Why Four-Year, One-University Athletes Are Becoming Extinct: Insights from The State News

Imagine a world with no rules in college athletics. A place where greedy agents target young athletes, and loyalty becomes rare. Universities with massive budgets run the game, making it hard to find a player who stays at one school for four years.

This sadly describes today’s landscape of college sports. The introduction of the transfer portal and the name, image, and likeness (NIL) deals have transformed it dramatically.

To grasp this change, let’s go back to 2019. Coaches had strong bonds with their players, guiding them both as athletes and individuals. Students rarely transferred, trusting their institutions and dedicating years to build relationships and skills without the chaos we see today.

In 2019, Michigan State University’s men’s basketball team was thriving. They had just made a Final Four run, with stars like Cassius Winston ready for their senior year, setting the stage for another competitive season.

But then came the pandemic, which altered everything. With COVID-19, the old ways of college sports began to fade. New rules allowed athletes to transfer freely and cash in on their likeness. Suddenly, the loyalty and growth that were once staples of college athletics were replaced by a system focused on monetary gain.

This shift has led to a troubling trend: the decline of the four-year, one-university athlete. These players commit to a program for their entire college experience, building camaraderie and team spirit. They embody the essence of college sports.

Take Jaden Akins from MSU. He committed in 2021 and stayed all four years, pouring his heart into the program. In the past, his story wouldn’t even have made the news, but now, it’s akin to spotting a unicorn. Players like him are becoming increasingly rare.

Similarly, Julia Ayrault has dedicated five years to MSU women’s basketball, showing the same commitment. In hockey, athletes like Tanner Kelly and David Gucciardi are also part of this dwindling group.

Mark Selasky, a creative advertising major, expressed concern about the transfer portal. “It’s just a free-for-all,” he said. This past winter alone, over 2,300 players entered the transfer portal for men’s basketball, with women’s basketball seeing 1,300 transfers and hockey about 200. These numbers highlight a troubling trend in college sports.

A recent report from the NCAA shows that transferring has increased by nearly 50% in the last few years, underscoring the rapid changes in college athletics.

One example is Tre Holloman, who, after three seasons with MSU, transferred to N.C. State. This decision shocked many fans. He had already put in significant effort only to leave just before his final season.

It’s crucial to note that the athletes aren’t to blame. They’re navigating a flawed system. Selasky noted that if schools invest heavily in athletes, how can others compete? It changes the game from a test of skill into a contest of cash flow.

This raises a pressing question: Will we ever see the return of the four-year athlete? Selasky believes it might only happen if the NCAA establishes regulations to limit transfers. But that seems unlikely.

Without intervention from the NCAA, college sports could continue down this path. Generations of traditions are at risk, and the very essence of the games we love may be lost. The need for sustainable change is urgent, as the current chaos isn’t benefiting anyone in the long run.

For further insight into this evolving landscape, check out NCAA’s official resources.

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