What Is 1933 Cornell Big Red football team

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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 4–3–1 record under head coach Gil Dobie. They played their home games at Schoellkopf Field in Ithaca, New York, and outscored opponents 108–87.

Key Facts

The 1933 Cornell Big Red football team had a final record of 4 wins, 3 losses, and 1 tie (4–3–1).
Head coach Gil Dobie was in his fifth season leading the team.
Cornell played its home games at Schoellkopf Field in Ithaca, New York.
The team scored 108 points while allowing 87 points during the season.
Key victories included wins over Colgate and Columbia, but losses to Penn and Dartmouth.

Overview

The 1933 Cornell Big Red football team represented Cornell University in the 1933 NCAA football season, competing as an independent. Under the leadership of head coach Gil Dobie, the team played a challenging schedule that included several prominent Eastern football programs.

Cornell finished the season with a modest 4–3–1 record, showing flashes of strength on offense while struggling with consistency on defense. The team played its home games at the historic Schoellkopf Field, a venue known for its steep elevation and intimidating atmosphere for visiting teams.

Record: The team finished with a 4–3–1 overall record, reflecting a season of near-even competitiveness across its eight games.
Head Coach:Gil Dobie, in his fifth year at Cornell, led the team with a career focus on disciplined, hard-nosed football.
Home Field:Schoellkopf Field in Ithaca, New York, hosted all home games and has been Cornell’s football home since 1915.
Scoring: The Big Red scored 108 points during the season while allowing 87 points, indicating a balanced but inconsistent performance.
Key Opponents: Notable games included matchups against Colgate, Penn, and Dartmouth, all traditional rivals in the Eastern football circuit.

Season Performance

The 1933 season showcased both the potential and limitations of Cornell’s squad under Dobie’s leadership. The team opened strongly but faltered in key conference matchups, ultimately finishing just above .500.

Season Opener: Cornell defeated St. Bonaventure 26–0 in the first game, setting a positive tone with a dominant defensive performance.
Key Win: A 13–7 victory over Columbia highlighted the team’s ability to win close, low-scoring games.
Rivalry Loss: A 20–7 defeat to Penn exposed defensive vulnerabilities against stronger Ivy competition.
Tie Game: The season included a 7–7 tie with West Virginia, a result that kept hopes alive but cost momentum.
Final Game: Cornell closed with a 19–0 win over Rochester, showcasing improvement in offensive execution.
Offensive Leaders: While individual stats are limited, the team relied on a balanced ground game and disciplined quarterback play.

Comparison at a Glance

The 1933 season can be better understood by comparing it to surrounding years in Cornell football history.

Season	Record	Head Coach	Home Field	Points For	Points Against
1931	5–4	Gil Dobie	Schoellkopf Field	97	77
1932	3–4–1	Gil Dobie	Schoellkopf Field	86	99
1933	4–3–1	Gil Dobie	Schoellkopf Field	108	87
1934	3–4–1	Gil Dobie	Schoellkopf Field	79	98
1935	2–6	Gil Dobie	Schoellkopf Field	60	125

The 1933 season stands out as a slight improvement over the previous two years, with increased scoring and a better win-loss record. However, the decline in performance after 1933 highlighted growing challenges within the program under Dobie’s later years.

Why It Matters

While not a championship season, the 1933 Cornell Big Red football team reflects a transitional period in college football history and the evolution of Ivy League athletics.

Historical Context: The 1933 season occurred during the Great Depression, a time when college sports provided morale and community focus.
Coaching Legacy:Gil Dobie was a Hall of Fame-caliber coach whose tenure helped shape Cornell’s football identity.
Competitive Balance: The 4–3–1 record demonstrated competitiveness against strong regional programs.
Program Development: The season contributed to the long-term growth of intercollegiate football at Cornell.
Historical Records: Detailed game logs and scores from 1933 are preserved in university archives and sports databases.
Legacy Value: The team is remembered as part of Cornell’s broader football tradition, which dates back to the 1880s.

The 1933 season, though modest, remains a documented chapter in the history of one of the oldest programs in college football, illustrating the enduring nature of collegiate athletics through periods of change.