For many college athletes, entering the transfer portal means a fresh start, one that comes with a new school, a new city and a new team.

For Iowa State basketball transfers Blake Buchanan and Mason Williams, women’s soccer transfer Iisa Elovaara and women’s volleyball transfer Nayeli Ti’a, their uncertainty led them to Ames, where culture, opportunity and community helped shape the next chapter of their careers.

“I was just hoping to find a school that was going to trust me,” Buchanan said. “Put confidence in me and give me a plan for how they were going to get me where I wanted to be.”

The transfer portal has changed with how college athletics have looked in recent years and Iowa State has greatly experienced that shift. Of the 31,105 students enrolled at Iowa State University, about 20% are transfer students. 

The trend expands to athletics as well. Excluding football, Iowa State has 428 student-athletes across all other programs, and an estimated 15% to 25% of them transferred from another school.

Each athlete arrives with different experiences, but many share similar reasons for choosing Iowa State. 

“It’s culture,” Buchanan said. “If it’s not a good culture, it’s not going to be enjoyable. But if it’s a good culture to be around, then you want to be there.”

Culture and opportunity shape Cyclone basketball transfers 

Buchanan, a 6-foot-11 junior forward who transferred from Virginia, said his conversations with head coach T.J. Otzelberger played a major role in his decision to attend Iowa State.

“He believed in me more than I believed in myself at the time,” Buchanan said. “He had a plan for me and was very straightforward about what I needed to do.”

The adjustment to a new team can be hard for transfers, but Buchanan praised the atmosphere in Ames that helped him make the transition easier.

“We were kind of all in it together,” Buchanan said. “The coaches do a good job getting us to do team activities.”

Junior guard Williams arrived in Ames in a similar way. The Seattle native transferred from Eastern Washington, looking for a program that would challenge not only on the court but off it as well.

“I was looking for a school that could push me to be a better man on and off the court,” Williams said.

For Williams, the Big 12 conference was a big factor in his decision.

“It’s the best conference in basketball,” Williams said. “You want to compete with the best to be the best.”

The move from the West Coast to the Midwest definitely requires adjustment, but Williams quickly felt Ames is a place where he could focus on both basketball and his personal growth.

“Being able to focus on basketball and the relationships I’m making has been really important,” Williams said.

Searching for the right fit, finding it in Ames

Iowa State women’s soccer player Elovaara felt transferring meant finding the right setting both on and off the field.

Elovaara, a redshirt sophomore midfielder who transferred from the University of Central Florida, was searching for a healthier team culture and stronger relationships between players and coaches than she’s previously seen at UCF.

“I was hoping to find a team with a good culture and good communication between coaches and players,” Elovaara said.

On her campus visit, the city of Ames atmosphere immediately stood out.

“It felt like I was meant to be here,” Elovaara said.

Ever since arriving at Iowa State, she has been sure the difference in community has been clear.

“I’m a lot happier here than I was at my other school,” Elovaara said.

Outside of the soccer program, the community around campus has played a huge role in helping her adjust.

“Midwest nice is a real thing,” Elovaara said. “Everyone is really nice and open to talk.”

A fresh start and new purpose in volleyball

Senior volleyball player Ti’a also found a new opportunity in Ames. 

Ti’a, an outside hitter who transferred from San Jose State after multiple seasons with the Spartans wanted to find a program that valued competitiveness, organization and strong team culture.

“I was hoping to find a program that was very competitive and very organized,” Ti’a said.

The move from California to Iowa meant adjusting to a very different environment, but Ti’a quickly embraced the slowed pace of life in Ames.

“I really loved the pace of life out here,” Ti’a said. “It’s slower than where I’m from, but it’s a good change.”

Ti’a hopes to represent her Polynesian heritage and encourages more to be impacted with her time at Iowa State.

“There’s not a lot of Polynesians out here in Iowa,” Ti’a said. “Being able to represent my culture in the Midwest means a lot.”

A fanbase that makes an impact

Across Iowa State sports, each athlete pointed to their passionate and loyal fanbase as something that stood out about their program. 

“You go to football games, wrestling, basketball — the support they give us is pretty cool,” Buchanan said. 

Williams said that encouragement is seen everywhere throughout campus.

“The fans are very supportive,” Williams said. “Anywhere you go, you get smiles.”

For Ti’a, the atmosphere during home games have made a lasting impression.

“I always look forward to home games because of how electric the energy is,” Ti’a said.

Different paths, same conclusion

Although each athlete’s journey to Iowa State was under different circumstances, their experiences in Ames collectively share a common theme. 

“It was an unexpected surprise,” Ti’a said. “But I know it was 100 percent the right decision.”