I remember the exact moment I learned I got an in-house position. It was a beautiful Friday night nearing the end of freshman year and I was down on the women’s building field throwing around a baseball with a few friends. As we walked back up the mount to my dorm in Flint, I finally checked my phone.

Three missed calls from Tyler Schiff.

At that moment, I thought I was f*cked. Luckily, Tyler turned out to be the most chill human ever, and four semesters later I’m ducking as a member of management. For some reason, I had my tenure mapped out about a month into my first semester in-house. I would finish my time as a dig assistant, be an assistant under Cooper, do another under Zak while covering football and finish as the Shaq to Justin’s Kobe as DME in spring 2025.

Of course, there was doubt along the way. But with some good fortune and hard work, everything went according to plan. Still, when Tyler gave me that call I couldn’t have imagined the friendships formed and the opportunities allowed over the past two years. In the end, it’s all about the people who make the place. Here’s my thanks to those who made it special.

Justin: For some reason, I feel like we clicked from the jump. Yes, it could be because we are both 5-foot-7 Jewish kids who are infatuated with sports and the grind. But as we walked up the drunk steps freshman year returning from a sports meeting, I didn’t know you would become my best friend at this school. We came in together and are now leaving together. Not knowing you too well back then, I thought Tyler would split us up into one copy and one dig. Luckily for both of us, he kept us together. Our first semester in-house was definitely tough for both of us. I was forced to put in a little more time at the D.O. as you were rushing your frat. While I feel like most of the house either was pissed at you or didn’t even know you, for some reason I wasn’t. I saw how much you cared. How much time you were willing to put in when you could. And I knew one day, if I could help you stick around, we’d do some special things together here. Covering football and basketball together did just that. It’s safe to say we “Let It All Work Out.”

Cooper: Living together on the Cape reassured me that I wanted to be in management with you. It proved to me truly how psychotic both of us were and how badly we wanted to excel. Our bond has grown a lot over the past few years, to where I feel like we could have a conversation about anything we put our minds to. As I wrestled with getting over the hump of good coverage and feature writing in my year in-house, you gave me constant feedback that I’ll always carry with me. It’s also fair to say we covered one of the coolest sporting events at this school in the past decade, and chronicling the 2024 football season alongside you and Justin is one of the fondest memories I’ll have from Syracuse. My goal coming into DME was to make your life easier. As a friend, I felt bad. I hope I made it just a little bit easier. The Iraq Lobster will never leave my brain, but it’s also an encapsulation of how we mixed the silliness of our friendship with our dedication to this paper. The job’s not finished though. We’ve got a hell of a lot more games to cover together.

Stephanie: Oh Steblephanie. My first encounter with you was terrifying. As you were the news editor in fall 2023, one of the sports guys walked in on you in archives on an extremely important call. When the call ended, you came into sports and screamed at the whole room. Through the DME application process, I feel like we got to know each other well and I found out you were actually chill sometimes! We share a lot in common: we are nerds and like to keep our ducks in a row. And even if Cooper likes to make fun of us for those traits, I think they’re what made us both so good at our jobs. Your expertise in news really allowed me to understand the section, and with your help and support, we revitalized the social media. I hope you’re feeling real nicey and remembering the impact you made on all of us.

Cole: Cole. No DME can do a good job without an amazing DDD. But when looking back at our time together, I don’t think much about the graphics or the new Instagram templates we made over winter break. I truly think about the friendship we’ve formed over these past few months. I always joke when we were in IST 195 together, we “weren’t on speaking terms.” But it’s true. I’m shy until you get to know me. And you’re the same. With both of us opening up, I think we are now too talkative. I often think about how The Daily Orange is a place where people who were unlikely to become friends become close because of how much time we spend together. Here is exhibit A. Our Instagram templates have revolutionized the digital side of this paper and it’s definitely what I’m most proud of as DME. But maybe even more so, I’m proud of the bond we’ve built that will likely last long after ducking.

Zak: Young Zakary. It felt like before college, we knew each other before we really knew each other. I think we know each other way too much now. You’re the one who really got me into the D.O. You jumped straight into the fire freshman year when I was timid. You then helped me get in with Anish. It’s crazy to think what my experience would be at SU if you didn’t help me. Thanks for putting up with my stupid jokes and matching my Philly sports fandom. It’s wild to think how far we’ve come since you saw me play baseball in high school when my team absolutely melted down in the final inning and Wiss to walk it off. I was crushed. But it’s funny to think you were there for that. We finally got to cover a beat together and make some road trips this past year, exploring the beauty of Charlotte at 3:30 a.m. or going to Blacksburg to watch a pure embarrassment. Now, we get to cover football together, which will surely turn in some more memories. Yes, I can finally go to flip.

