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.
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.
History of the Big Red
Cornell Big Red sports teams have a long and proud history of excellence in NCAA competition. As one of the oldest universities in the United States, Cornell has been competing at the highest levels since its inception over 150 years ago. From their earliest days as part of Ivy League athletics to today’s powerhouse programs, Cornell has consistently produced some of college sports' most memorable moments and unforgettable athletes.
The Big Red first made waves on the national stage when they won back-to-back men’s basketball championships in 1945 and 1946 under legendary coach Howard Hobson. The team featured future NBA Hall-of-Famer Bill Sharman and All-American Ed Peterson, who is still considered one of college basketball's all-time great players for his scoring prowess during that era.
In recent decades, Cornell football achieved unprecedented success with six consecutive Ivy League titles from 1988 - 1993 under head coach Jim Hofher, a feat no other school had accomplished before or since then! Additionally, several former Big Red standouts, including Nate Eachus (Kansas City Chiefs), Ryan Fitzpatrick (Miami Dolphins), Jeff Mathews (Atlanta Falcons) & Luke Tasker(Buffalo Bills), have gone on to successful careers playing professional football at its highest level – an incredible accomplishment for any university program!
Other prominent athletic programs include lacrosse, where both men’s & women's teams are perennial contenders for conference titles year after year; wrestling which boasts two individual NCAA champions this past season alone; hockey which captured three ECAC tournament championships between 2010 - 2015; and soccer which advanced to four consecutive Sweet 16 appearances between 2006 through 2009 making them one if not THE premier collegiate soccer program during that span!
Much greatness is associated with being part Of The House That Ezra Built –Cornell University– known simply by many fans around the country as just “Big Red." With such an impressive track record, it should be no surprise why so many alumni proudly call themselves members Of The Family...Go BIG RED!!
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