<p>I am a longtime member of the boards but in a position where I want to be somewhat anonymous, so I have a new ID for this post. </p>
<p>My student is a freshman at a school and in a spring sport where they were recruited and signed a NLI. Their obligation will be up in a month.</p>
<p>The current school's coach made a zillion promises. Ones they either had no intention of keeping or ones that were just made up. The coach is completely unqualified for this sport and the sport, while supposedly "rebuilding", is a joke. It would not surprise me if it were dropped after this year. But schools do not annouce that in advance, and that's where the question comes from.</p>
<p>There is no doubt my student is transferring for the fall. That was decided weeks ago. The problem is since the season is still in, when is the appropriate time for us to ask for a permission to contact letter from the current school? I know we are missing valuable time waiting, but by the same token I am afraid the current school will just more or less show my kid the end of the bench if we ask for PTC. My student is, in the only measurable way, the best performer on the team, so I don't think they would really lose any time though. The question is do you think the potential ill will is worth the time right now to be talking with transfer coaches? The second half is how often are the PTC letters denied? I know that we can always appeal but then time's wasting.....</p>
<p>I’d wait to ask until the season is over. I’ve heard multiple horror stories over the years about students asking for their release and never again seeing the field. </p>
<p>Meanwhile, google the NCAA transfer guide and read it VERY carefully. Lots of dos and don’ts that have to be followed…</p>
<p>Sitting out a year is sport dependent and level dependent. For example, there is no sit out requirement at any level of crew. Baseball has a 1 year sit out if you are transferring from a 4 year school to a D1. Some conferences also have additional restrictions - but the transfer guide spells most of this out.</p>
<p>We’re well aware of all the NCAA transfer rules including the sport and conference specific rules. The question is if anyone has any experience with a transfer at the D1/2 level and how they think an athletic dept will react. It’s the spring season that causes the problem.</p>
<p>It sounds like you expect the athletic department to react poorly, based on what you know so far. Wouldn’t the student be better off playing the full season without the coach knowing that the student is thinking of transferring, then using that strong record to secure a transfer?</p>
<p>My D is transferring from a DI school. She waited until the fall season was over to have the discussion with the coach. There are several other players leaving the program so it has been an uneasy situation. One player told the coach during the season that she would be leaving and she never saw a minute of playing time after their discussion. It was very hard on her. Think of the worst case scenerio. Can your D handle the stress of sitting out, being ignored or being yelled at all of the time? Then there is the team issue. Will they ostracize her? Combine that stress with the stress of finals. Only you know what she can handle. Good Luck!</p>
<p>Two former D1 players from this area told their baseball coaches they were transferring during the season (two different schools). Neither got another at bat the rest of the season - and, in one case, one never got another swing in batting practice. This is a time to keep your future plans to yourself. </p>
<p>Nearly every coach has an end of season one on one with their players - that is the time to let him know you are not coming back. I know it makes it late for contacting other schools - but the other schools are going to be making their changes as well so spots will be available.</p>
<p>I think we’ll just stick to the original plan and sit tight. Our school gets out a little earlier than many, so we can still maybe get a release and catch some faculty and coaches at some other schools for a visit in May. Already have the FAFSA and applications in progress.</p>