INTO THE FRAY: Members of the Princeton University football team burst onto the field as they hosted Dartmouth on November 8. Last week, the Ivy League Council of Presidents has approved a proposal to allow league teams to play in the NCAA Division I Football Championship Subdivision (FCS) playoffs starting in 2025. The decision, which followed a year-long process initiated by the Ivy League’s Student-Athlete Advisory Committee (SAAC), reversed the league’s previous policy of barring its football programs from competing in the tourney despite allowing all other sports to take part in national postseason play. (Photo by Frank Wojciechowski)

By Bill Alden

This fall, the Princeton University field hockey team lost a heartbreaking 1-0 nail-biter to Saint Joseph’s in the NCAA quarterfinals while the Tiger men’s and women’s soccer teams both suffered disappointing one-goal defeats in first-round contests in the national tourney.

Although those setbacks stung, each squad knew where they stood on the national scene.

Before the fall even started, though, the Princeton football team knew it had no chance to play in a national tournament due the Ivy League rule barring its football programs from competing in the NCAA Division I Football Championship Subdivision (FCS) playoffs. That policy has caused much consternation among football programs as the league has allowed all other sports to take part in national postseason play.

That all changed last week as the Ivy League Council of Presidents has approved a proposal to allow league teams to play in the FCS playoffs starting in 2025 following a year-long process initiated by the Ivy League’s Student-Athlete Advisory Committee (SAAC).

“I am thrilled that the Ivy League will be participating in the FCS playoffs,” said Princeton football head coach Bob Surace, who was bitterly disappointed along with his players in 2018 when the program’s ninth-ranked 10-0 squad did not have a chance to test itself that fall in the 24-team FCS tourney. “I am most excited for the players that get the opportunity to enhance what is already an incredible experience in a historic league. I know our players and coaches will continue to put all of our effort into doing everything possible to represent one of the most competitive leagues in college football.”

Princeton Director of Athletics John Mack lauded the league’s change of heart.

“This is a tremendous step for Ivy League football,” said Mack. “While winning an Ivy League Championship will always be the primary goal of our football program, the opportunity to compete in the FCS playoff will add an exciting new element to the experience of our football student-athletes.”

The league’s top administrator, Ivy League Executive Director Robin Harris, saw the decision as being in line with both the league’s place in football history and its goal to give its athletes opportunities to excel.

“The Ivy League prides itself on a storied tradition of impact, influence and competitive success throughout the history of college football,” said Harris. “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. 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 and former Hun School standout 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.”

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 continued 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 former Ivy players from all eight institutions earned roster spots on NFL teams. Former Princeton star receiver Andrei Iosivas, for instance, is currently starting for the Cincinnati Bengals and has made 28 receptions for 355 yards and five touchdowns so far this season. An Ivy alum in the NFL has won a Super Bowl in 10 of the last 12 seasons.

The 2024 season culminated with Columbia, Dartmouth and Harvard each earning a share of the Ivy 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.