If any of you are facing this dilemma, and are looking for a school with: solid academic programs, a very sound COACH, relatively low cost (in-state and out), and some gorgeous honeys, feel free to e-mail me. I know of a place you might want to consider taking a look at. Just though I'd throw this out there for those anybody who might be sitting on the fence.
NCAA D1? NON-IVY?
Cash should be the last thing you worry about.
I would advise high school kids to think long term and decide why they are going to University in the first place. If you are there for your future, than choose a place based on academic reputation. If you are serious about cometing for a long time, choose a coach that believes in long term development and has a track record of athletes who have had post-collegiate success. The thing you will remember the most however is the group you trained with. If you think the environment isn't the best for you than choose a place more your style. Would you go run for West Virginia Tech and receive a second rate education gratis, never develop as an runner, but look like hero wearing your jacket to Scandals at Christmas.
Go to Ark as a walk-on 9:30 3000m runner, train harder than you thought possible and come back five years later, 15 lbs lighter with balls of steel running sub 15:00 (or maybe even 14:00) for 5k. Maybe even go to Med school somwehere b/c you did so well in a second rate academic setting.
Go to Stanford, pay the bucks, bust your ass to get a scholarship, leave with a stellar education and quick track because you are fried.
Go to Michigan. Get a strong education, leave with a little debt, train with olympians, have coach worry about your long-term development.
Or go to U of Manitoba teach in St. Vital and tell stories about how fast all your friends are.
I'm curious as to how many of you who are currently collegiate athletes, or who are in the process of selecting a college in the near future, would pass (or would have passed) on a program at a prominent public university with a very good coach who was a two-time Olympian, but did not have his degree. With all the fuss over Chris Huffins lacking a degree by two classes, and that detail possibly having a direct effect on his ability to recruit future student-athletes, I'd like to know from the athletes what impact that would have on their decision.
[quote]SJM wrote:
Money (I assume you are refering to scholarship money) should not be the main factor. Too many people end up going a school that isn't their best option because they go for the money.
Money is a huge factor for some of us. If you have to work 30 hrs. a week on top of school & running, it's not a good fit, Period!