Last season, the majority of the freshmen players saw their only meaningful game action during junior varsity contests, a less-stressful transition to intercollegiate athletics. According to Scalise, a proponent of JV programs, the admission cuts were agreed upon with the survival of JV football in mind.

“Given our principle of broad participation and developmental nature of football, I am very concerned about anything that would jeopardize our JV program,” Scalise said. “In speaking with Tim Murphy, our football coach, 30 seemed like the bare minimum to be able to continue to field a JV team.”

Murphy, though, is not sure.

“In the long run, I believe that it will be very difficult to field JV teams in the future,” Murphy said.

This, according to Murphy, may diminish enthusiasm for the sport in his younger players.

“The ability to play in a game (as opposed to just practice) for a freshman or sophomore not only helps their development as an athlete, but is also a positive emotional factor,” Murphy said. “Football, although arguably the greatest game to play on Saturday, can be a very tough, mundane sport to practice.”