As Columbia Coach Al Bagnoli led his team back to the visitors’ locker room after a 44-24 loss to Fordham on Saturday at Jack Coffey Field, excited fans who gathered along the pathway cheered even though the Lions had absorbed their 22nd consecutive defeat. But this loss was a hopeful one. It did not feel like so many others.
To start the Bagnoli Era, Columbia unveiled a team long on spirit and determination, one that may rise or at least free itself of a burdensome losing streak that punctuates decades of failure.
“If this team stays together and keeps competing and avoids mistakes, we have a chance to be a decent football team,” Bagnoli said.