Athlete Transfer rules?

UHBlackhawk

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I need to make this as generic as possible.

My child is a student athlete. Was told, "Too small, slow, not good enough to play D1." Told same by service academy coaches.

Applied to academies in HS anyway. Finally heard early June qualified, but no thanks.

Won ROTC scholarship.

Attending a university, majoring in physics.

Walked on as a freshman (D1), made team. Starting some. Nominated as conference defender of the week. Playing in a conference comparable to West Point and Navy against some top programs.

Loves the current coach and team, but has decided to reapply to academies. Was really devastated when told that no ROTC cadet from the university got active duty this year. Also from military family and wants that route.

Wants to try to play at academy.

I understand no contact with academy coaches during season (fall). And then needs permission from current coach even though not a scholarship athlete. Other rules?

If (big if), gets into academy. If (big if), accepted as a walk-on, what are the rules? I know only 3 years of eligibility left. Do the academies redshirt in this case?
Thans.
 
The Navy women's soccer team had this happen a decade ago or so. They had a goalie who left a university. They red shirted their Plebe Year. I believe they were originally recruited by USNA but went another direction. Not sure on specific rules of contact, but I am sure the NCAA website has some info. Once contact is allowed I would definitely be proactive and contact the coaches with an update of his accomplishments and new tape (if it's allowed). Wouldn't be surprised if the SA might raise their interest after seeing what he has done a freshman. Obviously falling in that recruit category couldn't hurt. Each school has a compliance officer within their athletic department, I would recommend your DS contact them (after talking with coaches) for the specific rules. He needs the fine details in this case to ensure he contacts in right windows and doesn't get out of his swim lane and lose eligibility. Hopefully it all works out for him, good luck!
 
NavyHoops, thanks for the response. That is helpful to know and gives an option as the academy coaches are approached as an option (the redshirt), something normally not available at the academies.
I think contact can not be initiated until the current coach is advised and gives permission. That obviously has a tendency to burn that bridge and normally results in being benched, so while we don't want to be dishonest the recommendation is to hold off on telling the coach until the end of the season. One of our worries is that the current coach might offer a scholarship which would force our hand.
 
I agree waiting until the end of the season. He can't talk to SA coaches until then anyways. And yes the school has to give permission to speak with the coaches. I think it's school specific to give permission, not just a blanket release to talk to all, but could be wrong. In the meantime he can work on his application. Since he is a re applicant he will have to have first semester grades in anyways until his application is reviewed. Good luck!
 
If someone already has an ROTC scholarship and is in their second year of college, I am not sure what is gained by trying for an appointment to USNA/WP (you can't really 'transfer' into the academy as you would in the typical civilian college) and if appointed would be starting all over again as a plebe. Is the goal to play sports at the academy vs a military career???? One who graduates from ROTC will still be an officer in the military, just a different path to get there.
 
If someone already has an ROTC scholarship and is in their second year of college, I am not sure what is gained by trying for an appointment to USNA/WP (you can't really 'transfer' into the academy as you would in the typical civilian college) and if appointed would be starting all over again as a plebe. Is the goal to play sports at the academy vs a military career???? One who graduates from ROTC will still be an officer in the military, just a different path to get there.

1. Current school does not offer engineering.
2. Active duty assessments from ROTC have been cut back. Last year her current ROTC department was not able to get one person active duty. My child wants active duty.
3. One service academy has a long family history (would actually attend with cousins), the other we know people and a 50/50 chance we will be stationed there next summer.
4. Child has said the only way she would give up playing her sport would be if she attended a service academy and did not make the team.
5. Does not really view it differently than a PG year.
6. Has actually kicked around the idea, if not able to get in this year, enlisting and trying to get in from the "fleet".
 
"Active duty assessments from ROTC have been cut back. Last year her current ROTC department was not able to get one person active duty. My child wants active duty"

One point of contention - the school doesn't "get" a cadet active duty. That is quite the responsibility of the individual cadet.
 
Did she change her mind about majors or just decide now to pursue an Engineering degree?

Not sure 'family history' of attending service academies should be part of the decision process.

There is still no guarantee of getting an appointment the second time around.
 
"Active duty assessments from ROTC have been cut back. Last year her current ROTC department was not able to get one person active duty. My child wants active duty"

One point of contention - the school doesn't "get" a cadet active duty. That is quite the responsibility of the individual cadet.

Yes and no. After all, the "anchor" at Navy and the "goat" at West Point still get active duty. A cadet has the responsibility of doing well, but the ROTC program has a responsibility to effectively train the cadet and provide the opportunity. I've seen years when good ROTC cadets can't get active duty.
 
Did she change her mind about majors or just decide now to pursue an Engineering degree?

Not sure 'family history' of attending service academies should be part of the decision process.

There is still no guarantee of getting an appointment the second time around.

Always wanted to be an engineering major. Also wanted to prove to those who said she could never play D1 that she could. It's long, convoluted story on why she wound up at a school without engineering.

I disagree with the "family history" as it gives her familiarity with the school and admiration for the officers it produces. Should someone go there just because and aunt, uncle, father or mother went there? Of course not.

It is understood that the second or third try are no guarantees. It makes me admire her persistence. If her current coach finds out she will probably be kicked off her team with no guarantee of getting into an academy. Tough for an 18 year old kid to be put into such a position.
 
UHBlackhawk,

After reading your original post I am reminded of a line from one of my favorite movies... The Big Lebowski. In the movie, the Dude when asked to give a status update responds with "This is a very complicated case, Maude. You know, a lotta ins, a lotta outs, a lotta what-have-yous. And, uh, a lotta strands to keep in my head, man. Lotta strands in old Duder's head."

All kidding aside... DD needs to Prioritize. What is really most important to her and how can she achieve it?

You say that "It's long, convoluted story on why she wound up at a school without engineering." Did the prioritize get mixed up somehow? Was it the chance to play a sport? Which leads me to my next thought, who cares what her current coach thinks? She is at a school that does not offer her major. Seems she should be transferring regardless as to whether its to a SA or not.

Sorry for being so blunt. I'm notoriously grumpy on these forums.

If DD is truly interested in a SA, I would think she should pursue it 100% plain and simple. Good luck to her!
 
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