Questions about transferring

DartMarcus

New User
Hey guys! I am right now playing for a small private but decent mid-west NAIA school. I like everything with my school. However I am thinking of transferring to a bigger school next year, probably d1. 3 reasons why I want to transfer: 1) want to play tennis on a higher level,2) want to study in a bigger school with large diversity and finally 3) want to study in a academically stronger school.
I know there may be difficulties getting a release from coach, especially since I will probably play no.2 in singles and no.1 in doubles in Spring.
I feel like i can improve my tennis a lot. I have never been that motivated.
How do you transfer? When is the best time to start doing it? Any suggestions with schools?
Thanks! And i hope not to get stupid responses.
 

tennismom42

Semi-Pro
Hey guys! I am right now playing for a small private but decent mid-west NAIA school. I like everything with my school. However I am thinking of transferring to a bigger school next year, probably d1. 3 reasons why I want to transfer: 1) want to play tennis on a higher level,2) want to study in a bigger school with large diversity and finally 3) want to study in a academically stronger school.
I know there may be difficulties getting a release from coach, especially since I will probably play no.2 in singles and no.1 in doubles in Spring.
I feel like i can improve my tennis a lot. I have never been that motivated.
How do you transfer? When is the best time to start doing it? Any suggestions with schools?
Thanks! And i hope not to get stupid responses.
Since you are at an NAIA I think the rules are quite liberal for you. First, be honest with your coach & tell him your plans. Your coach needs to plan ahead for future seasons. Ask him now for the first release -- that one allows you to communicate with other coaches. Legally speaking, any good coach will not communicate with you unless you provide that release. Then recruit away. Since you're already in NAIA college, I think you can recontract (NLI) at anytime, but the contract must pick up the day after your current contract (NLI) expires.

I could be all wrong with this, so hopefully others will post. I don't know NAIA very well.

Do you have a profile on TRN? If not, get one, search the schools with your membership log-in & it sends a message to the coaches that you're interested. It shows up as "hits" on the coachs' profiles. Create a highlights letter (tennis resume) and send it to coaches (after you get your release). Get the ball rolling.
 

DartMarcus

New User
Thanks! I will start working on my updated video and resume soon.
Any suggestions about school with:
-Average/weak d1 tennis, good d2/naia tennis
- Good business program
I don't consider playing as walk-on. So I need a good scholarship.
Consider me as a 3-star player by Tennis Recruiting system.
Thanks much in advance!
 

goran_ace

Hall of Fame
You normally ask the athletic director for the release, not your coach. It's not that hard. It differs from program to program but normally the only restrictions they will put on you are that you don't play at a rival or in-conference school. It doesn't matter that much what position you play because no coach in their right mind will force anyone to stay somewhere where they don't want to be.
 

andfor

Legend
Hey guys! I am right now playing for a small private but decent mid-west NAIA school. I like everything with my school. However I am thinking of transferring to a bigger school next year, probably d1. 3 reasons why I want to transfer: 1) want to play tennis on a higher level,2) want to study in a bigger school with large diversity and finally 3) want to study in a academically stronger school.
I know there may be difficulties getting a release from coach, especially since I will probably play no.2 in singles and no.1 in doubles in Spring.
I feel like i can improve my tennis a lot. I have never been that motivated.
How do you transfer? When is the best time to start doing it? Any suggestions with schools?
Thanks! And i hope not to get stupid responses.

Is this spring your sophomore or junior year?
 

andfor

Legend
It's my freshman year actually. :)

Having transferred myself and based on experience, unless you were recruited by D1 teams out of H.S. contacting those type of schools now may be a waste of time, at the moment. Were you recruited by D1 teams out of H.S.? If you were a 3 star in H.S. you have D1 coaching contacts that you could reach out to now, right?

Here's what I would recommend. Play out your freshman year. Train as hard and as much as you can now. With your results this spring you'll be better prepared sell yourself to D1 coaches and to make more well informed decision to transfer next June. You'll also give your current coach a year of play and give him more time to replace you. Transferring in the summer will give you more time to figure things out and be much easier for you.
 

