Jager is a lesson to US kids- don't go to college

The same goes for Bill Gates.

How about people like Rupp who go to college, their free ride ends, and they choose not to graduate because they have to pay tuition themselves?

Success stories like Jager are the exception and not the rule. The numbers are clear, an education is still THE best way to succeed and find financial security across the lifespan. Yes, you can find success without college. College is not for everyone. However, watching the infinitesimally small number of runners who make a career out of it and thinking you can do that can be misleading. I can't tell you the number good runners (Olympic trials level or just below) that I've seen forgo an education and then regret it.

Run Pun wrote:

Success stories like Jager are the exception and not the rule. The numbers are clear, an education is still THE best way to succeed and find financial security across the lifespan. Yes, you can find success without college. College is not for everyone. However, watching the infinitesimally small number of runners who make a career out of it and thinking you can do that can be misleading. I can't tell you the number good runners (Olympic trials level or just below) that I've seen forgo an education and then regret it.

Not sure if you're right.

College = Good life choice outside of running

NCAA = Destroying tons of talent

klodo wrote:

The same goes for Bill Gates.

Bill Gates went to college, you moran.

Did Jager not attend college at all or just not run for a college team?

RvaRunner wrote:

klodo wrote:

The same goes for Bill Gates.

Bill Gates went to college, you moran.

So did Evan Jager, Rick Moranis.

First off, Jager did go to college. He was so good that he decided to turn pro and most importantly, he was PAID to leave school.

The lesson here is go to college, and IF you are great then you can sign a contract and leave. If Ches was already a citizen I can assure you he would have turned pro already. He needs to be in school until he is a citizen.

The key is can you get PAID the big bucks to drop out of school? If so, then absolutely drop out. If not, then you need it.

Actually, Jager did go to college. UW for 1 year before he signed with Nike. How many athletes are able to sign a pro contract and forego college? Not many.

And you have to think long range. Jager is the rare exception who can get a big enough contract to set himself up well financially, and not just while he's a good runner for a few years.

Many high school baseball kids opt to sign a minor league baseball contract and get money instead of signing a college scholly. Nine times out of 10, that's a bad choice. Minor league baseball money is really small, even though it seems big to a high school kid, but they don't know expenses like mortgage, car payments, insurance, etc. And the career is often short. And then you're what? 26 and no college credits and limited career options. Do you really want to go to college while you're 26-30 and also trying to work full-time and support yourself?

A college degree is not a guarantee of a good job. But it is a door opener. And your resume will be higher in the stack on the CEO's desk than those without it.

The easiest time to get your college degree is when you're 18-22. You might think life is busy then, but you have no idea what it's like later when you're in your late 20s or 30s with so many more obligations.

Don't waste your chance at a better life for yourself.

Jager was close to graduating at Portland State a few years ago. I'm not sure if he finished, but I'm sure he could get his degree fairly quickly--if he hasn't already--after his running career winds down.

Star wrote:

Did Jager not attend college at all or just not run for a college team?

CKidd wrote:

Jager was close to graduating at Portland State a few years ago. I'm not sure if he finished, but I'm sure he could get his degree fairly quickly--if he hasn't already--after his running career winds down.

Going back after years away is not that easy for undergrads. Course structures change over time. Returning will more often than not require taking replacement courses.

For graduate programs there is almost always a time limit because the programs change more often, and the advisors you are required to pick are more likely to have moved on.

Run Pun wrote:

Success stories like Jager are the exception and not the rule. The numbers are clear, an education is still THE best way to succeed and find financial security across the lifespan.

This is false. The numbers do not say anything like that. There are many ways to get an education. College is not the only or best way. College is also not the best way to succeed unless your goal is to go to college. You're so brainwashed that you think "success" means something that it doesn't.

comicbookguy wrote:

Jager is a lesson to US kids- don't go to college.

Yeah. Just ask Galen Rupp and Matt Centrowitz.

For some reason I don't think Evan Jager would lack the discipline to figure out the courses needed for this exercise science degree if he wanted it.

Run Pun wrote:

Success stories like Jager are the exception and not the rule. The numbers are clear, an education is still THE best way to succeed and find financial security across the lifespan. Yes, you can find success without college. College is not for everyone. However, watching the infinitesimally small number of runners who make a career out of it and thinking you can do that can be misleading. I can't tell you the number good runners (Olympic trials level or just below) that I've seen forgo an education and then regret it.

This sounds like advice from the 80's. You need to get out more.

Smart Decision.

Running is the kind of career than can provide life long wealth and stability.

big ups to Evan.