Preparing for the Athletic Seasons

As we move into the end of August, we acknowledge the beginning of the school year.  With that beginning of the school year, comes the FOOTBALL Season for high schools, colleges, and the pros.

Actually, football practice no doubt for high school began at the beginning of August and quite possibly earlier for colleges, and probably never really ended for the pros, although I am sure that they were given a couple of months off to heal souls and injuries.

I played all sorts of sports in high school but never was interested in sports in college.  And, honestly never even considered an opportunity with the pros.  I was not tall enough, strong enough, or talented enough to go that fall but that is not what stopped me.  I just lost interest.

Today, I would venture to say that if the pros from 20 years ago were playing today that they would not be good or talented enough to play in the pros.  This also applies to the pros from 40 years ago as well.  And the pros today would not be good enough to play in the pros 20 years from now either.

The professional ranks of athletics changes that much and that fast in 20 years.  And, the window might not be 20 years, it may be 12-15.   So, the average player probably plays only 10-12 years before new talent pushes them out of the top slots.

Whatever money they make they must do in 10 years and whatever money they save they must also do in 10 years.  If these athletes are smart enough or advised well, they will invest their money in other businesses like restaurant franchises, or hotels, or resorts.

NASCAR drivers put their money into car dealerships.  I know Rusty Wallace from Knoxville, TN owns just about every car dealership in Knoxville and the surrounding areas.

So...  for high schools and colleges, first there is football...  then basketball comes along...  then baseball...  mixed in with all of these male sports is female sports and track and field events, swimming, and gymnastics.  You also have archery, tennis, equestrian, shooting competitions...  although many of these are not as popular as the first three mentioned.

Not only do players make or break their careers by avoiding injuries, the coaches must have winning seasons or else they are replaced by a new coach or fresh blood.  It is true that coaches influence players but if the team just doesn't blend well together, there is no coach in the world who can change that.

It is not surprising that coaches move around a lot from one school to the next...  this happens more in college than in high school, but it is a hell of a way to make a living, and does not offer much security.