Growing up we are constantly nagged at about the importance of receiving a good education.  I can still hear my mom’s daily rant, “You need to go to a good college so you don’t end up like me… and you will make tons of money”.  I’m still waiting on that million dollar paycheck.  Sometimes I question my mom’s philosophy because I am not sure that college equals money… or that money even means happiness.As a kid my vision about college was going to the best quality educational school and being a star player on the basketball team.  For many of us this was or is the vision of college, but what happens when you have to choose between a more prestigious education and being able to play a sport in college?

For those of you that have gone through this dilemma you know how difficult making the decision can be.  Personally, trying to figure out what I wanted was a monumental pain and struggle.  The choice involves considering all past work in the classroom and the time spent working on your game.  Many feel like either way they are “throwing away” their hard work either academically or athletically.People will try to give advice about which choice to make, usually by downgrading the alternative.  Some common pieces of advice from friends and family are, “You’ll get a degree either way” or “It’s not like your going to go pro or anything”.  Dang, I didn’t realize these obvious claims.  I should definitely base my decision solely from these insightful arguments.Both choices offer different opportunities and selling points.  Family proximity, finances, other hobbies, career aspirations, and anything else of value and importance should be considered.  Unfortunately there is no algebraic formula to insert these variables into to give a solution.  It is usually a gut decision that is made on the final day to choose.My main piece of advice when trying to choose is not to frame your options as I did; “To play basketball or not to play basketball?…That is the question”.  If you think of it as education vs. basketball (or whichever sport) then you won’t be able to truly come to a sane selection.

I ultimately chose to stop competitively playing the sport I love in order to go to a more prestigious academic institution.  I could not pass up  the opportunity to go to the school I wanted to.  On the other hand, I have friends that have done the opposite and they love their choices.

Bottom-line is that only you can come to a conclusion, but even if you are happy with your choice you will always wonder about what could have been.  I sure do, so choose wisely my friends.