The Orange Experience is a synchronized skating team that competes in the collegiate division. This division was created in 1997 to allow athletes to continue skating and competing during college, and allows up to twenty skaters on the ice (although additional skaters can be kept as alternates). There are currently over twenty -five collegiate teams representing universities across the country.

Tryouts are held in mid-September, with official practice starting immediately after. We typically compete three or four times during the second semester, as well as perform at a few SU hockey games and the Syracuse University Ice Show in the spring.

Unlike other synchronized skating teams in our division, the Orange Experience is completely student-run. The team meets at the end of each school year to choose music for the upcoming season and elect officers and captains. The program is choreographed by a member of the team (Rosanna Ryskasen). The team's captains are responsible for running practice, arranging ice time, and numerous other duties. We also have a board of officers who plan our ice show and exhibitions, arrange travel and fundsraising, plan costumes, keep in contact with prospective skaters, and every other detail that goes into a successful synchronized skating team. This makes our team a very close-knit group that works together well and has fun both on AND off the ice.

Eligibility:
All skaters must be full time SU or SUNY ESF students, taking at least 12 credit hours for undergraduates or 9 credits for graduate/law students (unless otherwise considered full time by his/her graduate program) in good academic standing. Skaters must also be registered USFSA members (we usually take care of this as a team at the beginning of the season). For the 2007-2008 season, the juvineile moves in the field test is required for all skaters in the collegiate division, and will be required for try-outs (unless you are an international student). Intermediate moves, and familiarity with elements from the novice, junior and senior tests is recomended.

Practices:
All on-ice practices are held at Syracuse's Tennity Ice Pavilion. For 2007-2008, the team will practice seven and a half hours per week (6 on-ice, 1 1/2 off-ice). Every team member is required to return to campus the Thursday before classes start after Winter Break for our "Boot Camp" weekend which consists of two 2 hour practices Friday, Saturday, and Sunday. We do this because Eastern's tend to fall 1 to 2 weeks after we get back, so this gives us some extra practice before everyone starts back up with classes. Skaters are required to be at on-ice practices at least 30 minutes early for warm up and announcements. All practices are mandatory unless the skater is excused due to illness, injury, or emergency. We do arrange rides to all practices for those skaters without vehicles.

Team members are also encouraged to attend club or other open figure skating ice time each week in order to work on their individual skills.

Cost:
The cost of the season varies each year and is dependent upon some university funding, sponsorships, and fundsraising. We take pride in the fact that we are the most affordable non-varsity team to skate for in the country. For the 2007-2008 season, each skater paid $450 after fundsraising. This helped cover ice time, competition dresses, warm up outfits, skate bags, competition fees, travel expenses for three competitions and other miscellaneous expenses. Some additional out-of-pocket expenses do arise during the season (such as USFSA membership, meals at competitions, team t-shirts, etc) but we try to keep those optional or to a minimum.