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Ivy League To Begin Participating in the NCAA Division I FCS Playoffs Starting With 2025 Season
12/18/2024 10:04:00 AM | Football
PRINCETON, N.J. – Following a year-long process initiated by the Ivy League's Student-Athlete Advisory Committee (SAAC), the Ivy League Council of Presidents has approved a proposal to participate in the NCAA Division I Football Championship Subdivision (FCS) playoffs beginning next season.
"The Ivy League prides itself on a storied tradition of impact, influence and competitive success throughout the history of college football. We now look ahead to a new chapter of success and to further enhancing the student-athlete experience with our participation in the NCAA FCS playoffs," said Ivy League Executive Director Robin Harris. "I want to commend the students on our SAAC for their thoughtful and thorough proposal as well as their commitment to the league's legislative process."
The Ivy League SAAC is comprised of 17 student-athletes from all eight institutions, competing in a total of 12 different sports. The mission of the student-athlete run committee is to advocate for student-athlete well-being and to foster a positive student-athlete experience.
"It's a monumental day in the Ivy League and a special day to be an Ivy League student-athlete," said Mason Shipp, a senior football student-athlete at Yale who serves as the Ivy League SAAC chair and penned the proposal. "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!"
"I am thrilled to be a part of the inclusion of Ivy League football in the FCS playoffs," said Leah Carey, a senior softball student-athlete at Brown who serves as the Ivy League's national Division I SAAC representative. "A huge thank you to everyone at the Ivy League office and the Presidents for making this milestone possible. I can't wait to see the next student-athletes competing at the highest level."
Instrumental in the foundation and growth of college football, the Ivy League's role as a leader and innovator in the sport has continued through the present day. Stemming from the league's ongoing overall review of concussions, launched in 2010, the Ivy League has pioneered numerous measures to enhance the safety of the game. Two prominent modifications include the elimination of live to-the-ground tackling during regular season practices and moving the kickoff up to the 40-yard line in league games, which has resulted in an increase in touchbacks and a reduction in concussion injuries.
The Ivy League's history of competitive success has also persisted to the present day. In 12 of the past 14 seasons, the Ivy League has posted a non-conference winning percentage of .500 or higher. Since 2017, the league is collectively 119-49 (.708). That success has translated to the next level both on the field and in front offices. More than 20 Ivies from all eight institutions earned roster spots on NFL teams. An Ivy alum in the NFL has won the Super Bowl in 10 of the last 12 seasons.
The 2024 season culminated with Columbia, Dartmouth and Harvard earning a share of the Ivy League title. Over the next several months, the league will develop tiebreakers to determine how its automatic qualifier will be awarded when there are co-champions in the future.
WHAT THEY ARE SAYING
Brown Head Coach - James Perry '00
"I would like to thank the Ivy League Council of Presidents and the Ivy League SAAC for this new chapter in our league's great history. I have been a part of Ivy League football since 1996, and this is a great moment for our players and the league. It is important for our players to get a chance to compete on a national level. Having been part of Ivy League championships as both a player and coach, I know that our league can compete at a high level and appreciate the opportunity for our teams to compete in the postseason."
Samuel M. Mencoff '78 Vice President for Athletics and Recreation - M. Grace Calhoun '92, Ph.D.
"I know there has been interest in this opportunity for a very long time, and we are thrilled that our football student-athletes will now have the same chance to experience postseason participation as their peers in our other sports."
Assistant Vice President for Athletics and Recreation, Intercollegiate Programs - Jake Silverman
"I am thrilled for our Ivy League Football student-athletes to now have access to a championship experience. This is a historic step in our league's history. We are grateful to our University Presidents, and Ivy League SAAC for making this landmark change. Our student-athlete experience is dramatically enhanced, and the future of our league is made brighter with this decision."
BROWN UNIVERSITY SPORTS FOUNDATION
The Brown University Sports Foundation (BUSF) is the backbone of our athletics program, playing a crucial role in enhancing the student-athlete experience. This is possible through philanthropic support from our alumni, parents, fans, and friends. Your gift through the Sports Foundation can immediately impact today's Brown Bears, helping them excel in the classroom, in competition, and, most importantly, in the community. Please click here to learn more about how you can support the Bears.
