Syracuse University Athletics holds a special place in the hearts of fans, creating a sense of pride that spans generations. That's because our championship culture is built on collective leadership—from student-athletes and coaches to alumni who continue to champion Orange excellence.
Here are a few recent examples of how this shared commitment has created winning moments this season.
Ian McIntyre Becomes Men’s Soccer’s Winningest Coach
Ian McIntyre is considered one of the brightest head coaches on the college circuit.
Men’s soccer head coach Ian McIntyre became the winningest coach in program history following a 3-0 victory over Colgate on Sept. 23. A hat trick by senior Carlos Zambrano—a feat not accomplished by a Syracuse player since 2019—contributed to McIntyre’s 142nd win.
“It was nice to break the record at home with this group of guys,” recalls the two-time ACC Coach of the Year.
During his 16 seasons at Syracuse, McIntyre has led the Orange to a national championship (2022), two ACC titles (2015 and 2022) and nine NCAA Tournament appearances.
Men’s Cross Country Team Continues To Shine as a National Power
The Syracuse University men’s cross country team proved once again to be among the nation’s top programs, placing fourth in the NCAA Division I Championships at Columbia, Missouri, and securing its best finish in the meet since a third-place showing in 2016.
The strong performance was Syracuse’s fourth straight top-12 finish and 17th straight appearance at the national meet. The Orange were led in the 10K race by senior Sam Lawler, who finished 31st in 29:00.6 and collected All-America honors for the third time, and senior Peter Walsdorf, who placed 37th (29:03.9) to also earn All-America accolades. Rounding out the scoring for Syracuse were senior Assaf Harari (48th), sophomore Benne Anderson (63rd) and junior Matthew Neill (73rd), with freshman Ben Gabelman (100th) and junior Louis Small (161st) also competing. In the women’s 6K championship, sophomore Selma Anderson finished 97th.
For head coach Brien Bell, it was the team’s best finish since he took over the program in 2018, after serving for 13 seasons as an assistant and associate head coach and helping build the program into a national power. The Orange—who finished behind champion Oklahoma State, New Mexico and Iowa State—led the way among ACC and other Eastern schools.
Heading into the nationals, Syracuse captured its second straight NCAA Northeast Regional Championship and finished second in the ACC meet.
Basketball Programs Boast ‘Winning Pedigree’
Head coach Felisha Legette-Jack ’89 is in her fourth season with the Orange.
All eyes are on basketball head coaches Adrian Autry ’94 and Felisha Legette-Jack ’89 as they return their respective programs to national glory.
In his third season with the men’s program, Autry has revamped his roster to include returning starters J.J. Starling ’27 and Donnie Freeman ’28, six transfers and a highly ranked freshman class led by Sadiq White and Kiyan Anthony, the latter of whom is the son of program legend Carmelo Anthony.
“Our players are fast, long and athletic,” says Autry, who took over the program from his mentor and former coach, Jim Boeheim ’66, G’73, H’24.
Legette-Jack, who is in her fourth season with the women’s program, is also sporting a new lineup. Leading the charge are co-captains Sophie Burrows ’27, the Orange’s returning leading scorer; Dominique Darius, a graduate transfer from USC and daughter of Syracuse football star Donovin Darius ’98; and Laila Phelia, a graduate transfer from Texas.
“Our players have confidence and a winning pedigree,” says Legette-Jack, noting the arrival of two other transfers and four new recruits. “They’re making an immediate impact.”
Orange Score in the Classroom
Syracuse student-athletes are recognized for their academic and athletic prowess.
One hundred and fifty-eight Syracuse student-athletes have been named to the 2025 All-ACC Academic Team. Honorees represent the following programs: football (17), women’s rowing (16), women’s soccer (16), women’s lacrosse (15), men’s lacrosse (14), cross country (13), men’s soccer (12), outdoor track and field (12), softball (11), volleyball (10), women’s basketball (9), indoor track and field (6), women’s tennis (5) and men’s basketball (2).
To qualify, student-athletes must achieve a 3.0 GPA for the semester and maintain a 3.0 cumulative GPA throughout their academic career and meet performance requirements established by the league for each sport.
Meanwhile, all 24 members of the women’s ice hockey team are part of the Atlantic Hockey America (AHA) All-Academic Team. Ten players have received the American Hockey Coaches Association’s All-American Scholars honors—the third most in the AHA.
Training for Success After Football
Head football coach Fran Brown has established a program to help players land a job in their field of study within 60 days of graduation.
