You hope the NCAA, for once, can do better, but as summaries go, this is about as succinct a description of what appears to be heading down the transfer turnpike as we’re gonna get:
“Declaring a victory is silly,” said Tim Nevius, a New York-based attorney who used to work at the NCAA. “We used to deny people the ability to contact another school and get financial aid. But, by the way, we still prevent them from playing.”
By the way, indeed.
One of Nevius’ clients is Evansville soccer player Taran McMillan. The freshman is seeking to transfer after a season in which she was named to the Missouri Valley all-freshman team.
However, Evansville’s policies require transfers to request a move within 21 days following the sport’s championship game. That would have required McMillan to make a decision in November of her freshman season during which he posted a 3.55 GPA.
The school is blocking her transfer, which would make her eligible immediately to play at another school in the fall.
“What makes that so despicable, to me, it gives the athletic department an excuse why it can deny a transfer release,” Nevius said. “It is completely inconsistent with what everyone says is behind transfer legislation — to protect athletes’ academic success . This policy demonstrates exactly the opposite. It is simply about protecting her school’s athletic interests and financial investment.”
And that’s just in women’s soccer.
Get The Picture 
This one left everyone speechless
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My daughter played soccer at a Div II national champion program. Every year, the roster was bolstered by transfers from JUCO and from other D2 programs–some in the same state. Then, two years in a row, when a player decided she wanted to transfer to attempt D1, the coach made it a ridiculous ordeal. The coach is a scrupulous rule-follower in recruiting. But transfers are a one-way street. So unfair to the players.
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Great lesson for our youth to learn…we’re out to screw you.
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Would it be possible for a prospective student-athlete to require institutions to agree to a transfer waiver as part of his recruitment? Before he signs the LOI, the institution has to agree to an unconditional release should the PSA decide to transfer.
Obviously, 1 PSA couldn’t get this done (unless he’s a 5 Star), but if all PSAs required institutions to agree to it, then it perhaps could have some force? As it is now, PSA have no legal representation when they enter into an agreement (LOI).
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This is one of those things that could happen when Kessler is done with the NCAA. One PSA may decide to accept a guaranteed 4/5 year scholarship in exchange for less “comp” or more restrictive transfer restrictions. Another may negotiate for more liberal transfer terms in exchange for reduced “comp” or a shorter term agreement. At this point, the PSA has no leverage since the rules are established for everyone.
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