Spectators cheer at the Dean's Cup basketball game.

Deans’ Cup

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Columbia Law looks forward to bringing back the Dean’s Cup trophy in 2025!

Deans’ Cup is an annual charity basketball game between Columbia Law School and New York University Law School (NYU), and has been historically recognized as one of the largest legal fundraising events hosted by Law Schools. First held in 2002, the annual game serves to provide funds for the Public Interest Law Foundation (PILF) at both universities. 

The Deans’ Cup is one of the nation's premier law school events—to date, we've rallied together to raise over half a million dollars for public interest initiatives benefiting both Columbia and NYU Law’s Public Interest Law Foundations. Join Student Senate as we carry forward this legacy, striving to elevate the event each passing year!

Video by Teyvon Bussey (Instagram @blvckpics)

This year’s game will be hosted at New York University on April 24, 2025. More details to come.

Two Columbia and NYU law students play basketball together.

Fun Fact

Columbia beat NYU last year with a score of 65-63.

Dean Gillian Lester holds a basketball in the 2017 Dean's Cup.

Fun Fact

In the past, Deans’ Cup has featured a faculty basketball game at halftime!

NYU is leading the series against Columbia (14-6)

2023
Columbia and NYU Law students jump up to catch a basketball.

Columbia (65) NYU (63)

2022

NYU (48) Columbia (34)

2019
The Dean's Cup trophy

NYU (68) Columbia (53)

2018

NYU (59) Columbia (57)

2017
A Columbia Law student jumps to throw a basketball through a hoop.

NYU (81) Columbia (64)

2016
A Columbia Law student holds a basketball while NYU students reach over her.

Columbia (75) NYU (71)

2015

NYU (85) Columbia (80)

2014

Columbia (74) NYU (56)

2013

NYU (70) Columbia (67)

2012

NYU (56) Columbia (46)

2011

NYU (78) Columbia (67)

2010

NYU (55) Columbia (45)

2009

NYU (56) Columbia (53)

2008

Columbia (83) NYU (64)

2007

NYU (68) Columbia (65)

2006

Columbia (67) NYU (47)

2005

NYU (72) Columbia (66)

2004

NYU (77) Columbia (75)

2003

NYU (37) Columbia (35)

2002

Columbia (42) NYU (39)

2023 Deans’ Cup Highlights

Students in bleacher seating cheer and hold a sign that reads I HEART CLS!
Two Columbia and NYU law students play basketball together.
A Columbia Law student holds a basketball.
A Columbia Law student holds a basketball overhead.
A Columbia Law student holds a basketball overhead.
A Columbia Law student jumps up to a basketball hoop while an NYU Law Student jumps to block.
Spectators in bleachers cheer at the 2023 Dean's Cup basketball game.
Students in bleacher seating cheer and hold a sign that reads I HEART CLS!
Two Columbia and NYU law students play basketball together.
A Columbia Law student holds a basketball.
A Columbia Law student holds a basketball overhead.
A Columbia Law student holds a basketball overhead.
A Columbia Law student jumps up to a basketball hoop while an NYU Law Student jumps to block.
Spectators in bleachers cheer at the 2023 Dean's Cup basketball game.

This year's sponsors include:

Paul, Weiss, Rifkind, Wharton, & Garrison; Sidley Austin LLP; Fried, Frank, Harris, Shriver, & Jacobson LLP; Davis Polk & Wardwell LLP; Kappa Xi Lambda Chapter (Wall Street) - Alpha Phi Alpha Fraternity Incorporated; Troutman Pepper; Mosaic Search Partners.