Transferring as a high school athlete can be stressful, time-consuming and confusing. Athletes may transfer for more playing time, to find a better-fit team or to advance their athletic careers. Depending on the situation, it may take time, and one is only sometimes guaranteed eligibility.
Athletic director Andrew Ewald said Minnesota has five different ways that you can transfer for athletics and still retain full eligibility.
“These are the five ways that you can be eligible—(if you’re) a ninth grader (when transferring), (if) your family moves to a new residence in a different area of attendance, (if) your resident is changed pursuant to a court order, (if) your parents are divorced or separated and you move from one parent to another, you can only do that one time, or (if) you and your family have moved to Minnesota from another state,” Ewald said.
Junior Tanner Rose said after transferring for basketball to Benilde St. Margrets, he decided to return to Park. He said he wanted more court time and that Park was his family.
“I used to go to Park, then I transferred to Benilde (St. Margarets) for basketball and it was a good experience but I transferred back here because I wanted more playing time and Park felt like home,” Rose said.
Ewald said he assumes Park gets seven to eight athletic transfers annually. He said this has been the most significant transfer class that Park has had in a long time.
“I don’t know the exact number (of athletic transfers). I would say we typically deal with anywhere from seven or eight a year, but this year was a big year for Park athletics and we’ve had around 20 of (transfers),” Ewald said.
Senior Louis Piper said he’s bonded with the team since transferring for hockey a year ago and they’ve become his closest friends. He said moving to Park was a great choice, and he enjoys it.
“Transferring for hockey has been perfect for me. I feel like I’ve made the best influence I can on the team and made new friends along the way,” Piper said. “Everything has been nice (and it’s) one of my best decisions.”
According to Rose, Benilde St. Margrets didn’t sign his transfer papers, hindering his ability to play varsity basketball for Park his first year. He said he still has a positive outlook on his situation, even though his transfer didn’t go as he wanted.
“I transferred back to play varsity basketball for Park but didn’t get signed off by BSM (Benilde St. Margrets) for my transfer, so I’m not eligible to play varsity (this year),” Rose said. “That sucks but I just take it as a learning experience and move on (from it).”
Ewald said the transfer’s completion time varies by situation—if at least one of the five criteria is met, the process is smoother. He said if the athlete’s circumstances don’t meet one of the five criteria, it can take up to a couple of weeks to complete.
“(Transfers) depend on how much documentation there is. It depends on how many other transfers they’re looking at at that time,” Ewald said. “If someone transfers for the first time and they fall under the five (rules), it takes around a day or two (to process). If it doesn’t fall under one of those five and they’re requesting a review that can take a couple of weeks.”
Piper said there are many pros and cons to transferring as an athlete, but it depends on that person’s values and beliefs.
“A pro is leaving a school that wasn’t the right fit for you and (moving to) another school that is a better fit,” Piper said. “A con would be that you might not know from year to year who’s on your team, which would suck with building team chemistry and relationships.”
