The Student News Site of Ithaca College

The Ithacan
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The Student News Site of Ithaca College

The Ithacan
The Student News Site of Ithaca College

The Ithacan
Star senior running back Jalen Leonard-Osbourne makes a move during a game against Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute on Oct. 19. Now, Leonard-Osbourne has his sights set on the professional level

First-year strength and conditioning coach prepares his former teammates for the NFL

By Jonathan Falco, Staff Writer • March 5, 2025
When people watch senior athlete Jalen Leonard-Osbourne, whether it is on the football field or running track, they see a national champion who has won numerous other awards. With the help of his strength and conditioning coach and a fellow teammate on a similar path, Leonard-Osbourne sets his sights on the NFL after five prolific years at Ithaca College. 
Father Scott (left) and son Jake (right) come together after a football game at the University of Rochester.

Like father like son, senior defensive back earns All-American nod

By David Schurter, Co-Sports Editor • January 22, 2025
With his recent First Team All-American selection, senior defensive back Jake Connolly followed in the footsteps of his father, Scott Connolly ʼ96, who earned his All-American selection in 1995. The Connolly’s became the second father-son duo in program history to both earn All-American honors. 
The Ithaca College and SUNY Cortland football teams renewed their rivalry in the 65th annual Cortaca Jug game on Nov. 16, with the Bombers falling to the Red Dragons, 28-17. Pictured, sophomore wide receiver Nicholas Lang moves the ball down field as Red Dragons' sophomore defensive back Anthony Luciano approaches to make the tackle.

Cortland claims the 65th Cortaca Jug through dominant ground game performance

By Rory Mastine and Flynn Hynes • November 16, 2024
The Ithaca College and SUNY Cortland football teams renewed their rivalry in the 65th annual Cortaca Jug game on Nov. 16, with the Bombers falling to the Red Dragons, 28-17.
The Ithaca College and SUNY Cortland football teams renew their rivalry with the 65th annual Cortaca Jug game Nov. 16. The Bombers fell to the Red Dragons in the 2023 Cortaca Jug match.

Football seeks revenge in 65th annual Cortaca Jug game

By Rory Mastine • November 13, 2024
The Ithaca College football team will participate in the 65th edition of the Cortaca Jug, traveling to bitter rival and defending 2023 national champion Cortland State Nov. 16.
The Ithaca College football team defeated the St. Lawrence University Saints in its final home game of the season. Pictured, sophomore wide receiver Nicholas Lang makes a one-handed catch in the end zone.

Football’s defense sends the Saints marching out of Butterfield Stadium

By Rory Mastine • November 11, 2024
The Ithaca College football team gave its senior leaders a proper sendoff by annihilating St. Lawrence University Nov. 9, making their final home game of the season a 41-0 victory. The Bombers came into the game with their playoff lives on the line, needing a defining win in order to stay in the hunt for a postseason bid. 
Derek Slywka made history as the college’s first alum in nearly 60 years to sign an NFL contract. However on Sept. 24, it was announced that Slywka had signed with the CFL's Toronto Argonauts after being waived by the Indianapolis Colts.

Alum scores deal with the Canadian Football League’s Toronto Argonauts

By Khari Bolden • October 30, 2024
From Division III football to the big leagues, former All-American safety Derek Slywka’s football journey took a turn, landing him on the radar of the NFL and ultimately signing with the Canadian Football League’s Toronto Argonauts.
The Ithaca College men's soccer team faced back-to-back losses, while women's soccer, field hockey, football, volleyball, cross-country, and swimming and diving excelled with strong performances over the academic break. Pictured, junior tight end runs with the ball.

Football leads winning charge for Bombers’ academic break

By Flynn Hynes, Head Sports Editor • October 25, 2024
The Ithaca College men's soccer team stumbled with back-to-back losses, but women's soccer, field hockey, football, volleyball, cross-country and swimming and diving shined, delivering dominant performances and setting the tone for a successful fall break.
The No. 24 Ithaca College football team fell to the No. 16 Endicott College Gulls Sept. 14. Pictured, senior running back Jake Williams cuts up field for the Bombers in their loss to the No. 8 Johns Hopkins Blue Jays Sept. 7.

Football falls to Johns Hopkins in a close battle

By Rory Mastine • September 8, 2024
The No. 20 Ithaca College Football Team fell to the No. 8 Johns Hopkins University on Sept. 7, with a final score of 27-23.
The Ithaca College football team returns to the field with a young squad. Pictured above, senior wide receiver Sam Kline is entering his final season with the Bombers. Kline lead the team in receiving yards last season.

Young football squad gears up to run new offensive strategy

By Rory Mastine • September 4, 2024
After a 9–3 campaign came to an end in the second round of the NCAA Championships in 2023, the Ithaca College football team is back with a new look and the same hunger as the last two conference championship rosters.
Former All-American safety Derek Slywka '23 goes low to wrap up Springfield College senior running back Blane Hart on Nov. 18, 2023. Slywka has two NFL rookie mini camp opportunities coming up with the Chiefs and the 49ers.

Former Bomber safety steps closer to National Football League

By Flynn Hynes, Head Sports Editor • May 2, 2024
During the 1967 NFL draft, the Atlanta Falcons chose Sandor Szabo ’67 with the 317th pick. That was 57 years ago and no athlete from Ithaca College has made it close to the NFL since then. Until now.
Graduate student defensive back Derek Slywka goes down low to wrap up Springfield College senior running back Blane Hart on Nov. 18, 2023. Slywka participated in the University of Buffalo pro day March 14 and Syracuse University's on March 18.

Q&A: Bombers’ defensive back makes pro day statement in journey to NFL draft

By Daniel King, Senior Writer • March 21, 2024
Since the end of the 2023 Ithaca College Bombers’ football season, All-American graduate student defensive back Derek Slywka has been training to get a shot in the National Football League. 
The Ithaca College football program announced Jan. 26 that Brandon Maguire would be taking over as offensive coordinator and quarterbacks coach. Maguire had previous stints in the USFL and at six different universities.

Football names new offensive coordinator and quarterbacks coach

By Billy Wood, Sports Editor • February 1, 2024
The Ithaca College football program announced Jan. 26 that Brandon Maguire would be taking over as offensive coordinator and quarterbacks coach. 
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