Hardest college-to-pro transition - cougarguard.com — unofficial BYU Cougars / LDS sports, football, basketball forum and message board

The Borg · 07-21-2006, 07:01 PM

Which sport has the hardest transition making the jump from successful college sport to the professional ranks?

NBA - only two rounds in the draft...and it seems there are so many busts.

NFL - seems to do fairly well with draft picks and how they will work out.

MLB - since their draft starts after a successful completion of the 3rd grade...not sure about how baseball works, and how their prospects work out.

Hockey - don't the Canadians give up their male children at birth to the highest bidding franchise? How does hockey fare with their 'draft'.

Archaea · 07-21-2006, 07:11 PM

Easy: cycling. I've never heard of a college cyclist going pro.

MikeWaters · 07-21-2006, 07:12 PM

swimming. how many college swimmers become professional swimmers? or even tennis.

MikeWaters · 07-21-2006, 07:13 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Archaea

Easy: cycling. I've never heard of a college cyclist

The college at Wichita Falls (where Hotter N Hell 100 is) has a cycling team. with scholarships.

The Borg · 07-21-2006, 07:15 PM

...one's that are followed by majority of sporting fans, ie: NFL, NBA, MLB, NHL

Venkman · 07-21-2006, 10:04 PM

I'd have to say MLB. It's difficult to make a true apples to apples comparison because of the minor leagues and the fact that a many MLBers never played college ball. But if you put the minor leagues as an equivalent to college ball (not sure if that's a fair comparison - IlPad help me out) then I think it's the most difficult.

I guess it comes down to my belief that of all the major team sports, baseball is the most skill driven, as opposed to athleticism driven.

il Padrino Ute · 07-22-2006, 04:08 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Venkman

I'd have to say MLB. It's difficult to make a true apples to apples comparison because of the minor leagues and the fact that a many MLBers never played college ball. But if you put the minor leagues as an equivalent to college ball (not sure if that's a fair comparison - IlPad help me out) then I think it's the most difficult.

I guess it comes down to my belief that of all the major team sports, baseball is the most skill driven, as opposed to athleticism driven.

That's a good comparison, though I'd say college ball is closer to the lower minor league levels (double A for the top college teams and single A for most of the rest). I don't know if it's necessarily a more difficult transition in baseball over the other sports; my guess is that it's pretty much an equally tough move from college to pro. The pros are there because nobody is better than then they are.

The one advantage that baseball has over the other sports is the farm system where they're able to hone their skills over time in order to advance - though it doesn't guarantee that they'll ever get to the big leagues.

Of course, the most difficult thing isn't getting to that level, but staying at that level.

RockyBalboa · 07-22-2006, 06:13 PM

I'd say the NFL.

These guys are under more scrutiny in a sport that is much more popular, physically demanding, and complex.

El Guapo · 07-25-2006, 06:08 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by The Borg

Which sport has the hardest transition making the jump from successful college sport to the professional ranks?

NBA - only two rounds in the draft...and it seems there are so many busts.

NFL - seems to do fairly well with draft picks and how they will work out.

MLB - since their draft starts after a successful completion of the 3rd grade...not sure about how baseball works, and how their prospects work out.

Hockey - don't the Canadians give up their male children at birth to the highest bidding franchise? How does hockey fare with their 'draft'.

Not even a single vote for bowling?

07-21-2006, 07:01 PM	#1
The Borg Senior Member Join Date: Mar 2006 Posts: 533	Hardest college-to-pro transition Which sport has the hardest transition making the jump from successful college sport to the professional ranks? NBA - only two rounds in the draft...and it seems there are so many busts. NFL - seems to do fairly well with draft picks and how they will work out. MLB - since their draft starts after a successful completion of the 3rd grade...not sure about how baseball works, and how their prospects work out. Hockey - don't the Canadians give up their male children at birth to the highest bidding franchise? How does hockey fare with their 'draft'.

07-21-2006, 07:11 PM	#2
Archaea Assistant to the Regional Manager Join Date: Aug 2005 Location: The Orgasmatron Posts: 24,338	Easy: cycling. I've never heard of a college cyclist going pro. __________________ Ἓν οἶδα ὅτι οὐδὲν οἶδα Last edited by Archaea; 07-21-2006 at 08:17 PM.

07-21-2006, 07:15 PM	#5
The Borg Senior Member Join Date: Mar 2006 Posts: 533	Ok...'major' professional sports ...one's that are followed by majority of sporting fans, ie: NFL, NBA, MLB, NHL

07-22-2006, 06:13 PM	#8
RockyBalboa Senior Member Join Date: Jan 2006 Location: Salt Lake City Posts: 7,297	I'd say the NFL. These guys are under more scrutiny in a sport that is much more popular, physically demanding, and complex. __________________ Masquerading as Cougarguards very own genius dumbass since 05'.

07-21-2006, 07:12 PM	#3
MikeWaters Demiurge Join Date: Aug 2005 Posts: 36,365	swimming. how many college swimmers become professional swimmers? or even tennis.

07-21-2006, 10:04 PM	#6
Venkman Senior Member Join Date: Jun 2006 Location: South Jordan, UT Posts: 1,799	I'd have to say MLB. It's difficult to make a true apples to apples comparison because of the minor leagues and the fact that a many MLBers never played college ball. But if you put the minor leagues as an equivalent to college ball (not sure if that's a fair comparison - IlPad help me out) then I think it's the most difficult. I guess it comes down to my belief that of all the major team sports, baseball is the most skill driven, as opposed to athleticism driven.