Side Bar: SUMH Team Nick Names, Logos & Sweater Designs
Over the past sixty years the SUMH has been referred to by local news and campus media in a variety of manners, some directly connected to Syracuse University’s official mascot and nick name of the time (Orangemen, Orange) and at other times based on a reference to the school’s Methodist church historical roots (Piety Skaters) or geographic location (Hill Toppers, Hill Skaters). Still other mentions of the team were related to their activity (Skaters, Icemen), or their organization status (Association, Club, Orange Clubsters, Clubbers and Clubmen) even their equipments (Stickmen, Pucksters, Orange Jerseyed Skaters). In one case as it was with Ithaca College it was related to the relationship between the schools. From time to time during the 1960’s to 1990’s the Ithaca College student newspaper, the Tangerine, referred to it’s SU opponents as “skaters from the mother school”, a reference to the fact that SU established Ithaca as a satellite school in 1949. After 1995 when Ithaca College became independent the reference was dropped though there may have been the occasion when the term mother was used in reference to various Syracuse players during the heat of play.
Other nicknames were placed upon them by their fans, families and coaches including some variation of Cardiac Kids, Cardiac Cuse and Cuse Cardiac Kids. The Cardic label got hung on the team during the 2017 season when the team was making itself known for the occasional comeback or close game results. The name became most connected with the team during its 2018-2019 season when they had 18 one goal games 13 of which they won, 14 come from behind games and 10 games that ended in overtime, 8 turning out to be wins and three of those were in the ESCHL League Playoffs. According to Peter Hayward, father of Peter-Owen Hayward #17, Class of ’20, “Fans we were taken for such an emotional rollercoaster ride that by the end of a game we were ready to collapse. The 2019 ESCHL Playoffs were among the most emotionally draining with each game requiring the team to come from behind with last minute heroics resulting in game tying goals to send them to overtime and then surviving three straight over time wins – the players were physically spent, we parents and fans were rung of all emotion but some how players and fans found the ability to dig deep for that little bit more.” It is why the season ended on such an emotional high despite not making it to the ACHA Nationals, the team had proven that it deserved to have been there by beating the two teams that did make it. (N.B. Since then the ESCHL has changed the qualifications for selection to the ACHA nationals to include the league playoff champion regardless of their finishing regular season ranking.)
Origin of Orangemen/Orange
The schools first official colors in 1872 were pea green and rose pink. That lasted only a year when in 1873 they were changed to pink and azure. Then in 1890 school alumni helped push for the change to orange. A report in “The Syracusan” in 1890 said the decision was “predicated upon the historical affinity that once existed between the Colony of New York and the House of Orange (Holland). While in a 1929 issue of the Alumni News said orange was chosen because it is “symbolic of the golden apples of Hesperia, of the glory of the sunrise, and its hopes of a golden futures. It is the hue of strength, vigor and confidence.” Popularization of the name Orange Men is believed to have originated some time in late 40’s or 50’s. Otto became the Orange mascot in 1980.
Abbreviations
SUHA (Syracuse University Hockey Association) – The original name under which the club team was organized. According to George Mechem and Bill Oakley early fans of the team use to come out and cheer them on with the chant “SU-HA. SUIHC (Syracuse University Ice Hockey Club)– Referred to in news articles and documents connected with the program’s trip to Europe in May 2004 SUMH (Syracuse University Men’s Hockey) is the most recent official acronym the program is operating under.
Sweater Designs and Logos: Origin of SU Hockey Stylized Block “S” Logo?
“Another interesting antidote” according to Jeff Harris (1974-1978) – my brother who was an artist and went to the Minneapolis School of Art and Design, he designed the logo for our jersey during my senior year (1977-1978) and it was the before Syracuse adopted it current logo and stylized letter. He designed that logo for our jerseys. Then a couple years later after I graduated, low and behold Syracuse used that same logo for the University. I told my brother and he said, ‘Son of a bitch, they owe me money, they owe me money.’ So it is pretty funny.”
