The Cornell Big Red have built one of the strongest athletic traditions in the Ivy League. Known for excellence across multiple sports, the Cornell Big Red basketball and Cornell Big Red hockey programs have achieved national recognition. With decades of history, the Big Red continue to showcase teamwork, determination, and championship spirit.
College Sports Established
1865
Location
Ithaca, New York
College Name
Cornell University
Collegiate History
1973 - Present / NCAA Division I
1921 - 1973 / University Division of the NCAA
Conference History
1954 - Present / Ivy League
Nickname
Big Red - The Cornell Big Red is the most iconic and recognizable college sports mascot. But have you ever wondered where this beloved nickname came from? Well, wonder no more! Today we will look at the origins of the Cornell Big Red nickname and how it has become integral to NCAA history.
Cornell Big Red Origin
It all began in 1905 when students at Cornell University adopted a new mascot for their athletic teams: The Big Red Bear. This was inspired by two brothers who attended school there, William Hoyt “Bill” Whitehead and Frank Gorton Whitehead Jr., both known as "Big Reds" due to their large stature (they were 6'4'' tall) combined with their bright red hair color! The name stuck around until 1923, when it was officially changed to “Big Red” after an editorial writer for The New York Times used that term instead while covering a football game between Harvard and Yale featuring several players from each team wearing red uniforms – thus giving rise to what would eventually become one of college sports' most enduring nicknames!
Fast-forward nearly 100 years later, and you can find fans proudly cheering on the Cornell Big Red during any sporting event they participate in - whether it be lacrosse or basketball games against rival Ivy League schools like Harvard or Princeton, soccer matches versus local rivals like Syracuse; or even just watching them compete on national TV during March Madness tournaments every year. Clearly, this beloved mascot has come quite far since its humble beginnings in 1905 - becoming synonymous with collegiate athletics and representing some truly inspiring stories about perseverance along the way too!
NCAA Championships
Baseball 0
Men's Basketball 0
Women's Basketball 0
Football 5
1939, 1923, 1922, 1921, 1915
Soccer 0
- 1874
- 1960
- 1964
- 2003
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The first Cornell football team is formed
In the fall of 1869, a student named Robert H. Trent organized a meeting with the goal of forming a football team at Cornell University. The meeting was attended by about 30 students, who agreed to form a team and elect officers. William L. Morris was elected as the team’s first captain. The first game played by the Cornell football ... -
Cornell Big Red men’s basketball team wins the Ivy League championship
In 1960 The Cornell Big Red men’s basketball team wins the Ivy League championship and earns a spot in the NCAA Men’s Basketball Tournament. -
Chuck Mercein Era
Chuck Mercein: Running back who played for Cornell from 1962 to 1964. He was a two-time All-American and went on to play in the NFL for six seasons, winning a Super Bowl with the Green Bay Packers in 1967. -
Cornell Big Red football team Victory in Ivy League
In 2003: The Cornell Big Red football team finishes the season with a 10-0 record and wins the Ivy League championship for the first time since 1990.
To qualify as the greatest player for this team, the player must have played one season for this team. If not, we will remove the player.
* verifies that player has played for this team as an added player by a fan.
Cornell Big Red History
The Cornell Big Red have built one of the most respected legacies in collegiate sports history. As a founding member of the Ivy League, Cornell has represented athletic excellence for over 150 years. Known for their intense rivalry with the Harvard Crimson, the Cornell Big Red have continually showcased determination, teamwork, and championship talent across multiple sports.
The university’s athletic journey began in the late 19th century, and over time, the Cornell Big Red basketball and Cornell Big Red hockey programs became symbols of school pride. Cornell’s men’s basketball team gained national attention with impressive performances in Ivy League play, while their hockey program emerged as a powerhouse, earning national recognition for consistent dominance on the ice.
Cornell’s hockey history is particularly rich, highlighted by multiple ECAC Hockey Championships and several NCAA Frozen Four appearances. The Cornell Big Red hockey program’s success under coaches like Ned Harkness and Mike Schafer turned Lynah Rink into one of the toughest environments for visiting teams. The basketball team also achieved remarkable success, including multiple NCAA Tournament berths and strong Ivy League finishes, making the Cornell Big Red basketball program one of the conference’s most competitive.
Big Red Achievements
Beyond basketball and hockey, Cornell has excelled in numerous other sports, including wrestling, lacrosse, rowing, and track and field. Cornell wrestlers have earned several NCAA individual titles, while lacrosse teams have made repeated NCAA Tournament runs, further enhancing the Cornell Big Red’s athletic reputation.
The Cornell Big Red have also produced many athletes who went on to professional and Olympic success. Names like Ken Dryden (hockey), Ryan Wittman (basketball), and Kyle Dake (wrestling) stand as testaments to Cornell’s tradition of excellence both on and off the field.
Today, the Cornell Big Red basketball and Cornell Big Red hockey teams continue to inspire new generations of fans and athletes. Their rich legacy of sportsmanship and success makes Cornell University a cornerstone of Ivy League athletics—where tradition, pride, and excellence live on with every season.
