Yuko Jingu and Jeffry Clausen Jr. kiss with the flower bouquet from the box overlooking the football field.

With a Schoellkopf Wedding, Couple Says ‘I Do’—and ‘Touchdown!’

In what’s believed to be a first, a graduate alum and a Statler staffer tied the knot between quarters at a Big Red football game

“Bear Hugs” celebrates heartwarming stories of Cornellians on the Hill and around the world. Have an idea? Email us at cornellians@cornell.edu!

By Melissa Newcomb

Although Big Red football lost to Harvard at home in mid-October, two Cornellians in the stands still had a big win. Jeffry Clausen Jr., MS ’26, and Statler staffer Yuko Jingu made history as the first couple (that we know of!) to get married during a game in Schoellkopf—saying “I do” between the first and second quarters on a picture-perfect fall afternoon.

“People enjoy sports because of the good energy they bring,” says Jingu, a senior server at Taverna Banfi who also owns a catering company specializing in Japanese cuisine. “We love sports, and we wanted to be around that.”

Big Red Athletics has played a major role in the couple’s relationship from the beginning. Jingu first noticed Clausen while watching Big Red hockey at Lynah Rink, where he was a familiar face in the stands; they eventually crossed paths at a downtown Ithaca bar and struck up a conversation.

Since beginning their relationship in May 2025, they’ve continued to bond over their enthusiasm for Big Red sports—attending hockey, rowing, football, baseball, and soccer events together.

Yuko Jingu and Jeffry Clausen Jr. smile at each other while being married by Tompkins County Judge Scott Miller.
Chelsea Fausel
Judge Scott Miller ’90, JD ’95, performs the ceremony.

The newlyweds held their ceremony in the colonnade, a VIP seating area at the top of the Crescent that overlooks the field from beneath its distinctive arches and ivy-draped walls. It was even officiated by a fellow Cornellian, Tompkins County Judge Scott Miller ’90, JD ’95.

“We wanted the wedding to be very short, sweet, and simple, but still personal,” says Clausen, adding with a laugh: “Plus, we really wanted to get back to watching the game.”

People enjoy sports because of the good energy they bring. We love sports, and we wanted to be around that.

Bride Yuko Jingu

The couple was surrounded by some 50 family members and friends, including members of the rowing team and students with whom the groom had taken classes.

Clausen graduated in August 2026 with a master’s in applied economics and management from the Dyson School; he now serves as deputy director of the Cornell Sports AI Initiative in the Bowers College.

The wedding festivities began with a tailgate outside Schoellkopf, where the couple celebrated—both with their guests and other Cornellians—at the famed “Spirit of ’76” van owned by Big Red football alum Dan Dwyer ’76.

Love at First Down

(Story continues below.)

Yuko Jingu and Jeffry Clausen Jr. dance as the band plays around them.
A serenade by the Big Red Band.
Yuko Jingu and Jeffry Clausen Jr. kiss with beer cans in their hands from their box overlooking the football game.
Sharing a kiss and some canned libations.
Yuko Jingu cheers during the football game.
The bride cheers on the Big Red.
Jeffry Clausen Jr. kisses Yuko Jingu's forehead during the tailgate.
Tailgaters witnessed the couple’s big day.
Nelson Ahonsi MPS '23 Jeffry Clausen MS '26 and Judge Miller '90 JD '95
The groom with Judge Miller and (at left) friend Nelson Ahonsi, MPS ’23.
Clausen and Jingu with Ed Marinaro '71
With fellow tailgater (and star of football and TV) Ed Marinaro ’72, BS ’73.
Yuko Jingu and Jeffry Clausen Jr. take a selfie together overlooking the football game. Jeffry Clausen Jr., MS ’26, and Statler staffer Yuko Jingu
A post-ceremony selfie.
Yuko Jingu and Dan Dwyer smile for a photo while holding their drinks in the air in front of the “Spirit of ’76” van.
A toast with Walter Scott ’74, BS ’75, MPS ’83, at the legendary Big Red spirit van.
Jeffry Clausen Jr. smiles for a photo with students on the rowing team in suits behind him.
The groom and members of the rowing team, of which the couple are fans.
Yuko Jingu talks with a guest at the wedding.
In the colonnade with William “Buck” Briggs ’76, a founder of the Cornell Football Association.

Says Jingu: “Wearing the dress, walking around, and meeting people was the most fun part of the day.”

Following the ceremony, guests returned to watching the action and enjoyed traditional stadium fare like hot dogs and hamburgers, which are included with the colonnade seats.

The wedding festivities began with a tailgate outside Schoellkopf, where the couple celebrated—both with their guests and other Cornellians.

Most guests dressed in business attire for the occasion, while others wore Cornell apparel—prepared both to witness the nuptials and cheer on the home team.

Clausen and Jingu’s ceremony marked a new chapter in the history of Schoellkopf, which opened on October 9, 1915—nearly 111 years to the day earlier. But with Cornell Athletics’ new Big Red Celebrations program, it may not be the last.

A view from above of the football field during the game.
Chelsea Fausel
Yuko Jingu and Jeffry Clausen Jr. holds hands and walk through the stadium.
Chelsea Fausel
At this home game, Schoellkopf saw action both on and off the field.

The initiative allows visitors to mark weddings, anniversaries, birthdays, retirements, and other milestones at athletic venues, including Schoellkopf, Lynah, and Newman Arena.

“Athletics events really embody the spirit of what makes people proud to be Cornellians, and what brings them together,” says Laken Foster Kelly ’20, BS ’19, interim associate director of athletics for engagement and partnerships.

We wanted the wedding to be very short, sweet, and simple, but still personal.

Groom Jeffry Clausen Jr., MS ’26

For Clausen and Jingu, the unconventional wedding came together in just a couple of weeks—and while not everything went exactly as planned, they considered any hiccups to be part of the festive atmosphere.

For example: during the ceremony, Judge Miller had to pause several times, lest he be drowned out by announcements over the PA system.

(Top: Photo by Chelsea Fausel. All other images by Galib Braschler, unless otherwise indicated.)

Published October 21, 2026

Comments

  1. Randye Ringler, Class of 1976
    21 Oct, 2026

    Having known this special couple since the start and working along side them with Jeffry’s Sports Research Conferences, the wedding AT the game (and with the sun shining brightly) was a magical setting. As a proud member of the Class of ’76 with our legendary RV of football history (including a dedication to our UNDEFEATED Freshman Football Team in 1972) it started the pre-game wedding festivities perfectly! Mazel Tov to this amazing couple! ❤️🏈🏒🚣‍♂️⚾️

    Reply
  2. Jeffry Clausen Sr, Class of 1976
    21 Oct, 2026

    Congratulations Jeffry and Jingu. I look forward to meeting you Jingu, you picked a wonderful man to wed and I look forward to meeting you as soon as I can get to upstate New York. You make a beautiful couple and I wish you both a very happy life together.
    Sincerely, Jeffry J. Clausen Sr.

    Reply
  3. Nicki Moore
    21 Oct, 2026

    Congratulations to Jeffry and Yuko!! I was sorry to have missed your big day, but I’m so glad our team pulled through. With your persistence and enthusiasm, we made it happen! Best wishes for a beautiful life – and many happy Cornell competitions – together!

    Reply
  4. Peter Kaplan ESQ Real Estate Broker, Class of 1974
    22 Oct, 2026

    Sorry I missed it. I was at Cornell the week before and the week after. Wish I could have been there but had events/commitments in Westchester/NYC. Congrats.

    Reply

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