When we speak of SU luminaries like Floyd Little, William Safire, Dick Clark, Peter Falk, Jim Brown, Bob Costas, etc., we often refer to them as “part of the fabric” of what is Syracuse University.

I recently turned 50 and with that milestone comes a keener sense of one’s own mortality. How can I make an indelible mark on that great Syracuse tradition, wear my SU colors for years to come? Thanks to the internet, three very desirable options have presented themselves and I’d like to share them with you as well as ask your thoughts on each. After all, who better than you, my dearest friends, to help me make such a monumentuos, life (or death) altering decision? Here’s three things I can do to show my Orange pride for all eternity. For your consideration…

I can have a portrait of my favorite Orangeman (or woman) painted with my ashes.

The folks at Memories from Ashes give me an interesting option. My ashes could be used to paint a portrait of Jim Brown, Larry Csonka, Otto, The Dome Ranger, anyone. Even Doc Gross! I think I’d like to be painted into a portrait of Julie Boeheim. When my loved ones gather around the casket at my funeral, at least I’ll know they’ll mean it when they say “He’s never looked better.”

Or, I can get my ashes pressed into a vinyl 45 of the SU fight song.

Yes, that’s right. Thanks to the folks at AndVinyl you can have your ashes made into a 45 (or LP) of the Syracuse University fight song. You didn’t know we had a fight song? Well then, you’d better start rehearsing. You’ll be singing this for a loooong time and you don’t want to pull a Steven Tyler or anything.

Sing with me (or moan along, as it were):

Down, down the field goes
old Syracuse,
Just see those backs hit the line
and go thro’
Down, down the field they go
marching, Fighting for the Orange
staunch and true.
Rah! Rah! Rah!
Vict’ry’s in sight for old Syracuse,
Each loyal son knows she
ne’er more will lose,
For We’ll fight, yes. we’ll fight,
and with all our might
For the glory of Syracuse.

Can’t remember the melody? You can find the youtube version of the SU fight song HERE. Other options: Have your ashes pressed into your favorite Flashcubes or Lou Reed song.

Have Frisbees made from my ashes and given away on the Quad

The marketing genius behind the Frisbee company had his ashes made into a batch of discs so I don’t pretend that this is my idea. But it’s a great one. Hear me out on this….I’m thinking about having my ashes made into a batch of orange discs (which I can have made here) and ask a friend to distribute them to students on the Quad. Sure, I’ll have to endure dog drool and various other indignities, but imagine the faces of said students when they learn that they’re tossing around a dead guy. Priceless!

Let me know your thoughts and ideas below. I’m dying to hear them.