Thursday Is Pinstripe Bowl Champions Day & It Finally Makes Sense

Since 1897, Syracuse Orange fans have gathered on the first Thursday in September to celebrate Pinstripe Bowl Champions Day. And every year, we walk away from the celebration confused.

No one ever seemed to have any idea what the Pinstripe Bowl was, who its champion was and why it was important to us. Yet, there we were, every year, celebrating Pinstripe Bowl Champions Day as was our duty.

If Doug Marrone has given us anything in his short time as head football coach...it's that he has given Pinstripe Bowl Champions Day some meaning. Finally.

When third-year head coach Doug Marrone and the Orange take the field for their season opener against Wake Forest on Thursday at the Carrier Dome (8 p.m., ESPN3), Syracuse will celebrate its 2010 New Era Pinstripe Bowl Championship. The Championship banner will be unveiled in the Dome and prior to the game fans can see the bowl trophy on the Quad.

That's not alll...

• The first 5,000 fans in attendance will also receive a free limited edition replica Pinstripe Bowl Champions banner.
• During halftime against the Demon Deacons, SU will honor many of its former players in an on-field ceremony.

Finally, Pinstripe Bowl Champions Day makes sense AND Syracuse is going to honor folks like Da'Mon Merkerson. Two things long overdue...