This post is prompted by a call I received recently.
I understand that an athlete may feel a ton of pressure if they're in an exit meeting with the coaching staff and they are being told something along the lines of "We don't see you ever playing for us and it would be better if you transfer. We'll help with your transfer if you sign this Voluntary Withdrawal Form."
However, my advice is to never sign a Voluntary Withdrawal Form if the athlete can handle that pressure - especially if the athlete is hoping to be immediately eligible upon transfer to another university. When a scholarship athlete signs a form like that, it will be more difficult for them to receive a waiver if transferring to a Division I program and hoping to be immediately eligible without the need to sit out for a year.
The coaching staff and athletic department may deny that the athlete was "forced out" or that their scholarship wasn't going to be renewed by saying "Here's a copy of the form that they signed. It was the player's choice to transfer. He made that choice voluntarily."
