When will Tommy S. go pro?

[cdmilton]

Ok, like everyone else it seems I am too getting sick of this thread.

Pole Bender, What is your situation? What do you consider as a large income for a year? I am guessing that the elite vaulters make equal to or less than a successful college graduate 5 years out in the working world. All of them seem to have some sort or side work be it either coaching or some other occupation that generates some income. You don't see them driving around in Ferrari's like every other professional athlete seen on cribs.

In my opinion track and field athletes would be foolish to forego an opportunity to get a free/reduced college degree. Heck, I am still paying for mine! Anyways, my advice would be to just relax, have fun in college because it doesn't last long. You have plenty of years in your prime after you are in college for 4-5 years.

[Skyin' Brian]

There is actually a really simple solution to becoming filthy rich in pole vaulting:

Jump 6 meters before college and break the world record a few times thereafter.

yes, that would probably do the trick

Thats pretty much the equivalent of what Alan Webb did in distance running, and he will never be half as rich as an NBA sixth man.

um, a 353 mile is nowhere near the league of a 6meter vault, and can you clue me in on the meet where Webb broke the world record???
i think webb's accomplishments actually compare very well to skipper's--high school record breaker. difference was that webb broke Ryun's record which seemed to bring a lot more press than breaking eric eshbach's record. webb did make the olympics, but in a weaker event for usa than pole vault.

Its the sad truth, but the bottom line is, if you can make a half-decent living pole vaulting, you are supporting yourself doing what you love, and too few people can say that.

this is a good point, but most elite t&f vaulters probably have day jobs(i'm no expert so i'm speculating a little)

a good example:

http://www.jeffhartwig.com

he seems to be doing TWO things that he loves. this is the example to follow for those who have the opportunity to "go pro" in our favorite sport.

[rainbowgirl28]

I am pretty sure he still is coached by Rick bagget who'd i would say to be pretty serious and HEs great and Planning Correct me if i am wrong here

Not when he is at school.

[pole bender]

Ok, like everyone else it seems I am too getting sick of this thread.

Pole Bender, What is your situation? What do you consider as a large income for a year? I am guessing that the elite vaulters make equal to or less than a successful college graduate 5 years out in the working world. All of them seem to have some sort or side work be it either coaching or some other occupation that generates some income. You don't see them driving around in Ferrari's like every other professional athlete seen on cribs.

In my opinion track and field athletes would be foolish to forego an opportunity to get a free/reduced college degree. Heck, I am still paying for mine! Anyways, my advice would be to just relax, have fun in college because it doesn't last long. You have plenty of years in your prime after you are in college for 4-5 years.

if your sick of this thread then dont post. it only keeps it going. "large income"? who cares? as long as your happy with your life what else matters? my point is that TS dosent need to stay in college. he can turn pro and make a decent income and STILL get his degree. you think european guys are all worried if they miss the local frat party? lol!

[cdmilton]

[quote="pole bender]
if your sick of this thread then dont post. it only keeps it going. "large income"? who cares? as long as your happy with your life what else matters? my point is that TS dosent need to stay in college. he can turn pro and make a decent income and STILL get his degree. you think european guys are all worried if they miss the local frat party? lol!
[/quote]

Ok, let me ask you this then, what would be his benefit of going "pro" if that really means anyting in track opposed to staying in school for what I assume is a full scholorship. He would then make some money but would have to pay for school. Doesn't seem to be worth it to me unless he is on top of the world.

[pole bender]

[quote="pole bender]
if your sick of this thread then dont post. it only keeps it going. "large income"? who cares? as long as your happy with your life what else matters? my point is that TS dosent need to stay in college. he can turn pro and make a decent income and STILL get his degree. you think european guys are all worried if they miss the local frat party? lol!

Ok, let me ask you this then, what would be his benefit of going "pro" if that really means anyting in track opposed to staying in school for what I assume is a full scholorship. He would then make some money but would have to pay for school. Doesn't seem to be worth it to me unless he is on top of the world.[/quote]

hes a jr right? how much would one more year of college cost? 5k at the most (instate). you dont think hed make that much right away? how long did bubka stay in college? none at all. TS has the potential to go big time. why not get all he can NOW? hurts himself next year working on his ba (which dosent mean squat these days). that wouldnt be smart. he can make $$$ now. he doesent need a degree. he can finish that when ever he wants. trust me. look up how much fresh grads are making. better have a comp sci or eng. degree if you plan to make alot of $$$.

[Skyin' Brian]

hes a jr right? how much would one more year of college cost? 5k at the most (instate). you dont think hed make that much right away? how long did bubka stay in college? none at all. TS has the potential to go big time. why not get all he can NOW? hurts himself next year working on his ba (which dosent mean squat these days). that wouldnt be smart. he can make $$$ now. he doesent need a degree. he can finish that when ever he wants. trust me. look up how much fresh grads are making. better have a comp sci or eng. degree if you plan to make alot of $$$.

just out of curiosity, what is your degree in?

[pole bender]

hes a jr right? how much would one more year of college cost? 5k at the most (instate). you dont think hed make that much right away? how long did bubka stay in college? none at all. TS has the potential to go big time. why not get all he can NOW? hurts himself next year working on his ba (which dosent mean squat these days). that wouldnt be smart. he can make $$$ now. he doesent need a degree. he can finish that when ever he wants. trust me. look up how much fresh grads are making. better have a comp sci or eng. degree if you plan to make alot of $$$.

just out of curiosity, what is your degree in?

psyc......dosent pay at all so thats why im a computer guy now.

[rainbowgirl28]

hes a jr right? how much would one more year of college cost? 5k at the most (instate). you dont think hed make that much right away?

I would imagine tuition is more than that. Then you have to factor in room and board, travel expenses to meets, etc etc. It's a decent chunk of change.

[rainbowgirl28]

Tommy possibly could finish school and compete professionally at the same time. I hope if he goes pro he does this.

But he might not. He might decide to train somewhere besides Eugene. Or he might find school too distracting.

Well, he could always go back and finish, right?

Well yeah, in theory.

But let's say he has a long, somewhat, successful career. He could easily be 35+ by the time he is done. At that point, odds are good he is married, with a kid or two.

Is he going to go back to school at that point? Or will he get the best job he can to support his family? And spend the next 30 years making less than he would of if he had a degree.

Something to think about.

[uconnvaulta]

thank you becca, for making complete and utter sense of all this ridiculousness of to go pro, or not to go pro. you hit the nail right on the head

[achtungpv]

better have a comp sci or eng. degree if you plan to make alot of $$$.

Engineering yes. My company starts first year EITs at $48K. CS no, unless you want to move to India. I think CS may be the only field that has seen salaries go down over the past few years. THere's still plenty of IT jobs but not like around '00. It's a lot more competitive for those positions thus salaries are lower. I outsource low level IT stuff overseas so I know. I'm part of that problem. Ha!