The Transfer Portal: The New Gauntlet for Athletes

Recently, I’ve had a handful of intriguing yet challenging conversations about the transfer portal with the collegiate student-athletes I work with. These talks have sparked my interest because we are in a new era of scholarship and business being done to serve better the student-athlete who would like to explore alternative opportunities to play at a different school. We are experiencing the evolution of collegiate sports in real time. The student-athlete now has increased leverage other than the initial signature of commitment. Another influence being added to the transfer portal is the impact of NIL; however, NIL currently impacts a small population of athletes and will be discussed later.

How the transfer portal is reshaping college athletics

As an associate with the Institute of Sports Performance, I work with collegiate athletes regarding their mental and emotional approach to their performance and injury recovery. Often, the issues are related to self-talk or emotional regulation in the athlete, with stress stemming from various factors: injuries, team culture, relationships, and academics. However, the added dynamic of the transfer portal is reshaping collegiate athletics daily.

Why the portal matters for athlete development

First, this is not an op-ed piece on the transfer portal. However, I am curious about how it will evolve college athletics and shape programs. I am curious to see if this process enables the “survival of the fittest” mentality, like I believe it does. Division I, II, and III athletics are important in shaping leaders who will serve in other careers or start families after their playing days. More often than not, student-athletes are preparing to launch their careers while playing a sport. I’m interested in how the transfer portal will impact global collegiate athletics and student-athlete formation. I’m also interested in supporting athletes in making well-informed decisions when considering a transfer.

Second, I’m curious about the mental and emotional impact it’s having and will continue to have on student-athletes. I believe a healthy dynamic within the portal allows athletes a similar level of freedom to exit a program when a better opportunity potentially exists elsewhere, as coaches do. However, I’ve encountered several athletes who are quite worried about the level of responsibility that comes with entering the transfer portal:

The pressures athletes face before entering the portal

1. The experience of directly communicating an athlete’s intent to their college coaches
2. Will it work out? And what if the athlete doesn’t receive interest from other colleges?
3. The fear of the future and the potential loss of scholarships

What the NCAA rules actually mean for scholarships

According to the NCAA website, athletes should communicate directly with their coaches about their intent to enter the portal. If they don’t, and once coaches discover the intent to transfer, the coach can contact the athlete to find out why. The school can also eliminate scholarships. If an athlete withdraws from the portal, the school decides whether or not to restore the scholarship. So, even if the athlete has more options, such choices have significant risks!

I’ve worked with several athletes who have made or are making such decisions and are facing the stress and impact of doing so. This is an added stressor for the athlete; it is different because it impacts four important relationships: with the current university or college, the coaching staff, the athlete’s support system (family, friends, etc.), and the athlete’s relationship with themselves.

Helping a young athlete make an adult decision

I’ve found my work within this context to be clearly defined: helping to increase the clarity of their choices, understand the risks, stress management, and develop an authentic response to what they desire (because it is often that coaches and support systems will have a variety of different thoughts and feelings over entering the portal, influencing the athlete to move in a specific direction). One dynamic that has been present as I’ve walked with athletes through this process is how it allows a young adult to make an adult decision. I mean that entering the portal carries short- and long-term risks, largely because there’s no certainty when the athlete does so. The athlete is truly banking on their ability to start over somewhere where it might be a better fit. This is a highly emotional decision, and if an athlete struggles to manage their internal experience, making wise judgments can be difficult.

Questions to ask yourself before entering the portal

Before entering the portal, here are some areas to be explored:

1. Are you being realistic? I’ve met athletes at DI, DII, and DIII schools who truly believe they’re DI, full scholarship athletes worthy of starting, and they want to explore that opportunity. I’m always supportive of reaching for dreams. However, there is a balance between making the best of your current opportunity and believing that the grass is greener elsewhere. Every situation has been different, but are you being realistic? When an athlete is being realistic, I’ve noticed their decisions about the portal being more effective.
2. Are you listening? Are you listening to your instincts as you take charge of your emotions? Are you listening to your trusted support system? If you’re struggling with your coach’s decisions about your playing time, what kind of feedback are you getting from them? I understand that politics are alive and well in college sports, and it may be a legitimate reason you enter the portal. However, are you willing to listen to and grow from feedback? Which leads me to my next thought. And grow from it? This leads me to the next thought...
3. Be responsible for what happens next. During my college football experience, guys would transfer in and recreate their issues. For example, if they received negative feedback about technique or work ethic from a coach at the NAIA level, the athlete would respond by becoming dismissive or defensive. I played at an NAIA school, and we had several DI transfers. Instead of taking responsibility for their past and present, several of those athletes felt entitled because they came from a Division I school. If you get another opportunity to compete, be responsible for your work ethic, attitude, and buy-in. If entering the portal changes your direction in a way you didn’t plan, then taking ownership of your situation is the healthiest and most effective course of action.

How we support athletes through this decision

One reason my practice exists is the stressors that athletes experience when making such decisions. I help athletes be realistic, and as a listener in your trusted circle, my goal is to help you make the most effective decision for yourself. I would be objective and honest as I help you navigate the challenges of making important decisions.

I look forward to being in your corner!