NCAA Stock (photo: <a href="https://spitserphotography.com/">Jack Spitser)</a>
In a landmark decision that is set to change the landscape of collegiate sports, the University of Notre Dame has made history by becoming the first university to publicly commit to grandfathering-in roster limits for its athletes. This bold move reflects a deep commitment to preserving the integrity of student-athlete development while also acknowledging the shifting dynamics of the modern collegiate athletic environment. As the first institution to take such a step, Notre Dame is positioning itself at the forefront of a broader conversation about the future of collegiate sports, particularly in the context of roster management, scholarships, and the evolving nature of college athletics.
This move comes at a time when the college sports world is grappling with several significant challenges, including the financial pressures brought about by television deals, the rising costs of student-athlete scholarships, and the shifting expectations of athletes themselves. The decision to implement a grandfathering-in policy for roster limits signals a response to these challenges, one that balances competitive fairness with long-term sustainability for both the institution and its athletes.
Historically, roster limits in collegiate sports have been a source of controversy and negotiation. Teams, especially in high-profile sports like football and basketball, often struggle to manage the number of athletes on their rosters, particularly when the roster exceeds the set limits imposed by governing bodies like the NCAA. The consequences of these limits can have far-reaching effects on student-athletes’ opportunities for play, academic success, and future professional prospects. For coaches, the challenge is balancing the need to build competitive teams with the responsibility of fostering an environment that supports personal and athletic growth for all athletes involved.
Notre Dame’s decision to grandfather-in roster limits represents a response to this ongoing tension. By committing to a policy that allows athletes who were previously part of the roster to remain, even if the roster size exceeds the set limit, the university is ensuring that these athletes will not be displaced by newer recruits or shifts in the team’s structure. This approach is meant to provide stability for athletes who may otherwise be caught in the uncertainty of roster turnover, which is an especially pertinent issue in an era marked by the prevalence of the transfer portal.
The transfer portal has become one of the most significant developments in collegiate sports over the past decade, offering student-athletes a more fluid path to change teams and seek better opportunities. While this provides athletes with greater autonomy over their collegiate careers, it also introduces challenges for teams that must constantly adjust their rosters to accommodate transfers in and out. The decision to grandfather-in athletes ensures that those who have been part of the program for a significant amount of time are not forced out by new incoming players, providing them with more stability and ensuring their contributions to the team are respected.
At the heart of Notre Dame’s commitment is a recognition of the broader issues facing collegiate athletics today. College sports have long been criticized for prioritizing revenue-generating sports at the expense of student-athlete well-being, with some programs operating like professional leagues rather than educational institutions. As the NCAA and universities alike face growing scrutiny over their treatment of athletes, initiatives like Notre Dame’s grandfathering-in policy are a step toward rectifying some of these concerns. The policy speaks directly to the need for universities to recognize the human element of college athletics, where athletes are more than just players on a roster—they are students, individuals, and future professionals with their own personal and academic goals.
The move is also seen as a significant victory for student-athletes, especially in the context of their increasing role in shaping the future of collegiate sports. With the evolving nature of college athletics, including NIL (name, image, and likeness) deals, the rise of social media platforms, and the shift towards more player-centric initiatives, universities must adapt to ensure that their athletes’ experiences are positive and provide them with the opportunities they deserve. By grandfathering-in athletes and creating a more stable environment for their participation, Notre Dame is demonstrating a strong commitment to its athletes’ success both on and off the field.
This new policy could also have a ripple effect across the broader college sports landscape. As other universities and athletic programs look to Notre Dame as a model, the hope is that this will spark further conversations about how colleges can better serve their student-athletes. For many programs, roster limits are seen as an inevitable constraint, one that may need to be reconsidered in light of the broader context of college athletics today. Notre Dame’s decision challenges the conventional wisdom and invites other schools to rethink their approach to managing roster sizes and athlete development.
Moreover, the decision to grandfather-in roster limits may also be a reflection of a more sustainable approach to collegiate sports in the long term. In a world where college athletics is increasingly seen as a multi-billion-dollar industry, universities must balance financial goals with ethical considerations, particularly when it comes to the well-being of their athletes. By offering more stability in the roster process, Notre Dame is signaling that there is room for thoughtful and strategic adjustments that respect the needs of athletes while maintaining competitive integrity.
The precedent set by Notre Dame has the potential to spark a larger movement toward more personalized and athlete-centric policies within collegiate sports. As more schools grapple with the realities of modern athletics, where the pressure to win is often coupled with the expectation to provide a fulfilling educational experience, policies that prioritize the long-term welfare of student-athletes may become more common. Whether this trend will spread beyond football or basketball programs into other collegiate sports remains to be seen, but it signals a shift in how universities think about their roles as stewards of both education and athletics.
Critics of the policy may argue that grandfathering-in roster limits could lead to an imbalance in competition or that it might slow the development of new talent. However, this view overlooks the broader context of student-athlete development, which is not always linear. Roster limits have often created an environment of scarcity, where athletes feel they must constantly compete for a limited number of spots, sometimes to the detriment of their personal growth. Notre Dame’s approach acknowledges that athletes need time to develop their skills, not only on the field but also in their personal and academic lives. This move, which ensures that no athlete is unfairly displaced due to arbitrary roster constraints, represents a step toward a more holistic and ethical approach to managing college sports.
For Notre Dame, this bold move aligns with the university’s long-standing tradition of excellence, both academically and athletically. The university has always prided itself on its ability to balance academic rigor with athletic achievement, and the new policy reinforces that commitment. It demonstrates that the institution understands that fostering a thriving student-athlete community requires more than just financial investments or winning seasons. It requires a focus on the well-being of the individuals who make up the teams.
Ultimately, Notre Dame’s decision to become the first university to publicly commit to grandfathering-in roster limits sets an important precedent for the future of collegiate sports. In a time of unprecedented change, it demonstrates a willingness to rethink long-established practices in favor of more compassionate, sustainable, and student-focused policies. As the landscape of college athletics continues to evolve, this move may serve as a model for other universities to follow, helping to reshape the collegiate sports world for years to come. Through this commitment, Notre Dame is signaling that it is not just a leader in athletics, but also a leader in creating a more equitable and humane environment for student-athletes.
