Hello again to all of our Informed Athlete Followers. Hopefully you are finding better ways to stay cool than I am in this hot weather.
With summer ball on the back stretch for many student-athletes, many guys are preparing to return to their respective schools.
A popular question this time of year for student-athletes may be whether or not it is in their best interest to return to the school that they finished the previous season with. This can obviously be a very difficult decision for most, if not all, student-athletes.
Speaking as a former student-athlete who transferred after his junior season, I can fully understand the anxiety behind starting over at a new school and leaving behind the relationships that you have formed at your current school. But at the end of the day, each athlete needs to look at his/her priorities as a student-athlete.
If you are a person who is more concerned with a continuous 4-year education from the same major university, then it may be in your best interest to stay where you are currently at. The same applies to those who are content with being a bench player or moderate contributor, or are simply fulfilling a dream of wearing those school’s colors.
However, if you are a person who wants to put him/herself in the best position to achieve their full potential, then you need to closely examine your options for staying/leaving for the following year.
The best indicator for your future with your current school would be your relationship with your head coach, and whether or not he/she sees a successful future for you on his/her team. I’m sure most of you have at least one coach on staff that you admire, or have a good relationship with. But, the head coach should be the tell-tale indicator. After all, he/she is the one who will make the final decision.
It might also be beneficial to look at your coach’s track record of developing players and what kinds of players get the most playing time. Some schools put more focus on developing their own players out of high school, while others may put an emphasis on bringing in junior college players to contribute immediately.
For example, if you just finished your first year at a particular school as redshirted player, does the trend indicate that you still have a good shot at playing time, or does that most likely mean your future with that school is dwindling.
In summation, there are many things to be considered when looking at your future with a particular athletic program. But keeping these issues at the forefront will hopefully put you in a better position to make a confident decision that will allow you to move forward with no regrets.
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Good info which we may need.
What if a student athlete wants to transfer from a DII to a DI school. Must he sit out or is he allowed to play?
thanks so much.
Wondering,
You don’t mention specifically which sport you’re asking about. There are a number of various factors to consider, but in most cases a student-athlete transferring from Division II to Division I to participate in the sports of baseball, basketball, bowl subdivision football, or men’s ice hockey will have to sit out in their first year at the Division I program.
Rick
my son (qualifier) received a full ride to a d1 college out of high school in 2012..got there in august did not like it there or so he transfer to a d2 college partial scholarship and started at QB as a true freshman now he wants to go back to a D1 program will have to redshirt or sit a year or can he go to another D2 college closer to home and play this season (SO) year..or would have to go to a JUCO and graduate to transfer to a D1.. would love to hear your response…THANKS
Hi Mark,
When you say that your son “got there in August, did not like it there, so transferred to a d2 college…”, I am assuming that he participated in at least a couple of days of “two-a-days” practice at the Div. I school before transferring to the Div. II program.
If that is the case, he will have to sit out for a year at the next four-year school, because he’s already used the “One-Time Transfer Exception.” So he would need to go to a JUCO to be able to play next year, and then be a 4-2-4 transfer back to Div. I.
Rick
Can a D1 student athlete whom is not on scholarship talk to other schools without signing a release? If you go from D1 to D2 is there a waiting period or can they play immediately if Athletic Directors agree to it? The sport we are talking about is golf.
Look forward to your reply. Thank you.
Hi Michael,
Even if a Div. I (or II) student-athlete is not receiving an athletic scholarship, he or she is still required to obtain written “permission to contact” before coaches at other schools can discuss a possible transfer with him or her. A student-athlete transferring from Div. I to Div. II in the sport of golf can be immediately eligible upon transfer as long as the Div. I school agrees to the One-Time Transfer Exception and can certify that the student-athlete would be eligible if they were returning to the original school rather than transferring.
Rick
Hi, my son is currently soph at D1 baseball school on scholarship. He is about to ask for his release from the team and plans to transfer, but my question is, if he is released now (Mid-march) do we have to repay the scholarship $$ to the school?
Thanks.
LN,
When you state that he’s going to ask for his “release from the team,” I”m not sure whether you mean he is going to quit the team, or whether he is going to ask for permission to talk to other schools about a transfer. The school does have the right to cancel his athletic scholarship immediately if he quits the team.
However, if he is not quitting the team, but is only asking for permission to talk to other schools while remaining on the team, they can’t take away his scholarship. If this is the case, don’t be surprised if the coach tries to force him to quit or will claim that by asking for permission to speak to other schools about a transfer, that he has in effect mentally quit on his team already. The rules specifically state that requesting permission to talk to another team about a possible transfer does not constitute voluntary withdrawal from the team, but the coach may try to pressure him to do so.
