The NFL’s Orange Ties

D’Orazio is responsible for working with team executives on the organization’s key priorities and initiatives as well as overseeing the day-to-day operations of the chairman’s office.

“Through my studies in public relations and international relations, as well as various leadership positions on campus, Syracuse prepared me to become a hardworking, confident, responsible and globally minded individual,” D’Orazio says.

Along with her studies at Syracuse, D’Orazio participated in the Daniel and Gayle D’Aniello Syracuse University Program in Florence, which she says had a profound impact on her personal development and deepened her cultural awareness. After graduation, D’Orazio moved to New York City to embark on her career, receiving her first job lead from a fellow Syracuse alum.

Advice for students: “Seek out opportunities and be persistent in your pursuit. When landing a role, it is important to show a solid work ethic, day in and day out, displaying your commitment to the position.”

As the first full-time nurse practitioner for an NFL franchise, VanDruff assesses and manages acute illness or injury of the players, coaching staff and football operations personnel at the team’s training facility. He also assists the team’s medical staff to expedite care of the players.

“I started my nursing career with a bachelor of science degree from Syracuse University, receiving a top-notch education as well as encouragement to pursue an advanced degree after graduation,” he says.

Marking his transition to young adulthood, VanDruff found his time at Syracuse to be invaluable. He says the shared experiences with his classmates allowed him to expand his vision of what might be possible professionally.

Advice for students: “You need to be open to the idea of changing your mind and pursuing new opportunities, even if those opportunities take your life and career in new and unusual directions.”

Ferazani leads the team responsible for negotiating, implementing and enforcing the NFL’s collective bargaining agreements with players and game officials—from the salary cap to how the teams practice and play to the benefits active and retired players receive. His team also provides counsel to the 32 clubs, the commissioner and other league departments.

“Syracuse helped me develop the communication skills essential to success in my role negotiating complex agreements and educating our clubs about their rights and obligations,” Ferazani says. “Syracuse also fostered my love for athletics, football in particular.”

What made Syracuse special for him was the people—from the professors whose lessons he still remembers to the lifelong friendships he made. Ferazani was a first-year speech communications major and a fraternity pledge at the time of the terrorist bombing of Pan Am Flight 103 over Lockerbie, Scotland, that killed 270 people, including 35 Syracuse University students returning from studying abroad. He says the way the University came together to grieve was a powerful lesson in the strength of community.

Advice for students: “Get involved in the community. In addition to a world-class education, Syracuse offers so many extracurricular opportunities to develop skills that will serve you well as you enter the real world.”

White works with members of the media to help create storytelling around the organization’s business initiatives and community efforts both in the Cleveland market and nationally. She also assists with football communications, helping with media preparation and interview opportunities.

“I went to Syracuse to play softball and ended up finding a career that I’m passionate about,” White says. “It shaped the course of my life.”

While taking classes in communication and rhetorical studies and sport management that sharpened her writing and interpersonal communications skills, White also worked in athletic communications for Syracuse Athletics. Syracuse provided her with the professional development tools that set her up for success, she says.

Advice for students: “Build your network. Not just with your professors, managers or alumni, but also your peers. The Orange network is so vast, but make sure you’re cultivating relationships with your classmates as they’ll be in similar industries—and connections are everything.”

Schlittner speaks on behalf of the NFL and supports the commissioner and other NFL executives as they communicate with the world. 

“Syracuse University is the single greatest laboratory for sports communications in existence, with a vast and generous alumni network. I would not be at the NFL without Syracuse University.”

Pursing degrees in broadcast journalism and political science at the time of 9/11, Schlittner learned early on the fragility of life and the power of communications in bringing people together. He says the Orange’s win against Auburn at the Dome 11 days after the attacks was a particularly special event for him.

Advice for students: “Soak it all up. Network. Add us on LinkedIn. Someone helped us, and we will help you.”