The Express: An Unprecedented Celebration
Syracuse University is proud to roll out the “Orange Carpet”
for the movie premiere of The Express, the Universal Pictures
biopic about the life and legacy of Ernie Davis. An iconic figure
in Syracuse football history, Davis led the 1959 football team
to the national championship and, in 1961, became the first
African American to win the Heisman Trophy.
The premiere will be the centerpiece of a series of events that
will celebrate Davis’s legendary football career and courageous
life. It will take place on Friday, September 12, at the historic
Landmark Theatre, a grand movie palace frequented by Davis
and his teammates during their college days.
Walk the Orange Carpet
The screening of The Express will be preceded by a star-studded,
Orange Carpet-arrival pre-show in downtown Syracuse and
followed by a gala theme party. Scheduled to join us are cast
members including stars Dennis Quaid, who plays Coach Ben
Schwartzwalder, and Rob Brown, who portrays Ernie Davis.
Also slated to attend are members of the 1959 championship
team, Syracuse football legends Jim Brown and Floyd Little,
and many other prominent alumni from the sports and
entertainment industries.
On Thursday, September 11, the athletic department will host
its annual Letterwinner of Distinction dinner. And on Saturday,
September 13, the football team will resume its storied series
with Penn State at the Carrier Dome. The game, which will be
televised by ABC at 3:30 p.m., will feature a special halftime
show celebrating both the movie and Davis’s legacy. A series of
lectures and workshops featuring director Gary Fleder, Universal
Studios president and chief operating officer Ron Meyer, and
others will also be included in the weekend’s activities.
A Once-in-a-Lifetime Opportunity
Be a part of this special tribute to Ernie Davis. It’s a once-in-a-lifetime
opportunity to honor a man of inspirational ability and
dignified strength. A man who—in the true spirit of Scholarship
in Action—incited change for generations of athletes who
followed him.
Tentative Event Schedule
Thursday, September 11, 2008
| All Day |
Arrivals |
| 5:00 pm |
Private Reception |
| 6:30 pm |
Letterwinner of Distinction Dinner at Manley Fieldhouse |
Friday, September 12, 2008
| 5:30 pm |
Orange Carpet pre-show in downtown Syracuse featuring movie cast members,
celebrities, the SU marching band, cheerleaders and classic automobiles
|
| 6:30 pm |
Orange Carpet arrivals at Landmark Theater |
| 7:30 pm |
“The Express” movie premiere at the historic Landmark Theater |
| 9:30 pm |
“The Express” gala theme party |
Saturday, September 13, 2008
| 1:00 pm |
“The Express” tailgate party in the Quad |
| 3:30 pm |
Syracuse vs. Penn State football game at the Carrier Dome |
Special halftime tribute to Ernie Davis featuring Dennis Quaid, Rob Brown, Jim Brown, Floyd Little and members of the 1959 National Championship team.
