Normally, Fox Soccer commentator Alexi Lalas is not our cup of tea. In fairness to him, most American soccer pundits/commentators are not our cup of tea.
When it comes to America's ongoing debate about whether college soccer is good and cool or dumb and bad, we agree with Lalas. Here he is on Twitter:
We need to stop apologizing for valuing college education within the context of developing U.S. soccer talent.
— Alexi Lalas (@AlexiLalas) March 16, 2016
It was relevant to me…although I’m sure many would debate if I was truly a soccer player. https://t.co/YNk5v0Lxun
— Alexi Lalas (@AlexiLalas) March 16, 2016
No. I don’t believe I would have. And even if I had, would I be better off at age 46? Does that even matter? https://t.co/2BnI6vdyJi
— Alexi Lalas (@AlexiLalas) March 16, 2016
True, but it’s not about the degree, it’s about the experience. I believe the experience can still be valuable. https://t.co/9R44e3zoE4
— Alexi Lalas (@AlexiLalas) March 16, 2016
I’d rather have a generation of college educated U.S. players than a #USMNT World Cup. We’re “developing" Americans. https://t.co/1NeMV8xEtV
— Alexi Lalas (@AlexiLalas) March 16, 2016
Then you are morally bankrupt. I believe we can and need to better than that. https://t.co/niFNMVtaL3
— Alexi Lalas (@AlexiLalas) March 16, 2016
Yes it is. But why do you think college education is always a part of the political discussion in the U.S.? https://t.co/abFhndZpV0
— Alexi Lalas (@AlexiLalas) March 16, 2016
Maybe not, but what about the 99.9% of that generation that bypassed college and didn’t make the 23? https://t.co/rk28xriqtH
— Alexi Lalas (@AlexiLalas) March 16, 2016
A common mistake sports fans make is forgetting athletes are people, and most kids who you try to form into elite athletes will never get there. Even the ones who do will still need to be well-rounded, reasonable members of society.
College helps with this. This is not to say that you can only become a well-rounded, reasonable member of society by going to college or only well-rounded, reasonable people go to college (anyone who thinks this needs to examine some things).
College does open a lot of doors that, say, spending those years in a professional soccer academy doesn't. You don't really learn life skills in professional soccer academies. You mostly learn about soccer.
If you want to win a World Cup, yeah, copying the no-school-all-soccer philosophies some countries employ might help. But if you want smarter, more informed citizens, college soccer is better.
Remember: soccer is just a game. There are more important things.
Contact THhe18 Staff Writer Sam Klomhaus at Klomhaus@The18.com or follow him on Twitter @SamKlomhaus
