Football
PRINCETON, N.J. – Following a year-long course of initiated by the Ivy League’s Student-Athlete Advisory Committee (SAAC), the Ivy League Council of Presidents has accredited a proposal to take part within the NCAA Division I Football Championship Subdivision (FCS) playoffs starting subsequent season.
“The Ivy League prides itself on a storied custom of affect, affect and aggressive success all through the historical past of school soccer. We now sit up for a brand new chapter of success and to additional enhancing the student-athlete expertise with our participation within the NCAA FCS playoffs,” mentioned Ivy League Executive Director Robin Harris. “I need to commend the scholars on our SAAC for his or her considerate and thorough proposal in addition to their dedication to the league’s legislative course of.”
The Ivy League SAAC is comprised of 17 student-athletes from all eight establishments, competing in a complete of 12 completely different sports activities. The mission of the student-athlete run committee is to advocate for student-athlete well-being and to foster a constructive student-athlete expertise.
“It’s a monumental day within the Ivy League and a special occasion to be an Ivy League student-athlete,” mentioned Mason Shipp, a senior soccer student-athlete at Yale who serves because the Ivy League SAAC chair and penned the proposal. “Thank you to the Presidents for listening and responding to the voices of your college students. For the longer term generations which might be lucky sufficient to characterize the Ivy League within the FCS playoffs, go win us some {hardware}!”
“I’m thrilled to be part of the inclusion of Ivy League soccer within the FCS playoffs,” mentioned Leah Carey, a senior softball student-athlete at Brown who serves because the Ivy League’s nationwide Division I SAAC consultant. “An enormous thanks to everybody on the Ivy League workplace and the Presidents for making this milestone potential. I can’t wait to see the subsequent student-athletes competing on the highest stage.”
Instrumental within the basis and development of school soccer, the Ivy League’s function as a pacesetter and innovator within the sport has continued by means of the current day. Stemming from the league’s ongoing total evaluate of concussions, launched in 2010, the Ivy League has pioneered quite a few measures to boost the protection of the sport. Two outstanding modifications embody the elimination of dwell to-the-ground tackling throughout common season practices and transferring the kickoff as much as the 40-yard line in league video games, which has resulted in a rise in touchbacks and a discount in concussion accidents.
The Ivy League’s historical past of aggressive success has additionally endured to the current day. In 12 of the previous 14 seasons, the Ivy League has posted a non-conference successful share of .500 or larger. Since 2017, the league is collectively 119-49 (.708). That success has translated to the subsequent stage each on the sphere and in entrance places of work. More than 20 Ivies from all eight establishments earned roster spots on NFL groups. An Ivy alum within the NFL has gained the Super Bowl in 10 of the final 12 seasons.
The 2024 season culminated with Columbia, Dartmouth and Harvard incomes a share of the Ivy League title. Over the subsequent a number of months, the league will develop tiebreakers to find out how its computerized qualifier will probably be awarded when there are co-champions sooner or later.
