College volleyball transfer process explained

I'm currently playing volleyball in college but considering transferring to another school. What's the process for transferring as a college athlete? Are there specific rules I should be aware of?

Transferring as a college athlete can be quite complex due to the rules of the NCAA and the specific processes of your current and future university. Here's a general overview of the process you'd need to follow:

1. Obtain Permission to Contact:

If you're considering transferring, the first step is to obtain permission to contact other schools from your current college athletic department. Coaches at other schools cannot speak with you until your current school has granted this permission.

2. Register with the NCAA Eligibility Center:

If you haven't done so during the recruitment process, you'll need to register with the NCAA Eligibility Center, which ensures athletes meet the NCAA's amateurism and academic benchmarks.

3. Residency Requirement:

One aspect of transfer regulations is the "residency requirement," where an athlete must spend one academic year at their new school before they can take part in competitions. Certain exceptions to this rule are available, such as the "one-time transfer exception" for athletes in sports other than baseball, basketball, football, and men's ice hockey. Athletes in these sports can transfer one time without penalties if they meet certain requirements, like earning a Release to Play.

4. Academic Eligibility:

It's important to remember NCAA maintains academic eligibility requirements for transfers. These require you to be academically eligible at your current school and to be making satisfactory progress towards a degree in order to be eligible to play at the new institution.

5. Speak to the Compliance Officer:

Before deciding to transfer, it's often a good idea to speak with your school's compliance officer. They'll have a detailed understanding of the transfer rules and can guide you through the transfer process.

6. Contacting the Other School:

Once you have received the Permission to Contact, you can communicate with coaches or staff at another NCAA school. You'll need to abide by the current NCAA rules about the maximum number of calls or visits during this process.

7. Apply to the New School:

Finally, like any other student, you'll need to apply to the new school and be accepted before you can officially transfer.

This is a very high-level overview and there are many more specifics to consider, such as scholarship eligibility. Transfers also may have a different process if you're currently at a Division I program versus a Division II or III program, so specifics may vary based on your situation. It's recommended to seek the help of a trusted mentor or adviser during this process, potentially your current coach if they support your decision, a trusted teacher or academic counselor, or an adviser or compliance officer at your school's athletic department.