Fans return to Carrier Dome 1 year since Covid shut its doors: ‘I’d take 100 tests to come back’ - syracuse.com

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Syracuse, N.Y. -- Clap by distant clap, a familiar sound returned to the Carrier Dome on Saturday afternoon when the Syracuse lacrosse team hosted Vermont.

It was a scattered noise, often hard to hear and mostly smothered by chirping players on both benches and the blaring stadium music.

But it carried a distinct and refreshing presence. For the first time in more than a year, fans were back in the Dome for an Orange sporting event.

A group of 248 well-distanced students watched Syracuse top the Catamounts 17-13. It was a true coming-out party for the renovated Dome and for the students themselves, many of whom have limited social opportunities because of the coronavirus.

“We just wanted to go to be in the Dome, be with people, other students. I definitely have been missing that part of the Syracuse experience,” said Katie Hageman, a junor.

“It was super-special to be back in the Dome, after having a really good time last year as a freshman. As soon as I had the chance to get back into the Dome, it was no doubt that I was going to go,” said sophomore Jacob Morrison. “I think it’s great that they are finally able to open the Dome, seeing that there isn’t a whole lot we can do.”

The last time the Dome hosted a game with fans was an Orange women’s basketball contest against Boston College on March 1. The coronavirus then shut everything down, and during the hiatus, the Dome underwent a massive facelift.

After New York state approved a limited return of fans earlier this week, Syracuse announced it would allow up to 900 students into Saturday’s game.

The students had to be tested Friday, then take another rapid test upon entering the building on Saturday.

“Everyone was in a good mood. All of the testers and the security guards were all really excited to have people back. So it was good vibes in there,” said sophomore Rose Kelly.

After taking the rapid tests, students were asked to wait in the upper-level end zone seats for a few minutes while the results came back. Once they passed, they were directed to sideline seating in the lower levels.

“(It was) completely worth it. I’d take 100 tests to come back to a game in the Dome,” said sophomore Kirsten Gunderson.

Syracuse took the field about an hour before game time. Instead of just hollering among themselves, the players now had the added support of screeches from the stands.

“I’m a guy who loves all our fans. I love Syracuse. I love the town. I love the city. I love the students, so to have the people in there who have supported us for a while means a lot to me,” said Orange goalie Drake Porter. “There were a couple boys in the crowd who were really juicing me up. I like that. It’s always appreciated.”

The fans were mostly enthusiastic, but their cheers were understandably lost in the still near-empty Dome. Shouts from the players echoed through the building and were clearly decipherable over the low-level fan din.

“It was eerily quiet in there when everyone kind of settled down for a second before the play starts,” Hageman said.

Perhaps the less vocal fans were distracted as they took in the new look of the Dome. Hardly anyone outside school officials, media and athletes have had a chance to see how the bright new colors and center-hung scoreboard pop.

“I think it’s great. I think the new scoreboard looks really nice,” Morrison said.

Syracuse has not yet announced its fan plan for the rest of the season. The next men’s lacrosse game is Friday when the team hosts Stony Brook.

“The players enjoyed that. I think they got a little bit of energy,” Syracuse coach John Desko said of Saturday’s crowd experiment. “It was just good to see people in the stands again, and hopefully they’ll be more next week and more the following week.”

Contact Lindsay Kramer anytime: Email | Twitter

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Fans return to Carrier Dome 1 year since Covid shut its doors: ‘I’d take 100 tests to come back’ - syracuse.com
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