DartMarcus

New User
Having transferred myself and based on experience, unless you were recruited by D1 teams out of H.S. contacting those type of schools now may be a waste of time, at the moment. Were you recruited by D1 teams out of H.S.? If you were a 3 star in H.S. you have D1 coaching contacts that you could reach out to now, right?

Here's what I would recommend. Play out your freshman year. Train as hard and as much as you can now. With your results this spring you'll be better prepared sell yourself to D1 coaches and to make more well informed decision to transfer next June. You'll also give your current coach a year of play and give him more time to replace you. Transferring in the summer will give you more time to figure things out and be much easier for you.
I had offers from several d1 schools. I am from Russia, so i don't have tennis recruiting rating, but after playing several college players, i estimated myself as 3 star player.
Thanks and that is probably what I would do. However I still keep searching for schools.
Can you advice any academically solid d1 school with good business program and average/weak tennis?
 

tennisjon

Professional
Hey Marcus. We would be interested in you at Drew University in Madison, NJ. If you are able to transfer for the spring season, there might still be some good financial aid available. We have a guy on our team from Vladivostok. You could ask him about the process and what its like here.
 

DartMarcus

New User
Hey Marcus. We would be interested in you at Drew University in Madison, NJ. If you are able to transfer for the spring season, there might still be some good financial aid available. We have a guy on our team from Vladivostok. You could ask him about the process and what its like here.

I would be interested, but as far as I know you provide only academic financial aid and, as for me, I need a large scholarship to attend college.
 

Dream_On

Rookie
I would be interested, but as far as I know you provide only academic financial aid and, as for me, I need a large scholarship to attend college.

Ah this is the same for me, I want to transfer sometime.. I talked to your head coach at drew, but its just way too much money for me.. I would need like 40k scholarship to attend? haha :twisted:
 

DartMarcus

New User
Ah this is the same for me, I want to transfer sometime.. I talked to your head coach at drew, but its just way too much money for me.. I would need like 40k scholarship to attend? haha :twisted:

where are u studying right now? :)
my parents can't sponsor me more with than 10K for school!
 

Dream_On

Rookie
where are u studying right now? :)
my parents can't sponsor me more with than 10K for school!

I dont want to say on here, all I will say is I am kind of like you.. a freshman at a div and I would say im atleast a 2 star.. since I have 3 - 0 record over 1 stars all wins pretty easy and havnt played any 2 stars.
 

tennisjon

Professional
Yeah, its an expensive school. There is academic as well as need based financial aid. If you have very good grades and test scores, the school can be inexpensive, but that is for a very small percentage. Good luck on your search.
 

andfor

Legend
I had offers from several d1 schools. I am from Russia, so i don't have tennis recruiting rating, but after playing several college players, i estimated myself as 3 star player.
Thanks and that is probably what I would do. However I still keep searching for schools.
Can you advice any academically solid d1 school with good business program and average/weak tennis?

Wish I knew the perfect answer for you. Most big state universities have a good business program. Then again many (not all) of the main state univerisites usually have pretty strong tennis programs. I am just generalizing so when you do the reseach your results may vary.

Here's some examples to check out. University of Missouri Kansas City (UMKC), South Dakota State, University of Montana, Weber State, TX Pan American, Florida Gulf Coast. This link may also help give you a start. http://www.tennisrecruiting.net/teams/directory.asp?division=1

If during your spring season you get to play any D1 schools be sure to introduce yourself to the coach. Do that after the match. Don't dicuss transfering then. Just introduce yourself and maybe complement his player, that's all. If you decide to call him or her at the end of the season that may help later on.

I played college tennis in the mid-west myself. Years ago. But I am still familier with the land scape. If you want to e-mail me from my profile, I'd be happy to provide you more insight.
 
