Uncovering the pressures of the Syracuse Orange Girl

Center field. Dressed in a glittering outfit, a young woman tosses a baton high into the air. The crowd holds their breath as the baton begins to fall. Without missing a step, the Syracuse Orange Girl catches it and continues her performance with a dazzling smile.

The Syracuse Orange Girl is a unique tradition dating back to 1947, when the Orange Girl was the only woman on the field. The legacy continues with sophomore Abigail Veccia, who arrived on campus in 2022 as the 26th Syracuse Orange Girl – and will hold on to the position until she graduates.

Growing up in Boynton Beach, Florida, Veccia was introduced to twirling by an after-school program that she participated in with her friend. According to Veccia, her family had never heard of twirling before, but they were eager to learn more. She joined the competitive team in her area and began competing around the nation, where she fell in love with performing.

When it became time to look at colleges, Veccia knew she wanted to go somewhere with a twirler position. The position at Syracuse can be more competitive than other universities since the Orange Girl holds her position for her entire four years. As luck would have it, the previous twirler happened to be graduating the same year that Veccia would come to campus.

“The thing that's unique about the Orange Girl position is that there's only one. Once you have the spot, it's yours,” said Veccia.

According to Veccia, the position can be extremely lonely – a sharp contrast from her high school days of laughing in hotels with her teammates. There is no direct coach for the twirler, allowing them complete independence, but it can also be a lot of pressure. The Orange Girl is responsible entirely for her own choreography.

“I don't have a place on the field, so I have to make my own,” said Veccia.

Veccia says that during the performances – some lasting almost an hour long – she relies heavily on improvisation. Between football games, basketball games, and individual competitions, she often runs out of ideas for choreography. According to her, sometimes it can be easier to just go with her gut in the moment.

Veccia reached out to the previous Orange Girl, Trina Catterson, for guidance and advice on how to manage the more stressful aspects of the role. Over time, the two grew close and developed a strong bond.

“She lights up a room and you can see that come through even in her twirling,” said Catterson.

She advised Veccia to not overwork herself, and to make sure she is still maintaining a social life and having fun in college, according to Catterson.

Taking this advice to heart, Veccia decided to embrace the band with open arms. Some of her closest friends are involved with the marching band, and she even pledged their sorority, Tau Beta Sigma. She joins each section of the band for their traditions, socializing with everyone.

However, past Orange Girls did not always embrace the band as she has, even ignoring the band completely, according to Veccia. When Veccia caught wind of this, she immediately knew she was going to do things differently.

“She’s really found a way to integrate the Orange Girl with the band, on and off the field,” said Caputo, “She is always just so enthusiastic, so happy to be there.”

Alicia Caputo, a junior in marching band, described how friendly Veccia is and how much the band loves having her around. Caputo was a freshman in the band when Catterson was the Orange Girl, and she explained how different the relationship is now between the band and the twirler.

Currently pursuing a degree in Health and Exercise Science, Veccia plans to become a physical therapist, and possibly coach twirling as well. She wishes that the legacy she leaves will be one of community, and that the band takes the new Orange Girl in as they have with her, involving her in their traditions. According to Veccia, the friendships she has made with the band make all the hard work and pressure worth it, and she is appreciative of how inclusive they have been.

“I'm a part of every section of the band and no section at all,” said Veccia.