Hype surrounding the Syracuse University football team this year has been high. Coming off their first 10 win season since 2001, there is much to be excited about. For many SU fans, that involves going to the games, and for local businesses, this means money making opportunities arise.
For Rodney Cooper, when Syracuse is a “wiener”, so is he.
Cooper owns and operates Grateful Dawgs, located on the corner of Walnut Ave and Waverly Ave on the Syracuse campus. He says the return of football has, at times, brought in good profits.
“The game day when Clemson was here was absolutely great. I mean, you couldn’t have asked for a better day,” said Cooper.
While some games bring in the dough for Cooper, others prove to be duds. Cooper said some games are worse for business.
“No more noon kickoffs,” said Cooper.
This is where scheduling can help or hurt business. While Syracuse has at least one more noon game on its schedule, it does not currently have any night games. Cooper even went as far to say that noon games are sometimes not profitable for him.
Even through the ups and downs, Cooper enjoys seeing the different faces come to his stand.
“I’ve got construction workers, students, faculty, grounds people, even people who drive by and see me. It’s a very diverse set of people who stop here,” said Cooper.
With that being said, Cooper would not mind the few Syracuse games that times have not been announced for, to be later in the day.
