For those adventurous and daring souls out there, head down the Memorial Steps, go through the big iron gate and just keep on walking.
There, you'll find a scary place full of treacherous obstacles, a slate of new tasks and expenses that will eat away at your savings account. What is this horrible place, you ask? It's the Real World.
As the semester moves toward its conclusion and the Class of 2006 moves toward Commencement, many ambivalent feelings about the conclusion of college life fill the airwaves on the Hill.
Some aren't fretting because a job has been secured or graduate school is on deck, but others are in a complete state of frenzy. I know that when my fateful time comes, I will shy away from the challenge and chain myself to a tree on the Academic Quad.
In the world of sports, the NBA Draft's early entries have elected to cut short their collegiate years and make the plunge into the murky waters of the real world's uncertainty. Granted, their college experience is quite different from ours, and their "real worlds" often consist of mansions, Bentleys and magazine covers, but nevertheless, the decision to stay in school or declare for the pros is an intriguing one.
I've never been someone who believes that everyone should stay in school and graduate; I'm not that naive. I do believe that circumstances matter. If a player's stock has reached its peak, it is certainly wise to go, especially after collegiate success, as was the case with Texas quarterback Vince Young.
In addition, I also understand that immediate financial security is hard to pass by. If I were offered millions of dollars to sit on an NBA bench, even for a few years, what do you think I would do? I would get over the fact that I was missing Carmichael lunches and Tuesday pub nights pretty quickly while I was swimming in $100 bills.
For many of this year's early entries, the decision is understandable. LSU's Tyrus Thomas, Connecticut's Rudy Gay, Texas' LeMarcus Aldridge and Gonzaga's Adam Morrison are all virtually guaranteed to be high lottery selections in the summer's Draft, and therefore all have decided to leave school before graduation. While I would have liked to see a few of these players lead their title contenders next March, I can see why they wanted to go.
The decisions of others, on the other hand, are far more perplexing. Some, like Arizona's Mustafa Shakur, put themselves on the market, but don't hire an agent. These players wisely and cautiously test out the situation, and if they don't receive interest from NBA teams, they will simply return to their school.
Still others will declare their eligibility and hire an agent even when their draft status is in doubt. One name that stands out on this year's early entry list is junior Marcus Slaughter of San Diego State.
After his sophomore year, Slaughter declared his intention to enter the Draft, but did not sign an agent and came back to school. This past year, however, he improved his numbers, and led his team to an NCAA Tournament berth. He later told his local paper that "there's no reason to come back" and "it wouldn't help me get to the next level if I came back." Facing the NBA Draft, he believes that "now is the opportunity."
Unfortunately, according to ESPN, he is expected to be picked late in the Draft's second round or not at all, and although his status can change from now until then, it is unlikely that he will sign with an NBA team.
For Slaughter, it may be his best opportunity and his life's dream, but it is not a realistic one. Like many other early entrants who regret their decision, he will probably spend next year fighting to get on a professional roster when he could have enjoyed leading his team to another run at the NCAA Tournament in his senior year.
This situation happens every year, and it is always upsetting. It is even more tragic when a high-schooler passes on college, only to go undrafted. But like I said, the decision is intriguing and tough, and I understand why some would make the wrong one.
Sure, I'd take NBA cash right now, but would I be prepared if it never came? Should a player chase the ultimate dream or a lesser one at school? Will the dream still be alive after graduation? How long can a person be expected to put off such a tempting dream?
So to these players on the fringes of the Draft, I say: Life in the real world without guaranteed NBA assurance is scary. I'm sure many Tufts seniors would tell you to stay in school, and enjoy it while you can.
Ben Swasey is a sophomore who has not yet declared a major. He can be reached via e-mail at benjamin.swasey@tufts.edu
