Syracuse fans rally for student groups and Orange basketball earns national nod
Syracuse University is aiming for 113 donors before the Oct. 31 football game, while Orange basketball’s Aiden Tobiason lands on a national watch list. These moments highlight the energy and pride that make Central New York a special place to call home.
One hundred thirteen donors is the magic number for Syracuse University supporters this Halloween weekend, as the campus community comes together for a playful fundraising challenge tied to the Oct. 31 football game against Southern Methodist University. If the goal is met before the noon kickoff, Chancellor J. Michael Haynie will be slimed during the third quarter, Syracuse University News reports.
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Every donation, whether $5 or $50, goes directly to supporting student organizations and the events and opportunities they create across campus. The campaign’s target, 113 donors, nods to Haynie’s role as Syracuse’s 13th chancellor, adding a local twist to the effort. With the deadline set for noon on game day, Orange fans are rallying to reach the goal and see their chancellor take a good-natured slime bath at the JMA Wireless Dome.
By The Numbers
- 113: Number of donors needed to slime Chancellor Haynie at the Oct. 31 football game, per Syracuse University News
- 15.3: Points per game averaged by Aiden Tobiason last season at Temple, according to the Daily Orange
- 20: Players named to the Julius Erving Award Watch List, including Tobiason, per the Daily Orange
- 80.0%: Free throw percentage for Tobiason last season, per the Daily Orange
- 33.7%: Three-point shooting percentage for Tobiason last season, per the Daily Orange
Campus spirit and community support
The fundraising challenge is more than just a chance to see Chancellor Haynie get slimed. It’s a show of campus spirit and a reminder of how Central New York rallies around its students. Every dollar raised supports student organizations, which means more events, more opportunities, and more reasons for students to get involved on campus and in the wider Syracuse community, according to Syracuse University News.
With the football game falling on Halloween weekend, the event brings a festive energy to the JMA Wireless Dome, right in central Syracuse. The playful nature of the challenge, sliming the chancellor, adds to the fun, and the focus on student support reflects the values that make Syracuse a great college town.
For those heading to the game, the Dome is easily accessible from I-81 and I-690, with parking options around the university and in nearby neighborhoods like Eastwood and Tipp Hill. The event is a highlight for students and alumni alike, and it’s another example of how CNY’s college-town energy meets its blue-collar roots.
Orange basketball’s national recognition
While football fans gear up for Halloween weekend, Syracuse men’s basketball is making headlines of its own. Junior Aiden Tobiason, who transferred to the Orange from Temple this offseason, has been named to the Julius Erving Award Watch List, the Daily Orange reports. The award honors the nation’s top small forward, and Tobiason is one of just 20 players nationwide to make the list.
Tobiason’s stats from last season at Temple, 15.3 points per game, 33.7% from three-point range, and 80.0% from the free throw line, earned him a spot among the best at his position. He joins three other Atlantic Coast Conference players on the watch list: Dame Sarr (Duke), Amani Hansberry (Virginia Tech), and Shelton Henderson (Miami), according to the Daily Orange.
The Orange’s season tips off Monday against New Haven, and fans can vote for the Julius Erving Award starting Friday. The watch list will be narrowed to 10 players in February and five in March, giving CNY basketball fans plenty to watch as the season unfolds.
Tobiason suffered a hamstring injury in SU’s first exhibition game against UConn, and his return date is unknown, the Daily Orange reports. Still, his recognition on the national stage is a point of pride for the Orange faithful and the wider Syracuse community.
Why these moments matter for CNY
Events like the campus fundraiser and national basketball honors are more than just headlines, they’re reminders of what makes Central New York unique. The playful slime challenge at the JMA Wireless Dome joins students, alumni, and fans from across Syracuse and neighboring towns like DeWitt, Salina, and Geddes. It’s a chance for everyone to support student organizations and celebrate the energy that defines college life in CNY.
Meanwhile, Tobiason’s spot on the Julius Erving Award Watch List puts Syracuse basketball in the national conversation and gives fans another reason to cheer as the season begins. With the Orange’s home games drawing crowds from across Onondaga County and beyond, the recognition is a boost for the city’s sports culture.
For those looking for more community events or the latest on Syracuse sports, these stories show how CNY’s local pride and college-town energy go hand in hand.
What’s next for fans and students
With the donor challenge running until noon on Oct. 31, there’s still time for Orange fans to pitch in and help reach the 113-donor goal. Every gift supports student organizations, making a direct impact on campus life. The third-quarter slime event promises a memorable moment for those in the stands and watching from home.
On the basketball front, fans can look forward to the season opener against New Haven and keep an eye on Tobiason’s recovery. Voting for the Julius Erving Award opens Friday, giving CNY basketball supporters a chance to help shape the national conversation.
For updates on Syracuse traffic and road closures around the Dome or other event venues, check our dedicated page before heading out.
Where to check for updates
For the latest on Syracuse University events and athletics, visit the official university news site and athletics page. For ongoing coverage of community happenings and local sports, follow CNY Signal’s community events and Syracuse sports sections.
📷 Wikimedia / Wikipedia , Syracuse University , CC BY-SA 4.0 / Public Domain (verify per file)
Sources
- Syracuse University News, fundraising challenge and event details
- Daily Orange, Aiden Tobiason’s award nomination and basketball statistics
