ATLANTA — Under the warm Atlanta sun, Brandon Triche’s family sipped drinks and took pictures in front of a bright orange Syracuse University banner.

“I don’t know how to put it in words,” Triche’s brother Melvin said of this weekend. “It’s been amazing. Just looking forward to [today], the big game and another step further to the championship.”

The Triche family, along with Michael Carter-Williams’ father, were among a wave of Orange fans who stopped by the Hudson Grille on Friday. The Syracuse University Alumni Club of Atlanta (SUACOA) hosted a Happy Hour for graduates, fans and natives to mingle and celebrate Syracuse’s advance to the Final Four — the first time in 10 years. The Orange will play Michigan in the semifinals of the NCAA Tournament on Saturday night.

Late in the afternoon, Syracuse fans trickled into the sports bar dressed in various team apparel. Old friends reunited and families gathered to enjoy drinks, pom-poms and memories. By dinnertime, the outside terrace was ebbing with waves of Orange as fans of different ages took shots and cheered.

As the evening went on, the Syracuse University marching band, cheerleading team and Otto joined in the fun — playing songs and leading classic Orange cheers.

For Ian Thompson, president of SUACOA, the band was one of the more exciting parts of the afternoon. But overall, he was pleased with the outcome.

“I feel really great,” he said. “The energy, just everything about my experience with Syracuse kind of all culminated to what happened today, everyone coming together, all the alumni, the students.”

Syracuse’s fan base has made itself known, he said, and now, it’s the team’s turn to complete its goal.

“On Tuesday, we will send the trophy back to Central New York,” he said.

The Triche family, who occupied a far corner of the bar patio, left their home in CNY to travel 15 “long hours” to Atlanta to support Brandon’s last season.

“We get to see our little brother win a championship,” Melvin said. “We got him in our prayers for him to have a safe game and play well and everything so, it’s kind of like an extension of us. When he wins, we all win. When he loses, we all lose.”

Middle brother Michael said seeing Brandon’s hard work come to fruition has been exciting. After falling short of the championship so many times, he said, they can finally win it all and bring it home to Syracuse.

But first, they have to win it in Atlanta, where SU 2002 alumnus Ellen Terchila currently lives. She said she was with about 150 Atlanta alumni when the Orange won against Marquette in the Elite Eight. At the end, she said, everyone went crazy and immediately started booking seats.

“It’s insane,” she said of having the Final Four located in Atlanta. “It’s so crazy to be a block away from the Dome and see flags flying for Syracuse and all the Syracuse Orange T-shirts.”

Terchila also attended the 2003 national championship game. While the New Orleans celebrations were undoubtedly memorable for the then-recent graduate, this year’s tournament has a whole new meaning.

Her condo is just across town. Her fellow locals and alumni are already here. Her brother, a fellow graduate, is trying to fly back from London.

Calvin Goddard, a Syracuse native, didn’t have to travel far to attend the alumni event. He currently lives in Atlanta, which has made the celebration all the more special.

“Just the whole atmosphere is beautiful. It’s awesome — ATL slash Syracuse,” he said. “It actually feels at home, you really feel at home.”

Earl Williams, Carter-Williams’ father, stopped by the event, as well. He said he and the family are excited for the weekend, but emphasized how hard Carter-Williams has worked to reach this point.

“We’re very proud of Michael and his accomplishments and what he’s doing,” Williams said.

And with that pride comes unwavering confidence in Syracuse’s ability to win.

“Yeah, we’re going to do it,” he said. “I have utmost confidence in that.”

Published on April 6, 2013 at 10:07 am

Contact Maddy: mjberner@syr.edu