Good luck to your son!
Rick
My son is a Jr at a D1 baseball school on scholarship. He hasn’t played in a game this year and at this point I wonder if he will. If he doesn’t play an inning for the year does he lose a year of eligibility? If he decides to transfer to another school (maybe a D3 school) what steps do you recommend and at what point?
Thanks!
Hi Dad,
I’d like to discuss your son’s situation with you to be sure that we cover all the necessary aspects of this. I’ll send you a direct e-mail.
Rick
If I quit my D1 track team after the first semester will the scholarship money I recieved the first semester be taken away because I did not compete in the real track season or for a full year?
If you quit the team after the first semester, there should not be a requirement that you have to repay the scholarship money you received for the first semester. You should only lose your scholarship for the second semester – the one in which you quit the team.
Rick
My son just finished his junior year at a D1 college. He was a transfer from an excellent junior college. The head coach is a power-hungry bully. He was suppose to retire this year but changed his mind. Because of a technicality he is there for 1 more year. If my son is able to obtain a release from the school, can he transfer to a college within the same conference and play this year or does he have to sit out a year. This is his last year of eligibility and this is important.
Hi Lisa,
If he desires to transfer within the same conference, it will depend upon conference rules, but most likely he will have to sit out during his first year at the next school. It could also depend upon your son’s sport, and perhaps whether he was/is on an athletic scholarship or was recruited in his sport.
Rick
My brother is in a tricky situation. He signed to play football at a D3 school. He has been playing on a bad shoulder for 2yrs now and now the pain is unbearable. He feels the only way for it to heal is take a full year off but he believes the doctor will not give him the pass he needs to sit out the year. My brother would not like to lose his scholarship but the coach seems as if he doesn’t care and now he would like to transfer. How should he go about this situation, the transfer/keeping scholarship if he were to quit.
Hi Cris,
Because your brother signed with a Div. III school, the coach should not be able to take away his scholarship. This is because Div. III schools are not permitted to provide scholarships based on athletics. If you’d like additional information, contact me directly at rick@informedathlete.com.
Rick
Hi Rick,
I signed an NLI at a D1 school, but I’m dealing with family issues and personal problems and I’m 1000 miles away from home. Does this seem to be a legitimate reason go get released? Also, I know which school I want to transfer to (also NLI school). Am I allowed to speak with their coaching staff before I request a release? Thanks!
Hi Ryan,
Coaches at other schools are not permitted to speak with you about a possible transfer until they have written permission from your current school. As far as getting released from your NLI commitment, that depends upon a lot of factors, including how hard the school recruited you, how much are you are contributing at this time, and their general athletic department policies.
Rick
Our daughter signed a NLI to attend a DII school on a xc scholarship. She wants to transfer to a DI school. She would like to transfer after one semester of her freshman year, but I think she has to finish the year before transferring or she may be penalized? She is a DI and DII qualifier. Grades are not issue. Once she has coach’s permission to contact, does she fill out the “recruit me” form on college websites, email coaches directly? Your thoughts would be appreciated. Thanks.
Hi Kathleen,
Regarding your daughter’s NLI commitment, I suggest you check out the FAQ’s on the NLI website at http://www.national-letter.org. Once she has permission to contact other schools, she should then e-mail coaches directly.
Good luck to your daughter!
Rick
What does a permission to contact letter look like? I plan on letting my coach know I plan on transferring this week so will I need a letter to give to him?
Hi Alex,
There is no “official” NCAA form letter or standard format to a permission to contact letter or e-mail. It is a good idea to submit your request for permission to speak with other schools to your coach in writing. You should also provide a copy to your compliance coordinator, especially if you are at a Div. I school. This is because they are required to respond within 7 business days from your request, or your request is granted by default.
Rick
hello i have an athletic scholarship at a NAIA school and was wonder if the school can take my scholarship away in the middle of the year if i quit? because thats what i have been threatened with.
Hi Jake,
I can’t answer your question with certainty regarding an NAIA scholarship. I can tell you, however, that if you were at an NCAA school, the school would have the right to immediately cancel your scholarship if you voluntarily quit the team of your own choosing. After all, your athletic participation is the reason they gave you the scholarship, so why should you continue to receive it if you’re no longer on the team?
Rick
My son is about to play his first year of D1 Baseball after transfering from a Junior College and he is thinking about transfering to a different D1 to finish his college career next year.
