New Transfer Rule from Div. 1-A to Div. 1-AA

[MrMustang1965]

http://www1.ncaa.org/membership/governa ... _April.htm

Proposal No. 2005-109 – Eligibility – Transfer – One-Time Transfer Exception – Division I-AA Football. Intent: To specify that a football student-athlete who transfers from a Division I-A institution to a Division I-AA institution may qualify for the one-time transfer exception only if the student-athlete has two or more seasons of competition remaining. [Source: NCAA Division I Management Council (Football Issues Committee) (Ohio Valley and Big Sky Conferences).]

MC ACTION: Gave final approval and forwarded the proposal to the Board for approval. [Division I-AA only – For 8, Against 4; Effective Date: October 15, 2006, applicable to student-athletes who transfer on or after October 15, 2006.]

BD ACTION: Adopted the proposal. (Division I-AA only: Unanimous Voice Vote – Effective Date: October 15, 2006 applicable to student-athletes who transfer on or after October 15, 2006.)

[Stallion]

great rule change. It is getting ridiculous how many kids on their way to getting a degree from a top school were jumping to Division 1AA just for a shot at the "Big Show". The NCAA is not in place to function as an NFL prep league.

[MrMustang1965]

The NCAA is not in place to function as an NFL prep league.

The NFL should subsidize NCAA football since college teams are, for the most part, 'farm teams' for the professional teams.

[mrydel]

Not quite what I was hoping for but I guess now a kid wanting to transfer can weigh the alternative of 2 years to play 1 from a high caliber educational institution and 2 years to play 2 at a lower level divison. That can help us be in the running for BCS transfers who feel unloved where they are.

[The PonyGrad]

Could someone explain, it sounds like what happened was the exemption for those with only one year of eligibility went away. Is that the effect of the rule change?

[mrydel]

That is the way I read it.

[The PonyGrad]

Oh, yeah, the link to the story was there. I guess I could have read it.

[EastStang]

I hate to burst your bubble but there are some high calibre academic institutions in 1-AA, for example William and Mary, all of the Ivys, Boston University, Villanova, Georgetown to name a few. So, a kid might transfer from say Alabama to Villanova and actually go to a better academic institution. And kids from William and Mary, Villanova, and the Ivy's have made it to the NFL.

[MrMustang1965]

I hate to burst your bubble but there are some high calibre academic institutions in 1-AA, for example William and Mary, all of the Ivys, Boston University, Villanova, Georgetown to name a few. So, a kid might transfer from say Alabama to Villanova and actually go to a better academic institution. And kids from William and Mary, Villanova, and the Ivy's have made it to the NFL.

Thanks, EastStang. You beat me to it.

[The PonyGrad]

I hate to burst your bubble but there are some high calibre academic institutions in 1-AA, for example William and Mary, all of the Ivys, Boston University, Villanova, Georgetown to name a few. So, a kid might transfer from say Alabama to Villanova and actually go to a better academic institution. And kids from William and Mary, Villanova, and the Ivy's have made it to the NFL.

So you are telling us they transfer for the education. Well in that case I guess the rule change will not matter.

[Flatlander]

the Ivys are defacto D-III since they don't offer any athletic scholarships.

but still a good education

[mrydel]

I hate to burst your bubble but there are some high calibre academic institutions in 1-AA, for example William and Mary, all of the Ivys, Boston University, Villanova, Georgetown to name a few. So, a kid might transfer from say Alabama to Villanova and actually go to a better academic institution. And kids from William and Mary, Villanova, and the Ivy's have made it to the NFL.

I agree with your statement on academic levels, but I do not hear very often of an athlete of possible pro potential saying "I think I will transfer to William and Mary to better my academic standing." What I do see are players who do not get the opportunity nor the playing time at a BCS school so in turn transfer to ANY type of Div II school in order to get exposure for the NFL. That leaves the mid majors out of the loop. I just feel like the rule should be amended for either allowing transfer to a mid major (or any level school for that matter) with no sit out period, or have a sit out period for transfer to any level school. The mid majors are not an option for kids who signed with the big boys but find later there is a glut of players keeping them from getting on the field. I would love to have some of the left overs. I do apologize if I ruffled any academic feathers. That was not the intent of my post although I do see how it could be construed as such.

The new rule could be of benefit, although very little, to SMU.

[EastStang]

I do agree that academics isn't probably part of the equation for most, but for some that just want to play might make the leap. I can see where a talented QB who is rotting on second string on a BCS bench, might transfer to a William and Mary with its pro style passing attack to get some publicity. The reason for the easy transfer rule to 1-AA was to encourage more mid-majors to switch from 1-A to 1-AA. I only pointed out that it is not necessary for a skilled player to go to a bad academic institution to play 1-AA. There are some good programs at excellent academic schools. Of course staying eligible at those schools can be problematic.