Ivy League Programs to Participate in FCS Playoffs

@ Alan Arsenault/Special to the Telegram & Gazette/USA TODAY NETWORK via Imagn Images

After an 80-year voluntary absence from postseason play, the Ivy League teams have resolved to begin competing in the FCS playoffs following the 2025 regular season. The conference of prestigious schools deliberated on the matter for a year before accepting a proposal from the Ivy League Student-Athlete Advisory Committee (SAAC) to allow member universities to take part in the annual FCS tournament.

The Ivy League has played a major role in college football history. To this day, Yale holds the record for the most NCAA football championships with 18.

The Washington Post covered the big story regarding the conference's return to participation in postseason play.

Ivy League Universities

The eight schools of the Ivy League are all located in the Northeast. Their overall and conference records in 2024 are as follows:

• Harvard Crimson (8-2, 5-2)

• Dartmouth Big Green (8-2, 5-2)

• Columbia Lions (7-3, 5-2)

• Yale Bulldogs (7-3, 4-3)

• Cornell Big Red (4-6, 3-4)

• Princeton Tigers (3-7, 2-5)

• Penn Quakers (4-6, 2-5)

• Brown Bears (3-7, 2-5)

Postseason Hiatus

For decades, the eight universities comprising the Ivy League abstained from participating in postseason play based on agreements entered into by the schools back in the 1940s. Conflicts with final exams and player safety were the two main reasons for the agreements.

Press Release

In a press release, Ivy League Executive Robin Harris announced: "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."

Players also indicated they are thrilled by the new development. "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 wide receiver at Yale who serves as the SAAC chair and wrote the proposal the conference ultimately adopted. "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!"