Historic Decision for College Football

PRINCETON, N.J. – In a historic decision that could change the landscape of college football, the Ivy League Council of Presidents has officially approved a proposal for the league to participate in the NCAA Division I Football Championship Subdivision (FCS) playoffs, starting in the 2025 season.

This monumental shift comes after a year-long effort led by the Ivy League’s Student-Athlete Advisory Committee (SAAC), showcasing the voices and desires of student-athletes across the league. Ivy League Executive Director Robin Harris expressed great enthusiasm about this new chapter, stating, “The Ivy League prides itself on a storied tradition of impact, influence, and competitive success throughout the history of college football. Our participation in the NCAA FCS playoffs marks a significant step in enhancing the student-athlete experience.”

Voices of Student-Athletes

The SAAC, composed of 17 student-athletes from all eight Ivy institutions, focuses on advocating for the well-being of student-athletes while promoting a positive athletic experience. Mason Shipp, a senior football player at Yale and the chair of the SAAC, remarked on the excitement surrounding this decision, saying, “This is a monumental day in the Ivy League and a special day to be an Ivy League student-athlete. Thank you to the Presidents for listening and responding to the voices of your students. For the future generations that are fortunate enough to represent the Ivy League in the FCS playoffs, go win us some hardware!”

Leah Carey, a senior softball star from Brown and the Ivy League’s national Division I SAAC representative, also expressed her excitement: "I am thrilled to be a part of the inclusion of Ivy League football in the FCS playoffs. A huge thank you to everyone at the Ivy League office and the Presidents for making this milestone possible.”

Ivy League's Tradition in Sports Safety

The Ivy League, known for its pivotal role in the foundation and evolution of college football, is no stranger to innovation in sports safety. Since launching a comprehensive review of concussion protocols in 2010, the league has implemented critical safety measures, including the ban on live tackling during regular season practices, leading to safer play on the field.

Competitive Strength in College Football

The Ivy League has also demonstrated competitive strength, boasting an impressive non-conference winning percentage of .500 or higher in 12 of the past 14 seasons. Collectively, the league stands with a remarkable record of 119-49 (.708) since 2017. Notably, over 20 Ivy athletes have secured positions on NFL teams, with Ivy alumni celebrating Super Bowl victories in 10 of the last 12 seasons.

Looking Ahead to the Future

As the 2024 season wraps up with Columbia, Dartmouth, and Harvard sharing the Ivy League title, the future promises more exhilarating football. Plans are already underway to create tiebreaker rules to determine automatic qualifiers when co-champions occur in the upcoming seasons.

This exciting decision marks a pivotal moment for Ivy League football, blending tradition with competitive aspirations, and leaving fans eager for what lies ahead in this new era of college sports. Will Ivy League teams thrive on the national stage? Only time will tell!