Fun Fact about the Syracuse area …. did you know …..

…. …. that Ernie Davis, halfback for Syracuse University, was the first African-American to be awarded the coveted Heisman Memorial Trophy in 1961. Davis, who wore the legendary #44 for Syracuse University, was born near Pittsburgh, PA and moved to Elmira, NY. Nicknamed the “Elmira Express”, Davis also was the first African-American member of Sigma Alpha Mu fraternity, a nationally recognized Jewish fraternity. In 1962, he was the #1 NFL draft choice, picked up by the Washington Redskins and traded to the Cleveland Browns. Never having the opportunity to play professionally, Davis was diagnosed with leukemia in 1962 and passed away at age 23 in 1963. He is buried at Woodlawn Cemetery in Elmira, the same cemetery that Mark Twain is buried.

Attached, please find this week’s edition of the Friday Facts. For details on any of these events or others down the road, take a gander at our website at www.VisitSyracuse.org.

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Linda Woodrow
Executive Assistant & Marketing Coordinator
Syracuse Convention & Visitors Bureau
CenterState Corporation for Economic Opportunity
572 South Salina St., Syracuse, NY 13202
Phone: 315-470-1913 | Fax: 315-471-8545
LWoodrow@VisitSyracuse.org
www.VisitSyracuse.org

Facebook: www.Facebook.com/SyracuseNY
Twitter: www.Twitter.com/SyracuseNY

Starts: 10/15/2010 Ends: 10/17/2010
Event: Syracuse University Homecoming Weekend
Location: Syracuse University, 215 University pl, Syracuse
For More Info: 315-443-1870

Starts: 10/16/2010 Ends: 10/16/2010
Event: Syracuse University Football vs. Pittsburgh
Location: Carrier Dome, 900 Irving Ave., Syracuse
For More Info: 888-366-3849

February 14, 2010: When Hollywood Comes Knocking: Supporting the Filming of “The Express” Syracuse University archivist Ed Galvin will review the 2008 Hollywood production about the life of Syracuse University football great Ernie Davis and how the University’s archives were extensively used to inform the historical accuracy of a film set in the late 1950s and early 1960s. February 14, 2010, 2PM, OHA Museum, FREE.

Onondaga Historical Association Museum & Research Center

321 Montgomery St.,  Syracuse, NY. 13202
Phone 315-428-1864, Fax: 315-471-2133

“The Express” movie premiere
Friday, September 12, 2008
7:30 PM

Syracuse University and Universal Pictures have announced the movie premiere of “The Express,” a film that chronicles the life and legacy of Ernie Davis, the first African American to win the Heisman Trophy. Starring Rob Brown and Dennis Quaid, the premiere will take place at the Landmark Theatre, a grand movie palace frequented by Davis and his teammates during their days at SU. Quaid, Brown and other cast members and celebrities will arrive at a special “orange carpet” entry in classic convertible automobiles. Tickets to the premiere and gala after-party at the War Memorial cost $1,000.00. Visit http://erniedavis.syr.edu

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