Big Red Spirit, Summerlike Weather: Homecoming ’25 in Photos

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While the football team lost to Colgate, Cornellians enjoyed an otherwise picture-perfect weekend on the Hill

By Cornellians staff

Revelers at Homecoming ’25 could have been forgiven if they momentarily forgot it wasn't actually Reunion; the weather was that glorious. Sunny and in the 80s, with bright blue skies above East Hill, the weekend brought everything a Big Red fan could ask for—except, sadly, a football victory.

Two students smile while showing off paint on their arms that says "Go Big Red," facepaint, Cornell shirts, and red and white beaded necklaces.
Students show their spirit!

Yes, the home team fell to Colgate 41-21 in the contest, viewed by more than 9,000 fans in Schoellkopf.

But as Big Red Athletics reported in its game recap, there were some bright spots, including a 13-yard touchdown pass in the second quarter from quarterback Garrett "Bito" Bass-Sulpizio ’27.

"Cornell outgained Colgate 458-384 in total offense and held the ball for longer (31:15 to 28:45)," the recap observes, "but four turnovers ... proved costly."

A close up shot of Cornell football players in action during the homecoming game.
Action on the gridiron.

Off the field, fans enjoyed tailgating in the Schoellkopf and Kite Hill lots and beyond.

Greek organizations and other groups welcomed alumni back to campus, and the Glee Club and Chorus hosted a concert in Bailey Hall.

Friday night's highlight was a drone and laser light show in Schoellkopf.

Off the field, fans enjoyed tailgating in the Schoellkopf and Kite Hill lots and beyond.

And before the spectacle kicked off, Big Red history expert and Cornellians contributing editor Corey Ryan Earle ’07 quizzed the crowd on Cornell-related trivia.

Among the questions: "How many live bear mascots has Cornell had?" and "Which dessert was invented in Ithaca?"

(The answers: four, and the ice cream sundae.)

President Michael I. Kotlikoff and XXX stand and watches the game at Schoellkopf Field in front of a sea of fans behind him in the bleachers during the homecoming football game against Colgate.
President Mike Kotlikoff and Director of Athletics Nicki Moore at the big game.

The run-up to Homecoming also featured a student-oriented Spirit Week.

It comprised events like a "chalk challenge" on Ho Plaza, a Chimes concert, and "HoCo Fest"—with food, performances, a photo booth, free merch, and more—before the football game.

And the weekend's other featured game did end in victory: Big Red women's volleyball defeated Harvard in straight sets, for the team's second straight Ivy win of the season.

Scroll down for a photo tour of Homecoming 2025!

Spirit Week Fun

A view of homecoming near the clocktower including several white and red tents and the Big Red Band playing.
A chalk drawing of a Big Red football player running with the football with writing that says "Go Big Red" for the Chalk Challenge event during spirit week.
Three girls pose in front of a red Cornell photo backdrop while holding a banner that says "Go Big Red" during spirit week.
Two flute players in the Big Red Band pose with their hands in the air in front of a large balloon installation that says "HOCO25."

At the Drone and Laser Light Show

A family smiles for a photo with Touchdown outside of Schoelkopf Field before the drone and laser show.
Corey Ryan Earle stands and holds a microphone while talked to two students during a crowded homecoming event.
A little boy cheers in his Cornell jacket during the drone and laser show.
Students cheer during the drone and laser show in Schoellkopf Field.
Spectators hold there phone flashlights over their head in the dark at Schoellkopf Field during the drone and laser show.
Spectators watch the drone and laser show from the bleachers in Schoelkopf Field.

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Tailgating and More!

Five students smile for a photo while wearing Cornell and American flag apparel on campus during homecoming.
Five girls pose in their red and white Cornell spirit wear during homecoming.
A DJ smiles with an attendee in front of her equipment with headphones around her neck during the tailgate before the homecoming game.
Fans socialize in front of the "Friends of Cornell Football" tent during the homecoming tailgate.
The DJ's for homecoming smile and look at their equipment.
A woman poses with two children in the back of their car as they all show off their red Cornell foam fingers during the tailgate.
A member of the Big Red Band plays the xylophone and holds the mallets up and smiling.

Game Day Spirit

A cheerleader mid back handspring while other cheerleaders watch in the background holding their pompoms at Schoellkopf Field.
The conductor stands on a ladder while conducting the Big Red Band outside Schoellkopf Field.
Students stand with the large red Cornell flags and wait to run onto the field while the football stands waiting behind them.
Cheerleaders perform a routine with two flyers in the air during the homecoming football game.
A flute player in uniform in the Big Red Band smiles while holding her flute to the side of her.
Four cheerleaders smile, cheer, and hold their pompoms while watching the homecoming football game.
A Cornell football player runs through the middle of the field as a Colgate player dives to tackle him.
The bleachers at Schoellkopf Field packed with fans wearing red and white during the homecoming game.
The Big Red band plays from the top of a greenery-covered wall.
A Big Red fan is dressed as Batman.
The Cornell Dance Team performs a routine on the field during the homecoming game.
Three students wearing red stand and dance with their hands in the air on the bleachers at Schoellkopf Field during the homecoming game.

(All images in this story by Cornell University photographers Alexandra Bayer, Devin Flores, Lindsay France, Sreang Hok, and Jason Koski.)

Published October 7, 2025

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