Robby Andrews going pro?

toro wrote:

If he signs with a sponsor it would be best to sign during USATF and wear their uniform at the meet. Best for the sponsor that is.

Otherwise he should wear the UVA uniform.

Being listed as unattached really means nothing in itself but it is curious.

These are difficult times for professional athletes not named Bolt. Just ask Allyson Felix and Kerron Clement, among others, who have spent time competing unattached in the last 1-2 years.

With Webb on the horizon, it would not surprise me if Robby's situation has already been decided, assuming he can "seal the deal" next weekend. Robby would be best off signing a pro contract after winning the championships or making the team, because his financial value would be higher.

If Robby can make the team, I expect him to turn pro and train with Webb, which would allow him to miss the NCAA overracing season in preparation for the Olympics. I think this would be the ideal situation for both of them.

If Robby does not make the team, I expect him to return to UVA for next season.

R U KIDDING ME OVER RACING!

back in the 80s we ran 3 meets a week. Pre used to warm up with a 4 minute mile for God sake. over racing. get over your self, and your tireless preaching

Blathering Blatherskyte wrote:

As stated on an earlier thread - it has nothing to do with anything about wanting to turn pro. There is an NCAA rule that technically, collegiates competing at events where they may be in direct competition with prospective athletes, cannot be officially representing their school without being ruled in violation and ineligible. That's it - no more, no less. Now, there IS an exception for World Championships and Pan-American game qualification - which this meet is - so, he could wear the uniform if he wanted.

Doesn't matter if he's in his uniform or not. He's on the roster; he could be a redshirt and it would still count...at invitationals. Open meets where anyone or anyone who has met a qualification standard aren't part of this equation.

Robbie Andrews turning pro? I hardly think so. Goes to show you how many idiots are on this board. And unfortunatly, some of those idiots are probably coaches.

I watched Andrews race against Wheating at last year's NCAA championship and was taken by how he handled himself. First off, he was in "enemy territory" but he gained many admirers and fans by the way he carried himself. He acted like most of us would like. He was spontaneous and happy to be doing what he was doing. When he got beat, there were no excuses, yet I could see from how he took it (he let his emotion out) that he would likely not lose another major collegiate race. This young man is a TALENT, with the kick to challenge international competition very soon. With the all too short life span of middle distance runners, it makes sense to step up to the higher stage a year ahead of the London Olympics. Though Vig is a fabulous coach, I can see Andrews getting the kind of support he will need if he were to join a group like OTC or Gags' new club in the East. Yes, Nike or Adidas or several other major sponsors would be very much interested in bringing the TALENT aboard. My guess is that he is currently negotiating with one or two potential agents at this time. Go Robby, can't wait to watch you race again this week.

seriously Mr. Butler wrote:

Robbie Andrews turning pro? I hardly think so. Goes to show you how many idiots are on this board. And unfortunatly, some of those idiots are probably coaches.

You might want to explain this to Kerron Clement (who I think ran precisely one meet as a collegiate), Jeremy Wariner, or Sanya Richards. I'll bet they can't wait to give back the millions they made by turning pro early.

Yep, the ignormaous coaches are coming out, as expected. He's not ready yet! Believe me.... he's a great talent, but not ready. Watch this weekend.

Whether he goes pro or not, I'm already a fan of this kid. He's a racer...plain and simple. It doesn't matter if the pace is 2:05 or 1:45, he just wants to (and normally does) finish first. For that, I'm on the Go Robby bandwagon.

He'd be an idiot to try. That kick may make him tops in NCAA championships rabbited by runner ups and drafting the field, but it's standard-issue among the pros. He runs 1:44 going all-out and running perfectly efficient splits. The elite will provide no such luxury and run 1:44 in genuinely tactical affairs. Apparently, he needs an education more than anything

coach d wrote:

[If Robby does not make the team, I expect him to return to UVA for next season.

No matter what happens this weekend I do not expect him to be competing for UVA next outdoor season in preperation for the Olympics.

Indoor is iffy to. Maybe a couple of races including NCAAs.

So it's either go pro now or wait 2-3 years.

This isn't like basketball where you may stay in college to develop a little more to get to be a higher draft pick.

In track, you don't need anyone to pass you the ball.

There is no way he is turning Pro this early. It is just not going to happen. There is still a lot for him to do. Did Leo turn pro early? Vig and RA have a plan and they are going to stick to it for the most part. Don't read too much into the entry list.

Robert Adrian Andrews (born March 29, 1991)

at age 20, I could definitely see this kid taking a year off to focus on the olympics in 2012. 2016 is where its at for this kid though. At age 25 in 2016, he'll be running consistent 1:43's granted he can stay uninjured.

USATF's registration process often has collegians listed as unattached until their real affiliation is added later. In other words, I wouldn't take too much from it.

and there is another possibility - in submitting the entry, it may have been marked UVA, and read as UNA which could easily be taken to mean unattached, or a typo could have been made.

Manzano is actually a pretty good example of how Andrews would likely stay.

In 2008 Manzano won NCAA's and went to the Olympics.

I don't think Andrews is likely to leave.

I am just putting out reasons that could justify the possibility.

i hope Robbie wins

This ^^

NCAA and high school athletes listed as UNA or club affiliation happens quite a bit, I don't know why, but it is not uncommon.

I seriously doubt Robbie is turning pro, and certainly not this year.

For one, he has not shown himself approved againt world class pro athletes. Before sponsors jump on the bandwagon, they would want to see how he does this summer against the big boys. Wheating got a big deal right out of college becasue he had made an Olympic team two years earlier. Sponsors have been burned quite a bit latey by NCAA super stars....the X-man and Jenny Barringer comes to mind.

2nd, Robbie is not head and shoulders above his current level of competition. There are about 3-4 NCAA athletes who are at the same level as Robbie and I personally think Jock will ultimately be a better 800m runner. Robbie's 26 second last 200m looks impressive against 1:45 NCAA athletes, but that's almost routine for the last 200m in 1:43 races. Also, I would be very surprised Robbie makes the WC team, not taking anything away from his enormous talent, but I would be surprised if more than 1 or 2 of the NCAA athletes make the finals. The USATF meet for the NCAA athletes will be like having to run 2 conference championship and race bigger than the NCAA Champs in a spand of 4 days. Athletes like Solomom, KD and Symmonds, who you may not have heard much from, understand this process and have built their entire season around one thing...making the WC team.

3rd, Robbie is a true student, he has good grades at a very good school and he comes from an upper middle class family and he's not hurting for money.

...This is all coming from a Robbie Andrews fan; 2012 will be the year for the NCAA guys.

Reality Czech wrote:

There is no way he is turning Pro this early. It is just not going to happen. There is still a lot for him to do. Did Leo turn pro early? Vig and RA have a plan and they are going to stick to it for the most part. Don't read too much into the entry list.

I wouldn't be so sure. Even Robbie Andrews himself stated how much fresher he feels at this point in the season after missing indoors due to injury. That type of realization and his recent success make it seem that he may indeed be signing a contract. And why not? What would be the benefit of someone in his position not to go pro?