A million dollars or midterms and scantrons? The choice is easy right? Take the money and don?t look back. Shoot, with a million dollars, who needs college? Well, a million dollars isn?t what it used to be and unfortunately for us-the fans, neither are college athletics. Nowadays, would-be college athletes are spurning college in favor of the big paycheck that waits at the professional level. End result, everybody loses.

I?m not hating the player-I?m hating the game. Translation, it?s not the athlete?s fault they?re taking the money and enjoying financial security (isn?t that why we go to college anyway to have a better job?), it?s these professional leagues (NBA, MLB, NHL, ATP to name a few) that are allowing the exploitation of these young kids. Time and time again athletes that are not ready, physically or mentally, are making the jump straight to the pros. That is why professional leagues should create and enforce an age limit.

.The NFL has a similar rule already in place that forbids athletes to enter the league if under the age of 20. So why can?t the rest of these leagues follow the NFL?s example?

Many leagues claim they can?t pass such rules for fear of being sued on the grounds of age discrimination or some other grounds of discrimination. Now I?m not a lawyer but I?ll go ahead and play one and ask: if the NFL can do it, why not you?

Everybody has heard of Kobe Bryant, Wayne Gretzky, Alex Rodriguez, and Venus Williams (all have made a successful jump from high school to the pros). But have you ever heard of the names: Taj McDavid, Leon Meyer, Jennifer Capriati or how about Todd Vanpoppel? If you answered no to most of these names you are not alone. McDavid was a South Carolina basketball prep star that listened to the scouts and all the friends that told him he was ready for the NBA. He declared for the draft and wasn?t even drafted, but since he declared he couldn?t play in college. As for Meyer, the Dallas Mavericks drafted him out of high school, but soon after signing with the Mavs, he was thrown into a fast-life of money and drugs and as a result tried to commit suicide. In a period of six months he was out of the league and on mental medication. Capriati was a can?t miss tennis phenom that had a tumultuous career that eventually saw her drop off the ATP Tour and get arrested in a Florida hotel room for dope. Though recently, seven years after getting high in the Sunshine State, she has gained control of her life and was victorious at the prestigious Australian Open. Imagine if she would of stayed in school, matured and let that talent develop naturally. As for Vanpoppel, he was the next Nolan Ryan, a Texan that could bring the heat like no other. He rejected a full-ride from the University of Texas, and chose the major leagues. Well obviously the Nolan Ryan tag didn?t stick, Buddy Ryan was more like it.

Well since I?ve just given you a history class on high school busts, let me tell you how the genesis of blue-chip athletes is hurting both college athletics and professional athletics.

College athletics are losing due to the fact that all the outstanding players are skipping college altogether or going for just one year to showcase their skills then leaving. These athletes should stay in school all four years, but being realistic, at least two years to develop their game. The cheddar will be there in two years just wait. Besides, who knows, in college you might just have some of the most unforgettable years in your life and God forbid- might just learn something along the way.

The professional leagues are also hurting themselves. They are drafting by potential, not present skills. So in return you get a young player that sits the bench not developing, or is put into action and is destroyed, losing their confidence in the process. The natural development process is interrupted. So much for potential. But hey they?re getting paid. Right? Nobody wins. Oh I forgot, somebody does win, the slimy sports agent.

Maybe I?m just a purist, way out of touch with today?s sports. But if I am-so what. Purists like Tim Duncan, Peyton Manning, and Barry Bonds- all of whom stayed in college and developed to be the stars that they are today. That type of purist I can live with. I feel like a public service announcement when I say this but I?m selfish, I want college athletics to be like the old days so here it is: don?t be a fool stay in school.