Go pro or stay in school?

Andy Katz has a nice article about Gonzaga guard Jeremy Pargo's chances of being a first-round pick in this year's NBA draft. Jeremy's brother is former Bull and current Hornet Jeremy Pargo. This part struck me:

But the Zags coach did want to caution Pargo that the moment he does sign with an agent, the fun of being on a college team is over. It's a business from that point forward. The feedback he has received from former Zags Morrison, Ronny Turiaf, Dan Dickau, Blake Stepp and Richie Frahm is that the collegial experience is missed.

It is indeed a business, but this made me feel a mini-rant coming on. Here goes.

Yes, for many (or maybe most) people, college is a great time. The basketball part is also good, as practice time is limited by NCAA rules and the season lasts no longer than about 40 games.

However, college isn't for everyone. There are lots of otherwise smart and motivated people who do not want to sit through school. They would rather be out doing things, getting paid, and gaining experience.

There are also lots of people (athletes especially) who are wasting their time in college. They aren't very bright to begin with, so they have to get some useless, lame, and easy major, like Communications. An athlete is at least getting some exposure and practice time for what he hopes to be a career playing a sport, but most don't have that as a realistic hope. Why would some people who have no business being in college and don't like school want to spend time there?

This brings me to the guy who metasizes these arguments most often, or so far as I can tell: Dick Vitale. He is always ranting here and there about how college is the best time of people's lives and how athletes should stay in school unless they are no-brainer top draft picks.

Well, Dick, college isn't for everyone. I didn't especially like it, for example, so I graduated early in hopes of working sooner and making money. There are lots of athletes who, for whatever reason, don't want to do it. It may mean they play overseas or in the developmental league, but they are willing to do so to make some money while they can and to not be in school. Everyone has that choice, and your one-size fits all attitude does not, in fact, fit all.

It just really grinds my gears (thanks, Peter Griffin) to hear people talk like that about college and the college experience. So to end, those former Zags who say that the college experience will be missed should really just say that they miss it, not that everyone does or will.