SYRACUSE, N.Y. - Syracuse University officially introduced Gerry McNamara as the school's new head men's basketball coach on Monday afternoon. McNamara was welcomed in front of thousands of people at the JMA Wireless Dome inside Micron Victory Court. 

Here's what you need to know from the event, which was the first step toward restoring fan confidence and excitement in the program.

Thousands of people, many of them Syracuse fans were in attendance for the event. Syracuse offered season ticket holders and members of the campus community tickets to the event via email.  Some fans were seated while others stood alongside the entranceway to greet McNamara as he walked in to Victory Court.

Today's event featured multiple players from Syracuse's past. The crowd included Eric Devendorf, Matt Gorman, Roosevelt Bouie and more. 

Although some former players were in attendance, others shared their messages via video messages. Those past players and alumni included Noah Eagle, Ian Eagle, Mike Tirico, Trevor Cooney, Michael Carter-Williams, Tyus Battle, and Carmelo Anthony. 

As a four-year player for the Orange, McNamara helped lead Syracuse to its lone national title in 2003. McNamara started and played in 135 games, finishing with 2,099 points, which ranks fourth on the school's all-time scoring list. McNamara is the school's career leader in 3-point field goals (400), free-throw percentage (.888), and minutes played (4,799). He also ranks second in steals (258).

His No. 3 jersey was retired by the program in 2023.

In March 2024, McNamara was named head coach of the Siena Saints. In his second season guiding the Saints, the 42 -year-old helped Siena win its first conference championship in 16 seasons. Siena then made national headlines after almost pulling an improbable upset over Duke in the Round of 64 of the NCAA tournament.

McNamara was named as one of the 25 finalists for the Skip Prosser Man of the Year Award earlier this year. The award honors a Division I coach who shows integrity and off the court.

The Man of the Year Award marked the second time in four months that the the newly appointed Syracuse head coach was named for a national award This past December, he was named a Hugh Durham National Coach of the Year Award finalist. That award is presented to the nation's top mid-major coach.

McNamara's fiery attitude and competitive nature was on full display. 

Anybody that knows me knows why I'm here. I'm here to win. It's who I am.

 And it's who I will always be. Let's get this thing going.

McNamara's introduction as head coach served as a truly unique moment in Syracuse Athletics history. As the school website promoted the day as the start of the "McNamERA Begins" I was able to share that my moment with my father and my two sons.

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