In their fifth year head coach Aldo Donelli, the Lions compiled a 6–3 record (6–1 in conference game) and outscored opponents by a total of 240 to 117.

[2][3] Although Columbia had accumulated an Ivy record of 4–10 in the previous two seasons, expectations for the team in 1961 were high; the Columbia Spectator wrote before the season, "[i]f practically no one gets hurt, if a few key sophomores come through, and most important of all, if [Aldo] Donelli's nineteen experienced seniors get fighting mad, then no Ivy League squad will have a chance against the Lions.

"[4] Although the team had led the Tigers 14–0, depth was and remained an issue throughout the season for the Lions; Columbia had only 14 players that consistently played and did not have separate offensive and defensive units.

[4] The team entered the penultimate week of the season having to defeat Penn to win a share of the conference title.

The team played its home games at Baker Field in the Inwood neighborhood of Manhattan, New York City.

Three others were named to the second team: tackle Ed Little, center Lee Black, and quarterback Tom Vasell.