The Syracuse Orange compete in the Division 1 NCAA Big East Conference. "Otto the Orange" has been the official mascot since 1995. Before teams were known as the "Orangemen" and "Orangewomen" and originally were the "Saltine Warriors." 2009 has marked a very significant year for the athletic program. The men's Lacrosse team took home the National Championship after winning in overtime against Cornell University 10-9. In the Big East Conference Semifinals, the basketball team played in, and won, a six-overtime thriller against a rival UConn team. The Basketball program has been nothing but consistent throughout the years, winning the National Championship on three different occasions(their last in 2003).
