SUNY Oneonta Students Unite Against Common Enemy at Annual Battle of the Red Dragons

Foul Shot taken by Samantha Lisikatos #1

By Bridget Greene -- (ONEONTA, NY)

A bustling Alumni Field House is the place to be when SUNY Oneonta takes on SUNY Cortland in the annual Battle of the Red Dragons basketball game. This event highlights the fact that two New York State universities in the same NCAA division have the same mascot, the red dragon.

It is unclear whether the mascot similarities of the two schools sparked this well-known rivalry or the close vicinity of the schools added fuel to the fire, but what we do know is our campus burned bright with support in the Dewar Arena on Tuesday night.

The Real Red Dragon, RED!

Tracey Ranieri, SUNY Oneonta’s athletic director, said the Battle of the Red Dragon’s is different than any other game of the season because of its coordination with other departments such as residence halls, Greek life, and students of all years. “The student athletes get excited. It’s just a really fun night,” said Ranieri.

The women’s team was the first to face-off against Cortland. The game was close all throughout but it was our own lady Red Dragons who won the battle 63-55. When it came time for the men to defeat Cortland, they came up short with a 56-64 loss. 

The final moments of the women's game.

The Battle of the Red Dragons is a tradition on SUNY Oneonta’s campus and is an event that should be attended at least once in their college career. One student who can check this event off their list is Oneonta junior Siobhan Kennedy, stating, “I’ve never been to this event before and it was something I wanted to experience before I graduate.” Sophomore student athlete Kayla Belush said, "The Battle of the Red Dragons brings all the sports teams together where we all have a good time supporting men’s and women’s basketball."  

The overwhelming turnout for The Battle of the Red Dragons makes the teams' wins and even their losses more valiant. But what is most important is the joint effort SUNY Oneonta students put forth each year to support their fellow students.