Just to throw my two bits in:
         I would hardly call the RPI band attire imitation of Cornell, and
most certainly not flattery. As others have noted, RPI has been wearing red and
white rugby shirts since at least '84, when the team was in the NC$$ playoffs
for the first time in several years. Prior to that, they wore red blazers, with
the RPI seal below the left breast pocket. This dates back to the early-mid
70's. Before that, who knows? Also, I think we can rest assured that RPI will
not change its nickname to "Big Red" ..they have always been the "Engineers"
and there is absolutely no reason nor need to change. Of course, at Houston
Field House, one can hear chants of "let's go Red" --not 'big red', just 'red'
and the slightly more recent 'let's go you cherry-and-white'. I took in my
my first game at the Field House when I was 4 and since then I have never
heard anything pertaining to "Big Red"..not even when Cornell was visiting.
By the way, how many other bands wear red and white rugby shirts? Boston
University did last time I saw them..how about Wisconsin?