I just learned after making the Olympics at the age of 16, she ran for Kentucky?
If she did that, wouldn't she have had to sacrifice endorsement money and appearance fees on the world circuit?
She could always train with the Kentucky coaching staff instead, right?
her parents are rich, they've never been concerned with money. having one year of a normal college experience is invaluable. It's cool to be an NCAA champ and break the collegiate record too.
It was a great move on her part, the opportunity cost was pretty low (taking a smaller contract for 1 extra year) and the reward was strong (bolstering her resume with some NCAA success and visibility). She signed a huge pro contract a year later.
NCAA sports are probably more popular with high schoolers and college students than pro track is, so that boosted her visibility with that group... who probably buy a decent amount of NB merch. Alumni also have a strong connection to their school's athletic program, so when a star athlete like McLaughlin comes to their school (even in a smaller sport/event) it definitely creates some publicity for her.
She also probably diminished expectations a bit by following the natural progression of most athletes, even if she only went to college for a year. Look at how much scrutiny Drew Hunter is under because he decided to go pro and skip college completely. Deviating from the "set path" brings much higher expectations.
Financially, I don't think she paid anything at all to go there, as she was THE top recruit that year, and I think she/her family understood the benefits of college athletics vs going pro right away.
Finally, there were definitely personal reasons, such as meeting people, experiencing college life, running with a team ... that helped her grow as a person/athlete.
Ok7272 wrote:
I just learned after making the Olympics at the age of 16, she ran for Kentucky?
If she did that, wouldn't she have had to sacrifice endorsement money and appearance fees on the world circuit?
She could always train with the Kentucky coaching staff instead, right?
Delay, not "sacrifice." And she was certainly well taken care of during that year, she even got to go be on a WR DMR with 3 pro runners and wasn't overraced by her coaches so it's not like she missed out on anything essential to her development for that year. Hell, Rupp went to Oregon after being pro for a year and clearly that didn't hurt at all and maybe even helped.
Droddy & Stinson's Communal Bong wrote:
Ok7272 wrote:
I just learned after making the Olympics at the age of 16, she ran for Kentucky?
If she did that, wouldn't she have had to sacrifice endorsement money and appearance fees on the world circuit?
She could always train with the Kentucky coaching staff instead, right?
Delay, not "sacrifice." And she was certainly well taken care of during that year, she even got to go be on a WR DMR with 3 pro runners and wasn't overraced by her coaches so it's not like she missed out on anything essential to her development for that year. Hell, Rupp went to Oregon after being pro for a year and clearly that didn't hurt at all and maybe even helped.
Was she allowed to keep her Diamond League earnings while at Kentucky. She made the Olympics at 16 so I imagine she had 2 years of being on the pro circut before she got toe hr
Rupp was pro for a year?
He was in te 2005 NCAA outdoor championships and graduated in 2004 so i doubt it
For personal reasons.
It's about four years late to be wondering about this. She probably talked about it in the press at the time if you could figure out how to search the internet for it.
And at least google her name to get the spelling right, dummy.
Kentucky had a great coach. I read she wanted to have to college experience.
Later, I read she didn't go to One party the entirety of her time there. :((. I feel sad for her.
I'm no expert but she did seem improve during her time there. I think she got a new coach after.