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Post by Soccerhouse on Apr 18, 2017 7:31:36 GMT -5
I don't really have a strong opinion either way. Would have been cool see her win a few national championships etc. Maybe she has some big endorsement deals lined up that she can capitalize on. Mallory Pugh has been viewed by many as the future of the United States women’s national team. She’s not quite the Americans’ star yet, but she’s getting closer and she took a major step in that direction on Monday — the 18-year-old announced that she was leaving UCLA and turning pro. Pugh never played a game for UCLA. There was talk last year that Pugh would skip college entirely and turn pro then. The Portland Thorns even made moves to put themselves in position to sign Pugh, but she opted for college. Pugh enrolled at UCLA in January and was expected to be with the team when their 2017 season kicked off in the fall, but that won’t be case now. www.foxsports.com/soccer/story/mallory-pugh-uswnt-pro-ucla-nwsl-041817
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Post by SoccerMom on Apr 18, 2017 7:46:43 GMT -5
To each its own...but I think its a shame she's bypassing college.
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Post by footy on Apr 18, 2017 9:05:59 GMT -5
To each its own...but I think its a shame she's bypassing college. This is something I would love to learn more about. Is it better to go to college first then possibly play pro or go pro and then go back to college later? Of course most kids won't have the chance to play pro, but assuming they can and would want to, I would think college can wait whereas your peak playing years may be when you are younger.
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Post by Futsal Gawdess on Apr 18, 2017 9:12:44 GMT -5
I always get conflicted with these types of stories. I know it is simplistic but we go to college to learn a trade/field so we can provide for ourselves and our families. However, will turning pro expedite the sequence of things? I am an avid supporter of getting your education, but if the money is worth it and you are a legitimate star, I say make a run. I just hope she makes enough to also pay for her to return to her education in the off season. I'm curious how much her contract and endorsements are worth?
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Post by zizou on Apr 18, 2017 9:50:52 GMT -5
This is simple for her. She is already a major contributor to the USWNT. Her power for negotiating a big shoe deal is pretty great right now. Other endorsements will be pretty great as well. She can work on her game full time and play in a professional environment. She is on a different part of the developmental trajectory curve than essentially everyone else. She is already effectively a professional soccer player. She might as well formalize that fact. She might never get the opportunity to financially leverage the hype surrounding her. It can be over at any point.
She can do school later. And will come out financially ahead by NOT going to school. And, barring injury, will be a superior athlete to boot (little football humor there).
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Post by SoccerMom on Apr 18, 2017 9:52:53 GMT -5
To each its own...but I think its a shame she's bypassing college. This is something I would love to learn more about. Is it better to go to college first then possibly play pro or go pro and then go back to college later? Of course most kids won't have the chance to play pro, but assuming they can and would want to, I would think college can wait whereas your peak playing years may be when you are younger. My whole issue is with what happens if you get hurt and you can't play anymore? I just think having an education is a good backup plan so you can get a job and support yourself in the future. I understand her pro contract/endorsements could be worth millions and that's assuming shes forever the star, but no one knows the future. I know she can go to college in the future, but how will she support herself while she does that if she hasnt put the money away for it? Work a menial job? move back in with her parents? I wish her the best in her decision to pursue her dream. -------------------------- There is a a bunch of commercials now airing for Southern New Hampshire University -- one of them is just Tim Howard and how he talks about how it was always in the back of his mind to get his degree and now he has enrolled in college again. www.ispot.tv/ad/A43z/southern-new-hampshire-university-success-featuring-tim-howardTheres another one that I cant find online that features Tim Howard, Adriana Lima, Lebron James and some others. In this one, it shows you facts at the bottom about how many pro athletes there are, and models and other stuff. Tim comes on and says, "we don't need any more Tim Howards", Lebron then says "we dont need any more Lebron James'" and then Adriana says "we dont need any more models" and so on and so on. Then the commercial shows you facts about how many fields we do need people in but everyone just wants to be a star.
