(01-22-2023 03:36 PM)pono Wrote:  The portal is overdue for the student athletes. Coaches, administrators, students all can change schools without a penalty. Meanwhile, coaches can bury a scholarship guy on the bench or not renew their scholarship. Only fair that the athletes have the chance to move around as well. That said, building some guiderails into the system makes sense too. I would like unlimited transfers but only once without a sit out year. Requires athletes to be more careful in their decision making, and limits the free agent mentality. Also would put some emphasis back on the redshirt developmental year which in the past was really good for some guys transferring into the MAC. Gives a kid the chance to both develop their game without pressure and refocus academically and make sure they complete degrees. Maybe, keep an exemption if an athlete transfers back to a previous school where they have academic relationships and support systems-we'll call it "the Boogie Coleman rule".

One thing the portal does separate is the programs that have a strong overall culture and really good support systems vs the schools where the sports teams aren't as good at meeting the overall needs of the person/student/athlete. Toledo has not had much portal attrition in any of their top 3 sports programs-football, WBB, MBB. Largely, because their players enjoy the program, do well academically and feel supported. Toledo will have some end of the bench players transfer out, but lose few starter types. You can't stop every good player from making a jump to the bigger time, but you can create a home where the reasons to stay mostly outweigh the advantages elsewhere.

Well said pono, it is a double edge sword, but the student athlete should have there freedom, especially since you never get your college years back.