SwimSwam Pulse is a recurring feature tracking and analyzing the results of our periodic A3 Performance Polls. You can cast your vote in our newest poll on the SwimSwam homepage, about halfway down the page on the right side, or you can find the poll embedded at the bottom of this post.
Our most recent poll asked SwimSwam readers to weigh in on Regan Smith‘s pro-vs-NCAA decision:
RESULTS
Question: Should Regan Smith turn pro instead of swimming NCAA?
- Yes – 61.4%
- No – 38.6%
61.4% of voters said Regan Smith should turn professional now, giving up her NCAA eligibility after breaking two world records over the summer.
The 17-year-old Smith was the breakout star of Team USA this summer, smashing world records in the 200 and 100 backstrokes at the World Championships. Smith has been the #1-ranked NCAA recruit in her high school class, but her father also recently spoke to the San Jose Mercury News, saying Regan Smith is frustrated that NCAA rules prohibit her from receiving world record bonuses.
The NCAA is still very entrenched in the idea of amateurism, even as more and more critics of that system arise. That’s caused tough calls for many swimmers, especially on the women’s side, where teenage sensations are the norm of the sport. Smith is verbally committed to Stanford for the fall of 2020. Fellow Stanford swimmers Katie Ledecky and Simone Manuel both turned pro before their collegiate eligiblity was used up, following the path of Missy Franklin, who swam just two years at Cal before turning pro. Meanwhile the former holder of Smith’s 100 back world record, Katheen Baker, also turned pro early after breaking a world record as a college junior.
Almost two-thirds of voters said Smith should skip college swimming entirely, while about 38% said she should compete in the NCAA.
Below, vote in our new A3 Performance Poll, which asks voters which non-Smith backstroker has the best chance of making the 2020 U.S. Olympic team in the 100 back:
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The A3 Performance Poll is courtesy of A3 Performance, a SwimSwam partner
To paraphrase Gold Medal Mel’s catch-phrase, who cares what we think? What does Regan Smith think? 🙂
Could always go to a Canadian college and do both (just like Kylie Masse)
First, how cool that a 17 year old can seriously consider turning pro. Kudos to her, her parents and coaches. What an amazingly wonderful ‘problem to have!’
Yes, NCAA rules seem messed up. Forget swimming, look at mens bball and football.
In any kids case, they need to look both short and long term. In running, a kid named Drew Hunter (broke long standing HS mile record) who WAS going to running meca: U of Oregon. Then Adidas made him an offer he couldn’t refuse. That offer could set him up for life. He could, later, attend higher education for the sole purpose to get educated. In his case, forgoing ‘the team experience’ was a no brainer.
In… Read more »
Swimcerely – that’s probably wrong. I can’t find how big Drew Hunter’s contract was, but we know Ledecky got 7 years/$7 million. I would suspect that Regan wouldn’t have that kind of drawing power until after Tokyo, but even half of that could set someone up for light. And that doesn’t account for the ‘other’ money she could earn in the meantime, both from other sponsorships and prizes.
Maybe the big question would be: this close to the quad: which brands have enough money left to spend?
So, her baseline is probably “comfortable for life” as guaranteed money, with an upside of “wealthy for life.” Either case would certainly be enough to pay for Stanford down the road.
Stop putting pressure on Regan!! Just let her swim and make her own decision
She and her parents should decide what’s best for her, none of us can make that decision……but on another note …..everyone thinks a Stanford degree is a golden ticket which maybe it is a good start depending on the field of study…however me……just a old PE grad on a swimming scholarship from a state school ended up doing pretty good and retired at 52…so you do not necessarily need a high profile college degree to make it in the world…sometimes hard work and effort pay off no matter the degree or school! I always say I am living proof that a dude with a PE degree and not much book sense can make it
I says she should just freak everyone out – RETIRE from swimming and do 2 years mission work in Uganda!
Follow the Manual,Ledecky trail. 2 years at Stanford
with the Olympic coach. He knows how to handle this
level of talent and time of season.
I think her club coach has decades more experience with top level, world ranked athletes. Give Mike some credit.
Yet Katie’s best 200, 400, and 800 are from Rio, after Yuri and Bruce….
Bruce was still her coach in Rio…
more about the process and mechanics of admission and how the teams works
I heard Stanford won’t admit a student based on them being awarded a spot (assuming include scholarship) from sport team alone. I assume Smith’s late announcement of her commitment was to wait for the official Stanford acceptance as student. If that is the case, can the head coach/team change the outcome of school acceptance if Smith decided to turn pro (and free up the scholarship and spot)?
If Smith turn pro, can she train with Alto Swim Club under Meehan? The PSC website says “Greg Meehan works primarily with the collegiate & post-graduate swimmers.”. If Smith is only a Stanford student, can she join Meehan… Read more »
Yes (it’s really up to admissions–not Greg).
Sure. But if she isn’t admitted to Stanford, that may be a little awkward.
I betcha Greg is having a blast reading these comments!
Of course, it’s her decision, but as a swim fan, I’d love to see R Smith go pro before the 2020 Olympics, shine brightly in Tokyo as the “female face of US Swimming,” and then take a “gap year” during 2020-21 leading up to the 2021 World Championships. This two year span (2019-2021) could very likely be the sweet spot of her career, and it would be great if she were financially well-rewarded! She could then matriculate into Stanford in September, 2021 and probably be the most famous person in the class of 2025 (Stanford loves that kind of reflected glory!). Also, if you recall, both Ledecky and Weitzel took… Read more »
If memory serves correct, track sprinter Allison Felix showed great promise as a 16-17 year old and was offered a scholarship to USC (another highly selective private university). Right before she matriculated in September, 2003 she decided to turn pro and had Nike pay for her USC tuition (and other expenses). Many Olympic medals later, you could say that things have worked out quite well for Felix, USC, and Nike.
Great point
Katie’s gap year was the year before the Olympics before she even entered Stanford. Just deferred it a year. Timing is different .
Great. Regan’s 1500 back will improve greatly under Greg!!!
^This cracked me up for so many reasons. Thanks for the laugh Well !!
Maybe she will set an NCAA record in the 400IM.