This uniform could become reality. Sort of.
Today, voters all across New York State are voting on school budgets and school board members. Here in Elmira, things are no different. Regardless of whether the budget here passes or not, the Elmira City School District's board of education has already voted on and approved a measure to combine sports programs. Currently there are two high schools in Elmira -- Elmira Free Academy (Blue Devils) and Southside High School (Green Hornets) -- and each school fields teams in many sports. That all will change this fall.
In a clear attempt to save money, the school board thought it more feasible for the district to financially support a combined district-wide sports program, instead of separate teams for the two high schools. Whether this will indeed save money remains to be seen, but what is certain is that the new merged teams will highlight the all-stars from each of the schools, while some of the lower talent at each of the schools will find themselves left off the roster.
What does this have to do with Ernie Davis? Well, for starters, it initially brought to mind for me the mini-uproar, locally at least, when the film The Express featured Ernie Davis wearing a jersey for "Elmira High School" during the recruitment scenes. While the dialog clearly made reference to Ernie playing for Elmira Free Academy, evidently the wardrobe department never got that memo when costuming that scene. But on a more practical and relevant level, the connection to Ernie is this: "The Elmira Express" is one of the potential new names for the combined Elmira teams.
The Elmira School District has set up a website for the public to vote on a choice of potential nicknames for the new team, or submit their own suggestion. "The Express" is currently competing against such names as Cougars, Titans, Eagles, and Falcons. Additionally, the public can voice their opinion on the team's primary color: red, orange, black, blue, green, or teal. Yep, that's right. This fall, Elmira could field a football team decked out in orange jerseys named The Elmira Express.
Then again, we could see teal Cougars. This could end badly.
I have faith in the citizens of Elmira to make the right decision here. Still, it might not hurt for the loyal readers of Orange::44 to go check out the voting page. Now, I'm not telling you how to vote, but...
Update: The field has been narrowed to Express and Titans, while the color schemes have been narrowed to black/white/red or black/white/teal. Orange is out of the running. It was a short dream, but a dream nonetheless. Students and Elmira residents have the opportunity to vote on their final selections starting May 20. While the vote is non-binding, a committee of students, parents, teachers and coaches will consider the tally in making their final decision.
Labels: Elmira, Ernie Davis, Syracuse Football, The Express
Ernie Davis Legends Field of Awesomeness & Rainbows of Karate & Friendship
1 Comments Published on 10.02.2009 by Brian Harrison
Great player, and greater person.“Ernie Davis Legends Field.” Did you say it as awkwardly as I did? As soon as I saw this announcement I was instantly disgusted. Not because of the subject that it is intended to honor, because that is very worthy. No, it was the choices that the Athletic Department has made and continues to make.
The marketing department, headed by one Lael Gross (a certified unqualified person in the position that I’ve written about before) has churned out an endless list of retired numbers, halftime honors, and assorted plaques and awards that are about as meaningful and valid as a coupon for Darwin’s Pub. News flash to the marketing department; no one really cares about this stuff. People just want to see a competitive game, and their team win. I’m glad Coach Mac got into the Hall of Fame and he had a halftime ceremony. But will the simple fact of him being honored at halftime bring in even one more paid admission? I am guessing not at all. And I’m all for honoring my Hometown Hero Ernie Davis as I said. But this whole Legends Field thing is ridiculous. Either make it Legends Field, or Ernie Davis Field (or seeing as there is a banner in the Dome saying “Greatest Player Ever” for Jim Brown, maybe him), but don’t have it both. And don’t make this some ridiculous spectacle as well.
I also like how it took a “gift” for them to come up with this idea. Meaning were it not for a boatload of cash from Sam and Carol Nappi, whoever the hell they are, nothing would have changed. Now with a statue on campus, and a newly constructed (almost finished) dorm on campus, I think Ernie would be alright without his name on the field. I actually wouldn’t mind Legends Field, but this is yet another blight from an underexperienced, delusional Athletic Department.
