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Many of us either attended Syracuse University, live/lived around the city of Syracuse or both. So it stands to reason that you’d occasionally run into individuals related to Syracuse Orange athletics — specifically, players and coaches.
Sure, there are plenty of “amazing” stories that probably come up there. But around TNIAAM, we’re constantly in the pursuit of something far less prestigious:
SeOnO
On Monday afternoon, Sean asked for SU fans’ most boring, mundane and inconsequential encounters with Syracuse athletes or coaches. And of course, there was plenty to share. We’ve categorized types of responses below, for easier navigation. My personal favorite is this response from a fan (no, I didn’t actually write this tweet).
Boeheim sightings
I made Jim Boeheim a pita when I worked at the Pita Pit on Marshall Street. He ordered grilled chicken. I said, "Here you go, coach." https://t.co/2iLl2VM5Fn
— Sarah Schuster (@saraheliztweets) April 30, 2018
Our team played Henninger in JV hoops and we were getting ready to watch varsity. A few of us went to the concession stand and Boeheim was getting a hot dog. We asked who he was there to see (Laz Sims), he said he was just grabbing dinner.
— Tom Badolato (@tombads23) May 1, 2018
2005, we were taping the CitrusTV NCAA Tournament Preview in front of the trophy case at Manley. We were making predictions for each region, and I took Arizona to win their region. At that exact moment, Boeheim walked past and shot me a look like I was a complete moron.
— Adam Shinder (@RecorderShinder) May 1, 2018
Drunk putt-putt on a Saturday afternoon with pals in '05. Course is almost empty; we're being loud, obnoxious. We catch up to only other group there: Coach Boeheim and his boys. We get quiet soon as we see it's him. He shakes his head, laughs. "You fellas play through," he says.
— Pete Freedman (@PeteFreedman) May 1, 2018
On the night of the 2000 National Championship Game in Indy, I encountered Coach Boeheim at the mall across from the Hoosier Dome.
— Chris Dobbertean (@ChrisDobbertean) May 1, 2018
Saw Boeheim at the Bruegger's near South Campus at least 5 times in my Senior Year. Same thing each day, bacon egg and cheese and coffee.
— Zach Chase (@zachchase24) May 1, 2018
1980 or 81, Boeheim came to the lobby of Brewster/Boland with Andre Hawkins for a Dorm sponsored "event". there were about 8 of us there to ask questions.
— dockitec (@dockitec) April 30, 2018
I also encountered him reading and drinking coffee at Barnes & Noble when he was serving his suspension as a coach....
— MargaretSThompson (@mstfromsu) April 30, 2018
Food encounters
Mike Hopkins once seated me at Tully’s during the year between when he graduated and when he joined the staff as a graduate assistant. He still had a full head of hair. https://t.co/Aei0aIPp79
— Ian Lozada (@ianlozada) May 1, 2018
Circa 2009, I was in my car outside the Clarks Summit, PA, Krispy Kreme when Ryan Nassib spotted my @Cuse gear and then enthusiastically pointed to the block S on his sweatpants.
— John Nolan (@John_G_Nolan) May 1, 2018
Runner-up: Seeing Coach Autry at Chili’s after a game.
David Tyree ate Taco Bell next to me at Kimmel one night https://t.co/hdozolVGdU
— Chris Brockman (@chrisbrockman) May 1, 2018
I was at Sliders when they tried charging me extra for free toppings. As I argued my case, I noticed freshman Michael Carter-Williams at a nearby table. When I first interviewed him a month or two later, he immediately recognized me as the guy who complained at Sliders. ♂️ https://t.co/XRdSznU7pN
— Eric Silverman (@ericcsilverman) May 1, 2018
Kristof Ongenaet asked me if I recommended the pickles in a bag at Goldstein.
— Erika (@edwards_erikam) April 30, 2018
Bars/booze-related shenanigans
I was at Chuck’s and it was packed. I was like 3 people deep trying to get a pitcher, waving around money to no avail. All of the sudden I get hoisted up like a small child so now I’m towering over the crowd. I get my pitcher. I look back to see my savior, Orinze Onuaku. My hero.
— Sean Collins (@KillaColls) May 1, 2018
Waiting in line at Skytop with @seanfarrell92 when Devo rolls up to the cashier with a literal cart of liquor bottles the night before Mayfest.
— Andrew Pregler (@acpregler) May 1, 2018
Studying at Bird Library during finals week. And a pissed off Scoop Jardine yells outta nowhere “fuck this, I’m going to flip night.”
— Jason Law (@jasonthelaw) May 1, 2018
Was at a party on South Campus, Kevin Drew walked out of the woods, asked for a dip, which no one had, and then he walked back into the woods.
— Ben Norowski (@bjnorowski) May 1, 2018
Fab melo walked up to my fraternity lawn. Grabbed a ping pong ball and tossed it into a beer cup and immediately said national champs. And then walked away
— Adam Bottorff (@ABott22) May 1, 2018
drunkenly offered Fab Melo a pickle at Jimmy John's. Gave CJ Fair a Bud light at mayfest. https://t.co/S19CuSRRkd
— I feel sorry for the baseballs (@TheMikeHeld) April 30, 2018
“Potpourri”
Derrick Coleman at the Crown in Armory Square. My friend got an autograph for her son and started to spell his name for him, he snapped “I know how to spell it”. That was it.
— Patti (@pattiscanlon) May 1, 2018
We needed a 10th person for 5 on 5 pick up at Archbold back in 2011 or 2012. Mookie happened to be there so I asked if he could be 10th. He politely declined.
— Unstable Cuse Fan (@Cuse2015) May 1, 2018
Was in the San Diego airport and a man looked at me and said nice hat, had a Syracuse hat on, and it was Jim Brown!
— Tom Stannard (@tstannard1744) May 1, 2018
Sitting in the OBGYN waiting room with Gerry McNamara while his pregnant wife and mine were both in for their appointments. I smiled awkwardly while his oldest child made him chase her around the room.
— Matthew Carr (@IAmMattCarr) May 1, 2018
I worked at the Chase on the SU Hill, Mike Hopkins was depositing a check once. He looked me in the eye and said “make sure you put that in the right account.” I complied with his reasonable demands.
— mcuse (@mcatcuse) May 1, 2018
Got my haircut next to Ross DiLegro once. He did not enjoy my takes about Syracuse being unprepared defensively during the 2006-07 campaign. https://t.co/uQWP5nEqxL
— John Cassillo (@JohnCassillo) May 1, 2018
What are your favorites from the list above? And what stories do the rest of you have to share? Keep in mind this is less about the “best” story in the traditional sense. So more likely to fall in line with seeing Jim Boeheim at Wegmans than any time you partied all night with Billy Edelin in New Orleans.