I matriculated at Austin Peay State University as someone decidedly non-athletic and seeking an education of convenience, for lack of a better term. They offered me a small scholarship against what was at the time extremely reasonable tuition rates and were located some 40 minutes from my house. I lost the scholarship but gained many things from the experience, one I recommend at full voice to anyone who bothers to ask. I also know that’s my experience and not necessarily indicative of anyone else’s experience, so even though I would steer every blue-chipper directly to Corey Gipson if prompted, I know this is both unrealistic and impractical.
Can’t blame a man for trying.
I never had any regrets about college—at least, not regrets in a “why did I go here?” way. My regrets were decidedly of a life-choice variety and the statute of limitations is not quite up on some of these so you’ll simply have to ponder. But I have always been fascinated by how and why anyone chooses a school and the criteria they base it on, and even more when talking to athletes, where the invariable answer is some combination of ‘they offered me the best aid package’ and ‘I wanted my momma to be able to watch me play regularly.’ Both are meritous goals for a young person.
I am also built different and, had I been blessed with things like intelligence, athleticism or options, I’ve zero doubts my search would have taken me further afield than Austin Peay (which, again, I love with all my heart). I’m on wax that my entire post-graduation plan prior to meeting my wife had been to toss my meager possessions into the car and drive west until I ran out of gas or hit an impassable body of water. A world where I could have gone anywhere based upon my own criteria beyond that “plan” was not reality.