My topic for the debate on Wednesday will be focused on whether or not teens should be able to make the jump to the professional level before a year of college? Should there be a minimum age requirement enforced for all professional sports?
Background on age requirements:
Recently 16-year-old Tadd Fujikawa announced that he is forfeiting his amateur golf status to pursue a professional career in the PGA. Fujikawa did something few thought possible in J
anuary, upstaging Michelle Wie and becoming the second-youngest in PGA Tour history to make a cut. But should he be able to make the big leap in to the PGA without proving himself in college for a year or two?
The LPGA, NHL and PGA have a waiver option for athletes who are younger than 18, which enables athletes an opportunity to turn pro before the age of 18 if they fulfill certain requirements.
The NFL age requirement prohibits young football players from turning pro right after high school. The NFL and NCAA claim that the NFL age requirement protects young athletes by shielding them from physical injury and requiring them to mature emotionally and receive an education before entering the world of professional sports.
In 2005 the NBA moved the age requirement to 19, forcing kids to experience one year in college. The NBA has experienced two drafts after implementing the age requirement and it has helped better the talent of its NBA prospects.
Major League Baseball requires athletes to be 16 years of age to tryout for farm teams. And tennis has been more lenient about teen players, although they limit the number of events they can enter.
Reasons for it being unfair:
- The biggest area of concern for the college athlete is the potential for a career-ending injury occurring before they are able to cash in on the monetary value of their talents. The possibility of being hurt while playing in minor leagues or college is of great concern.
- It is a free country, and if a teen is good enough to compete at the professional level then we should let them.
Reasons for it being fair:
- College expands education and enhances both social and public relations skills, even if the athlete is in college for only a year or two. The time spent in college allows athletes to develop into a more complete player.
- Enforcing minimum age requirements for all sports will force teens to better themselves at the colligate level, therefore making them a more polished player when they turn pro.
1 comment:
I think this is going to be a really good debate topic for wednesday! I feel that athletes progress at different levels and as a result need multiple path options. In other words, young athletes should have the option to turn pro if they are capable. Having said that, I do think that college education is an experience that cannot be replace and should be pursued by most athletes.
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