re: Kirby an Mullen speak out against free agency. Fear is that open transfers

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Do they have to sit out any classes?

Because it seems like you don’t want to keep the “student” in “student athlete” because your trying to put a limits on “student athletes” that doesn’t exist for “students”

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I will answer your question after you answer mine.

Are you for the early signing period?

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Do they have to sit out any classes?

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Not exactly a valid question, given that a student athlete doesn't have to sit out any classes upon transfer. In fact, they are given a scholarship immediately even in spite of the fact that they are required to sit out currently if not a graduate transfer.

With no special circumstances (coach leaves, family issues, etc), I see no reason why all student athletes should be afforded the option of just bailing and going to wherever they want with no penalty at all. The initial school assumes the risk that you may or may not be able to contribute in exchange for a scholarship... upon practicing and learning, you find that you are not quite good enough to start but are good enough to finally be of value to the team... so you take that value and put it on the open market with no downside. Basically, you're asking the initial institute to be a "trade school" or apprenticeship program, and then act as a revolving door.

I think there are a lot of things that are *not* in the favor of the student athlete, but a one year sit penalty for transferring prior to graduation is not one of them. It's within reason so long as the cases with extenuating circumstances have room for appeal and are legitimately considered.