Ithaca College, Cortland football coaches will throw out first pitch at Yankee Stadium

NEW YORK, N.Y.—The Cortaca celebration will kick-off early this year with each school’s head coach taking the mound in the Bronx.

On Thursday, July 28, head football coaches Curt Fitzpatrick of SUNY Cortland and Mike Toerper of Ithaca College will be throwing out the first pitch before the Major League Baseball game between the Kansas City Royals and New York Yankees at Yankee Stadium. 

This opening pitch will kick off Cortaca Jug Day, a celebration of the Cortaca Jug football game taking place this year at Yankee Stadium on Saturday, November 12. This annual tradition honors the infamous football rivalry between the Ithaca College Bombers and SUNY Cortland Red Dragons. 

“It’s just such a cool thing, almost surreal. This rivalry is so special and means so much to so many people,” Fitzpatrick said. “I’ll be a bit nervous to throw out the first pitch, but more so just very excited to be a part of the Cortaca Jug and all that comes with it.”

Ticket discounts are available for students and alumni of Ithaca College or SUNY Cortland to attend the game in July and have a chance to receive an exclusive New York Yankees cap branded with their respective school logo.