The Ivy League Council of Presidents approved the opportunity for current seasoned student-athletes to play an additional season as graduate students next season, according to a statement sent to student-athletes on Thursday.
The statement, obtained by ESPN, makes it clear that the change to the rule is a one-time waiver because the Ivy League has canceled its fall and winter seasons. It will not be a permanent change.
“This change is a direct result of the pandemic and will not be available for years to come,” says the memo. “The exemption offers current 4th year students the opportunity to complete their athletics experience at their current institution in 2021-22, after remaining on track to graduate in four years.”
It is a radical change for the Ivy League, which in the past did not allow redshirts athletes or graduate students to play track and field. About 20 male Ivy League basketball players graduated and have been transferred to another school since 2015, including several high-profile players. Former Columbia transfer Mike Smith may be the best recent example; he is the titular point guard for Michigan, the third college basketball team.
There are also more than 20 male Ivy League basketball players currently on the NCAA transfer portal. Last season’s Co-Player of the Year, Yale striker Paul Atkinson, signed on to play for Notre Dame next season. Six of the top 25 players in the ESPN transfer ranking are from the Ivy League, including four players who received all the honors from the conference last season.
“Student-athletes who wish to take advantage of this exemption must be admitted to [and then enroll full-time] as a diploma that seeks graduate students through regular channels at their undergraduate institution, “states the ad.” They must receive exemption approval from their institution’s 5th year advisor and the request for exemption must be processed and approved by the Ivy League office. Existing Ivy League financial aid rules will continue to apply. “
In November, the Ivy League became the first – and only – Division I conference to cancel all winter sports. Impacted sports included men’s and women’s basketball, wrestling, indoor athletics, swimming and fencing.
Ivy was also the first conference to cancel its men’s and women’s tournaments last March and was the first to announce that it would not have autumn sports because of the coronavirus pandemic.