Rick Allen, Founder of Informed Athlete and former DI Compliance Director, shares insight into the Transfer Process including the types of transfers and the NCAA rules that an athlete must follow in order to successfully move to another school and be eligible to play.   

When an athlete is being recruited, the last thing he/she wants to think about is transferring.  However, it’s important to be aware of the NCAA rules before you sign with or walk-on at a school because decisions made can have a huge impact on what happens should you later have to go through the transfer process. 

Please note:  This product bundle includes the actual audio file plus a PDF transcript.  After payment is processed, you’ll receive an email with the download link for both items.  If you have any questions, please call Informed Athlete at 918-994-7272.  

                                                                                                            Parent of a 4-4 baseball transfer

I am the parent of a Division 1 college baseball player and have had the pleasure of talking to Ryan in person, by phone and by email. Ryan Allen is the real deal who has been a Division 1 baseball player and knows the questions to ask and is a tremendous mentor to both athletes and their parents.  Through his college baseball career Ryan learned so much and has no problem conversing with adults by telling them the truth and not candy coating it.  My wife and I only wish we knew Ryan before our journey began because it would have helped us tremendously.  Since he is only a few years older than your son a bond can form between them and they can experience the process with someone that has been there – from falling in love with your first school and not pursuing other avenues (which our son did and regrets) to moving to a Division II for his senior year. 

                                                                                                 Parent of a 4-2-4 transfer baseball player.

That’s the last thing that a college athlete wants to hear from his or her coach.  Sometimes transfers are initiated by the athlete, but many times they are initiated by the coach.

Throughout the years, I have encountered many different reasons for athlete transfers including coaches moving to another school, athletes’ wanting to move closer to home, athletes’ desire to switch schools, or because their scholarship has been reduced or cancelled.

You may be wondering why I am writing about the topic of NCAA transfers when most athletes and parents are just thinking about the NCAA recruiting process.  The transfer rules may be the last thing on your mind.  I understand that – I’ve been there.  However, I believe that you should at least be aware of some of the basic transfer rules.

The sport of baseball is a bit unique in that it is the only sport in which most athletes receive partial scholarships, yet they cannot transfer directly from one NCAA Division I school to another and be immediately eligible, even if their athletic scholarship is reduced or cancelled.

Of special note is the fact that in many transfer situations the first college can still control whether a player will play at another Division I or II school.

An NCAA Division I or II college must receive the written permission of the four-year school that a player is currently attending before they are permitted to speak with that player about the possibility of a transfer.  This can become an issue of conflict between athletes and coaches, and we have worked with a number of athletes and their families to help reduce this conflict and accomplish the transfer in a positive manner.

Players also need to remember that academic eligibility will be a very important factor in order to be immediately eligible at the next college, whether transferring from a four-year college or from a junior college.  Registering with the NCAA Eligibility Center and being classified as a Qualifier – even if you know you will be starting out at the junior college level – is an important factor and will make the transfer process much easier and less stressful when that time comes.

Contact us for further information if you need help with transferring.  Through the years, we have assisted many athletes through tough transfer situations.  To schedule an appointment with Rick Allen, please call us at 918-994-7272 or email rick@informedathlete.com