Colgate Raiders Overview

Fast facts

League: NCAA Division I FCS

Head Coach: Stan Dakosty

Team Mascot: Raider

Year Opened: 1966

Capacity: 10221

City / State: Hamilton / New York

Rivalries & Top Games to Attend

Colgate vs Cornell

Rival Team: Cornell Big Red

The Colgate Raiders and Cornell Big Red have met 98 times since the team’s first meeting in 1898. The two teams play every year, and the Raiders are Cornell’s third most common opponent after Ivy League rivals Columbia and Pen. The Big Red hold a slim 49-46-3 lead in the all-time series,but you won’t want miss it when these two New York-based rivals square off next.

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Colgate vs Syracuse

Rival Team: Syracuse Orange

Only 38 miles separate Colgate from Syracuse creating a fierce rivalry between these two Central New York schools. The Raiders and Orange first met on the gridiron in 1891, and although the two teams only play sporadically due to the teams being in different divisions, you won’t want to miss it Colgate and Syracuse's next meeting.

Colgate Raiders Tailgate Guide

Atmosphere

When attending a Colgate Raiders football game, make sure to get here early and enjoy tailgating in the lots surrounding Andy Kerr Stadium. Raiders fans love to tailgate, and you’ll find the lots full of fans dressed in maroon on game days. Best of all the fans here are quite friendly, so you’ll have no problem making friends quickly when tailgating at Colgate.

In addition to friendly fans, Colgate also offers plenty of room to tailgate. There are three tailgate lots here, two of which are open for single game tailgating. Bring the grill, tent, table, chairs, and coolers for a Colgate Raiders game as you’ll have a lot of fun tailgating here.

Tailgating is a fun way to kickoff a Raiders game, so get here early and enjoy all the pregame festivities.

Traditions

Andy Kerr Stadium Plaque

Check out the Andy Kerry stadium plaque to learn more about the stadium’s namesake before the game. The plaque is a great way to honor the former Raiders football coach and is a must-see for anyone taking in a game at Colgate.

Where to tailgate

Colgate Raiders Stadium Guide

In Game

Enjoy the fall foliage and beautiful fall weather of Central New York when taking in a Colgate football game. Here in Hamilton, New York, you’ll find a beautiful picturesque setting that creates a fun small school football experience that college football fans will enjoy.

In addition to the beauty of Hamilton, you’ll also encounter a friendly crowd when attending a Raiders game. Colgate fans are happy to swap stories and make conversation with those around them even if they support the visiting team. Don’t take the fan’s friendliness for lack of passion though as Colgate fans are behind their team all the way, and get especially loud when the Raiders are taking on rivals Cornell.

A Colgate football game provides a quaint and friendly atmosphere making a trip to Hamilton an enjoyable time for any FCS football fan.

Things to check out

Colgate Pep Band

The Colgate Pep Band provides a fun atmosphere at Raiders football games. The band plays throughout the game and does an excellent job of rousing the crowd with their tunes, so enjoy their performance throughout the game.

Raider Mascot

Look for Colgate’s mascot throughout the game. He gets into all kinds of antics and is beloved by kids and adults alike making him a must-see part of any game.

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Cheerleaders

Show your support for the Raiders by joining the cheerleaders as they cheer the football team onto victory. The cheerleaders pump up the crowd throughout the game giving the Raiders an incredible home field advantage.

Fight Songs

  1. Fight, Fight, Fight

    Hark the strains of martial music ringing,
    Sound of voices raised in joyous singing,
    Colors proudly waving to the sky;
    A host is drawing nigh, Just watch them,
    They march and sing along a triumph song;
    And this is what they sing.

    (Chorus)
    Fight, fight, fight for dear old Colgate!
    With Heart and hand now we’ll win for thee!
    Oh, we will fight, fight, fight for Alma Mater,
    On to victory we’re marching!
    Foes shall bend their knee before us,
    And pay their homage to pow’r so great,
    So let us send out a cheer, and banish all fear,
    While we are fighting hard for old Colgate.

    (Repeat Chorus)

  2. 1819

    Long ago, in the valley of Chenango, gathered thirteen.
    Funds were low, but abundant was their pluck, in eighteen-nineteen.
    Thirteen prayers were said with rapt devotion,
    Thirteen dollars set the thing in motion,
    Thus began old Colgate University in eighteen-nineteen.

    Live true to the memory of those thirteen men of yore.
    Whose faith made tradition that shall live for evermore.
    Whose deeds give us courage to strive as they strove then.
    ‘Tis the spirit that is Colgate, dear mother of men.

    Up the hill, with profound determination, journeyed thirteen.
    Ring of ax rent the silence of the woods in eighteen-nineteen.
    Forest monarchs bowed to form a clearing,
    Hymns triumphant blended with the cheering.
    Thus began old Colgate University in eighteen-nineteen.