The marketing department, headed by one Lael Gross (a certified unqualified person in the position that I’ve written about before) has churned out an endless list of retired numbers, halftime honors, and assorted plaques and awards that are about as meaningful and valid as a coupon for Darwin’s Pub. News flash to the marketing department; no one really cares about this stuff. People just want to see a competitive game, and their team win. I’m glad Coach Mac got into the Hall of Fame and he had a halftime ceremony. But will the simple fact of him being honored at halftime bring in even one more paid admission? I am guessing not at all. And I’m all for honoring my Hometown Hero Ernie Davis as I said. But this whole Legends Field thing is ridiculous. Either make it Legends Field, or Ernie Davis Field (or seeing as there is a banner in the Dome saying “Greatest Player Ever” for Jim Brown, maybe him), but don’t have it both. And don’t make this some ridiculous spectacle as well.
I also like how it took a “gift” for them to come up with this idea. Meaning were it not for a boatload of cash from Sam and Carol Nappi, whoever the hell they are, nothing would have changed. Now with a statue on campus, and a newly constructed (almost finished) dorm on campus, I think Ernie would be alright without his name on the field. I actually wouldn’t mind Legends Field, but this is yet another blight from an underexperienced, delusional Athletic Department.
Labels: Athletic Department, Carrier Dome, Ernie Davis
1961 Heisman Trophy Winner Ernie DavisEditors Note: This is part four of a four part series on the legacy of Ernie Davis in his hometown of Elmira, New York. This is to show the very prominent position Ernie Davis still has in Elmira today, as well as lead up to the world premier of The Express in Syracuse, New York on Friday September 12th. Part one can be found here, part two can be found here, part three can be found here.
Ernie Davis lived his life to the fullest in the short time he was on this earth. However, he died far too young and with too much potential left in him. Upon his death, he was buried in Woodlawn Cemetery in Elmira, located at 1200 Walnut Street. He is buried among other famous Elmirans including Mark Twain, John Jones, Hal Roach, and most notably for me is my father. It is a sprawling, beautiful cemetery located minutes from the Elmira Correctional Facility, Downtown Elmira, and the Arnot Ogden Medical Center.
Here, Ernie Davis has a fairly large headstone, which is detailed very modestly. At the top it simply reads “Ernie Davis, Heisman Trophy 1961”. In the bottom right corner it reads “Ernest R., 1939-1963”. This grave, although not in my pictures, usually at various points in the year has different items people have left for him in his memory. There is usually a football placed at the base of the stone, and various cards and mementos left for him. As you can see, people still place flowers on the grave regularly. This is his final resting place after only a short life lived to the fullest.
While Davis may be gone, clearly his memory, especially in his hometown, lives on. That legacy will be even more solidified tonight with the world premier of The Express, the movie about his life. I will be in attendance this evening to chronicle “The Orange Carpet” events, and give my thoughts on the movie when I return. Look for that on Sunday or Monday, along with my post-mortem of the Penn State game. While Syracuse football future remains unclear, one thing is certain; the legacy of Ernie Davis is secure, even before the movie, in his hometown of Elmira, New York, who will never forget not only his innate athletic ability, but his good citizenship and desire to give back to those around him. He is truly missed. The full gallery of all my pictures of the various Davis related sights can be found here.
Ernie Davis lived his life to the fullest in the short time he was on this earth. However, he died far too young and with too much potential left in him. Upon his death, he was buried in Woodlawn Cemetery in Elmira, located at 1200 Walnut Street. He is buried among other famous Elmirans including Mark Twain, John Jones, Hal Roach, and most notably for me is my father. It is a sprawling, beautiful cemetery located minutes from the Elmira Correctional Facility, Downtown Elmira, and the Arnot Ogden Medical Center.
Here, Ernie Davis has a fairly large headstone, which is detailed very modestly. At the top it simply reads “Ernie Davis, Heisman Trophy 1961”. In the bottom right corner it reads “Ernest R., 1939-1963”. This grave, although not in my pictures, usually at various points in the year has different items people have left for him in his memory. There is usually a football placed at the base of the stone, and various cards and mementos left for him. As you can see, people still place flowers on the grave regularly. This is his final resting place after only a short life lived to the fullest.
