Missy Franklin: Olympic swimming star may attend UGA
Missy Franklin to UGA? (AP)
The face of U.S. Olympic women’s swimming may attend college at UGA.
Missy Franklin, who is the darling of the 2012 Summer Olympics after winning four gold medals, told NBC’s Bob Costas on Sunday night that she will turn down millions of dollars of endorsements to realize her dream of swimming for a college team.
When Costas asked which colleges she was considering, Franklin replied “Cal-Berkley, Georgia, USC and maybe Texas.”
Franklin’s mention of the Bulldogs sent UGA fans on Twitter into a frenzy.
The 17-year-old Franklin is a rising senior at Regis Jesuit High School in Aurora, Colorado. At the Olympics, she also set the world record in the 200-meter backstroke. She talked about the decision to remain as an amateur with Costas:
“I have always wanted to swim in college. I love being a part of team. It is so important to me. A lot of people think of swimming as an individual event, but there is such a huge team aspect behind [it] in just knowing that you have the support of so many people behind you. And you know they’re there, and they’re cheering you. I think that’s so special and college takes that to a whole other level.”
What are your thoughts? If Franklin signed with UGA, would you go watch her in a swim meet? Please post below.
OVER THE WEEKEND
- Will longtime UGA commit Tray Matthews stick with Bulldogs? Or FLIP to Auburn?
- Missy Franklin … Olympic star may swim at UGA
- Georgia QB sets visits for Notre Dame, Oregon, Clemson and FSU
- B-I-G news! JC OL is commitment No. 24 for UGA
- OL Octavius Jackson comes out of nowhere to commit to … FLORIDA
- UCLA-bound QB Eddie Printz: “I’m a football player, not a camper”
DID YOU HEAR ABOUT THIS?
- INSIDER: The powerful influence of Mr. Robert Nkemdiche
- Steve Spurrier RAIDS Georgia for another top prospect (4-star DB)
- Ole Miss REVOKES football offer to Georgia LB
- PACKAGE DEAL? FSU hires father of nation’s No. 1 recruit
- TE commits to UGA over the Florida Gators
- Will Derrick Henry pick Bama, Vols or UGA?
- Lifelong UGA fan picks … archrival Florida Gators
- INSIDER: Clemson goes from worst-to-first with Georgia recruiting
- Should Clemson be worried that Robert Nkemdiche made a surprise visit with Ole Miss coaches??
- Ex-UGA recruit to play at … SEC rival school
OTHER TOP STORIES
- DID YOU SEE what Reuben Foster did out of loyalty to Auburn??
- Robert Nkemdiche: Just trying to help a teammate
- ANOTHER ONE of Nkemdiche’s teammates is headed to CLEMSON
- Robert Nkemdiche to Clemson … Did that really happen?
- Nick Saban on his Georgia recruiting success: “Well, I still have a home in Georgia”
– By Michael Carvell, AJC Recruiting Blog
- So much is happening so fast. Have you missed anything over the last few days? Catch up with our feed by CLICKING HERE
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304 comments Add your comment
Whofan70
August 6th, 2012
11:08 am
No one in the Olympics has impressed me as much as Missy Franklin. This kid seems to “get it” and would be an asset wherever she decides to go. She appears to be a “great person” first and a “great athlete” second. Color me impressed with this kid.
Even if Leigh could get into UGA...
August 6th, 2012
11:11 am
..we would not want her.
Admire the UC sciences programs, but you can keep the arts and athletics programs – and the budget problems and riots. Have always instictively rooted for Stanford over UCB- now I know Leigh is the reason.
Al
August 6th, 2012
11:12 am
Did not realize she went to school in Aurora, CO. Wow.
Craig
August 6th, 2012
11:18 am
No offense, but why on earth would anyone choose Georgia over Berkley or USC?
DebDoes
August 6th, 2012
11:18 am
I think she’ll end up at Auburn…a lot of her fellow Olympic swimmers are Auburn Tigers!
Buckhead Bulldog
August 6th, 2012
11:21 am
No!
blazerdawg
August 6th, 2012
11:26 am
I have always liked USC, but the neighborhood is rough and as much as I personally like LA, I am not sure it is the best college atmosphere in the traditional sense. USC would be great for the degree.
