I Red shirted at a four year university back in 2012, ended up leaving the school to go to community college. Started playing again and now I’m looking to transfer to a four year to play soccer again for Fall 2016. I’ve had interest from a lot of D1 programs, but didn’t know about the five year clock rule until now.
I know my five year clock will be over spring 2017… So my questions are…
- Do you think a D1 college would recruit someone who is only eligible for one year? (i also don't need scholarship money so I would be a walk on)
- After I complete that last year of eligibilty, could I still practice with the team for a year, but just not compete in games?
Bonus question if you know the answer: Do I have to have all the credits that I need to transfer to the university before I submit my application? Or can I show that I will be taking more classes in the spring/summer to fulfill those requirements.
Thanks!!
You don’t say when you started your 5 yr. clock. Did you play at all at your first school or were you only there for your freshman year, which was the same year you redshirted? You also don’t say if it was a medical redshirt, or if you were on scholarship. If you never actually played at the first school, and did not receive any money, I would call the NCAA and find out how they view your situation.
If you are talented enough, there are many schools that will welcome you even if you can only play one year, but it depends on the coach, and the school. Just because you do not need a scholarship does not mean that there is an open roster spot waiting for you wherever you want to go. Most of the athletes on the team are probably not getting money either.
With regards to transferring, the transfer application will require you to send a transcript from all schools attended and will likely have a place for you to designate the courses you are currently enrolled in. The admissions department will evaluate your application based on the courses you have completed. Only the admissions department of your new school can tell you officially how many courses will transfer to their school specific degree requirements. Many schools have a requirement that a certain number of credits in a major be taken at their school so you need to check to make sure you are not too far along in terms of number of credits for the schools you are interested in.
The other issue you may have is that depending on how many years you have been in school, you will need to show progress toward a degree commensurate with the time you have spent enrolled in order to remain eligible to compete. By your 3rd year in school you should be at least 40% complete with required courses, 60% by your 4th year and 80% by the start of your 5th year in school. The NCAA regulations discourages athletes from transferring too many times. If you aren’t an athlete you can transfer as many times as you like and take as long as you need to get a degree, but once you are on a team, you need to prove that you are taking courses that will eventually lead to graduation in a reasonable amount of time.
Thank you for the response! Sorry I didn’t give details.
My 5 year clock started Fall 2012, which was the same year that I redshirted. It was a medical redshirt and I did not receive any money.
I was a little confused when I was reading about the Progress Towards Degree Rule. Does this mean progress towards my associates degree at the community college I attend?
I was told by a counselor that as long as I graduate and receive my AA at the junior college before I go to the school, I should be fine. I’m not sure if this is right though… do you know?
Thank you for the help, you have been very helpful so far!
Sorry for not responding sooner…you have a lot of things going on with your situation, between the medical redshirt and no scholarship, not sure if there are any appeals that could be made with regards to that first year.
My suggestion is still (rather than take the word of a counselor), just call the NCAA directly. My son has had to do that and they are very helpful, they will tell you exactly what you need to do to be academically eligible, stay in compliance and what to tell the NCAA compliance person at the school(s) you are interested in.