What’s with student athletes thinking they can just leave mid-education? People pay to go here and, most times, athletes don’t. The cost of their tuition is built into ours. And when an athlete needs help in his or her classes, I am the person who gets the e-mail saying student athletes need tutors. That’s great because if I choose to do that, I get paid. But it’s like the university giving me a refund.

Maybe you view college as a stepping stone to professional sports. I don’t disagree with that. But if you have a chance at a free education, you better be taking it. What happens three years from now if your knee goes, or your back prevents you from playing? If your motivation is the love of the game and the opportunity to make money, going pro is not a guarantee. If money’s the goal, you won’t do it without an education.

There are a ton of people out there who thought they could make it in professional sports and are barely making ends meet. You won’t be a god in the NFL or even on your own team because you were a god at a Big Ten school. Zach Randolph anyone?

Not everyone is a Michael Jordan. In the words of Brad Pitt’s “Fight Club” character, “You are not a beautiful and unique snowflake.” You may succeed, but odds are greater you won’t.

Good sports players play the game with their heads. Maybe people should start using their heads off of the field or the court.

Sarah Nevins
biochemistry and political science senior