The 2024–25 academic year marked a momentous chapter for Syracuse University Athletics—one defined not only by impressive achievements but by intentional progress, growth and the foundations of future success. From historic milestones and championship appearances to transformative facilities and academic accolades, Orange student-athletes made their mark in every arena. We look back at 10 unforgettable moments that defined an exceptional year for Syracuse’s 20 NCAA Division I teams and their enduring legacy.
Serafima Shastova claimed the ITA New England Regional singles title, securing her place at the NCAA Championships.
10. Shastova Claims Tennis Regional Title
In the fall, Syracuse women’s tennis newcomer Serafima Shastova punched her ticket to the NCAA Individual Championships in Waco, Texas, after being crowned singles champion of the Intercollegiate Tennis Association New England Regionals. She became the fourth Syracuse player in the last decade to win a singles regional championship. This spring, Shastova went 12-5 in singles, including seven Atlantic Coast Conference (ACC) wins, while adding 11 doubles victories. She was also named to the 2025 College Sports Communicators’ Academic All-District Team along with teammates senior Shiori Ito, sophomore Nelly Knezkova and junior Anastasia Sysoeva.
The women’s rowing team trains in the Barnes Center tank room during a season that led to their fifth consecutive NCAA Championship appearance.
9. Women’s Rowing Powers to Fifth Straight NCAA Appearance
For the fifth consecutive season, the women’s rowing team competed at the NCAA Championship, receiving an at-large bid. Syracuse placed third at the ACC Championship, with the Varsity Four taking home silver in its grand final and the Second Varsity Eight earning bronze. Junior Ellie-Kate Hutchinson received first-team All-ACC accolades, while graduate student Aphrodite Gioulekas and senior Zoe Acosta earned second-team All-ACC honors. Senior coxswain Caileigh Grimes also secured a spot on the All-ACC third team.
For the third time in four years, Brien Bell was named Coach of the Year.
8. Bell Wins Another Coach of the Year Honor
Syracuse cross country coach Brien Bell was named U.S. Track & Field and Cross Country Coaches Association Northeast Region Men’s Coach of the Year for the third time in the last four years after leading the Orange to a Northeast Region Championship and 11th-place finish at the NCAA Championships. Under Bell’s leadership, both the men’s and women’s programs finished in the top 20 at the NCAA Championships. In addition, 13 Syracuse cross country runners earned All-ACC Academic honors last fall for standout performances in the classroom and in competition.
Women’s cross country was one of 11 Syracuse teams who earned a perfect single-year APR score.
7. Orange Achieve New Academic Heights with Record APR
In the latest release of NCAA Academic Progress Rate (APR) data, Syracuse University earned a single-year score of 989 (out of 1,000) for the 2023-24 cohort—the highest score achieved in the past four years. APR is the NCAA’s academic metric that tracks the eligibility, retention and graduation of student-athletes. In addition to the overall department success, 11 teams earned a perfect single-year APR score, including women’s basketball, men’s cross country, women’s cross country, women’s ice hockey, men’s lacrosse, women’s lacrosse, women’s soccer, softball, men’s track and field, women’s track and field, and volleyball. It’s the seventh straight year that Syracuse has seen at least four of its programs receive perfect APR scores.
Emma Ward became the seventh Syracuse player to eclipse 300 career points and set the all-time assists record.
6. Ward Makes History with 300-Point Lacrosse Career
Emma Ward ’24, G’25 cemented her legacy as one of Syracuse women’s lacrosse’s all-time greats by surpassing the 300-point mark for her career with 324, becoming just the seventh player in program history to do so. She also finished her career as Syracuse’s all-time leader in assists with 169. This season, Ward was a Tewaaraton Award nominee and named to the Intercollegiate Women’s Lacrosse Coaches Association All-Northeast Region first team and All-ACC second team as she led Syracuse in points (76) and assists (46) and tied for second in goals with 30. With an at-large bid, the women’s lacrosse team made its 22nd NCAA Tournament appearance in program history.
Champion ’CUSE, a $50 million campaign, is redefining Syracuse Athletics through top-tier infrastructure and athlete development.