Cal is a great school, but the student body goes out of its way to be antagonistic and takes PC to a new level. Just not the happiest place and Berkley itself is not spectacular – being a 0BART ride from SF is awesome.
Athens is a GREAT college town and experience, in the traditional sense; the swim program and facilities are excellent, and reasonable people that do not have a bias against the south realize it is a terrific academic school (depending on the program for sure).
Jimmy Baron
August 6th, 2012
11:27 am
She’s not going to college, at least not to swim. If she’s not doing commercials during THIS football season, I will never post here again! LOL Her marketing time is NOW.
dawgfan
August 6th, 2012
11:27 am
In other news, Georgia Tech swimmer Ulatastad Shleinbager representing the country of Eastbumblewadbeckistan finished 8th in his preliminary heat in the 100m backstroke. A proud moment for Georgia Tech athlethics.
Georgia Tech=JOKE.
A person SMART enough to know......
August 6th, 2012
11:28 am
She seems to be the most genuine person so far at the Olympics.
GTBob
August 6th, 2012
11:29 am
I am not sure it is the best college atmosphere in the traditional sense.
What exactly is the definition of a good college atmosphere? Lots of grass and nothing to do but drink?
Won Hung Lo
August 6th, 2012
11:31 am
I go to Georgia Tech, and I’m proud of my Asian heritage and my math skills. I only wish that I could function in society so I might be able to make more than 30k/year as a IT employee at Brandsmart. Maybe, I should go to a “Breanau” for men so I can become socially polished?
Big Al
August 6th, 2012
11:33 am
Big problem at UGA. Pool is one foot short of official olympic standards. Designed by an engineer from Georgia Tech who has been laughing ever since the pool was constructed.
A person SMART enough to know......
August 6th, 2012
11:33 am
dwagfan is MAD that TECH is known WORLD WIDE as a great Institution of Higher Education whereas UGa’s Dwag Nation means Drunk Fake Blonde White Girls from the state of Georgia.
Jimmy Baron
August 6th, 2012
11:34 am
GTBob–Anywhere you don’t have students getting heldup at gunpoint almost daily, is a “good college atmosphere”. Get real.
idiots
August 6th, 2012
11:37 am
Won Hung and person SMART enough -
neither of which has stated anything useful, funny or smart
GTBob
August 6th, 2012
11:44 am
GTBob–Anywhere you don’t have students getting heldup at gunpoint almost daily, is a “good college atmosphere”. Get real.
That is good criteria. I would also add other criteria like safe to drive on the roads at night, and a campus that does not look like a trash dump for several days after a football game.
Rusty
August 6th, 2012
11:46 am
The nerds are out in force this morning.
Vince Doodley
August 6th, 2012
11:49 am
She’s crazy if she foregoes millions of dollars in endorsements. She may never have a crack at that money again in her life.
Rusty
August 6th, 2012
11:52 am
Vince, this girl is 17 years old. She has a legitimate shot at winning gold in the next two Olympic games. I’d say she has a pretty good chance of making some pretty big money in her life.
gt4ever
August 6th, 2012
11:54 am
I would have to agree with Vince …. She needs to save for her future… She may never get this chance again…
BigGAdawg
August 6th, 2012
11:54 am
I would certainly go to see her and the rest of the team. I’m sure that getting tickets to swim events would be tougher than ever.
WOOF!
Spike 80DF
August 6th, 2012
11:55 am
Not sure why anyone would turn down millions to go to college. Life is all about timing and for her the time is NOW!!
A person SMART enough to know......
August 6th, 2012
11:56 am
Jimmy Baron
August 6th, 2012
11:34 am
GTBob–Anywhere you don’t have students getting heldup at gunpoint almost daily, is a “good college atmosphere”. Get real.
——————————————————–
Jimmy Baron what do you think the odds of getting mugged at Tech are as compared to a UGa female getting drunk and Date R or Sexually Assaulted at UGa?
I can’t wait to hear your answer. At tech yes the Street Criminal in a big city try to take advantage of college students. In Athens the criminals students have to worry about are the other students.
