Syracuse, New York (WSYR-TV) - Syracuse University is renaming the field in the Carrier Dome ‘Ernie Davis Legends Field’ in honor of the SU football icon.
Davis, the 1961 Heisman Trophy winner, was honored last year in the Universal Pictures movie, “The Express”, which premiered in Syracuse on September 12, 2008.
The dedication of the field was inspired by that movie as well as Sam and Carol Nappi, who stepped forward with the idea and the gift.
“The Syracuse University football teams from 1959 to 1961, led by Ernie Davis, were comprised of men of many different ethnic backgrounds, but they were one team with one spirit. They were united as students of Syracuse University, citizens of the United States, and human beings in striving for a better future,” said Sam and Carol Nappi. “It is our hope that Ernie Davis Legends Field at the Carrier Dome will remind people of the courage, athleticism, honor, dignity and grace of a man and his teammates who gave their all to make this world a better place. Ernie Davis Legends Field at the Carrier Dome is America’s field.
“We are very grateful to the Nappi family for their extraordinary generosity in recognizing the inspirational life story of Ernie Davis,” said Syracuse Director of Athletics Dr. Daryl Gross.
The dedication of the football field is enabled by an amendment to the original Carrier Dome naming contract with Carrier Corporation who presented the naming gift for the building prior to its opening in September, 1980.
“We congratulate Syracuse University for taking the Carrier Dome to this next level of excellence,” said Carrier President Geraud Darnis. “The Carrier Dome is such an important asset for the community, we are proud to do our part to build on its tradition with the Ernie Davis Legends Field at the Carrier Dome.”
