Barack in the Dome

Last week, Barack Obama became the first African-American president-elect in the history of the republic. When he takes the oath of office next January, he will become the 44th president of the United States.

A couple weeks ago, my good friend, Matt Lembke and I went to the theatre and watched The Express, a movie about Ernie Davis, All-American running back for Syracuse University, who was the first African-American to win the Heisman trophy. Ernie Davis wore the number 44 on his jersey when he played for SU. Does that sound like a mere coincidence? I don't think so.

Now I can't take credit for this epiphany; it was my friend Matt who brought this association to my attention. And it was also Matt's idea that Barack's election should be commemorated by the University presenting him with his own 44 jersey. Only this presentation shouldn't occur in the White House, or on the south lawn; it should take place on center court in the Carrier Dome. After all Barack is a big basketball fan himself, and what venue better represents college basketball than the Dome?

The goal of this blog is, therefore, to bring Barack to Syracuse for the presentation of his 44 jersey. I haven't checked with the University about this, but I can't imagine anyone there would object. Still, instead of sending an e-mail to the chancellor, I think it should be a grass roots movement; although I'm not opposed to invoking the aid of others with SU connections, such as vice-president-elect Joe Biden, who after all attended Syracuse Law School, and ought to be a fan.

So we're not sure how this is going to work, but if you're behind this idea, send an e-mail with a link, or post a link to this blog (barack44.blogspot.com) on your blog, or on your webpage, or in your newspaper, or on a billboard along Route 81. Let's get this done. And by the way, I've picked the perfect date for the presentation -- Saturday, Feb. 14, when Georgetown comes to the dome. It's Valentine's day, and as far as I can tell, ever since Barack got elected, it's all about the love; hating on each other is out. So Valentine's Day is perfect, don't you think?