Transferring to Adrian
I receive calls and emails on a regular basis from students who want to transfer to Adrian College from NCAA DI, DII, and NAIA schools. Choosing a college is tough the first time around, but it’s exponentially more difficult the second time. As exciting as it may be to have a second chance to find the right fit, it’s also an emotional process for a player to go through. I have a great deal of respect for anyone who can say, “I made a mistake. This didn’t turn out how I planned. Is there an opportunity here for me?”
Junior transfer Sam Bono came to Adrian from Oakland University (NCAA DI). In 2009, she was 2nd on the team in Goals (6) and T-4th in Assists (3).
Sometimes these players were initially pushed toward these schools for good reasons, sometimes they weren’t. Several of them were lured by token athletic scholarships, while others just wanted to prove they could play at the highest level. Part of what I love about coaching at the DIII level is that I can give these athletes a second chance to find the right college and make up for lost time.
As valuable as a big school experience can be, most of our potential transfers have similar experiences involving big rosters and limited opportunities. Few DI or DII programs offer reserve teams, so it’s common for 1/3 of the roster to never see the field in a given year. For NAIA transfers, we sometimes find that the players want an environment where athletics is taken a little more seriously, or want to attend a school with a more vibrant campus and social community. At the end of the day, it all boils down to “fit”.
The most important thing for prospective transfer students to decide is whether or not their current situation is capable of making them happy… Outside of soccer, do you love the school? Was soccer the main reason that you chose to attend? How much would your college experience change if you had a major role on the team? If answering these questions makes it apparent that the situation can’t be resolved, it might be time to move on.
For information about transferring to Adrian College, please contact your school’s NCAA/NAIA compliance officer to obtain a release form. NCAA regulations limit the contact that Adrian’s coaching staff can have with you until a release form from your institution is received.
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