From a young age, kids are taught the importance of school.  While most young kids really don’t have a choice of whether they go to school or not, eventually we all have to make a choice: stay or drop out.  For many, this is not a tough decision.  They will go to school because their future relies on it, but for special athletes the choice is not always so easy.

Whether or not high-profile athletes should have to go to college or not has been a debate for years.  In certain sports, skipping college is not an option.  For example, in order to play in the NBA one year of college basketball is required.  In the past, players such as Lebron James and Kobe Bryant were not forced to go to school.  They were allowed to chase their greatest dreams of making a living in the NBA.  But the times have changed, and now players that are chasing their dream of becoming a profession athlete have to wait a little longer.  Of course, this is not true of every sport.  Many baseball players are drafted right out of high-school.  So the question is: which is better?  Is forcing athletes to learn at a university better than letting athletes chase a profession in sports?  In my opinion, the schooling is necessary and for many reasons.

First, there is a life after sports.  While many professional athletes can make a lot of money in their career, a job is often times still necessary for these athletes to live comfortably.  A college education can help these athletes find a good job and manage their money in a responsible way.  There are too many stories that involve a former football player going broke when he made millions during his career.  While I know football players are required to receive three years of a college education before playing in the NFL, earning that degree can make a monumental difference when it comes to life after professional sports.

Although receiving an education is an important reason to attend college, it is not the only reason.  If an athlete skips out on college, he will miss an experience unlike any other.  While I realize a professional athlete can always go to college after his or her pro career, the age difference between the former athlete and the students at the school will, most of the time, cause problems.  Therefore, I would recommend attending college when one is young and can relate with the students around him or her.  There is much to be learned in college both through classes and the many social situations one will experience.

Overall, it is easy for me to write a column sharing my opinion that school is very important, but if I were put in a position where I had to choose between going to school or taking millions of dollars to play a sport I love, the decision would not be as easy as I have made it out to be.  For certain families, money does not come easily, and, therefore, sacrificing a college education for quick money is necessary.  It is important to understand what is at stake when making a decision between going to college or not.  Each athlete will have different circumstances in his or her life that will affect his or her decision.  Ultimately, I think it is important to remember what has been taught to students from a young age: to stay in school.