Friendly Wager Set Between Mayor Owens and Town of Durham Admin. Selig

Published on September 04, 2026

As excitement builds for the upcoming Syracuse University vs. University of New Hampshire (UNH) football game, a friendly inter‑state wager has been placed between Syracuse Mayor Sharon F. Owens and Town of Durham Administrator Todd Selig.

Administrator Selig, representing the home community of the University of New Hampshire and a proud alumnus of both Syracuse University (Class of 1991) and UNH (MPA Class of 1994), reached out with a playful challenge. In tribute to New Hampshire’s famous local flavors, Selig offered to put up a pint of genuine New Hampshire maple syrup if the Wildcats fall to the Orange.

In response, Mayor Owens (SU Class of 1985) agreed to the wager and selected a beloved Syracuse staple as the City’s offering should Syracuse come up short: a taste of Dinosaur Bar‑B‑Que. The restaurant is known nationally for its iconic Syracuse roots and signature dishes.

“This is all in good fun and a great way to highlight the pride both of our communities have in their universities,” said Mayor Owens. “We are looking forward to a spirited game and hopefully enjoying some excellent New Hampshire maple syrup afterward.”

Administrator Selig echoed the sentiment, noting, “As a proud alumnus of both Syracuse University and the University of New Hampshire, I can legitimately cheer for either team. But for one Saturday afternoon, my Durham loyalties will be firmly with the Wildcats. I look forward to a spirited game, a friendly wager, and, if UNH prevails, bringing home a taste of Syracuse, perhaps some Dinosaur Bar-B-Que.”

The game is set to draw fans from across the region, and the wager adds an extra layer of camaraderie between Syracuse and Durham. Regardless of the final score, both communities can look forward to sharing a taste of each other’s local favorites.