Syracuse Football Will Return to Fort Drum During Fall Practice|Syracuse Hot Topics|Team BattleGround|College BattleGround

For the past four seasons, Syracuse Orange football has visited Fort Drum for preseason practices, a tradition started by Doug Marrone and continued under Scott Shafer. The trip has included practices, scrimmages, team-building exercises, and more while players and coaches got the opportunity to interact with military personnel.

On Wednesday, head coach Dino Babers told media that Syracuse will again be visiting Fort Drum during fall camp for the fifth straight year. The schedule is still being finalized, but in the past teams have stayed for a little under a week or so in mid-August.

Players like fifth-year senior center Jason Elmrich were excited, stating that the guys at Fort Drum are “just like part of the family.”

Syracuse also hosted soldiers from Fort Drum on Wednesday in a combine-styled workout for the second year in a row, further building the relationship between the football program and the army post. Participating players and soldiers got together for a breakfast after the event.

The football team visiting Fort Drum has become a successful tradition the past few years and it’s great to see Babers embracing it and allowing it to continue. Having an event like this continue despite coaching changes, and even major athletic department changes, is a testament to it’s significance to the players and the program.