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What Led a Top NCAA Athlete to Transfer to an NAIA Program
By BRAD WOLVERTON
March 2007
Jessica Richter remembers the many luxuries of playing NCAA Division I basketball at Syracuse University: taking chartered flights, eating filet mignon on road trips, signing up for tutoring sessions even though she never needed academic assistance.
But after her freshman season, she grew weary of life in a top program. She says coaches routinely criticized players' shortcomings and seemed more interested in winning games than getting to know players off the court. The plethora of rules in the National Collegiate Athletic Association made basketball feel like all business and no play.
The frustrations led her to transfer. With her talent — she averaged 13 points a game in 2004-5, making her one of Syracuse's leading scorers — she could have gone anywhere she wanted. But she did not want to sit out a season, and NCAA rules require players to lose a year of eligibility when they transfer to competing NCAA institutions.
By moving to a program in the National Association of Intercollegiate Athletics, however, Ms. Richter could play right away. So she transferred to Vanguard University of Southern California, in Costa Mesa, Calif.
Ms. Richter chose Vanguard because it is a faith-based institution, giving her plenty of opportunities to explore her Christian beliefs. And she liked its history of basketball success. The women's team regularly beats top NCAA Division I programs. This year it took down the University of Oregon, which played in the 2006 NCAA women's basketball tournament.
More Practice, More Fun
Now, after two seasons in an NAIA program, Ms. Richter finds that the less-restrictive environment suits her style. The Vanguard team is allowed to practice together year-round, spending as many hours on the court as necessary. (NCAA programs are limited to 20 hours of practice per week during certain months.)
Her Vanguard team practices more than her Syracuse team did, but she says she still has time for outside activities.
"We have other stuff besides basketball — school and other social functions," she says. "But basketball is fun, and we're committed to it, and we enjoy putting our time into it."
Ms. Richter also appreciates the time her coach spends with players away from the gym. Russ Davis, Vanguard's head women's basketball coach, regularly goes out to dinner with groups of players, getting to know them as individuals as much as athletes.
"He's very much about the relationship part of our experience and considers us his family," she says. "That helps us on the court because he knows different people need to be coached different ways."
The approach has helped the team shine. This year Vanguard went 28-0 during the regular season, entering this week's NAIA tournament as the top seed.
Ms. Richter also had a breakout season, averaging 21 points a game and winning conference Player of the Year honors.
She has no regrets about leaving the NCAA limelight, even though her days of playing on national television and flying on private jets are over.
"I'm much happier now," she says. "I have a coach and professors who really care about me, and my life is a lot less stressful."
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Section: Athletics
Volume 53, Issue 29, Page A34
What Led a Top NCAA Athlete to Transfer to an NAIA Program
By BRAD WOLVERTON
March 2007
Jessica Richter remembers the many luxuries of playing NCAA Division I basketball at Syracuse University: taking chartered flights, eating filet mignon on road trips, signing up for tutoring sessions even though she never needed academic assistance.
But after her freshman season, she grew weary of life in a top program. She says coaches routinely criticized players' shortcomings and seemed more interested in winning games than getting to know players off the court. The plethora of rules in the National Collegiate Athletic Association made basketball feel like all business and no play.
The frustrations led her to transfer. With her talent — she averaged 13 points a game in 2004-5, making her one of Syracuse's leading scorers — she could have gone anywhere she wanted. But she did not want to sit out a season, and NCAA rules require players to lose a year of eligibility when they transfer to competing NCAA institutions.
By moving to a program in the National Association of Intercollegiate Athletics, however, Ms. Richter could play right away. So she transferred to Vanguard University of Southern California, in Costa Mesa, Calif.
Ms. Richter chose Vanguard because it is a faith-based institution, giving her plenty of opportunities to explore her Christian beliefs. And she liked its history of basketball success. The women's team regularly beats top NCAA Division I programs. This year it took down the University of Oregon, which played in the 2006 NCAA women's basketball tournament.
More Practice, More Fun
Now, after two seasons in an NAIA program, Ms. Richter finds that the less-restrictive environment suits her style. The Vanguard team is allowed to practice together year-round, spending as many hours on the court as necessary. (NCAA programs are limited to 20 hours of practice per week during certain months.)
Her Vanguard team practices more than her Syracuse team did, but she says she still has time for outside activities.
"We have other stuff besides basketball — school and other social functions," she says. "But basketball is fun, and we're committed to it, and we enjoy putting our time into it."
Ms. Richter also appreciates the time her coach spends with players away from the gym. Russ Davis, Vanguard's head women's basketball coach, regularly goes out to dinner with groups of players, getting to know them as individuals as much as athletes.
"He's very much about the relationship part of our experience and considers us his family," she says. "That helps us on the court because he knows different people need to be coached different ways."
The approach has helped the team shine. This year Vanguard went 28-0 during the regular season, entering this week's NAIA tournament as the top seed.
Ms. Richter also had a breakout season, averaging 21 points a game and winning conference Player of the Year honors.
She has no regrets about leaving the NCAA limelight, even though her days of playing on national television and flying on private jets are over.
"I'm much happier now," she says. "I have a coach and professors who really care about me, and my life is a lot less stressful."
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Section: Athletics
Volume 53, Issue 29, Page A34
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