John
August 6th, 2012
11:59 am
Cal swimming has basically put on a clinic in London. They are the two time defending National Champion, her idol is Natalie Coughlin, and her Olympic coach is Cal’s coach. Seems like the writing is on the wall for this one. She would have a great time in Athens, and USC has a fine program, but I think she will probably go to Berkeley.
A person SMART enough to know......
August 6th, 2012
12:05 pm
Why can’t she go to College and Swim.
Dominque Daws(?) was an Olympic Gymnast then went to UGa. Didn’t she get money from sponsors and stuff when the 7 won Gold here in Atlanta?
A person SMART enough to know......
August 6th, 2012
12:06 pm
sorry go to college swim and make money from ads?
Red Dawg
August 6th, 2012
12:08 pm
Hey Sess Poole, what a great nick name for you!! North avenue the place to be if you don’t mind getting raped, robbed or even killed!!!
In the past 13 years Georgia won 4 national champioships and 7 runner up in women swimming
Rusty
August 6th, 2012
12:09 pm
Because she’d be giving up her amateur status.
A person SMART enough to know......
August 6th, 2012
12:11 pm
I Wrong it was not Dominque Dawes that went to UGA.
UGA Football is all there is
August 6th, 2012
12:12 pm
Does she hike the ball? Is she a kicker? She doesn’t look like a lineman. I don’t get it, why would I go to watch her play in the pool??
Devil's Advocate
August 6th, 2012
12:15 pm
Remember people, those that have do not have to flaunt it. Those who trash others do so because they do not believe in themselves. It’s like “fans” from large Southern universities are afraid for UGA to get any favorable press. Is it like this all over the country? I mean I know rivals take shots at each other everywhere but on the academic side do USC fans trash UCLA’s academics to the point that Techies feel they need to trash UGA’s?
Personally, I think Tech is a great engineering school and I’d think they’d be proud enough of it to not have to lower themselves to taking shots at another school to improve their own image. Maybe this is why some UGA “fans” often mention that Tech has a “little brother” complex.
When it comes to standards, you cannot raise yours up by lowering them down. Maybe these Techies should try showing a little class and they’d feel better about themselves and their school.
Jimmy Baron
August 6th, 2012
12:15 pm
So much for “SMART” being, well, very smart. JTFF.
Craig
August 6th, 2012
12:17 pm
Huh? UGA and Tech do not have good programs for anything. Tech graduates engineers, but they don’t do any research. That is why a Tech degree has such a low ceiling. As for UGA, “great college town” really means that it is not completely nasty. It is just like most other towns and can’t even come close to what Berkley, Palo Alto, Madison, Ann Arbor, Boston, Austin, and Raleigh have to offer.
Ga Dawg81
August 6th, 2012
12:17 pm
We would be proud to have her at UGA. UGA has a great swimming program and is always in the top 5. Coach Bauerle is a wonderful man as well a great teacher of young adults. Whatever path she chooses, her future is bright. I admire her for keeping her amatuer status. GTBob, do you have a life? Your hatred for UGA is so great you post multiple times a day year round. You my sir are a total idiot. You bring shame to Georgia Tech.
A person SMART enough to know......
August 6th, 2012
12:18 pm
Rusty I know but that is a lil stupid of the NCAA.
Kids paying their own way in college so no Boosters $100 hand shakes needed.
If the Reason the kid is a PRO is because of the OLYMPICS then the NCAA should let them be in college and on a college team. The Olympics are every 4 years and most kids could graduate or be close to graduating between the Olympics.
Just My Opinion.
Red Dawg
August 6th, 2012
12:18 pm
A person SMART enough to know……
you sir are delusional! Athens is one million times safer than tech period! no discussion
Georgia fans are certainly stupid
August 6th, 2012
12:19 pm
@Devil’s Advocate
keep telling yourself that bs…no one else believes it…
A person SMART enough to know......
August 6th, 2012
12:21 pm
Craig
August 6th, 2012
12:17 pm
Huh? UGA and Tech do not have good programs for anything. Tech graduates engineers, but they don’t do any research.
