Dome Changeover Crew works to change the facility over from event to event. © 2025 Keith Kobland
SYRACUSE, N.Y. (NCC News) — From basketball to football, and concerts in between, Syracuse University’s JMA Wireless Dome hosts a wide-range of events.
Fans worry about parking and arriving on time, but everything else is already prepared and ready for showtime.
What few patrons realize is that within just a couple of days, the entire interior of the Dome can be completely transformed from one event to the next
Dome Changeover
Meet the Dome Changeover Crew: a group made up of around 30 students with 5-10 full-time staff members responsible for changing the largest college domed stadium in the country from event to event.
“Today is a crazy day,” said Pete Sala, University Vice President and Chief Facilities Officer. “I think I had about 30 students here this morning. We have a wonderful group this year and I’m really excited. I’m upset at the same time because we have a lot of seniors.”
Sala explains the process of o transforming the Dome from a football layout to a basketball game.
“It takes about 5 or five and a half hours to do it really good the first time,” said Sala. “We’re going through all our technical equipment right now. We got a little glitch. We’re having Daktronics come in. The basketball clock is not working.”
Crew members work to lay the floor for the next event at the JMA Wireless Dome. @ 2025 Keith Kobland
Sala has spent 15 years tackling the challenges that come with changing one event to another inside the 42,000 seat football stadium or 30,000 capacity for basketball.
“We’re pretty much wrapped up with the bulk of the work,” said Sala. “We’re just putting chairbacks out now.”
Anthony’s Commitment
As far as changes go for this season, Kiyan Anthony’s commitment has led his father and 2003 men’s basketball National Champion, Carmelo Anthony, to buy four seats courtside – a move that’s prompted some adjustments.
“We had to change the official table because Carmelo has four seats now at that table next to the VIP that owns the four seats next to the visiting bench,” said Sala. “So those first eight seats will be occupied by general patrons. It’ll be Carmelo and his guests. So there’s four seats for him,”
Sala also noted there might be some additional security because of Anthony’s presence. “I don’t think anything outrageous. You’ll maybe see a public safety officer or police officer outside of the curtain just so people aren’t bothering the people that are there.”
Aside from noticeable figures courtside, Sala doesn’t expect many evident changes for strictly basketball games this season. Sala confirmed there’s a new apparatus that is holding up the bleachers towards the opposite end zone.
Basketball Changes
The biggest change might be the enhanced club access for women’s basketball courtside fans. Sala describes that there’s a special VIP area in the west halfcourt tunnel of the Dome that courtside fans can use at men’s games, but the need is there for the women’s games.
“There’s nothing for those courtside seat holders at a women’s game,” said Sala. “They have to go up to the concession stand. We’re going to offer it at both. I think it’s going to be very well received at the women’s games. I’m excited about it. It’s going to be a great added value to those folks who are on the court.”
Finally, Sala added that he expects the backcourt area behind the east bleachers to open up a bit earlier this year for fans to enjoy pregame and halftime. The expected games he listed out includes opponents of Tennessee, Hofstra, and Northeastern.
The first exhibition basketball games take place this week with the men’s home opener next Monday, Nov. 3 against Binghamton at 7 P.M.