Seven Lessons of a Transfer Athlete
An often overlooked group in collegiate sports are the people who aren’t with a team from freshman year through senior year. Walk-ons and transfers are often looked upon as being lower on the list than kids fresh out of high school. Personally, my collegiate football career was drastically altered due to some personal and family issues. One of my teammates passed away, and I was forced to seriously reflect on what was important in my life. I chose to transfer programs to be closer to home while continuing to pursue my career as a student-athlete. The switch seemed very romantic at first, but the closer it got to training camp with my new team, the more difficult I found my situation to be.
Here are some things that I learned as a student-athlete transferring to a new program:
1. Expect to start over.
Nobody cares what you did or where you came from. When you get to your new campus, you're considered a rookie. You might not have to pick up towels or jockstraps, but expect to sing in front of the team or clean up equipment after practice. It’s all in good fun and you’ll be a better person for it. Your new teammates put in their time and they expect the same from you.
2. Work hard.
Chances are that your new teammates know about you and are working extra hard to ensure that some ‘rookie’ doesn’t stroll in and take their spot. The vets know the playbook and the opposition better than you do. Work your ass off and don’t be afraid to ask for help.
3. Be mentally prepared.
Personally, I found it very difficult to prepare myself for training camp with a new team. My training wasn’t focused, and I felt a serious lack of motivation. I still had a ‘hangover’ from my previous program and doubted my playing abilities. Take advantage of your new opportunity and get your mind back in working order. This leads me to my next point…
4. Accept your situation.
Though it may not be your fairy tale situation, you’re here now and you have to make the best of it. You don’t have to forget about your old teammates, but be open to making new relationships and have some fun! Your new teammates are excited about you being there, so drink the damn Kool-Aid!
5. Make a name for yourself.
Be the guy who does the things nobody else wants to do. Take extra reps, play out of position, stay after practice and work your technique, or try learning something new. When everyone else is taking an ice bath and you’re on the field practicing your steps or snapping footballs, coaches will notice and you’ll be a better player for it.
6. Enjoy the new experience.
I went from a program that got fewer than five hundred fans at a home game to a program that had between 8000 and 12,000 for homecoming (in Canada, that’s about as good as it gets). I didn’t fully realize how much fun playing collegiate football could be until I experienced my first sold-out game. Not everyone gets to have these experiences, so don’t feel spiteful just because you’re sporting new colors.
7. Reflect.
The most important thing people overlook are the things they learned from dramatic changes in their lives. Some people will go the rest of their lives feeling regretful and sorry for themselves for making the ‘wrong’ decision to transfer or quit. The truth is sometimes these things are for the best, and if you grow as a person and gain valuable life experience, your decisions were positive. Don’t dismiss these valuable learning opportunities after you realize that maybe you didn’t make the best choice. Remember—hindsight is always 20/20.