While Davis may be gone, clearly his memory, especially in his hometown, lives on. That legacy will be even more solidified tonight with the world premier of The Express, the movie about his life. I will be in attendance this evening to chronicle “The Orange Carpet” events, and give my thoughts on the movie when I return. Look for that on Sunday or Monday, along with my post-mortem of the Penn State game. While Syracuse football future remains unclear, one thing is certain; the legacy of Ernie Davis is secure, even before the movie, in his hometown of Elmira, New York, who will never forget not only his innate athletic ability, but his good citizenship and desire to give back to those around him. He is truly missed. The full gallery of all my pictures of the various Davis related sights can be found here.
Labels: Ernie Davis, The Express
1961 Heisman Trophy Winner Ernie Davis Editors Note: This is part three of a four part series on the legacy of Ernie Davis in his hometown of Elmira, New York. This is to show the very prominent position Ernie Davis still has in Elmira today, as well as lead up to the world premier of The Express in Syracuse, New York on Friday September 12th. Part one can be found here, part two can be found here.
While Ernie Davis has been gone from this earth for many years now, his legacy obviously lives on. Now in this instance, when I say legacy I am not talking about his great football playing, or even the fact he was a Heisman Trophy. Rather, I am talking about his legacy as a good citizen and a hard worker.
In Elmira, a mere half a block from the Ernie Davis Middle School at 362 East Fifth Street is the Ernie Davis Community Center. Here there are several activities for local youths, including mentoring and tutoring, martial arts, cultural dance, seniors program, daily recreation, educational programming, arts and crafts and field trips. It is here that the true reputation of Davis lives on. He was just as well known for being a gentleman and a scholar as his football playing.
This is where the continued message that education will get you everywhere lives on in Davis’ memory. Kids in the Elmira community have many doors opened to them because of the Ernie Davis Community Center and they will continue for many years to come. This is exactly what Ernie would want to be remembered for, even over the Heisman Trophy.
While Ernie Davis has been gone from this earth for many years now, his legacy obviously lives on. Now in this instance, when I say legacy I am not talking about his great football playing, or even the fact he was a Heisman Trophy. Rather, I am talking about his legacy as a good citizen and a hard worker.
In Elmira, a mere half a block from the Ernie Davis Middle School at 362 East Fifth Street is the Ernie Davis Community Center. Here there are several activities for local youths, including mentoring and tutoring, martial arts, cultural dance, seniors program, daily recreation, educational programming, arts and crafts and field trips. It is here that the true reputation of Davis lives on. He was just as well known for being a gentleman and a scholar as his football playing.
This is where the continued message that education will get you everywhere lives on in Davis’ memory. Kids in the Elmira community have many doors opened to them because of the Ernie Davis Community Center and they will continue for many years to come. This is exactly what Ernie would want to be remembered for, even over the Heisman Trophy.
Labels: Ernie Davis, The Express
1961 Heisman Trophy Winner Ernie DavisEditors Note: This is part two of a four part series on the legacy of Ernie Davis in his hometown of Elmira, New York. This is to show the very prominent position Ernie Davis still has in Elmira today, as well as lead up to the world premier of The Express in Syracuse, New York on Friday September 12th. Part one can be found here.
Ernie Davis went to Elmira Free Academy, one of the two public high schools in Elmira. At the time, it was located at 610 Lake Street in Elmira, before a new EFA was built across town. Notable alumni of EFA include Eileen Collins, Hal Roach, Tommy Hilfiger, as well as my mother. But when EFA moved across town and made its previous building a middle school, they renamed it to Ernie Davis Junior High. Now Ernie Davis Middle School, it has a very famous statue of Davis out front. It also has a plaque with very inspiring words. The statue itself is a pride of the city and the community and there is even a picture of it in the display case outside the Ernie Davis room at the Carrier Dome.
One of the highest honors a community can give to an individual is name a school after them, and Elmira did that for Ernie Davis. Every student that passes through school on the north side of Elmira will attend the school and learn of his legacy. This will continue to make sure that his sportsmanship and good nature will not be forgotten.
