Cornell University Athletics

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: Quinn Rinkus (women’s swimming and diving) 
Co-President: Elizabeth Brantley (women’s rowing)

Vice President: Fiona Neibart (fencing); Treasurer: Daniel Simoes (men’s swimming and diving); External Affairs Chair: Nicole Mallus (volleyball); Secretary: Sarah Caldwell (women’s track and field); Social Media Chair: Izzie Riccardi (women’s rowing); National Girls and Women in Sports Day Chair: Izzie Riccardi (women’s rowing)
 

Red Key Student Athletes

Ben Sahakian (football), Max Van Fleet (football), Tyler Debusschere (men's golf), Jack O'Brien (men's hockey), Bennett Dodge (men's heavyweight rowing), Sofie Cole (men's heavyweight rowing), Brendan Staub (men's lacrosse), Matt Dooley (men's lacrosse), Ryan Waldman (men's lacrosse), Amanda Johnson (men's lightweight rowing), Alexei DiDonato (men's sprint football), Daniel Simoes (men's swimming and diving), JP Vanderloo (men's swimming and diving), Nicholas Frattina (men's track and field), Ryan Antwi (men's track and field), Ashton Davis (men's wrestling), Vince Cornella (men's wrestling), Emily Pape (women's basketball), Fiona Neibart (women's fencing), Ashley Plzak (women's field hockey), Addy Rothstein (women's gymnastics), Emily Joyce (women's gymnastics), Michaela DeFrancisco (women's gymnastics), Mckenna Van Gelder (women's hockey), Caitlin Tully (women's lacrosse), Ellie Bergin (women's lacrosse), Mackenzie Clark (women's lacrosse), Izzie Riccardi (women's rowing), Liz Brantley (women's rowing), Kate Constan (women's sailing), Sophia Devling (women's sailing), Grace Diehl (women's soccer), Sydney Stapf (women's softball), Ash Khubchandani (women's squash), Devon Shatzman (women's squash), Quinn Rinkus (women's swimming and diving), Emma Baker (women's tennis), Sarah Caldwell (women's track and field), Amrit Dhaliwal (volleyball), Nicole Mallus (volleyball)
 

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 are 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

Holiday Food Drive

Each fall semester, Red Key collaborates with local community outreach organizations to organize a food drive in support of community members in need. With assistance from the athletic department, Red Key leads the collection of canned goods, toiletries, and essential personal hygiene supplies.

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. 

All-Athlete Volunteer Day

Once a semester, Red Key organizes a joint athlete volunteering day with the many other athletic organizations across campus (Women of Color in Athletics, Men of Color in Athletics, Cornell Student Athletes for Sustainability, Student-Athlete Advisory Committee, Big Red Pride, and more). Together, athletes from these organizations work with Ithaca Reuse to make a local impact by turning recycled and donated goods into usable materials for the community.