—————————-
You are a freaking moron. Tech does tons of Research. Go check the companies PAYING Tech and their research departments. Go check the billion Dollar Endowment.
Try researching that again.
A person SMART enough to know......
August 6th, 2012
12:23 pm
Craig check the link
http://factbook.gatech.edu/content/research-grants-and-contracts-awarding-agencychart
CC
August 6th, 2012
12:25 pm
Yes. GO DAWGS!!
A person SMART enough to know......
August 6th, 2012
12:26 pm
craig
Tech Endowment.
Georgia Institute of Technology $1.620 Billion in 2011
Chuck
August 6th, 2012
12:31 pm
Some of you trolls need to go get a job and maybe you’d be eating a real lunch right now instead of choking down yet another cup of ramen in your dad’s basement.
Chuck
August 6th, 2012
12:33 pm
SMART – it’s true, at Georgia the odds are much higher for women being taken advantage of than at Tech, where you really have to worry more about your sons.
A person SMART enough to know......
August 6th, 2012
12:33 pm
RED DAWG go look at the UGa & GT crime statics from the Campus Police of both schools.
ON CAMPUS UGa is much more dangerous than TECH.
Tech is in a CITY not a cow pasture. Students at any college in a major city have to be careful when off campus.
USC is in the middle of a HUGE GHETTO.
A person SMART enough to know......
August 6th, 2012
12:36 pm
Chuck cute joke but you can use the numbers as percentages since TECH has fewer students and fewer women but the facts will not change.
dVaunt
August 6th, 2012
12:36 pm
I live in suburban Denver, close to Regis. I plan on seeing her swim this season so I wont have to wait for her college career.
Imagine if you will, the high school swimmer’s most feared words on the PA system ” In Lane 4, representing Regis Jesuit High School, Missy Franklin. . .”
GTBob
August 6th, 2012
12:39 pm
GTBob, do you have a life? Your hatred for UGA is so great you post multiple times a day year round
Nope, the AJC is my life now.
#1 UGA Fan
August 6th, 2012
12:45 pm
Can someone please clarify for me? Why is it that she cannot take the endorsements and go to college? Is it because of NCAA rules or something that College student athletes cannot be paid for the sport in which they participate in college? Here is the problem I have with this, she has a unique opportunity for herself, her current immediate family and her future family. I just think it is irresponsible not to take the opportunity in front of her to earn Millions for her abilities, set herself and her family up to enjoy the great things money affords you to do in life and enjoy it. Then go to college once that opportunity is not longer there. I do understand the pure love of the sport that she has, and the camaraderie that comes with a team sport but she is so young I wonder if she knows what she really loves right now? If I had a crystal ball in front of me now and I could tell all that is reading this the future of this young lady…..and I told you that she will enjoy her love of swimming for 5 years in college, after she graduates from UGA with a degree in Sports Management (because college was really mostly about swimming and not the degree), then 2 years after graduating she is without a job, pregnant with her second child from a man that left her after finding out she was never going to make millions, homeless as she doesn’t have a job and friends and family wot support her because they felt she owed them a part of the wealth she turned down….. would you still commend her for her decision?
Look I know we can “what if” this to death, and there is no guarantee that the outcome of instant wealth wouldn’t be something twice as horrific as what I just stated above but I just think she has a rare opportunity in front of her that 1 in a million people will never have and I think she should take the least risky path, stay grounded and if nothing else invest 100% of her wealth until she reaches the age of 30…..swim with a team that is not part of a university maybe teaching or coaching other young swimmers, donate some of her wealth to charities and then possibly go to college when her 3 – 5 years of fame is over. Seems a while lot less risky to me, but some have said I am a selfish person…maybe I am, and I certainly know that most readers will disagree with me.
Some of you cross a line, even for the internet
August 6th, 2012
12:51 pm
Especially the one who suggested if Missy went to UGA she might end up on the Police Blotter. That is an asinine remark, to be polite. Why would anyone say such an ugly thing, even if you hate UGA.
By the way, it appears Missy will do well with any of her final choices. UGA offers a perennial powerhouse swimming team, one of the most respected coaches in the sport, a great education, and a college town equal to any.