 schools to have a Heisman Trophy winner. Syracuse's Ernie Davis was the first African-American to win the Heisman Trophy in 1961.
The Syracuse men's lacrosse team participated in the first sporting event at the NMS, beating Princeton in the Konica Minolta Big City Classic in April 2010. The team will return for the same tournament this year, meeting Duke on April 3.
On March 26, the U.S. Men's National Soccer Team will take to the New Meadowlands field for a friendly match against two-time FIFA World Cup champion Argentina.
The New Meadowlands Stadium, home to the Jets and the Giants, sets the standard for venue excellence, with state-of-the-art technology, comfort and amenities. The only active venue to serve as the home stadium for two NFL teams, the New Meadowlands hosts 20 NFL games per season, more than any other complex.
With a full seating capacity of 82,500, New Meadowlands Stadium is the third-largest stadium in the NFL and has more HD video square footage than any other in North America. It boasts numerous dining options and a brand new rail line that drops fans off directly at the front door. In 2010 the stadium was selected to host Super Bowl XLVIII in 2014.
For more information, visit www.newmeadowlandsstadium.com.
