What Is 1913 Cornell Big Red football

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Last updated: April 14, 2026

Quick Answer: The 1913 Cornell Big Red football team represented Cornell University during the 1913 college football season, finishing with a 4–3–1 record under head coach Albert Sharpe. The team played its home games at Schoellkopf Field in Ithaca, New York, and was part of the independent conference structure of the era.

Key Facts

The 1913 Cornell Big Red football team had a final record of 4 wins, 3 losses, and 1 tie.
Albert Sharpe was the head coach for the 1913 season, his fourth year leading the program.
The team played its home games at Schoellkopf Field, a venue used since 1915, though early games were held on local fields.
Cornell defeated rivals such as Colgate (14–0) and Princeton (21–14) during the season.
The 1913 season occurred before the formation of the Ivy League, which began in 1954, making Cornell an independent at the time.

Overview

The 1913 Cornell Big Red football team represented Cornell University during the 1913 college football season, marking the 40th season of the program. Competing as an independent, the team was led by head coach Albert Sharpe and played a challenging schedule against regional and national opponents.

The Big Red finished the season with a 4–3–1 record, showing flashes of strength on both offense and defense. Games were played on fields in Ithaca, New York, with Schoellkopf Field becoming the official home venue shortly after this era.

Season Record: The team finished with a 4–3–1 win-loss-tie record, reflecting a competitive but inconsistent performance across eight games.
Head Coach:Albert Sharpe served as head coach for his fourth consecutive season, guiding the team through a transitional period in college football.
Notable Victory: Cornell defeated Princeton 21–14, a significant win against a historically strong Eastern football program.
Rivalry Game: The team beat Colgate 14–0, continuing a developing rivalry that dates back to the late 19th century.
Home Field: Though Schoellkopf Field was not yet fully established, games were played on local fields in Ithaca, laying groundwork for future home-field traditions.

Season Performance

The 1913 season featured a mix of dominant performances and narrow defeats, highlighting the team’s evolving competitiveness. The schedule included a blend of established Eastern powerhouses and regional opponents, typical of independent programs at the time.

Opening Game: Cornell opened with a 21–0 victory over St. Bonaventure, showcasing strong offensive execution in the season’s first outing.
Mid-Season Challenge: A 13–0 loss to Penn revealed defensive vulnerabilities against more experienced Ivy-level competition.
Tie Game: The team tied Syracuse 3–3, a rare outcome that reflected the low-scoring nature of early 20th-century football.
Defensive Standout: The shutout win over Colgate demonstrated a strong defensive unit capable of dominating regional rivals.
Season Finale: Cornell closed with a 14–7 win over Rochester, ending on a positive note despite missing a bowl or championship opportunity.
Scoring Totals: The team scored 76 points while allowing 55, indicating a balanced but inconsistent overall performance.

Comparison at a Glance

How the 1913 Cornell Big Red season compares to other years and peer institutions is evident in performance metrics and historical context.

Team	Year	Record	Head Coach	Key Result
Cornell Big Red	1913	4–3–1	Albert Sharpe	Beat Princeton 21–14
Cornell Big Red	1912	3–3–2	Albert Sharpe	Tied Penn 0–0
Princeton Tigers	1913	5–2–1	Bill Roper	Lost to Cornell 14–21
Yale Bulldogs	1913	5–2–1	Arthur Poe (player-coach)	Beat Harvard 14–0
Harvard Crimson	1913	3–3–1	Edward Casey	Lost to Yale 0–14

This comparison shows that Cornell’s 1913 performance was slightly better than the previous year and on par with elite Eastern teams. The win over Princeton was particularly notable, as Princeton finished the season with a strong record. The data highlights Cornell’s role as a competitive independent program before formal conference alignment.

Why It Matters

The 1913 season is a snapshot of early collegiate football development and Cornell’s growing athletic identity. Though not a national champion, the team contributed to the foundation of a long-standing football tradition.

Historical Significance: The season occurred during the formative years of college football, before standardized rules and national rankings.
Program Growth: Each season, including 1913, helped establish Cornell’s reputation as a competitive Eastern university.
Coaching Legacy: Albert Sharpe’s tenure laid the groundwork for future coaching hires and program stability.
Rivalry Development: Games against Colgate and Princeton helped solidify long-term rivalries still active today.
Pre-Ivy Era: The 1913 season predates the Ivy League, which began in 1954, making these games part of independent football history.
Evolution of Play: The low scores and physical play reflect the early style of football, before modern passing and specialized positions.

Understanding the 1913 Cornell Big Red football season offers insight into the roots of college athletics and how institutions like Cornell helped shape the sport’s early landscape. These early teams paved the way for today’s structured NCAA competitions and enduring traditions.