Cornell Big Red Clinch Title

Third title of all time, 1st in 20 years
By: Josh Pick, NCC News

ITHACA, NY - Cornell is the Ivy League champ for the first time in twenty years. The Big Red stopped the domination by Penn and Princeton by running through the conference slate undefeated, finishing the season with only their second twenty win season of all time (22-6).

IVY LEAGUE CHAMPS

Cornell clinched the title at Newman Arena with a win against Harvard. When the final buzzer sounded, the "Red Sea" of almost 4,500--Cornell's only sellout this season--stormed the floor to celebrate. The atmosphere was electric as the team, followed by Coach Donahue (with his 4 year old son in his arms) cut the nets.

TEAM TALKS ABOUT WINNING

The players talked afterward about winning the championship. "We made it, so I'm happy," said Louis Dale, the Ivy League Player of the year. Ryan Whitman, the son of Minnesota Timberwolves head coach, Randy Whitman, joined Dale on the league's first team. Jason Hartford is a senior. His reaction was one of total glee: "It's a dream come true. Growing up, you watch it, and you want to get there, and we're there now," said Hartford. Coach Donahue thought the night couldn't have ended any better way: "Cutting down the net with my son in my arms, in front of 4,000 fans...it can't get any better," said Donahue.

OLDER FANS BASK IN CHAMPIONSHIP

Some life-long fans were able to take in the game, as well. Sandy Kuntz has been coming to games for over fifty years. She said this team has brought about a different level of excitement to the community: "Everyday goes by...we hear people talking Cornell basketball, and we haven't heard that in a really long time, so it's really special to us," said Kuntz. John Perko has volunteered for Cornell Athletics for sixty-one years. He said this win means more than just a basketball game: "Winning the championship is euphoric...very proud to the community, proud to the university, and proud for the alumni," said Perko.

NOT SO FAST, CINDERELLA

For fans in Ithica, getting out of the cold and following their team to Anaheim was special. But when they got there, they found out the slipper doesn't always fit for Cinderella--Stanford got ahead early and cruised to a 77-53 victory.

FUTURE LOOKS BRIGHT

However, the future looks bright for Cornell. They only lose one player, Jason Hartford, while returning two all-league players. Expect the Big Red to do big things next year.