AURELIUS - Dwayne “Pearl” Washington knows something about drawing crowds.
Chet Susslin / The Citizen
As people line up, Dwayne “The Pearl” Washington signs an autograph for Port Byron resident Dominick Recckio, 13, at the Circuit City grand opening on Thursday night.
As people line up, Dwayne “The Pearl” Washington signs an autograph for Port Byron resident Dominick Recckio, 13, at the Circuit City grand opening on Thursday night.
During his career at Syracuse University from 1983-86, the Brooklyn native drew throngs of Orange fans to the Carrier Dome. Overall attendance for SU basketball rose by an average of 4,500 people per game during that span and all were witnesses to some of the most scintillating basketball ever played under the dome.
Orange-clad fans once again turned out in large numbers on Thursday, as Washington made an appearance at the grand opening of the Circuit City Superstore. Washington autographed basketballs, posed for pictures and talked Orange hoops with a multitude of local fans.
“It's always good to come back in the community,” said Washington, who currently makes his home in New York City. “I try to do a lot for my community in New York and I try to do a lot for Syracuse, because at one point that was my community too.”
Each fan was able to purchase a commemorative autographed basketball with the proceeds going to the Boys and Girls Club of America.
But many brought their own souvenirs to sign, including SU programs, headbands, hats and even pieces of the old parque floor from Manley Fieldhouse.
No matter the age, each admirer had their own “Pearl” story to rehash.
“A lot of times, they want to talk about back when I played - they bring up names even I've forgotten about,” Washington said with a grin. “But the younger kids, what happens is their parents tell them about me or they watch old tapes. So everyone's got their own story to share.”
Each autograph was personalized with “31,” the number Washington donned at Syracuse. It's just one of seven jerseys to have been retired in the basketball program.
Washington was a three-time All-American and averaged 15.6 points, 6.7 assists and 2.7 rebounds per game for the Orangemen. The “Pearl” electrified crowds constantly with his uncanny ball-handling skills and his crunch-time heroics.
Of all his jaw-dropping plays, none was bigger than his game-winning shot against Boston College in 1984. Trailing by one point, Washington vaulted himself to legendary status when he swished a shot beyond half court with time expiring to give the Orangeman a one-point win over the Eagles.
To no one's surprise, that topic comes up more than any other when the “Pearl” is around.
“Everyone wants to talk about the half-court shot against BC,” Washington said. “Those types of things are always good to reminisce about. I think people realize you only make those types of shots once in a lifetime.”
Sports editor Ryan Day can be reached at 253-5311, ext. 258 or ryan.day@lee.net
Orange-clad fans once again turned out in large numbers on Thursday, as Washington made an appearance at the grand opening of the Circuit City Superstore. Washington autographed basketballs, posed for pictures and talked Orange hoops with a multitude of local fans.
“It's always good to come back in the community,” said Washington, who currently makes his home in New York City. “I try to do a lot for my community in New York and I try to do a lot for Syracuse, because at one point that was my community too.”
Each fan was able to purchase a commemorative autographed basketball with the proceeds going to the Boys and Girls Club of America.
But many brought their own souvenirs to sign, including SU programs, headbands, hats and even pieces of the old parque floor from Manley Fieldhouse.
No matter the age, each admirer had their own “Pearl” story to rehash.
“A lot of times, they want to talk about back when I played - they bring up names even I've forgotten about,” Washington said with a grin. “But the younger kids, what happens is their parents tell them about me or they watch old tapes. So everyone's got their own story to share.”
Each autograph was personalized with “31,” the number Washington donned at Syracuse. It's just one of seven jerseys to have been retired in the basketball program.
Washington was a three-time All-American and averaged 15.6 points, 6.7 assists and 2.7 rebounds per game for the Orangemen. The “Pearl” electrified crowds constantly with his uncanny ball-handling skills and his crunch-time heroics.
Of all his jaw-dropping plays, none was bigger than his game-winning shot against Boston College in 1984. Trailing by one point, Washington vaulted himself to legendary status when he swished a shot beyond half court with time expiring to give the Orangeman a one-point win over the Eagles.
To no one's surprise, that topic comes up more than any other when the “Pearl” is around.
“Everyone wants to talk about the half-court shot against BC,” Washington said. “Those types of things are always good to reminisce about. I think people realize you only make those types of shots once in a lifetime.”
Sports editor Ryan Day can be reached at 253-5311, ext. 258 or ryan.day@lee.net
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