Harvard Crimson football

ACADEMICS & PRESTIGE: Harvard University is generally recognized as the top academic institution in America and has the highest graduation rate of any college. With a student-teacher ratio of 7:1, a world-renowned faculty, and top-notch academic resources, it is no wonder that Harvard seems to be the standard by which all other colleges are measured.

ATHLETICS AT HARVARD: With 42 Division I sports, Harvard University boasts the largest Division I athletic program in the country. Stanford is next with 36 D-I sports. No one in America does a better job of balancing academics and athletics than Harvard.

HEAD COACH TIM MURPHY & SUCCESS: Coach Murphy has won championships at every school in his head coaching career (Maine, Cincinnati, and Harvard). He has won eight Ivy League Championships and is the “winningest coach” in Harvard football history. In 2014, Harvard won its 16th Ivy League Championship and set yet another Ivy League record with its 14th consecutive season with a minimum .700 winning percentage. The stretch is generally considered the most successful run in conference history. Every four-year player under Murphy’s watch has won a championship, and 99.6 percent have graduated.

NFL PLAYERS: Harvard has had more players sign NFL contracts than any Ivy League program in the past 15 years. Current New York Jets quarterback Ryan Fitzpatrick ’04 was one of Harvard’s most successful signal-callers during his time in Cambridge. Kyle Juszczyk '13, a fourth-round draft pick of the Ravens, started in 14 games for Baltimore last season, amassing 19 catches and one touchdown. In fact, the Crimson program seems to be a pipeline for the Ravens, as former NFL Man of the Year Matt Birk '98 retired after winning the Super Bowl for Baltimore in 2013. Most recently, offensive lineman Nick Easton ’14 signed a contract with the San Francisco 49ers. Isaiah Kacyvenski '00 and Desmond Bryant '09 have also gone on to NFL success in recent years.

INTERNSHIPS & CAREER OPPORTUNITIES: Due to the large metropolitan area and the success of graduates, Harvard students have significant opportunities for summer internships at the best companies in Boston. Harvard Football’s summer internship program is second-to-none. Our players’ reputation for excellence, the outstanding Harvard alumni network, and Coach Murphy’s 20-plus year tenure at Harvard means that many football student-athletes have jobs even before the start of senior year.

FINANCIAL AID: Harvard gives more money in financial aid than any other school in the nation. In 2014, the average grant for students receiving financial aid was $47, 000 per year. The majority of the Harvard football team receives a high level of financial aid, and still graduate debt-free.