Project Overview
The Legend of 44 exhibition is a permanent, immersive installation honoring the most iconic number in Syracuse football history. Located outside Club 44 at Gate C in the JMA Wireless Dome, the exhibition celebrates the athletes who wore the legendary number and the lasting cultural impact it holds within the Syracuse University community.
Six weeks prior to its unveiling, the University partnered with our team to design and build a dynamic, museum-quality experience that would both preserve and elevate the history of the iconic 44. The challenge was to translate decades of excellence into a cohesive narrative within a compact footprint—while thoughtfully housing and contextualizing an extraordinary collection of memorabilia assembled over more than twenty years.
Through research-driven storytelling, spatial hierarchy and artifact-led design, the exhibition transforms a small architectural space into a powerful tribute to legacy, tradition and identity.
The Legacy
From 1954 to 1998, 11 players wore the number 44, beginning with Hall of Fame running back Jim Brown, who transformed the number into a symbol of excellence.
The exhibition brings together artifacts from the most celebrated players in program history, including:
Ernie Davis — 1961 Heisman Trophy winner and the first African American recipient of the award
Floyd Little — three-time All-American and Pro Football Hall of Famer
Jim Brown — Pro Football Hall of Fame running back
Rob Konrad — the final player to wear 44 before its retirement in 2005
Featured artifacts include Brown’s original clear Lucite face mask helmet, Davis’ Heisman Trophy, Little’s Hall of Fame jacket, game-worn helmets, cleats from Davis’ Heisman season, and rare archival materials—displayed together for the first time in one unified narrative.
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