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DartMarcus

New User
Thanks everyone for advices. I've been working a lot on my tennis last few months and had 3.44 GPA in my first semester.
I got some more questions.
1) If I don't get a release from a coach, but still decide to transfer, do I have to sit out a year or semester? And what happens to my eligibility?
2) Is it possible to transfer in Spring too? Can I play fall season in my present school before transferring? Or does it affect eligibility?
3) When is the best time to ask coach for a release?
4) Is there any sense to contact coaches of other schools before getting a release?
5) Is there any difference in transferring rules of NAIA-NAIA, NAIA-NCAA1 and NAIA-NCAA2?
Please reply here or e-mail me to dart-marcus@hotmail.com.
 

andfor

Legend
Based on your questions, I think the reason no one has attempted to answer is there is not enough specific information creating to many variables.

Did you download the attached NCAA transfer guide and read it?


Thanks everyone for advices. I've been working a lot on my tennis last few months and had 3.44 GPA in my first semester.
I got some more questions.
1) If I don't get a release from a coach, but still decide to transfer, do I have to sit out a year or semester? Maybe. It depends on the division and conference rules that apply to the school you are transfering to. And what happens to my eligibility? You said you're a freshman, you have 3 years of eligibility remaning.
2) Is it possible to transfer in Spring too? Yes, however you will not be able to participate in matches until the next fall. Can I play fall season in my present school before transferring? Yes.Or does it affect eligibility?You will not be able to play in the spring if you transfer mid-semester.
3) When is the best time to ask coach for a release? After you read and know the rules first then double check wth the NCAA and conference of the school you may attend, have identified 3-4 schools you know you can attend.
4) Is there any sense to contact coaches of other schools before getting a release? Read the rules and call the NCAA. You may need a release first.
5) Is there any difference in transferring rules of NAIA-NAIA, NAIA-NCAA1 and NAIA-NCAA2? Yes. Read the rules.
Please reply here or e-mail me to dart-marcus@hotmail.com.

The following was taken from the NCAA transfer guide and is good advice and a good place to start. See link.

- Visit the NCAA website at www.ncaa.org. You will find publications to download and key topics to read.
- Talk to people at your current school. Staff in the athletics compliance office or athletics department can explain the rules to you.
- Talk to the school you want to attend. To find out what the school’s requirements are, talk to someone in the school’s athletics compliance office or athletics department. However, note that you will probably need written
permission-to-contact before talking to someone. See Know when you need to get permission to talk to another school on page 9.
- Call the conference of your new school. For a list of NCAA conferences, see Where to go for more information on Page 28.
- Contact the NCAA. To speak to someone, call Monday through Friday from noon to 4 p.m. Eastern time at 317/917-6008.

• Decide which school you want to attend.
• Find out about the school’s division.
• Learn the specific NCAA and conference rules that apply to the new
school. Rules may vary.
• Learn the new school’s rules or policies. Rules may vary.
 

JLyon

Hall of Fame
take Andy's advice, play out the Spring Season and work your tail off and finish with a strong record. Speak with your coach and AD to seek a release and start sending feeler letters out. Do not limit your self to the huge schools, but look at smaller directional schools. Be aware though there is only 4.5 schollies per men's team at D-1 so Coaches may not give you a full ride at first, probably plan on maybe 25-50% if lucky.
 

DartMarcus

New User
Thank you for info, andfor. I read NCAA transfer guide, but these questions were not clear for me.
1) I got it, but i mean if i sit out a year, does it count towards eligibility or not? I mean for example if i study for 5 years, would i be able to play the fifth year or not if i sit out the 2nd year? Would i be able to practice with a team if i sit out?
3) I don't think I can find just 3-4 schools that I am interested in, since I will probably need to contact most of d1, good d2 and naia schools.
I heard from my friend that you first need to get a permission-to-contact letter, not a release. Is it true?
I think that it's better to ask for permission ASAP since the teams are getting full very fast and the earlier I contact coaches, the more chances for a good scholarship I would have.
 

