View full sizeAt Bishop Ludden Junior/Senior High School, administrative intern Andrew Barnow used his iPhone 4S to watch the Syracuse University basketball game against UConn during the Big East tournament while the school attempted to solve Internet connection issues that prevented it from showing the early part of the game on a large screen to students in the cafeteria. Students Mike Bednarczyk of Baldwinsville, left, Danny Roberts of North Syracuse, Joe Romeo of the town of Onondaga, Matt DeAngelis of Fairmount, Dashon Turner of Camillus, and Avion Washington of Syracuse lean in for a closer look.Syracuse, NY -- Mike Mahanna and David Skeval tried to get co-workers to join them for lunch and Syracuse University basketball at PJ's Pub and Grill.
While the others were content to stay at their desks, Mahanna and Skeval shared a table in PB's back dining room and watched SU take a 27-24 halftime lead over UConn.
Their plan -- catch as much of the game as possible before returning to work st Cornell Cooperative Extension.
A self-described lifelong fan, Mahanna recalled skipping an astronomy class at Morrisville State years ago to watch SU play Boston College. That was the game Pearl Washington won with a last-second, full court shot.
They came to PJ's because it's good to be in the same room with others who have the same goal, they said.
"It's an opportunity to high-five a complete stranger," said Skeval.
"I don't know these people at the next table over, but they are cheering what I'm cheering," Mahanna said.
The people at the next table were 21 employees of Galaxy Communications. The radio company has studios in the Armory neighborhood. As many employees as could be spared ate lunch around a T-shaped group of tables in front of a big-screen TV.
Galaxy's TK99 is the flagship station for SU hoops, but the pilgrimmage to PJ's was rooted in fandom, not business, said Mimi Griswold, vice president for programming.
"We bleed orange," Griswold said.
See more about fans watching Syracuse vs. UConn