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For the first time since discussing name, image and likeness and the JMA Wireless Dome’s renovations before Syracuse football’s season opener, Director of Athletics John Wildhack was available to the media Saturday. Wildhack and SU were celebrating the ribbon cutting of Syracuse football’s new performance center.

Here’s what Wildhack said afterward when speaking to the media:

NIL

Following the opening of the new football facility, Wildhack said his focus has shifted to strengthening NIL efforts.

While the building was being finalized in February, SU Athletics announced a $50 million fundraising campaign called Champion ‘CUSE. The campaign came in response to the ongoing House vs. NCAA settlement, a $2.8 billion federal class-action antitrust lawsuit filed by athletes against the NCAA and power conferences.

If the settlement is approved, programs can directly pay their players up to roughly $20.5 million per year. The Orange announced they anticipate “sharing the maximum revenue share amount ($20.5M) with our student-athletes in 2025-26”, per the Champion ‘CUSE website.

“Champion ‘CUSE is critical to our success, absolutely critical,” Wildhack said Saturday.

“I’ve told people that if you’re not competitive in the NIL world, you won’t have success,” he added.

Wildhack added Champion ‘CUSE’ is off to a good start while acknowledging the $50 million goal was ambitious. However, he said SU should be setting bigger goals and told his staff internally he wants to “blow by that $50 million number.”

Before Champion ‘CUSE, SU’s primary way of generating NIL was through collectives like SU Football NIL, Orange United and Athletes Who Care. While Wildhack said SU Football NIL will stay, he said the goal is for the others to be streamlined because donors are often confused about what collectives entail.

“Champion ‘CUSE makes it really easy for our donors,” Wildhack said. “You’re giving to Syracuse athletics, Syracuse University, get your tax donation. So I think the simpler we can make it for our donors, the better.”

To keep enhancing its NIL status, Wildhack said SU needs more local and regional corporate support. Wildhack mentioned the best way to do so is by meeting with CEOs and other C-Suite executives to share his vision and why it’s important for them to contribute.

“It benefits their business. It’s going to benefit this area. It’s going to benefit this community,” Wildhack said. “A rising tide lifts all boats.”

When factoring everything together, Wildhack said this regarding where Syracuse’s NIL sits relative to Atlantic Coast Conference foes:

“We’ve made progress. We’re not where we want to be yet, to be honest with you, but we’ve made progress with football and with basketball as well. We’ve had some people step up with basketball recently, which has helped us with the portal. We need more corporate support locally and regionally. It can’t be just individual donors.”

Facility insights

Regarding Syracuse football’s new performance center, Wildhack said the Orange emphasized sports medicine. The facility is two stories, which include offices for the coaches, position group rooms, a cafeteria, a player’s lounge and a recovery area. The hydrotherapy room gives athletes increased resources for recovery, features a hot tub and multiple pools and is located inside the athletic training room.

“Particularly for a sport like football, recovery is so important,” Wildhack said. “So what can we do to be best in class in recovery? What can we do to be the best in class in injury prevention?”

Wildhack added that in the weight room, athletes can get a read on every single rep they do. Meanwhile, he noted the new kitchen has allowed SU to customize to the needs of each individual player.

“Those are small things, but when you add those together, that can be the difference of winning that one extra game,” Wildhack said. “That’s going to make you a top-25 team. That’s going to make you an ACC title contender, make you a playoff contender, and that’s what we need to focus on.”

To hone in on the facility’s needs, Wildhack said the Orange received input from recent graduates, who said they valued sports medicine, nutrition and efficiency. Wildhack also said they asked current players about what amenities, which include a barber shop, would be most impactful to them. Additionally, he said they met with every department head in football to design the facility to make it the best in class.

“This building is really designed to be efficient for everyone,” Wildhack said.

Now, the next step is improving the facilities outside of football and basketball.

“The next area that I really want to do is upgrade our Olympic sports, and we’ve got plans,” Wildhack said. “We’re going to refresh over the summer and turn over Olympic sports. It can be a significant upgrade.”

Brown’s impact

In football head coach Fran Brown’s first year at the helm, he led the Orange to a 10-3 record. The last time SU won 10 games was in 2018, and it marked just the third time (2001) this century it won double-digit games.

“It’s great because it put us on the map nationally,” Wildhack said of Brown’s start at Syracuse.

He then discussed how the success elevated SU’s recruiting profile and noted how it’s opening its 2025 season in Atlanta against Tennessee, which figures to be a top-ranked preseason team.

“This shows that Syracuse can be a program that can compete at the highest levels of the ACC, so it made a statement,” Wildhack said.

Wildhack also praised Brown for his genuine and authentic attitude, citing how it’s helped him connect with the community, alumni and people inside and outside the program — which has improved its donor base.

While Brown only has one year behind him, Wildhack was asked whether he’s talked about a contract extension with his head coach.

“I’m focused on today. I’m focused on next week,” Wildhack said with a smile. “Coach Fran, the next 168 hours, I’m focused on the next 168 hours.”

Published on April 13, 2025 at 1:25 pm
Contact Justin: justingirshon@gmail.com | @JustinGirshon