RPI Football FAQ

Last updated November 22, 2008

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1 General

1.0 What and where is RPI?

RPI (Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute) is a private college founded in 1824 and located in Troy, New York. Its primary focus is education in the fields of engineering and science.

1.1 Is it RPI or Rensselaer?

Officially, the school prefers to be known as Rensselaer. However, for most of the 20th century the institute was known by its initials and continues to be known that way by most alumni.

1.2 Why is the school named Rensselaer?

The school was named after its founder, Stephen van Rensselaer.

1.3 Why is the school located in Troy, not Rensselaer?

The fact that the school Rensselaer is not located in the city Rensselaer causes some of confusion. Rensselaer, the city, was not created until 1897, 73 years after the school. So in 1824 the confusion did not exist. Additionally, the school and city are named for different people, as the city is named for Killiaen van Rensselaer, not Stephen van Rensselaer.

1.4 What are the RPI colors?

Cherry and White, dating back to the 19th century.

1.5 What is the RPI fight song?

"Hail, Dear Old Rensselaer" You can check out the lyrics or an mp3 by the RPI Glee Club.

1.6 What is the RPI logo?

The name "Rensselaer" underlined by a gray bar. Commonly known as the "Gray Bar."

1.7 What are the former logos?

The best known is the Bullet, which was the initials "RPI" surrounded by a circular ring. Fell out of favor when the Gray Bar was introduced, but has recently been reappearing. The institute seal is also used frequently.

1.8 What is the RPI mascot?

The Red Hawk. Introduced in the fall of 1995.

1.9 What was the former school mascot?

The Swarm, a bee-like creature that first appeared in the early 1980's. Its use was discontinued in 1992. It still has large sentimental support.

1.10 Where can I buy RPI merchandise?

The Rensselaer Student Union Bookstore sells merchandise. It is located in the basement of the Student Union or you can call 518-276-6555.

1.11 Where can I go to learn more about RPI?

Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute

Call: 518-276-6000

Write: Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute
110 8th St.
Troy, NY, 12180-3590

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2 Team

2.0 What is the RPI's home field?

'86 Field, located in the center of campus, was the Engineers' home field from 1912 through 2008, with a few seasons played elsewhere when the field was unusable due to construction. For the 2009 season RPI moves into the new stadium, as yet unnamed, located behind the Houston Field House.

2.1 Who is the head coach?

Joe King, a 1970 graduate of Siena College. He has a 141-51-2 mark since taking over as head coach in 1989.

2.2 Who are the assistant coaches?

2.3 Who are the captains?

For the 2008 season the captains were Nick Casale '09, James McLaughlin '09, Jimmy Robertson '09 and Eren Savasli '09.

2.4 What do the uniforms look like?

Home: Red jersey with black on the sides and black trim, white numbers on front and back with black trim. Black Pants. Helmet is white with a red stripe in the middle and the players' number on each side in red.

Road: The same as the home uniform except reverse the white and red.

2.5 What conference is RPI in?

RPI is an NCAA Division III institution that plays in the Liberty League, along with Hobart College, University of Rochester, St. Lawrence University and Union College. Also playing football in the Liberty League as associate members are the United States Merchant Marine Academy, Susquehanna University and Worcester Polytechnic Institute.

2.6 What trophy games are played?

Two trophy games are played annually. RPI and Union have fought for the Dutchman's Shoes Trophy since 1950. Since 1980 RPI has played for the Transit Trophy against Worcester Polytechnic. Also from 1944 through 2005, with some years missed, RPI and Coast Guard battled for the Shotglass Trophy. That game is no longer played.

2.7 What championships has RPI won?

RPI was the ECAC Northeast Champions in 1992, 1997, 2002 and 2006, the ECAC Northwest Champions in 1993, 1995 and 2005, the ECAC North Atlantic Champions in 2008, the UCAA Champions from 1997 through 1999 and also in 2001 and the Liberty League Co-Champions in 2007. RPI was also Co-Champion of the ICAC in two seasons, 1988 and 1990.

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3 History

3.0 How long has RPI played intercollegiate football?

Since November 20, 1886 when RPI defeated Union 11-4 in a game played in West Troy.

3.1 What was the best season?

Either 1999 or 2003. In 1999 RPI went 9-1, 9-0 in the regular season, won the UCAA conference title with a 4-0 record and played in the NCAA Division 3 Championship for the first time, losing their only game of the season to Rowan in the first round. In 2003 RPI went 11-2, 8-1 in the regular season, and advanced to the semifinals of the NCAA Division 3 Championships, losing to St. John's.

3.2 What nicknames has RPI played under?

The team, currently the Engineers, was previously also known as the Bachelors.

3.3 How did '86 Field get its name?

It was named for the class of 1886, which provided the funds for its construction.

3.4 What other fields have the Engineers called home?

Prior to 1912, RPI played at a number of locations in West Troy (now Watervliet), Troy and Lansingburgh. During the 1946 season '86 Field was rebuilt, so RPI played its home games in Menands at Hawkins Stadium. While the Jonsson Engineering Center was being built on campus in the mid-70's, '86 Field was unusable, so the team played on Varsity Field for five seasons (1974-78). Varsity Field was later redone as Harkness Field, which served as the Engineers' home for the following games: Worcester State in 1995, Hobart in 1997, Rowan in 1999 and Rochester in 2005.

3.5 What records have the Engineers held?

Don Patria '84 (99 yards vs. Lowell on 9/26/81) and Jay Bernardo '07 (99 yards vs. Endicott on 9/10/05) are co-holders of the Division III record for longest run from scrimmage .

RPI played in what formerly was the highest-scoring tie in Division II, which RPI was classified as until 1973. That game was against Trinity in 1969 and ended at 43-43. This record was surpassed in the early 1990's.

One dubious mark in the 1960's gave RPI national attention, but was not an NCAA record. RPI had a winless streak of 43 games, starting with a loss on October 24, 1959 to Middlebury and not ending until RPI defeated Middlebury on October 23, 1965. The record holder (at that time) was Paine, which went winless in 49 games from 1954-61.

3.6 Have any RPI alums played in the NFL or been drafted?

No RPI alums have played in the NFL. One player, center Harry Neugold '52, was drafted by the Los Angeles Rams in 1950 (17th round, 219th pick overall) but he never played in the NFL.

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4 Internet

4.0 What Internet sites with Engineer material exist?

RPI Athletics Football Page

4.1 What Internet sites with Division 3 football material exist?

D3Football.com

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