In response to the hypercompetitiveness of the NFL draft, head football coach Fran Brown has created the Syracuse 60 program. The new program helps players land a job in their field of study within 60 days of graduation if they don’t get invited to an NFL training camp.
“It’s important to do something meaningful with your degree,” says Brown, noting that only 1.5% of student-athletes ever see the inside of an NFL locker room.
So far, Syracuse 60 has achieved a 100% success rate. “After year one, we’re 18-for-18,” says Brown, adding that 12 members of the 2024 team reached NFL training camps while six others found jobs in their career path.
Players are required to attend a weekly financial literacy course and are encouraged to start an LLC to manage their name, image and likeness earnings. Such steps ensure they have a foundation for managing long-term business ventures after college.
“It’s the difference between building a team and building a program,” Brown says.
Rowing Shines on Global Stage
On the heels of its first-ever ACC championship, the women’s rowing team is training for its spring season.
For the second year in a row, British native Ellie-Kate Hutchinson ’26 won the gold in the women’s four at the World Rowing Under-23 Championships. She competed in Poland alongside New Zealander graduate student Mackenzie Tuffin and Chilean Antonia Pichott ’28, who respectively placed ninth and 14th overall in the women’s double sculls.
The regatta also saw New Zealander Nicholas Bryan ’28 earn a silver medal in the men’s eight. He was one of eight Syracuse oarsmen, representing six countries, at the four-day event.
The men’s team posted its best finish at the Intercollegiate Rowing Association National Championship Regatta, placing sixth in team scoring. All four boats advanced to the Grand Final for the first time in program history.
Women’s Lacrosse Welcomes Regy Thorpe Era
Regy Thorpe ’01 returns to his alma mater to lead the women’s lacrosse program.
Women’s lacrosse is excited to welcome its fourth head coach in program history, Regy Thorpe ’01. The Hall of Famer brings a wealth of coaching experience at the college, international and professional levels, including a decade on Syracuse’s women’s lacrosse coaching staff.
“This is my dream job,” says Thorpe, who has guided teams to Championship Weekend eight times. “It’s great to be home.”
Among Thorpe’s staffers is former Orange standout Nicole Levy ’19, who previously coached with him at Florida.
Syracuse Toasts Orange Legends
Field hockey standout Alyssa Manley ’16 with Director of Athletics John Wildhack ’80.
Field hockey national champion and 2015 Honda Sports Award winner Alyssa Manley ’16 saw her jersey retired this fall. In addition to a Sept. 26th ceremony at J.S. Coyne Stadium, she’s being honored again on Nov. 29 in the JMA Wireless Dome.
Art Monk ’80 is revered as one of the greatest wide receivers of all time.
Manley captained field hockey to its first NCAA Championship and later represented Team USA in several international competitions, including the 2016 Olympics in Rio de Janeiro.
Her November celebration coincides with the return of all seven members of the men’s 2015 national championship cross country team. They included professional runner and former Olympian Justyn Knight ’18.
Manley joins College and Pro Football Hall of Famer Art Monk ’80, whose jersey retirement has been rescheduled for 2026. One of the greatest wide receivers in football history, he still leads the Orange in receptions and receiving yards for three straight seasons (1977-79).
Monk also played with the Washington Commanders, becoming a three-time Super Bowl champion, two-time First Team All-Pro and three-time Pro Bowl selection.
Five Alumni Named LetterWinners of Distinction
Director of Athletics' John Wildhack with this year’s LetterWinners of Distinction (from left): Crystal Kelch ’08, G’09, Halley Griggs ’10, Shannon Taylor ’08, Hal Cohen ’80 and Seamus Lyman ’95, G’01.
The 60th celebration of the LetterWinner of Distinction award was held at Drumlins Country Club on Nov. 1. The ceremony recognized Hal Cohen ’80 (men’s basketball), Halley Griggs ’10 (women’s lacrosse), Crystal Kelch ’08, G’09 (women’s soccer), Seamus Lyman ’95, G’01 (wrestling and men’s lacrosse) and Shannon Taylor ’08 (field hockey).
The LetterWinner of Distinction is one of the highest honors that Syracuse Athletics bestows on former student-athletes and teams. The award is a potent reminder of the transformative power of sport, emphasizing life skills and lessons learned through bold leadership and teamwork. It’s work that also aligns with the broader goals of the University to foster intellectual growth, person and social responsibility, and lifelong learning.
