1. The Academic Index (AI) Framework

• Each football recruit has an AI score (based on GPA + test scores).

• The team’s average AI must stay close to the average AI of the student body.

• To manage this, recruits are grouped into “bands” (tiers).

2. The Four Bands (simplified)

Exact numbers shift year-to-year and by school, but the structure looks like this:

• Band 1 (Top Tier)

  • AI is very close to the general student body average.

  • These players could possibly be admitted without athletic help.

  • Schools get the largest number of recruits here.

• Band 2

  • Strong academics but below the student body median.

  • Solid chance of admission with coach support.

• Band 3

  • Academics notably below the median.

  • Fewer slots available.

• Band 4 (Lowest Tier)

  • Academics well below the median.

  • Very limited — reserved for exceptional athletes.

3. Football Example: Distribution of Slots

Each Ivy League football team can bring in ~30–35 recruits per year (some variation). The league sets limits on how many can come from each band.

A common breakdown looks like:

• Band 1 (highest academic band): 14 recruits

• Band 2: 8 recruits

• Band 3: 4 recruits

• Band 4 (lowest band): 2 recruits

(Numbers vary by school, but this gives the picture.)

This means:

• Half the class must be in Band 1, strong academically.

• Only a handful can come from the lowest academic band.

4. Other Sports

• Basketball, hockey, lacrosse → similar but smaller-scale band allocations.

• Olympic sports (swimming, tennis, track, etc.) → usually only Band 1 and Band 2 slots, with very few or no Band 3/4.

• Football gets the most flexibility because of roster size.

Takeaway: Ivy coaches can recruit athletes with a range of academic profiles, but the majority must be very close to Ivy standards. The “band” system makes sure no team fills its roster with only lower-academic recruits.