Kendall: I’m super excited to see what you do next year to build on what we’ve accomplished. You have a bunch of great ideas that I know you’ll mix with our great skills learned from Harriet and Meg. The D.O. is in a great place under your guidance and I’m confident you’ll bring it even further. Ball out, chief.

James: Jimbo. I didn’t know you at all before I became DME. After a few conversations and some basketball runs, I knew you were a pretty chill dude to be around. I’ll give you the same speech I got from some past people. This job isn’t easy. It can be stressful at times. It’s hard to create a balance. Sometimes there is no balance. It is rewarding. I hope you guys can build on our Instagram improvements and use your own creativity to advance the digital side even more.

Harris: The Johnson Treatment. I didn’t think I’d ever become friends with a Cowboys fan. But I truly do believe you hate the team as much as I do. You’ve done great work all semester as a dig assistant. I knew when I sat down and did a read on your first story I wanted you to be one of my dig assistants and I’d say it worked out pretty well. Your lingo has stretched throughout the house, making you a key glue guy similar to Michael Gallup in 2019. Keep up the good work and buy some blueberry munchkins on me.

Mauricio: Seeing your improvement throughout this semester has been extremely rewarding. Even though the Eagles put a beat down on the Commanders, you still kept spirits high. I advise you to lock in, focus on the little things and snag an AP Style Book over the summer while on the Cape. The sky’s the limit.

Jordan: I still can’t believe you worked in-house as a first-semester freshman. That’s one of the most impressive things I’ve seen at this paper. While I’m sad I didn’t get to work more directly with you as a dig assistant, I’m super pumped you chose the route you did. Your work ethic will get you far at the D.O. Keep pushing and building that chemistry within the new triangle.

Lucía: Thank you for taking on any project — big or small — I tasked you with. Working with you and Cole was a dream operation and allowed us to be more creative on the digital side. Your diligence with design has made our guides look spectacular each time, making for some of the best this paper has ever seen. I hope future designers can not only emulate your skill set but also your dedication to your craft.

Davis: The paper wouldn’t run without you. I can’t count how many times you made my life easier with your expertise, including the simplicity of updating Google Chrome just to fix the newsletter. You were there for every Wi-Fi and website issue to the millions of guides we’ve done over the last two years. Next up, the grid.

Nuss: The Nuss Bus is here. Seeing you grow throughout the women’s lacrosse beat has been awesome. I’m happy to see the women’s rowing beat continuing to be a pipeline for the sports section. Don’t worry. You’ll have football content galore.

Alumkal: You’re simply a student of the game with how much you read. With more time now I hope to emulate that. Enjoy Madrid and come back with some new additions to your already illustrious vocabulary.

Ilana: Oh Zalana. It’s always good to have Philly people in the house. It’s been great getting to know you over the past year and constantly making fun of Cole together. You have a great energy that I know will be perfect for next year. You’re extremely talented and find a way to spice up the graphics or print. I know you’ll kill it as presentation director.

Sophia: The next Cole. Your graphics are money and you were great at coming up with great icebreakers in dig meetings. I’m excited to see what you do as DDD.

Charlotte and Eliana: From the jump, you guys understood the vibes I was attempting to spread through dig meetings. Thanks for all your diligence this semester and best of luck as assistants.

Madeline and Chloe: You both grew a lot this semester and helped the news section become super strong. Good luck in your roles next semester.

Paulina: P. Your graphic creativity is always on point. Thanks for putting me on to more Drake and keeping the vibes up.

Savannah: You did such a good job throughout the semester. It felt like you improved each day. You will make for a great opinion editor.

Quinn: I knew from JNL221 you should work in-house. You’ve shown a ton of interest in the D.O. and are intentional with your pitches. I’m excited to see what you do on dig.

Joe: B.W.P. Joe you’re the G.O.A.T. of the D.O. I’m super impressed at how you helped in photo, video and design throughout your time here.

Hannah: My first interaction with you was when you were my Secret Santa and you drew a magnificent picture of the now-infamous “Peter the Horse is Here.” Since then, you’ve shown off more and more how talented you are. I’m super hype to see what you do as Illustration Editor.

Leo: Wow. Who knew that the off chance Syracuse football was playing its bowl game in San Diego would reveal the next elite sports photographer? From your work at the Holiday Bowl, me and Justin knew you were destined to be one of our top photographers going forward. Your drive and dedication to the D.O. were apparent from the start and have only continued as you’ve grown in-house. The photo section is in good hands.

Duncan: Zero. We’ve had this countdown for over a month. It’s been super cool to get to know you over the past few months. You’re an extremely talented writer and editor, and I’m excited to see what you continue to do in the future.

Chris and Stephen: Always remember: Apex, apex, apex.

