Syracuse University will hold a pep rally Wednesday afternoon for the men’s and women’s basketball teams in advance of each team’s Final Four games this weekend.

The rally will be held from 12:30-1 p.m. in the Manley Arena at Manley Field House. Speakers at the event will include Director of Athletics Mark Coyle, men’s basketball head coach Jim Boeheim, women’s basketball head coach Quentin Hillsman and three politicians — New York state Lt. Gov. Kathy Hochul, Onondaga County Executive Joanie Mahoney and Syracuse Mayor Stephanie Miner.

Coyle said at a press conference on Tuesday afternoon that the event is being held to show local community members that SU appreciates their support of the two teams.

“We talk all the time that we want to make sure we represent this place in a first-class manner at all times,” he said. “I think it’s important for the students and coaches to see how the community has gathered around these two programs, and I think it’s the perfect way to send them off.”

Coyle added that he also wants to give community members a chance to see firsthand that the teams’ players are proud “to have Syracuse written across their chest when they compete.”

“They represent this institution, but they represent this community, too,” he said.

The doors for the rally will open at noon, and attendees can enter through the Roy Simmons Center main entrance, according to an SU News release. Public parking will be available in the Manley North and South lots, with additional parking and shuttle transportation available at Skytop, according to the release.

The men’s basketball team will leave for Houston, the site of the men’s Final Four game, at the end of the pep rally. The team will play the University of North Carolina on Saturday at 8:49 p.m., with the winner advancing to the national championship on Monday night against the winner of the Oklahoma and Villanova contest.

Despite being a No. 10 seed, the Orange reached the Final Four after wins over the University of Dayton, Middle Tennessee State University, Gonzaga University and the University of Virginia. SU is the first No. 10 seed to reach the Final Four.

The women’s team will leave Thursday for Indianapolis, the site of the women’s Final Four game. SU will take on the University of Washington on Sunday at 8:30 p.m. The winner will advance to the national championship on Tuesday. The Orange reached the Final Four with tournament victories against Army, the State University of New York at Albany, the University of South Carolina and the University of Tennessee. It is the SU women’s team’s first-ever trip to the Final Four.

Published on March 29, 2016 at 9:59 pm

Contact Michael: mdburk01@syr.edu