interesting stat about pro players and college degrees

quote:

Originally posted by hisbiggestfan:
No No Coach W!! I am very superstitious and I just ment I was knocking on wood because you said he has flown accident/incident free for 30 years, just want him to keep it that way thats all.

Okay, I got it now...

See I learned something new today...Ah, the HSSBW is my classroom!

quote:

Originally posted by Coach Waltrip:
CD, I agree with you...absolutley true. However, college is not for everyone.

We talk a lot here on the HSBBW about finding the right fit for our kids into a college. The same should go for those that feel they are not ready for college and may choose to pursue other interests.

For those that have joined the military after high school will tell you that was the best education they ever got.

On the other hand, earning a college degree opens doors and opportunities that never would have been realized without it. No doubt about it...

My point is success is earned over a lifetime with or without a college degree. Earning a college degree is rewarding and satisfying, but the achievement of it is only the beginning of success. Without tenacity and perseverance the degree is only worth the paper it is written on...

Living life is an education. Education does not ever stop and the world is my classroom. A day without learning something does not happen in my life. If it ever did I would probably be dead.

A college degree is only the beginning of a lifetime of learning...

Rant out...

dswann - thanks for the clarification.

quote:

Originally posted by ClevelandDad:
dswann - where did you get that sterotype of people from the south? Bill Maher? I have never seen one member here from the south who did not fully embrace education nor have I ever seen anyone - especially from the south who believes 150k sets one up for life.

I've read dswann's post a few times and I think he was generalizing by educational standards by National and International regions, and not by the mindset of baseball families from this site. If you look at standardized K12 National testing results that opinion could be rationalized by some. The 150K statement does raise an eyebrow however. (oops, this post was written before dswanns last reply...but I will stand by the thought even though it was not that of dswanns)

RJM also brings up an interesting point..

quote:

Not all college baseball players are college material.

I'll stick out my neck and say at least 30% of all D1 athletes who receive scholarship benefits would NOT have chosen that level of education had the "gift box" been empty.

FWIW, many teams will allow first year drafted players a release for the fall to go back to finish school (if a few credits away from earning their degree), this is something that can be discussed before the player signs. It is included in an addendum.
Another thing, most schools want their players to come back and earn their degree, and offer assistance, but has to be within a certain time frame. This is something that can be discussed during recruiting.

Two players, we know well, were high (1st & 2nd)draft picks in mid 90's. Both did get "their cup of coffee" in the bigs but are now 30ish, out of baseball, with families and bills to pay, no formal education and no sizeable nest egg. That scenario, as we all well know, is repeated more often than not! I went to school on the G.I. Bill as a V-Vet, for seven years at night, while working and supporting a family. I'm not patting myself on the back as others did not take that route and are far more successful than I. But not many kids raised today, are going to do that even if the school money is free. If you've owned a business, or hired employees, you know the work ethic today, on the whole, is vastly different.

I wouldn't advise my son to allow himself to be caught in that position at 30. You don't have to have the degree to succeed in life, but it can only help when you go out looking for a career. Unless you have an inheritance or a "BETTER MOUSETRAP", one would be wise to get all the education you can while the "gettin is good," especially if you are a ball player! Now the 700 + who stick, that's an entirely different set of circumstances (see better mousetrap).

RJM posted a link to a very good article addressing this subject within pro-baseball.

Another option for the HS draftee is to take accredited classes on a monthly basis during the off sesaon. Locally, National University and the University of Phoenix offers courses that can be completed in a month. The boy took an online transferable course at a JC and never set foot in a classroom. Take a few courses during the off season when your MILB/MLB career is over, transfer the units to a four year. Who knows maybe you can apply the 8 semesters under the MLB scholly to 4 semesters at a 4 year and the remaining 4 semesters at grad school.

The key is to stay involved with school in some shape or form... For most, once you leave it's very difficult to regain the momentum to complete your degree as a HS draftee.

If your not moving ahead your falling behind.

quote:

Originally posted by RJM:

quote:

Originally posted by dswann:
Wonder how many of the 750 are from down south where education may or may not be embraced, but a 150k signing bonus sets you up for life.

Why would education not be embraced in the south? This sounds like my mother who is still trying to get over my daughter chosing to play softball in Florida over an elite northeastern education. She told my daughter to get her law degree in the north from a school people can respect her degree. My daughter calmly informed her Gainesville is in northern Florida, smiled and walked away.

I know dswann was talking about Latin America but the stats for the USA don't lie. Its not too far of a stretch to label it the "uneducated south". Out of the states with % of residents owning a bachelor's degree or higher, Virginia is the only southern state in the top 10.

http://www.statemaster.com/gra...ee-higher-percentage

quote:

TPM - FWIW, many teams will allow first year drafted players a release for the fall to go back to finish school (if a few credits away from earning their degree), this is something that can be discussed before the player signs. It is included in an addendum. Another thing, most schools want their players to come back and earn their degree, and offer assistance, but has to be within a certain time frame. This is something that can be discussed during recruiting.

TPM's info is right on. Son's MiLB team asked the college players at the beginning of their season who was interested in going back to school in the Fall .... and Son just finished his degree this off-season, graduating on Dec 12th!

Statistics are for those that want to make excuses or for those that want to boast. I don't suggest you make decisions based on statistics. I didn't read them nor did I advise my son based on statistics. My son left our rural southern home, drafted out of high school in the 5th round rejecting much more than 150K, opted for college and played SEC baseball for three years, drafted as a junior out of college in the 6th, played pro ball for three years, retired and returned to his college and received his college degree last week paid for out of his MLB fund. I suggest you do what is right for you and let someone else enter it in a statistic, scratch their head and wonder why.
Fungo

Fungo:

Congratulations and best of luck to Josh.

Merry Christmas!

I don't know where the exact number of only 26 players having a college education came from that were in the ML and for what year, I do know however the college scholarship fund has been around for many years and it's true, not all players take advantage of the program which was included in their contact. It's difficult for many players to continue going to school due to the high demand to play winter ball or instructional ball, etc.

The smart players use their networking skills to help get them jobs beyond baseball or in baseball. The ones that have hard times to find jobs nowadays have many more advantages than players of the past with the evolultion of the internet and online college degree programs that are available.

Not all jobs require a college education, but it certainly does help if a player has some college.

I encourage players to take advantage of every opportunity they can get to continue going to their current school or take classes when the off-season begins, at least one class.

One other part of information is that the ML Execs that have had great track records had formal education and were either teachers, financial planners/workers, took advanced courses in sports management etc., and a select few got their formal education playing professional baseball and networked to stay tight with powerful baseball people which helped them with their current/past careers in MLB.

Let us not forget that everyday life is also a great "teacher" and that life gives us an education and where we go with how life has taught us, is the key to enduring a career which we love or we dislike. When the opportunity knocks, research it and grab it, if it's something you really want.

Not all baseball jobs, including playing, pay very well and those that reap it's rewards with mult-year contracts or 7 figure salaries, earned those dollars by being the best at their craft, just as did Bill Gates, Dave Thomas (Founder of Wendy's who dropped out of HS), and their are other success stories out there of people who became financially wealthy.

For those looking to make ends meat, make the best of what you have, live within your means and when you receive a bonus opportunity, it's just that, a "bonus" and put the money away and invest wisely.

Research as much info daily and listen to those who became successful and ask questions, like, "How did you become successful at.....?" and remember where you came from. "Time doesn't wait!"

Happy Holidays!

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