Food for thought here. To answer your question Barto: I'm thinking 40 guys. Can't say for the girls. College Polevaulters and above is probably in the realm of 400. So that leads us to think that smaller than 10% of college athletes continue to post collegiate. Agree/Disagree?
More so I'd like to continue off of what Russ and Trey were throwing out there for what's important or challenges for a post collegiate athlete. Weather, coaching, training partners, access, support, and finances.
That said, as an athlete out of college that had a competitive PR of 5.35 and practice in the 5.50 range, I was encouraged to continue. I had the choice to train in Southern Cal in SLO, or stay to do volunteer assistance at Illinois. I'd looked in to Texas, but Tito knows that story.
After evaluating opportunities I chose Houston, TX. Let me explain the realism of why...
Year round training conditions, lowest cost of living for a city (no income tax, $500 rent, Coach David Butler, Gymnastics center of the US, Pole Vault Community/Post Collegiate vaulters, economy and job opportunities)
I'm able to make a good living, afford flights for competition, have access to Petrov and someone who understands the theory, train in Olympic Development Center for Gymnastics, and chase women in a pretty cool city when I want
As well as still being able to keep in touch with my college coaches and others like Duplantis, Jan, and Agapit.
Overall, I have to agree that the difference between good and great is the ability to have intense practices w/ a specific focus, thus coaching and training partners. You can see this with some of our past greats. I invite anyone to consider Houston, but if I have to move to So Cal to get some training partners after saving money in Houston...
I want to hear some other thoughts of post collegiate vaulters.