Hidden away in the sleepy college town of Hamilton, New York, is one of the proudest programs in college football history, the Colgate Red Raiders. Nowadays, it’s easy for fans to find cheap Colgate football tickets. But it wasn’t always like that. The Red Raiders once competed alongside the powerhouse programs and accomplished some amazing things. Today, the Red Raiders are one of the best FCS programs in the country, which means last-minute Colgate football tickets remain in high demand for diehard fans.

The Glory Days

For much of its football history, Colgate played as an independent. During the early part of the 20th century, the Red Raiders routinely faced some of the best teams in the country and more than held their own. Legendary head coach Andy Kerr led the program from 1929 to 1946, compiling a record of 95-50-7. Colgate’s best season during Kerr’s tenure was the 1932 campaign, during which the Red Raiders were a perfect 9-0 and didn’t allow a single point, outscoring their opponents by a combined 234-0. Despite not receiving an invitation to the prestigious Rose Bowl, Colgate was retroactively awarded the 1932 national championship.

A New Chapter

In 1982, Colgate dropped down to the FCS level and became members of the Patriot League in 1986, joining a conference for the first time in program history. It was a big change for the Red Raiders, but one that suited them. When head coach Dick Biddle took over the program in 1996, he quickly returned Colgate to college football glory, albeit at a lower level. Between 1997 and 2012, Biddle coached the Red Raiders to seven Patriot League titles and seven appearances in the FCS Playoffs.

One of the Best

In 2003, Colgate made a sensational run to the FCS Championship Game before losing to Delaware and finishing the season 15-1. That incredible season and Colgate’s continued dominance inside the Patriot League under coach Dan Hunt has solidified the Red Raiders as one of the marquee programs at the FCS level.