What Is the Josh Palmer Pigskin Classic?
The Josh Palmer Pigskin Classic is an annual sprint football game between Mansfield University and Cornell University—longtime rivals in the Collegiate Sprint Football League (CSFL). This tradition brings together the Mountaineers and Big Red for a spirited matchup that highlights the best of collegiate sprint football.
The 2025 game is set for Saturday, October 25, with kickoff at 4 p.m. at Karl Van Norman Field in Mansfield.
This year also marks the 25th anniversary of the Josh Palmer Fund, which has supported cancer patients and their families throughout the Twin Tiers region. Since its founding, the fund has raised nearly $1.6 million to aid those affected by cancer.
Origin & Significance
Origins:
Founded in 2001, the Pigskin Classic was created to honor Josh Palmer—a former Mansfield University football player and assistant coach. After surviving Hodgkin’s disease, Josh dedicated his life to helping others, establishing the Josh Palmer Fund to support young adult cancer patients and their families.
Legacy:
The Pigskin Classic is more than a game. It stands as a powerful tribute to resilience, community, and hope. As one player put it:
“We play for a cause … it gives me a little bit of joy, extra joy … other than just playing for ourselves.”
Community Impact:
Proceeds from the event go directly to the Josh Palmer Fund, which continues to provide essential financial support to families across the Twin Tiers. The mission remains unwavering, captured in Josh’s own words: “Until no one on Earth has cancer, the Josh Palmer Fund will be there.”
Our Partnerships