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For the latest on Brown Athletics, please follow @BrownU_Bears on X and @BrownU_Bears on Instagram. Like BrownUBears on Facebook and subscribe to the BrownAthletics YouTube channel.
"The Ivy League prides itself on a storied tradition of impact, influence and competitive success throughout the history of college football. We now look ahead to a new chapter of success and to further enhancing the student-athlete experience with our participation in the NCAA FCS playoffs," said Ivy League Executive Director Robin Harris. "I want to commend the students on our SAAC for their thoughtful and thorough proposal as well as their commitment to the league's legislative process."
The Ivy League SAAC is comprised of 17 student-athletes from all eight institutions, competing in a total of 12 different sports. The mission of the student-athlete run committee is to advocate for student-athlete well-being and to foster a positive student-athlete experience.
"It's a monumental day in the Ivy League and a special day to be an Ivy League student-athlete," said Mason Shipp, a senior football student-athlete at Yale who serves as the Ivy League SAAC chair and penned the proposal. "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!"
"I am thrilled to be a part of the inclusion of Ivy League football in the FCS playoffs," said Leah Carey, a senior softball student-athlete at Brown who serves as the Ivy League's national Division I SAAC representative. "A huge thank you to everyone at the Ivy League office and the Presidents for making this milestone possible. I can't wait to see the next student-athletes competing at the highest level."
Instrumental in the foundation and growth of college football, the Ivy League's role as a leader and innovator in the sport has continued through the present day. Stemming from the league's ongoing overall review of concussions, launched in 2010, the Ivy League has pioneered numerous measures to enhance the safety of the game. Two prominent modifications include the elimination of live to-the-ground tackling during regular season practices and moving the kickoff up to the 40-yard line in league games, which has resulted in an increase in touchbacks and a reduction in concussion injuries.
The Ivy League's history of competitive success has also persisted to the present day. In 12 of the past 14 seasons, the Ivy League has posted a non-conference winning percentage of .500 or higher. Since 2017, the league is collectively 119-49 (.708). That success has translated to the next level both on the field and in front offices. More than 20 Ivies from all eight institutions earned roster spots on NFL teams. An Ivy alum in the NFL has won the Super Bowl in 10 of the last 12 seasons.
The 2024 season culminated with Columbia, Dartmouth and Harvard earning a share of the Ivy League title. Over the next several months, the league will develop tiebreakers to determine how its automatic qualifier will be awarded when there are co-champions in the future.
WHAT THEY ARE SAYING
Brown Head Coach - James Perry '00
"I would like to thank the Ivy League Council of Presidents and the Ivy League SAAC for this new chapter in our league's great history. I have been a part of Ivy League football since 1996, and this is a great moment for our players and the league. It is important for our players to get a chance to compete on a national level. Having been part of Ivy League championships as both a player and coach, I know that our league can compete at a high level and appreciate the opportunity for our teams to compete in the postseason."
Samuel M. Mencoff '78 Vice President for Athletics and Recreation - M. Grace Calhoun '92, Ph.D.
"I know there has been interest in this opportunity for a very long time, and we are thrilled that our football student-athletes will now have the same chance to experience postseason participation as their peers in our other sports."
Assistant Vice President for Athletics and Recreation, Intercollegiate Programs - Jake Silverman
"I am thrilled for our Ivy League Football student-athletes to now have access to a championship experience. This is a historic step in our league's history. We are grateful to our University Presidents, and Ivy League SAAC for making this landmark change. Our student-athlete experience is dramatically enhanced, and the future of our league is made brighter with this decision."
BROWN UNIVERSITY SPORTS FOUNDATION
The Brown University Sports Foundation (BUSF) is the backbone of our athletics program, playing a crucial role in enhancing the student-athlete experience. This is possible through philanthropic support from our alumni, parents, fans, and friends. Your gift through the Sports Foundation can immediately impact today's Brown Bears, helping them excel in the classroom, in competition, and, most importantly, in the community. Please click here to learn more about how you can support the Bears.
FOLLOW US ON SOCIAL
For the latest on Brown Athletics, please follow @BrownU_Bears on X and @BrownU_Bears on Instagram. Like BrownUBears on Facebook and subscribe to the BrownAthletics YouTube channel.
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