From the Desk of Your AD - March 2026

3/13/2026 9:43:00 AM

Dear Bomber Nation,

Over my first four months as the Athletic Director at Ithaca College, I have been truly inspired by the people who make this community exceptional. I have spent meaningful time getting to know our campus community along with our remarkable network of alumni and friends who continue to champion Ithaca College athletics with genuine pride and unwavering support. What has stood out most to me is the character and dedication of our student athletes. I have had the privilege to see firsthand how talented they are not only in competition but also in the classroom and in the countless ways they contribute to the college and the wider community. They are leaders in every sense of the word. Their drive, their integrity, and their commitment to excellence set a powerful example for everyone around them. Equally impressive is our staff whose passion and hard work ensure that our student athletes are supported, challenged, and positioned for success in everything they do. Each day I witness their sincere dedication to the mission of helping our students grow as competitors and as people. These first months have confirmed that Ithaca College is a truly special place where teamwork, community, and pride shape the experience for all who are part of it. I could not be more proud to serve as the Athletic Director and to play a role in supporting the continued success of our student athletes who represent this college with pride and passion.

Aaron Bouyea,

Director of Athletics & Campus Recreation

Highlights From the Winter Season

SENIOR GYMNAST GRACE MURRAY WINS FLOOR NATIONAL TITLE

Grace Murray finished in a six-way tie for first on floor to become the 39th Ithaca College student-athlete to win a national title on March 20 at the NCGA Championships hosted by Cortland. It is the 60th all-time national championship for the athletic department and the 13th for the gymnastics program.

WINTER SPORTS EARN 12 ALL-AMERICA HONORS

65 WINTER STUDENT-ATHLETES NAMED LIBERTY LEAGUE ALL-ACADEMIC

Liberty League commissioner Tracy King has announced that 411 winter sport student-athletes (65 from Ithaca) have qualified for the league's 2025-2026 All-Academic Teams in their respective sports, the most for a winter season in the league's 30-year history.

Dan Raymond Announces Retirement as Women’s Basketball Coach After 26 Seasons

Longtime Ithaca College women's basketball head coach Dan Raymond announced on March 25 that he will retire at the end of this academic year after spending the past 26 seasons with the program. Raymond is the winningest coach in program history with 522 victories.

IC Athletics, Partners with Wegmans to Unveil New Student-Athlete Refueling Station

The Ithaca College Department of Athletics is excited to announce the launch of the brand-new Bomber Refueling Station: Powered by Wegmans, a dedicated space designed to support the health, performance, and recovery of Bomber student-athletes. The new space reflects Ithaca College's ongoing commitment to student-athlete development and competitive excellence.

"The Bomber Refueling Station reflects our commitment to supporting the complete student-athlete experience. Access to quality nutrition and recovery resources is essential to success in the classroom and in competition. We are grateful to Wegmans for their partnership and investment in the health and wellbeing of our student-athletes," said Aaron Bouyea, Director of Intercollegiate Athletics & Campus Recreation at Ithaca College. read the full story here.

Ithaca Athletics Hosts 10th Annual Scholar-Athlete Luncheon

The Ithaca College Department of Athletics, in conjunction with the Office of the Provost, hosted its 10th (ninth in-person) annual scholar-athlete luncheon on Monday, March 9. The luncheon was held in Emerson Suites on campus to celebrate the exceptional achievements for current junior, senior, and graduate student-athletes.

More than 50 student-athletes from 24 of Ithaca's 28 sponsored varsity programs attended the ceremony. Each student-athlete who attended the luncheon has obtained a cumulative grade-point average of 3.75 or higher for over five-plus semesters. Deans and faculty advisors of the student-athletes also attended the luncheon on Tuesday afternoon. Read the full story.

Ithaca College Giving Day - April 23-24, 2026

Join us at noon on Thursday, April 23 to celebrate Ithaca College Giving Day! This 24-hour giving event provides vital support for current and future IC students. Please join alumni, students, faculty, staff, and friends as we celebrate Ithaca College.

Countdown to Cortaca - Yankees vs Red Sox - June 7, 2026

The Countdown to Cortaca 2026 has begun! Join your fellow IC Alumni for a special outing to Yankee Stadium to gear up for the big game in November. IC and Cortland football coaches will be throwing out the first pitch for another storied rivalry as the Yankees take on the Red Sox in the House that Ruth Built. Each Ticket includes: - A New York Yankees Ithaca (Cortaca) Jersey - Jersey sizes are guaranteed for all orders placed on or before April 6th.

Yankee Stadium Set to Host 67th Cortaca Jug Game

Buy Tickets to the 67th Cortaca Jug Game at Yankee Stadium on November 14, 2026

The Cortaca Jug —the legendary football rivalry between Ithaca College and SUNY Cortland—will return to Yankee Stadium on Saturday, November 14, 2026, with a kick-off time to be announced at a later date, marking the second time the two schools have faced off at the iconic Bronx venue.

Dubbed “the biggest little game in the nation” by Sports Illustrated, Cortaca has drawn the two largest crowds in NCAA Division III history, with attendance topping 40,000 when the matchup last took place in the Bronx in 2022. The rivalry also made headlines in 2019, when the teams met at MetLife Stadium in New Jersey , setting a Division III single-game attendance record of 45,161 fans .

Tickets for Cortaca 2026 at Yankee Stadium are currently on sale exclusively through Ticketmaster and are available on the Ithaca College Athletics website.

THANK YOU for your continued support of our student-athletes and programs. Your pride and partnership make a tremendous impact, and we look forward to all we will accomplish together in the months ahead.

Go Bombers!

Aaron Bouyea

Director of Athletics & Campus Recreation

Ithaca College

Support Ithaca College Athletics