Rupp's parents in the hole for 45 large! To turn pro?

I say more like he already have a mechanism in place to keep his folks out of the bread line. Look up Reggie Bush.

Well, thats what happens when you pay for your kids school. Let them work and pay for it themselves.

Pamela Andersons Left Nipple wrote:

I say more like he already have a mechanism in place to keep his folks out of the bread line. Look up Reggie Bush.

What makes you think that?

All these years I thought his parents were rich. I didn't realize they were going into debt because of it.

my grandparents paid for my parents education, my parents paid for mine and I paid for my two sons - and they will pay for their children's. Thjat is the way it works in normal, responsible families - if they can afford it. Mr Poo Poo picked the wrong family for ancestors.

Commen Cense wrote:

What makes you think that?

Cuz' the kid was already "pro", and a lot of work (and money) went into getting his athletic eligibility reinstated. You don't drop coin on that without already having a mechanism in place.

Think about it: would you trade in your brand-spanking-new, all-paid-for Jaguar so you could finance a Hyundai?

Pay -up - I was on my own financially since age 17 and paid for all of undergrad and grad school. The undergrad was via a Div. 1 scholarship - no deal there because working a job on the side was impossible. Grad school paid for by trading futures for two years, doing well, and saving every penny. And guess what? This didn't make a better person, only a more hassled and stressed out one. So of course I am now overindulging with my daughters - no talk of athletic scholarships, no talk of going to the cheaper school (unless they want it that way), and lots of encouragement, both financial and otherwise, to develop human capital and maturity through education. I say this not in any sense that I am somehow a "good guy" for doing this - no - the sense I am trying to convey is that I would not have known just how right the course of action in supporting my kids in their endeavors is if I had not had the opportunity to come into contact with people like you (and your parents and grandparents). Corny? Maybe. But learning from those around me that do the right thing has really helped me. Running fast, or getting A's or making lots of money may be great, but it pales in comparison to giving an opportunity to the next generation to make them "better" (in the holistic sense) than you are. And folks with your views that I have come across have got me to understand the notion that conflating pain with achievement is a fallacy. Of course, some out there will have parents like mine - and if that is the case - unfortunate it is - but hope springs eternal - and a goal to break that cycle is a laudable one. And to that end, I am impressed by Mr. Rupp's comments that he is doing all he can.

im not sure what the point of this thread is, but i like the attitude of 'pay up' and 'quantum'..

its great to see someone who had to pay their own way through their education admit that it was a huge pain in the ass, it doesn't automatically make them a better person, and that they are going to do everything they can to make sure their kids don't have to go through the same ordeal.

personally, regardless of my financial situation at the time, i would never encourage my children to make some LARGE choice regarding their education based largely on dollar signs.

Salazar states in the article that Rupp's parents are "impoverished". Really? That seems like a whopper of an exaggeration.

BTW, this is on the FRONT PAGE of the Oregonian today..not the front of the sports page, but Page 1..with a huge picture of Rupp.

"He's given up lots of money to compete in the NCAA," Salazar said. "And in the meantime, his parents are impoverished."

impoverished (v.) - destroyed financially; poor enough to need help from others

c'mon now 'beto! i don't think the rupps are paying for their groceries using food stamps. no government cheese or powdered milk in their house. i commend them for going into debt for their kid, though. he better bring home the bacon soon.

That's funny, a lot of parents go into debt for their kids. I'm like you...better run like hell and give back to the family.

The color photo which starts above the fold has a caption saying "Rupp's praying as he crosses the finish line". Uh, huh. More likely he's just crossing the finish line but anything to "honor the Lord" when the article is really all about money. The whole article is repulsive and unseemly. I wonder how the Rupp parents enjoy being called "impoverished" in a front page article of the Oregonian?

Why did Rupp's family have to go into debt to support Rupp's running career? Other than shoes and perhaps the occasional massage/doctor bill, where is the big expense?

Sub500marother wrote:

Why did Rupp's family have to go into debt to support Rupp's running career? Other than shoes and perhaps the occasional massage/doctor bill, where is the big expense?

Have you followed his career at all? Traveling costs quite a bit of money.

Sub500marother wrote:

Why did Rupp's family have to go into debt to support Rupp's running career? Other than shoes and perhaps the occasional massage/doctor bill, where is the big expense?

"Medical" bills.

Commen Cense wrote:

Have you followed his career at all? Traveling costs quite a bit of money.

Fine, but I just don't see where travel is a requirement to maximize one's running potential. Plenty of people have had more successful careers than Rupp has without going in debt because of it.

More successful career than Rupp? Before age 21? I think not, considering he owns the US Junior records at 3000, 5000, and 10000 meters :) The travel experiences he has had will pay huge dividends in years to come. He will be ready to handle international competition.

This is no different than young golfers, tennis pros, or gym kids...the parents go into debt with the hopes of a big payoff when they get good enough to earn money as a pro athlete. Galen is lucky he has had the opportunity. I'm sure his parents are not worried about getting that money back. If they have a second mortgage, they aren't really out the 45 large, they are just making a monthly payment until Galen pays back the principal for them.

Commen Cense wrote:

Sub500marother wrote:

Why did Rupp's family have to go into debt to support Rupp's running career? Other than shoes and perhaps the occasional massage/doctor bill, where is the big expense?

Have you followed his career at all? Traveling costs quite a bit of money.

Was it really necessary for him to compete in Melbourne, Australia in late December...gimme a break. No wonder his parents are in debt...serves them right. Maybe they should evaluate the expenses before they just hand over a blank check.

Many tennis parents rack up huge expenses with no guarantee of financial return.

Mr. Rupp, how about spending that hard-earned money of yours more wisely. Is the other brother, Colin, getting the short end of the stick....yes????

that link is supposed to be an image of the oregonian front page.. hope it works