[Langdude]

I actually think that the quantity of 5th years who are transferring is a comment not merely that we have been getting better athletes - players who can compete at other schools but at Stanford would not get as much playing time as they would want - but is also a comment on the power of Stanford to retain its athletes. At many other schools, if a player does not foresee getting enough PT, they will transfer earlier than their 5th year. But the desirability of the Stanford degree, and possibly their relationships with teammates and coaches, cause them to stay through their senior year before looking to play more elsewhere. There are of course exceptions (e.g., Nottingham), but they are very few.

There are few if any schools that can claim the retentional ability that Stanford offers. And it speaks highly of the sort of student athletes that we attract.

-m.

[Langdude]

I actually think that the quantity of 5th years who are transferring is a comment not merely that we have been getting better athletes - players who can compete at other schools but at Stanford would not get as much playing time as they would want - but is also a comment on the power of Stanford to retain its athletes. At many other schools, if a player does not foresee getting enough PT, they will transfer earlier than their 5th year. But the desirability of the Stanford degree, and possibly their relationships with teammates and coaches, cause them to stay through their senior year before looking to play more elsewhere. There are of course exceptions (e.g., Nottingham), but they are very few.

There are few if any schools that can claim the retentional ability that Stanford offers. And it speaks highly of the sort of student athletes that we attract.

-m.