Introduction
The college period is a turning point in life for numerous reasons; some people end their studies and start fruitful business careers, others flunk out after a while, and some run through the university in pursuit of a professional sports future.
While most pro athletes in the world manage to snatch professional contracts before they even get to college, in the US, for example, the university is their best chance to join a professional sports team.
The most popular sportsmen started their career studying at University
In this article, we’re going to seek inspiration in the stories of a few athletes that started their careers through university competitions.
Christine Ohuruogu
The British track and field icon started her professional career while studying linguistics at University College London. Many student-athletes receive sports scholarships at the university, but they still have to study, even though they rely on sports to reserve the scholarship. However, sports take a lot of time and this is the reason why they use outside help by edubirdie to have their essays finished in time, by professional writers.
For Christine, however, the college was not just a way to finance her existence until she snatches a professional contract. While in college, Christine was winning European medals and made it to the 2004 Olympics 400m semi-final and also came out fourth in 4 times 400m relay. The same years marked the start of her professional career, a year before she got her BA degree in linguistics in 2005.
During her professional career, Christine Ohuruogu managed to win it all, from national championships to Commonwealth, European, and Olympic gold medals, along with numerous other achievements.
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Shaquille O’Neal
Shaq was drafted by Orlando Magic in 1992 as the first pick on the draft while he was attending Louisiana State University. One of the best centers NBA ever had, returned to college in the year 2000, and got his well-deserved bachelor’s degree in general studies. He is also an inspiration for many aspiring athletes in a struggle.
During his active involvement in college basketball, Shaquille was named two-time All-American and SEC Player of the Year. Louisiana State introduced him to the Hall of Fame and also placed a 900-pound statue of Shaquille O’Neal in front of the college basketball training facility. His road to college was not easy, in his early years he was denounced by his biological father and got adopted by a U.S. Army sergeant so Shaq spent some time living in a US Army base in Germany before returning to the States.
Mia Hamm
One of the most influential sportspersons in the USA, Mia Hamm was born in Selma, Alabama but she moved a lot during her early days due to her parents’ engagement with the Army. While she lived in Italy she came into contact with soccer, which she became infatuated with. Upon her return to the USA, Mia started playing high school soccer for the Notre Dame Knights, during which period she became the youngest player for the United States women’s national soccer team.
In college, Mia defended the colors of the North Carolina Tar Heels, which placed her in the USA women’s soccer Olympics team and also allowed her to play the first-ever women’s soccer World Cup in China, in 1991. Since then, Mia played in every World Cup and Olympic tournament until the end of her professional career. In 2003, Mia Hamm and Michael Jordan were named the ACC’s Greatest Athletes in the first 50 years.
Brandon Jacobs
The guy with two Super Bowl rings on his hand had an interesting academic life along with a fruitful pro football career. After running more than 3 hundred yards and scoring 38 touchdowns in the senior campaign at Assumption High School, Brandon Jacobs enrolled in Coffeyville Community College, where he ran 1349 yards and scored 17 touchdowns in his freshman year.
The success in his first year of college led to Jacobs’ transfer to Auburn University where, despite the harsh competition for the place on the team, BJ made 442 yards on 72 carries and 2 touchdowns. By the end of the 2003 season, Jacobs moved to Southern Illinois so he could play at Division 1-AA.
With more than 990 yards and 19 touchdowns, the newcomer running back was the carrier of the entire Salukis football team. This was more than enough to draw the attention of professional football teams, and Brandon Jacobs was drafted in round four by New York Giants, in 2005.
Conclusion
These were some of the most popular athletes that plunged their careers sky-high before they even left college. What’s even more commendable, all these pro athletes were resolute to finish their education process. Their stories should serve as an inspiration to us all.
Author Bio
Jeremy Raynolds is a freelance content writer engaged with several online publishers and content writing services. His work is based on deep research and authentic information. As a writer, Jeremy tends to bring inspirational stories that raise interest and inform the readers.
