But the Ivy League also has a much higher attrition rate among its athletes than most leagues. Since no Ivy institution awards athletic scholarships, the incentive for recruited athletes to continue playing football once they begin attending classes is lower than at other schools.

Scalise acknowldges this.

“While efficiency sounds good, the mechanisms which enable many schools to recruit in small numbers, such as athletic scholarships and redshirting, are things which go against the principles of both Harvard and the Ivy League,” Scalise said.

Murphy and his staff will be forced to recruit differently now.

“It’s certainly changed the way we recruit,” Murphy said. “From the standpoint of emphasizing retention, we absolutely must get serious football players. We just can’t afford to lose a kid once they matriculate to Harvard.”

Murphy may also have to target players capable of contributing immediately.

Since there is no redshirting in the Ivy League, the reduction will most likely lead to increased playing time for freshmen—who, as late as 1991, were not allowed to participate in varsity football at all.

“In my opinion, very few if any freshmen are ready for the transition to college and playing collegiate football at the same time,” Murphy said.