Work out regimes have changed, to try and reduce impact and slow down stress related injuries that cripple men.

Sports put into place new rules to try to recuce impact related injuries caused by contact.

People do think about this kind of stuff- especailly after the second, third or fourth back/knee/hip/shoulder operation at age 38.

I am just saying- there is life after college sports, and it is worth taking a look at all impact and the options on the table that could have a more lasting impact on their lives, vice those last two years of hockey.

I encourage every athlete to think about it… take that semester abroad if you want to… even if, or especially if, you feel pressure because you are a tip.

And as Jeff noted, it sounds as if he chose Williams over Harvard.

I know someone else who chose Williams over Harvard

Are people able to reflect back and truly understand the impact of not doing what they could have done, had they not played sport X in year Y and Z?

In my case, I took the semester abroad fall term, senior year. If I had had the ability, I would have definitely done another one. I have the foresight of having actually made the choice to stop playing a varsity sport to peruse something else.

I think we should also take the time to mention injury. It is very easy to sustain an injury in College athletics that might close doors for a person or restrict them from doing any number of things later in life (like walking past age 65). I bet there are a lot of former college athletes out there that look at their spent joints and battered bodies after the multiple surgeries and question how much it was really worth it… using their bodies in such a way that did not involve a career. One of the reasons I did not Wrestle my senior year was that I was quite literally saving my body for something I felt was more important.

Athletics do a lot of good for people. For me, Wrestling was the only reason that I even got into the College that I did, and the only reason that I stayed in high school. It had a positive impact on me. However, as kids turn into young adults, I think it is important that they take more time to asses the full impact of what sports are doing to their bodies and their ability to broaden their studies.

I do not think my perspective is that unique.

Seriously, I worry that athletes may lose more than they gain because of the focus on sports… I know I did.

I know your son is a jock right sophmom? Is he going to do a semester abroad… or anything outside of the box, or does his sport prohibit him from taking full advantage?