Roosevelt Bouie joins all-time greats at Syracuse

Kendall star honored with teammate Louis Orr

Photos by Mike Okoniewski, Syracuse University Athletics – Roosevelt Bouie, left, and Louis Orr, his teammate at Syracuse University, were both honored at the Carrier Dome this afternoon when their numbers were retired by the university and hung from the rafters.

SYRACUSE – A former Kendall basketball star was honored in a big way at Syracuse University today.

Roosevelt Bouie had his No. 50 jersey retired by Syracuse today in a ceremony when Syracuse also retired Louis Orr’s No. 55. The two were a dynamic duo for Syracuse, leading the Orange to a 100-18 record from 1977-1980.

Syracuse University retired Roosevelt Bouie’s No. 50 and Louis Orr’s No. 55 during a ceremony today at the Carrier Dome.

Bouie’s freshman season was also the start of Jim Boeheim’s career. The legendary coach has credited Bouie and Orr for getting his coaching career off to a hugely successful start. Boeheim is second on the list of all-time wins for a NCCAA Division I coach with nearly 1,000.

The Orange reached the NCAA Tournament each year of the “Louie and Bouie Show.” Bouie was a four-year starter and still ranks second in program history in blocks (327), seventh in rebounds (987) and 18th in scoring (1,560 points).

“We couldn’t have accomplished it without having each other and the rest of our teammates,” Bouie told Cuse TV after the ceremony. (Click here to see the interview.)

Roosevelt Bouie and Louis Orr shake hands after being honored at halftime in the Carrier Dome today.

Bouie was a first-team All-BIG EAST Conference selection in 1979-80. He was picked in the second round of the 1980 NBA Draft by the Dallas Mavericks. Bouie signed to play professionally in Europe and played overseas for 13 seasons.

He has returned to Kendall and he attends many of the Kendall basketball games and is active in other local community events. Kendall retired his jersey in June 2012, the first one picked by the school with the recognition.

Bouie said he was grateful to be honored by Syracuse and to see many of his former teammates as part of the celebration.

“It’s really special we got a chance to see all of our friends last night,” he told Cuse TV.

Bouie is congratulated after having his number retired by Syracuse University.

Orr grew up in Cincinnati and played eight years in the NBA after Syracuse. He said Bouie has been like a brother.

“I’m honored and blessed to have a great teammate and friend to share the moment,” Orr told Cuse TV. “You never accomplish anything by yourself. It’s a team effort.”

Orr said Boeheim was instrumental in Bouie’s and Orr’s success.

“Coach Boeheim believed in us and trusted us a long time ago,” Orr said. “He gave us the opportunity and without the opportunity there is nothing you can accomplish. I thank Coach Boeheim and I thank him for seeing something in Roosevelt in me and for trusting in us.”