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Post by paterfamilias on Apr 18, 2017 10:41:49 GMT -5
It is no different that the choice that hundreds (if not thousands) of high school baseball players make each year, do I have a better chance chancing my athletic dream now and go to the minors or should I go college route, where I might not be as challenged athletically.
I think it speaks volumes for the opportunities afforded to these days that she is able to make that choice. I am sure it was not a simple one for her nor an easy one. Decisions like this rarely are.
At the beginning of my professional career, I had a manager who forwent college for three years to chase his minor league baseball career. He got as high as Double A ball, but then it became apparent he was stalled out. He decided to pursue college. He said it made him a more attractive applicant at that point due to the life experiences.
Also consider all the many men and women who do military service for several years and then benefit from the GI Bill when they get to college (myself included)
There are many paths to an education and there are many steps in life's journey.
She made the choice that she felt was the best for her. Go Mallory!!!
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Post by footy on Apr 18, 2017 11:01:31 GMT -5
He decided to pursue college. He said it made him a more attractive applicant at that point due to the life experiences. Also consider all the many men and women who do military service for several years and then benefit from the GI Bill when they get to college (myself included) Great points! And thank you for your service.
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Post by Soccerhouse on Apr 18, 2017 11:52:22 GMT -5
I would like to see an article about a player like her and what her daily training routine looks like etc. Given that and her national team commitments missing big chunks of classes could be overwhelming mentally and then the $$$.
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Post by SoccerMom on Apr 18, 2017 13:13:39 GMT -5
I would like to see an article about a player like her and what her daily training routine looks like etc. Given that and her national team commitments missing big chunks of classes could be overwhelming mentally and then the $$$. i know of someone in a similar path, at college visit she was told to pick an easy major because with her national commitments she would miss a lot of classes.
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Post by spectator on Apr 18, 2017 13:42:48 GMT -5
I would like to see an article about a player like her and what her daily training routine looks like etc. Given that and her national team commitments missing big chunks of classes could be overwhelming mentally and then the $$$. i know of someone in a similar path, at college visit she was told to pick an easy major because with her national commitments she would miss a lot of classes. That seems counter productive because as you said earlier, what if the player gets injured - that 'easy' college major probably won't provide the most lucrative career path. College is still about the education first - soccer second - whether it's D1, D2, D3 or NAIA - the operative word in 'Student-Athlete' is still 'STUDENT'. Statistically speaking only a certain percentage of players will play in college - a smaller number will ever play pro. In Pugh's case, she's got the opportunity early so I can't fault her for reaching for it - but in the case of the example you gave, I think that's irresponsible advice being given to the player. GO to college for what you want to do after soccer - if you're lucky enough to play the game you love while you're there, that's a bonus!
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Post by rifle on Apr 18, 2017 15:52:36 GMT -5
Good for her. Much better off in France, too.
Strike while the iron is hot! 🔥🔥🔥
College won't be closed when her knees are ruined.
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Post by SoccerMom on Apr 19, 2017 6:52:46 GMT -5
i know of someone in a similar path, at college visit she was told to pick an easy major because with her national commitments she would miss a lot of classes. That seems counter productive because as you said earlier, what if the player gets injured - that 'easy' college major probably won't provide the most lucrative career path. College is still about the education first - soccer second - whether it's D1, D2, D3 or NAIA - the operative word in 'Student-Athlete' is still 'STUDENT'. Statistically speaking only a certain percentage of players will play in college - a smaller number will ever play pro. In Pugh's case, she's got the opportunity early so I can't fault her for reaching for it - but in the case of the example you gave, I think that's irresponsible advice being given to the player. GO to college for what you want to do after soccer - if you're lucky enough to play the game you love while you're there, that's a bonus! I agree with you, i thought the school gave her terrible advice. She basically had a major and they told her it would be too hard to do with her new schedule and to pick something easier
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Post by TheMadOx on Apr 19, 2017 9:33:04 GMT -5
We go to college to maximize our income potential and not all people need that college education to maximize their income...being a soccer star, gaining endorsements, start now for Pugh. Get the money now while you can!
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