In their 27th and final season under head coach Lou Little, the Lions compiled a 3–6 record and were outscored 237 to 94. Arthur Wilson was the team captain.[1]
The Lions' 2–5 conference record tied for sixth place in the Ivy League.[2] This was the first season of formal play for the league, although the Lions' previous independent schedules, dating back to the 19th century, often featured future Ivy opponents. Six of the seven Ivy matchups on Columbia's 1956 schedule had been present on the 1955 slate, as well (as had the two remaining non-Ivy fixtures, Army and Rutgers).
^Briordy, William J. (September 30, 1956). "Bruins Register in Ivy Opener, 20-0". The New York Times. New York, N.Y. p. S1.
^Strauss, Michael (October 7, 1956). "Benham of Columbia Hurt as Tigers Rout Lions, 39-0". The New York Times. New York, N.Y. p. S1.
^Effrat, Louis (October 14, 1956). "Elis Top Columbia; Yale Pressed in 33-19 Victory as Benham Sparks Lions". The New York Times. New York, N.Y. p. S1.
^McGowen, Roscoe (October 21, 1956). "Columbia Tops Harvard, 26-20; Benham Is Star". The New York Times. New York, N.Y. p. S1.
^Effrat, Louis (October 28, 1956). "Cadets Conquer Columbia in Finale of Series, 60-0". The New York Times. New York, N.Y. p. S1.
^Danzig, Allison (November 4, 1956). "Lions Beat Cornell, 25-19, on Benham Aerials, Runs". The New York Times. New York, N.Y. p. S1.
^Werden, Lincoln A. (November 11, 1956). "Dartmouth Beats Columbia, 14 to 0". The New York Times. New York, N.Y. p. S1.