Going To College vs Professional Sports

Once-in-a-lifetime opportunities don't come around very often. Usually there is no doubt in whether or not to take that opportunity and most of the time the resulting life you receive is so tremendously wonderful that nostalgia becomes a thing of the past. At times, in order to take part in a great opportunity, you must give something in return, maybe selling a house or even as simple as a lifestyle change; like if you won the lottery. But what in the case of education? Sporting superstars arise in high school and face the decision of pursuing a degree or stepping directly into a professional sporting position. The chance to make millions of dollars and do something you love everyday for a living seems to good to be true; there is no way you could turn that down! But what are you giving up? An education is priceless and knowledge is power. In the midst of growing up, a shift in learning goes from physics, math, and english to what a slant route is and how to be the best power forward. Is developing around only the sport they live damaging to the chance of a well-rounded life? Which should they choose?

College is far superior and it should be obvious! Though a chance at stardom is an extravagant opportunity, it is but a single opportunity and one that is not time restricted. If a student chooses to go directly into a sporting franchise, they would have the chance to be famous and make money equal to kings. However, life is ultimately confined due to limited surroundings. If a student is capable of a professional position, four years in college would not change that. Spending the required time in a college for at minimum an associates degree would not just broaden a student's life, but also give a chance to enhance their already elite athleticism in their chosen sport by increasing problem solving and critical thinking skills. Like Greg Bianchi says, an age requirement would help protect athletes "by shielding them from physical injury and requiring them to mature emotionally and receive an education before entering the world of professional sports." Furthermore, being an All-star is never guaranteed. A chance of injury or succession of a better player is always creeping around the corner of a sporting contract. And without an education to fall back on, a once NBA dominator could become the next one living in a box down the street if the outrageous amount of money that starts flowing into their pockets becomes too much to handle and especially if they didn't "make it big" yet. Having an education is not only an advantage to any sports player's ability, but serves as a safety net for anyone in the sporting leagues.

In conclusion, college is better. It improves all aspects of life and prepares students for many problems and challenges they will encounter throughout adulthood whether they are dealing with throwing a fastball, or solving a nuclear crisis. We all need an education, no matter what our profession.

"Age Requirement in Professional Sport | The Sport Journal." Volume 15 | The Sport Journal. Web. 26 Jan. 2012. <http://www.thesportjournal.org/article/age-requirement-professional-sport>.