He has never been given nor offered any scholarship $$ from the University. If he transfers and has never been given $$ will he still have to sit a year before being able to play for another D1 ??
Thank you for the advise,
Ron
Hi Ron,
It will depend upon whether your son was considered “recruited” to his current Div. I school. If so, he will have to sit a year at another Div. I school. You may want to review the blog here on our website titled “NCAA Rules: Definition of a Recruited Athlete.”
Rick
Hey, Im Dewayne i participated in track and field at a junior college as a walk on for 1 year my major was fire science, so i didnt really get much college level academic hr classes now im not at that junior college anymore im at another one to get the minimum coure classes required to transfer to a 4 year school and recently i was contacted by a division 1 school who wanted to offer me a scholarship but i was told i needed a degree; do i have to get the degree to receive the scholarship or can i get the minimum college level academic hour classes & still receive the scholarship?
Hi Dewayne,
In order to be eligible for competition and an athletic scholarship as a transfer from JUCO to a Div. I school, you will have to earn your Associates Degree and meet other academic requirements.
Rick
If I am a division 3 baseball player and I am looking to transfer to another division 3 school or possibly a division one school do I need to obtain a release of my coach. or am I good to go since I never signed any NLI.
Hi Michael,
To contact another Div. III school, you will need to do a “self-release” which can be found if you do a search of the NCAA website (www.ncaa.org). To contact an NCAA Div. I school, your school will need to provide to you, or the school(s) you are interested in talking to, a “permission to contact” form or letter.
Rick
If I go to my compliance director to get a “permission to contact form” will the compliance director or myself be obligated to notify my current coach? In the instance that I do not transfer I dont want to ruin the chances I already have at my current school.
Michael,
If you don’t notify your head coach, your compliance director will. The compliance director is not going to issue a “permission to contact” until he knows if the coach will agree to it.
Also, while the Div. III “self-release” states specifically that the school you send it to is supposed to keep it confidential and not share that info with your current school, you can’t be sure that they will keep it confidential. Especially if the two Div. III coaches know each other.
Rick
If I use a self release does that mean I am no longer a part of my current team?
Only if your coach says that you’re no longer part of the team, which he might do if he feels that you’re not 100% committed to the team.
Rick
My son is a freshman at a D1 school he has only got 1 at bat and 3 innings in the field he wants to redshirt then transfer to another school can he play immediately next year if the AD and Head coach release him to play
Hi Ben,
He can’t redshirt since he’s already played in a game unless he becomes ill and injured and qualifies for the medical hardship waiver. It will be possible for him to transfer and be eligible next year at NCAA Div. II, III, or NAIA, or JUCO. He can possibly be eligible at another Div. I if he isn’t on scholarship, and wasn’t recruited to his current school.
Rick
My son is currently at a DI school on scholarship for track. He was a partial qualifier out of HS for a DII school. Can he now transfer to a DII school as a qualifier with the one time transfer rule.
Hi Chris,
Once he has completed a year at the Div. I school, his Partial Qualifier status is no longer a factor. He can use the One-Time Transfer Exception as long as he’s in good shape academically, and as long as the Div. I school will release him.
Rick
Hey I’m a freshman playing baseball at a division school this year. During my senior year of high school i underwent two ankle surgeries but i was cleared to play at the beginning of this year. My ankle is still bothering me. Half the season has not passed yet andim wondering if im eligible for a medical redshirt even though i have been cleared. I only have 12 at bats the whole year. Is there anyway i can possibly get that redshirt even though i was cleared at the beginning of this year? Thanks a lot
Hi Scott,
If you have been medically cleared to play, it will be difficult for you to be granted a Medical Hardship Waiver (the proper term for a “medical redshirt”). Medical Hardship Waivers are normally only granted when a physician has diagnosed an injury or illness that is serious enough to prevent the athlete from being able to participate. Medical documentation would need to be submitted with the waiver request to demonstrate the seriousness of the injury.
Rick
Thanks Rick i appreciate. Do u think if i went to another doctor, not the doctor at my school and tell them that it’s really affecting me and i cant play to my full potential they would grant me one? I know I’m going.to transfer at the end of the year i just want another year of eligibility because im not playing when I’m good enough. I feel like the year is.just being wasted. What would u suggest i do or do u think i dont have a chance to get the medical hardship?
Scott,
You can go to another doctor, but be up front with your school and program that you are doing it, and don’t try to go behind their back because they will need to process the Waiver Request for you. You don’t need them angry and unwilling to help you.
