Ithaca College students don’t have to wait until November 16 to get into the Cortaca Jug rivalry. As part of the college’s spirit week, which runs November 11-15, students can “shed the red” and exchange a piece of red clothing for a blue Cortaca 2019 shirt, designed by integrated marketing communications major Evan Hand ’20 as part of a campus-wide competition.
In years past, the winning T-shirts have been designed in white, but because of the historic nature of this year’s Cortaca game, a “blue out” is taking place in the student sections, and enthusiasm is high.
“We’ve seen a lot of excitement for the shirt, and we’ve ordered extra in anticipation of high turnout,” said Francesca Cherchio, vice president of events for Students Today Alumni Tomorrow. “This is a special year.”
Hand’s design was chosen as the winner from more than a dozen submissions. Earlier in the year, Cherchio reached out to professors in the integrated marketing communications and communication management and design departments to see if they had interested students. This year, in addition to the winning design being used on a T-shirt, the second and third place designs were put on stickers that will be made available.
“The reaction from students shows you the kind of school spirit we have,” Cherchio said.
Now in its fifth year, the Shed the Red contest features Ithaca students competing against their peers from Cortland — who have a “Lose the Blues” contest. Clothing from Shed the Red is donated to the Ithaca Rescue Mission.
In addition to Shed the Red, the annual Spirit Week features events like game night and an IC traditions challenge.