Anish: You are the D.O. When I think of The Daily Orange I think of you for some reason. It’s likely because on October 10, 2022 — also my 19th birthday — I came into the house for the first time scared shitless. I filed a 3,000-word feature on NC State wide receiver Thayer Thomas and had no idea what to make of it. You, somehow, made sense of it. But more importantly, you helped me make sense of it. From that point on, I kept ducking the smoke. You asked me if I wanted a fall beat and I stupidly said no. You told me I should apply for an in-house position for spring 2023 and I again declined. I was scared to take that leap. I didn’t know what I was getting myself into and didn’t want to know. So, I stayed comfortable. In the back of my mind though, I knew there was an opportunity I couldn’t pass up. While you were tabling in early August, just days into my time on campus, I remember you talking about the opportunity to cover football games at Florida State. This stuck with me. When I finally made my move to join in-house, that was largely my motivation. Two years later, Justin and I traveled across the country to cover the team. That’s f*cking nuts. Thanks for believing in me long before I believed in myself. Your time as editor in chief being my first two semesters in-house is maybe the luckiest draw I could’ve landed. You taught me billions about sports journalism that will stick with me forever. You also showed me that sports people are built for management, which I hope Cooper and I made you proud of. I owe a lot of what I’ve done at this paper to you. Cheers.

Sophie: The dig OG. While I’ve made tons of notable changes to the dig operation in my tenure, many of the ideas stemmed from either me working under you or talking with you. Your perspective on audience engagement is something I had literally zero clue about before I stepped into this house. I leave it feeling somewhat knowledgeable. I appreciate all your guidance and inspiration in my first semester in-house. You really showed me the ropes of how this place works, its structure and how to thrive within it to contribute the most while gaining as much for yourself. Oxford commas are so far gone from my usage. Instagram likes are at an all-time high. And I credit all of that and more to you.

Tyler: T-Schiff. I’d give up a lot to just give you a hug, sit at Chipotle and talk about anything for an hour right now. Like some of the people I’ve mentioned above, you really helped me recognize how this place works. I remember you asking me to use my dining hall swipes so we could eat between Sunday meeting and production. I feel like at the time you felt like that was me helping you. But really, that was me just picking your brain on your writing and how you do it. Your creativity is something I constantly yearn for. When my features were awful through the fall semester, you saw how bad I wanted it. When I wanted to run by an idea or even a lede, you were there. I’ll never forget the pure jubilation when I finally answered that phone call and accepted the position. I knew it was the start of something special. I just didn’t know how special. Your positivity and advice is what made me believe I could improve, and what keeps me moving forward still today.

Connor: I truly first felt a part of The D.O. on the writing and editing side when you allowed me to help transcribe some of your interviews for the Chris Snow obituary. Though, I felt even more involved in its culture as we began hanging out from the porch to Chipotle runs. Who would’ve thought when you ignored me while at Barnes when I was a freshman we would’ve grown close. You’re writing is a part of the blueprint I base mine around. Thanks for everything you’ve done to set the standard here.

Cole Bambini: You giving me the rowing beat was one of the best things that ever happened to me. Even if at the time you probably didn’t care what was being written on the beat. I grew confident through working on the beat while you were sports editor. Thanks for dealing with all of my stupid texts and teaching me that Syracuse is its and the Orange is their.

Hank: Professor O’Brien. I can’t believe you were our TA. If our professionalism grades aren’t decided by the time you read this, I’m begging you to consider my hard work. Anyway, you were one of the first people I interacted with at the D.O. I vividly remember the rewrite you did of one of my stories early on. It kept me motivated and showed me I had a lot to work on.

Tony: The porch sessions let me learn more about The Daily Orange. Maybe, at times, a little too much. Thanks for that and all your guidance early on.

Mark Nash: The original backbone of the paper. You taught me the business side. Thanks also for letting me stay in your apartment last summer for the lacrosse NCAA Tournament. It’s always a blast seeing you around. You’re truly the definition of a guy I would’ve never known if it weren’t for the D.O. and I’m all here for that.

Kyle: I’m not sure if I’ve ever been challenged more by an editor than you. When my first Wednesday A1 was cut down in final because of a small reporting detail, I think I was angry for maybe the rest of the year. But I knew it all came from a good place.

Timmy: Timbo. You were one of the first people I ever met at the D.O. Starting on rowing together was a challenge for both of us, but it taught us a bunch. Now, it’s time to get in the gym to prepare for February.

Kev Lu: Certified sniper. K-Lu it’s been a pleasure working with you and having some classes together. Working those nights last fall where you were on copy and I was on dig were some elite vibes in the sports room. We’ll be playing the media cup in your honor.

Mom, Dad, Jared, Aliza: I’m still not sure if you totally understand what I do. But I know through it all you guys supported me every step of the way. Thank you for all the sacrifices you’ve made to get me to Lower Moreland, Syracuse and now The Daily Orange University. None of my accomplishments in the past, present or future are ever possible without you.

Published on May 5, 2025 at 3:56 pm
Contact Aiden at: amstepan@syr.edu | @AidenStepansky