SPORTS

The Unattached Subsidized Individuals system within the National Women’s Soccer League have picked up another player to be a full-time professional contract, but this time, it’s a little different. 17 year old Mallory Pugh will join the Portland Thorns FC. At such a young age, she has already been compared to Mia Hamm and Kristine Lilly. Not only is she putting herself in a position where she will be young compared to all of her teammates and league mates, she is also giving up her opportunity to go to college and gain an education. She has previously played on the U.S. team at the FIFA U-20 Women’s World Cup and pre-olympic qualifying training camp. She is one of few who have bypassed college to play professionally. This is a bold move but is this what we should do? Should we support players who know they won’t gain anything from playing collegiate sports and therefore move straight to professional? In the end, it comes down to what is best for the player.