You could say that Vice President and Chief Facilities Officer Pete Sala literally grew up at Syracuse University.
His father, John Sala, came to the University in the early 1960s for a facilities career that would span more than 30 years. As children, Pete and his brothers often tagged along with their father. Years later, Pete would join the staff himself, continuing the family’s legacy of hard work and dedication to Syracuse for more than four decades.
This fall, the University recognized that legacy with the dedication of the Sala Family Plaza, located outside Miron Victory Court and the JMA Wireless Dome. Permanent markers in the space—a plaque, a plaza sign and astroturf with 50- and 44-yard lines—acknowledge the Sala family’s impact. The project was made possible through the support of Chancellor Kent Syverud, the Board of Trustees, University leaders and community partners.
The Sala Family Plaza was dedicated on Sept. 6. Pictured from left are Jake Sala, Laurie Sala, John Sala, Dr. Ruth Chen, Chancellor Kent Syverud, Pete Sala and Otto the Orange. (Photo by Amy Manley)
“When you think of service, hard work, and unwavering commitment to Syracuse University, few people embody those ideals as profoundly as Pete, John and the Sala family,” Chancellor Syverud said. “For more than seventy years, their extraordinary dedication and love for Syracuse University have shaped a campus that is more beautiful, more functional, and more welcoming for generations of Orange students, faculty, staff, alumni, and fans. The Sala Family Plaza will forever remind us of their enduring legacy.”
A skilled groundskeeper, John learned the trade at Cornell University and, with his father, built the golf course at Pompey Hills Country Club in the 1950s. When Syracuse needed help rehabbing the football field at Archbold Stadium, John got the call.
Facilities leaders were so impressed with his knowledge and work ethic, he was hired as a foreman on the University’s grounds crew. He rose to superintendent and director with Physical Plant (now Facilities Services), overseeing a dramatic campus transformation. New residence halls, academic buildings, Marshall Square Mall, Archbold Theatre and the Schine Student Center all came under his watch.
Most significantly, John was instrumental in the design and construction of the JMA Wireless Dome (formerly the Carrier Dome), located at the heart of campus. The Dome celebrates its 45th anniversary this month.
John brought his three sons—John, Pete and Larry—to campus on game days, parking them at the top of Archbold Stadium while he worked. They often ended up in the office of legendary football Coach Ben Schwartzwalder, who supplied them with sandwiches and drinks.
Trustee Cliff Ensley ’69, ’70, G’71, a former football player, recalls the quality of the field John helped restore. “It was the nicest, most beautiful field I ever played on, and probably the best in the country,” Ensley said.
Plans for the Dome were frequently spread across the Sala family’s living room table. John often responded to late-night calls, and in the winter, shoveled snow from the Dome’s inflatable roof. His late wife, Jennie, and their children strongly supported his work.
John retired in 1992, but the tradition continued through Pete. Pete’s wife, Laurie, and their son Jake ’21, G’23, now a Dome staff member, are part of the Syracuse story. Four of John and Jennie’s five children attended SU, along with four of their grandsons.
Pete’s own career began with a call from his dad in 1981. Preparing for a Rolling Stones concert in the Dome, John asked Pete, home for Thanksgiving break, to round up some friends and help build the stage. Pete delivered 20 recruits, and soon after was offered a part-time job. He joined full time in June 1982.
The Sala Family Plaza, located outside the Miron Victory Court at the JMA Wireless Dome (Photo by Amy Manley)
Over 44 years at Syracuse, Pete has become deeply involved in shaping the campus. He has overseen the construction of Ernie Davis Hall, the Einhorn Family Walk, the Barnes Center at The Arch, the National Veterans Resource Center at the Daniel and Gayle D’Aniello Building, the John A. Lally Athletics Complex, the Clifford J. Ensley Athletic Center, and the Dome’s renovation to enhance the player and fan experience. Between 2000 and 2010, the University hosted four NCAA regional tournaments, the most of any venue in the country.
As managing director of the Dome, Pete has also overseen large-scale events that draw the community to campus, including concerts by Bruce Springsteen, Elton John and Pink, and fan-favorite Monster Jam.
Chancellor Kent Syverud, John Sala and Pete Sala (Photo by Amy Manley)
University Trustee Christine Larsen ’84 spoke of the family’s impact, particularly Pete’s leadership on the rebuilt Dome and Miron Victory Court. “I’m proud to say the Sala Plaza will always serve as our front yard, welcoming everyone,” she said.
For Pete, much of the credit goes to his team. “Nobody on this campus has a better staff than me,” he said. “I thank you; I can’t do it without you.”
Michael Veley, former Rhonda S. Falk Professor of Sport Management in the David B. Falk College of Sport, credits Pete with expanding opportunities beyond athletics. In 2005, they created a hands-on experiential learning component that evolved into a graduate program in sport facility and event management.
“This has resulted in dozens of our graduates managing facilities like Soldier Field in Chicago, the Barclays Center in Brooklyn, the Intuit Dome in Los Angeles and several major college venues,” Veley said.
“The evolution of sport management from a small department to the Falk College of Sport, the first of its kind in the nation, simply would not be possible today if not for Pete’s engagement and commitment to academic excellence over the last 20 years,” Veley said.
