What Is 1933 Cornell Big Red football

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Last updated: April 14, 2026

Quick Answer: The 1933 Cornell Big Red football team represented Cornell University during the 1933 college football season, finishing with a 3–4–1 record under head coach Gil Dobie, who resigned mid-season, and played its home games at Schoellkopf Field in Ithaca, New York.

Key Facts

The 1933 Cornell Big Red football team had a final record of 3 wins, 4 losses, and 1 tie (3–4–1).
Head coach Gil Dobie resigned in October 1933 after a losing streak and health issues.
Cornell played its home games at Schoellkopf Field, a stadium built in 1915.
The team was independent, not part of a conference, during the 1933 season.
Cornell defeated Colgate 14–7 in one of its most notable wins that year.

Overview

The 1933 Cornell Big Red football team represented Cornell University in the 1933 NCAA football season. Competing as an independent, the team faced a challenging schedule and struggled with consistency throughout the year. Head coach Gil Dobie, a former national champion coach, led the team for part of the season before stepping down.

Despite flashes of strong performance, the Big Red finished with a 3–4–1 record, reflecting both competitive spirit and organizational instability. The team played its home games at Schoellkopf Field in Ithaca, New York, a venue known for its steep grandstands and historic significance in college football.

Season record: The team finished 3–4–1, with three wins, four losses, and one tie during the 1933 campaign.
Head coach: Gil Dobie coached the first five games before resigning due to poor results and declining health.
Interim leadership: Assistant coach Nardacci took over for the final two games, marking a transitional period for the program.
Home venue: All home games were played at Schoellkopf Field, a 25,597-seat stadium built in 1915 on Cornell's campus.
Notable win: Cornell defeated Colgate 14–7 in a key rivalry game, one of the highlights of the season.

Season Performance

The 1933 season was marked by inconsistency and coaching upheaval, which affected team performance on the field. Several games showcased potential, but defensive lapses and offensive struggles limited success.

September 30: Cornell opened with a 13–0 win over Western Reserve, showing early promise with a solid defensive effort.
October 7: A 14–7 loss to Muhlenberg marked the beginning of a three-game losing streak that undermined team morale.
October 14: The team was defeated 20–0 by Penn State, highlighting gaps in offensive execution and depth.
October 21: A 14–7 win over Colgate provided a rare bright spot, fueled by strong rushing and defensive plays.
October 28: A 20–6 loss to Rochester exposed weaknesses in pass defense and field position management.
November 4: A 7–7 tie with Williams demonstrated resilience, as Cornell rallied from a halftime deficit.

Comparison at a Glance

Here's how the 1933 season compares to prior and subsequent years in terms of record and coaching stability:

Season	Record	Head Coach	Home Stadium	Notable Result
1931	8–1	Gil Dobie	Schoellkopf Field	Defeated Penn 21–7
1932	5–4	Gil Dobie	Schoellkopf Field	Lost to Syracuse 13–7
1933	3–4–1	Gil Dobie (resigned), Nardacci	Schoellkopf Field	Beat Colgate 14–7
1934	3–4–1	Pete Cawthon	Schoellkopf Field	Tied with Dartmouth 0–0
1935	5–3	Pete Cawthon	Schoellkopf Field	Beat Columbia 20–0

The 1933 season stands out as a turning point, with a sharp decline from the 8–1 record of 1931. Coaching changes and inconsistent performance placed the program in a rebuilding phase, mirrored closely by the 1934 season’s identical record. However, the rivalry win over Colgate remained a point of pride for alumni and fans.

Why It Matters

The 1933 season is historically significant as a transitional year that exposed the need for modernization in Cornell’s football program. It highlighted the risks of relying on aging coaching staff and underscored the importance of continuity.

Coaching instability: Gil Dobie’s resignation mid-season was rare and signaled deeper organizational challenges.
Program decline: The drop from 8–1 in 1931 to 3–4–1 in 1933 raised concerns about long-term competitiveness.
Historical context: The Great Depression affected college athletics funding, possibly impacting team preparation and travel.
Rivalry importance: The win over Colgate preserved a key tradition in upstate New York college football.
Stadium legacy: Continued use of Schoellkopf Field emphasized Cornell’s commitment to on-campus football.
Foundation for change: The season’s struggles led to the hiring of Pete Cawthon, who brought new offensive strategies.

While not a championship year, the 1933 Cornell Big Red football season serves as a case study in resilience and adaptation. It reminds fans and historians alike that even in down years, college football carries enduring cultural and institutional significance.