Syracuse gets its own foursquare badge

Syracuse University today became the third college to get its own foursquare badge. The Syracuse 44 badge is only for “those who bleed Orange,” according to foursquare’s tip. To earn it, you’ll need to follow Syracuse on foursquare and check in at university-affiliated venues.

The “44″ references the 44 worn on the jerseys of some of Syracuse’s greatest football players, including Jim Brown, Ernie Davis and Floyd Little. The number was officially retired in 2005. Syracuse’s athletic website details the significance of the number 44:

How much does number 44 mean to Syracuse University and the surrounding community?  For starters, the university zip code was changed a few years ago from 13210 to 13244.  And in 1988, when the university changed phone systems, the exchange was changed from 423 to 443.  One of the student hangouts in the Marshall Street area was named simply “44s”. Number 44 not only has come to represent greatness on the football field, it has become a part of the university’s and the community’s identity.

Foursquare has deep ties to Syracuse. Co-founder Dennis Crowley and his brother, Jonathan, foursquare’s media and entertainment lead, are both alums. Lead Blackberry developer Pete Nofelt is also a graduate. Syracuse promoted foursquare heavily on campus during last fall’s homecoming celebrations.

Only two other schools — Harvard and Stanford — have their own foursquare badges. What do you think of the new Syracuse badge?