The Atlantic Coast Conference has joined its power conference peers in banning players who were on NFL rosters from returning to college football.
The ACC's ban approved Thursday also covers professional athletes returning to college to play men's or women's college basketball. It comes a day after the Big 12's ruling and followed moves by the SEC and Big Ten earlier this week.
“The ACC Board of Directors unanimously adopted a resolution directing the Commissioner to enforce certain eligibility requirements when an athlete seeks to return to collegiate participation after intentionally pursuing a professional career,” the ACC said in a statement.
This all has been in response to a rule change passed by the NCAA granting future athletes five years of eligibility. The change has spawned lawsuits seeking to open that rule to players whose four-year careers ended earlier this year — even leading to the once unthinkable notion of players leaving college, signing with professional teams and then returning to college.
At least two players who signed with NFL teams as undrafted free agents this offseason were hoping to return to college and play for No. 11 LSU.
“Just to me, that's kind of a cutoff, when a guy goes pro,” N.C. State football coach Dave Doeren said after Thursday's practice. “And we say ‘Goodbye, good luck,’ and we move on. And there shouldn’t be the ability to come back. If it’s the Big Ten, SEC — it doesn’t matter to me: it’s an amateurism rule.”
Under the ACC resolution, a school is not permitted to include an individual on its football or men’s or women’s basketball roster when he or she:
— Has previously declared for an NFL, NBA, or WNBA draft and did not appropriately withdraw consistent with NCAA requirements to retain eligibility;
— Signed a contract with the NFL (or other professional football league), NBA/G-League, WNBA (or affiliate) or any team that is a member of any such league.
— Been listed on any roster for an NFL (or other professional football league), NBA/G-League, or WNBA (or affiliate) team.
“The Board’s action reflects the ACC’s commitment to preserving college sports as an opportunity for college students that is clearly distinct from professional sports, protecting opportunities for current and future student-athletes, and promoting competitive equity,” the ACC said. “As the eligibility landscape continues to evolve, the ACC will remain steadfast in its support for standards that are consistent with the educational mission of college athletics.”
The Big 12's rule bars its schools from adding professional athletes in football or any other conference-sponsored sport. The league said its rule would apply independently of the status of NCAA eligibility determinations.
The SEC rule approved Tuesday banned players who have been drafted by NFL, NBA or WNBA teams or listed on rosters in those leagues. The Big Ten only included football in its decision and is expected to later address other sports.
On Wednesday, the NFL made it clear that players who leave the NFL to return to college won’t be allowed to come back to the league this season.
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FILE - The ACC logo sits atop the chain marker during the second half of an NCAA college football game between Duke and North Carolina A&T in Durham, N.C., Sept. 7, 2019. (AP Photo/Karl B DeBlaker, File)
CHICAGO--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Aug 27, 2026--
Representatives from the Federal Home Loan Bank of Chicago (FHLBank Chicago), Gorman & Company, The Phoenix Foundation, and community partners gathered yesterday to celebrate the grand opening of Earle Residences, an adaptive reuse project converting the closed Charles Warrington Earle School into 50 affordable rental apartment units in Chicago’s Englewood neighborhood.
This press release features multimedia. View the full release here: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20260827757228/en/
FHLBank Chicago awarded a $1 million Affordable Housing Program (AHP) grant to support the rehabilitation, preserving a landmark building while expanding housing opportunities in Englewood.
Located on West 61st Street in Chicago’s Englewood neighborhood, Earle Residences provides 50 affordable one- and two-bedroom apartment units. Originally constructed in 1897, the former school has been retro fitted with classrooms converted into apartment units.
The rehabilitation preserved historic features of the former school while creating new residential and community spaces. Resident amenities include gathering and gardening spaces, a computer lab, bicycle storage, an exercise room, performance space, and areas for supportive services and private telehealth appointments.
The development also includes permanent supportive housing, with services provided by The Phoenix Foundation.
“Transforming Earle Residences into affordable housing gave us an opportunity to preserve an important piece of Englewood’s history while creating homes that will serve the community for years to come,” said Sherri Allen-Reeves, Executive Director of Phoenix Foundation. “We’re grateful to FHLBank Chicago and the many partners who helped bring this vision to life.”
The project preserves a historic school building that served generations of Englewood residents, creating new housing while maintaining an important neighborhood landmark.
AHP grants subsidize the acquisition, new construction, or rehabilitation of rental or owner-occupied housing. Delivered in partnership with FHLBank Chicago financial institution members, these forgivable grants help address ongoing housing supply challenges by expanding access to quality affordable housing across Illinois and Wisconsin.
“Earle Residences demonstrates how strategic investment and strong partnerships can preserve community assets while creating affordable housing opportunities,” said Katie Naftzger, SVP and Community Investment Officer at FHLBank Chicago. “We are proud to help bring 50 affordable units to Chicago’s Englewood neighborhood.”
Earle Residences was developed by Gorman & Company in partnership with The Phoenix Foundation, with support from FHLBank Chicago’s Affordable Housing Program, the Illinois Housing Development Authority, the City of Chicago, ComEd Energy Efficiency, and other public and private partners.
About the Federal Home Loan Bank of Chicago
FHLBank Chicago is a regional bank in the Federal Home Loan Bank System. FHLBanks are government-sponsored enterprises created by Congress to ensure access to low-cost funding for their member financial institutions, with a focus on providing solutions that support the housing and community development needs of members’ customers. FHLBank Chicago is a self-capitalizing cooperative, owned by its Illinois and Wisconsin members, including commercial banks, credit unions, insurance companies, savings institutions and community development financial institutions. To learn more about FHLBank Chicago, please visit fhlbc.com.
About Gorman & Company
Gorman & Company is a leader in community revitalization through a steadfast dedication to high-quality affordable, workforce, public, and senior housing nationwide. Their fully integrated platform, led by a team of industry leaders in development, design, construction, and property management, provides the highest level of customer care to their partners. At the heart of Gorman’s philosophy is a commitment to collaboratively build strong, inclusive neighborhoods alongside municipalities, governmental organizations, and nonprofits. Headquartered in Wisconsin, Gorman has been recognized as one of the nation’s top “Affordable Housing Developers” by Affordable Housing Finance magazine for more than a decade. Learn more about their diverse portfolio of national projects on their website.
Representatives from FHLBank Chicago, Gorman & Company, The Phoenix Foundation, and other project partners gathered to celebrate the grand opening of Earle Residences in Chicago’s Englewood neighborhood.