    Live true to the memory of those thirteen men of yore.
    Whose faith made tradition that shall live for evermore.
    Whose deeds give us courage to strive as they strove then.
    ‘Tis the spirit that is Colgate, dear mother of men.

  3. Evening Song

    Softly the shadows,’neath the willows creep.
    Softly the moonlight, falls on thy sleep.
    Tender thee as a tide,
    Murmurs in the summer scene.
    We sing thy songs to thee.
    Alma Mater, lovely in thy rest.
    Pray o’re the campus,
    We love the best.
    Guarding our memories,
    Rises up thy moonlit steep.
    Sing, Alma Mater sleep.

  4. Twilight Song

    Alma Mater, shadows falling,
    Turn our thoughts to thee.
    And we lingering in the twilight,
    Praise thee reverently.
    For we owe to thee dear mother,
    Happiest college days.
    When preparing for life’s struggle,
    Thou didst guide our ways.

    Ooooo-oooooooooo

    Give us loyal hearts and courage,
    Ever true to be.
    That our deeds through all our days,
    May honor bring to thee.

  5. Colgate Hymn

    Alma Mater, mother dear,
    Reverently we raise.
    To the guardian of our youth,
    Grateful hymns of praise.
    Robed in honor, crowned with light.
    Radiant dost thou stand.
    And thy love in every heart,
    Rules with sweet command.

    Alma Mater, mother true!
    Loyal sons would we,
    Strong in heart, with ready hand,
    Give our lives to thee.
    Noble, fair and wise art thou,
    And thine influence pure.
    With the grandeur of thy hills,
    Ever shall endure.

  6. Colgate, Alma Mater

    When through thy valley,
    Fair Chenango twilight falls,
    Bringing its silence
    To our college halls;
    In that happy moment,
    Love for Alma Mater swells,
    And the heart outpouring,
    Of her glory tells:

    Chorus:
    Colgate, Alma Mater,
    Fairest theme of all our lays!
    Colgate! Alma Mater,
    Ever blest, thy days.

    Far from thy valley,
    Yearly rove thy loving sons,
    Yet, in their dreaming,
    E’er thy name returns;
    ‘Tis the same fond spirit
    Which the mem’ry lingers o’er
    And our lips but echo
    That old song of yore:

Colgate Raiders Bars & Restaurants

  1. Good Nature Farm Brewery

    Good Nature Farm Brewery beer

    One of NYs first Farm Breweries, Good Nature is a homegrown family-owned craft brewery & Tap Room in Hamilton, NY.

    8 Broad St, Hamilton, NY 13346, USA

    Bar website

    american - $$

  2. La Iguana

    La Iguana

    The perfect place to eat, drink and enjoy friends!

    10 Broad St, Hamilton, NY 13346, USA

    Bar website

    mexican - $$

  3. Rusch’s Bar & Grill

    Burger

    Sports, Spirits, and Darn Good Food!

    22 Lebanon St, Hamilton, NY 13346, USA

    Bar website

    american - sportsbar - $$

  4. New York Pizzeria

    Bellas Pizza of Bristol Pizza Don Vitos Italian Restaurant Pizza Chiefs Place PIzza Pizza Patriot Pub & Grub Pizza Robertos Pizza Ranias Restaurant Pizza The Prescott Pizza Pleasant City Wood Fired Grille Pauls Deli Restaurant Wildcat Angelas Ristorante Pizzeria

    Where Slices Have Always Come Plain Only!

    39 Lebanon St, Hamilton, NY 13346, USA

    Bar website

    pizza - $

  5. Ray Brothers BBQ

    Ray Brothers BBQ

    An authentic, slow-cooked barbeque style restaurant

    6474 Route 20, Bouckville, NY 13310, USA

    Bar website

    bbq - $$

  6. Ye Olde Pizza Pub

    Pizza Ye Olde Pub

    At Ye Olde Pizza Pub Oneida, we are committed to satisfying our customers with great food and excellent service. We offer a wide variety of Pizza, Sandwiches, CHARBROILED GRILL ITEMS, Outstanding and Fresh Salad Bar.

    2528 NY-12B, Hamilton, NY 13346, USA

    Bar website

    pizza - $$

  7. Oliveri’s Pizzeria

    Pizza Rock Falls Tavern Humboldt Steel Corp Restaurant Bar

    Serve a variety your Italian specialties including crispy pizza, delicious sandwiches and flavorful pasta dishes.

    14 Lebanon St, Hamilton, NY 13346, USA

    Bar website

    pizza - $

  8. Hamilton Eatery

    Mister Smiths sandwich

    Good, fresh food, from a clean kitchen, in a quick and friendly manner, with prices that offer a bang for the buck. Simple enough to say, but actually accomplishing this small list takes hard work.

    41 Lebanon St, Hamilton, NY 13346, USA

    Bar website

    american - $$