student-athlete thinks he wants to transfer

Parents Forum
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<p>My wife's 18 y/o son is redshirting (football) his freshman year at a Div II school where he's on 100% tuition scholarship. Team has 8:1 record. This was his choice...but now says he's unhappy and wants to immediately transfer mid-term to a Div I school. Says the town is too small, upset he's not playing, and "wants to be on TV"? Apparently one of his friends at another Div II school has made similar transfer recently...</p>

<p>Her son visited and worked out with several Div I schools while in H.S. but this resulted in no scholarship offers. Was invited to "walk-on" at a couple schools but he declined to do so.</p>

<p>Parents are thinking he's less likely to play at a Div I school than at Div II school where he was recruited. In any event, would like to see him finish out the year successfully and then transfer next year...if he still wishes to do so. NCAA rules seems to suggest he will "sit-out" a full academic year at a new school in any event. Is this (finish first year where you are) unreasonable position? Any benefits to an immediate move that we're missing?</p>

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<p>Um, what about his education or is this just about playing ball? Is he taking classes? Is he learning anything???</p>

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<p>The student may not necessarily have to sit out a year at his new school. He needs to read up on the NCAA transfer rules to find out if he, in fact, needs to sit out. The rules can be found at: </p>

<p><a href="http://www.ncaa.org/library/general/transfer_guide/2007-08/2007-08_transfer_guide.pdf%5B/url%5D"&gt;http://www.ncaa.org/library/general/transfer_guide/2007-08/2007-08_transfer_guide.pdf&lt;/a&gt;&lt;/p>

<p>It would be wise for him to review these rules prior to contacting any other schools, coaches, or making any decisions. He can also call the NCAA to discuss how his actions will affect his eligibility.</p>

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<p>Yes, he's enrolled full-time and was a good student in H.S. Not seen his first semester grades yet...desire to move seems largely sports related.</p>

<p>Have read the NCAA transfer rules guide. Thanks. 1 yr sit-out rule seems to apply and no exceptions to that rule fit here.</p>

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<p>If he was playing, would he feel the same? This really sounds like cutting the nose off to spite the face.</p>

<p>Sitting out is the pitts, probably the first time he's had to deal with it. His reaction is normal. However, he needs to really think about the root cause. If it's just playing time, how would going D1 change that? How many go from D2 into D1 and play? </p>

<p>Is his redshirt a medical or are they stocked at his position? If it's injury, it's unfortunate. If it's positional, he needs to think for five seconds... his redshirt is to maximize his eligibility on the field. While it hurts to sit, does getting in on maybe 5 snaps a game worth burning through a year of eligibility? Or would he be better off with four years of alot of snaps? </p>

<p>He might be listening to the wrong guys. Advice? think, then hit the books, hit the weight room and use those four years of eligibility to their maximum.</p>

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<p>No injuries. Think they simply have what they need in his position and are letting him 'mature'. Appreciate the advice.</p>

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<p>This is a classic big fish small pond going to the big lake and having to once again start at the bottom of the food chain</p>

<p>I would remind Son of freshman year in HS- unless of course he was ALWAYS got a lot of playing time- and even if he did, this is called paying your dues and dealing with college sports isn't always fair</p>

<p>My friend could have played college football, but chose instead to do rugby- he knew he might be fast and agile, but he wouldn't ever be big enough and he knew he would get playing time in rugby- he is as happy as a clam</p>

<p>whether he transfers or not- the SON needs to have all the facts and know the reality of going in as a walk-on as a sophmore and actually making a team- what is the likelyhood of that</p>

<p>He could end up with no sport at all anywhere- is sitting down all that bad for awhile- welcome to the real world</p>

<p>Seems his pride is hurt as much as anything and he needs to just be there for the team- work hard, practice hard, and you never know, but maybe his current attitude is reflected in his time with the coaches</p>

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<p>I don't have a problem with him wanting to transfer for a sports-related reason if the new school is a good fit and the financials can be made to work.</p>

<p>It's imperative that he explore the fit of any potential new school both academically and athletically. I think he also needs to explore his potential with the current school in a frank sit down talk with the coach.</p>

<p>It seems to me, as the parent of a D1 athlete in a different sport, that if he was a likely candidate for a D1 team there would have been some D1 offers that would have come through.</p>

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<p>This is one really good example of FIT for athletes, making sure they pick a school of for wahtever reason the stop playing the sport</p>

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<p>Its his call.....but I think its important to know that more than just a couple of kids think of transfering during their first year or two, athlete or not.</p>

<p>If he's redshirting, that's the reason that he's not playing (of course). It also means they are willing to invest five years in him instead of just four.</p>

<p>If he transfers, presumable there will no longer be an athletic scholarship, so that might give the parents a tiny bit of "standing" in the decision. </p>

<p>I don't know the rules inside and out. Read this and you will, presumably</p>

<p><a href="http://www.ncaa.org/library/general/transfer_guide/2007-08/2007-08_transfer_guide.pdf%5B/url%5D"&gt;http://www.ncaa.org/library/general/transfer_guide/2007-08/2007-08_transfer_guide.pdf&lt;/a&gt;&lt;/p>

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<p>"Think they simply have what they need in his position and are letting him 'mature'. Appreciate the advice."</p>

<p>He probably sees that as "they don't like me" or "they don't want me." which if he really sat down and thought about it, it's just the opposite.</p>

<p>My players knew the day I stopped chewing on them about their game, I was done with them. A few figure that out right away, a few others need it explained. Now I use the term chewing as a term for constructive criticism, I was never an angry yeller.. but I would be very direct in "this is what you need to do out there" with not alot of sugar coating.</p>

<p>Had a mom come and apologize to me one practice.. she was so mad at me, because I was chewing on her son.. She apologized because all the way home she complained about how I "treated" her son, trying to get him riled up about me. She told me, he finally turned to her and said "coach is always honest with me, even when I stink. He tells me what I need to do my best. It would bug me more if he wasn't paying attiention to what I was doing out there."</p>

<p>Mom got it after she realized I cared enough about her kid to actually correct his play, rather than "nice job, have a seat." </p>

<p>I would ask your son, if they really didn't think he could contribute, would they redshirt him? A coach who always does what the player wants rarely is looking out for the player's best interests. </p>

<p>Everyso often I would get "why are you on my son, he's the best player on the team?" I would usually answer with "maybeso, but is he the best player he can be?" </p>

<p>I would advice a heavy dose of weight room, running and agility. He should make it his goal to be the "guy" at that position. Make coaches go, man I glad we got you for four years.</p>

<p>The best young QB in the country is a red shirt freshman at the UW (WA) He has four full years to play, rather than 40 snaps in his true freshman year. As people who know the game look on, they realize what a good decision the red shirt was.. He's bigger, stronger, faster and knows the playbook.. 40 snaps vs. all the snaps for redshirt freshman year... was it worth it? </p>

<p>It could be the same for yours, if he uses the time to focus. 40 snaps vs. all the snaps, which is a better year?</p>

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<p>Great practical advice & thoughts we can use when talking with him. Thanks all.</p>