JLyon

Hall of Fame
Thank you for info, andfor. I read NCAA transfer guide, but these questions were not clear for me.
1) I got it, but i mean if i sit out a year, does it count towards eligibility or not? I mean for example if i study for 5 years, would i be able to play the fifth year or not if i sit out the 2nd year? Would i be able to practice with a team if i sit out?
3) I don't think I can find just 3-4 schools that I am interested in, since I will probably need to contact most of d1, good d2 and naia schools.
I heard from my friend that you first need to get a permission-to-contact letter, not a release. Is it true?
I think that it's better to ask for permission ASAP since the teams are getting full very fast and the earlier I contact coaches, the more chances for a good scholarship I would have.

You will need at least a consent to contact for sure, although if you are at an NAIA not sure if same rules apply? Do you have a region of the country your interested in?
 

DartMarcus

New User
You will need at least a consent to contact for sure, although if you are at an NAIA not sure if same rules apply? Do you have a region of the country your interested in?

Not really. I would prefer to be in the south or in California at best, but since I am better player indoor location is not that important for me. Just want the school be in or near big city, not in the middle of nowhere if you know what i mean. Academics are most important for me, but I also want tennis program to be on a high level.
 

ClarkC

Hall of Fame
Thank you for info, andfor. I read NCAA transfer guide, but these questions were not clear for me.
1) I got it, but i mean if i sit out a year, does it count towards eligibility or not? I mean for example if i study for 5 years, would i be able to play the fifth year or not if i sit out the 2nd year? Would i be able to practice with a team if i sit out?

You could play your first year at one school, transfer to another school without a release, practice with that team while redshirting, then play three more years at the second school.

With a release, you could play right away at the second school.
 

andfor

Legend
Marcus,

You have some good information here. Have you tried calling the NCAA or NAIA to discuss transferring?

Here's what I know and what I think you should do.

1. If you transfer, do so after the spring semester and start in the fall at your new school.
2. Check into if you need a letter to contact. You may be able to find that out by callig the NAIA or NCAA if you do not want your coach to know now.
3. Depending on where you transfer to you might have to sit out a year. You will not lose eligibility though.
4. If you get a release from your school or transfer to a junior college you will likely not have to sit out.
5. As I have suggested and Jason reiterated, play the best you can this spring and get an idea of where you want to go next fall. Only you can tell if your coach will be receptive to your transferring. If you are set on it, I'd talk with him about it in private and not let the team in on it now. Keeping your intentions to yourself for now may help the coach trust that you will not disturb the team chemistry.
 

DartMarcus

New User
You could play your first year at one school, transfer to another school without a release, practice with that team while redshirting, then play three more years at the second school.

With a release, you could play right away at the second school.

That sounds good. Can you still be on a tennis scholarship while sitting out a whole season?
 

tennisnoob3

Professional
That sounds good. Can you still be on a tennis scholarship while sitting out a whole season?

i dont think any coach would do that.

how big of a school are you looking for? large public schools(think penn state and big ten) are out of the question because they all are filled with blue chips
 

DartMarcus

New User
i dont think any coach would do that.

how big of a school are you looking for? large public schools(think penn state and big ten) are out of the question because they all are filled with blue chips
If you can't get a scholarship, the option of sitting out does not work out for me.
The school size does not really matter for me, as soon as school has decent academic ranking. I know that I have very little chances of getting into top 75 tennis programs.
 

ClarkC

Hall of Fame
That sounds good. Can you still be on a tennis scholarship while sitting out a whole season?

It is allowed, but you would have to be the dominant player on the team for a coach to use scholarship money on someone who cannot play yet. He would have to be ecstatic about the possibility of you coming there to play.
 

tennisnoob3

Professional
If you can't get a scholarship, the option of sitting out does not work out for me.
The school size does not really matter for me, as soon as school has decent academic ranking. I know that I have very little chances of getting into top 75 tennis programs.

whats a decent academic ranking in your mind?
 

ucfan10s

New User
For first time school transfer player, you can get an "exception" so that you can start playing the next year if you get the release from your old school. The key is that you have to inform your school before you talk to other school's coaches. Otherwise, you may violate the NCAA rule.
 
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