Student-Athlete

Transferring
Eligibility in
Division I Athletics
Andrew Kolpacki
Wayne State University
Student-Athlete Window of Opportunity
Length of eligibility for student athletes differ from Division I
to Division II and III
Division I length of eligibility:
Five calendar years to participate in four seasons of competition
(NCAA.org)
Allows for the typical redshirt year
Medical Redshirt
Was incapable of participating due to injury
Accounts for one of the five years
Must meet certain NCAA requirements
6th year of eligibility can be petitioned for
Accounts for transferring
What is Transferring in
College Athletics?
A student athlete decides to transfer/change the school they
attend for both academics as well as athletics.
Different reasons for transferring
Coaching/playing time
Distance from home
Extenuating circumstances
Eligibility requirements are on a case by case basis
Division I Division I
Division II or III Division I
Junior College Division 1
Division I Division II or III
Division I Junior College Division I
Issues with Transfer Process
for Student-Athlete
Former school/coach can limit which school you
can transfer to
Coaches hold the ultimate power
Need release form
Once the student-athlete signs that national letter of intent, its
essentially a contract of adhesion. They have limited rights. Don
Jackson, Lawyer for Sports Group in Montgomery
Complaint: NCAA should be protecting the
experience of student-athletes
Unless certain requirements are met, student-
athlete are unable to participate in competition
during their transfer year
Common argument, Coaches are able to accept
other positions and leave school without restraining
from competition
Wes Lunt VS. Mike Gundy
Former Oklahoma State quarterback Wes Lunt informed Head
Football Coach of Oklahoma State Mike Gundy of his decision
to Transfer
Initially restricted from transferring to 37 schools
3 of top 5 choices were restricted
Still able to transfer to those schools
Would inherit cost while sitting out a year
Restrictions were eventually lifted by Mike Gundy
Transferred to University of Illinois in the B1G Conference
 A.J. Turman VS.
Kirby Smart/University of Georgia
University of Georgia fired former Head
coach Mark Richt after the 2015 season
Hired Alabama former Defensive
Coordinator Kirby Smart
Mark Richt was eventually hired by the
University of Miami

Former Georgia running back and Florida

native A.J. Turman opted to transfer back
to his home state
Kirby Smart blocked Turman from
transferring to multiple schools in Florida
Eventually transferred to Florida Atlantic
University of the Conference USA
Issues with Transfer Process
for Colleges
Graduate Transfers
Initially created to give academic options to student-athletes
Immediately eligible at new school that has a degree not
currently offered or better program offered
Creates a pool of free agency
Graduate transfer rate have risen in all men's sports since 2011
Not very good for college basketball Roy Williams, North
Carolina Basketball coach
Feasible Solutions
Restructure transfer process for
student-athletes
Guidelines for transfers
Reasons/circumstances for
transferring
Consistent ruling on transfers
eligibility
Re-format graduate transfer
process
Re-focus back on academic aspect
Must meet academic requirements
Changes difficult with NCAA as Big
Business system
References
Frank, W. B. (n.d.). Athletic Scholarships. Retrieved November 04, 2017, from
https://www.athleticscholarships.net/2012/06/20/transferring-colleges-its-
harder-than-you-think.htm
R. (2015, October 21). Transfer terms. Retrieved November 04, 2017, from
http://www.ncaa.org/student-athletes/current/transfer-terms
Football, D. U. (2013, June 18). Wes Lunt: OSU's about-face too late. Retrieved
November 04, 2017, from
http://www.espn.com/college-football/story/_/id/9399121/wes-lunt-says-mike-
gundy-lifted-restrictions-was-too-late
UGA restricted A.J. Turman's transfer. (2016, March 17). Retrieved November
04, 2017, from
https://www.dawgnation.com/football/uga-restricted-j-turmans-transfer
Niesen, J., Staples, A., & Johnson, C. (n.d.). College football at odds over rise in
grad transfers. Retrieved November 04, 2017, from
https://www.si.com/college-football/2017/08/17/ncaa-graduate-transfer-rules-
free-agency
Goodman, J. (2016, September 08). The graduate-transfer rule is causing all
kinds of problems. Retrieved November 04, 2017, from
http://www.espn.com/mens-college-basketball/story/_/id/17487374/the-
graduate-transfer-rule-hurting-college-basketball