Transferring -- it's a taboo subject that people don't like to discuss. It's usually seen as a bad thing, and although transferring is one of the toughest decisions that an athlete can make, it is also one of the most important.
No, transferring does not always happen because of a lack of playing time, although many do transfer for that reason. Several student-athletes transfer from junior colleges to 4-year universities. Occasionally, athletes will switch schools in order to be closer to home. But a majority of the time, athletes transfer because of the culture they were a part of was not what they were promised or longed to affiliate with, typically severely hindering, sometimes completely destroying, the confidence and strong-will that has defined the player for so long.
Dear transfer student-athlete,
You are not alone.
Your past does not define you. It does not make you any less of a student, any less of an athlete, or any less of a teammate. Your changing schools does not take away your belonging.
As I transferred, I can tell you that my decision was not easy. Freshman year, I came into a program that promised to cultivate a certain type of culture, yet the environment that was created and that the coaches allowed was not only the opposite of what was promised but was opposite of the beliefs and values that I hold. And although not easy, the decision that I made was the best for me as a student, as a player, and as a person.
And honestly, the transition is almost never easy. With moving comes anxiety -- a new campus, a new city, and new teammates -- and getting to know your new home is a HUGE adjustment that takes time.
But... perhaps the most rewarding part of making that tough decision to move is the opportunity to completely start over. New teammates means new friends and new memories.
So here is a list of the tips for those who have or who plan to transfer:
Be open-minded. Accept change. Ask questions. Embrace new opportunities. Get involved on campus. Get to know those who play other sports. Be honest and open. Do not take your old problems and let them carry over into your new home. Take your issues and questions, learn from them, and take what you've learned to help you grow physically and emotionally.
My fellow teammate, but also one of my very good friends, quoted, "Use your 'mess' as your message. Your past is a part of you, but it does not define you."
Take your past fears and new expectations and allow yourself to grow wherever you are.
