Sunday Sports: Former SU QB, Longtime pro Donovan Mcnabb greets fan in Watertown

WATERTOWN, New York (WWNY) – The final day of the grand opening of the new Dick’s Sporting Goods in Watertown on Sunday was a big one for Syracuse football fans.

More than 300 people lined up to get a chance to meet former Syracuse and Philadelphia Eagles quarterback Donovan McNabb.

A member of Syracuse footballs All-Century team, McNabb threw for over 8,000 yards and 77 touchdowns as a 4-year starter with the Orange.

McNabb was the 2nd overall pick in the 1999 NFL draft by the Philadelphia Eagles and was a 6-time Pro Bowler, throwing for over 37,000 yards and 234 touchdowns in his 13-year career.

A big part of Syracuse’s success on the football field in the 1990′s.

“You know what the exciting part is? You get an opportunity to come back and see the people who supported you all the way through. Obviously, there’s a lot of younger individuals here but their parents were a major part of the excitement in the Dome as well as what we brought here to Syracuse and as we moved on to the future, obviously playing professional and for those who continued on with their lives. Now, to see the young generation and what that means for you and the legacy that we’ve built and the lives that we’ve touched, now we have newer and more exciting players that are playing today. We’re carrying on the name, the Syracuse Orange tradition,” said McNabb.

The Thousand Islands Spirits officially kicked off their 2nd season on Sunday at the Town of Alexandria Recreation Center, holding tryouts.

Around 30 players were in attendance for the tryouts with practice kicking off Wednesday and the season opener slated for June 1st.

The Spirits looking to build upon a 2023 season that saw the team advance to the NABLL national championship game in their 1st year of existence.

Spirits Owner and General Manager Nate Jobson says he’s excited about what lies ahead for the team in 2024.

“Well, I mean we have I think over half of the returners for sure coming back and probably some more. I have a good list of kids that are currently at school, and we have some new faces. Some that I expected and some so far that I didn’t expect so I’m pretty excited about it. We just want to keep the momentum going. We did very well in the league last year. We expect to do the same thing this year and make another trip back at nationals,” said Jobson.

Men’s college lacrosse, SUNY Canton closing out its regular season, hosting Maine Maritime in North Atlantic Lacrosse League play.

Roos down 1-0 when Caeden Goodnough scores his 25th of the season, tying the game.

With SUNY Canton down 4-1, Goodnough scores his 2nd of the game, 4-2 Maine Maritime.

A minute later it’s Goodnough completing the natural hat trick, Roos within 1 at 4-3.

Roos down 7-3 in the 2nd when Carter Pooler dents net, 7-4 Maine Maritime.

Alex Jacobs scores his 30th of the season.

But Maine Maritime goes on to beat SUNY Canton 20-10.

The SUNY Canton Women’s Lacrosse Team, meanwhile, earned the right to host the upcoming NAC Women’s Lacrosse Championships next weekend.

The Roos completed an undefeated league schedule on Saturday with a 19-5 win over SUNY Poly, finishing conference play with a perfect 7-0 mark.

SUNY Canton will play in one semifinal on Saturday against SUNY Poly, with a chance to advance to the championship game on Sunday and earn an automatic berth in the Women’s NCAA Division 3 lacrosse tournament.

Some sad news, Longtime girls’ lacrosse coach Nancy Vecchio passed away on Thursday after a battle with cancer.

Vecchio was the driving force behind the start of the girl’s lacrosse program at General Brown and was also the head coach.

Vecchio also formed the Different Road Patriots Lacrosse Club, a traveling team that encompassed players from a number of North Country schools.

Most recently, Vecchio was an assistant coach with the South Jeff girls’ varsity’s varsity lacrosse team.

Calling hours will be Tuesday from 4-7 at Hart and Bruce Funeral Home with a funeral mass on Wednesday at 10 am at St. Anthony’s Catholic Church.

Hammond senior Landree Kenyon has added another prestegious honor to her basketball career.

Kenyon was named to the Small Town All-American team.

Kenyon, who was the state class D Player of the Year as a junior, led the Red Devils to their 2nd straight state title this past season, averaging 23 points, 14 rebounds and three blocks a contest.

Kenyon finished her career at Hammond with 1,581 points and also hauled down over 1,000 rebounds.

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