Ernie Davis went to Elmira Free Academy, one of the two public high schools in Elmira. At the time, it was located at 610 Lake Street in Elmira, before a new EFA was built across town. Notable alumni of EFA include Eileen Collins, Hal Roach, Tommy Hilfiger, as well as my mother. But when EFA moved across town and made its previous building a middle school, they renamed it to Ernie Davis Junior High. Now Ernie Davis Middle School, it has a very famous statue of Davis out front. It also has a plaque with very inspiring words. The statue itself is a pride of the city and the community and there is even a picture of it in the display case outside the Ernie Davis room at the Carrier Dome.
One of the highest honors a community can give to an individual is name a school after them, and Elmira did that for Ernie Davis. Every student that passes through school on the north side of Elmira will attend the school and learn of his legacy. This will continue to make sure that his sportsmanship and good nature will not be forgotten.
Labels: Ernie Davis, The Express
1961 Heisman Trophy Winner Ernie Davis Editors Note: This is part one of a four part series on the legacy of Ernie Davis in his hometown of Elmira, New York. This is to show the very prominent position Ernie Davis still has in Elmira today, as well as lead up to the world premier of The Express in Syracuse, New York on Friday September 12th.
Ernie Davis came to Elmira, New York at the age of 12, but it was always what he considered his hometown. Everyday in Elmira he built a reputation of not only being a good athlete, but a great person as well. For the purposes of this series however, I am going to assume that you are a true fan and already know most of the Ernie Davis story. This article is about the legacy he has left in the town he grew up in, as well as my hometown. This is about the legacy he has left in Elmira and how Elmira remembers him.
In this first part, we take a look at a fixture now in Elmira, New York. This is something that most strangers visiting the area for the firs time encounter. The “Welcome To Elmira” sign is something that all travelers to Elmira get a chance to see when they first enter town taking Exit 56 off of Interstate 86, formerly Route 17. Former Elmira Mayor Stephen Hughes had it erected in 2003 after a slogan contest. The city slogan, which is present on the sign, now reads “Honoring the Past, Building the Future”. The sign certainly honors the past. Present left to right on the sign are famous people that are either originally from Elmira, or called Elmira their home for a significant portion of their life. They are Brian Williams (Anchor of NBC’s Nightly News), Hal Roach (A film pioneer), Ernie Davis, Mark Twain (Famous American writer and humorist), Eileen Collins (First female space shuttle pilot and Syracuse Alumnae), John Jones (Former slave and abolitionist), and Tommy Hilfiger (Clothing designer). Of course, Ernie Davis was included among some of the most beloved Elmirans.
Because of this sign, it is instantly recoganizable that Ernie Davis is from Elmira. I myself saw him every morning on the way to work this summer, as many locals do. It is one of the most recoganizeable and renound signs in the area and it is a point of pride for the City.
Ernie Davis came to Elmira, New York at the age of 12, but it was always what he considered his hometown. Everyday in Elmira he built a reputation of not only being a good athlete, but a great person as well. For the purposes of this series however, I am going to assume that you are a true fan and already know most of the Ernie Davis story. This article is about the legacy he has left in the town he grew up in, as well as my hometown. This is about the legacy he has left in Elmira and how Elmira remembers him.
In this first part, we take a look at a fixture now in Elmira, New York. This is something that most strangers visiting the area for the firs time encounter. The “Welcome To Elmira” sign is something that all travelers to Elmira get a chance to see when they first enter town taking Exit 56 off of Interstate 86, formerly Route 17. Former Elmira Mayor Stephen Hughes had it erected in 2003 after a slogan contest. The city slogan, which is present on the sign, now reads “Honoring the Past, Building the Future”. The sign certainly honors the past. Present left to right on the sign are famous people that are either originally from Elmira, or called Elmira their home for a significant portion of their life. They are Brian Williams (Anchor of NBC’s Nightly News), Hal Roach (A film pioneer), Ernie Davis, Mark Twain (Famous American writer and humorist), Eileen Collins (First female space shuttle pilot and Syracuse Alumnae), John Jones (Former slave and abolitionist), and Tommy Hilfiger (Clothing designer). Of course, Ernie Davis was included among some of the most beloved Elmirans.
Because of this sign, it is instantly recoganizable that Ernie Davis is from Elmira. I myself saw him every morning on the way to work this summer, as many locals do. It is one of the most recoganizeable and renound signs in the area and it is a point of pride for the City.
Labels: Ernie Davis, The Express