Thirty-five first-year students will join the 135 varsity football players who will begin team practice this Friday, though last year they practiced by themselves.
This is the first season the College will be without a freshman football team. Earlier this year the Ivy League presidents jointly decided to end the program and combine first-year players with the varsity and junior varsity players.
Head Football Coach John Lyons said the decision was doubly motivated. "It was a financial factor and an admissions issue," he said.
The decision will reduce the number of first-year football recruits from approximately 50 to 35, according to Lyons. Classes that have already matriculated will have more players than the '97s, but eventually the numbers will even out, he said.
"Initially it may be difficult for the players but in the long run it will help them to have this year with the varsity coaches," Lyons said.
