After 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 announcement is great news both for the Ivy League and college football in New England. Four Ivy League programs reside in New England. Brown, Dartmouth, Harvard and Yale. All four can now play for a shot at a national title. 

“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.”

In 1945, the Ivy League presidents signed the Ivy Group Agreement, which prohibited postseason play, alongside athletic scholarships and extended absences to play in games.

Initially, the ruling only applied to football but it was expanded to all sports in 1954. Despite the ruling, other sports have since been allowed to participate in post season play. Now football can as well.

The decision will not only impact programs on the field, but off the field as well. In recent years we have seen a slew of Ivy League grad transfers who have moved to play at the FBS level. The decision to transfer might now be delayed if a player is on a team that has qualified for the playoffs.

Regardless of that, this is a significant day for Ivy League football and college football. Ivy League participation in the FCS playoffs is long overdue and it is now a reality.