Celebrate National Siblings Day with these Syracuse siblings

In celebration of National Sibling Day, let’s look at some of those Syracuse Orange athletes who have competed alongside their brothers and/or sisters. I know many of you believe that the Cooney Brothers (Trevor, Terry, Tyler, Tony, Tito, and Gerry) stand alone in the pantheon of Syracuse Orange siblings, but there are others who have accomplished great things as well.

It should come as no surprise that Syracuse Lacrosse brings us the most famous siblings. Gary and Paul Gait helped the Orange usher in a new era of lacrosse as they brought speed, skill, and flair. I’m sure you’ve seen the Air Gait goal, but how about this hidden-ball wizardry

Younger Orange fans might think of the Powell Brothers when they think of Syracuse siblings. Casey, Ryan, and Mike took the Gaits flair and skill and put their own stamp on the lacrosse world. They are the top three point scorers in Syracuse lacrosse history.

Dylan Donahue followed his brother Collin as a member of the Orange lacrosse team. Dylan finished his Orange career 12th in career points scored and now younger sister Erica leads the Syracuse women’s lacrosse team in scoring in 2017.

Orange Head Coach John Desko was an Honorable Mention All-American player for Syracuse in 1979. His younger brothers Jeff and Dave also reached All-American status as members of the Orange in the 80s.

When you turn to Syracuse football, I initially forgot Art & Chandler Jones on my list. A glaring omission on my behalf, but I’m sure Brian Kelly Geno Smith wish they could forget about this duo who disrupted backfields throughout their Syracuse careers.

Before the Jones’ brothers, you siblings Kyle and Ian McIntosh who competed for the Orange in the late 90s. Kyle was a starting running back while Ian patrolled the defensive backfield. They were joined on campus at that time by the Pilon brothers (Marc and Jeff).

Michael & Billy Owens left their mark on Syracuse Athletics. Michael’s 2-pt conversion clinched the win over West Virginia and sent the 1987 Orange football team to the Sugar Bowl. Billy’s three years for the Orange basketball team were highlighted by his selection as Big East Player of the Year for the 1990-91 season.

The 90s was full of successful siblings at Syracuse. Tennis had Jana & Nicole Strnadova (both All-Americans) as well Corinna & Cordula Bode (both members of All Big-East teams). Swimming had Miro &Josko Vuscetic (school record holders), Eleanor & Eliza Thoet, wrestling had Seamus & Paul Lyman, while track & field featured Adrienne & Melanie Scherenzel (Melanie holds the Syracuse 800m outdoor record).

In more recent sibling news, Briana and Bria Day just finished their Syracuse careers last month. The twins helped the Orange women’s basketball program through the best four-year stretch in team history.

Syracuse soccer alum Miles Robinson is now a member of the Atlanta United in MLS, but he followed his older sister Rebecca to Syracuse. Rebecca was a sprinter on the Orange track team and a former school record holder.

I’m sure I’ve missed plenty of Orange siblings, so let me know in the comments who you remember, and which ones are your favorite.