You may need to go to the athletic trainer and insist on a second opinion because you don’t feel that you are 100% or even 90% (or whatever level you feel that you are at).
Rick
Thanks Rick!
My son is in his sophomore year of baseball at a d1 school. He has never been red shirted. He is considering transferring to another d1 after this year is completed. I am sure he will have to sit out a year. Can he be red shirted that “sit out” year and have 2 years of eligibility left to play?
Yes.
Good luck to your son!
Rick
My son is in his second yeat at a junior college – wondering if you have any advice about how to get his name out there for the next level.
His coach has been contacted by a couple DI schools interested but not much movement. He is an outfield and understand they are generally the last to get signed but getting nervous as the season is over in a month.
Any advice is appreciated.
Brenda,
Your son needs to “market” himself. He can’t wait for schools to seek him out. He needs to send out a lot of e-mails to Div. I and II schools, and include a few short video clips if he has any he can send.
Also, he needs to call on what I call “his best advocate.” Is that his former HS coach, travel ball coach, current hitting coach, private instructor? Ask them to make contacts on his behalf.
Good luck!
Rick
My son plays baseball at a Divison 1 school. If he transfers to a Divison 2 school after the year ends will he have to sit out a year in order to play for the Divison 2 school?
Alan,
Not if his Div. I school releases him, and he meets the academic requirements for the One-Time Transfer Rule.
Rick
In September, 2010 my son entered a community college as a freshman on a baseball scholarship. After playing almost the entire Spring season there it was discovered he needed Tommy John surgery which he underwent in April, 2011. In September, 2011 he began attending a D1 university a sophomore without a scholarship. He was not on that team’s baseball roster during his sophomore year because he was recovering from his surgery . During the summer of 2012 he played a little in the Mid-Atlantic States League. He went back to his DI university in September, 2012 for his junior year with a view towards being on its team and was put on the team roster in February, 2013 to play this Spring, 2013 season. Since then he has pitched very little. He has not received any athletic scholarship or athletic financial assistance whatsoever while at his current DI university. He is considering transferring to another school. He was advised he could not play for a year if he transferred to a DI school. If he transfers to a D2 or D3 school would he be able to play immediately?
Larry,
It would be possible for him to be eligible at a Div. II or III school next year. It may also be possible at Div. I if he was not recruited to his current school (which it appears he wasn’t if he wasn’t even on the roster for the ’11-’12 school year).
Rick
I play d3 baseball and plan to transfer to a d2. Do I need to get a release or am I good just by telling the coach?
Hi Jake,
Div. II coaches will need to receive a “permission to contact” form, letter, or e-mail from your current school before they can discuss a possible transfer with you.
Rick
Plenty of people found me as a Division football player. I was recruited by many schools in the country: USC, Stanford, Mississippi State, Alabama, USF, UM. But grades were the problem. I have D1 potential and know I should be there. I started doing better with my grades and maturing, and no I would like to Transfer up to a D1. I would like to know that if I go to a D2 and if I red shirt a year and play one year with a good GPA, would I be able to transfer up?
Darrin,
That will be possible depending upon the circumstances of your transfer. I would need to know more specifics about your situation.
Rick
I just finished playing my freshman year of baseball at a D3 school and now I am transferring to a D1 program and walking on. I know I am probably going to have to sit out, but am I going to lose a year of eligibility leaving me with only two at the end of my sophomore year? Or is it possible to red shirt this coming year and still have 3 left?
Hi AJ,
You can redshirt this year, and preserve three years of eligibility.
Rick
Hi,
I just finished my first academic year of college. I play volleyball at an NAIA school and am looking to transfer to a NCAA Division I school AND play a different sport, Golf. I did redshirt this year as a freshman. I’m just confused in how many years of eligibility I would have if I transferred to the NCAA school and when I could play. Or what my options could be?… Maybe some more information on this would help?
Thanks!
Hi Kelsey,
If you meet the academic requirements to be eligible upon transfer, you can be immediately eligible this Fall. You’ll have four years in which to use four years of eligibility for golf.
Good luck!
Rick
I just finished my freshman year at a Division 1 college. I participate in track and field on a full ride scholarship and I am considering transferring to another division 1 school. My number one concern is getting my scholarship taken from my first school as soon as I request written permission. Is the school allowed to take away my scholarship after I make the request or do they have to wait until I sign a release after I get accepted into the second division 1 school?
Hi Kala,
The school can take away your scholarship as soon as you make your request. They must inform you of your scholarship status for next year by July 1. If they do take it away, they must provide you with an appeal opportunity.
Rick