Sports SUmmary: John Wildhack puts his money where his mouth is with $1 million donation
Sports SUmmary: Wildhack donates $1 million to athletics department
Syracuse athletic director John Wildhack announced last Wednesday that he is donating $1 million to the athletics department. Wildhack wanted Syracuse athletics supporters to see that he was serious about investing in the school’s student-athletes and their experience.
“When I ask people to give, I want them to know that I have skin in the game,” Wildhack said in the release. “Amy [Wildhack’s wife] and I are blessed to be in a position where we can invest in all the young men and women we have met and the generations of student-athletes yet to come.”
Whether or not this donation was a lump sum or to be dispersed over time was not disclosed. In the earliest available statement, Wildhack made $770,313 in 2018, but he signed a contract extension through 2024-25. The terms of that agreement have not been released.
Wildhack hopes that the money can help improve Syracuse’s academic support center, as well as improve facilities for both the football team and non-revenue sports.
Men’s soccer delayed further after second cancellation
The men’s soccer game against Navy scheduled for this Friday, Sept. 25, has been cancelled. The announcement comes after last week’s exhibition match against Virginia was also cancelled.
This cancellation was most likely due to a member of the Syracuse men’s soccer team testing positive for COVID-19. Although no other players or staff have tested positive, team members are quarantining in accordance with CDC and New York State guidelines.
The Orange’s next game is scheduled for Saturday, Oct. 3 at 7 p.m. versus Pitt.
Women’s soccer drops season opener against Pitt
With COVID cancellations for men’s soccer and field hockey, women’s soccer was the only fall sport to start the season this weekend, joining football in the fight to completely play their semi-normal schedule.
But with the spotlight on them, Syracuse women’s soccer was unable to capitalize, losing to Pitt 0-2 on Thursday. Senior goalie Lysianne Proulx put on a 10-save performance – a tie for her career high – but it wasn’t enough to stop the Panthers, who outshot the Orange 27-4.
“It was an unfortunate result, but it felt so good to be back on the field tonight,” said head coach Nicky Adams in the Cuse.com recap. “I thought we had some first game jitters, especially with so many newcomers. Pitt did a great job capitalizing on our mistakes.”
Syracuse women’s soccer team will have a chance to redeem themselves when they face Louisville on Thursday, Oct. 1 at 7 p.m. That game will be available to watch on ACCN Extra.
No local coverage for football home opener
As announced a couple weeks ago, Syracuse fans won’t be allowed at sporting events for some time. Now, local fans, may have to miss out on the home opener – and unveiling of the Carrier Dome renovations – due to scheduling conflicts.
The local YES Network has the rights to the game, but Syracuse fans will instead have access to the New York Yankees and Miami Marlins game that starts at 1:05 p.m.
Syracuse’s lunchtime game against Georgia Tech will be available on the ACC Regional Sports Network, and fans in the area can also stream the game on the Fox Sports Go App. For the loyal fans that don’t have access to either, they can catch a delayed broadcast at midnight.
is the Sports Lead Producer for The NewsHouse.
