NCAA changes portal options for undergraduate transfers
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On Tuesday, March 21, 2023, The NCAA notified all the college athletic programs under its purview that it is updating the procedural requirements regarding the portal options of two-time transfer undergraduates. The changes do not affect first-time transfers whatsoever and focuses specifically on the two-time transfer “waiver”.
The most significant update is that waivers will no longer be approved due to coaching changes, the athlete’s playing time/role changes, or changes to his or her scholarship status with the current institution. This will strongly control the number of student-athletes entering the portal multiple times as they try to find their footing. The changes are deemed in effect starting the 2023-24 championship season. Here is the memo in its entirety:
"NCAA Division I Undergraduate
Four-Year Transfer Waiver Process
In all sports, four-year undergraduate student-athletes who decide to transfer to a new NCAA school can generally be eligible to compete for the new school provided they have not previously transferred and notify their current school by entering the NCAA Transfer Portal during their sport-specific transfer window.
General information on who qualifies for the one-time transfer exception is available here.
A waiver process remains available for undergraduate transfer student-athletes who do not qualify for the one-time transfer exception; however there have been changes made to the types of requests that will be considered.
UNDERGRADUATE FOUR-YEAR TRANSFER WAIVERS
(Effective for 2023-24 championship eligibility)
An undergraduate transfer waiver will only be considered for student-athletes who transfer:
For reasons related to the student-athlete's physical or mental health and well-being;
Due to exigent circumstances outside the student-athlete's control (e.g., physical or sexual assault or discrimination based on a protected class); or
Assertions involving diagnosed education impacting disabilities.
A detailed description of the documentation and information that is required for each waiver type is available in the updated NCAA Division I Committee for Legislative Relief Information Standards, Guidelines and Directives.
REASONS AN UNDERGRADUATE TRANSFER WAIVER WILL BE DENIED
Academic Reasons
Athletic Reasons
Degree program does not meet SA's expectations (e.g., academic difficulty).
Lack or change of participation:
No participation opportunity.
Reduction in playing time.
Change in position or role on the team." - NCAA Academic Membership and Affairs
This would appear to be just the first of many steps towards gaining more control of the number of athletes in the portal system. The NCAA mentioned this as one of its priorities to tackle when it issued five rule change proposals On January 23, 2023. How any of this will affect the student athletes across the Auburn University campus remains to be seen.
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