It’s Orange madness in Central New York. On Saturday, the Syracuse University football team took the field against Louisville in the first game of the season. A local store owner who sells SU merchandise is excited about back to school and Orangemen football.

“This is our day," said Manny’s manager and co-owner Bill Nester. "This is what we live for."

Manny’s was established in 1949. Nester has been working at the store for the last 40 years.

He says it’s exciting to see old and new faces.

“It is just terrific to see everybody come back and say hello to us, all the greats,” Nester said. “All the great people that played with Ernie Davis on the football team have been coming to say hello to me today.” 

Almost 75 years later and it’s still one of the busiest spots on campus.

“We love it when the kids come back,” Nester said. “It’s the most exciting week of the year. And to have the football game right after that, we’re just overwhelmed. It’s customers galore, everybody’s crowded into our small little store where we have all kinds of Syracuse merchandise.”