Cornell University

About Red Key

The Red Key Society is Cornell University's honor society for varsity athletes. Red Key members coordinate and participate in service events throughout the year with the goal of fostering meaningful connections between Cornell Athletics and the greater Ithaca community. Committed to academic achievement, fellowship among all Cornell athletes, and the enhancement of the Ithaca region through community service, Red Key honors outstanding undergraduate contributors whose excellence extends beyond their athletic ability. .
 

Membership

Membership in Red Key is limited to juniors and seniors who have been nominated by their coaches for having displayed tremendous leadership, exhibited integrity and responsibility within their varsity program, shown a commitment to academics, and have taken part in community service in the Cornell/Ithaca community. Nominated athletes that best fit the Red Key ideals are then elected by the Society’s current membership.
 

Current Members

Executive Board

Co-President: Sophie Ward (women’s lacrosse) 
Co-President: Annie Thomas (women’s lacrosse)

Selections Committee: Elodie Furey (women's basketball); Selections Committee: Ellie Walsh (women's lacrosse); Secretary: DeeDee Maizes (women's swimming and diving); Treasurer: Maxton Edgerly (football); Homecoming Coordinator: Maddie Mills (women's hockey); Newfield Coordinator: Jack McSorely (men's swimming and diving); National Women and Girls in Sports Day Coordinator: Maddie Hoitink (women's soccer); Social Media: Theresa Grace Mbanefo (women's basketball)
 

Red Key Student Athletes

Abbey Charlamb (heavyweight rowing), Alice Rau (lightweight rowing), Angelica Sih (swimming & diving), Ania LaDow (squash), Annie Thomas (women’s lacrosse), Billy Kephart (men’s lacrosse), Caitlin Slaminko (women’s lacrosse), Caitlyn Walsh (gymnastics), Caleb Newman (men’s lacrosse), Charles Bierden (heavyweight rowing), Emily Pecsok (Equestrian), Finn Lynch (heavyweight rowing), Grace Michalowski (women’s rowing), Greta Gilbert (women’s rowing), Izzy Daniel (women’s hockey), Jake Stebbins (football), Kyle Penney (men’s hockey), Lauren Stein (women’s tennis), Lewis Fernandes (wrestling), Lexie Vanderloo (swimming & diving), Maddie Wolf (gymnastics), Marissa Stafford (women’s lacrosse), Matteo Banducci (heavyweight rowing), Micah Sahakian (football), Noah Taylor (football), Regina Walton (gymnastics), Rylee Baptiste (volleyball), Sammie Engel (volleyball), Soodong Kim (swimming & diving), Sophie Ward (women’s lacrosse), Sullivan Mack (men’s hockey), Walker Wallace (men’s lacrosse), Wally Chang (sprint football), Wen Li Lai (squash)
 

Newfield Elementary School

Red Key’s ongoing partnership with Newfield Elementary is a cornerstone of the Society. Red Key student athletes, and oftentimes many of their teammates, visit the school on a weekly basis to spend time with pre-k through 8th grade children doing everything from assisting in math class to playing with children during recess. Created with great input from school social worker Jamie McCaffrey, the Red Key/Newfield partnership is designed to aid teachers in the classroom, strengthen student athletes’ connections to the community, and provide consistent and positive role models for the children of Newfield. Beyond weekly visits, Red Key coordinates field trips with groups of Newfield students to watch Big Red games and competitions together. Regardless of what activity Red Key and Newfield is doing, the goal is always to impact the lives of the students in a positive way and motivate them for future success in the classroom, on the playing field, and in life. 

Community Outreach Events

Homecoming Booth

Red Key members gather at the Homecoming Fair to welcome alumni and the Ithaca community to Schoellkopf before the football game. A primary fundraiser for the society, visitors to the Red Key booth can pay to throw whip cream pies in the faces of Red Key student athletes.

National Girls and Women in Sports Day

In an effort to promote equity and appreciation between all athletes, and inspire young girls to pursue their athletic passions, Red Key hosts local youth for a celebration of National Girls and Women in Sports Day each spring. The celebration includes games, athletic challenges, crafts, and culminates in watching one of Cornell’s women’s teams compete. 

Loaves and Fishes Kitchen Cleanup

A local soup kitchen, Loaves and Fishes of Tompkins County hosts volunteers to help prepare and serve 700 meals per week for people in need but much of the cleaning up gets left to the small administrative staff. Once a year, Red Key student athletes gather to deep clean the Loaves and Fishes kitchen and thank the organization for their service to the community.