Syracuse University adopted orange as its official school color, after experimenting with pea green and rose pink, followed by a dabble in azure blue and pink, according to Mary O'Brien assistant university archivist.

"Everyone decided it was time to get a better color," said O'Brien, pausing briefly for the right word.  "A jazzier color."

The decision to even consider a change occurred after a track meet in 1889 - a meet SU won, but not without "rather cutting comments" from the opposing team.

Following a little research and feedback from alumni and students, the board of trustees adopted orange a year later, making SU the first university in the nation to use the color by itself.


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