The Dome is changing names, a Syracuse lacrosse legend returns

Sports SUmmary: The Dome is changing names

Report: JMA Wireless bought the Dome's naming rights from Syracuse University, ending a deal with Carrier that lasted over 40 years.
Published: April 19, 2022
The Carrier Dome
JMA Wireless purchased the Carrier Dome's naming rights from Syracuse University, according to a report by Sportico.

JMA Wireless buys the Dome’s naming rights:

Syracuse’s iconic sports venue, named the Carrier Dome for over 40 years, is changing names, according to a report from Sportico. JMA Wireless bought the naming rights to the Dome, which Carrier had owned since 1979.

When the Dome was built, Carrier paid Syracuse University $2.75 million for exclusive naming rights lasting as long as the venue stood. The school and Carrier recently settled and ended the agreement. Sportico reported the details of the settlement have not been announced.

Over 30,000 Syracuse fans filled the Dome against Duke this winter and set the 2021-22 NCAA Division I single-game basketball attendance record.

Syracuse all-time points leader will coach against her former team:

Katie Rowan Thomson, whose No. 21 was retired by Syracuse Athletics earlier this spring, returns to the Dome Tuesday night. Rowan now coaches Albany’s women’s lacrosse team and played for the Orange from 2005-09.

Rowan became the second SU female athlete to have her number retired after Felisha Legette-Jack, who now coaches Syracuse’s women’s basketball team. Rowan holds SU’s records for the most career points (396) and assists (164).

No. 4 Syracuse women’s lacrosse (12-3) hosts the Albany Great Danes at 4 p.m. on Tuesday.

Swider says farewell:

Cole Swider, the 6-foot-9 senior forward, will forgo his final year of collegiately eligibility to declare for the NBA draft. During his lone season in Syracuse, Swider averaged 13.9 points and 6.8 rebounds per game, while shooting 41% from 3-point range. He scored a career-high 36 points on Feb. 28 against North Carolina, the future NCAA national runners-up. 

The NBA is, of course, Plan A for Swider. He possesses the combination of size and shooting touch that NBA teams covet. But he said he remains open to playing professionally overseas if the opportunity is right.

Legette-Jack dominates transfer portal:

Felisha Legette-Jack has been busy retooling the women’s basketball program since being named head coach in late March. First, she signed on two of her long-time assistant coaches, Khyreed Carter and Kristen Sharkey.

In recent weeks, she’s added five transfers, including three from Buffalo: Georgia Woolley, Saniaa Wilson, and most recently, Cheyenne McEvans.

Woolley, a 6-foot guard from Australia, ranked second on the Bulls last season with 14.6 points per game. She was named the Mid-American Conference Freshman of the Year and to the All-MAC Third Team. Wilson, a 6-foot forward from Rochester, averaged 3.6 points and 4.4 rebounds in 10.9 minutes per game last season. McEvans, a Mid-American Conference All-Freshman guard in 2020-21, started just 10 games before injury shortened her 2021-22 campaign.

Also joining the Orange are transfers Olivia Owens, a 6-foot-4 Kentucky center, and Kyra Wood, a 6-foot-3 Temple forward.