5. Champion ’CUSE: A $50M Vision for the Future
Syracuse University Athletics launched Champion ’CUSE: The Campaign for Syracuse Athletics. The three-year, $50 million fundraising campaign for its 20 NCAA Division I programs enables Syracuse to attract and retain champion-caliber student-athletes, ensuring their access to best-in-class training, facilities and resources. Amid significant changes across NCAA Division I athletics—including name, image, likeness (NIL) and an ACC-approved revenue-sharing plan—Champion ’CUSE gives the Orange a competitive advantage on and off the field. Much of this takes the form of programs supporting the holistic development of the University’s 550-plus student-athletes by fostering resilience, discipline and leadership.
The new Football Performance Center at the Lally Athletics Complex provides Syracuse athletes with modern training and recovery spaces.
4. New Football Facility Redefines Player Experience
This spring, Syracuse University unveiled its new state-of-the-art Football Performance Center at the John A. Lally Athletics Complex. The two-story building includes a top-of-the-line locker room, training center, players’ lounge, dining area, meeting rooms and coaches’ offices. The Lally Athletics Complex, which is undergoing a multi-phase transformation, includes the addition of the “One Team” Olympic Sports Center. This academic and athletic village features a world-class sports medicine hub, a student-athlete lounge and recovery space, as well as a modern dining center.
“It’s believing that you’re part of something bigger. A legacy of thinkers, doers, leaders, change-makers—that’s what it means to be Orange,” says Carmelo Anthony to the Class of 2025.
3. Carmelo Returns: Hall of Fame, Legacy and Commencement
Carmelo Anthony, who led Syracuse men’s basketball to its first NCAA championship in 2003, will be inducted into the Naismith Memorial Basketball Hall of Fame in September. Playing one year at Syracuse before getting drafted third overall by the Denver Nuggets, Anthony played 19 seasons in the NBA, was a 10-time NBA All-Star and won three Olympic gold medals with Team USA. He also became a philanthropist, entrepreneur and media personality, launching several brands and initiatives. His son, Kiyan, plans to join the Syracuse basketball team in the fall, continuing the family legacy. Anthony delivered Syracuse University’s 2025 Commencement address on May 11 at the JMA Wireless Dome.
Men’s lacrosse captured the program’s third ACC Tournament title en route to NCAA Championship Weekend.
2. Men’s Lacrosse Returns to Championship Weekend
Led by head coach Gary Gait ’90, Syracuse men’s lacrosse advanced to Championship Weekend and the national semifinals for the first time since 2013. In a thrilling NCAA quarterfinal, Syracuse triumphed over Princeton, 19-18, in a back-and-forth battle before ultimately falling to Maryland in the final four. The Orange captured the program’s third ACC Tournament title and first since 2016. Eight Syracuse players earned U.S. Intercollegiate Lacrosse Association All-America honors, including Sam English who was named to the first team. English was selected as the third overall pick in the Premier Lacrosse League Draft by the California Redwoods, while Owen Hiltz (Carolina Chaos), Michael Grace (New York Atlas) and Carter Rice (California Redwoods) rounded out a strong draft class for the Orange.
In his first year, Coach Fran Brown led Syracuse football to 10 wins, a bowl game victory and a top-20 ranking.
1. A New Era: Football’s Historic Season Under Fran Brown
In head coach Fran Brown’s debut year, Syracuse football capped off a historic season with a dominant victory over Washington State in the DIRECTV Holiday Bowl, culminating with an impressive 10–3 overall record and a spot at No. 20 in the final AP Top 25 poll. Brown received the Paul “Bear” Bryant Newcomer Coach of the Year Award, which honors the nation’s best first-year head coach. Senior quarterback Kyle McCord set the ACC’s single season passing yards record with 4,779 yards as he also etched his name in Syracuse’s record books with the most completions (391) and touchdowns (34) in a season. The team made program history in the NFL Draft with four players selected—the most since 2006. Tight end Oronde Gadsden II (Los Angeles Chargers), quarterback Kyle McCord (Philadelphia Eagles), running back LeQuint Allen Jr. (Jacksonville Jaguars), and defensive end Fadil Diggs (New Orleans Saints) all heard their names called during the draft.
