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, people, 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. As a result, everybody loses.

For example, the first overall pick in this year?s NBA draft was an 18-year-old high school kid named Kwame Brown. The Washington Wizard phenom has never played college ball, but hey, he is an athletic 6-foot-10 player with growing room who can handle the rock, so that must translate into future stardom.

On opening night in the NBA last Tuesday, what did Brown do? Two points in 15 minutes, including early foul trouble that sent him to the bench early and often. Who needs college?

I?m not hating the player, I?m hating the game. Translation: It?s not the athlete?s fault for taking the money and enjoying financial security; it?s these professional leagues (NBA, MLB, NHL, ATP to name a few) that are allowing the exploitation of these young kids. Isn?t that why we go to college? To have a better job? 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 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. 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 of whom have made successful jumps from high school to the pros.

But have you ever heard of the names Taj McDavid, Leon Smith, 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 who 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, since he declared he couldn?t play in college.

As for Meyer, the San Antonio Spurs drafted him out of Martin Luther King High of Illinois, with the 29th overall pick in the first round. He was later traded to the Dallas Mavericks, 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 14-year-old tennis phenomenon who had a tumultuous career. She eventually dropped off the ATP Tour and got arrested in a Florida hotel room for weed. Recently, though, eight years after getting high in the Sunshine State, she has gained control of her life and is currently ranked second in the world. Imagine if she would have stayed in school, matured and let that talent develop naturally.

As for Vanpoppel, he was the next Nolan Ryan ? a Texan who could bring the heat like no other. He rejected a full-ride scholarship from the University of Texas and chose the major leagues. Obviously, the Nolan Ryan tag didn?t stick. Meg Ryan was more like it.

Since I?ve just given you a complete 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 realistically, 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, you 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 (two points, five fouls, 15 minutes) who sits on 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 stayed in college and developed to be stars 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.”