Every year, the football teams of Ithaca College and SUNY Cortland face off in the “biggest little game in the nation,” to once again get their school’s name etched onto the Cortaca Jug. The tradition was started in 1959 by the two teams’ captains, and this year marked the 66th annual game between the rival teams. 

While the two schools do compete regularly in other sports, none is quite as popular as the Cortaca Jug. Cortaca has grown beyond just a football game and into a cultural tradition and social event, helping create an overall feeling of belonging for students. No other game IC plays carries the same history, symbolic meaning and emotional weight as the Jug. It is not about football, it is about the experience. 

Students from both campuses join together to celebrate the tradition, filling the stands with IC and Cortland students alike. Alumni from both schools return to celebrate and reminisce on their college experiences, further expanding the crowd. 

However, Cortaca should not be the only sporting event and team that IC should care about and support. IC students, faculty and alumni should support the college’s other sports teams and events that happen throughout the school year with the same excitement that they bring to Cortaca each year. 

While the Jug has rightfully earned its reputation as a major tradition for both Ithaca and Cortland students, it should not overshadow the wide range of athletic programs that represent the college throughout the entire year. Supporting the other sports teams means not only showing up, but having the same enthusiasm as Cortaca. 

Dozens of IC varsity, club and intramural teams compete throughout every season, often making it to conference championships, some even earning national recognition; yet, many of these events draw meager crowds and receive minimal campus attention. The IC men’s basketball team records a total of 2,389 spectators for the season, compared to the estimated 8,000 spectators at the 2025 Cortaca Jug. 

It is worth acknowledging that IC has encouraged attendance for all sports through the Blue Crew, the official student spirit group. Students earn “points” for attending various athletic events throughout the school year, with the top five earners winning prizes. Students also receive free admission, food and giveaways at all IC athletic events.

Last weekend, along with the Cortaca Jug game, Ithaca hosted the Liberty League Championship Tournament for women’s volleyball on South Hill at Ben Light Gymnasium. IC has secured the top seed — and hosting rights — after finishing undefeated in the conference play for the fourth consecutive season, a massive deal for the volleyball program. However, this huge feat has been almost completely overshadowed by the ever-important football game; numerous tailgates and parties were held around campus for Cortaca, and while the volleyball team received some campus attention, it was not comparable.  

IC students, faculty and alumni must bring the same enthusiasm and support to other sporting events and teams, like the volleyball team’s achievements, and teams as they do for Cortaca; the Cortaca experience should be extended to other sports as well. Fans should not only show up to games, but support IC’s athletics through social media, programs like the Blue Crew and more, creating the same Cortaca experience that students love so much. 

By supporting other IC sports teams, the community not only strengthens overall school pride, but also acknowledges all of the hard work and achievements of athletes whose seasons unfold outside of the Cortaca spirit.