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The NCAA transfer portal undoubtedly grants that student-athletes more flexibility than ever.
In the past, university athletes who have chosen to transfer could not compete the first year after changing schools.
The portal gives them the opportunity to play right away. Balayage policy changes almost always bring consequences that are both planned and involuntary.
Since the advent of the transfer portal and the rise in power of the name, image and resemblance (Nile), the gap between college programs with boosters and former students and smaller schools with less financial resources has apparently increased.
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Head coach Thomas Hammock from the northern Illinois Huskies watches his team to warm up before a match against the Cornhuskers of Nebraska at Memorial Stadium on September 16, 2023, in Lincoln, Neb. (Images Steven Branscombe / Getty)
The northern coach of Illinois, Thomas Hammock, who runs a program that does not compete in a Power Four conference, suggested that the transfer portal contributes to an environment in which players and the priorities of their parents are in the wrong place.
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“I appreciated my university experience,” said Hammock. “I didn’t have a penny. But the lessons I learned were more precious than any money you could never pay me. I appreciate it because it is in the long term. People lose the fact that it is in the short term.
“Do not lose long -term concentration. Get your diploma and learn precious lessons that will help you in the long term your life. This is all the goal. This is a child’s transition to an adult. I hope people do not lose that.”
The head coach of the northern Huskies, Thomas Hammock, looks at the first quarter against Notre Dame Fighting Irish at the Notre Dame stadium in South Bend, Ind., September 7, 2024. (Matt Cashore / Imagn images)
Hammock highlighted more intangible opportunities available to student-athletes.
“Everyone talks about everything else in addition to the most important thing to go to university,” said Hammock. “Because if you go to university to get a few dollars, you might as well go to find a job.
“It’s too difficult to go and get a few dollars. Learn the lessons you need to learn to succeed in life for the next 40 or 50 years of your life. I would do it for free because of the things I have learned. This is why I stand here today, because of what I learned at university. Not because of the quantity of someone who gave me.”
The head coach of the northern Huskies of Illinois, Thomas Hammock, during the first half at the Huskie Stadium in Dekalb, ill., September 21, 2024. (Images Mike Dinovo / Imagn)
Hammock has twice won the All-American university honors during his days of play in the northern Illinois. The Niu Huskies qualified for a bowl match in three of the last four seasons. Hammock led to a file of 8-5 last year.
The quarter-back from the Huskies was part of the litany of the main players who left the program after entering the transfer portal.
